Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

The nightlife here in New Zealand is much more vibrant than in Amherst City, and many shops are only open at night.

For example, the family in front of Isaac.

The woman, with her graceful figure and flamboyant attire, would occasionally beckon to passersby.

It's obvious what kind of store this is, even if you just walk around in it.

Isaac walked into the store with a calm expression, and soon saw a middle-aged man sitting among a group of women.

"Dad, you really are here."

"puff!"

The emperor spat out a mouthful of wine.

"Feifan!? What are you doing here?"

“I just arrived today. I was looking for you, but General Ye said you weren’t at the palace,” Isaac said with a smile. “I figured if you weren’t at the palace, you wouldn’t be going anywhere respectable.”

Should I be impressed by how well you understand me?

Of course.

"Ahem, this is not the place to talk. Come over here with me." With that, he stood up and walked to the side.

Seeing this, Isaac followed.

In a private room on the third floor, Isaac and the Emperor sat facing each other.

"Father, do we have to come to a brothel every time we talk business?"

"I didn't want to either! Couldn't you have told me earlier before you came back!" The emperor covered his face and said with a headache, "It's been almost three years since you came back. I remember your president was a woman named Olivia, not you."

"Yes, it's not me for now."

"Oh~ So you've come back to inherit the throne?" The emperor's eyes lit up.

"No."

"Tsk, since you've been busy there for most of the day without making any progress, why don't you inherit my throne? Wouldn't that be wonderful?" the emperor said earnestly. "Young people should be more pragmatic; unrealistic dreams are unacceptable."

Upon hearing this, some veins bulged on Isaac's forehead.

"Come on, I didn't come back this time to inherit the throne..."

"Don't say that, look out the window," the emperor said, pointing out the window.

"Hmm?" Isaac looked out the window.

The night sky was filled with stars, and the streets were brightly lit.

What's outside the window?

"Look closely."

"The clouds are low and thick; tomorrow will likely be cloudy and rainy..."

“Wrong! That’s my empire.” The emperor waved his hand, then put his arm around Isaac’s shoulder. “But it will be yours in the next second. Don’t you feel excited?”

I don't think so.

"Never mind, I'll tell you about the benefits of being emperor another time." The emperor shook his head; this was a long-term strategy. "What brings you here today?"

Chapter 365: How far have things progressed for you two?

"I've come to talk to you about the establishment of diplomatic relations between Amestris and the new country," Isaac said.

"Oh, I see."

The emperor's expression immediately turned uninterested.

"Tsk, your expression is making me very embarrassed."

"Establish diplomatic relations, is that it? I agree." The emperor waved his hand and said, "I will send diplomatic envoys to Amestris and issue an official document to the world a month later."

The establishment of diplomatic relations was easily agreed upon. Neither of them cared much about the impact that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the world's two strongest nations would have on the international situation.

“Then it’s settled. It’s getting late, and it’s time for me to return to the Yao tribe’s camp,” Isaac said, standing up.

"Well, you should go back and get some rest," the emperor said. "By the way, I've already decided to send a diplomatic corps to be stationed in Amestris. When will you send someone over?"

"I'll have to go back and discuss with my superior to see if there's a suitable candidate."

"Why don't you stay in Singapore? You'll have nothing to do back home anyway."

"How could I have nothing to do? There's a bunch of bastards around waiting for me to wipe them out," Isaac said unhappily.

"You're really busy, but even so, you're still not the president." The emperor shook his head. "I always feel your chances are very slim."

“It’s not exactly a slim chance. Three years ago I was a colonel, and now I’m a lieutenant general, and I control the entire country’s military,” Isaac said. “Becoming president is only a matter of time.”

"If only things went that smoothly," the emperor said with a smile, then stood up and left the room.

"Come to the palace tomorrow. Judging from your expression, you probably have something more important to discuss."

“Yes, I will,” Isaac said with a smile.

Tonight, the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries has been finalized.

The location was a brothel.

------------

By the time we got back to our lodgings, it was already past midnight. The lights in the residents' windows had all been turned off.

Just as they were about to knock on the door of the mansion, the door opened by itself.

"Welcome back, Lieutenant General Isaac."

Violet was the one who came out to greet Isaac.

“I’m back, Violet,” Isaac said with a smile, but then noticed Violet’s clothes.

She was wearing a light purple cheongsam that accentuated her curves, with slits on both sides extending up to her upper thighs, giving her an alluring yet elegant air.

Who returned these clothes?

“It was Mrs. Yao who changed it. She said Lieutenant General Isaac would be pleased to see me dressed like this.” Violet showed no embarrassment, simply asking, “Do you like it?”

"Hmm, not bad, it suits you well." Isaac smiled, looking at Violet's slightly expectant eyes.

The two opened the door to the hall and found that the lights were still on.

"Feifan! You're finally back!"

Before he even stepped inside, Madam Yao suddenly appeared and pounced on Isaac.

pat!

Isaac covered her face with his hand.

"Mom, don't scare me like this when I come back."

“Cry, Feifan, you’ve only been back for three years. Can’t your mother have a proper look at you?” Madam Yao took out a piece of paper and wiped her face with it, pretending to cry.

"I originally thought that Yao Lin would come back first."

"What use is Yao Lin!"

“If he heard you say that, he’d really cry in front of you,” Isaac said helplessly.

"Let's not talk about that. Feifan, are you planning to stay in Singapore after you come back this time?" Madam Yao asked, her big eyes sparkling.

Isaac replied, "No, I want to go back."

"Huh!?"

“Don’t look disappointed. I’m a person who loves my job too,” Isaac said. “And after this diplomatic relationship is established, I will suggest to Dad that we build a railway between the two countries. Then I can come back whenever I want.”

"Really?" Mrs. Yao's eyes lit up.

“Yes,” Isaac said, then added, “as long as you don’t mention crossdressing to me.”

"..."

"Why do you look so disappointed again? Are you really that obsessed with your son dressing as a girl?!"

“Because…because this is the only hobby I have,” Mrs. Yao pouted.

Isaac curled his lip: "You should change this disgusting habit of yours. Your son is almost 20 years old. If you keep doing this, he might lose all face."

He was, after all, a figure at the pinnacle of the Amestris military; if photos of him in women's clothing were to leak out, his career would essentially be over. His political future would be bleak.

“Alright, if Feifan doesn’t want to, then forget it.” Madam Yao suddenly hugged Violet, who was standing next to her. “At least now I have Violet.”

"What do you want to do to my adjutant!?"

……

During their casual conversation, Madam Yao inquired about some of the events that had occurred to Isaac in Amestris. Isaac answered all her questions, but he didn't mention his previous physical rupture.

"Hey Mom, do you know what Dad did today...?"

"You went to a brothel, didn't you?"

"Huh? You actually knew that?" Isaac looked at Mrs. Yao in surprise.

“It’s not the first or second time,” Mrs. Yao sighed. “Whenever we have our sisterhood, this is the only hobby he has when he’s free.”

"That really is..."

"As for when we returned to the palace, the sisters would get together to play mahjong, and we basically didn't have time to pay attention to him."

"..."

“By the way, Feifan.” Madam Yao looked at Isaac. “Tell me about your story.”

"I've already told you quite a bit about my story."

“But you’ve been talking to me about your work in Amestris the whole time,” Mrs. Yao said. “You haven’t said anything else.”

"The others? What else?"

"Take your love life, for example," Madam Yao chuckled, leaning closer to Isaac, her eyes occasionally glancing at Violet. "How's your relationship with Violet going? How far has it progressed?"

"very good."

"Oh~"