"May I ask you a few questions?"
"Save the closer one, haven't eaten, loved—cough, cough. Ask whatever you want. I was spacing out just now."
"...Could you be honest with me? What exactly is Eastern Kingdom's attitude toward us? You know our Former Country had some unpleasant history with you."
Unpleasant was putting it mildly. Were they really lying to a blind man's face? Lu PingAn opened his eyes wide, and those sightless eyes were rather frightening.
But in the end, he shook his head.
"It's already a Former Country. Don't dwell on it."
The other party was overjoyed, thinking Lu PingAn meant it was all in the past. What Lu PingAn really meant was: talk again once you become a country once more. Besides, with Eastern Kingdom around, was there really any chance of restoring their nation?
These refugees needed to prove their worth before Eastern Kingdom would support them more. Yet the better they performed, the less Eastern Kingdom could tolerate their separation. Lu PingAn knew that some Wanjing decision-makers already regarded these remnants, assets, and deities as Eastern Kingdom's property.
What Wanjing was truly considering was how to swallow them whole, without ending up with countless Ten Shenzhou roaming the skies with refugees aboard.
They could eat more gracefully or take their time; none of that mattered. The key was to swallow everything. In particular, Sakurajima's overseas assets and connections were exactly what Eastern Kingdom needed. The Sakura Kingdom had many hidden investments across Europa, Flower Flag, and even Aus. Those resources, spies, and commercial networks that had taken time to build were gradually being taken over by Eastern Kingdom's overseas organizations.
Naturally, Lu PingAn would not say any of that. He would only speak the plain truth.
"You know, asking what 'they' think when discussing relations