Chapter 85: Cooperation: Pledge of Fealty
Meanwhile, Yun Xi and Han Yu had also received news that a large number of people had arrived from the Main Star. Now that they had nothing left, they certainly weren’t going to pass up such a golden opportunity.
Han Yu had invited the envoys from the Lin Family—the second-most powerful family—to a private establishment.
Han Yu had regained his confident and spirited demeanor. He spoke with conviction, "I know you’ve come to Blue Star specifically to find someone. As it happens, I have a certain amount of influence here. My spiritual power is S-Class, and I have some pull with the military. We could cooperate."
The other man replied nonchalantly, "S-Class is considered quite ordinary on the Main Star. Besides, if I wanted to, I could just wave my hand and have powerful people of your caliber on Blue Star come running."
Han Yu replied with complete confidence, "You’re right. The Lin Family is a major power on the Main Star, with countless experts who possess superpowers. Someone of my level would indeed have a hard time getting your attention. But... what if I had information about the Endless Sea Area?"
At this, the man finally showed a sliver of interest, though he clearly wasn’t convinced, raising an eyebrow. "The Endless Sea Area? You’re a Beastman from Blue Star. How could you possibly know anything about it?"
Han Yu knew the man wouldn’t believe him so easily, so he calmly allowed himself to be scrutinized. "Perhaps I forgot to introduce myself. My rank in the Blue Star military is Major. I inherently know more about such classified matters than the average Beastman. Furthermore, my wife once came into contact with the very thing you’re looking for. So while we may not know as much as you, we certainly don’t know any less."
His words were a mix of truth and lies. He knew the man would investigate; this was the second-most powerful family on the Main Star, after all, with a vast and intricate network of power. If they were gullible enough to believe him so easily, they would have been overtaken by other families long ago.
But since he had dared to say it, he wasn’t afraid of an investigation. Most of what he said was true, and the false parts were impossible for them to verify. That was the source of his confidence.
Hearing that Han Yu held the rank of Major in the military, the man began to take his words more seriously. He was no longer as dismissive as before, like someone idly toying with a cat out of boredom.
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "How am I supposed to know you’re telling the truth? We get countless people making similar claims every day. If we were to investigate every one of them, it would be a colossal waste of our time."
Han Yu saw that the man was finally looking at him directly. He had even straightened up slightly from his previous casual, leaning posture. He was no longer so flippant. Han Yu knew his gamble had paid off.
Han Yu’s gaze was firm, but his voice was light as he said, "I have seen a Blue Soul Stone with my own eyes."
At those words, the man shot to his feet as expected, his voice rising in pitch from excitement. "You know where a Blue Soul Stone is?"
Instead of answering, Han Yu countered, "Can we have a proper discussion now, Director Kleiss?"
A sharp glint flashed in Kleiss’s eyes, and a faint smile touched his lips. "Of course, Major Han Yu."
Kleiss asked, "What kind of cooperation do you have in mind?"
Han Yu stated his terms. "I want you to take us to the Main Star, provide us with a residence, and one hundred million Star Coins. In return, I will help you find the Blue Soul Stone and reopen the Endless Sea Area."
Hearing his demands, Kleiss’s gaze grew suspicious. "You want to leave Blue Star? If I recall correctly, military personnel aren’t permitted to leave without special authorization."
Han Yu had no choice but to admit, "To be frank, I was stripped of my rank a while ago for helping my wife. But everything else I’ve told you is the absolute truth."
After scrutinizing him for another moment, Kleiss said pensively, "I’ll need to consider it."
’He’s going to investigate first,’ Han Yu understood. ’First, he’s suspicious of my story. Second, he’s worried I’m hiding something else. And third, the most crucial point, he needs to consult the head of the Lin Family.’
’If you want to cooperate, you have to be willing to be scrutinized.’
Han Yu gave a slight nod and calmly handed over a data chip he had prepared in advance. "I understand. As a show of my sincerity, here is the owner information for all the Flying Sports Cars you requested."
’He’s so composed,’ Kleiss thought. He hadn’t become the least bit flustered or impatient when told to wait. Instead, he’d made a tactical retreat, offering up this token of his commitment.
’He’s a patient man. Or rather, an ambitious one.’
’Ambitious people are easy to deal with.’
’The Family Head has always appreciated people who are both smart and ambitious.’
’If he can truly help the Head reopen the Endless Sea Area, his future will be boundless.’
Kleiss accepted the offering. "One day. I’ll give you an answer in one day."
Han Yu extended his hand, a faint smile on his face. "Excellent."
Kleiss took the data chip and departed with his entourage. The moment they left the room, Yun Xi rushed in from outside.
Yun Xi asked anxiously, "How did it go? Did he agree?"
Han Yu shook his head. "He said he needs to think about it, but judging from his reaction, I’d say our chances are high. They seem desperate to open the Endless Sea Area. My only worry is what happens when they find out we don’t actually know that much. It won’t end well for us."
Yun Xi’s expression hardened. "Then before they find out, we either have to align ourselves with someone even more powerful, or do whatever it takes to find someone who can actually help open it."
Han Yu stared at Yun Xi. "When did you ever see a Blue Soul Stone? Why don’t I know about this?"
Yun Xi’s gaze flickered. "I... just overheard something about it once."
She quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, he took the information we gave him. Did he say he’d put in a good word for us?"
Han Yu watched her suspiciously for a few seconds before replying, "It was just a token of commitment. Don’t get your hopes up."
"However, I did see Bai Zhi’s name in that data," he continued. "I heard they’re looking for a female. Bai Zhi is a female, and she was on the list of Flying Sports Car owners. Do you think it’s possible she’s the one they’re looking for?"
Hearing this, Yun Xi frowned and muttered under her breath, ’Don’t tell me they know Bai Zhi is the one who has it?’
’But if that were the case, why did he seem to believe Han Yu? That doesn’t make sense. It must mean they don’t know. They must be looking for her for some other reason... or maybe it’s just a coincidence, and they aren’t looking for Bai Zhi at all.’ She felt a wave of relief at the thought.
The suspicion in Han Yu’s eyes deepened. "What are you muttering about?"
Yun Xi shook her head. "Nothing. I just don’t think they could be looking for her. She’s completely clueless. Why would it be her?"
Han Yu frowned. "But there are only a handful of females on that list who fit the description, and Bai Zhi happens to be one of them..."
Yun Xi said firmly, "It must be a coincidence."