The Legendary Mechanic, page 365
Han Xiao had nothing to hide, so he honestly replied, “He found me and wanted me to leave Floating Dragon to join Bloodshed Land. Tsk tsk, he gave me some good terms.”
“And? What did you say?” Ames asked with a faint smile.
“Had I agreed, he wouldn’t have brought this up again.” Han Xiao shrugged.
Ames smirked, turned to Malekith, and said, “Hear that? Give up your tricks and lead the way.”
Seeing that the provocation did not work, Malekith did not speak anymore and led the way.
There were still a few days till the party, but many people had already arrived. Bloodshed Land had prepared many rooms for the guests to rest in.
The four of them headed toward the rooms. As they passed through the numerous bases, patrolling soldiers and carriers were everywhere.
Han Xiao had time on the way to observe all sorts of facilities in Bloodshed Land. It was similar to how he remembered. In his previous life, there had also been players that were recruited by Bloodshed Land, so he remembered the map structure of Planet Heber.
If I remember correctly, the Planet Heber’s surface is just a small part. There are bigger strongholds underground, Han Xiao recalled.
This time, the voice of a stranger suddenly came from not far behind them.
“Long time no see, Ames.”
Han Xiao’s first intuition was that the tone of this person sounded very taunting.
They turned around. A team of soldiers crowded around a man appeared behind them, the man was the one that spoke. He wore an exquisite robe and had a more feminine than masculine face, staring at Ames with a mocking expression.
The look in Ames’ eyes slightly changed when she saw this person. “Carroll.”
Carroll’s unrestrained eyes scanned Ames’ gorgeous face, snow-white neck, flat abdomen, and her thin, long legs, sizing her up fearlessly. He snickered and said, “I left Floating Dragon so long ago, but you’re still as beautiful as before.”
Ames’ face was cold and indifferent.
Han Xiao noticed Ames’ abnormal reaction; it seemed like her relationship with this guy named Carroll was unusual. He turned and glanced at Malekith and saw the rubbernecking expression on this broken horn Demon’s face.
I see, Carroll is Ames’ ex-subordinate… Han Xiao realized.
If Carroll had resigned normally, Ames would not have said anything. Instead, Carroll had openly deserted and joined Bloodshed Land with a high profile. He had even given away some of Floating Dragon’s technological secrets and their map structure. Plus, he was now in a high position. To Ames, this was no doubt a betrayal. She felt hostile toward Bloodshed Land, even more so toward Carroll. Back then, when she battled toward Planet Heber, she had most likely had another goal—to kill Carroll. Only, she had been stopped by the Tyrant.
The truth was just as Han Xiao speculated; Ames and her old subordinate Carroll had become enemies long ago.
“To dare come and look for me, are you tired of living?” Ames said coldly.
Carroll had the Tyrant to rely on, so he was confident and unafraid. With a derisive smile, he said, “This is Bloodshed Land’s headquarters. What, do you want to kill the Tyrant’s logistics manager here? By the way, I heard you found an insect to replace my position. Hehe, you have quite a heavy taste.”
With an expressionless face, Ames started to get intense.
Hila and Aurora noticed that the atmosphere was not right and became alert.
However, Carroll did not hold back at all. It was clear that he had come just to provoke them. He turned to look at Han Xiao and casually said, “Black Star? So, you’re Ames’ new officer? I can be considered your senior, do you want some advice and tips?”
“Tips?” Han Xiao raised his eyebrows. He was just standing aside and did not speak, but unexpectedly, Carroll spoke to him.
“That’s right, I know her very well, and I have a feeling you need my guidance.” Carroll shrugged and mocked, “After all, you like being her pet—shouldn’t you know what your master likes?”
“Wow, this is the first time I’ve met someone who’s even more of an ass than me.” Han Xiao could not hold back his laughter. “Pal, do you sometimes have like punching yourself in the face when you look into a mirror?”
Carroll had thought that Han Xiao would be angered by his provocative words, so he was choked by this completely unexpected reaction. He paused then spoke again with mockery. “Don’t get angry, I’m just speaking the truth. You’re the same as the old me, just her pet. The difference is, you’re just my replacement. Without you, there will be a Red Star or a White Star to replace you.”
Han Xiao stroked his chin. Before he could return the taunt, Ames spoke first.
“Black Star is not like you; he’s more trustworthy than you.”
“Oh, then you’ll have to be more careful.” Carroll stared at Han Xiao with a sneer. “The more she trusts you, when you want to abandon her, the more determined she’ll be to kill you… Hehe, you’re probably worse than a pet, just a slave tied to her side.”
This guy sure talks a lot of trash… Han Xiao rolled his eyes. A few words were far from enough to anger him.
Then, Carroll looked at Ames again, this time with even more apparent lust. “Did you know this? I once did not even have the courage to raise my head in front of you, but now…”
“I have no interest in what you think.” Ames stopped Carroll from speaking. With an ice-cold look in her eyes, she raised her hand and said slowly, “Since you’re deliberately taunting, it seems like you’re prepared to bear the consequences.”
Boom!
As soon as her sentence ended, a powerful force field appeared, and the ground cracked open inch by inch under the extremely heavy pressure. The force field headed straight toward Carroll.
This time, three roars came from around the place. Three shadows moved swiftly in front of Carroll, and thick Pugilist flames rose from their bodies.
The three of them blocked the force field with all their might.
The three of them were all Grade A Bloodshed Land Vanguard Officials, one being Malekith.
In an instant, an impact wave exploded, and the Bloodshed Land soldiers around all turned into rolling stones, falling and rolling away.
The three Vanguard Officials were sent flying, too. They launched a wave of energy midair to stop the momentum, landed on the ground, and stared at Ames with caution.
It had taken all three of them to stop Ames’ one simple force field attack.
“As expected.” The look in Ames’ eyes became darker, and the air started to vibrate.
The attack earlier was just the most casual, simple hit from Ames, and now she was going to get serious.
Ohm!
A much stronger force field brewed, and the ground and buildings around started to crack.
Seeing this, Han Xiao had no choice but to take a few steps forward to stand in front of Ames. With a flash of Mechanical Force, Watcher Instrument hovered behind him in a circle, like a circle of light behind his head.
A dark light appeared in the barrel of the Hovering Shield Shuttle, targeting the enemies. Han Xiao smirked and said, “So, do you guys want to duel or fight me together? I’m fine with anything.”
The eyes of the tree Vanguard Officials including Malekith all sparkled with anticipation.
Despite saying so, Han Xiao knew that the fight was not going to happen. This was Bloodshed Land’s showcase of power; the Tyrant would definitely interfere. After all, they were guests no matter what. Plus, Heber would not allow Ames to destroy his party.
Nonetheless, he still had to express his stand. He could not stand aside and let Ames face the enemies alone.
Just when everything was about to erupt, a new energy force arose from far away, shooting straight up into the sky, as if flooding over the entire Bloodshed Land. Even the star lights in the sky seemed to have lost their color and become dimmer.
Boom!
From a distant place, the voice of a person appeared, deep and loud, like the sound of thunder.
“Ames, fighting in my territory, are you ignoring my existence‽”
As soon as he heard this voice, Han Xiao immediately felt the menacing tone.
Subconsciously, this reminded him of what he had felt when he went to the zoo during his previous life and faced the roar of a tiger.
The Tyrant, Heber!
Chapter 608. Probing |
Everyone looked toward the source of the sound. The sound came from the middle district of Bloodshed Land and the location of Heber’s palace.
Ames’s eyes gleamed coldly, and she looked at Hila and Aurora before letting out a soft sigh. Her palm was then lowered and hidden within her sleeves. She was no longer planning on taking action, and the force field that had been brewing disappeared.
The tense atmosphere relaxed in that instant.
She then looked at Carroll and Malekith who had blocked her attack and calmly said, “Don’t just stand there, lead the way.”
When she decided to accept the invitation of the Tyrant, Ames had already predicted that something like this would happen. Her previous attack had already displayed her attitude. However, since the Tyrant had interfered personally and she was in his territory, she did not want a greater conflict to break out. After all, she did not come here to create trouble.
Malekith nodded and led the way.
Han Xiao then turned around to glance at Carroll.
Carroll did not say another word as he witnessed Ames’ departure. He then retracted his smile and shook his head at the other two Vanguard Officials. “I thought that she would continue attacking despite the warning. Although I made sure not to go too far, with my understanding of Ames, this level of provocation should have been enough to enrage her.”
Another Vanguard Official then said with a sigh, “The Dragon Emperor has changed. The rumors are true. She indeed wants to expand.”
The Black Star Army represented Floating Dragon’s expansion. Many organizations had noticed this situation, and Bloodshed Land was no exception.
Carroll’s mission was to probe Ames’ attitude. The majority of his words were targeted at Black Star and did not directly humiliate Ames. Through Ames’ reaction, they would be able to gain plenty of information. If she truly wanted to expand, she would not provoke a greater conflict.
…
At the same time, in Heber’s palace, only Heber and a Klent emissary were present. The footage of Ames and her entourage was displayed on the screen.
The Klent Kingdom placed great importance on the Tyrant’s gathering and treated this as an important diplomatic mission. The emissary was a high official in the Klent Kingdom and personally attended the gathering to show the close ties between the Tyrant and the Klent Kingdom.
The Klents usually had slim figures, and when standing beside the seven-meter-tall Heber, the emissary seemed extremely tiny.
“Your Excellency Tyrant, you are as powerful as ever. You do not even need to make an appearance and can make the Dragon Emperor back down with a single roar. I still thought that I would be able to witness the majestic appearance of Your Excellency taking action,” the Klent emissary said with a respectful tone.
“Hmm.” Heber shook the gigantic, specially-made wine glass in his hands without saying a thing.
“It’s a pity. If only she had decided to take action.” The Klent emissary shook his head and smiled.
“The gathering this time is a huge event. She will offend many big shots if she creates trouble. Since she wants to expand, she won’t take action,” Heber said calmly.
“Aren’t you afraid of her taking revenge after the gathering?” The Klent emissary chuckled. “She is someone who would do something like that.”
“Isn’t that what you guys would like to see the most?” Heber asked calmly.
“Haha, you are right. That would give you an excuse to suppress Floating Dragon Island.” The Klent emissary laughed. He was the one who wanted to see Ames go all out without any consideration the most. “Even the Purple Crystal Civilization wouldn’t stop you from entering Colton with this reason.”
Heber glanced at him and could not be bothered to reply. While both parties were in an alliance, their motives were different.
The Klent emissary looked at Ames’ figure on the screen and muttered to himself, “Ames… tsk tsk. If I could obtain such a woman who has the halo of a beyond Grade A Super, all other women would pale in comparison to her.”
With his status and authority, he had countless partners, and appearance was no longer what he cared about the most. Status and identity were what made a woman more charming in his eyes. As the only female among the four beyond Grade A Supers in the Shattered Star Ring, Ames was naturally the woman who was the hardest to tame.
A Star System level civilization did not dare provoke a beyond Grade A Super, but to a Star Cluster level civilization, while a beyond Grade A Super was powerful, they would not be that wary of one.
Only a gigantic organization like the Tyrant’s would be of significance to a Star Cluster level civilization.
Thus, the Klent emissary did not mind displaying his desire for Ames. In any case, it was no more than a thought.
“I hate willful women,” Heber said slowly. “Her character needs to be polished more.”
Upon hearing that, the Klent emissary shook his head. Ames was no more than a thought for him, but Heber was the one with the capability to take action.
…
Han Xiao and the others were on their way to the guest room.
After the previous conflict, the mood of the group was a little downcast.
“Black Star don’t think too much,” Ames suddenly said. “Carroll said those words on purpose.”
“I know.” Han Xiao shrugged in response.
“They should’ve been following Heber’s instructions,” Ames explained. “I wonder what his intentions are. Aesop predicted that this gathering would be different and asked me not to act rashly.”
It turned out that Ames had already gotten Aesop to make a prophecy. Perhaps Aesop had also recommended that she come for this gathering.
“Carroll was one of the earliest members of Floating Dragon. However, he betrayed me for the Tyrant, gaining a high status in Bloodshed Land.”
Han Xiao stroked his chin and said, “To allow a traitor to take on an important position, the Tyrant is truly charismatic.”
Do not use an individual you doubt, and do not doubt an individual you use. Heber definitely needed to offer extremely plentiful conditions in order to poach people. When Malekith tried poaching him, Malekith had also offered him the position of Vanguard Official.
“He is the Tyrant, so he is not afraid of betrayals.”
“Why?”
“When Carroll betrayed me, the Tyrant was able to protect him, but if he betrays the Tyrant, no one in the Shattered Star Ring will be able to protect him.” Ames let out a sigh. “Furthermore, I have to admit that the Tyrant is far more charismatic a leader than I am.”
“Are you very wary of him?” Han Xiao said with his brows raised. “I still thought that you weren’t afraid of anything.”
“Of course, I am not afraid of him, but no matter how much I hate him, I cannot change the fact that he is extremely powerful.” Ames shook her head and paused for a moment before continuing. “Thus, try to remain low profile in the Tyrant’s territory. You don’t have to be angry because of Carroll. He said those words intentionally.”
Ames looked at Han Xiao and took the initiative to give an explanation. She was afraid that Han Xiao would take those words to heart.
Han Xiao felt warmth in his heart. He did not mind what Carroll had said but did not think that Ames would care about his feelings.
According to his understanding of Ames, she did not seem like the person who would care about others.
“I feel that you have changed.”
“How have I changed?” Ames smiled.
“You are more patient than before.”
Ames smiled and did not reply. She then turned around to look at Hila and Aurora.
“Aesop said that only a little child would act in such a willful manner. He asked me to change. If not, I will suffer a loss one day.”
Han Xiao rolled his eyes and replied, “That old Aesop is still so shameless. How does he have the right to say such a thing?”
“I think so too.” Ames broke out into a bright smile and chuckled.
…
The guest room provided was located in a building to the side of Heber’s palace. It was a gigantic castle that was made up entirely of guest rooms. There were already some guests who were currently staying in the guest rooms.
There were still a few days before the official start of the gathering, and many organizations would come earlier. The few days before the official start of the ceremony was the best chance to network and expand their social circle. After all, it was a rare opportunity for the big shots of the various organizations to gather together.
Malekith led the way into the castle.
At the moment, the main hall was filled with guests in small groups. The guests were all of different races and came from the different organizations of the Shattered Star Ring.
Upon hearing someone walk in, all the guests turned around to take a look. After recognizing that the incoming guest was Ames, all of them had strange looks on their faces. They wanted to come up to give their greetings but seemed to be wary about something and thus remained on the spot without moving.
All of them had heard the loud roar of the Tyrant. Since Ames and Heber had already clashed, they all felt that it was better for them to suck up to the Tyrant. Thus, no one stepped forward to strike up a conversation with her.
Ames could not be bothered, and their group left the main hall toward the rooms.
Bloodshed Land had prepared the rooms for them. Ames had her own room, Han Xiao had his own room, and Hila and Aurora shared a room.
When they got back to the rooms, Han Xiao was left alone.
He then activated a compressed orb, and it transformed into a detection device. After scanning the room, he confirmed that there were no listening devices.
