Chapter 992 - 988: The Panic of the Mizuno Clan
Unlike the royal family’s deep-rooted establishment and its incomparable symbolic significance in the hearts of the people.
Even if the royal family encounters some disgraceful incident this time, it can completely go silent for a while, then find an important occasion to regain its lost face in one fell swoop.
This doesn’t concern overall strength; it’s the royal family’s accumulation of connections and heritage over many years and eras, which is absolutely unmatched by the Mizuno Clan.
For an emerging force, the most crucial thing boils down to the word "prestige." If it can easily be bullied without a decent level of retaliation, the blow it will suffer will be fatal, and it will become a permanent stain on its record.
Of course, the Mizuno Clan has been around for quite some time, yet compared to the royal family, it remains a young force.
And now the scale of the Mizuno Clan is large enough that as long as it develops methodically, accurately grasping future opportunities, it could subtly expand its influence, even possibly overshadow the royal family!
As for replacing it, even when the Mizuno Clan has the strength, it probably won’t be so eager to proceed.
Because having a puppet to take the hit, who would want to step in personally to bear the pressure from the public opinion?
Moreover, as long as we hold the real power and nothing can pass without our nod, who assumes the role of the apparent master doesn’t really matter!
Ultimately, what the Mizuno Clan seeks is development and massive benefits, and as long as these two elements aren’t hindered, other matters can take a backseat.
Seeing things about to turn unfavorably, the high-ranking members of the Mizuno Clan finally couldn’t sit still and immediately began urgent communication with the true boss—Mizuno Pengyu.
...
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Tian exhaled and said, "There is indeed a way, but I can’t guarantee it will definitely work. I can only say I will do my best!"
The middle-aged man’s face flushed with excitement upon hearing there was a solution: "Good! Good! As long as there’s a way, it’s good. Whatever you need, I’ll have someone prepare it immediately."
Xiao Tian shook his head somewhat speechlessly. In fact, he wasn’t lying; the uncertainty and the need to try were both true. He could only slowly explore and attempt based on previous judgments until finding the right medicine.
After listing a series of valuable medicinal materials, the middle-aged man didn’t hesitate for a moment and nodded in agreement, then softly said, "Butler."
However, the person who responded was someone responsible for the royal family’s daily affairs, replying, "Butler Mei Huizi has just left."
"Left?"
The middle-aged man was startled, a sense of foreboding creeping into his mind, and he urgently instructed, "Immediately go to the villa at No. 301 An Kang Road in the suburbs."
Although unaware of the middle-aged man’s intentions in issuing this order, the person in charge of the royal family’s daily affairs was naturally skilled at interpreting expressions, hearing the urgency in the words. He immediately bowed in acknowledgment and then turned and left.
Subsequently, the middle-aged man instructed others to procure everything Xiao Tian mentioned at any cost, yet couldn’t help but sigh inside: Let’s hope nothing bad happens...
"Oh, by the way, may I ask your surname?" The middle-aged man suddenly realized he didn’t know the name of the person who rescued his daughter and immediately asked.
"My surname is Xiao." Xiao Tian responded indifferently: "This environment isn’t conducive to the princess’s condition; it’s better to take her to a quiet and comfortable environment to consider further."
Upon these words, the Mizuno Clan’s members immediately fell into a brief panic; should Ozawa Miwa indeed leave, losing face would be inevitable.
Furthermore, Mizuno Pengyu had stated earlier that he would arrive as quickly as possible and instructed them not to act rashly, lest the situation develop more unfavorably.
But now, if Ozawa Miwa, the leading lady, leaves, even if Mizuno Pengyu arrives, they will surely face substantial trouble.
The most critical factor is within the Mizuno Clan’s current members; the highest present is merely a senior elder, and their position doesn’t align with the middle-aged man’s, nor does their strength measure up. Who has the courage to voice an objection?
After all, it’s concerning overall interest; standing out is quite reasonable, given the grand justification of protecting organizational interests!
Yet not standing out is also sensible, because why should one individual step up for collective matters and not others?
In this predicament where any choice seems suitable yet not entirely appropriate, the Mizuno Clan’s leaders, while observing each other, also understand one thing profoundly: Someone must stand up, or everyone present will be implicated.
By this point, they instead feel a bit envious of Sugai Kifumi, who squats in the detention center, successfully avoiding all troubles.
In urgency, seeing that those around them have no intention of stepping forward, they collectively, almost as if by agreement, turn their attention to the elder sitting furthest to the left with long hair.
This elder, in Mizuno Clan, wields authority and holds a position second only to Mizuno Pengyu; as the saying goes, greater ability begets higher position, and the burden of responsibility also proportionately increases. The sky falls, and the taller ones take the brunt of it; that’s the principle.
The elder targeted by everyone’s gaze reveals an unnatural expression, wanting to refuse and assign the task elsewhere, but can’t find a reasonable excuse, and starts feeling indecisive and unsure of what to do.
Indeed, this elder with flowing long hair usually possesses significant capability and finesse; appreciation of his position matches his personal skill.
But the specialty and risk surrounding this matter far surpass those so-called major issues dealt with on ordinary days. A slight slip could result in irreversible damage, and while good handling might not earn merit, maintaining organizational interests is his duty as Mizuno Clan’s number two.
However, poor handling guarantees trouble, and no sane person would willingly engage in such a bad deal unless absolutely necessary.
Others may refuse, but to whom can he pass this responsibility?
The elder splayed his fingers, brushing back his long hair from his forehead, at this moment holding only one thought... hoping Mizuno Pengyu could arrive sooner, ideally descending from the skies to rescue him.
...
After hearing Xiao Tian’s words, the middle-aged man naturally dared not delay, preparing to immediately act as told.
Unexpectedly, before words could leave his mouth, Kojima Minako’s skeptical expression appeared, preemptively saying, "You just said... your surname is Xiao?"
Xiao Tian remained unfazed, though not without some inner guessing, countering, "Is there a problem?"
In truth, Xiao Tian certainly considered fabricating a false name, but refrained due to Sugai Yasuaki’s presence alongside the royal family’s nigh effortless ability to verify his information, avoiding unnecessary trouble by walking into the firing line.