Chapter 568 - 364: Unexpected Invitation
Hibell’s Blood Code Dissociation Syndrome has reached its late stage, deteriorating rapidly. Not only is her mental state extremely poor, but she is unconscious for more than ten hours a day, and her body is being continuously eroded by the illness, with numerous areas showing signs of ulceration.
This ulceration accompanies the Blood Code Dissociation Syndrome, and unless the disease is cured, there’s no way to completely root it out.
Yet it cannot be ignored, or it will lead to other complications, necessitating frequent debridement and a significant demand for medical supplies like gauze and iodophor.
Living necessities in the settlement area are rationed by the authorities, and medical supplies are generally scarce, making even the most common medicines difficult to obtain.
Fortunately, given Fenrir’s current reputation, everyone is willing to lend a hand, and Troy managed to trade for the medicine from others with little effort.
On his way back, Troy passed by a corner of the alley and suddenly felt his hair stand on end.
Troy is the second-in-command of Fenrir, in charge of intelligence and all internal and external affairs.
If Fenrir is the forceful pillar of the team, then Troy is the one silently managing the operations, allowing her to fight freely outside.
As a clerk, Troy is neither an Extraordinary Being nor a combat personnel, but having lived and died with the team for years, his senses remain sharp. He quickly locked onto the source of the powerful aura.
In the corner up ahead stood a man leaning against the wall, surrounded by dim streetlights. The light wasn’t illuminating the man, making it impossible to discern his features or identity.
"Hello there, Mr. Troy. First time meeting, just call me Ahao."
Following a lazy, roguish voice, the figure emerged from the darkness.
It was a tall, thin young man with yellow hair, dressed in hip-hop streetwear, his smile naturally exuding a mischievous charm, seemingly no different from the common street punks of the borderlands.
The man wore no symbols associated with his identity, but as the intelligence chief, Troy immediately recognized him: "Jiang Zihao?!"
Jiang Zihao laughed: "Whoa, you recognize me?"
Troy said coldly: "If I couldn’t recognize the captain of the Wildfire Internal Guard Team, then all the years of doing intelligence work would’ve been in vain."
Jiang Zihao laughed heartily and approached warmly, trying to shake hands: "It’s an honor to be recognized by you, sir."
Troy retreated a few steps to keep a distance, ignoring this overly familiar greeting, and coldly asked: "What are you doing in the settlement area, planning to kill me?"
Jiang Zihao feigned surprise, his demeanor and tone exaggerated: "What are you talking about? If I dared to touch you, the boss would have me finished."
This mysterious act made Troy somewhat impatient: "Just get to the point."
Jiang Zihao rubbed his nose with a smirk and said: "It’s simple, just one thing, the boss wants to invite you to dinner and asked me to bring you over. Please honor us with your presence."
"The boss..." Troy frowned, muttering, "You mean Zhao Yiming?"
Jiang Zihao clicked his tongue and smiled: "Not just him; the bosses of Iron Blood and Black Domain also want to meet you. Meeting the three bosses at once is the highest level of hospitality in New Moon City."
Troy asked sternly: "I have no dealings with them; what do they want with me?"
Jiang Zihao shrugged: "No idea, I’m just a messenger without the right to ask about these things."
The invitation came without stating its purpose, leaving Troy unable to discern its intent.
He pondered for a moment, turned, and said: "I’ll go ask Fenrir first."
With a sudden and fierce gust, Jiang Zihao almost teleported in front of Troy, blocking his path, smiling: "The bosses only invited you, no need to tell anyone else."
Before Troy could react, the large hand adorned with various hip-hop rings grabbed his shoulder and dragged him deep into the alley.
...
In the main banquet hall of the Hesu Company Tower in Heaven-Reaching Tower, bright crystal chandeliers hung high from the ceiling, refracting vivid, dreamy colors from different angles.
Waiters pushing dining carts navigated the waxed luxurious flooring, laying dark red tablecloths on the tables and neatly arranging the expensive yet restrained silver tableware.
Standing on both sides of the banquet hall were men in black suits—all elite Extraordinary Beings of the Wildfire Internal Guard Department. The suits, full of character, couldn’t hide their innate oppressive aura, making people shiver at a mere glance.
In a place like Heaven-Reaching Tower, the word ’danger’ is virtually non-existent. The presence of the Wildfire Guard is just for show, emphasizing respect for distinguished guests.
"Ding-dong—" shortly, a wind chime rang from the end of the corridor, its crisp sound akin to a call, starting the symphony.
As the conductor on the podium raised his gestures, melodious music flowed from various instruments, reverberating indoors.
Figures appeared outside, with Jiang Zihao forcibly linking arms with Troy, almost dragging him into the banquet hall.
Seeing Troy somewhat apprehensive, Jiang Zihao lightly patted his back and laughed: "Relax, sir, you’re the guest of honor, don’t be so stiff."
Troy cautiously examined the banquet hall, his gaze quickly landing on those already seated.
Seated at the head was the host of the banquet, Zhao Yiming, vice president of the Hegemony Company’s New Moon City branch.