In this cyberpunk era, why are you still playing the traditional villain?

After a moment's thought, Cheng Gujian stood up and extended his hand to him.

Anyway, this deal was worthwhile, at least for him; it was a win-win situation.

He was well aware of the subtext of Xu Shi's words "things may change in the future"—this kind of deal wouldn't be a one-off transaction. For example, Xu Shi might be providing him with a first-generation weapon on the surface, but he'd be providing him with a second-generation one. Once the trade route is established, he could bring in a third-generation weapon, which would create a new cycle.

Then he can put the second-generation weapon on the table, and with a little embellishment, he can say that he got it through his own efforts. Not only will he always be one step ahead of others, but he will also gain more merit.

Xu Shi shook hands with him firmly, which meant the deal was done. There was no need to worry about anyone breaking the contract, as everyone had ways to preserve evidence.

"Calling you Envoy Xu all the time sounds a bit awkward. I'm a few years older than you, so if you don't mind, I'll call you Brother Xu."

Cheng Gujian was in a great mood and took the initiative to say this.

"Of course, no problem, Brother Cheng."

Xu Shi didn't object at all; wouldn't that mean he'd make new friends?

"Would you like a drink? I have some very good vintage wines here."

Cheng Gujian turned around and grabbed three wine glasses. "Would you like some, sister-in-law?"

"I'm not a good drinker, so there's nothing shameful about it."

Xu Shi politely declined, saying, "Rather than drinking, I have a question I'd like to ask you, Brother Cheng."

"you say?"

"Could you tell me more about 'Poseidon'?"

I'm updating a little earlier today because I'm going out of town...

Xu Shi: You don't need to tell me what happens if you become my brother, right? What, Pan Cheng? Both of his daughters are in my hands…

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 223 Too stupid to use

"Oh? Brother Xu is also interested in the 'Sea God'?"

Upon hearing Xu Shi's question, Cheng Gujian's hand holding the wine glass stiffened slightly for a moment.

"There's no way I'm not interested."

Xu Shi chuckled and sighed, "If it weren't for the 'Sea God,' we might not have even been able to make contact with your Hualan Empire... When we stayed on Silver Pine Island, we heard a lot about it from the islanders."

"I see."

Cheng Gujian nodded slightly. "In that case, what I can tell you is probably about right... Of course, it wouldn't hurt to repeat it again."

The truth is that even for a powerful duke like him, what Pan Cheng and others told Xu Shi was not much different—the unknown creatures that lived in the depths of the ocean possessed unparalleled destructive power… Xu Shi had heard of all of this.

The advantage was that, compared to Pan Cheng, he had an extra book—a book recorded by the imperial royal family about various creatures, including the so-called "Sea God."

It bears some resemblance to the profile images Ye Shanshan and Xingchuan created, but upon closer inspection, there are also some differences, adding a touch of indescribable charm to it.

Xu Shi and Xia Wuyou exchanged a glance. The latter suddenly realized something and asked curiously, "Judging from the dates recorded in the atlas, the 'Sea God' has existed for a very long time. So why is the Hualan Empire only now considering conquering it?"

"Because of its existence, it has already begun to pose a threat to the Empire, Lady Xia."

Cheng Gujian frowned. "If the 'Sea God' only stays in the deep sea, then no matter how powerful it is, we have no intention of provoking it... After all, we don't live by the sea, and I imagine your city-states are the same?"

Xia Wuyou remained noncommittal. The City of Night Sin had also kept its distance from the ocean before, and its greatest use was probably for parents to scare their children by saying, "If you make any more noise, I'll throw you into the sea"... At least before Xu Shi proposed the "going to sea" plan, she didn't even have such a concept.

"Right?"

Cheng Gujian took a bottle of wine, poured himself a drink, and said with a hint of melancholy, "About two or three months before you arrived, a number of strange things started happening in the empire."

"First, the tides began to rise and fall abnormally, and then coastal towns and villages... Sea monsters leaped onto the shore like madmen, some exploding, some carrying deadly poison, and some even witnessed the appearance of the 'Sea God'."

That's the logic. Things were fine before, but once something goes wrong, it becomes a big problem. In a sense, this can also be called the dark forest.

It's important to understand that Silverpine Island wasn't the only island in the Empire that lived by the sea; it was just that Silverpine Island was the only island in the Hualan Empire... Especially since the turmoil was caused by a creature that had previously only existed in legends, the fear instilled in these ordinary people was even deeper.

In such a situation, neither the royal family nor the papacy can afford to stand idly by.

"So you found Silver Pine Island to be your scapegoat?" Xu Shi said with a smile, revealing the truth.

"Yes."

These words were blunt, but Cheng Gujian readily agreed, “The people of Silver Pine Island are close to and skilled in water, and they also possess shipbuilding technology. Since ancient times, more than half of the empire’s records on the ocean have been attributed to them, so it is most appropriate for them to do this kind of thing.”

In fact, Xu Shi's wording was somewhat imprecise. Rather than being scapegoats, it would be more accurate to say that Pan Cheng and his group were assigned to fight the preliminary battle—supposedly to be responsible for the "Sea God" matter. However, it was clear that neither the royal family nor the Papacy had much experience in this area.

However, neither side wanted to act rashly and make any unnecessary sacrifices, which is why they both set their sights on Silver Pine Island.

Let Pan Cheng and his team test the waters first, so they'll have more time to prepare and, if things go well, they can gain some experience.

On the surface, they weren't entirely inactive; they managed to silence public opinion. The people from Silverpine Island didn't go because they were cowardly and afraid of death, not because the empire didn't value the matter.

As for what the people of Silverpine Island do, whether they live or die, that's a trivial matter that can't be taken into account... Well, they're just scapegoats.

"The people of Silverpine Island are also citizens of the Empire, and this is their duty and obligation."

Cheng Gujian also laughed, "But judging from what Brother Xu said, it sounds like you're a bit indignant? Well, you have connections with Silver Pine Island... then how about I apologize to you?"

"Are we no longer barbarians but citizens of the empire?" Xu Shi thought to himself, secretly thinking, "Adapting to new identity, huh?"

However, he was also amazed by the Grand Duke of Gujian's ability to take things in stride. After all, for a powerful minister who could control everything, apologies were usually out of the question, even if they were made as a joke.

Isn't that just a joke? Anyway, he didn't hear any remorse from the other party. It was more like a warning—Silver Pine Island is the territory of the Hualan Empire. You, an outsider, shouldn't interfere.

However, Cheng Gujian's attitude is clear: you have a good relationship with Silver Pine Island, and since we are now cooperating, I will not make things difficult for them for your sake.

"What's done is done, there's no point in saying anything more, and I wasn't there anyway."

Xu Shi smiled. He wasn't trying to break off relations with the other party, so he simply changed the subject, "So now, what are your plans next?"

"Of course, we should gather our forces and set off to wipe out 'Poseidon' in one fell swoop."

Cheng Gujian said, "I have been selecting men from among the royal knights recently. Judging from the situation, I may have to take action myself."

"What about the Vatican?"

"...That's true, after all, no one expected the people of Silverpine Island to be able to defeat 'Sea God'."

Cheng Gujian sighed softly, "During this period, priests from various places have been entering the main city one after another. What else could it be but this?"

To personally take the lead?

These words surprised both Xu Shi and Xia Wuyou. Given your current status, it could be considered as leading an army in person...

But upon closer examination, it makes sense – after all, in the context of the Hualan Empire, the matter of defeating the Sea God could easily escalate into a political game.

Two tigers cannot share one mountain. The royal family and the papacy, which are inherently in a state of checks and balances, naturally hope to find an opportunity to further enhance their own influence. The campaign against the sea god is no small matter. Once one of them wins the battle and then does some good marketing, it will be easy to put a heavy weight on the scales and eventually create a one-sided trend.

Given this situation, neither side was going to let their guard down and both were giving it their all.

"I was quite troubled by this at first."

Cheng Gujian took a couple more sips of wine, then suddenly smiled with relief, “A dozen years ago, I might have looked forward to returning in triumph, full of vigor and high spirits, but now that I’m older, I have more things on my mind, and I’m less daring. The thought of having to personally take charge even makes me a little afraid.”

"Fortunately, Brother Xu, you arrived just in time. The weapons you brought should be a great help in defeating the Sea God... I have a favor to ask. Before we set off, you must help me train the people I have chosen."

"This is simply my job. How can I sell something without providing after-sales service?"

Xu Shi blinked and smiled, indicating that he didn't need to worry. "If Brother Cheng needs me, I can accompany you and give you the same guidance on the road."

"...Brother Xu, are you really willing to do this?"

Cheng Gujian looked surprised, as if he had never expected Xu Shi to say such a thing. "You are not from the Hualan Empire, how can I really trouble you to this extent?"

Xu Shi secretly rolled his eyes, thinking to himself, "That's enough. Are you some kind of political newbie? You're acting like a curious child, but this is probably what you really think..."

"To be honest, what interests me isn't just the story of 'Poseidon'."

However, he didn't point it out. If he had, he wouldn't have followed Cheng Gujian's lead. Instead, he said sincerely, "I've long had the idea of ​​finding out the truth. Since that's the case, if we go together, I'll have a better chance of success."

"I see."

Cheng Gujian looked as if he had just woken up from a dream. "It seems that Brother Xu is quite the adventurous hero... In that case, I won't say anything more. Let me toast you."

"Brother Cheng has a huge capacity for alcohol."

Xu Shi offered a lukewarm compliment, "However, there's something we need to clarify beforehand. As you said, we're not from the Hualan Empire. If we achieve a resounding victory, how will the credit be calculated?"

"This one……"

Cheng Gujian frowned. Xu Shi had truly stumped him this time. "The royal family has already made arrangements. Anyone who makes a contribution during this trip will be richly rewarded, and those who die in the line of duty will even be directly ennobled... But these things don't hold much appeal for you, do they?"

"Isn't it?"

Xu did not deny it.

"hiss……"

Grand Duke Gu Jian clicked his tongue. "I think I need to talk to His Majesty again and discuss this carefully. I must give you an explanation first."

"It just so happens that I also need your help in training soldiers, Brother Xu. I will ask His Majesty for permission tomorrow, so that you won't have to be so secretive when you come to me in the future."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Cheng."

Xu Shi nodded and said half-jokingly, "It's a pity we have to keep it a secret for now... It's getting late, I should take my leave. Is there a back door? It'll be more discreet for me to leave, so you won't have anything to say about me."

"I'll personally escort you; who dares to object?"

Cheng Gujian stood up with a cold smile, not taking it to heart at all. "Please."

When they saw Xu Shi off, the two exchanged many pleasantries, mostly about minor details related to their cooperation.

For example, Cheng Gujian would not refuse Xu Shi's long-standing concern about building a base station, and waved his hand to tell him to just go ahead and do it.

With him speaking up, none of this matters.

"By the way, Brother Xu, you've never been to the Holy See before, have you?"

Upon reaching the gate, Cheng Gujian suddenly seemed to remember something, "When do you plan to visit? I can make some preparations for you in advance."

"I do not know either."

Xu Shi said nonchalantly, "It's good to finish what you start. We haven't finished things here yet, there's no need to rush."

"Indeed, I've heard about your feud with the Vatican."

Cheng Gujian nodded slightly. "To be honest, I personally don't even want you to have anything to do with them."