The weapon refiner is not doing her job properly

Chapter 214: Great Wise Ruo Fool
[Charlie]: Principal Yan isn't the kind of person who's fickle. But I'm a little confused by this move. Can anyone in the group analyze this and figure out what's really going on?
[Sally]: Of course we all know what Principal Yan is like! But the outside world and the people in the Star Alliance won't think that way. They'll just think Principal Yan is deliberately acting like a big shot and making fun of people, which has a terrible impact.

[Su]: @Xuanxi, can you find the specific reply that Principal Yan gave on the official account at the time?
Xuanxi quickly sent a screenshot of the official reply she received from Xuanmin to the group.

Several quick-thinking members in the group immediately understood why Principal Yan had repeatedly stood them up upon seeing the screenshot.

The crux of the problem lies precisely in the word "formal".

Each time Yuan Dusen came, he was only accompanied by members of the Star Alliance project team. There were no important shareholder representatives from either side, nor any authoritative figures from the interstellar government, military, or law enforcement as witnesses. This level of protocol could hardly be considered a "formal" meeting.

Without the presence of these credible third parties as witnesses, even if the two parties signed an agreement or contract on the spot, Star Alliance could easily renege on it afterward and accuse Star Alliance of forging the agreement.

Principal Yan's insistence on "formal" talks is precisely to eliminate this possibility and prevent Star Alliance from having any excuse to renege on its promises later.
Without witnesses present, even if both parties sign an agreement or contract, Star Alliance may deny it at any time, or even counter-accuse Star Alliance of forging the agreement.

[Su]: Shen Zhaoming, Song Hu, Lei Qingya, Charlie, and Song Liu have all chosen to sign the agreement, demonstrating a tendency to cooperate. They have temporarily advanced.

[Sally]: Why should we cooperate with them? I don't want to get involved with the hunters of the Star Alliance.

Sally was fuming. As a logistics worker, she treated all hunters equally, but the Star Alliance members were extremely difficult to deal with; many of them were completely unreasonable.

[Su]: Actually, the reasoning isn't complicated. The Star Alliance and the Star Alliance aren't entirely hostile; they're more like organizations of the same type that exist out of necessity. Currently, there are only these two hunter organizations in the entire interstellar space. Since the Star Alliance can no longer be merged, some form of cooperation in the future is almost inevitable.

The reason many people believe cooperation between us is ultimately because the Star Alliance's past methods have been far too unethical. This has led many Star Alliance hunters to develop a deep-seated sense of antagonism, viewing them as enemies.

But to be honest, it seems more like the two sides just have different ideas and "can't get along".

The Star Alliance has indeed learned its lesson, so it is very wary of temporary emergency collaborations.

But if it's a collaboration where you sit at the negotiating table and discuss and write down each and every clause clearly, then it's a different story.

Moreover, the power of discourse does not always lie with the party that holds more of the "keys to prophecy".

Su Ninglong's concise and powerful analysis immediately broadened everyone's thinking and elevated the scope of the discussion.

[Sally]: Hmm...that does seem to make sense. The Star Alliance was formed precisely because they capitalized on our "monopoly" situation, using their control to forcefully take a share of the market. That's why we don't like playing with them!

[Lian Qiuqiu]: Waaaaah, I can't guess it at all! Why can't I figure it out? Even Charlie guessed it.

[Charlie]: Uh, is it possible... that I actually have a strategist helping me out?

[Lian Qiuqiu]: ? ? ? Who is it?! Who helped you cheat?! Is it possible to get outside help?!

[Su]: I didn't forbid you from asking others for help. So Charlie's answer wasn't cheating, it was just a roundabout way of answering the question.

Lian Qiuqiu looked through the previous records and found that Charlie was indeed the last to submit the information, and he did have plenty of time to "operate".

[Charlie]: I... I'm stupid, you all know that, I couldn't have figured it out on my own. So I asked my dad, and also Xingyuan and Teacher Navic.

The group chat was immediately filled with groans of despair.

A clever person racking their brains is no match for a fool who has a flash of inspiration and simply asks someone else to answer for them.

[Sally]: Charlie, the person you asked is so targeted! Neither Xingyuan nor Navico seems like someone who's short of tea. You answered for me without asking for payment. You're so cunning, so incredibly cunning.

[Lei Qingya]: The result of three big shots working together...

Lei Qingya gasped. Charlie's linear thinking was simply divine. This was probably what people meant by "great wisdom appearing as foolishness"!
[Song Hu]: I just read Charlie's "report," and it's indeed more reasonable. The Star Alliance is more likely to strike first, giving the Star Alliance a slap in the face before discussing cooperation.

[Lian Qiuqiu]: So here's the question: how do we achieve this slap? We haven't even started discussing cooperation yet!

[Charlie]: Navic and my dad analyzed that the Star Alliance will fight openly, it's a calculated move! Uncle Xingyuan was even more direct, saying that they will crush them with their strength.

[Xuanxi]: But I heard that Yunfei was seriously injured and hasn't recovered for two months. Who has the strength to crush the Star Alliance now? It's impossible for the principal to be mobilized, and it's impossible for a five-star hunter to be sent out.

Strictly speaking, five-star hunters are official talent resources of the interstellar government and are not entirely under the jurisdiction of the school.

Of course, if the other party takes the initiative to stand up for the school, that's a different story.

The group chat went silent for a moment. Then, Song Liu, Sha Li, and Lei Qingya almost simultaneously sent out the same shocked emoji.

With Yun Fei injured, although Tong Zi, Zhao Piku, and others are powerful, their special abilities are unlikely to provide enough strength to overwhelm Yun Fei.

Therefore, it can only be Su Ninglong. Based on Su Ninglong's strength, she is actually capable of being promoted to a four-star hunter.

[Lei Qingya]: Ning Long, you will definitely be pushed out.

Su Ninglong crossed her legs, a smug smile playing on her lips. Her gray linen dress, though wrinkled, made her look clean and composed.

[Su]: Let's see how it goes!
……

Another week passed, and Hara Watari finally realized that he had to bring in witnesses.

Moreover, they must be witnesses recognized by the Star Alliance, and absolutely cannot be fence-sitters who try to please both sides.

Saturday was the day of the formal negotiations. As an invited witness, Lieutenant General Ji Chengyi, now General Ji, arrived at the Star Alliance on Friday.

He first went to catch up with Tong Zi. Half a year ago, Tong Zi agreed to try dating him, but one was a military general and the other was a four-star hunter. It was hard to say who was busier. In the past six months, the two had only met twice.

Even so, when General Ji and Tong Zi came to visit "Master Su" together, he couldn't hide his smile, and he could hardly stop grinning.

Even so, when General Ji and Tong Zi visited "Master Su" together, they were all smiles.

How could you not feel beautiful when your girlfriend takes your hand so openly and confidently?

Because they had arranged to meet the fish-lipped robot in advance, Su Ninglong and "Master Su" waited in the courtyard.

Upon seeing the two arrive, Master Su raised his signature deadpan eyes, stared at General Ji, and suddenly asked, "Have you awakened your superpowers?"

Ji Shang put his fist to his mouth, coughed twice, and replied seriously, "Yes. Because I suddenly awakened my superpower, my military position is about to be adjusted. I originally planned to choose a holy artifact from the Star Alliance, but then I heard that you can customize holy artifacts with fewer side effects, so I came here specifically to ask for your help." "How many star coins can you offer?" the fish-lipped robot asked without beating around the bush.

General Ji had already figured out "Master Su's" temperament from Tong Zi. This person was particularly good at "taking advantage of acquaintances" and was also somewhat greedy for money.

Don't drag friendship into it, just talk about money.

He glanced discreetly at Su Ninglong, who was sitting cross-legged beside him, intently tightening screws on the robot.

She wore two uniquely designed rings on her fingers, which were clearly sacred objects;
The robot itself is made of high-grade materials, and a complete set of professional tools is scattered around its feet.

General Ji couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Raising a child is indeed quite expensive. It's understandable that Master Su likes money.

"I don't really have many Star Coins, although my girlfriend does..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tong Zi pinched him hard on the waist. Tong Zi glared at him, signaling him to shut up.

“Ahem,” General Ji quickly corrected himself, “I can use the raw materials to offset the labor costs.”

The fish-lipped robot seemed to fall silent, as if it were seriously considering something.

After a while, just when General Ji thought the other party would refuse, Master Su's cold, mechanical voice sounded again: "You provided my disciple with a lot of gems and materials before, and she liked them very much. I have refined more than fifty sacred artifacts. You can tell me your requirements first. If there is one that meets the requirements, I can give you one for free."

Tong Zi looked at Ji Chengyi in disbelief: "Just how many things did you give her before?"

Ji Chengyi himself was somewhat surprised. The things he gave Su Ninglong were really nothing to a soldier of his rank; they were just some mineral samples he had picked up or special materials left over from the battlefield.

He never imagined that these odds and ends would have such high value in "Master Su's" eyes.

To avoid any misunderstanding from his girlfriend whom he had finally won over, he quickly said, "They're just little trinkets, just some novelties for the kids."

"I didn't ask you what you were going to give me." Tong Zi wasn't stingy; she herself liked to give Su Ninglong gifts. She just hadn't expected her boyfriend to be even more enthusiastic than she was.

Hmm, it seems Su Ninglong subtly said something good about Ji Chengyi...

She quickly realized that this scoundrel had used every trick in the book to win her over.

Should she scold or laugh?
“There’s no need to refuse,” the fish-lipped robot said. “You don’t want to wait several months to get the sacred artifact, do you?”

Hearing Master Su say this, Ji Chengyi stopped being polite and immediately explained his needs in detail.

"Ninglong, go and get box number three."

Su Ninglong raised her head but didn't move. Instead, she very naturally instructed Qi Rui, who was curled up sleeping next to her: "Qi Rui baby, go to the workshop and get box number three for me."

Tong Zi and General Ji smiled at each other.

Su Ninglong, who was pampered as a child, seems to have remained unchanged as she grew up; she is still the one who is spoiled.

One second Qi Rui was dozing off, the next he stretched lazily and vanished from the spot. Master Su seemed used to this and completely acquiesced to the fact that Su Ninglong didn't have to do these "chores".

Less than half a minute later, Qi Rui reappeared in the courtyard, deftly hooking the edge of a metal box with its claws, gently placing it on the table, and pushing it in front of General Ji.

It gently nuzzled Tong Zi's hand before jumping down and lying back down next to Su Ninglong to continue sleeping.

"There's an instruction manual inside; it should meet your requirements," the lecherous robot continued. "General Ji, you're not suited to stay here for long, at least not for now. Goodbye, and we'll treat you to tea another time."

General Ji paused for a moment, then laughed: "You guessed the reason? Actually, it's not that exaggerated. The Star Alliance knew I was Tong Zi's boyfriend, which is why they specially invited me to be the witness."

The fish-lipped robot did not respond further, but simply maintained its posture in silence, clearly not intending to continue the conversation.

Ji Chengyi was puzzled.

“Master Su just doesn’t like idle chatter.” Tong Zi gently tugged at General Ji’s sleeve, signaling him to stop. Then she walked to Su Ninglong’s side, gently patted the girl’s head, and said softly, “Then we’ll be going now.”

Watching Su Ninglong raise her head and give her a bright smile, a smile as clean and pure as when she was a child, yet with the unique radiance of a grown woman.

Tong Zi felt a warmth in her heart and couldn't help but lean down and gently hug her as she sat in the chair.

She's such a lovely and pretty girl.

General Ji smiled and stepped forward, taking out a delicate little box and handing it to her: "Take this and play with it, it's full of pretty stones."

"Thank you, Uncle Ji." Su Ninglong always seemed exceptionally well-behaved at times like this.

After leaving the courtyard, Ji Chengyi couldn't help but look back one last time, with a hint of reluctance: "I really wish I had a daughter like that too."

Tong Zi linked arms with him and chuckled upon hearing this: "Your family's genes aren't suited for buying lottery tickets. Even if you won the jackpot, you still wouldn't be able to have someone like this."

General Ji turned his head and replied quite naturally, "My genes alone are indeed not enough. But with yours, maybe it will be enough."

six!
The sixth man's remark made Tong Zi burst out laughing, and she laughed and scolded, "Get lost!"

Listening to the laughter of the two fading into the distance, Su Ninglong smiled faintly. Life in the Star Alliance was truly pleasant, but she didn't know how long she could enjoy it.

……

At the negotiating table between the Star Alliance and the Star Radiance Alliance, besides General Ji and Deputy Director Lao Wang, there was another truly heavyweight figure among the witnesses.

Xing Qingping is the director of the Interstellar Energy Regulation Bureau and also serves as the director of the Hunter Organization's Central Monitoring Bureau.

He possessed easily recognizable Starborn features: blond hair, golden eyes, and an extremely serious face; his cold, golden eyes made him appear even more imposing.

His clothes were very simple, and he even wore only a pair of ordinary sneakers, which was quite different from the image of a high-ranking bureau chief that people imagined.

But it was precisely because of his presence that Principal Yan was willing to sit down and actually begin this negotiation with the Star Alliance.