In the middle cabin lounge of the [ The Radiant Feldspar ], Jade returns to the negotiating table, and the curtain rises again on the second half of the talks with Old Oti.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Oti. The talks can continue." The glint in his Jade eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hehehe, you've already come up with a plan so quickly, Ms. Jade?"
Old Oti stroked his long, snow-white beard, his gaze sweeping over the empty space beside Jade.
"Hmm... where did Ms. Topaz go?"
" Topaz has other tasks; you'll see her in a bit." Jade's tone turned cold, her sharp edge revealed. "Didn't that Intellitron who called himself a deacon of the [ Church of Eternity ] also leave? The conversation can still continue, just you and me."
"Am I imagining things, madam?" Old Oti's voice deepened. "Your tone of voice is very different from before..."
"We need to set a good example for the younger generation. Speaking recklessly in negotiations isn't a good habit, is it?"
"Now, we can speak frankly." Jade cut to the chase, leaving no room for pleasantries:
"Do you believe it, Oti? In the past ten Amber Era, you weren't the only [merchant] to have witnessed the changes in the cosmic market."
A glint of interest flashed in Old Oti's eyes. "Interesting... Heh heh heh, this is getting interesting."
"Speaking frankly and openly, that's great! What I like most is openness and transparency. Now, tell me, where are you going to go with this move?"
"Unfortunately, my habit is to checkmate first, then make my move," Jade said. "Let's get straight to the point: First, your plan is impossible. Penacony has absolutely no chance of bypassing the company's [IPO]."
Jade's eyes shone brightly as she stared directly at Old Oti:
"Secondly, you can't stop the company from entering Penacony. We have plenty of time and methods to find a suitable breakthrough, tear it apart little by little, and then fill it back in, so that the Asdana Galaxy can once again become familiar with the company's tactics."
"I now return everything you said." Jade looked at Old Oti. "To save face for you, and to avoid becoming the target of criticism in the formal talks—you'd better abandon that pipe dream plan."
"Hahahaha! Interesting, very interesting! You woman in disguise, you've got quite the nerve! I'll see what cards you're really holding today."
Jade leaned back slightly. "Don't forget, Mr. Oti, the company controls the largest propaganda platform in the interstellar space. More than half of the news networks in the entire universe are our mouthpieces."
The moment you spread the news of Penacony's IPO, trillions of users will simultaneously receive a notification like this:
"[ The Family's protection of Penacony has failed; an accident in the dream may result in permanent brain death.]"
"Guess how many ways the company could devalue Alfalfa Credits to nothing within twenty-four system hours, all with just this one piece of news, while the entire galaxy's attention is focused on Penacony?"
"As for the [ Church of Eternity ]..." Jade's lips curled into a cold smile, " Oti, let's be more direct. From the very beginning, the true [ Eternity ] has only ever stood by the company."
Old Oti took a deep breath, his chest heaving. "Do you think you can do it?"
"Otherwise what? Oti." Jade's oppressive aura was palpable. "Before that [ Dream Master ] fell, he personally expelled the [ Church of Eternity ] from Penacony. My whip is long enough to easily strangle your neck, even in Pier Point."
"But as long as you abandon that foolish IPO plan, the company promises: it will never harm the interests of you and the other family heads."
"In Asdana, we also need allies. The company can help Penacony raise funds, like the [ Church of Eternity ] did—starting with buying a 30% stake."
"With our funding, Penacony's stabilization and reconstruction will be a piece of cake."
Old Oti sneered, "30%? Who can guarantee your appetite won't keep growing?"
"Hehe, isn't that the brilliance of the whole thing?" Jade's smile carried a hint of calculation.
"The answer is: no one. No one can guarantee anything. It all depends on self-discipline and respect. At least the board of directors will consider the face of you family heads to some extent."
" Old Oti, you're a smart man. All this trouble to play this game with me is just to showcase your business acumen and secure more benefits for the Family, isn't it?"
"I also believe that the true [deacon] of the Church is secretly listening to our conversation. It's best to stop here; it's better for both of us."
"If that's not enough—another purpose of listing Penacony is simply to further expand the influence of Planet of Festivities and attract more guests to splurge."
Jade's lips curled into a confident smile. "I've also prepared a solution for your request."
Old Oti closed his eyes and pondered for a moment before giving his answer:
"Hmm... okay. I understand the company's sincerity. As the head of the Clover Family, Old Oti seems to have no reason to refuse--"
"But as a voter of [ Harmony ], I still need one last answer."
Jade nodded slightly. "Continue, I'm listening."
"When I was a child, I heard adults recite the story of the Amber Era: [ Harmony ] Xipe ascended to heaven, [ Order ] the Ena."
"In those ancient Years, [ Order ] and [ Preservation ] were so close. As a follower of the Amber Lord, why doesn't the company stand on the side of [ Order ], but instead seeks cooperation with the Family?"
Jade replied, "The answer is perhaps simpler than you think: Credits, people's most beloved thing, the only universally recognized currency of constant value in the galaxy, and the company has the ability to guarantee that it will never depreciate."
"With each new world joining the credit system, the cause of global peace is strengthened, until all foreign exchange, capital, and trade are brought under a unified monetary system."
"At that time, the development of all planets will be summarized in an account book, with clear entries; all concepts can be defined, valued, exchanged, and circulated, and at its center will be Qlipoth's [credit]."
Old Oti whispered, echoing Jade's words, "Then, the company can manipulate everything."
"We only want to establish Eternity [ Preservation ]. So you can understand that, right?"
"One universe does not need two [ Order ]."
Jade's voice, like a final verdict, echoed in the silent lounge.
"Hehehe, yes, yes! You've convinced me." Old Oti stroked his snow-white beard again.
"Now tell me, what is that [solution]? Let's see if we're thinking the same thing."
Jade nodded. "Then let's continue our previous conversation. Topaz, please invite [ Sweet Dew ] to the table."
Old Oti glanced behind him, Topaz, just in time, led Himeko, the navigator of the Astral Express, in.
" Mr. Oti, let me introduce you—this is Ms. Himeko of Astral Express, one of the future shareholders of Penacony."