Chapter 524
No matter the negotiations with Eleanor, Erigema, or Charles, Xia Er had come to understand a few truths.
The more powerful a person is, the less you can afford to show any weakness in front of them.
Every action they take is rooted in logic; each has their own needs.
As long as you can pinpoint what they require, you can grasp their lifeline and gain the upper hand in negotiations.
Since stepping into the extraordinary realm, Xia Er had mostly been negotiating with those stronger than herself, whether in reality or simulations. That’s why she appeared so composed when facing Imogen.
“Well, Your Excellency, you’d better think carefully…”
Imogen’s tone carried a hint of amusement as she looked into Xia Er’s eyes, smiling as she said, “If I were to reveal what Strong Sound has kept silent about… you might not be able to escape.”
“Strong Sound?”
Xia Er slowly raised her gaze to meet Imogen’s eyes beneath her veil, a faint, harmless smile playing on her lips.
“Are you talking about that fool who could die dozens of times in my hands in just a second?”
Imogen’s expression shifted slightly as she stared into Xia Er’s eyes.
Strong Sound was killed by her?!
---
PS:
Sorry! I broke my promise!
I’ve been so out of it these past couple of days, averaging over twelve hours of sleep each day. It feels like I can never get enough rest, and even when I wake up, I’m still tired.
Tomorrow, I’ll definitely hit 8K, or else I’ll face the music!
I really need to step it up! Tomorrow’s me!
Good night!
---
Chapter 273: The Girl Like a Deity (8111 words)
Strong Sound was an incredibly complex figure for the Pleasure Society.
On one hand, his rampant invasion and colonization of other continents had created numerous opportunities for the Pleasure Society to stir up trouble, making him arguably the best ally they’ve had in nearly a century.
However, the moment he felt he was losing control, he would not hesitate to turn against the Pleasure Society, ruthlessly eliminating those brothers and sisters who were just about to complete the replication ritual.
It was as if any chaos had to be confined within the boundaries he set; this sense of constraint was something the Pleasure Society despised. Thus, Strong Sound and the Pleasure Society had always maintained a relationship of mutual exploitation, never achieving a true partnership.
They had never been friends, nor had they been enemies. The two factions only engaged in low-intensity confrontations in certain areas, without any real hatred.
Moreover, Strong Sound’s hands-off policy towards Beian Su had spared Imogen some trouble, leading her to hold a somewhat positive view of him in this regard.
But Strong Sound’s sudden demise had once again thrust Beian Su’s troubles into the spotlight, forcing Imogen to come to Ansu City to stir the waters and buy time for that esteemed individual’s promotion.
Setting aside these interests, the mere fact of Strong Sound’s death had indeed dealt a significant blow to Imogen.
It’s important to note that the Pleasure Society had not been without attempts to overthrow Strong Sound—he was a symbol behind the empire, a cornerstone of the strongest empire. Overthrowing him was undoubtedly a goal for many within the Pleasure Society.
However, over the years, numerous plots had been devised, some even by brilliant “subverters” who envisioned plans so perfect that anyone would applaud them, yet none had ever shaken Strong Sound in the slightest.
No matter how covert the plans were, it seemed Strong Sound always knew in advance...
The “Sound of Illusion” did not possess such abilities; no human could have such intelligence. There was only one possibility.
That was, he held a “prophetic” uniqueness; he was also a 4th-tier extraordinary being, a half-step transcendent.
Killing Strong Sound was considered a top-tier “bounty” within the Pleasure Society. Completing it would yield substantial support and prestige within the organization, but after so much time had passed, there were almost no longer any who aimed for this target.
Imogen’s purpose in coming to Ansu was primarily to investigate the exact cause of Strong Sound’s death. She wanted to know how such a prescient extraordinary being had met his end.
In recent days, through the potions from that “Apostle of Calamity” and her own abilities, she had successfully led the extraordinary beings in Ansu City into the “script” she had set up without their awareness.
By observing the conversations of those within the “script,” she learned that Charles was privy to the details of Strong Sound’s death, but she couldn’t directly probe into Strong Sound’s memories.
All current influences were merely through the enhanced abilities of the potions, subtly infecting them with a shared worldview and script... but if Imogen were to directly use her abilities to delve into Charles’s memories, it would only awaken him.
Originally, Imogen had planned to continue gathering information slowly, but unexpectedly, an important actor in the script “awoke” today.
Moreover, that “actor” claimed to be the one who killed Strong Sound.
What did that signify?
It meant she had killed a 4th-tier extraordinary being with “uniqueness,” someone who had the potential to ascend to transcendence.
It meant that as long as she wished, she could also stop that esteemed individual in Beian Su.
Recalling her earlier words, “You might not be able to escape,” Imogen felt her ears grow warm.
If what the other party said was true... then she had truly kicked a steel plate.
Just as Imogen was about to say something, she noticed the red-haired girl in front of her flicker suddenly—this flicker was completely unanticipated.
In the next moment, the aura of the girl before Imogen underwent a tremendous change, the most noticeable shift being in her pink pupils...
This aura... Imogen was very familiar with.
“A Subverter”!
She had always been a “Subverter”?!
Had she been deceived by a “Subverter”?!
The sudden thought that flashed through her mind nearly made Imogen leap from her seat, an absurd feeling washing over her heart.
“Sorry, I mentioned before,” Xia Er said, looking at the somewhat tense Imogen, a smile curling at the corners of her mouth, “my body is a bit unstable... If you don’t believe me, you can try drinking ten more bottles of the potion.”
Drink ten more bottles of the potion... What a joke...
At that moment, Imogen completely lost any underestimation of the other party. Her expression grew serious, as she now regarded Xia Er as an equal.
In the world of extraordinary beings and mysticism, one must be cautious when dealing with any unknown existence.
“I apologize for my previous rudeness, Your Excellency.” Imogen looked at Xia Er and spoke slowly, “However, a matter is a matter…”
“I can apologize for offending you and offer reasonable compensation,” Imogen continued, “but whether I can truthfully inform you about the situation in Beian Su is not something I can decide unilaterally.”
“Alright~ Let’s get down to business and talk about the compensation.”
Driven by the potion of the “Subverter,” Xia Er’s enthusiasm surged. She looked at Imogen with keen interest and asked, “So, about that thing that turns everyone into women, how does it work? Can I borrow it for a bit?”
Borrow it... for a bit?
The sudden shift in the red-haired girl’s topic left Imogen momentarily stunned. For a moment, she thought she was not conversing with an unknown entity of uncertain power, but rather with a high-ranking member of the Pleasure Society.
“Your... meaning is?” Imogen tentatively asked, wanting to confirm the other party’s true intent.
“I mean that sealing object? Or was it a potion? The one that gave me a whole chunk of nonsensical memories,” Xia Er extended her right hand, like a child asking for candy, “Let me borrow it! I’ll return it in a day!”
She wasn’t joking... it was clear she genuinely wanted to play with it...
Imogen swallowed hard, her previously serious expression now struggling to maintain its composure.
Who exactly is part of the Pleasure Society, you or me?
Why does it feel like you’re more familiar with this than I am?
“Are you sure? Is this what you want as compensation?” Imogen, not one to back down, confirmed once more.
“Absolutely sure.” Xia Er’s expression shifted to one of seriousness in an instant, and then she pulled out a pen from her pocket, saying, “Do we need to sign a contract?”
“... No need.”
For some reason, the sudden change in the other party’s attitude made Imogen feel a bit more relaxed.
It felt like returning to the Pleasure Society.
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