171: 171. Greed

Bo Wang heard the movement, slowly raised his head, his face still streaked with tears, but his eyes had quickly regained their usual sharpness, though deeply embedded within that sharpness was a trace of indelible awe.

He looked at his adjutant, his voice hoarse but with an unquestionable tone of command:

"Immediately... no, right now! In my name, issue the highest directive!"

He took a deep breath and issued an order that made all his subordinates think they had misheard:

"First, unconditionally and permanently transfer all rights and interests of the Jialan Mine to... Tingfeng Mining!"

"Second, compile a list of all high-quality, proven mineral deposits within our controlled territory, and also prepare transfer agreements..."

He paused, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes, and corrected himself:

"No! Prepare the plane! I will personally go to Tingfeng Mining, to pay a... visit!"

The adjutant and soldiers were all stunned, exchanging bewildered glances.

Unconditionally giving away their most important mine? And personally going to visit? Had the Colonel's coma fried his brain?

"General... you just woke up, perhaps you should..."

"Execute the order!!!"

Bo Wang suddenly roared, his eyes erupting with his former ferocity, but the deep-seated madness sent a chill down the adjutant's spine.

"Immediately! Right now! Anyone who dares to question will be court-martialed!"

Seeing the Colonel's unquestionable gaze, the adjutant dared not say more and immediately bowed: "Yes! Colonel! I'll see to it right away!"

Inside the ward, the doctors were completely dumbfounded by this unbelievable scene.

They didn't understand why a coma with no discernible cause would make this warlord, upon waking, seem like a different person, and suddenly so concerned with... or afraid of... a certain Tingfeng Mining?

Only Bo Wang himself knew that the century-long solitary cage, that god-like figure who controlled everything, had completely conquered him. Offering everything in exchange for a promise never to return to that eternal solitude was his sole and most urgent wish at this moment.

His body was indeed fine, merely weakened from a few days of unconsciousness. As soon as he regained consciousness, Colonel Bo Wang eagerly struggled to be discharged, with an urgency as if a second's delay would be blasphemy against that "god."

He quickly gathered his adjutant and personal guards, got into his modified, bullet-scarred off-road vehicle, and sped towards the Jialan Mine.

Upon arrival, he immediately released the previously detained members of the exploration team. Not only did he not demand any ransom, but he also took a few core assistants and immediately boarded the earliest flight, flying directly to the Golden Triangle.

When the plane landed at the Golden Triangle airport, and Bo Wang stepped out of the cabin, he saw Liu Shaohui and Tie Jiang, who had been waiting for a long time.

He immediately hurried forward, made the most revered and devout blessing gesture of his tribe, and chanted in his native tongue, in a low and respectful voice: "Long live the Divine One."

Although Liu Shaohui and Tie Jiang didn't understand his native language, they clearly saw his extremely respectful, even somewhat fearful, demeanor.

Tie Jiang, expressionless, whispered to Liu Shaohui: "Sir said this person has been thoroughly handled; he can be used with confidence, no need to worry about backlash."

Liu Shaohui looked at the warlord who had dominated Fei Country and had blood on his hands, now as docile as a lamb, and the shock he felt was immense.

His first half of life had been spent in relatively regulated business fields; when had he ever encountered such a person or scene?

But the facts before him made him utterly admire Lu Feng, even feeling a hint of awe.

To be able to so thoroughly tame even a brutal warlord from Africa in such a short time – such methods were simply unfathomable!

Tie Jiang, however, was used to it; he had already witnessed many more incredible abilities of Lu Feng and merely found this to be natural.

Liu Shaohui quickly adjusted his mindset, a professional smile appearing on his face, and he gestured: "Mr. Bo Wang, you've had a long journey. Please come this way. I believe we have many details to discuss in depth regarding the cooperative development of Fei Country mines and the security arrangements for Tingfeng Mining in the area."

...Meanwhile, in the Jiangcheng University library, after arranging this 'idle move' with Bo Wang, Lu Feng no longer paid much attention.

For him, subduing an African warlord and integrating the mineral resources in his territory was merely a minor, incidental part of a larger plan, not even worth his extensive focus.

After completely dispersing the black energy bubble that had confined Bo Wang, he prepared to leave.

However, a red dream bubble silently drifted near him.

Lu Feng's heart stirred, feeling a bit curious, so he reached out and lightly touched it, instantly merging into the red bubble.

The scene before him instantly changed.

It seemed to be an interrogation room with cool lighting, simple furnishings, yet filled with a sense of oppression.

The wall was likely a one-way mirror, a metal table sat in the center, with a chair on each side.

From Lu Feng's perspective, a blonde woman in a suit sat on one side of the table. She appeared to be in her thirties, with a beautiful face but eyes as sharp as an eagle's, carrying a professional coldness and scrutiny.

Pinned to her chest was an inconspicuous badge, representing a powerful special agency of the Eagle Country... the National Intelligence Agency.

Through the one-way mirror, he could see that he was a middle-aged white man wearing glasses, looking anxious and distressed, dressed in a wrinkled academic shirt, a typical researcher's appearance.

The blonde woman leaned slightly forward, speaking in a dispassionate yet highly oppressive tone: "Dr. Mike, we are well aware of the private projects you've been conducting using university research funds, and the financial dealings between you and certain organizations you shouldn't be involved with. The evidence is conclusive, enough for you to spend the rest of your life in a federal prison."

The middle-aged man, called Mike, turned pale, his hands clasped nervously together: "I... I can explain... Ms. Louise... you..."

"Save your explanations for the judge."

"No! No, I have a pregnant wife at home, I... I can't go to jail... I can't..." Mike said in horror.

Louise coldly interrupted him, pushing a document across the table: "Now, you have an opportunity to atone for your crimes. In a week, Jiangcheng University in Xia Country will host an 'International Forum on New Energy and Materials Science Technology.' We have received reliable intelligence that Qin Tian, the chief scientist of the recently prominent Tingfeng Energy, will also attend and may disclose groundbreaking ideas for some key technologies."

She stared into Mike's eyes, saying each word distinctly: "You need to go as one of the academic delegation members we've arranged. At that time, 'technical personnel' will assist you. Your mission is to try every means possible to approach their core researchers and obtain technical details, experimental data, or even just the synthesis pathways of key materials for that new solid-state battery... any valuable information will do."

She leaned back in her chair, her tone carrying an unquestionable blend of threat and inducement: "Succeed, and your troubles will be wiped clean, and you might even receive a generous bonus. Fail... or try any tricks, and you know the consequences. This is not a request, Dr. Mike; this is your only option."

Dr. Mike slumped his head, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his whole body seemingly drained of strength, clearly undergoing intense internal struggle and fear.

Lu Feng watched this scene calmly.

Stealing technology? Reaching their hands out to me? Heh heh heh... He did know that an international forum was to be held soon, co-hosted by Tingfeng Energy and Jiangcheng University, with the aim of fully establishing the reputation of the new battery technology worldwide.

It seems that the sudden emergence of Tingfeng Energy has already attracted the greed of certain foreign powers. This international forum, soon to be held at his alma mater, will likely not be so peaceful.