Chapter 1844 - 1847: Initiative
Lu Xiaobu followed Silver Fox into what was called the secret base.
Saying it’s a secret base, it’s actually just someone’s creation, they simply slapped together a house.
After all, sitting on the ground to talk is really too embarrassing!
Everyone here is a big shot, doing as they please usually, but when it’s about serious matters, one should at least show some decorum!
"Whoa! Quite a number of people here!"
Lu Xiaobu glanced around and laughed as he spoke.
There really were quite a few people, twenty-one in total!
Many of those Lu Xiaobu saw on his first day were present.
At this moment, none of them had the innocent expressions from before. Each one looked somber and dignified!
However, what pleased Lu Xiaobu was that there were no distinctions between main and secondary roles here. It was just a large round conference table where they all took their seats.
The empty chair was obviously prepared for Lu Xiaobu.
What surprised Lu Xiaobu most was that these people had modern nameplates on the table in front of them, making it quite like a shareholders’ meeting!
Interesting!
At least with this, there’s no need for self-introductions one by one!
Otherwise, introducing all twenty-one people would be exhausting!
"Take a seat."
Silver Fox pointed at the empty seat and smiled, saying, "There’s no leader or not here, we’re gathered for a common goal."
"Good."
Lu Xiaobu nodded, "Has the Domain been set up?"
"Naturally."
Silver Fox laughed, his smile purely delighted, not the standard polite grin, but a laugh as if he’d heard something amusing.
Not only did he laugh, but several among the twenty-one also laughed upon hearing Lu Xiaobu ask about the Domain, seemingly very pleased.
So Lu Xiaobu laughed too, "Hahaha!"
The laughter was so joyous, it could almost reach the sky!
As a result!
His laughter left the group dumbfounded!
They all awkwardly stopped laughing and exchanged confused looks!
Has this kid gone mad?!
They were laughing because the Domain itself was their biggest leverage this time, and if Lu Xiaobu didn’t cooperate, it could very well become a trap for him.
So, when they heard the prey, Lu Xiaobu, actively ask about the trap, they couldn’t help but chuckle!
But now, this prey is laughing louder and more joyously than them... what does this mean?!
Suddenly, some with more agile minds started feeling uneasy!
Especially those whose alliance with the Brahma Alliance was more form than substance, they were even more troubled, constantly watching Lu Xiaobu for clues.
With Lu Xiaobu’s laughter growing ever more uninhibited, the atmosphere here became more awkward. They didn’t know whether to say anything or wait for Lu Xiaobu to stop on his own.
Finally, Silver Fox, who was being stared at by several people, couldn’t hold back. He turned to Lu Xiaobu, "I wonder what fellow Daoist finds so funny?"
"What were you laughing about just now?"
Lu Xiaobu still couldn’t quite stop laughing but casually countered.
"This..."
Silver Fox immediately froze!
Those who laughed earlier were also looking at each other in confusion!
They couldn’t very well say they were laughing at Lu Xiaobu’s foolishness!
At this moment, Lu Xiaobu rubbed his cheeks that were sore from laughing, gradually stopped laughing, and waved at them, saying, "Alright, alright, don’t ask what I’m laughing about and I won’t ask what you were laughing about. Let’s talk business!"
"Uh... okay!"
Silver Fox hesitated a moment, then nodded and spoke.
He felt an inexplicable strangeness at this moment!
Something felt wrong!
Clearly, they, the group of twenty-one, should be the masters here, meant to pressure the newcomer Lu Xiaobu to join them.
But why does it suddenly feel like the master here has become Lu Xiaobu?!
This feeling shouldn’t exist, yet at this moment, it was like a fishbone stuck in the throat, impossible to ignore!
What’s going on?!
Lu Xiaobu hadn’t really done anything, just laughed for a bit!
Seeing Silver Fox’s expression, Lu Xiaobu smiled subtly and nodded to signal that he could start speaking.
At the same time, he scoffed inwardly, trying to put pressure on him? Ridiculous!
Controlling the initiative at the negotiating table is always crucial. With it, you can guide the conversation, direct the actions, and get these people to reveal their true thoughts according to your plan!
The most straightforward way to seize the initiative is to express your confidence!
Like just now!
In theory, this place belonged to those twenty-one people, and they were united, so they should have had the initiative!
But just because Lu Xiaobu laughed louder, more confidently, and more insistently than them, they became awkward, hesitant, and puzzled!
Eventually, they lacked confidence!
Thus, Lu Xiaobu naturally took hold of the initiative!
"We are the Brahma Alliance, gathered to fight against the Heavenly Lord..."
Silver Fox began to speak, but however he said it, something felt off!
This isn’t right!
Clearly, these were words meant to intimidate Lu Xiaobu, so why does it now feel like he’s reporting to a superior?!
This feeling was extremely uncomfortable!
So he paused, coughed to adjust his tone, "Ahem! We..."
However!
Right at the moment when his voice was just raised, he was interrupted.
"Brahma Alliance? Not a bad name!"
Lu Xiaobu’s words of praise interrupted Silver Fox’s loud voice.
His eyes were filled with such approving admiration that Silver Fox felt goosebumps rising all over!
Praise?!
He was actually praising the name?!
Not that the other party can’t give praise, but at this critical moment, it felt like punching a cotton wall – frustratingly stifled!
Is this guy doing this on purpose or deliberately being obtuse?!
Continuing means he risks falling back into the feeling of reporting back.
But if he doesn’t speak, then the true purpose of this meeting misses its start, contrary to what everyone wanted.
For a moment, he almost scratched his head in frustration!
Too uncomfortable, too uncomfortable!
He really didn’t understand why, after just a few words from this guy, he felt this uncomfortable!
He just couldn’t figure it out!
Lu Xiaobu found it extremely amusing!
This bunch, though individually perhaps with the prowess of a Heavenly King on their own turf, still inherently believed in the supremacy of force as cultivators.
If not, they wouldn’t be so restricted in this place that nullified their powers!
And now, they actually thought to overpower him at the negotiation table?!
Ridiculous!
It almost made Lu Xiaobu feel like an adult teasing children!
Seeing Silver Fox’s face turn red, hesitating both to speak and to stay silent, Lu Xiaobu laughed again!
He decided to play a little more over-the-top and ’cultivate’ this bunch properly!