A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2289 - 1545: A Deal (The Era of Discounts Is the Victory of the Wait-and-See Party)
For the Immortal Boat, completely defeating the Bu Li is clearly of considerable special significance. When Duanmu Huai arrived at Luofu in a warship, the place was festively decorated, filled with jubilation. Mary had also explained to Duanmu Huai that the reason for such festivity was partly because Feng Ruo was the Immortal Boat’s archenemy, and Bu Li as Feng Ruo’s minion was naturally their object of hatred.
On the other hand, the Foxmen are now also a part of the Immortal Boat Alliance. They have deep-seated hatred against the Bu Li, and being able to ensnare and completely defeat them brings great joy to the Foxmen.
The third reason is the arrival of the robin, rumored to be a giant star of the universe and the envoy of Harmony, with a multitude of fans. Duanmu Huai had also listened to the robin’s songs and found them quite good, thus it’s no wonder it has admirers. However, he couldn’t quite understand Harmony, although it didn’t seem threatening, Duanmu Huai always felt there was something similar to Superior Virtue about it—just the mention of the latter makes him want to smash things with a hammer.
Therefore, Duanmu Huai also held a reserved attitude towards Harmony.
After all, based on his experience as a Judge, many times enemies beside you are far more dangerous than those standing in opposition.
Things like Destruction or Feng Ruo, in Duanmu Huai’s view, are fundamentally not worth worrying about; it’s Harmony or Wisdom that he needs to be cautious of.
After the warship docked at the port, Duanmu Huai nodded to others.
"Alright, enjoy yourselves... Mary, take them around."
As he spoke, Duanmu Huai glanced at Wang Yuyan, Little Dragon Girl, and Wan Wan, who were curiously observing the Immortal Boat Luofu. Although places like the Tribunal are also grand and solemn, they always seem foreign and lack the mythical ambiance of the Immortal Realm.
The Immortal Boat Luofu, in contrast, resembles their world’s atmosphere, akin to mythical legends’ Immortal Realm. Not to mention the ships flying in the air and the outfits of those around that closely resemble their style, naturally arousing their curiosity.
"Alright, Mr. Duanmu, are you heading to the General Mansion now?"
"That’s right, didn’t you say General Jing Yuan invited me to discuss a transaction? I’m off to handle business."
Duanmu Huai had no interest in festivals or concerts; the sight of thousands in a shouting and roaring venue was simply overwhelming. He preferred finding a quiet place or handling proper business.
"Then, have a great time."
After instructing Mary, Duanmu Huai turned to Wang Yuyan and her companions.
"Since you’re here, explore to your heart’s content. Don’t worry about causing trouble, just invoke the Tribunal’s name if needed. We never clean up after others; no one dares to confront us, understand?"
"Understood, sir."
Wan Wan cheerfully nodded and pulled Wang Yuyan and Little Dragon Girl along with Mary.
As for Duanmu Huai, he brought his appendage Ogis and headed to the General Mansion, where he saw Jing Yuan seated, enjoying tea and reading.
"Your Honor, the Judge."
Upon seeing Duanmu Huai approaching, Jing Yuan chuckled, evidently surprised.
"I never expected you to seek me out now; I thought you’d at least enjoy the festival’s ambiance, given everyone’s gratitude towards the Tribunal."
"I’ve no interest in such celebrations; to me, finishing business sooner is paramount."
Duanmu Huai accepted the hot tea handed over, taking a sip.
"Speak, you mentioned discussing matters with the Tribunal? What matters?"
"Strictly speaking, it’s related to Feng Ruo."
Pausing, Jing Yuan regarded Duanmu Huai.
"Your Honor, the Judge, your Extinction order... is it for sale?"
"............???"
Startled by Jing Yuan’s inquiry, Duanmu Huai was baffled but quickly replied.
"Not for sale."
Joking aside, it’s a Tribunal asset, not something to be hawked like merchandise.
"Then... could we borrow it? We are willing to pay certain compensation."
"Let’s discuss depending on circumstances."
Duanmu Huai frowned.
"Clarify the situation, General Jing Yuan, what’s going on?"
"Of course."
Jing Yuan realized abruptly addressing such a core topic would elicit such a response from Duanmu Huai. However, he remained calm, offering a bittersweet smile before explaining the situation candidly.
Initially, during Duanmu Huai’s campaign against the Anti-Matter Army, when he employed the Extinction Order, the Immortal Boat Alliance took notice. To them, the Tribunal’s Extinction Order seemed tailored for obliterating Feng Ruo!
Since Feng Ruo, akin to a benevolent father, indulges every request and harbors extreme pollution, a planet blessed by Feng Ruo sees all life become immortal; albeit with altered forms. This is a major headache for the Immortal Boat Alliance when combating Feng Ruo. Although Patrol can locate and extinguish Feng Ruo’s minions, dealing with Feng Ruo-induced pollution remains elusive. With so much Flora and Fauna on a planet impacted by Feng Ruo, it’s impossible to eradicate them all.
Well, it was impossible before, but now... with the Tribunal involved, who knows?
Destruction causes great harm, Feng Ruo likewise, driving many original planet inhabitants to flee Feng Ruo’s pollution, joining the Immortal Boat Alliance. Even if the Alliance eliminates Feng Ruo’s minions from planets, they still dare not return due to the lingering pollution.
With the Tribunal’s Extinction Order, the narrative changes!
The Immortal Boat Alliance, through the Boshi Society and Genius Club, investigated planets targeted by the Tribunal’s Extinction Order, concluding that life was entirely wiped out, with no survivors found. As for radiation levels, they might take months to a couple of years to dissipate fully; afterward, as long as the planet’s atmosphere remains intact, ecological reconstruction can commence.
Of course, this requires a lengthy period.
But this news was the best possible for the Immortal Boat Alliance. A means to completely eliminate the Feng Ruo curse while preserving their home intact seemed tailor-made for those Patrol Followers dedicated to exterminating Feng Ruo.
Therefore, after Mary issued the extinction order on Dulan Star and returned victoriously, Jing Yuan subtly probed her about it. At the time, Mary’s response was that the extinction order could only be issued with the permission of the Great Judge, and Duanmu Huai had only given her the permission for the extinction order to annihilate the Bu Li home planet. As for the others... General Jing Yuan would need to communicate directly with the Great Judge.
Hence, Jing Yuan invited Duanmu Huai to Immortal Boat Luofu to discuss this matter.
"Hmm..."
After listening to Jing Yuan’s request, Duanmu Huai contemplated for a moment before speaking.
"I can purify those planets with an extinction order, but it’s not free."
"I understand, what do you require?"
"It’s quite simple."
Duanmu Huai snapped his fingers.
"I need a large reserve of dark matter, calculated by planet; one hundred units per planet. How much you can provide depends on your capability."
The reason Duanmu Huai needed dark matter was simple: the construction of the Ether Synchronous Engine required a large amount of dark matter, but it’s not easy to find. Since he had this idea, Duanmu Huai had been scouring the universe for dark matter, but had not found much.
Previously, he managed to extort a haul through a deal with the Interstellar Peace Company; now it’s time to see if the Immortal Boat Alliance has any supply left.
"This..."
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s demand, General Jing Yuan was somewhat surprised.
"In principle, I have no problem..."
"I’ll have Zhenjiling discuss the specifics."
As the leader, Duanmu Huai certainly couldn’t sit here and hammer out a deal line by line with the Immortal Boat Alliance. He left the detailed negotiations to his subordinate, as did Jing Yuan. At present, both sides were only exchanging intentions; if this intention could be realized, they would enter detailed discussions. Since Jing Yuan agreed to his request, the remaining details were not something those at the top needed to worry about.
They just needed results.
So, Duanmu Huai looked at Jing Yuan and stretched out his hand.
"Pleasure doing business."
"Pleasure doing business."
As Duanmu Huai and Jing Yuan came to an agreement on further cooperation, a group was wandering around inside Immortal Boat Luofu.
In fact, Duanmu Huai really shouldn’t have placed Wang Yuyan and the others in Mary’s care. He initially thought Mary was more familiar with Luofu, but in fact, Mary had been busy dealing with the Bu Li for quite some time and hadn’t spent much time exploring Luofu.
And so, after wandering around, they... got separated.
"We just came from that Star Shuttle, right..."
Mary, a cold sweat forming, looked to the dock. Just a moment ago she had taken the three on a Star Shuttle to another area, but due to a nearby festival, it was crowded. Upon arriving at the port, Mary realized they had become separated from Little Dragon Girl. As it happened, Wang Yuyan and the others had only recently arrived at the Tribunal and hadn’t been issued personal terminals yet. With them nowhere in sight, she had no means of searching for them.
"Why not ask those Celestial Troops over there for help?"
Wang Yuyan pointed to the Guard standing on the street, and Mary sighed silently.
"It seems there’s no other way..."
Mary went to the Luo Fu Guards to report the situation while, on the other hand, Little Dragon Girl strolled aimlessly, looking around bewilderedly.
Where is this place?
Little Dragon Girl was equally puzzled. Due to the crowd, she had been separated from the others, and by the time she regained her senses, the Star Shuttle had reached its terminus. As it was automated, Little Dragon Girl found no one to ask, so she could only disembark and curiously observe, looking to find someone for guidance.
Little Dragon Girl did not know she was at the docking area of Immortal Boat Luofu Cloud Crossing, a place for manufacturing and maintaining Star Shuttles, generally deserted. After wandering for a long time, she hadn’t met a single Guard.
"Ugh—!"
As Little Dragon Girl was uncertain about what to do, she suddenly heard a faint cry in the distance. Hearing it, she flashed and rushed in the direction of the cry.
Moments later, Little Dragon Girl arrived at the source, where she saw a Guard fallen on the ground, and in front of him stood two peculiar entities.
"Damn, we didn’t expect to be discovered here, we were almost out!"
"Shut up, it’s your fault for arousing the Guard’s suspicion, now hurry and hide his body, and we’ll leave immediately. As soon as we hide in the cargo, we can escape this damned place, then..."
Before the words were finished, one of the monsters sniffed, turned sharply.
"Who’s there!"
When the two monsters turned their heads, they saw Little Dragon Girl sneaking up. At the same time, she saw them clearly. They looked like wolves but stood upright like humans and spoke...
"I see, so it’s the work of Demons?"
Little Dragon Girl’s eyes flashed sharply. Before coming here, she’d heard from Duanmu Huai that even the heavens weren’t peaceful, full of demons and ghouls devouring people. Now it seemed these wolf creatures were among them!
As Little Dragon Girl prepared to strike, the two Bu Li glanced at each other and made a decision.
"Kill her!"
