Behind-the-Scenes Overlord, Prince Xuyang (Alliance Leader He Yang ysl)

(A second bonus chapter is presented in honor of Alliance Leader "Yangysl". This is the third update today.)

"Lin Wu spoke frankly and offered his highest respect to His Prince Xuyang."

After speaking, Lin Wu also sat cross-legged on the ground, but with his right hand on his chest, he bowed deeply to the "walnut".

After the ceremony was completed, the aroma of tea rose gently, and through the misty steam, the faces of the other person became faintly visible.

"Young Master Lin, the military funds you raised this year are 23% more than last year. His Highness has asked me to convey his most direct gratitude to you for your pioneering work on Landu Star. At the same time, for your safety, we are preparing to transfer the command authority of the Purple Mirror Unit to you."

Purple Mirror Unit...

One of the Royal Mech Guards of the Gador Empire...

My position within His Highness's power structure is becoming increasingly important.

A slight smile appeared on Lin An's lips as he nodded his thanks.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. The funds delivered this year amount to approximately 57.2 billion Star Coin, which have been distributed to 12,700 accounts and have flowed normally into the designated account groups. There are still approximately 16.7 billion Star Coin waiting to be deposited into the accounts."

"I have always trusted Young Master Lin's methods. His Highness once praised you as a financial genius who appears only once in a century. Thank you for your contributions to the Empire."

Lin Wu smiled, picked up the teacup, and slowly swallowed the tea with its faint fragrance.

"Please continue, sir."

"Regarding the circumstances of Fengyuan Deathsworn in battle, I hope you can report the truth." Ren Xiaowei also took a sip of tea in a simple and honest manner, but his words were not relaxed at all.

"Feng Yuan... Deadpool, I don't know about this situation either. He was just seriously injured while trying to obtain secrets." Shaking his head, Lin Wu frowned as he mentioned this.

"The Feng Yao Ritual, Dark Abyss of Death. The eight characters of outstanding talent, totaling sixty-four. The cost of training each death servant is astronomical, and this is one of His Highness's most valued forces. Now that they have quietly perished, I fear the Empire will thoroughly investigate this matter."

After finishing a cup, Ren Xiaowei showed a surprised expression, clearly enjoying the taste of the tea. He then took another sip.

Speaking of this, Lin Wu's face showed a hint of impatience and helplessness. "The Empire can investigate thoroughly. I have a clear conscience. However, the informant from the police station later informed us that no evidence was left at the scene. Fengyuan Deathsworn were probably refined in the steel furnace."

He frowned, "However, something strange is that all the metal materials in the laboratory of the Chad Metal Smelting Plant were also put into the steelmaking furnace. It is now deduced that they encountered an attack from a mysterious force. Mr. Ren is an expert in this area. Could you provide some information?"

Turning the tables on him, Lin Wu never liked being passively questioned.

Ren Xiaowei looked down at the shallow tea in his teacup, gently blew on it, and said, "As for mysterious forces, two have appeared recently."

"The first one should be the mercenary group called Hidden Peak, which suddenly rose to prominence and completed multiple missions of A level or above. It can be determined that they possess high-level combat mechs and a special fleet hidden in the Meteorite Belt, but the person in charge behind them is unknown."

"Secondly, you should have heard of the unknown force that suddenly attacked the Federation destroyer fleet some time ago. The Operations Department and Young Master Lin Senior Colonel Gang were furious. Although this force hasn't revealed itself, their methods are quite familiar. They shouldn't conflict with your objectives..."

At this point, Ren Xiaowei's face showed a strange expression.

"The Sword and Axe Mercenary Group wasn't completely wiped out... and the Federation seems unaware of this. I suspect they were secretly controlled by someone, who quietly informed Colonel Li Shen, resulting in the destruction of the Federation destroyer fleet. It seems they're merely searching for something?"

Lin Wu's hand, which was holding a teacup, hovered in front of him. He narrowed his eyes. "This style is familiar?"

"Yes, it's very much like Solomon's style: cold-blooded, domineering, cruel, and disregarding force. So if they wanted to seize some information, they would never do it so covertly; they would definitely open the Boundary Breaking Gate and take it by force."

Who could it be?

Although we obtained a lot of information from Ren Xiaowei, it now seems even more confusing.

The mercenary group's goal is likely to expand their influence, and they might be carrying out missions for information on Akabote Alloy.

So...

Is the target temporarily locked as Hidden Peak?

"I will prepare a report on the death of Fengyuan Deathsworn, so Young Master Lin need not worry. I believe His Highness will soon send you a second assassin, and this assassin will not be focused on physical combat. I hope Young Master Lin can use him wisely."

Lin An nodded. Since he couldn't get any useful information from Ren Xiaowei, he didn't need to bother anymore.

Just then, the wooden tea room door creaked open.

The two stopped talking at the same time, their eyes meeting as they looked back at each other.

"Excuse me, sir, are we running low on tea leaves? Would you like me to refill your water?"

The pure white tea ceremony attire accentuated her graceful figure.

It was obvious that the tea master was looking at Lin Wu with a tender gaze, harboring ulterior motives, and her clear eyes indicated that she was unaware of what was happening in the pavilion.

Ren Xiaowei gently put down the teacup he was holding, glanced at the woman, and smiled.

It seemed that she had seen through the Fang Xiang to get to know her, which made the girl named Min Shi even more shy, and she lowered her head.

"Thank you, beautiful lady. The tea is still full; please close the door."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir."

Min Shi blushed deeply, realizing she had indeed interrupted Mr. Lin's conversation.

Watching the tea master hurriedly retreat, Ren Xiaowei calmly picked up the tea in front of her, drank it all in one gulp, and then smiled at the heroic man opposite her.

"What's wrong, Young Master Lin? Are you a little reluctant to part with it? Do you need me to handle it for you?"

Lin Wu's gaze remained fixed on the direction Min Shi had left, as if he were lingering over something. After maintaining this state for about four or five seconds, he gently shook his head.

"It's just a lament about the tragic fate of beautiful women. Mr. Ren is too kind. How could I trouble you to come all this way on the land of Landu Star?"

Lin Wu stood up, slowly walked to the door of the tea room, gently locked the wooden door, and a cold glint slowly appeared in his eyes.

"Young Master Lin truly possesses the bearing of a tyrant."

"Please don't flatter me, Mr. Ren. It's all for the sake of the empire, for His Highness, and for my own sake," Lin Wu said frankly, without any attempt to conceal anything.

As for a ruthless and ambitious figure, he would never accept that term.

Your Highness truly possesses the bearing of a ruthless and powerful figure...

"Continuing with the third topic, regarding the recent actions of the Tang and Gaoling Family, I've heard that Young Master Lin has become involved. However, isn't his attention being focused too much on a woman?"

Ren Xiaowei slowly took a sip of tea.

Lin Wu sighed, "Mr. Ren, you really know a lot... and you even know more about everything than the people involved. I admire you. I'll explain the matter of Luoqi Heavy Industries ' little princess later. Now that those two have paved the way, why shouldn't I take advantage of it?"

Ren Xiaowei didn't ask any more questions, and smiled, "However, it seems that the beauty's heart is with someone else, and from what I've observed, that person has great potential."

"Potential? You mean that student from the Dingchuan Academy?"

"Hmm, the successor of the Thunderbolt Fighting God, his personal strength is also outstanding."

"The title is impressive, but he's just a student, and he only has a handful of resources that a commoner can control... Tsk tsk, even if the Thunderbolt Fighting God appears, I believe the Empire will only disappoint me, right, Mr. Ren?" Lin Wu's eyes were filled with laughter.

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P. S.: Many foreshadowing elements that have been buried for months will be revealed one by one in these chapters. Then wait for the climax to arrive. If I had to make an analogy... the Battle of Enies Lobby?