Chapter 516: then translation of chapter title

Unexpectedly, this remark was actually heard by Sanzang; he shot up his head, and with a sharp "Du!" he shouted at Bajie: "You beast! We are monastics—how could we be moved by wealth and status, or linger over beauty? What kind of principle is that?!"

Seeing Sanzang angry, Wukong hurried forward to advise: "Master, don't be angry; this idiot blurts out whatever he wants, and it's not just a day or two. But Pinokangni is indeed suspicious—the demon called 'Dominiks' in the firmament has vast spiritual power; employing the 'Taiyi Dream' not only let Lao Sun, but also let Rulai, get a good sleep. If it were to cause any further harm, we too would need to be cautious."

——

"Ms. Feicui, long time no see. To have a chance to cooperate with you, I am truly honored."

Feicui sighed helplessly, hands on hips, and said: "Heh… still can't let go, huh. Drop those superior-subordinate distinctions; just treat me as your equal—unnecessary titles can be dropped—for example, 【Ms.】, 【you】."

"Sorry, I still can't get used to it just yet. After all… you… you are my senior."

Feicui adopted a solemn tone: "But now, we are both members of the 【Stone Heart Ten】, Tuopa—I only need you to give your best state, after all the upcoming negotiations cannot afford any loss. As sharp as you are, you must have already figured it out, right? The true purpose of this meeting."

"I suppose that Old Ao Di acted on his own initiative, wanting to feel out the situation before the formal talks between the company and Pinokangni." Tuopa voiced his guess.

"Yes, but this is better. Do you know why?"

"If we could reach some kind of agreement with Old Ao Di beforehand, and then figure out their bottom line, future negotiations would go much more smoothly; that's the surface layer."

Feicui nodded: "That's right, and the unsaid layer is… through the behavior of the Alfalfa Grass family head, we've managed to capture a signal: the Five Great Families may not be as united as the 【Harmony Ode】 sings."

"As long as the influence of harmony hasn't penetrated to the marrow, personal desire can always find a place. We're fortunate—at least in Pinokangni, no major figure's tone has risen so high as to completely lose private desire."

"Just like the open and covert struggles within the company, the so-called 【All as One】 of the Five Great Families… now that the Dream Lord has lost his position, it's merely a slogan."

——

Dream of the Red Chamber

Within the Grand View Garden, a warm fragrance brushed the faces; everyone sat leisurely by the Qinfang Pavilion. Only seeing the two fairy-like ladies named Tuopa and Feicui in the firmament, with just a few words they could infer the family's inner realities from minor details—truly keen insight and profound strategizing.

Baoyu stared, entranced, and involuntarily clapped his hands and sighed: "Marvelous! Truly a person of outstanding spirit and excellence! Not only is their appearance peerless, but they also possess such a clear and discerning mind—truly a combination of talent and beauty. This company is indeed a blessed land of an immortal paradise, actually nurturing such individuals!"

Daiyu, standing nearby, heard this and couldn't help but chuckle twice, leaning against the pillar, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, she said with a half-smile: "It's only you who can see their 'clear and discerning mind'—perhaps your eyes have been hooked by the two fairies' 'peerless beauty', and your spirit has already flown off to whatever 'Pinokangni' is. As for us dullards, we simply can't catch your eye."

Baoyu immediately sensed something amiss, catching a whiff of vinegar in the pavilion, and hurried over to apologize with a smile: "Sister, you're saying this again! I was merely offering a few words of praise……"

Baochai covered her mouth and laughed, quickly changing the subject, glancing at Daiyu and then Baoyu: "That mouth of yours, Daiyu, is truly sharper than a knife. Baoyu merely offered a casual compliment, and you unleash a whole wagon of talk. In my view, the fairies on the firmament may be nice, but they're ultimately just flowers in the mirror, moon in the water—how could they compare to this living, breathing person who can feel joy and anger right before us?"

Daiyu heard this, her face flushing red, she spat at Baochai: "Baochai, you're joining him in mocking me!"

Having said that, she turned away, yet couldn't help but steal a glance at the two fairies on the firmament—Feicui and Tuopa were indeed breathtakingly gorgeous; inwardly she also secretly admired them, but she simply wouldn't let Baoyu see that.

——

"After the Oak family fell, Old Ao Di's side became the greatest power in Pinokangni. Even if we only calculate by succession order, he is the person who has served longest and has the deepest seniority among all current family heads."

Feicui nodded: "Hmm, so for the upcoming talks we must proceed according to the strategy we've discussed. Like the next move in a game of chess, each step must be made with situational awareness."

Tuopa: "Of course. The three-step approach to negotiation: first listen; then probe; finally reveal one's fangs. This is what you taught me."

"Truly clear——" Feicui couldn't help but smile, "but in the Yariro case, you seemed to have swapped the order."

"This is just my personal insight."

The two were chatting when a nearby attendant approached and interrupted their conversation, indicating that the family head was ready to meet with them.

"Remember our goal: create an opportunity for the company to establish itself in Pinokangni. Shajin has already carved out an opening, and you and I… need to tear it wide open."

After Feicui finished her final instructions, the two proceeded together to the negotiation venue, where they met the head of the Alfalfa Grass family, Old Ao Di—a bearded, white-haired Pipisi person; although he looked quite old, his complexion was radiant and his spirit vigorous, completely unlike an elderly person.

Upon meeting, he let out a "Heh heh heh heh heh" laugh and welcomed the two intelligent and beautiful ladies aboard his Radiant Long Stone.

——

Water Margin

The situation in the firmament shifted; Feicui and Tuopa were led to another, more spacious negotiation area, where they saw Old Ao Di with white beard and hair yet a ruddy complexion, his eyes bright and spirited, dressed in splendid robes, his bearing imposing—causing all the heroes gathered in the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness to involuntarily turn their gaze toward him.

Li Kui stared, dazzled, having downed several bowls of wine, his head swimming; he raised his axe and pointed at the firmament, shouting: "Brother! Brother Song Jiang! Quick, look! This white-bearded old fellow makes such a grand display—he must be the emperor old fellow of this Pinokangni heavenly palace! Truly imposing! If only my Iron Bull could charge up there, I'd chop off this old brat's bird head and seize his Radiant Long Stone for Brother to sit on!"

Song Jiang hearing this couldn't help but frown, he slammed his wine bowl heavily on the table and shouted: "You black bastard! Again spouting such rural nonsense! This is the heavenly palace above the clouds, not our mundane world. Where does an emperor come from? Don't you see that the two fairies and this old man speak as equals, merely discussing affairs? Old Ao Di is merely a powerful local magnate, like the Elder Zeng of Zengtou Shi or the Official Zhu of Zhujiiazhuang—just a more influential family head. How dare you rashly call him an emperor!"

Song Jiang wasn't angry at the black bastard's rude talk; rather, his words seemed disrespectful toward the present emperor, which made him feel greatly annoyed.

Li Kui, after being rebuked, shrank his neck and muttered: "I think this old fellow is even more imposing than the Zhao official household… Brother, with your sense of righteousness, if you went there, you'd surely become such a great family head as well."

Song Jiang's face darkened, he spoke solemnly: "You black bastard, don't spout nonsense anymore! We of Liangshan gather to obey Heaven's will and eradicate harm. Moreover, look at that old fellow—although he appears prosperous, he is actually at the eye of the vortex, surrounded by shrewd individuals. Which of those two fairies, Feicui and Tuopa, is easy to deal with? Is the position of family head really such an easy seat? Black bastard, stop spouting nonsense!"

All the chieftains, having heard Song Jiang's words, nodded in agreement. Speaking of battlefield combat, none of the leaders present fear it; but when it comes to wit and power struggles, they find themselves hard-pressed—though there are no flashing blades, the undercurrents surge, far more perilous than the battlefield.

Only Li Kui, who had just been rebuked by Brother, stood there with a black face, blankly scratching his head, half-understanding.