Published: February 13, 2025
Ye Zhongming had a dedicated alchemy room in his manor, specifically built by the Su Clan members at his request.
“She still needs some time to evolve, keep an eye on her,” Ye Zhongming called Xiao Min in and told her after she had set down the prepared items. Dai Zhi was in the process of evolving to nine-star with half of the red dress guard warriors, and Xiao Min was the second batch.
Xiao Min nodded, then thought for a moment and said, “When we contacted the various small tribes in Dark Strip City, we found that the Star Eye Clan was gathering their people for a meeting.”
She conveyed the information she had gathered, leaving the interpretation of the underlying events to Ye Zhongming.
Ye Zhongming nodded, chuckling slightly, “People, when they become wealthy, sometimes forget their place. There's no need to care about them; let’s stick to what we agreed upon before. Whoever comes, comes.”
“Let's keep our people away from Dark Strip City during the time I’m making equipment unless absolutely necessary,” Ye Zhongming instructed further.
“Boss, are you worried that the Star Eye Clan might take action against us?” Xiao Min's eyes sparkled with concern.
Ye Zhongming shook his head, “Not really. I doubt the Star Eye Clan has even figured out how to deal with me. At worst, they might distance themselves, but they won’t act against me. I just don’t want you drawing too much attention.”
Xiao Min didn’t say anything more, filled a cup with water for Ye Zhongming, and placed some food at the side before leaving.
Ye Zhongming sat down, took out a piece of spatial equipment, poured out the materials inside, and entered a state of alchemy.
………………
Oligar pushed open the door to his father’s room, storming in with an angry expression.
Dodo glanced at his son sitting by the table and tilted his head back, pouring the remaining liquor from a bowl the size of a small basin into his mouth.
After wiping his wet beard, he pointed to a chair beside him.
“Not sitting!”
Oligar was fuming.
“Our Ouf Clan, from our appearance to our combat style, can be described as ‘brutes’; whether that's a compliment or a derogation is up to interpretation. But we must stay clear-headed and ensure… here, we are not brutes!” Dodo pointed to his head.
Oligar paused, his anger subsiding a bit.
“I’m guessing you’re here because of the meeting with the Star Eye Clan?” Dodo looked at his son and continued, “Do you believe the Star Eye Clan is trying to diminish Ye Zhongming's presence, hinting to us that the partners we should cooperate with are them, not any individual from our clan, correct?”
“You're also upset that I agreed to this and that other clans have agreed as well, right?”
Hearing his father's words, Oligar was still angry, but the intensity had faded because his father had guessed correctly.
Oligar had followed Ye Zhongming on the planetary battlefield and had profound admiration for him. Furthermore, by the end of that battle, both he and his father were presumed dead, only to be pulled from the pile of corpses by Ye Zhongming’s people, who used rare medicine and received treatment from the Long Void Water Clan to be as lively as they were now.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a lifesaver.
Moreover, during such intense battles on the planetary battlefield, the casualties of the Ouf Clan, known for their charge, were still heavy. However, the number of clan members saved by Ye Zhongming's people was unprecedented; those saved may not return to the battlefield but could teach their experiences to future generations and still contribute in whatever capacity they could. At the very least, they could leave offspring for their clan and increase their population.
But now, Oligar felt his father was betraying his benefactor.
“You're too young,” Dodo snorted, tossing a jar of liquor to his son.
“I agreed to cooperate with the Star Eye Clan, to guard Dark Strip City together, and even to sign a treaty to become a true alliance and community of interest.”