633 I Cant Get In! (2/2)

”Baole, I know something huge happened a while ago, and I can sense that we have been growing apart. I'm here to discuss something openly with you.

”I, Jin Duoming, really have no wish to fight for the Federation presidency with you. I don't care that it's the mission that Duan Muque, that old man, has tasked me with. I know what I want. I want to play a part in the assimilation between the Federation and the Dao Palace. I also want to establish a Trilunaris Corporation that is independent of my family clan!”

”Baole, will you help me?” Jin Duoming sounded sincere. His eyes were clear and honest, without secrets, as he stared at Wang Baole.

Wang Baole rubbed his forehead. He had been thinking a lot after the battleship's appearance. He hadn't really grown apart from Jin Duoming; they had continued to keep in touch throughout the years. He spent some time easing Jin Duoming's mind, then asked.

”I'll help where I can. You mentioned you ran into some trouble?”

”It's nothing difficult, Baole. I know that what I'm about to ask may result in some misunderstanding, but… I'll just speak my mind. I wish to exchange a portion of my shares in the Spirit Internet for a portion of your shares in the game.” Jin Duoming ducked his head sheepishly as he said that.

Wang Baole rubbed at his forehead again. This wasn't a problem at all, in his opinion. However, it also wasn't something he could unilaterally decide. After some thought, Wang Baole said tactfully, ”Duoming, you should discuss this with Xie Haiyang.”

”Baole, I've gone looking for Xie Haiyang. I went to his cave abode, but there was no one there. His cave abode was empty as well. I heard that he disappeared the same day the battleship appeared. He hasn't returned yet…” Jin Duoming sighed and said with great exasperation.

”He's gone, and his cave abode is empty? He's gone missing again?” Wang Baole froze. He immediately pulled out his voice transmission ring and sent a voice transmission to Xie Haiyang. It was like a rock sinking into the ocean—there was no reply.

Jin Duoming saw that, and an imperceptible light flickered in his eyes. He lowered his head and sighed.

”Yes, this fellow keeps disappearing. This is the second time he's gone missing.”

Wang Baole's head began to throb slightly. He couldn't help but wonder at the strange timing of Xie Haiyang's disappearance. This seemed like something he should look into. He comforted Jin Duoming again.

”Duoming, you don't have to worry about this. Xie Haiyang's a guy filled with mysteries. Maybe he just has something he needs to attend to. I'll go look for him. You'll have your answer soon. How about that?”

Jin Duoming smiled wryly and nodded. He chatted with Wang Baole for a while longer, then left.

Having sent Jin Duoming off, Wang Baole sat back down in his palace, and a crease appeared on his forehead. As he wondered about Xie Haiyang's disappearance, he suddenly lifted his head and looked outside, in the direction that Jin Duoming had left. Suspicion gradually colored his eyes. After some thought, he realized that his suspicions were a result of what Jin Duoming had said about Xie Haiyang.

”He's gone, and his cave abode is empty? He's gone missing again?”

”Yes, this fellow keeps disappearing. This is the second time he's gone missing.”

The exchange played in Wang Baole's mind, and the crease in his forehead deepened. Assuming that Jin Duoming wasn't aware that Xie Haiyang had done a disappearing act before, he should have been surprised upon hearing what Wang Baole had said. He should have questioned Wang Baole about Xie Haiyang's habit of disappearing.

But from Jin Duoming's reply, Wang Baole could sense that he seemed to know that Xie Haiyang had done a disappearing act before.

Something wasn't right there. Jin Duoming shouldn't know about Xie Haiyang's stay in the Ethereal Dao College. He had asked about Xie Haiyang before, but Wang Baole hadn't revealed such information to him then. Even if Jin Duoming had decided to do a background check on Xie Haiyang, there wasn't much of a chance of him finding out the truth. They were on the ancient greenish-bronze sword, not in the Federation.

Besides, he had warned Jin Duoming not to offend Xie Haiyang. Wang Baole still remembered the expression Jin Duoming had on his face. Based on his understanding of Jin Duoming's character, Jin Duoming had taken that advice to heart. He was a smart guy, so he wouldn't have gone ahead and investigated Xie Haiyang secretly. There was a high likelihood that Jin Duoming had always assumed that Xie Haiyang was a native disciple of the Vast Expanse Dao Palace.

Wang Baole began to suspect something was going on. But then, Jin Duoming might have also done some asking around. Wang Baole wasn't the only person who was from the Ethereal Dao College.

Maybe I'm being too paranoid. Wang Baole rubbed his forehead and decided to set this matter aside. He thought about Xie Haiyang's disappearance again, and an indescribable irritation rose inside him. He instinctively called out for Little Missy, but she didn't reply.

Is she asleep again? Wang Baole rose to his feet. The skies had darkened. The strange irritable feeling began to grow stronger inside him, so he pulled out the jade slip containing the game Descend. He intended to enter and play the game for a while to rid himself of this bizarre irritation he was feeling.

However, no matter how many times he tried, it was as if the game server had crashed. He… couldn't log on!