Completely Unfair Negotiations

After a full round of information asymmetry, Lin Yu, Paris, and Nightless Sky Huo Ming were forced into a delicate balance amidst an eerie silence.

Although Paris and Nightless Sky Huo Ming honest with each other, they both happen to be hiding something significant that cannot be exposed, so they now hold each other's weaknesses in their hands.

"This is called the 'Deterrence Era'."

Lin Yu sighed.

Although Lin Yu had no leverage to use against him during the conversation, even if Lin Yu knew that he was going to kill Arter Mercury, Paris wouldn't have any worries since he already had the Nightless Sky Family Head's approval.

However, in this three-way conversation, Lin Yu's status was already somewhat higher than the other two— Paris and Nightless Sky Huo Ming both needed his help.

Lin Yu had no need to betray their secrets.

Therefore, he became part of this balance, much like a "Notary"—if the secrets of Paris and Nightless Sky Huo Ming were like the weights on both sides of a scale, then Lin Yu was the fulcrum.

"In short, everyone is hiding less and being more open now, which is excellent," Lin Yu, who had assumed the highest status in the room, naturally replaced the host Paris, as the moderator of the conversation. "Your Excellency Nightless Sky Huo Ming, please turn a blind eye to President Paris's possession of Advanced Alchemy for now. In any case, it will soon be my Advanced Alchemy."

Then, Lin Yu leaned closer to Nightless Sky Huo Ming and said in a voice only she could hear, "Paris probably doesn't know that you plan to do it yourself, and even have a small alliance, right? The Nightless Sky Family Head told me that you are a double-edged sword prepared for Nightless Sky Huo Le... He probably still thinks that you, like him, support Nightless Sky Huo Le, right?"

Originally, Nightless Sky Huo Ming owed Lin Yu a sum of money because of Zhu Rong's matter, and now he tacitly agreed with Lin Yu's explanation.

"Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret."

"Very good."

Lin Yu nodded in satisfaction, then looked at President Paris on the other side.

"Paris ...Although Nightless Sky Huo Ming concealed from you that she was going to assassinate Arter Mercury, you now have no choice but to join the pirate ship—after all, in a sense, I am also pushing this commission forward."

"Although this matter does seem unfavorable to Lord Huo Le, believe me, it will ultimately pose no threat to you Lord Huo Le the slightest," Lin Yu said with a smile, then added, "But your private contact with Your Excellency Huo Ming ... in Lord Huo Le's view, this is not a good sign."

Admittedly, Nightless Sky Huo Ming is the one among his brothers and sisters who openly supports Nightless Sky Huo Le, and is also a clan Nightless Sky Family Head prepared for Nightless Sky Huo Le family head; while Paris is a confidant that Nightless Sky Huo Le personally won over and cultivated.

But it is precisely because of this that Paris is even more unable to contact Nightless Sky Huo Ming in private!

He could contact Sherlock, and even the Nightless Sky Huo Shu, without the problem being that serious...

The only thing that could possibly appear as "collusion" is the contact with Nightless Sky Huo Ming!

Moreover, Nightless Sky Huo Ming really did have his own ulterior motives.

Therefore, President Paris quickly reassured everyone that he understood.

"Rest assured, Lord Sherlock, I would never do something so foolish as to shoot myself in the foot—I will pretend I didn't hear what happened today, and I will fully support whatever you and Your Excellency Huo Ming do from now on."

He now understood that assassinating Royal Nobles was a matter of great importance, especially since both Nightless Sky Huo Ming and "Sherlock" were involved, making it difficult for him to extricate himself from the situation!

Instead of severing ties with these two, it would be better to offer our full support and make sure this matter is handled well.

Even Nightless Sky Huo Ming, who hadn't originally been so eager for Arter Mercury's death, was now forced to join the bandwagon.

Although Lin Yu is the fulcrum of the scales, he is not entirely impartial—he is precisely using the strange balance between the two to achieve his own goals.

Seeing the two talking, Lin Yu smiled and said, "Very good, now everyone has no objections... and the content of the commission has been revised."

"The initial request was from Paris, who asked me to bring Lady Huo Ming of the Nightless Sky Huo Ming into Fire Apricot's Retainer -of-age ceremony as my attendant, not as her own."

After all, Nightless Sky Huo Ming theoretically still in the Great Wilderness —which is also her best alibi.

"Now... I will still Your Excellency Huo Ming in, but we all know that Your Excellency Huo Ming's purpose in going in is not as simple as stealing some birthday presents for his sister," Lin Yu said calmly. "Her target is Arter Mercury —so, I hope that President Paris, you can also assist us in creating a little chaos."

"After all, although you have already provided the Advanced Alchemy, the reward is still not commensurate with the increased risks I need to take... However, considering that you were also kept in the dark by Nightless Sky Huo Ming, and that it will be difficult for you to find another reward that interests me in the short term, you might as well do something to 'reduce the difficulty'—and by the way, lend me some elite personnel as well, which will make it easier for Your Excellency Huo Ming to infiltrate."

President Paris nodded. "No problem. Although His Excellency Lord Huo Le currently has command over the Security Department, it's not impossible for us to assemble a small team from our off-duty personnel."

At this point, President Paris added, "And you can also borrow Stiller —he's currently missing from the company's records because of some issues."

Lin Yu chuckled lightly, "I know what it is, you don't need to be so vague."

President Paris was unaware that Stiller had also established a superior-subordinate relationship with Lin Yu. He thought Lin Yu was bringing up the train issue again to give him a warning, so he could only smile awkwardly.

Behind him, Stiller shook his head.

Both of my bosses are cunning, but now it seems...

Lin Yu was still the better choice.

After dealing with Paris, Lin Yu turned to Nightless Sky Huo Ming: "Send some men to create some chaos—you've already rescued Zhu Rong, don't waste that guy's talent."

Nightless Sky Huo Ming his lip. "Fine, I'll create chaos... Anyway, I wasn't entirely lying when I said I was going to steal something."

"What's the meaning?"

"The Divine Power Group will send a box of Jade Laurel leaves, and it is said that every single leaf is of the highest quality."

Lin Yu nodded. "Okay, if it works out, I'll get half of it."

"You expect to split it in half with just a few words? Even the tax office in the City That Never Sleeps doesn't charge like this!"

Nightless Sky Huo Ming was greatly shocked.

Lin Yu sneered, arms crossed. "You told Paris you were going to tell his mother about me? I bet you were just bluffing!"

"But if I said I was going to report you to your mother, saying that you, this prince guarding the frontier, harbor treacherous intentions, do you dare bet me that I'm just bluffing?"