Compromise

This somewhat peculiar conversation came to an end with an urgent call from a Su Family maid.

In the end, Su Xiao did not say much about Li Nanbei.

Ronan only knew that the two had been childhood sweethearts. The brat who, in Su Xiao's memories, had declared during childhood games that he would marry her had suddenly risen to prominence three years ago after leaving the Emerald Star Region and undergoing training from a renowned figure in the Imperial Military Department. Like the brightest comet, he had lit up the skies of the Emerald Star Region.

They had not met for many years. Though they occasionally exchanged letters, Su Xiao had always felt estranged from him.

As for how formidable he was, Ronan's question would have seemed laughable to others, not even worth answering.

But Su Xiao answered seriously.

"Very, very formidable."

It was an extremely high assessment.

But it was also an assessment that left Ronan speechless. It was as good as saying nothing.

Then came a call from the maid who had taken the blame for her at the spa. Something had happened at home, and Su Xiao had to return.

Before they parted, Ronan said that he owed her a favor.

The girl merely smiled and said nothing more.

Perhaps this private meeting was very likely the last time they would speak face-to-face like friends. She did not think Ronan owed her anything. At the banquet, he had given her a rare night of freedom, which had already been a great pleasure.

Now they were even. Su Xiao told herself earnestly.

His conversation with Su Xiao had benefited Ronan greatly.

Although that sense of discomfort continued to linger in his heart, he knew that what Su Xiao had revealed was reality and truth—whether it was her speculation about Wei Wei's feelings, or the confrontation between Yi Lin Manor and the Li Family.

This perceptive girl had even made a prediction about the recent undercurrents stirred up by Ronan and Wei Wei.

"Within a week, the Li Family will definitely back down and compromise. They have no choice. The Earl's attitude is too firm and too forceful. At a time like this, the Li Family cannot possibly choose to go to war with Yi Lin Manor head-on."

"So, they can only compromise."

Ronan did not know how things would ultimately develop, so all he could do was handle his own affairs each day and wait to see what happened.

In an office deep within Blackwater Fortress, in the upper district of Bo Ning District.

A middle-aged man sat upright, holding a fountain pen as though he were writing something. Beneath his left hand lay an old envelope.

The nearly seventy-year-old director of the Investigation Bureau sat hunched over on the sofa.

"Is this Yi Lin Manor's attitude?" the middle-aged man asked in a low voice.

The old man said expressionlessly, "He came directly to me."

The middle-aged man fell silent, a trace of anger appearing between his brows.

In this turmoil and these undercurrents, Yi Lin Manor's attitude was so forceful that it inspired fear.

Will, who appeared to have grown old, had actually displayed the courage to risk everything in a desperate fight. From the political and business worlds to private armed forces and pressure through the Investigation Bureau, he had launched a grand, all-out campaign of pressure.

On the surface, Earl Will claimed he was hunting down the assassin from the Rose Blood Knight, but in truth, he was acting as though he intended to perish together with the Li Family!

The news brought by the director of the Investigation Bureau made him even more furious.

Yi Lin Manor had actually demanded such harsh terms!

This had completely exceeded his control and expectations!

"Surprised, aren't you?"

The old man sneered. "Perhaps all these years of smooth sailing have made you forget what it means to follow the rules. You have also underestimated the fact that even an aged tiger still possesses its sharpest claws and fangs. If you truly push Will too far, do you think you will hold the upper hand once this reaches the Lower House?"

The middle-aged man fell silent.

He knew that the Li Family had reached its current position partly through generations of accumulation, and partly through Li Nanbei's sudden rise—especially after gaining the favor of that gentleman from the Military Department.

It was fine to struggle for power in the Emerald Star Region behind the scenes. Quietly changing the order, gradually weakening the Tri-Alliance Group and Yi Lin Manor's profits and influence—those were the things he should have been doing.

This matter had indeed been somewhat rash. Perhaps he had been too eager to pave the way for his son, who was several light-years away, and leave him a magnificent legacy, so he had not acted cautiously enough.

Earl Will had ruthlessly seized upon this weakness and struck back at him. The Li Family was not afraid of retaliation, but the timing simply was not ripe.

If they truly went to full-scale war with Yi Lin Manor, both sides would likely suffer severe losses. By then, the Red Hat Snake Group would find it difficult to establish itself as the dominant force in the Emerald Star Region. A third party might even exploit the opening.

"It seems the Earl treasures his daughter very much."

The middle-aged man asked tentatively.

The director of the Investigation Bureau snorted and could not be bothered to respond. After a long while, he finally spoke.

"The Governor's Mansion mentioned Yi Lin Manor's relationship with that old tiger to me yesterday, whether intentionally or not. Although so many years have passed and intelligence indicates that they rarely keep in contact, so their bond has likely faded, Will remains that tiger's subordinate. Politically, their influence in the second-tier assembly may not be weaker than yours. The same is true in the Military Department. If you truly wish to open things up, I advise you to restrain yourself and begin with the business world."

The old man said with some emotion, "Since you already know the Li Family's rise is inevitable, why rush?"

He had personally seen just how gifted that child was, which was why he earnestly tried to persuade the Li Family Head.

The middle-aged man pondered for a moment, then rose and gave the old man a solemn bow.

"Thank you, Old Mr. Zhang. This matter has truly troubled you."

The middle-aged man said softly, "Give Yi Lin Manor the terms they asked for."

The old man was somewhat surprised. "You are not going to negotiate further? Bargain them down? That is not your style."

The middle-aged man laughed heartily. "You are right. Why rush? Ronan's appearance rattled me. Judging from the current intelligence, he is merely a target meant to draw fire. I actually fell for such a simple scheme from the Earl. I should not have."

"Let this matter end here."

His hand rested on the envelope, and he tapped it lightly three times.

The director of the Investigation Bureau nodded, but his heart felt somewhat heavy.

The old Li Family truly produced talent after talent. Li Nanbei was dazzling beyond compare, yet few people paid attention to his father, who had been steadily laying the groundwork all this time.

This man was patient and adept at calculation. His only flaw was that his vision was somewhat narrow.

Yet he could abandon such enormous benefits without hesitation. Such resolve was beyond ordinary people.

Yi Lin Manor might win this round, but the future would likely be difficult for it.

After the old man surnamed Zhang left, a communication signal appeared in the office.

When it was opened, the holographic screen displayed a handsome young man.

"Dad. I heard about what happened this time."

"Teacher asked me to pass along a message: never be hasty in anything."

"I am still carrying out a mission, so I will not say much. The good news is that after this mission ends, I should return for a visit. Keep an eye on Xiang. Do not let him go too far. Su Xiao is a girl, after all. The Su Family should still be shown the respect it deserves."

"There are especially many Mutated Creatures on this planet. I will return once I have cleared them out."

On the holographic screen, the child he was so proud of swiftly leaped into the cockpit of the Empire's newest-generation mecha, and then the signal vanished.

A warm smile appeared at the corner of the Li Family Head's lips.

"Nanbei."

"Father understands. I will not rush. As long as I can live to see the day you take power, I will be satisfied."

The next second, violent coughing echoed through the office.

Several pieces of white tissue stained with blood soon appeared in the tidy wastebasket.

"It's over? The Li Family compromised?"

Three days later, when Ronan learned from the young butler that the Earl had lifted his order restricting Ronan's outings, he could not help but feel surprised.

The Su Family's young lady's prediction had been so accurate that Ronan could not help but regard her in a new light.

The young butler smiled gently.

"That is probably how matters among nobles go. I do not know the specifics either. In any case, Young Master Ronan and Miss Wei Wei may now travel freely. However, the master has assigned new personal bodyguards to both of you. They are all elites from the White Dove Company. They will accompany you to Azure Ring Island."

"The admission notice from Bo Ning Secondary Academy will explain the specifics in detail. Classes will likely begin in about a week. Oh, right. Miss Wei Wei is planning to hold a party tonight to celebrate, and she has invited you as well."

"After all, you are family."

The young butler's smile became exceedingly suggestive at those final words.

Ronan was speechless. That girl would not keep messing with me, would she?

Should I take the chance when we meet tonight to make things clear?

As long as she knows I have no interest in her at all, it should be fine, right?

That was what Ronan thought.

Night soon fell.

Yi Lin Manor was brightly lit, and laughter drifted in waves from one of the annexes.

The party celebrating Miss Wei Wei's recovery from her serious illness slowly began.

Early update. Xinghe is competing for the new book rankings and is currently in tenth place. Every favorite, recommendation, and click matters if it is to move forward. I hope everyone will continue to support it! The real show is about to begin...