Chapter 144: Hideously Ugly

The "luxury three-day trip" for Xi Huaizhi and Shi Yu was not just three days; the two of them spent over a month away, not even managing to return in time for Ling Wu's birthday, though they both made video calls to send their blessings. The so-called "luxury three-day trip" was not actually for leisure; the batch of arms delivered to the Fu Family arsenal, which had been transported from the Federation into the Empire, was only possible because they had cleared the channels behind the scenes.

Because Xi Huaizhi could not make it back for Ling Wu's birthday, he felt guilty for a long time and specifically bought many gifts to bring back, such as watches, dolls, shoes, guns... in short, everything one could imagine, filling the entire villa in a somewhat exaggerated manner.

When preparing to set off for the Fu Family to find Huo Xi, Xi Huaizhi was determined to drive his flashy red supercar. For this, he threw a tantrum, and using the excuse of "having style," begged Ling Wu to let him drive it.

Shi Yu watched from the side with black lines on his forehead...

Ling Wu could do nothing about him, so he finally put on a new Human Skin Mask, got into Xi Huaizhi's supercar, and the two of them drifted away, their clothes fluttering, leaving the dust behind.

The Fu Family.

The old butler Chen waited specifically at the entrance. Seeing the two get out of the sports car, his gaze swept over their plain, unremarkable faces, but he did not judge them by their appearance. A kind smile appeared on his benevolent face as he raised his hand to point in a direction: "Two distinguished guests, His Highness and the Family Head are in the study; they asked me to show you the way."

"Please follow me."

Ling Wu: "Sorry to trouble you."

"No trouble, no trouble..."

The study.

The old butler Chen pushed the door open first and said to Qi Yu and the Fu Family Head: "Family Head, the two distinguished guests have arrived."

Xi Huaizhi followed behind Ling Wu in a protective posture. The two entered the study, and the rosewood door closed behind them, sealing off a quiet space for negotiation.

Huo Xi stood up, shook hands with Ling Wu, and then shook hands with Xi Huaizhi. Fu Zichen and Xiao Zigui nodded slightly: "Long admired."

From the moment the two entered the study, Qi Yu's gaze had been following them closely. He looked at the one with a slightly slender build, feeling that they looked somewhat familiar. He quickly dismissed the doubt, walked to the side of the sofa, and reached out to Ling Wu, who was in the lead: "Long admired your great name, Excellency."

His voice was distant and pleasant.

Ling Wu was wearing the Human Skin Mask and knew that Qi Yu could not recognize him at this moment, so he shook his hand lightly: "Your Highness, long time no see."

Their slightly cool fingertips touched, palms pressed together, and after two seconds, they each let go and sat down on the sofas on either side.

Qi Yu's long, slender legs were stretched out naturally. His shoulders were broad, and the cuffs of his silk shirt were rolled up, revealing the taut veins at his wrists, steady and sharp: "In our cooperation, what does Your Excellency wish for us to provide?"

Ling Wu leaned back against the sofa, arms crossed over his chest. The line connecting his long, fair neck and shoulders was beautiful, making his posture look excellent. He nudged Xi Huaizhi's leg with his own.

Xi Huaizhi reacted immediately, reining in his flippant attitude. Following the words Ling Wu had taught him before leaving, he said flawlessly: "Provision is not the word; Your Highness, we are like-minded, each taking what we need."

He shifted the tone: "I presume you have received that batch of arms. Since we have demonstrated our strength and sincerity, before the formal cooperation, we would like to propose a test out of our desire to understand our partners."

Qi Yu asked: "What test?"

Xi Huaizhi said frankly: "The Jin Family recently had a batch of TJ-44 Agent transferred at the port of the Beijiaer Coast. You are responsible for intercepting this batch of agents."

Fu Zichen narrowed his eyes: "This..."

"I agree." Qi Yu was categorical. He then looked at the two, Xi Huaizhi and Ling Wu, and spoke plainly: "The most important things in a partnership are loyalty and trust. Since we are like-minded and each taking what we need, if the two of you trust us equally, you could fully well show your true faces."

Seeing that Qi Yu had seen through the matter of the Human Skin Mask, Xi Huaizhi was a bit surprised, but he did not show it on his face. This Crown Prince of the Empire was a smart man.

These words could be fully interpreted as: not removing the Human Skin Mask means there is no loyalty or trust between the partners.

Qi Yu's gaze fell squarely on Ling Wu, who had only spoken one sentence since entering the study. He wanted to probe the depth of this person, the world-renowned Magician.

Xi Huaizhi glanced at Ling Wu, and after receiving a signal from him, he leaned forward halfway, blocking Qi Yu's probing gaze on Ling Wu: "Our boss, his true face is hideously ugly, with a flat nose, a big square face, sausage lips... he doesn't want to scare you."

"I'll just show my face instead."

Ling Wu: "..."

Fu Zichen's expression was somewhat indescribable.

Xiao Zigui sized up Ling Wu's direction; these eyes didn't look like those of someone whose true face was hideously ugly at all.

Qi Yu clearly did not believe it.

Xi Huaizhi took a special potion from his pocket, wiped it on the edge of the Human Skin Mask, and then peeled off that layer of the mask from right to left. That handsome mixed-race face was exposed to the air. His brows and eyes lowered faintly as he looked at Qi Yu to introduce himself, his voice dull and somewhat languid: "The Fool, Xi Huaizhi."