Chapter 895: Reaching a Consensus |
At this moment, Yin En, who was upstairs, suddenly shouted: "The people from Shimazu Nakano have already brought Yoshino Takayuki to Tokushima City. He asked if we should bring Yoshino Takayuki over or send him directly to the bank?"
Liu Xing glanced at Liu Xuyu and said, "Send him directly to the bank. We should not expose Liu Xuyu's hiding place to avoid causing trouble for Liu Xuyu."
Liu Xuyu looked at Liu Xing with gratitude.
So, after Shi Zixuan brought the clothes, Liu Xing and the others temporarily bid farewell to Liu Xuyu and drove to the temporary base near the bank.
In the car, Yin En smiled and said, "I didn't expect Liu Xuyu, this programmer, to have such high emotional intelligence. He knows how to retreat to advance. If we don't give him one or two things, we might feel a bit guilty."
Zhang Jingxu, who was driving, nodded and replied, "Yes, but do we really need to give him some benefits? I think it would be fine even if we don't give him anything. After all, he can't come to Osaka to trouble us."
Liu Xing activated Private Room time and shook his head, saying, "No, no, no, we must give Liu Xuyu one or two things. Although this Side Quest doesn't mention that we must give something to Liu Xuyu, I think it should be a hidden condition."
"Liu Xing, do you mean this Side Quest has more to it?" Shi Zixuan couldn't help but ask.
Liu Xing nodded seriously and said, "Yes, this Side Quest obviously has more to it because the plot is too big. It now involves the Faceless Worship Society, which only exists in conversations, the Golden Version of the Rhombohedral Octahedron, and the strange volcano between the two Dreamrealm gates. With everything that happened yesterday, I can be sure that this Side Quest has follow-up missions, and the key to unlocking them is Liu Xuyu."
Liu Xing raised an eyebrow and asked in confusion, "What, a dinosaur fossil? How does Ii Naoyoshi's safe have such a thing?"
Yin En handed over the mobile phone and continued, "This so-called dinosaur fossil is actually a fossil of some mythical creature discovered in Hokkaido more than ten years ago. Hokkaido is one of the places in the Island Nation where the most dinosaur fossils have been found. Many dinosaur fossil enthusiasts went there to dig fossils, and this dinosaur fossil was dug up by an ordinary enthusiast."
Liu Xing took the mobile phone and saw a photo of the "dinosaur fossil"—the fossil was about the size of an adult's fist, but it was very complete, showing the full appearance of the "dinosaur."
If Liu Xing had to describe it, he would say this "dinosaur" should be called a dinosaur man because it looked like the dinosaur men from various Western fantasy anime and movies—dragon head and tail, but a body and limbs very similar to humans.
However, this "dinosaur" was too small, and it was clearly an adult "dinosaur," not an embryo or juvenile.
"After this dinosaur fossil was unearthed, it was only reported briefly by local media. Then, secret cults in Hokkaido fought to obtain it, using all kinds of means, but it ultimately ended up in Ii Naoyoshi's hands. Ii Naoyoshi reportedly built a laboratory and hired various experts to study the fossil, aiming to extract its genes to create an army of artificial mythical creatures."
"Oh, so Ii Naoyoshi's goal is similar to Blackstone Mountain Prison's, trying to create a hybrid of humans and mythical creatures?" Zhang Wenbing said subconsciously.
Then Zhang Wenbing realized he had slipped up because Shi Zixuan, an outsider, was also in the car.
After hearing Zhang Wenbing's words, Shi Zixuan was visibly surprised.
Liu Xing sighed and said helplessly, "Miss Shi Zixuan, since you already know about this, I can only hope you won't spread it around because it's just our speculation."
Shi Zixuan nodded thoughtfully and said, "I have also collected some information about Blackstone Mountain Prison because I am preparing to go to Dreamrealm. When I first entered the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall, I accepted a mission to steal three items from Dreamrealm, one of which is in Blackstone Mountain Prison. So, if possible, please tell me everything you know about Blackstone Mountain Prison, and I will pay you accordingly."
Liu Xing and the others exchanged glances, not expecting Shi Zixuan to make such a request.
However, this was a good opportunity to recruit Shi Zixuan.
After a moment of silent communication, Liu Xing and the others reached a consensus.
Liu Xing smiled and said, "Miss Shi Zixuan, you should know that we spent some time in Blackstone Mountain Prison a few days ago. I happened to meet some acquaintances there, including prisoners and staff. Most importantly, one of them has a high status in Blackstone Mountain Prison and knows many inside secrets."
Shi Zixuan knew what Liu Xing was getting at, so she directly asked, "I understand, Liu Xing. So, what do you want in exchange for telling me everything you know?"
Seeing Shi Zixuan being so straightforward, Liu Xing didn't beat around the bush, "It's simple. We hope you can stand with us during the Public-Military Conflict. This should be a good deal for you because continuing to serve the Public Faction might backfire. So, why not join us? We will ensure your safety and interests."
Shi Zixuan had guessed Liu Xing's condition, so she immediately asked, "Oh, when you say 'us,' do you mean your team or the entire Warrior Faction?"
Liu Xing shrugged and smiled, "If you can temporarily join our team, that would be great. Of course, if you want to fight against the Public Faction with us, that's also good. We respect your choice."
After a moment of contemplation, Shi Zixuan said, "That depends on how important your information is to me."
Liu Xing nodded and told Shi Zixuan everything he knew about Blackstone Mountain Prison.
Although this information was important, it wasn't top-secret, so Liu Xing only omitted Liu Qindong's part.
Of course, Liu Xing also mentioned his relationship with Ghoul Matt as a bargaining chip, but he didn't reveal that Crimson Ghoul and Matt were about to leave Blackstone Mountain Prison.
As expected, when Liu Xing mentioned that he had Matt as a "little brother" in Blackstone Mountain Prison, Shi Zixuan was immediately interested.
"Alright, since you've told me so much important information, I'm willing to temporarily join your team. I hope we can cooperate well," Shi Zixuan said with a smile.
"Happy cooperation."
Liu Xing and the others said happily.
"Shi Zixuan, it's great that you can join us because your abilities will give us many advantages in the Public-Military Conflict. But will calling you over affect your undercover plan?" Ding Kun asked worriedly.
Shi Zixuan shook his head and said with a smile: "My infiltration plan went very smoothly, and I easily got into the bank, and the other Public Faction members didn't suspect me at all, because I found that those Public Faction members should only be some ordinary peripheral members, so they couldn't possibly see through my disguise; as for how I got out now, you'll know when you get near the bank."
Liu Xing and others soon arrived at the temporary stronghold purchased by the Warrior Faction near the bank - a high-rise office building opposite the bank.
When Liu Xing and others entered the stronghold, they found that the stronghold disguised as an ordinary company was full of people, and they all had various weapons in their hands. In addition to the common handguns and swords, Liu Xing also saw longbows and naginatas.
If outsiders saw this scene, it would be a big deal...
However, Liu Xing could see at a glance that the Warrior Faction members in the stronghold were clearly divided into several forces.
If everyone wasn't on the same side now, they would have started fighting long ago.
As for the people Shimazu Nakano sent to escort Yoshino Takayuki, the leader was actually Shima Mitsuhiro.
It seems that Shimazu Nakano is still more inclined to let Shima Mitsuhiro take over his position as the head of the family, otherwise he wouldn't have let Shima Mitsuhiro be responsible for this matter.
But on second thought, Liu Xing felt that Shimazu Nakano sending Shima Mitsuhiro was also his best choice at the moment, because Shima Mitsuhiro also has a certain status in the Warrior Faction and can hold the scene, preventing some people from making small moves.
Most importantly, Shima Mitsuhiro is also the person Shimazu Nakano trusts the most at the moment, because Shima Mitsuhiro rose to power thanks to Shimazu Nakano, so now that Shimazu Nakano has sent Shima Mitsuhiro here, he doesn't have to worry about Shima Mitsuhiro cooperating with others to betray him.
Unless Shima Mitsuhiro is a fool and doesn't know that he and Shimazu Nakano are already in the same boat.
When he saw Liu Xing and others walk into the stronghold, Shima Mitsuhiro said enthusiastically: "Haha, you finally came, we are all waiting for you now."
As he spoke, Shima Mitsuhiro pulled up Yoshino Takayuki beside him and said: "This guy is Yoshino Takayuki you are looking for. We have already made him understand his situation, and I believe he won't hold you back."
Looking at Yoshino Takayuki, who was full of fear and didn't dare to look directly at them, Liu Xing knew that Shima Mitsuhiro must have used some means when he caught him.
However, this state of Yoshino Takayuki is not good news for Liu Xing and others, because it may affect Yoshino Takayuki's "acting skills", and if the Public Faction members see through it, it will be troublesome.
As Shimazu Nakano's secretary, Shima Mitsuhiro's ability to read people's expressions had reached perfection, so seeing Liu Xing and others looking a bit off, he quickly knew what they were thinking.
So Shima Mitsuhiro patted Yoshino Takayuki on the shoulder, and Yoshino Takayuki immediately put on a very natural smile.
If you ignore the black-clad men with swords and guns around him, Liu Xing would really think that Yoshino Takayuki is a kind middle-aged man.
"This guy's acting skills are so good that they have become a conditioned reflex, so you don't need to worry about him showing any flaws. Moreover, we have already made him understand his current situation and what will happen if he doesn't cooperate with us, so you don't need to worry about him turning against us at the last minute." Shima Mitsuhiro brought Yoshino Takayuki to Liu Xing and others, "Now you can rehearse with him."
Ding Kun and Yin En nodded and took Yoshino Takayuki aside to "rehearse", while Shi Zixuan acted as a professional mentor to guide them.
As for Liu Xing and others, they sat down and chatted with Shima Mitsuhiro.
"You have seen the current situation. These hyenas swarmed in as soon as they smelled the scent, wanting a piece of the pie without putting in much effort, all hoping that others would go first." Shima Mitsuhiro said with a smile, "So the only ones you can trust are us, because our interests are most closely linked."
Liu Xing nodded, because Shima Mitsuhiro was right. Now the Shimazu Family is the force most willing to see their plan succeed.
Thus, Liu Xing and others reached a consensus with Shima Mitsuhiro.
Before the action starts, Shima Mitsuhiro will call a meeting with the leaders of the various forces present to determine the distribution of benefits in advance - according to the amount of effort put in, to ensure that Liu Xing and Shima Mitsuhiro's side get the most benefits.
Of course, if anyone dares to oppose, Liu Xing and Shima Mitsuhiro will join forces to drive them away... But I believe those forces who come to share the benefits know that they are freeloaders, so they shouldn't oppose.
Thus, the time came to 2 PM.
In the conference room, Liu Xing, as the representative of the Sawada Family, sat next to Shima Mitsuhiro.
[Thanks for reading at Patreon.com/maxnkoga , if you supporting this novel, a heartfelt thankyou, enjoy the content!]