『 [ It's been a while, Madam Jade. ]
[ I am very honored to have the opportunity to work with you. ]
Topaz looks at Jade in front of her, her expression slightly excited and happy.
[ You're still so formal, aren't you? ]
[ Set aside the hierarchy, treat me as your equal. No need for unnecessary titles like Madam. ]
Jade said with a smile.
[ Sorry, it's hard to get used to it for a while. ]
[ After all, you… You are my senior. ]
Facing Jade, Topaz always unconsciously adopts a respectful attitude.
[ Well, now that we're both members of the Ten Stonehearts, I need you to be at your best, especially since the upcoming negotiations leave no room for error. ]
[ As sharp as you are, you must have already seen it, right? ]
[ The true intention of this meeting. ]
Jade asked in a quiet tone.
[ Presumably, that old Oti is acting on his own, wanting to test the waters before the official negotiations between the IPC and Penacony. ]
Topaz replied without hesitation.
[ Yes, but that's even better. ]
[ Do you know why? ]
Jade asked further.
[ If we can reach some consensus with old Oti in advance and figure out the other party's bottom line, future negotiations will go much smoother. This is the surface layer. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Paimon: "Hmm… as expected of a high-level IPC executive."
Paimon: "Her brain is really good…"
Paimon: "Why couldn't Paimon think of something this deep?"
Lumine: "If Paimon could think of it, Paimon wouldn't be Paimon."
Furina de Fontaine: "Ms. Topaz said… the 'surface layer'?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Then what is the 'hidden layer'?"
Topaz: "The hidden layer is that this self-serving act by old Oti obviously likely hasn't been discussed with the other families."
Topaz: "He has his own selfish motives."
Topaz: "This also reflects from the side that The Family is not united."
Jade: "Heh, since they aren't united, it's even easier to handle."
Jade: "After all, if they were truly united, advancing and retreating together, as secure as an iron bucket…"
Jade: "Then it would take a lot of effort."
Jade: "Fortunately, the Harmony didn't truly turn them into selfless saints."
Stelle: "I'm a bit curious, if the Penacony branch families are like this, what about the main line?"
Stelle: "Is it the same?"
March 7th: "As long as they haven't abandoned their humanity, it should be the same, right?"
Hu Tao: "I feel like these family members are using the power of the Path of Harmony to protect themselves."
Hu Tao: "They don't care about the philosophy of The Harmony at all."
Qingque: "Not that they don't care, but not much."
Qingque: "Anyway, compared to the philosophy of The Harmony, they care more about their own interests."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Such is human nature."
....
『 [ Correct, and the layer that cannot be spoken is… through the actions of the Alfalfa family head, we can capture a signal: The five families may not be as united as the Harmony's hymns sing. ]
[ As long as the influence of The Harmony hasn't penetrated to the bone marrow, personal desire can always occupy a seat. ]
[ We are lucky, at least in Penacony, there isn't any big shot whose sound level is so high that they have completely lost their private desires. ]
[ Just like the infighting in the IPC, the so-called unity of the five families… now that the Dreammaster is out of the picture, is just a slogan left. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Speaking of which, is the Dreammaster actually dead?"
Stelle: "Don't know, he just kicked the bucket suddenly, making everything mysterious."
Furina de Fontaine: "Then, since the Dreammaster is gone, have the remnants of the Order disappeared too?"
Guinaifen: "The universe is so big, the remnants of the Order shouldn't just be the Dreammaster's lineage, right?"
Guinaifen: "But even the Dreammaster's shocking plan failed to revive the Aeon of Order, so I don't think other remnants of the Order have a chance."
Qingque: "Tsk, poor Ena, almost came back to life."
Sampo Koski: "Folks, is there a possibility…"
Sampo Koski: "That even if Ena truly came back to life, they would be undermined by a dark hand again~?"
Silver Wolf: "The path of the Aeon of Order has too many conflicts in the universe; it's hard not to be targeted by other Aeons."
Stelle: "Who told them to be the Aeon of Order?"
Stelle: "Always wanting to establish order for the universe."
Stelle: "But this isn't your territory alone as an Aeon. You establish order; will other Aeons look at you favorably?"
March 7th: "Uh… from a human perspective, that is indeed the case."
March 7th: "But do Aeons really think that way?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Judging from the example of the Propagation, Aeons cannot tolerate anyone blocking their path."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Perhaps the reason for the fall of Order is because they were blocking the way…"
Zhongli: "Or perhaps because… the universe doesn't need any existence to dictate order…"
....
『 [ After the Oak Family fell, old Oti's side became the largest force in Penacony. ]
[ Even just calculating by the order of succession, he is the longest-serving and most senior among all current family heads. ]
Topaz said to Jade after thinking for a while.
[ Hmm, so for the upcoming talks, we must push forward according to the strategy we discussed. ]
[ Just like playing a game of chess, every step must be calculated based on the situation. ]
Jade reminded.
[ Of course. The three-step method of negotiation: First, listen; second, probe; third, strike. ]
[ This is what you taught me. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Paimon: "Wow, is this Ms. Jade's secret negotiation mantra?"
Paimon: "Gotta write this down in the notebook, might be useful later!"
Lumine: "First listen, then probe, finally strike?"
Lumine: "So that's how it is… suddenly feels like I've learned something."
Stelle: "This three-step negotiation method makes sense, but it doesn't suit me!"
Stelle: "I have my own three-step negotiation method."
Stelle: "First reveal the hat, then reveal the lance, and FINALLY FIERCELY REVEAL THE BASEBALL BAT!!"
Stelle: "Like this, my negotiation opponent will inevitably cry and beg for mercy."
Stelle: "And my negotiation will be a success."
Qingque: "Good grief, what kind of 'martial virtue' is this, using force to convince people?"
Silver Wolf: "Using force to convince people?"
Silver Wolf: "Isn't this just a brute using force to suppress others?"
March 7th: "Oh my, Stelle, knew you'd say that."
March 7th: "But the world isn't just about fighting and killing, it's about human relationships and worldly wisdom!"
March 7th: "Relying on force for everything won't work!"
Stelle: "I don't believe it. The people who fall under my bat clearly all become very obedient."
Lumine: "I feel that."
Lumine: "Is it really better to just strike from the start?"
Jade: "Strike from the start?"
Jade: "Heh… if one is powerful, that is indeed feasible."
Jade: "Forcing the opponent to admit defeat directly with overwhelming strength can save a lot of unnecessary talk."
Jade: "Unfortunately, unless it's a last resort, the IPC cannot directly bring troops to Penacony."
Jade: "That would incur massive public opinion from the entire universe."
Furina de Fontaine: "Now that you mention it… I feel like Ms. Acheron strangely fits this three-step method."
Furina de Fontaine: "First listen, then probe, and finally, as a last resort, start revealing the blade."
Silver Wolf: "And then Penacony and Aventurine got slashed."
Black Swan: "Heh, didn't expect Ms. Acheron to be indirectly proficient in negotiation techniques."
Acheron: "…"
Acheron: "I just simply didn't want to strike… It's a pity things always go against my wishes."
....
『 [ Very clear—but in the Jarilo-VI case, you seem to have swapped the order. ]
Jade teased.
[ That is a personal realization. ]
Topaz also smiled.
[ Sorry to interrupt your conversation, the family head is ready to meet with the representatives of the Strategic Investment Department. ]
In the gap between Topaz and Jade's conversation, a waiter walked over and conveyed to the two.
[ Work time. ]
[ Cheer up, let's go meet that high-ranking supporting character. ]
[ Remember our goal: Create opportunities for the IPC to enter Penacony. ]
[ Aventurine has already cut a slit, and you and I… need to tear it wide open. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Venti: "Supporting character?"
Venti: "Heh… these two words are quite fitting!"
Zhongli: "With such seniority and ambition, how could he be content to play the supporting role forever?"
Zhongli: "This Mr. Oti has probably been waiting for this moment for a long time."
Furina de Fontaine: "In other words, this old Oti might have known everything, but he chose to let it happen."
Furina de Fontaine: "Only then could he see the hope of the Oak Family and the Dreammaster collapsing, and have the possibility of becoming the person in charge of the entire Penacony family!"
Paimon: "Have to say, Mr. Sunday is really amazing, being able to become the head of the Oak Family at such a young age."
Paimon: "And he even suppressed these older seniors."
Sunday: "Heh, just a puppet in disguise."
Sunday: "The sky of Penacony has always belonged to the Dreammaster."
Sunday: "With his support, it wasn't difficult for me to become the family head."
Sunday: "This naturally would attract dissatisfaction from those with ulterior motives."
Stelle: "But your ability is obvious to all."
Stelle: "Even without the Dreammaster, you wouldn't have any problem sitting in that position."
March 7th: "After all, you're someone who almost ascended to godhood; how could you be bad?"
March 7th: "If you weren't so obsessed, maybe this Penacony could really be thriving!"
March 7th: "On the other hand, this old Oti, just listening to the description, sounds like someone who puts profit first."
March 7th: "It's hard to believe he can lead Penacony well."
Qingque: "If Penacony falls into his hands, I'm afraid it will become a tool for money-grubbing."
Amber: "Speaking of which, did the IPC only want to enter Penacony?"
Amber: "I thought the IPC's goal was to completely reclaim Penacony."
Jade: "You can't get fat in one bite; everything must be planned gradually."
Jade: "The Family has been operating in Penacony for many years; even if two more Stonehearts came, it would be difficult to completely reclaim it."
Jade: "So… might as well stick a hand in first, and we'll talk about the rest later."
Welt Yang: "Hmm, it seems the IPC's goal was very clear from the start."
Welt Yang: "In this way, perhaps the future Penacony will become a situation of mutual restraint between The Family and the IPC."
Jade: "It might not necessarily be a two-party restraint."
Jade: "Maybe it's a three-party mutual benefit?"
Jade: "After all, you wouldn't want to see the Penacony you saved with your own hands fall into corruption again, right?"
Himeko: "Oh?"
Himeko: "Heh… I think I understand what Madam Jade means."
....
『 Topaz and Jade walked into the meeting room together.
[ Hohohoho! ]
[ Two clever and beautiful ladies, welcome aboard my Radiant Feldspar! ]
[ Come, please sit, we must have a good chat! ]
As soon as the two arrived in the meeting room, they heard old Oti's hearty laughter. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Paimon: "Eh???"
Paimon: "Is this the head of the Alfalfa family, the big shot of Penacony now, Oti Alfalfa?"
Paimon: "Didn't expect him to be just a short old man with a loud voice?"
Yunli: "Hmm… looks about the same height as Grandpa."
Stelle: "Huh? General Huaiyan is this short?"
Stelle: "Can someone this short be a general?"
Huaiyan: "Heh… this little friend, you might have some misunderstanding about the position of a general."
Huaiyan: "I am not a general skilled in leading battles; height has no effect."
Jing Yuan: "Elder Yan is the Master Smith of the Artisanship Commission, a craftsman by trade."
Stelle: "Oh, got it!"
Stelle: "He's a general specializing in forging divine weapons!"
Stelle: "Wuu, Elder Yan, when I have a chance to step on the Zhuming Xianzhou, you must give me a supreme precious sword!"
March 7th: "Hey, how are you so shameless to ask?"
March 7th: "General Huaiyan has no relation to us, why should he give us things?"
Huaiyan: "Hahaha, although we have no relation, you are honored guests of the Xianzhou Alliance."
Huaiyan: "Giving a precious sword as a gift is not excessive."
Huaiyan: "But little friend, do you know swordplay?"
Huaiyan: "If not, even if this sword is divine-tier, in your hands, it won't be able to exert more power than your baseball bat."
Stelle: "Ah, this… isn't a sword just for hacking and stabbing?"
Stelle: "So I have to practice…"
Stelle: "Then I don't want the sword anymore, Elder Yan, just give me another baseball bat!"
Stelle: "This thing is handy to swing, and when the time comes, dual bats out together, I guarantee I'll beat the enemy until they howl like ghosts and wolves!"
Silver Wolf: "Tsk, what kind of style is this?"
Silver Wolf: "Everyone else uses dual swords, dual blades, and you're playing dual bats?"
Qingque: "Hey, don't say that, maybe Stelle could even become the founding ancestor of the Dual Bat Style?"
March 7th: "Oh, give it a rest, what normal person would go learn some Dual Bat Style?"
March 7th: "Isn't the Dual Sword Style more handsome?"
Stelle: "What's the use of being handsome?"
Stelle: "Being able to beat the opponent until they howl is the real skill!"
Feixiao: "Good, well said!"
Feixiao: "What you said… I like it!"
Feixiao: "The so-called eighteen kinds of martial arts are just techniques for killing enemies."
Feixiao: "If you pursue fancy tricks, you're putting the cart before the horse."
Stelle: "Oh my, General Feixiao is truly a kindred spirit!"
Stelle: "When you have time, can you teach me a few awesome bat techniques?"
Stelle: "Oh, right, I also want to learn spear techniques and hat techniques."
Feixiao: "Small matter, when you come to the Yaoqing, feel free to find me."
Feixiao: "Though this hat technique… heh, I haven't really researched that, you'll have to wait for me to buy a hat and practice first."
Jiaoqiu: "…"
Jiaoqiu: "Is using a hat as a weapon really appropriate?"
Moze: "How would you know if you don't try?"
Moze: "Don't you also use a fan as a weapon?"
Jiaoqiu: "A fan can fan the flames and stir up trouble; can a hat do the same?"
Moze: "I can fan flames with a hat, too."
Jiaoqiu: "…"
....