Assassin

Zhang Fan abruptly turned around and found a robot roughly two meters tall, dressed like a gentleman in an aristocrat's formal attire, looking him up and down.

That gaze made Zhang Fan uncomfortable, like a hunter studying his prey. Boss Jin hurriedly introduced him. "This is Lord Madoc, ruler of Mokra World in the Eastern Universe."

The moment Zhang Fan heard he was from the Eastern Universe, he knew this was a future enemy... but...

Zhang Fan smiled. "I hope you weren't trying to provoke me, Lord Madoc."

"Not at all. I simply wanted to discuss business with the Overlord, nothing more!"

"Then that's easy enough. Shall we go upstairs to talk?"

Princess Domina shouted, "No, I'm joining you! I met the Insect Race's Overlord first!"

Domina directed the {Golden Parasitic Tick} to climb straight onto Zhang Fan's shoulder. This startled him. Without any order from him, the {Golden Parasitic Tick} had actually obeyed Princess Domina, who looked no bigger than a grain of rice.

Zhang Fan immediately linked his consciousness to the {Golden Parasitic Tick}. After examining it, he discovered that Domina was controlling it with powerful Mental Power. That Mental Power was extraordinarily strong...

Princess Domina smiled at Zhang Fan. "Overlord, I'm very fond of your Bio-Ships. I'd like to order a hundred {Emperors}. Whatever you need in return, just name it."

Zhang Fan was just about to speak when Boss Jin interrupted. "Everyone, this is the VIP seating area. Let's go inside to discuss this."

Boss Jin gave Zhang Fan a seemingly casual look, his expression practically announcing that the middleman wanted his cut. Zhang Fan immediately understood and told Princess Domina, "My apologies, Your Highness. We've given Little Jin full authority to represent us in business, so this isn't something I can decide."

Madoc remarked sarcastically from the side, "Boss Jin, you've struck gold. Congratulations. Let's discuss the details of our purchases in a moment, too."

Boss Jin was somewhat surprised himself. He had only wanted to pocket a referral fee, never expecting the Overlord to announce outright that he had become the Insect Race's agent. The profits he could make from that...

"Please, come inside first, Lord Madoc. The Overlord has simply been kind enough to favor me. I'll certainly offer both you and Princess Domina a reasonable price."

They entered the VIP room, and Princess Domina rode the {Golden Parasitic Tick} onto a pillar between Madoc and Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan had thought the golden pillar was a decoration, something like a floor lamp. He had never expected it to be a magnification device prepared specifically for Princess Domina.

An enormous holographic projection of Domina appeared in the room. Dressed in splendid attire, Princess Domina possessed an unusual beauty. Zhang Fan joked, "My eyes can finally take a break."

"Hahaha, you really do have a sense of humor, Overlord. By the way, have you sent any warriors to compete in this tournament?"

"Just a mischievous little thing. I'm letting her get some practice."

Princess Domina glanced at the match listings on the screen and exclaimed, "You two really were destined to meet. Nona of the Insect Race versus Mokra Surikal, right in the first round."

Zhang Fan and Madoc exchanged smiles, but neither spoke. Both wanted to see what the other was capable of.

After Boss Jin left the VIP room, several attendants brought in platters of strange-looking things that resembled fruit. Zhang Fan noticed that one, which looked like a dragon fruit, had a moving eye.

Zhang Fan met the fruit's gaze, and its eye actually closed on its own.

As ever, curiosity got the better of Zhang Fan. He probed it with his consciousness and discovered that the thing was actually conscious, with a faint trace of murderous intent.

Zhang Fan suddenly communicated with it through his consciousness. "What are you?"

The fruit's eye suddenly opened and stared at Zhang Fan. "You can see me?"

"With that huge eye bulging out, it would be hard not to."

"Since you've spotted me, could you stay out of this? My only target is Madoc."

The tone was complicated, carrying a hint of threat, a little helplessness, and even a trace of pleading.

"Oh, sure! I'll stand farther away." Acting as though he had seen nothing, Zhang Fan walked over to Princess Domina's side with perfect nonchalance.

"Princess Domina, forgive my asking, but aren't our Insect Race's {Emperors} a little too large for you?"

Even Zhang Fan thought the {Emperor} was huge. With Princess Domina being the size of a grain of rice, he could hardly imagine how many of her people a single {Emperor} could hold.

Princess Domina smiled. "Overlord, in the universe, strength cannot be judged by size. Ten Krami can control a single {Emperor}..."

"Oh, only ten? A creature like the {Emperor} has quite a strong rebellious streak. Is it easy to control?"

Zhang Fan was deliberately probing her. This was his first encounter with someone who could control Insect Race creatures. If their mental power exceeded the Insect Race's Overlord consciousness, that would be a serious problem.

"It's manageable. These creatures are fairly obedient, much easier to control than the Domoras Beasts we used before."

"That's good. I also have creatures from several star systems for you to choose from, Princess Domina. I'd like to invite you to visit the Asha Star System in the Western Universe."

"I'd love to... but it will have to wait a little longer. I still have some personal matters to attend to. Once this busy period is over, I'll certainly pay you a visit, Overlord."

Zhang Fan bowed. "Then I look forward to welcoming you, Princess."

"Hehehe... you truly are gracious, Overlord. Powerful figures as courteous as you are rare in the universe."

Zhang Fan suddenly sensed a surge of murderous intent. A white figure flashed past his eyes, charging straight toward Madoc.

A cold gleam flashed, and Madoc's mechanical head dropped to the floor. Princess Domina cried out in fury, "Who dares assassinate Lord Madoc in the VIP room?"

Madoc's head laughed from the floor. "Just a fool with a death wish. Apologies for the embarrassing spectacle."

Zhang Fan watched every move Madoc and the white-clad assassin made. The assassin showed no intention of stopping, drawing an Energy Sword from his waist and chopping Madoc's body into pieces in the blink of an eye...

Zhang Fan suddenly felt a cold hand settle on his shoulder. He instinctively looked back and found Madoc standing beside him, completely intact.

Madoc stared at Zhang Fan and asked with a smile, "Do you like my little trick, Overlord?"

"Robots can transfer their consciousness through data. How many spare bodies have you prepared for yourself, Lord Madoc?"

Madoc seemed utterly unconcerned by the white-clad assassin glaring at him. He continued chatting cheerfully with Zhang Fan. "Aren't you and I the same? However many you have, Overlord, I have just as many."

"Hahaha, surely you don't intend to keep taking a beating, Lord Madoc?"

"It's fine. Let him play a little longer. Or would you care to deal with him for me, Overlord?"

"Not interested."

"I'll pay!"

"I don't need money!"

"Sigh..."

Madoc's voice was still echoing in Zhang Fan's ears when he had already seized the white-clad assassin by the throat. The assassin instantly crumpled to the floor.

Boss Jin rushed in with a squad of trade guards. Seeing all three of them unharmed, he let out a long sigh of relief. "That scared me half to death. Thank goodness all three of you are safe."

Madoc smiled and patted Boss Jin's broad shoulder. "Boss Jin, your Trading Company's security measures could use some improvement."

"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right, Lord Madoc. We'll certainly be more careful."

Boss Jin waved his hand, and the Trading Company's guards immediately hauled the white-clad assassin away.

Zhang Fan told Boss Jin through his consciousness, "I want this man!"

Without betraying anything, Boss Jin told the Trading Company's guards, "Don't let this man disrupt the tournament. Lock him up for now, and deal with him after it's over."

Madoc gave Zhang Fan a strange look. "Overlord, let's watch the matches. It happens to be our people's turn to face each other."