Sunday shook his head at those words.
"Not at all. Sorry to have kept you waiting, Sect Master Ning."
Ning Fengzhi laughed, a shrewd gleam flashing through his eyes. He spoke to Xue Qinghe and Sunday as though bringing it up casually.
"By the way, what did His Holiness the Pope want to discuss with you, Qinghe?
"Could it be closer cooperation with the Heaven Dou Empire?"
The moment Xue Qinghe heard that, he knew Ning Fengzhi was probing him and had already grown suspicious.
Unless he found an excuse to pull the wool over Ning Fengzhi's eyes, a rift would surely form between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire.
So Xue Qinghe feigned a smile of sudden understanding and replied casually.
"Oh, you meant that, Teacher! His Holiness the Pope called us over to ask about the Soul-Guidance Factory.
"After all, the Soul-Guidance Locomotive is something that will make life easier for people across the continent. His Holiness the Pope takes it very seriously and wants us to send the first batch over once we return this time."
Hearing Xue Qinghe's rather strained excuse, Ning Fengzhi kept smiling and agreed.
"Indeed. Come to think of it, I haven't really visited the Soul-Guidance Factory since it was established.
"I'm quite at ease leaving things in your hands, Qinghe. Still, it's been so long already. What do you plan to do once the first batch is ready?"
Xue Qinghe thought for a moment before answering Ning Fengzhi.
"Most of the first batch belongs to the major suppliers and investors. Aside from those, I intend to release the remaining batch within the Heaven Dou Empire,
"then set aside some for you to transport to the Star Luo Empire, Teacher. After all, the Star Luo Empire is indispensable