Chapter 18

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Protagonist:

Xuan Ge

Xuan Ge did not give Jade an immediate answer.

He needed to request instructions.

It was not posturing, nor was it shirking responsibility; rather, the nature of this matter dictated that he must make a formal report to his direct superior — Yuan Shuai Hua, Marshal of the Xianzhou Alliance.

This was protocol, and also his clear-headed awareness of his own position.

Jade found this not the least bit surprising, even feeling it was only right and proper.

She was accommodated in the Diplomatic Residence on the Xian Zhou with full Shen Wu military courtesy, waiting patiently.

If Xuan Ge had agreed on the spot, she would instead have had to doubt this General's depth and the intentions behind him.

That would mean he was either overly reckless, or had ulterior motives, or perhaps simply did not regard the Xianzhou Alliance's overall stance in his eyes at all.

Fortunately, Xuan Ge was a man who followed the rules.

At least, on key procedures, he followed the rules.

This gave Jade a few more points of cautious expectation for the upcoming negotiation.

General's Mansion Core Hui Yi Shi.

Beside the massive circular light table, only two figures were present at this moment.

Xuan Ge himself sat upright on one side, while opposite him was Xu Ling Xian Zhou Marshal Yuan Shuai Hua's solid, clear remote projection.

Marshal Yuan Shuai Hua today seemed..... her mood was not particularly bright.

Her features were calm as usual, but those deep eyes faintly revealed a trace of "You're here again?" helpless indifference.

Has Xuan Ge been running over to her place a bit too frequently lately?

Big matters, small matters, strategy, tactics, even some daily affairs she considered entirely within his authority to decide — he still had to come "report" them properly.

Although a subordinate actively requesting instructions and not overstepping is a good thing, showing he keeps the organization and discipline in mind.

But..... is this frequency not a bit too outrageous?

She needs her leave too, you know!

Today was originally a rare rest day in her plan, one where she could temporarily set aside complicated government affairs!

Marshal Yuan Shuai Hua picked up the copy of the document Jade had left, which Xuan Ge had submitted, and her gaze swiftly swept over it.

Just one glance.

She then set down the document, crossed her arms before her chest, leaned back slightly, and fixed a calm gaze on Xuan Ge's face.

Those eyes clearly said: Just this?

"Just this little matter...." the Marshal spoke, her voice steady, but upon careful tasting, a trace of displeasure could be detected.

"You specially came to find me for this? Resenting that I've been too leisurely lately, are you?"

She's on leave today! On leave!

These two words circled in the Marshal's mind.

Xuan Ge immediately straightened his body, piling onto his face that smile mixing reverence with "innocence":

"Marshal, what are you saying? This subordinate is terrified. I am merely an utterly ordinary, dutiful little Xianzhou General under your command.

A matter of this magnitude, involving direct negotiation with the Interstellar Peace Corporation Strategic Investment Department's upper echelons and potentially influencing the Alliance's future direction of external cooperation — how would this subordinate dare act unilaterally?

Naturally I must report to the Marshal at the first moment, to listen to your instructions!"

He spoke with righteous severity, as if it were only natural and right.

Marshal Yuan Shuai Hua's long, fair fingers lightly tapped the edge of that document on the smooth tabletop.

She did not look at the document, her gaze still locked on Xuan Ge, the corner of her mouth hooking a meaningful, extremely faint arc.

"Oh~~?" her tone rose slightly.

"You really are just an utterly ordinary, little Xianzhou General under my command?"

She paused, fingertip tapping the document again.

"Then how come what I see written on this, in black and white, is that the party the Interstellar Peace Corporation Strategic Investment Department wishes to establish a long-term cooperative and mutual trust relationship with is Shen Wu Xian Zhou and General Xuan Ge, the God of War?"

Her body leaned forward slightly; across the distant star sea, the projection's gaze seemed able to pierce through all disguise, carrying a sharpness that saw through everything.

"As for the words 'Xianzhou Alliance'..... how come I don't see a single one of them?

General Xuan Ge, can you explain to me, this Marshal of the Xianzhou Alliance, just what..... this means?"

Her tone was peaceful, even carrying a hint of amusement, but the weight in her words made the air in the conference room seem to stagnate for an instant.

The smile on Xuan Ge's face did not change, but the "innocence" in his eyes swiftly switched to "serious and earnest".

He straightened his back, his tone resolute and decisive:

"Flattery to destroy! Marshal, this is absolutely naked flattery to destroy! Attempting to sow discord between this subordinate and the Alliance's loyalty — their hearts are punishable!

Please rest assured, Marshal, this subordinate will immediately order men to return this ill-intentioned document and have them redraft it!

It must explicitly add the premise of being under the Xianzhou Alliance framework and under the Marshal's leadership! Not a single word can be missing!"

Xuan Ge declared his stance both swiftly and firmly, looking every bit the part of one deeply provoked by a treacherous man, eager to prove his innocence.

Marshal Yuan Shuai Hua quietly watched him for two seconds.

Then, she barely audibly, lightly "hmphed" once, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

Pretend, keep pretending.

She knew Xuan Ge's bag of tricks all too well.

This wasn't the first time.

This slippery fellow clearly had the ability and the prestige.

Yet he always liked to run to her to go through the motions and pledge loyalty over matters he could clearly decide on his own.

His purpose was less that he truly couldn't decide, and more a continuous, proactive laying bare of his position.

He was using this method to clearly tell her, and to tell everyone who might be paying attention:

I, Xuan Ge, and the Shen Wu Xian Zhou, have always been part of the Xianzhou Alliance, and have always been under the leadership of her, Marshal Hua.

He did not want to, nor would he become an independent kingdom outside the system.

Over time, this fellow acted as if he had recognized her home as his own, running to her at the slightest matter, reporting work almost like a daily check-in.

He couldn't be shaken off, and was a bit... annoying.

But deep in her heart, there was indeed a barely perceptible... sense of satisfaction.

At least, he was far easier to manage than a completely out-of-control, self-willed private army leader.

"Alright~" Marshal Hua finally spoke, her tone returning to its usual composure, waving her hand as if brushing away a trivial matter.

"Stop acting for me here. This matter, you handle it yourself. You know the limits and proportions in your heart."

She said this as she stood up from her seat, the projection's light fluctuating slightly, obviously preparing to end this brief "disturbance."

Just as the light and shadow were about to begin dissipating, she seemed to remember something, her movement pausing slightly.

Without turning back, her voice was light, yet transmitted with absolute clarity, falling into Xuan Ge's ears:

"Remember."

"You are my people."

As the words fell, Marshal Hua's projection, like a reflection in water struck by a stone, rippled, then completely dissipated into the air.

In the meeting room, only Xuan Ge remained.

He stood in place, watching the spot where the marshal's projection had disappeared, the exaggerated "seriousness" and "loyalty" on his face slowly fading, the corners of his mouth slowly curving up.

"You are my people."

These words, spoken from the marshal's mouth, carried a different weight.

It was both recognition, a confirmation of belonging, and an invisible backing.

He turned and strode out of the meeting room, ordering the guards waiting outside the door:

"Go to the Diplomatic Mansion, invite Lady Feicui to the General's Mansion for another talk."

"Yes!"

The order was quickly passed down.

Not long after, Feicui, led by Shen Wu army soldiers, once again stepped into the Zheng Dian of the General's Mansion.

She wore a composed and proper smile on her face, but in her heart she already had seventy or eighty percent confidence.

Because the one who came to fetch her was a soldier, silent, efficient, a soldier who only carried out orders.

If Xuan Ge had rejected the company's offer, or needed more complex negotiations, then the one who should have come was that strategist chief Ling Sha, using her gentle and watertight words to decline or maneuver.

The appearance of a soldier often meant the matter was simple and direct—done, or needing details settled face to face.

"Lady Feicui, please sit." Xuan Ge still sat in the Zhu Wei, his attitude even more casual than last time.

He shook the document Feicui had left behind previously in his hand, his tone carrying a joking reprimand.

"Look, this document, the edges are a bit wrinkled, probably not kept well on the way.

Such an important letter of intent cannot be so careless. I'm afraid... I'll have to trouble you to go back and organize a more proper copy to send over."

Hearing this, Feicui's eyes smiled even deeper, she elegantly nodded:

"The general speaks correctly, it was Feicui's negligence. I will go back now, prepare a more formal, clearer text, and present it to the general for review tomorrow."

She naturally understood the subtext in Xuan Ge's words.

The document being wrinkled and needing reorganization naturally did not refer to physical creases, but to certain wording and implications within.

It needed to be adjusted to better conform to the "rules," and better reflect respect for the overall structure of the Xianzhou Alliance.

That first draft mentioning only Shen Wu Xian Zhou and General Shen Wei was itself a trial balloon.

She naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to take out the already-prepared, rigorously worded "second version" document from her Personal Space on the spot.

That was too blatant, and seemed insufficiently respectful of the other party's process.

Some tacit understandings are best left unspoken.

The matter was basically settled; Feicui stayed no longer, and after bowing again, she elegantly exited the General's Mansion.

The hall quieted down once more.

Xuan Ge leaned against the back of his chair, gazing in the direction Feicui had left, softly sighing almost imperceptibly.

Ling Sha, who had been quietly standing by his side-rear, handling other documents, at this moment raised her head, curiosity in her brown eyes, and asked softly:

"General, establishing a long-term cooperative relationship with the Interstellar Peace Corporation seems like a great thing no matter how you look at it.

One can obtain stable, high-quality logistical support, and also expand the influence of Shen Wu Xian Zhou throughout the Huan Yu... why then do you sigh?"

She tilted her head slightly, her tone carrying just the right amount of confusion and a hint of teasing: "Could it be that you are reluctant to give up that one-of-a-kind freedom?"

"Chuckle~" Xuan Ge chuckled, shaking his head.

"A good thing is naturally a good thing. But this good thing isn't just wrapped in a layer of sugar."

His gaze became somewhat profound.

Ling Sha blinked her eyes; intelligent as she was, after a moment's thought, she understood.

She did not immediately respond, but instead picked up the stack of documents she had been handling just now, turned, and walked toward the Door Outside of the hall.

When she reached the Men Kou, her steps paused slightly, she turned half her face to the side, leaving behind a light, floating sentence carrying a smile of sudden realization:

"You all... are truly dirty."

Having finished speaking, she left with graceful, swaying steps.

"Dirty?"

Xuan Ge froze for a moment, then subconsciously lowered his head, raised his arm, and sniffed the scent on himself.

Apart from a fresh, faintly cool green plum fragrance, there was no strange smell at all?

He raised his eyebrows somewhat puzzledly.

Ling Sha did not turn back, but as if she could guess his movement, the smile at the corner of her lips deepened a little.

Sometimes, this General who leaves no strategy uncalculated on the battlefield and is keen and seasoned in political games, when facing this kind of intimate teasing "accusation" from the person beside him, always reacts in an unexpectedly... clumsy and direct way.

Making one unable to help but want to laugh.

While walking toward the Alchemy Commission, she sorted through the dialogue from just now in her mind.

The General said this isn't "a layer of sugar".....

Why is the Company so persistent in binding with the Shen Wu Xian Zhou? Merely because they value the General's combat power?

Perhaps not only that.

This is more like a long-term investment and boost.

Using stable and high-quality logistical support to continuously supply energy to this blade that is forever on the Hunt Path, the Shen Wu Xian Zhou.

Ensuring General Xuan Ge can devote himself single-mindedly, at a higher frequency and wider range, to practicing his Hunt Path.

Behind it lies a grander layout that is deeper and more in line with the Preservation concept.

Ling Sha shook her head, temporarily suppressing these complex thoughts.

These are the chess games that the big figures need to weigh.

And her duty as Chief Strategist is more importantly to assist the General, manage the affairs of the Xian Zhou inside and out, so that this sword remains forever sharp, and its hilt stable.