Chapter 169: Stone carvings to mend the sky! Wade into muddy waters!
Inside the hotel lobby, two factions faced off, an invisible killing intent almost igniting the air, a bloody battle seemingly moments away.
It was at this moment that the sudden arrival of the Sage Council forcefully applied the brakes to the situation that was about to spiral out of control.
The youthful Lu Yinghua cast a sidelong glance at the scruffy Amasu Touma, his gaze sweeping over the newly arrived Arthur and his two companions, finally lingering on Alice and Erica.
He let out a cold snort, cupped his fist in a gesture of greeting to Arthur and the others, and then led his people away without any hesitation.
The members of the Committee for the Compilation of True History, led by Amasu Touma, bowed in unison, their attitude extremely respectful.
"It has been too long since we last greeted you, Princess Alice, Miss Erica. And this gentleman is…?"
Before the two beside him could introduce, Arthur stepped forward, his calm gaze carrying an indiscernible, seemingly benevolent air.
"I am from the Eastern European Magus Association, Arthur. Just call me Arthur."
"We are currently preparing a joint exploration with the Red Cross and the Sage Council. If you have something to say, sir, please speak directly."
The scruffy Amasu Touma's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, his shrewd gaze sweeping over the three of them.
He possessed a delicate mind, completely unlike his rough exterior, and with just one glance, he could tell that among the three, the man named Arthur was the leader.
How could this be?
The genius knight of the Red Cross of Italy, the former chairman of the Sage Council of England.
Would these two jewels, famous throughout Europe, willingly defer to someone else just for a mere exploration plan?
Countless thoughts churned in Amasu Touma's mind, but Arthur had already spoken, his voice steady and directly to the point.
"Mr. Amasu and Young Master Lu, why are you arguing?"
"This is a foreign land, and a mutual aid society where various forces gather. To fight here is not a wise move."
Amasu Touma suddenly came back to his senses, raising a hand to push up his glasses, concealing the glint in his eyes, a frivolous smile playing on his lips.
"It seems, Mr. Arthur, that you haven't done your homework on the collection provided by the UAE this time?"
Arthur nodded slightly: "The joint exploration plan has occupied all our energy. Our pace in attending the mutual aid society was indeed a bit slower than yours."
Amasu Touma did not doubt him, and led Arthur and his two companions towards the lounge area on the side of the hall, explaining leisurely.
"It's very simple. We and that Young Master Lu took a liking to the same item in the collection."
"Even though we had already settled with the seller, that young master forcefully intervened."
After they were seated, Amasu Touma proactively handed over a menu.
Arthur took it casually, and while ordering a drink, asked.
"Since the negotiation was completed, why is there still a variable? Oh, please excuse me. This is my first time attending such a mutual aid society, so I don't quite understand the rules."
Amasu Touma took a small sip of his steaming green tea and sighed helplessly.
"A normal transaction, of course, has no variables. But behind that Young Master Lu stands one of the fiercest Demon Kings."
Arthur swirled the darjeeling black tea in his cup, his eyebrows slightly raised.
"So that's it. The seller is afraid of that Demon King's notorious reputation, so he plans to tear up the deal."
Amasu Touma put down his teacup, the wrinkles on his forehead forming a 'Sichuan' character, sighing with emotion.
"All conflicts in the world, in the final analysis, are nothing more than the whim of a Godslayers."
"Although the Committee for the Compilation of True History is not afraid of the Lu family, that Demon King…"
Arthur also put down his teacup, exchanged glances with Alice and Erica, and fell into a brief silence.
Amasu Touma gestured for the waiter to refill the cup, but Arthur stopped him with a raised hand.
His voice was low and firm: "You and I both know that no one can grasp the thoughts of a Godslayers King."
"If you want our three families to help pressure the Lu family, at least let us see the value of that item."
Amasu Touma lowered his head, a flicker of struggle in his eyes, but ultimately, he took out a palm-sized jade box from the inner lining of his jacket.
"Aside from the seller, who couldn't withstand the pressure and revealed it to the Lu family, no one else knows this item has already been traded. I hope you will keep it confidential."
He solemnly opened the jade box, revealing a grayish-white, finely carved stone fragment wrapped in velvet.
In the perception of Arthur and his two companions, this stone carving contained not a single trace of curse power, as ordinary as a common roadside pebble.
Erica quickly flipped through the Information Booklet (data booklet) in her hand and soon found the description of this item.
"The patching heaven stone carving, the earliest essence of the earth appearing in Eastern mythology, is a symbolic divine artifact held by the Mother of All Things to save the world."
'patching heaven stone carving… Is it another divine artifact related to the Earth Mother Goddess?'
Thoughts raced through Arthur's mind, but he responded calmly, without a change in expression.
"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Amasu. The matter with the Lu family involves a Godslayers, and it is of great importance. We will give you our answer at the banquet."
Amasu Touma nodded with a solemn expression, and after a brief chat, he stood up to take his leave.
Presumably, he still had to visit other Magus associations to seek more allies.
Once Amasu Touma's figure had completely disappeared, Alice and Erica immediately leaned in, their eyes filled with doubt.
"King, the reason you were willing to speak in detail with them is because you suspect Marquis Vauban will also be interested in this patching heaven stone carving?"
"That is one reason."
Arthur gently inhaled the aroma of the darjeeling tea, explaining unhurriedly.
"As everyone knows, Godslayerss are a group of dangerous individuals who act recklessly."
"Marquis Vauban and Patriarch Luo Hao have had a long-standing feud. If he can conveniently snatch something the other party desires before a Godslaying, why wouldn't he?"
"Secondly—"
Arthur casually flipped through the introduction booklet Erica handed him. Sure enough, among all the divine artifacts on display, only this one was related to the Earth Mother Goddess.
"From the Gorgon Stone, to the hera column, and now this patching heaven stone carving…"
"I have a premonition that this time, I will definitely grasp that crucial clue."
…
Night fell, and deep blue replaced the daylight.
In the banquet hall, crystal chandeliers shone brightly, weaving a dreamlike curtain of light.
Magus of varied attire clinked glasses, softly exchanging the latest research findings, or vigorously debating while bartering in corners.
Soothing classical music flowed through the hall, barely covering the noisy human voices.
Arthur carried a plate, moving among the dazzling array of delicacies, following the instructions of the Fu Fu on his shoulder, choosing its favorite dishes.
Just then, Erica, who had been closely monitoring the entire situation, approached with elegant steps, leaning in to whisper in his ear.
"King, tonight's mutual aid society is nearing its end."
"The Committee for the Compilation of True History has also contacted several Magus associations in Southeast Asia. It seems as soon as the banquet ends, they will challenge the Lu family."
Arthur, who was carefully savoring the lobster meat, paused in his actions, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"The banquet hasn't even reached its halfway point, but the mutual aid society is already over?"
Erica pursed her lips and chuckled, using a fork to offer Fu Fu a piece of shrimp meat with butter and lemon juice.
"It seems the King is not yet fully familiar with the Magus' way of trading. Here, efficiency is paramount; there are no convoluted ways of the mundane world."
Arthur glanced regretfully at the lobster claw, which he had only taken one bite from, then picked up the Fu Fu, still feasting on the plate, and directed his gaze towards the crowd gathering in the center of the hall.
"Very well, since we've caught up, we'll also get involved in this feud between the Lu family and the Committee for the Compilation of True History."