Darkstone Code

The President, back from the cemetery, was no longer so despondent. He sat on the sofa looking at the Investigator, "What should I do?"

"Continue doing what you wanted to do before. After all these matters are settled, we will safely send you to Nagariel."

"You can start your work over there, try to collect some evidence linked to those people. This is very important."

"At the same time, you should also understand that you’ll become very dangerous because you are a ’bait.’ We need to use you to grab hold of certain people’s tails. Do you understand what I mean?"

The President nodded. Once the Duncan Clan knows he’s causing trouble on their turf, they’ll definitely send various assassins to deal with him, trying to suppress him as soon as possible.

If we can capture some assassins and find a breakthrough through them, this would pose a very serious threat to the Duncan Clan!

The President thought for a while, "I Can go do this, but I have another question. The attitude of the United Development Company over there is very resolute; it’s not just one person opposing us doing this."

"Besides me, will there be others who will give me some help?!"

The United Development Company has absolute control over Nagariel. Even the Federation Government must first inform the United Development Company if it wants to do anything in Nagariel.

If the United Development Company disagrees with the Federation Government’s actions, they must seek a compromise, find concessions both parties can accept, and then proceed.

The President is not afraid of difficulties; he only fears that once he reaches Nagariel, everywhere he looks, it’s all enemies! Dammit!

The Investigator did not immediately respond, causing the President’s heart to sink.

Going to Nagariel for certain convictions and ideals is one thing; knowingly going there to die is another. He’s not an idiot and also understands he might not have much help.

Seeing the President’s expression change slightly, the Investigator finally spoke, "I do not wish to deceive you; we are making some efforts. If successful, you will very likely be alright."

The President was not fooled by the soothing words, "And if it fails?"

The Investigator smiled, "Then you come back!"

The President was somewhat curious at this time, "Can you tell me who might become my companions?"

"If I did not misspeak..."

In another room, someone else was discussing the matter.

"...Do you remember the things we talked about before?" Mr. Truman actively poured some wine for Lynch, "We will change the Federation, make it stronger, let everyone have their own life, maybe not wealthy, but at least peaceful."

They used to sometimes chat about their visions for the future, and Lynch would always say things that resonated with Mr. Truman. He considered Lynch a confidant, from start to finish, always like that.

Therefore he eagerly hoped to persuade Lynch to set aside his business, join the Federation’s political scene to help him, perhaps even reverse it so he could help Lynch!

They have roughly the same goals, similar moral values, and adequate attention and compassion for society.

More importantly, in Mr. Truman’s eyes, Lynch is extraordinary.

He also began to be captivated by the rumor "Lynch never fails," additionally, Lynch could always come up with many ways to solve immediate problems, which alone made Mr. Truman yearn for him.

He faces many troubles, only able to solve them bit by bit, sometimes unable to solve them, only forced to compromise.

But it seems Lynch never suffers a loss, even though he is so young. He possesses such capability. If given another twenty years to grow and accumulate...

An illustrious future almost appears in Mr. Truman’s mind!

It must be a bright future where the Federation shines on the whole world like the sun!

But, he’s just unwilling to abandon that damnable pursuit of money!

So sometimes, Mr. Truman doesn’t know how to face Lynch. He often considers Lynch his confidant while simultaneously guarding against him.

Once someone like Lynch decides to stand against him, it would be a catastrophe for the entire Federation!

At this moment, his eyes were fixed on Lynch, the two of them locked gazes for a few seconds. Then Lynch nodded, "Of course I remember. Is there some important mission the Federation wants to entrust to me now?"

Mr. Truman chuckled softly, "Do you know why I want to come?"

If it was someone else, he wouldn’t be sure if they’d guess, but Lynch... he felt the possibility was still high.

Lynch did not deny, "Everyone is discussing these topics lately...", he took a sip from his wine glass, remarked after the drink went down, "Tastes good!"

Actually, the alcohol content in the Federation’s wines isn’t particularly high. Adding ice cubes cools the burning sensation brought by alcohol and also dilutes the drink, leading people to often overdrink.

Without the spiciness, some added flavor agents come into play.

Mr. Truman glanced at the wine bottle in his hand, "I feel like you’re mocking me; this bottle costs at most twenty dollars."

Lynch released it and said, "That’s why they need to use quality to seize the market, instead of relying on gimmicks like those premium wines."

Mr. Truman tilted his head in thought, "Maybe it really is as you say...," he paused, "you haven’t answered my question yet."

"I’ve told you, everyone is discussing these matters, so you’re certainly looking for me because of this as well."

Mr. Truman went silent for a moment, "What are your thoughts?"

When Lynch and Mr. Truman were alone in a room, he wasn’t so "hypocritical," at least he presented himself candidly.

"Such terrible monsters shouldn’t exist in a country; they’re too vast and have already affected policy implementation."

"From the way they influence Congress, I knew this day would come."

"Capital can only be capital; it shouldn’t be mixed with politics!"

Mr. Truman highly affirmed this answer; what Lynch said was truly one of the reasons that moved senior politicians deeply.

The Duncan Clan has already acquired the ability to deeply influence the political situation, which politicians do not allow!

It’s important to note that, although there are capitalists behind every politician, in another sense, politicians are also proud.

At least capitalists have money, but they can’t directly influence politics and need to find a political spokesperson to achieve such effects!

This is the current mainstream social structure — capital drives politics, politics feedbacks capital, and both parties profit from repeated cooperation; one could say it’s a mutually beneficial process.

Yet the Duncan Clan is disrupting such a cooperative relationship, causing many to inwardly feel intense fury and impotence!

Indeed, they’re impotent, furious, and fearful.

There are too many reasons to target the Duncan Clan, and this is just one of them, a particularly fatal one.

Lynch’s straightforward stance made Mr. Truman relax a little; he was worried Lynch might have other ideas or not stand with him.

Lynch standing with him once again caused Mr. Truman to feel guilt, as he sometimes doubted Lynch’s motives and was wary of him.

"I’ve already talked with many people: the President, the bipartisan committee, and some capitalists; they’ve all more or less expressed their positions."

Mr. Truman didn’t mention the Socialist Party because the Socialist Party is the most deeply colluded with capitalists, even though as a "minority sect," they shouldn’t be so intimately connected with capital, yet they are.

Talking to them about this matter doesn’t matter if they’ll leak it to Mr. Jeruno — he actually already knows; there are always deeply hidden people, which is also the scary part of the Duncan Clan.

They hold secrets about many famous political figures; nobody likes their weaknesses being grasped by others, especially big figures.

This "war" is also a test; if the Duncan Clan passes this test, it will surely continue to flourish for at least several decades.

But if it can’t endure...

Mr. Truman held his wine glass but didn’t drink, instead fiddling with it, "We still have some unresolved issues now."

"Honestly, when discussing these issues with you, I’ve felt a sense of shame I’ve never felt before; I shouldn’t be discussing this with you."

"But I must do so, because this is how to kill the Evil Dragon, even if I don’t like it, I must acknowledge its power, at least for now."

"I want to speak about the issue of profit transfer."

"At least half of the Members of Parliament are receiving economic support from the Duncan Clan, openly or covertly; you should be more familiar than me."

Lynch nodded; to become a successful merchant in the Federation, you can’t just master the ability to sell onions; you also have to know how to send money to those who need it, without being rejected, discovered, and as reasonably and legally as possible.

Many Members of Parliament’s decent lifestyles are related to the Duncan Clan’s financial support; persuading these people starts with not touching upon their personal interests, that’s the most basic point.

Otherwise, they won’t agree!

"Why me?" Lynch asked.

Mr. Truman raised his glass for a sip, "I don’t trust others; frankly, among the capitalists I know, I only trust you."

Once Lynch decides to agree to this plan, it means a significant amount of funds will flow through Lynch’s channel to those Members of Parliament.

This is an incredibly important channel, and simultaneously... an opportunity for Lynch to quickly evolve!

For him to provide so much money, a substantial portion of the Duncan family’s enterprise would certainly need to be handed over to Lynch, otherwise he wouldn’t come up with that money.

Mr. Truman didn’t expect Lynch to selflessly contribute after a few words; there’s actually other trades behind this.

Lynch didn’t immediately agree, making Mr. Truman somewhat anxious...