Collapse Iron: The Five Heroes of the Clouds Won't Let Me Go

Cheng Xiao is now somewhat helpless.

Indeed, after talking to Xu Zhao, this troublesome fellow made a suggestion:

"I know all the big shots in the company. Actually, there's a very simple way to gain the company's favor: win the support of the heads of various departments."

"How do I do it?"

"It's very simple. You don't even need to use the position of a demigod to intimidate. I have a great idea here."

Xu Zhao took out a photo, and Cheng Xiao glanced at it and then complained:

"Where did this fat pig come from? I've never seen such a fat person before."

"Shh! It's best not to gossip about others on company grounds, even though colleagues often tease each other."

Then, using a blurry image, he introduced the people in the photo:

"This is the head of the [Building Materials Logistics Department], Taravan Keane. He is one of the few confirmed demurrage officers in the company, and he is also a member of the seven-member board of directors."

"That's Tarafan? [Building Materials Logistics Department]...I have a friend who seems to work in this department. I remember this department is responsible for shipping building materials to Cripper."

"That's right! The implementation of any major company decisions requires a vote from department heads. If you get the support of the [Building Materials Logistics Department] first, wouldn't you save the Pioneers a lot of trouble?"

"That makes sense. So, what should I do?"

"Hehe, it's very simple, just use your best method - cooking."

......

Cheng Xiao arrived at the largest restaurant hotel in Thousand Star City, where the most distinguished and wealthy officials and businessmen gathered. Thousand Star City would provide nearly 10,000 kinds of different delicacies to satisfy their appetites.

The menu here is constantly being updated because each dish is added after being personally tasted by Taravan himself. As the company expands and he tastes more and more delicious food, the menu will become more and more abundant.

After giving Cheng Xiao directions, Xu Zhao slipped away, ostensibly to help the pioneers, and Cheng Xiao let her go.

Luxury cars of all kinds were parked outside the restaurant, and the hotel waiters greeted guests with formulaic smiles.

A beautiful and charming lady walked towards Cheng Xiao; it was none other than his old friend, Manyu.

"Oh my, the presence of such a great and venerable demigod truly honors this humble abode!"

"Manyu, you don't seem to have changed much. It's been a hundred or two hundred years since we last met, hasn't it? I often hear Zhenzhu talk about you." Chengxiao said with a light laugh.

"Mr. Cheng Xiao, although I am not very capable, I am still an employee of P45. The company has many ways to extend lifespan, and my body is a semi-mechanical structure, just like Kenneth's~" Manyu replied elegantly.

"Who is Kenneth?"

"He is the butler of this Thousand Star City. You will meet him soon. After all, since you have come here, he, as the butler, cannot neglect you."

Cheng Xiao understood, and then got straight to the point:

"I need to see the head of the [Building Materials Logistics Department], who's your boss. Where is he right now?"

"Rest assured, Mr. Taravan already knew the moment you contacted me. He is currently waiting for you on the top floor of this restaurant and has prepared the most sumptuous feast for you. It is said to be his life's menu."

"Looks like you guys in the Building Materials Logistics Department are doing pretty well," Cheng Xiao teased jokingly.

"Oh, of course. Transporting building materials for Amber King is the company's most sacred mission. This alone is enough to keep the minister in a stable position on the board of directors. In addition, I have a relationship with you, sir. Even if you don't pay attention to the company, our department can be invincible with just this one bargaining chip."

"Wouldn't that mean you got a lot of benefits, and what about my compensation?" Cheng Xiao joked.

"Please rest assured, this black card is prepared for you, sir. Whenever you come to Thousand Star City, all your expenses here will be paid by the [Building Materials Logistics Department]."

"That's interesting. Then I won't stand on ceremony."

"Yes, please, sir. If you arrive too late, you'll miss the best flavor of this delicious dish." Manyu bowed in greeting.

We then took the elevator to the top floor. Although it lacked the grandeur of the lobby, the glittering jewels here were even more extravagant, with even the walls and floor tiles constructed from extremely valuable materials.

The collection of famous paintings and porcelain is dazzling, like stepping into the Louvre at its peak.

Man Yu pushed open the door, and Cheng Xiao saw a long table that was nearly ten meters long and three meters wide, filled with delicious dishes that he couldn't name but smelled wonderful.

A portly man sat opposite me, wearing an oversized suit that made him look bulky and comical. He had a bright smile on his face and looked every bit the wealthy tycoon.

"Welcome! Mighty demigod, although you are on the Immortal Ship, I have never had the time to visit you. I hope my subordinate Manyu can convey my sincerity." Taravan's voice was very fitting to his image, deep and solid, yet with a hint of cunning.

It sounds like a villain.

Cheng Xiao sat opposite, ten meters away from Tarafan at a table. The food in front of him looked delicious, but he didn't know where to start.

After taking a few bites, Cheng Xiao put down his knife and fork.

"Do you have chopsticks? Eating with a knife and fork always feels awkward."

"Of course, we have already considered that you might not be used to it, so we have prepared chopsticks that are in accordance with the customs of Xianzhou."

Man Yu took out a pair of jade chopsticks from the inner room. The top-quality raw jade was almost glass-colored, and it was obviously very valuable.

Cheng Xiao's face twitched. He always used wooden chopsticks, at most made of good quality wood that was moisture-proof and corrosion-resistant. But these jade chopsticks... were too extravagant. They weren't tableware; they were collectibles.

In the end, Cheng Xiao still had no appetite and only ate a little of each dish.

"Is the gentleman dissatisfied? Or is the food not to his liking? These dishes are the most delicious food I have ever eaten in my life, and they are on my life's menu. Every single one is an unforgettable delicacy."

"It's not that they don't suit my taste; they're all delicious. It's just that I don't have much of an appetite right now."

"Oh dear, that's a real pity. There are only a few desires in life, and the appetite is the biggest one that I can't give up. If I didn't have an appetite, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to go on living." Taravan chewed the food with big bites, and finished a whole crispy suckling pig in just three bites.

Cheng Xiao intended to discuss the matter of Erxiang Paradise, but Manyu directly stated the attitude of the [Building Materials Logistics Department]:

They support the weaponization of Hattopia (the second phase of paradise).

"Sir, you probably don't know this, but the votes are currently tied at three to three, and we're just waiting for the Traditional Projects Department to give their final vote," Manyu explained the current situation.

Taravan quickly tried to stop him, but his heavy body held him back.

"Mr. Cheng Xiao! Wait a moment, could you please let me say something?"

"What else is there to say?"

"Hehehe, actually, there's a lot of weighing and balancing within the company. Everyone's smart enough to know which method is efficient and which is in line with human nature and morality. It's just that nobody wants to be the first to stick their neck out, so they might as well muddy the waters and create a situation of mutual checks and balances."

"But the company isn't run by a single person, and Amber King won't speak for himself, so there are contradictions in many decisions. Almost every vote ends in a three-to-three tie, which is a kind of equilibrium. Deciding the last vote often involves a game of strategy among all parties, with all means being used, and it comes down to who has the bigger bargaining chip."

"So what?" Cheng Xiao asked, puzzled.

"The Trailblazers are currently trying to contact Zaita of the [Traditional Projects Department], but the situation is complicated and they have encountered some obstacles. However, I am a Guardian of the Order, and I don't actually completely agree with weaponization."

"Are you saying you can change your mind? But you've already voted, haven't you?"

"Haha, of course it can be changed, because this decision has been in chaos ever since you got involved, sir."

"Taravan, since you are the Guardian Envoy, I want to know how you followed the path of Guardianship. If you are an Envoy like Shuhu, I will deal with you directly." Cheng Xiao frowned.

"Sir, you jest. As the messenger, I naturally follow in the footsteps of the Amber King. Wherever the Amber King points, I will move in sync with him."

"Don't beat around the bush, be honest about what you think!"

"Sir, it's actually very simple. I've heard about your culinary skills for a long time, hehe, I've admired them for a long time, but I've never had the chance to taste them. If I'm lucky enough to have a bite today, my ticket is for you!"