The weapon refiner is not doing her job properly

Chapter 95 Conspiracy
"Business is like a gamble. If you bet the wrong chips and ruin your reputation, it's already a miracle if no one comes knocking on your door to force you to jump off a building." Zhou Jiaxi took out a cigar from the box, lit it, and said condescendingly, "If you want to maintain your former dignity, selling off your assets isn't enough to keep up appearances?"

"Bang!" Wei Zhen slammed his fist on the glass tabletop, making a loud noise, revealing his murderous intent in his eyes.

He was like a mad dog that had walked into a dead end, adopting a do-or-die attitude; whoever didn't treat him well, he would make things difficult for them.

The reason they were in such a hurry to get the Star Alliance to hand over the new artifact was to make money, but unfortunately, the young navigator dog ruined it.

"Is Mr. Zhou joking? Last month I sold a mine to one of your companies. The Star Coins were barely warm before the bank took them. Guess how much is left in the account now." Wei Zhen clenched his fist, revealing a thick ring on his middle finger. The thick metal protrusion looked like it could cause internal bleeding if punched.

There was no one else in the hall, and the air was filled with the bitter smell of cigars. Zhou Jiaxi's eyes were gloomy as he compromised, "Fine, I have a money-making project that I need people to take on the Star Alliance. Are you in?"

Wei Zhen snatched the paper plan, and after reading only a few pages, his eyes lit up and his breathing became rapid.

"You've really gotten this deal with me?"

"Quite the appetite." Zhou Jiaxi's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Your ambitions are sky-high. Without me, could you have accomplished anything?"

"Doing this, you...aren't you afraid we'll both offend the Star Alliance?" Wei Zhen suddenly chuckled, lowering his voice in a flattering tone, "Since President Zhou is willing to make a sacrifice, I'm certainly willing to go through fire and water for you. So, what do you mean next..."

Zhou Jiaxi handed over a card that emitted a cold light. "Three days later, go to the 23rd floor of this place and find the gentleman who holds the same key. He will naturally give you the funds. Follow this man's advice and don't make your own decisions anymore."

Wei Zhen looked at the company name written on the back of the card.

Are you a shareholder of this company?

"No, but I am the controlling shareholder behind the company's holding company."

Wei Zhen suddenly realized and dragged out the last syllable of his name. He had gained power by indirectly controlling multiple companies, much like a Russian nesting doll. There would definitely be trouble, but he could keep a low profile.

As long as the plan is completed, Zhou Jiaxi is not afraid of offending the Star Alliance; at worst, he can resign from the board of directors.

With the Star Alliance already emerging, there might be even more "Hunter" organizations in a few years. There's no need to fight tooth and nail within the Star Alliance.

"Brilliant. No wonder everyone says you're the 'white glove' of the Interstellar Commerce Guild." Wei Zhen had been in this circle for a long time, and although he wasn't particularly business-savvy, he knew about this kind of operation.

He diligently picked up the teapot and poured Zhou Jiaxi a cup of tea, filling it to about seven-tenths full, and poured himself half a cup as well.

A clear golden vortex swirled within the glass goblet. After the clinking of glasses, Wei Zhen said, "A toast to you, a toast to us, and a toast to the successful completion of the plan."

Zhou Jiaxi picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and rubbed the inside of the cup with her fingertips. "Don't disappoint me."

"Of course, of course. Let's make money together. I never go back on my word. I promised to help you before, and I kept my promise. Honesty is the last vestige of dignity for a businessman, right?" Wei Zhen smiled brightly.

Dignity? Zhou Jiaxi gritted his teeth. Would he do it if there was no benefit in it?

When Wei Zhen got home, she picked up a bottle of red wine and poured herself a full glass.

The fruity aroma and alcohol blended perfectly, and he thought this would be the last bottle of fine wine he would ever enjoy.

The situation took an unexpected turn; one really shouldn't be so concerned with saving face.

When Wei-Yuan and Will came home from school and saw Wei-Zhen's situation, the two brothers exchanged glances, and Will nudged Wei-Yuan.

"Dad, can you buy us a flying mount?"

Wei Zhen picked up Wei Yuan and said, "Buy it, of course we'll buy it."

Wei Yuan opened the bracelet and shoved the picture of the mechanical lizard right in Wei Zhen's eyes. "It has to be able to change color, like the limited edition that the fat girl next door's dad ordered at the trade fair."

"It's just mimicry, right?" Wei Zhen readily agreed. "Buy it. I'll have the butler order it tomorrow."

Seeing Wei Zhen's reaction, Will felt much more at ease. He thought he was about to leave behind his wealthy life, but it turned out to be just a false alarm.

"By the way," Wei Zhen said, slightly out of breath after spinning Wei Yuan around three times, and put her youngest son down. "Isn't there someone in your grade named Su Ninglong?"

Wei Zhen suddenly brought it up, and Wei Yuan and Wei Er were both overwhelmed by Su Ninglong's "academic genius" aura and were unwilling to talk about Su Ninglong.

They wondered how Wei-zhen knew about her, since there was no standardized test and the school wouldn't publish daily grades.

"Why is Father suddenly concerned about that classmate?" Will clenched his fists behind his back.

What kind of person is she normally?

Will: "He's just an average student, nothing special."

He didn't want Wei Zhen to pay attention to Su Ninglong, but his answer made Wei Zhen frown, "She's only four years old, how can she be in the same class as you?"

Oh no, I forgot about this vulnerability.

Will and Wei Yuan had no choice but to stammer out what they knew, embellishing it a bit to portray Su Ninglong as an utterly wicked villain.

But the more malicious their words became, the more wary Wei Zhen became, and she asked even more questions.

Fortunately, Will left himself room to maneuver when speaking to Wei Zhen, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to cover up his lie.

Exhausted, the two brothers hurried upstairs. Looking back, their father was still sitting on the sofa, seemingly deep in thought.

Will: "Let's talk about Su Ninglong less from now on, and just say we don't know anything about her."

Wei Yuan nodded obediently, "I don't know, I don't know anything."

……

After an unknown amount of time, Lena gently nudged Su Ninglong, "Ninglong, wake up."

Su Ninglong opened her eyes and saw six pairs of eyes above her.

Principal Yan, Lei Qingya, Yun Fei, Xing Yuan, Lena, and a middle-aged man I didn't recognize.

Su Ninglong pouted, "Do you know how big you are in a child's eyes?" She almost thought she had encountered a mysterious spirit again.

That little mouth of hers can still snap at people, which proves she's not seriously injured.

Lena gave them a reproachful look. "I told you, don't crowd around here." She quickly pushed them away. "Get out of here, find another place to talk about your business."

"That won't do, the child must be brought along." The bureau chief couldn't miss the best opportunity to ask questions.

Lena was at a loss, so Su Ninglong could only shake her messy hair as Xingyuan carried her to the Execution Department.

At the entrance of the enforcement department, Su Ninglong saw Zou Shuyi.

"Godmother, give me a hug." Su Ninglong reached out her hand, and Zou Shuyi, who had been furious, immediately softened. She hugged Su Ninglong and kissed her several times, her face becoming rounder and her whole body resembling a soft steamed bun.

"Do you remember me? You haven't been home in a long time. Every time you mention going home, something goes wrong. You've got some nerve."

“I won’t take the blame for other people’s mistakes,” Su Ninglong said. “I am the victim.”

"You are the only one who is wrong."

Speaking of which, Su Ninglong nuzzled Zou Shuyi and asked curiously, "Godmother, why did you come? Did you miss me that much?"

"Stop being so narcissistic. I'm here at the Star Alliance to give my year-end report." Zou Shuyi could barely hold her anymore. Before, Su Ninglong was always hungry, so she was quite slender.

Raised by Xingyuan, her former lightness was gone, replaced by an unusually robust weight. Principal Yan stepped forward, "Xiao Zou, I know you care about Su Ninglong, but there are some questions that must be asked of Su Ninglong. Your reunion will have to wait."

"I understand. Uncle Yan, I am her guardian and have the right to know her health condition. I only feel at ease when I see her lively and energetic." Zou Shuyi took the opportunity to put Su Ninglong down; she was too heavy to carry.

After being kissed again by Zou Shuyi, Su Ninglong was led by the middle-aged man, the Star Police officer, and Yun Fei into a bright and whimsical room in the Execution Department.

Xingyuan, acting as the guide, followed behind, while Zou Shuyi did not come in.

As soon as Su Ninglong entered the room, she kicked off her shoes, shoved the Kapibala doll into Xingyuan's hands, and turned to pounce on the pile of plush toys, saying, "This one is mine."

She pressed her face into the seal plush toy's fluffy belly and silently declared ownership.

Old Master Su wasn't greedy; she would take one at a time, and soon she would be able to open a doll collection museum.

The domineering patriarch isn't annoying; on the contrary, her outspokenness gives the impression that the doll should belong to her.

Yun Fei's lips twitched. This was even more efficient than a space pirate's robbery, but he couldn't be stingy and say he couldn't take it.

"Alright, sit down, let's talk."

Reviewing Suninglong's experience is not as difficult as it is for other children.

With her strong sense of logic, Su Ninglong obediently recounted her experience.

When the gray-clad man mentioned the pyramid-shaped equipment, the director couldn't help but connect it to the recent missing persons cases that Xue Wancheng was investigating.

Isn't a highly secluded space that can be freely entered and exited the only way they can't detect it?
Do you know where he's taking you?

"do not know."

The girl spoke with such clarity and logic that the bureau chief couldn't help but suspect she was lying in her story.

He interrupted Su Ninglong to continue speaking, pointing out the flaw: "You are a smart child. Since you can calmly analyze the spatial structure, why didn't you wait until you were out of danger before asking for help?"

“I sense danger.” Su Ninglong looked at Yun Fei. “Teacher Yun should understand.”

Yun Fei raised his eyes. "You've been hiding something."

Su Ninglong: "???" She was nine parts truth and one part falsehood, and she herself didn't know what else she was hiding.

"Based on your description, that person has special abilities. What about your injuries?" Yun Fei pointed out the key issue.

Su Ninglong hesitated, glanced at Xing Yuan, and slowly rolled up her sleeves, revealing a shocking array of burns.

The policewoman taking the statement covered her mouth in surprise.

Xingyuan closed her eyes. Lena had only said that she was injured and needed to rest for a while, but she hadn't expected the injury to be so horrifying.

Yun Fei remained indifferent and pressed on, "You have injuries on your body, but no injuries on the back of your hand?"

Su Ninglong placed her hand in front of his eyes, closed her eyes, circulated her spiritual energy, and slowly transferred and concentrated it to the wounds. Then, the two wounds slowly disappeared under Yun Fei's eyes.

"The range of treatments available is very limited." The spiritual energy is too scarce. After nearly two months of accumulating spiritual energy, I've only reached the eighth level of the Qi Refining stage. Using spiritual energy for treatment is simply a luxury.

Cultivators have a stronger ability to heal than ordinary people. If it weren't for the fear of worrying Zou Shuyi, there would actually be no need to rush to heal external injuries.

"Why don't you transfer to the Inner Academy now?" Yun Fei said abruptly, feeling that it was a pipe dream. Tuition was free in the Inner Academy, and it was not easy to transfer in. It took three days from submitting the application to making the final decision to invite Lian Xinyi to the Inner Academy, and that was only because he had a powerful background.

"No, I want to get in through the exam."

Yun Fei praised Xing Yuan: "You taught quite well."

Being unwilling to take shortcuts is also a commendable virtue, saving him the trouble of persuading others with decision-making power.

Xingyuan: "..."

Thank you for the compliment, but he didn't teach her. The fact that Su Ninglong doesn't take shortcuts only shows that she doesn't want to enter the inner courtyard yet.

"Are you still going to listen to the story?"

The four of them were speechless. Only Su Ninglong told her personal experiences as stories.

Su Ninglong told them the rest of the content, without any falsehoods, except for the part about sealing off divine consciousness.

"You saw the tyrant?" Yun Fei couldn't sit still.

"Who is the tyrant? Is it that big guy I saw?" Su Ninglong asked, resting her chin on her hand. Lena had mentioned it once, but she had also mentioned his name.

Su Ninglong knew the facts but not the meaning.

Everyone's eyes changed. How could the tyrant not be dead?

"No one can look a tyrant in the eye without going mad; most people just die." Yun Fei couldn't believe it either. What did Su Ninglong rely on?
"Then how did you know they encountered a tyrant?" Su Ninglong was dissatisfied with their irrelevant answers. "You still haven't answered my question. What kind of mysterious spirit is a tyrant?"

The bureau chief and the policewoman both looked at Yun Fei.

Yun Fei sighed. Since he had seen it, he might as well talk about it. "The Tyrant, also known as the Entropy Core Tyrant, is one of the Deep Space Rulers. There are three Deep Space Rulers known to mankind. We cannot detect the extent of their strength. They are very strong, so strong that we cannot even look them in the eye."

"You are one of only two people who have come into contact with it and haven't gone crazy."

"Who's the first one?"

"Principal Yan."

"Oh, Principal Yan, then there's no problem."

“There’s something wrong with you. You don’t know what a huge thing you’ve done. Your survival will have many far-reaching consequences.” Yun Fei placed his hands on the table and said clearly, word by word, “How did you do it?”

Su Ninglong rubbed her nose and took out the summer sandalwood hanging from the necklace. The wood was engraved with many array patterns and runes, all used to enhance its calming and consolidating effects on the mind.

"It might be this." She handed the necklace to Yun Fei.

Once Xia Xiangmu was in hand, Yun Fei knew the reason.

The inner world becomes peaceful, which is more healing than the calming earrings. It doesn't require any operation, but it is also very different. What is the difference? Yunfei doesn't have the answer yet.

Ordinary summer sandalwood does have a calming effect, but it is far inferior to this piece by Su Ninglong. Yun Fei was certain that it was another work by Su Ninglong.

He pushed the necklace back, not mentioning the "sacred relic" at all, treating it as if it were just a piece of carved wood.

He sat down again and praised, "The craftsmanship is excellent."

Before Su Ninglong could take it back, the bureau chief also took it and looked at it, but he was just an ordinary person with no special abilities.

Even with special abilities, one would need some kind of problem with their spiritual sense to experience the effects of Xia Xiangmu.

"The person who arrested me also saw the Tyrant. I wonder how he is." After the director put Xia Xiangmu down, Su Ninglong put the pendant back on the necklace.

She hoped the man in gray was dead; if he wasn't, some of her secrets wouldn't be able to stay hidden.

"Based on your description of his appearance, we will locate him as soon as possible."