Chapter 134: Terms Could Be Discussed
Chapter 134: Terms Could Be Discussed
“Mr. Lei Yaotian, I hope we can maintain a pleasant conversation. Let’s not be affected by that fool from earlier,” Lan Qi said, breaking the ice after everyone had settled into the lounge.
At the same time, the tall, thin man beside Lan Qi, who had been trying to restrain William during his outburst, added, “We apologize for Count William’s rudeness earlier. We hope you won’t take it to heart.”
“And you are?”
Lei Yaotian looked at the tall, thin man with confusion.
Lan Qi smiled and replied, “This is Section Chief De Sen from the Civil Affairs Department. He accompanied Count William as a representative to meet with you.”
Lei Yaotian nodded, then took his seat and waved to Wangcai, instructing him to bring some snacks.
“I want you to understand one thing clearly,” Lei Yaotian began. “I came to the Divine Glory Empire to fulfill my father’s dying wish. Whether I become a citizen of the Divine Glory Empire is not important to me. Moreover, don’t even think about using the technology I possess as a bargaining chip. That’s an entirely separate matter.”
Lei Yaotian knew these people were drawn by the two technologies he had revealed. However, the backers behind these two individuals seemed too eager, as they were among the first to show up.
Therefore, Lei Yaotian decided to wait and see who else would step forward to pressure him.
Lan Qi regained his serious demeanor and cleared his throat. “Mr. Lei, the technology you hold is very important to us. We can discuss it openly. After all, if negotiations go well, it’s entirely possible for you and your tribe to become part of the Divine Glory Empire.”
“Moreover, we already know that your original civilization has been destroyed. So, where will you and your tribe go from here? You must understand, a small tribe like yours would find it very difficult to survive in the universe alone.”
Lan Qi employed both persuasion and warning, directly addressing the key issue.
He was essentially telling Lei Yaotian that he was merely the leader of a small tribe without a home. Without the protection of a powerful civilization, his future looked bleak.
Upon hearing Lan Qi’s words, Lei Yaotian shrugged, showing an indifferent expression.
“I am not someone who yields to threats, and I have great confidence in my tribe’s military strength,” Lei Yaotian said, leaning back slightly and looking seriously at Lan Qi and De Sen. “Surely you must know that before my original civilization was destroyed, I had already separated my tribe from them. But have you ever wondered why I was able to take my tribe and leave so easily without any resistance from them?”
Of course, all of this was fabricated.
Wangcai, standing beside Lei Yaotian, secretly chuckled to himself.
However, when Lan Qi and De Sen heard Lei Yaotian’s words, they exchanged a glance and saw shock in each other’s eyes.
Yes, he had taken his entire tribe and left that Eighth-tier Civilization. Yet, the other side didn’t put up any resistance. That was indeed puzzling.
Such an act was essentially a slap in the face, and yet they had succeeded.
Could it be…?
A massive wave of realization swept over them.
“Could this tribe possess military power capable of opposing an Eighth-tier Civilization!”
At this thought, Lan Qi and De Sen both wore expressions of disbelief.
After dropping this suggestive statement, Lei Yaotian crossed his legs and watched them calmly, looking entirely at ease.
He thought to himself, “Let that shock you a bit. You won’t be able to figure it out anyway. It doesn’t hurt to scare you. I must admit, the lie that Mensa and Wangcai fabricated is truly impressive.”
After the initial shock, Lan Qi and De Sen both adjusted their attitudes. Whether what Lei Yaotian said was true or not, it at least proved he had some leverage. Otherwise, he wouldn’t speak so confidently; he must have something to rely on.
Realizing this, Lan Qi and De Sen understood what posture they should adopt.
Lan Qi softened his cold expression, trying to appear amiable. De Sen also straightened his posture, making an effort to look more formal.
“Gentlemen, I don’t care what you think right now. But I must fulfill my father’s dying wish: to bury his remains in the family cemetery of his homeland. As for his second wish—for me to join the Divine Glory Empire and become a citizen—I suppose I don’t really mind.”
After Lei Yaotian finished speaking, Wangcai reminded him in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, “Young Master, joining the Divine Glory Empire was the Master’s final wish. I think you should try your best to fulfill it.” Wangcai said this merely to play along with Lei Yaotian in their act.
Upon hearing Wangcai’s reminder, Lei Yaotian made a disgusted expression.
“Steward, can’t you see? They have no real interest in me joining the Divine Glory Empire. What they’re interested in is the technology our tribe possesses.” As he spoke, Lei Yaotian glanced at Lan Qi and De Sen. He continued, “Besides, what good would it do me to join the Divine Glory Empire? I could easily find a desolate star sector and settle there with my people. With our military strength, I believe we can protect ourselves. Why must we join the Divine Glory Empire and become someone else’s dogs?”
Lei Yaotian’s words made Lan Qi and De Sen visibly uncomfortable.
But they had to admit, what Lei Yaotian said was true.
Just then, a female voice was heard from outside the lounge.
“Well said!”
Everyone turned to look at the lounge door. A golden-haired young girl with a curvaceous figure, dressed in a black military uniform, and a man with piercing, sinister eyes entered.
“Princess Yana!”
Lan Qi and De Sen both stiffened.
Yana’s appearance indicated that His Majesty Baltheus had also taken an interest in Lei Yaotian. No—more accurately, he was interested in the technology Lei Yaotian possessed. That was why his lackey, Kanpa, and Princess Yana had come in person.
Yana walked straight over and sat down beside Lei Yaotian, giving him a sweet smile.
“Let me introduce myself. My name is Yana. You can call me Ms. Yana or Miss Yana.” She then glanced at Kanpa behind her and said to Lei Yaotian, “This is Mr. Kanpa, the head of the Empire’s Intelligence Department.”
Kanpa kept a stern face and gave a slight nod to Lei Yaotian as a greeting.
“I’m not sure why you’re here…”
Lei Yaotian knew this was another group interested in his technology. But he pretended not to understand, looking at Yana with a puzzled expression.
“We are here on behalf of His Majesty Baltheus to negotiate with you.”
Yana smiled as she spoke to Lei Yaotian.
“Princess Yana, this matter should fall under the jurisdiction of our Civil Affairs Department, shouldn’t it? Isn’t His Majesty’s intervention a bit against the rules?” De Sen, seeing Princess Yana arrive, knew his mission today was likely to end in failure.
But he was unwilling to give up and voiced his reminder.
Although the Divine Glory Empire was a monarchy, the imperial power had begun to decline. Therefore, people like him didn’t show much respect toward Yana.
After all, compared to the nobles who commanded heavy armies, what was the emperor?
Hearing De Sen’s words, Yana’s face immediately turned cold. She stared at De Sen and said, “I won’t interfere in the affairs of the Civil Affairs Department, but are you truly representing the department?” Without waiting for De Sen to respond, she continued, “I’m just afraid some might use the department’s name for personal gain.”
Then Yana raised her hand, cutting off De Sen before he could retort.
“Don’t think I’m unaware of your dealings. I suppose the figures behind you have also taken an interest in the technology Lei Yaotian holds, haven’t they?”
De Sen’s mouth twitched, but he remained silent. Lan Qi simply didn’t speak.
“Go back now. I will handle the discussions with Mr. Lei Yaotian from here on out,” Yana declared. “Tell the nobles backing you that this is the will of His Majesty the Emperor.”
Invoking Balthers’ name, even if Lan Qi and De Sen were unwilling, they had no choice. Although the imperial family’s influence had waned, the emperor was still the emperor.
Moreover, the head of the Intelligence Department was glaring at them with his sinister, triangular eyes. If they didn’t back down, who knew what excuse he might come up with to target them the next day.
So, after exchanging a glance, Lan Qi and De Sen silently left together.
After forcing the two men to leave, Yana’s cold expression melted away, replaced by a sweet smile directed at Lei Yaotian.
“Now that the annoying ones are gone, I believe we can have a sincere exchange, can’t we?”
Lei Yaotian hadn’t expected that the technology he revealed would even lure representatives of the emperor himself.
Nevertheless, facing Princess Yana before him, Lei Yaotian had to stay alert and handle the situation carefully.
Looking at the green-eyed, golden-haired beautiful young girl in front of him, with her curvaceous and well-proportioned figure, Lei Yaotian couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of creation.
Of course, Lei Yaotian wasn’t so dazzled by her beauty that he lost his head. He knew what he needed to do.
“So, Princess Yana?” Lei Yaotian straightened up, dropping his casual demeanor and adopting a serious tone.
Yana nodded. “Just call me by my name. The title of princess isn’t important.”
Yana was skilled in conversation and knew how to bridge distances between people.
Compared to that fool William, Yana was undoubtedly much more capable.
“Alright then, let’s get straight to the point.”
Lei Yaotian didn’t want to waste time, nor was he willing to act subserviently.
“I am here to fulfill my father’s wishes, but that doesn’t give you the right to covet my technology. I believe nothing in this world comes for free. Since you want my technology, you’ll need to offer me conditions that I find satisfactory.”
After hearing Lei Yaotian’s words, Yana was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected this ‘child’ in front of her to get straight to the main subject.
But that worked in her favor.
“You and your tribe can become part of the Divine Glory Empire and enjoy all the rights of its citizens. However, we cannot grant you any territory, and your title will be limited to inheriting Barone Leipengte.”
After a brief moment of disorientation, Yana quickly regained her composure and laid out their terms.
Lei Yaotian looked at Yana seriously. “Madam, don’t you think the conditions you’re offering are rather inadequate compared to the technology I’m providing?”
Hearing this, Yana smiled. “We can discuss it further, can’t we?”
Meanwhile, Wangcai began discreetly observing the other party. He also noticed that the man named Kanpa was similarly watching Lei Yaotian and himself.