Visitors from another world?!!
Lin Qi's expression changed, his eyes widening slightly as he tried to discern something from Luo Shu's face.
Yet at this moment, Luo Shu merely maintained his smile, his face showing no trace of awkwardness.
Now, even Lin Qi was at a loss for words.
Although the affiliation of the True Dragon Legacy was tacitly acknowledged by the Five Great Powers as belonging to Luo Shu, talk of discovering a large number of otherworldly visitors was not something that could be casually dismissed.
If this matter were true, it would constitute a major breach of discipline for any nation, even more perilous than triggering a third world war.
Meanwhile, after hearing Luo Shu's words, Li Yizhou put on his glasses and sighed:
"So, Mr Luo Shu, your willingness to trade Class information is due to the invasion from another world?"
"Broadly speaking, that is the concern." Luo Shu did not deny this speculation.
Hearing this, Li Yizhou paused and asked: "Then, would the American Union receive the same information?"
At this, Luo Shu smiled and countered: "If the American Union also has Demigods, I suppose they would."
Upon hearing this, Li Yizhou immediately realised:
"Purchasing Class information requires a Demigod to step forward?"
Luo Shu, however, replied with a faint smile:
"In principle, I only support equivalent exchange. But whether your Demigod is willing to disclose the Class they purchase is another matter altogether."
Hearing this, Li Yizhou fell silent, and even Lin Qi did not know what to say.
The implication was almost explicit: they would trade the SDS's Common Class information for the detailed intelligence and Class information on China's Demigod.
To put it bluntly, this was equivalent to exchanging the weaknesses, even the lifelines, of their domestic Demigod with Luo Shu.
To paint a clearer picture, it was like trading nuclear missile launch codes and deactivation procedures with Luo Shu for missile blueprints.
This was a matter neither of them had the authority to decide.
After a long silence, Li Yizhou finally said:
"I need to discuss this with our superiors."
In response, Luo Shu raised his teacup and gestured from afar:
"By all means."
...
Fifty minutes later, Luo Shu walked out of the reception room with a smile, even cheerfully greeting Kazuma Yagami, who was leaning against the window:
"Well, if it isn't Kazuma? Still standing guard?"
Kazuma Yagami glanced at Luo Shu's face, then lowered his eyes and sighed:
"It seems you've achieved all your objectives."
Hearing this, Luo Shu stroked his chin and pondered for a moment:
"If you're referring to the tactic of rallying China to jointly suppress the American Union—pitting one faction against another—then yes, it was accomplished rather well."
"You really shouldn't be saying such things to me..."
Kazuma Yagami muttered in response, then looked at Luo Shu and said:
"But come to think of it, do you Chinese all have such strong patriotic sentiments?"
"How so?" Luo Shu glanced at Kazuma Yagami in confusion.
At this, Kazuma Yagami said calmly: "If not for such sentiments, why would you choose to cooperate with China?"
"Because of money!"
Luo Shu's reply was blunt. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his fingers, which had pressed numerous ink pads and signed too many documents:
"A 10-year interest-free loan of 200 billion US dollars, full industrial chain support, plus Class exchange with a Demigod, and tacit approval of the SDS's de facto occupation of parts of Japanese territory."
"With such stakes on the table, it's really hard for me not to be tempted!!"
"You know as well as I do that our SDS has spent every last penny developing that big project in the sky. If we don't find some funding soon, we'll probably go bankrupt in a matter of days."
However, the true purpose of this support was actually proposed by the SDS staff department to develop the two main strongholds: the Warring States Abyss world and the Goblin Abyss world.
The first 40 minutes of the previous negotiations had been a battle of wits between the Chinese Union staff group on the phone and the SDS staff department.
The two sides had nearly come to blows before finally reaching this foundation for cooperation.
But for Kazuma Yagami, this kind of matter was somewhat beyond his scope.
From his widened eyes and sweaty forehead after hearing the news, one could see his nervousness.
"Is it really appropriate to tell someone like me, a naturalised citizen, about such matters?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but laugh:
"Precisely because you're a naturalised citizen, it's convenient to tell you such things."
"I'd rather it wasn't so convenient."
Kazuma Yagami couldn't resist muttering in complaint, then said:
"Do you need me to see you out?"
"That won't be necessary, I have someone coming to pick me up."
As Luo Shu's words fell, a circular void suddenly opened in the space behind him.
From within the void, a golden-haired girl spread her arms and pulled Luo Shu into an embrace.
"Time's up, Brother, we should leave."
Watching Luo Shu disappear into the void, Kazuma Yagami said with a mixture of envy and speechlessness:
"Did this guy come out here deliberately to say all that just to scare me?"
"What a man with twisted tastes."
Muttering to himself, Kazuma Yagami sighed and headed towards the nearby office.
After all, since Luo Shu had said so much, both in terms of reason and logic, he ought to report it to the Chinese Union personnel.
He hadn't gained any benefits at all and had instead gotten himself into trouble!
Just as Kazuma Yagami was grumbling his way off.
Inside the office.
Li Yizhou and Lin Qi were smoking in tacit understanding.
"Old Li, who do you think came out ahead in this deal?"
"Each takes what they need, seeking common ground while reserving differences, for common development."
"I'm asking for the truth, not official rhetoric."
"How should I know? I can't see the future? Anyway, I can tell our superiors are quite satisfied."
"But I get the feeling Luo Shu is even more satisfied?"
"Obviously! Trading one Class for another Class, plus two hundred billion US dollars, full industrial support and political stance? On top of that, we still have to buy Class materials from him using various industrial products and special resources - of course he's satisfied!"
"So you mean Luo Shu came out ahead?"
"These things are hard to say for certain.... We'll only know with time."
...
Just as the two consulate higher-ups were pondering this.
In a café in Chiyoda Ward.
Haruno Yukinoshita looked at her mother sitting opposite her - dressed in a white cherry blossom kimono, her face mature yet still retaining her charm - and couldn't help but put on an ingratiating smile.