Chapter 1333
Chapter 1333 - 1319: Good Intentions
1,659 words
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9 min read
"Is something good happening? I always have a bit of a bad premonition...."
But at this time, since an elder had invited him, Lu Ping’an naturally wouldn’t refuse.
Of course, it also had something to do with his recent excessive killing; it was best to keep a low profile.
"It was an invitation personally extended by His Excellency Wang Sixiang."
Wang Sixiang? Who is that... Oh, that Saphire person of the eighth tier?
Lu Ping’an remembered that person, having met him once half a year ago when the Development Zone was established, and this person had specifically come to perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
At that time, the officials had specifically summoned a military big shot, a general, to balance him..... Reflecting now, doesn’t that indicate that this guy is quite restless?
The existence of two Rule-level professionals was the greatest assurance of the Saphire people in this region... Even though the Saphire people have indeed been quite honest now, the local authorities must consider their opinions before making any decision, as the high-level force is stationed here.
In some sense, the official management of the Ancient city got a bit carried away back then; they might have truly overlooked the fact that the Saphire people, unable to organize local armed forces, could position two Rule levels in such a third or fourth tier city.
"He’s in the Ancient city? Oh, I’ll go right now..."
Since it was an invitation from an elder, and on some level a former ally, Lu Ping’an certainly wouldn’t refuse.
But what they will talk about now is hard to say...
"Do you need me to come with you?"
"No, it’s not necessary, thank you."
What seemed like a simple inquiry made Lu Ping’an respond with a smile and thanks.
Previously, Wang Sixiang spent most of his time not in the Ancient city but traveling to and from several residence areas of the Desert Saphire People, yet his status was exceptional—an eighth-tier presence demanded serious treatment from local managers everywhere.
Therefore, in related negotiations, the party needing to be cautious naturally would tend to be at a disadvantage.
But now, Lu— at least, facing him straightforwardly was entirely manageable.
"Lulu, you’ve been quite busy as well, take some rest."
Lulu’s initiative in asking whether to accompany him wasn’t just a simple "come along"... but involved facing an eighth tier, with another eighth tier as his platform.
However, Lu Ping’an still refused, not only because he felt it was unnecessary, but also because of their respective stances.
Though Lulu was officially and substantively Lu Ping’an’s disciple, her primary identity was always as the Grand Marshal of the Mercury 42 Salvation Army, a leader of a race.
Lu Ping’an had his own stance (human), that Wang Sixiang had his (Saphire person), and now involving Lulu (Long Hand Clan) would easily create the impression of "two races pressuring one race"... Lulu understood all this, and made her judgment and decision accordingly, which moved Lu Ping’an, and he declined directly.
"..... Don’t worry, we should have a very good talk."
And Lu Ping’an’s premonition soon turned into reality.
In a rather upscale teahouse, Lu Ping’an met this lavishly dressed "Prince."
Just as from the local names Wang Xi’er and Wang Sixiang where "Wang" came from, this middle-aged man dressed in traditional Saphire Clan attire was a "Prince"... different from the casual attire he wore at public events, this time his bracelets, rings, and anklets all carried significantly dangerous Abnormal Ability Fluctuations.
The strength of an Extraordinary or Professional isn’t necessarily linked to their equipment, but if one still chose to wear such arms on a battlefield of this level, they were not ordinary items.
And in the eyes of the Lu sitting across him, the person before him appeared completely different from their initial encounter.
Back then, his impression was "unexpectedly ordinary"; but now, with blood-red pupils occasionally flashing with black shards, the person sitting across him seemed like a slumbering evil dragon.
The private room on the second floor was quite soundproof, and the two of them just silently faced each other, saying nothing.
"..... You are probably tired of hearing it, but it really is ’fearsome youth’..."
As the guest, Wang Sixiang took a puff of the water pipe and then put down the smoking device.
".... It should be just quasi-Gold (Rule), right? I actually feel you pose a threat. If I tried to kill you from this distance, it might cost me quite a bit."
For an established eighth-tier facing a sixth tier, to even sense a threat was something Wang Sixiang himself found a bit hard to ignore.
He looked at Lu Ping’an as if a beast had spotted a "poisonous scorpion"... perhaps the beast could crush the scorpion with its size advantage, but if it were stung by the scorpion’s venomous tail, it would likely suffer severe pain and might even die from the poison.
"Your intuition is probably wrong; I don’t think you’ll succeed."
Lu Ping’an smiled as he spoke a "hard truth."
"Is that so..." Silence once again fell over the room, a dark glimmer flickering through Wang Sixiang’s red eyes.
Lu Ping’an just picked up the teacup and smiled as he savored the tea... the rich aroma was somewhat surprising.
"This is really good, must be expensive, huh? Heh, when I was younger, I didn’t appreciate good tea, nor could I afford it. Now that I have the money and know the difference, I no longer have the mood nor the time to enjoy it."
"This is a Royal Family specialty... just kidding. You wouldn’t take that seriously, would you? It’s just the best of this world, you should take a couple of pounds of it with you later."
Such seemingly trivial conversations were also tests and mutual "respect."
Wang Sixiang, with his stoic face, was actually quite shocked... He had reassessed Lu Ping’an multiple times as a newcomer, but only upon meeting him did he realize he had underestimated him again.
Regarding the other’s "confidence," the Prince did not feel offended... Spiritual intuition is one thing, but actual combat another. A being chosen to represent the Quasi-Gods must possess significant skills.
"You’re making it somewhat difficult for me..."
The once mediocre past completely gone, the prince, handsome as a serpent, spoke indifferently.
"Isn’t that a good thing though, mutual gain is the key to long-term cooperation. Your clan members are all here; surely it can’t be that you just plan to hit and run, right?"
"That might not be the case..."
These probing words never stopped, but Lu Ping’an’s confidence made Wang Sixiang reconsider further.
What kind of person and what price, Wang Sixiang’s invitation for Lu Ping’an wasn’t without goodwill... it was just that this goodwill, whether you wanted to reject it, was going to be extremely difficult, equivalent to clearly arranged "benevolence."
The old strongmen were just like that, especially those from "Primitive Royal Societies", accustomed to arranging the future for the "younger generation", used to solving problems with force.
"...Originally, I thought Wang Xier would be a good match for you, but now, it seems she might not be quite up to your level."
Political marriage is also a tactic most commonly employed by these traditional figures.
As for being able to refuse? It’s just a "marriage," after all, just a strategy to bind interests in an alliance, just keep up appearances... In the eyes of the old-fashioned, this indeed counted as a "benevolence" and "good thing."
Elderly arranging the political marriages of younger men, in the eyes of the Royal Family, is normal, a friendly gesture of "pulling you in to play along."
Now what felt prickly was when Wang Sixiang really faced him, he noticed that Lu Ping’an might not be a small fry but a sleeping dragon ready to transform at any moment... Give Lu Ping’an a few years, and he might even dare to face an eighth-tier alone.
That meant the originally planned strategy might not work anymore.
Whether to still force a marriage on someone who might soon be as strong as himself required careful consideration. One misstep might turn a good intention into an insult, leave endless troubles in the future.
"Wang Xier? Oh, has she agreed?" Lu Ping’an was a bit surprised. He did have a certain fondness for that woman, but it had nothing to do with romantic interests, and he believed it was the same from the other side.
Even if they got along well, the differences in their upbringing and values were huge. Being friends or partners was fine, but spouses? Lu didn’t want unnecessary trouble.
"I haven’t discussed it with her yet, but I think she won’t refuse..." The man across spoke indifferently, arranging another’s destiny as if it was only natural.
Lu Ping’an just smiled and said nothing more, confirming that indeed, he was not accustomed to the ways of these old timers.
If he hadn’t demonstrated his abilities, the conversation wouldn’t be about cooperation, but rather about a merger under the guise of an alliance.
"Or, we could change the angle, talk about how to collaborate... You must have talked to my disciple, haven’t you?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Sixiang also showed a choked expression.
He had met Lulu, never would have guessed that the "monster" was actually nurtured by the young man before him... just that "being" alone significantly enhanced the young man’s standing.
And Lu Ping’an merely proposed his "suggestion."
"I don’t know if you, Your Excellency, have any interest in Mercury 42, or perhaps, there should be a Deity there belonging to the Saphire people..."
— End of Chapter 1333 —