Lu Mingfei, become the King of Elden!

Chapter 252 This is what he said
Rome, Italy, the headquarters of the Gattuso family.

In an office decorated with extreme luxury yet elegance, Frost Gattuso stood in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window, answering a phone call with a blank expression.

"Is it."

"Did he say that?"

A brief silence enveloped both ends of the phone call, with only Andrew's heavy, anxious breathing audible from the other end.

Frost slowly placed the glass on the table, making a soft sound.

He turned around and looked out the window again. The glow of the setting sun bathed half of his face in golden light, while the other half remained hidden in deep shadow.

The Gattuso family has never had a good reputation. Since the Middle Ages, they have practiced tyranny and would run over anyone who stood in their way without a second thought.

This was the first time Frost had ever heard of someone being hung on a "city gate" and displayed like this without any explanation.

“Andrew,” Frost said calmly, “let Percy answer the phone.”

There was a rustling sound on the other end of the phone, mixed with Andrew's reluctant voice, and finally, the receiver was handed over.

After a brief silence, a calm voice rang out, only lower than usual:

"Mr. Frost."

“Percy,” Frost’s voice was devoid of emotion, “tell me what happened. I need the details, not Andrew’s accusations that are tainted with too much personal feeling.”

Percy on the other end of the phone took a deep breath; the sharp pain in his wrist made his breathing slightly rapid, but his tone remained eerily calm:
“Mr. Frost, it was my mistake. I misjudged the target’s threat level and response pattern.”

He paused for a moment, as if recalling the lightning-fast exchange:

"His speed far exceeded any data recorded in the files. By the time I gave the warning, he had already subdued Mr. Andrew. I tried to intervene, but my attack was intercepted by him bare-handed; the power levels were completely disparate. My wrist bone was instantly shattered."

Percy's account was so concise and objective that it seemed all the more credible.

"unarmed?"

Frost raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Pure physical strength and reaction speed."

Percy calmly added:
"His control over power is exquisite. He can unleash a burst of power to defeat the enemy instantly, or he can precisely inflict only specific damage."

Frost listened in silence, the setting sun outside the window casting flickering light and shadow on half of his face.

Percy continued:
"His behavior patterns cannot be predicted by conventional logic, and we are completely caught up in his rhythm."

"Sir, the assessment of Lu Mingfei's strength based on the current intelligence is seriously underestimated and contains a huge error. His combat power, mental strength, and control over the situation are extremely dangerous."

Silence fell again on both ends of the phone.

Frost watched as the lights of Rome gradually illuminated the night view outside his window.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice devoid of any emotion:

"I see."

"Where is Lu Mingfei now?"

“He’s waiting outside,” Percy said calmly. “He said he would give us plenty of private time to think about what to do.”

Frost paused for a moment.

"It seems he's fearless."

Frost said coldly:
"Give him the phone." A cell phone was handed to Lu Mingfei.

"Commissioner Lu Mingfei."

Lu Mingfei raised an eyebrow.

Frost's choice of this subtle title suggests that he acknowledges Lu Mingfei's identity in some way.

Lu Mingfei held the phone a little further away, as if it were a bit too hot to handle, and said in a lazy tone:
"Well, the main character has finally arrived. Mr. Frost...? What, are you here to demand an explanation for your lawyer and secretary, or to pay for my emotional distress and medical expenses?"

On the other end of the phone, Frost seemed to catch his breath for a moment, but quickly regained his composure, ignoring Lu Mingfei's provocation, and cut straight to the point:

"Let's get straight to the point, Commissioner Lu Mingfei. You've made such a fuss, even resorting to this method to force me to talk. What do you want?"

Lu Mingfei's lazy expression gradually disappeared.

He spoke clearly and calmly into the phone:

"What do I want? It's very simple."

"What I've always wanted is 'equal' treatment, and 'status' and 'rights' commensurate with my power."

He paused, his voice tinged with sarcasm:

“Mr. Frost, don’t you think this is fair? A certain level of power should correspond to a certain level of status and influence. This is the most basic law of the hybrid world, and even of the entire natural world, isn’t it?”

“Otherwise,” Lu Mingfei said calmly, “tell me, why should I, Lu Mingfei, endure your repeated questioning, scrutiny, and even trial?”

“I possess the power to slay dragons. I have accomplished what many of you could never do in your entire lives. I killed Norton, severely injured Constantine, and resolved a disaster in Cologne that was headline news. My achievements and my fists are my bargaining chips.”

His words were like bullets fired from a gun, swift and ruthless:

"If here, in the Secret Service, in Kassel, my power doesn't earn me the respect and status I deserve, but instead brings suspicion and shackles..."

Lu Mingfei let out a cold laugh, a laugh that, even through the microphone, sent a chill down Frost's spine, who was far away in Rome.
"Then why should I stay here? Aren't North American mixed-race families always trying to recruit powerful free agents? I heard they offer high prices and don't interfere as much. Aren't there any other mixed-race forces in the world?"

"Ultimately, what difference does it make where you slay a dragon? What difference does it make who you serve?"

“Mr. Frost Gattuso,” Lu Mingfei pronounced his name, emphasizing each syllable, “I am not like Principal Angers. He had no other choice; his roots, his hatred, his friends are all buried here. But I…”

“I am still young, I haven’t been in school for long, and I have many choices.”

"If I leave now, then all the responsibility will fall on you."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

Frost Gattuso stood in the dark office, his fingers gripping the microphone slightly.

Lu Mingfei's words pierced through all the pretense and pointed directly to the most crucial issue.

The retention or loss of talent, especially top-tier military personnel, is always the most sensitive issue for any organization.

He could tell that Lu Mingfei wasn't bluffing.

This young man was serious. He had enough strength and value to use as bargaining chips, and although his demands were arrogant, they damnably conformed to the naked jungle law of the mixed-race world.

A full minute passed before Frost's cold voice rang out again, this time with a more somber tone:
"I heard your request."

"But power and status are not child's play; they cannot be simply granted through a violent conflict. It requires a process, involving the Secret Party and the Board of Trustees. It's not up to me to decide alone."

Lu Mingfei scoffed.

(End of this chapter)