"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Bruce."
He released his hand and got straight to the point. "When I woke up around noon, Hardy gave me a rough account of everything. Honestly, I was surprised and skeptical at first. After all, Bert, we've dealt with each other for years, and this is the first time anything like this has happened. Naturally, I had to wonder whether you had a hand in it."
"But I soon dismissed that thought, because you, Cobert, don't have that kind of nerve. At least, not enough to try fooling me. So I accepted the story. But what did you expect me to do? I certainly wasn't going to let personal favors interfere with business."
"However, when I heard that your friend was Viscount Nameless, who took first place in the Holy Banquet's contest two days ago, I changed my mind a little. There are two reasons I, Bruce, have come this far. First, I keep business and personal matters separate. Second, I've always enjoyed befriending strong people-all kinds of strong people. Sometimes I help them, but more often, they help me. Thanks to my many friends, I haven't suffered any major losses to this day."
"Now, Nameless, I'd like to count you among my friends," he said.
His words made it clear that obtaining the medicinal herbs was practically assured. But Cobert, whose mind worked with almost foxlike cunning, caught the implication a step ahead of Zeng Mu. He wanted to say something, but swallowed the words before they left his mouth.
"Then what are your conditions, Mr. Bruce?" Zeng Mu asked.
Bruce nodded in satisfaction and cleared his throat. "Well, it's a little complicated, but also quite simple."
The two listened intently as he explained:
"Half a month ago, someone died in