104: negotiation

“The truth?”

Su Lei frowned slightly, pressing for an answer.

Elder Ye quickly changed the subject, “The blue crystal, I remember you still have a fist-sized one, right?”

Su Lei nodded lightly, “That’s right.”

“That little bit isn’t enough to support research, let alone application.”

“In short, the blue crystal in your hand is now a strategic resource.”

Elder Ye lowered his voice, “Within three days, people from the Academy of Sciences will come looking for you. Be prepared.”

Su Lei’s lips curved slightly, understanding Elder Ye’s hint.

He was not a scientist.

Whether it was the blue crystal that could open spatial rifts, or the star marrow and mysterious silver-white metal discovered this time, they couldn’t exert any effect in his hands.

It would be better to conduct a transaction with the Federation, using the most advanced scientific research institutions to transform them into tangible combat power.

“I have no objection.”

“Alright, I’ll inform Silver Owl later. Oh, by the way…”

Elder Ye suddenly remembered something, “How are things on your end? I heard that boy from the Lei Family…”

“He’s dead,” Su Lei said calmly, as if stating a trivial matter.

“You really are…” Elder Ye’s helpless shake of his head came from the communicator.

“The Martial Alliance Association won’t do much; you have a Shadow Blade designation, so they wouldn’t dare openly do anything to you.”

“But be careful of the Lei Family’s retaliation.”

...One day later.

Western Military Region Base No. 1, top floor of the Command Center building.

The heavy blast door slowly opened, and Silver Owl stepped in, followed by a middle-aged man in a dark grey uniform.

Silver Owl still wore his iconic silver mask, revealing only a pair of eyes as sharp as an eagle’s.

His aura was restrained, yet it gave off an invisible pressure, like a sharp sword hidden in its sheath.

And the five golden stars on the Federation official’s epaulets, along with the nameplate on his chest, displayed his identity.

Vice President of the Federation Academy of Sciences, and Chairman of the National Defense Science and Technology Committee, Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director.

Su Lei sat behind the desk, calmly observing the two.

Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director smiled slightly, his voice steady and strong, “I’ve long heard of Your Excellency’s great name, and seeing you today, your demeanor is indeed extraordinary.”

Su Lei calmly picked up his teacup, offering a formal pleasantry, “President Qin has traveled a long way and must be tired. Why not rest and have some tea first?”

Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director narrowed his eyes slightly; the smile on his Face did not diminish, but a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

He did not accept the tea, but instead slowly spoke, “The Lei Family incident… has caused quite a stir.”

His voice was low, carrying a hint of meaningful pressure.

“Lei Mietian has already pressured the Federation, demanding severe punishment for the culprit. The Martial Alliance Association has even spread rumors, vowing to seek justice.”

“Under such circumstances, Your Excellency can still sit here so calmly…”

—Pressuring.

—A blatant prelude to negotiation.

Su Lei set down his teacup, the bottom touching the table with a soft clink.

He slowly raised his gaze, his eyes like daggers.

“If President Qin is here to demand an explanation, then please leave.”

“The Western Military Region is busy; we cannot entertain you.”

As his words fell, he directly stood up, making a gesture to see them out.

Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director’s expression stiffened.

He hadn’t expected Su Lei to be so unyielding, showing no Face to a high-ranking Federation official!

Silver Owl stood to the side, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly beneath his mask.

He had already warned Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director that Su Lei wouldn’t fall for that approach.

Seeing that negotiations were about to break down, Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director finally dropped his haughty demeanor, sighed, and softened his tone a bit:

“Why be like this? I am here on behalf of the Federation to deal with your troubles.”

Su Lei glanced at the other party sideways, but did not respond.

Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director added another sentence.

“Of course, I also represent the Academy of Sciences to retrieve the star marrow discovered in the Kunlun Secret Realm…”

“And that blue crystal you obtained previously.”

Su Lei leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk, making a rhythmic sound.

After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, “I can hand over three pieces of star marrow.”

“As for the blue crystal, I can give you half.”

As soon as his voice fell, the safe next to him suddenly opened.

Three dark blue crystals floated and rotated, emitting a soft yet profound glow.

Another fist-sized blue crystal also flickered with strange energy ripples.

Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director’s pupils constricted slightly.

Su Lei’s voice remained steady, but carried an undeniable resolve:

“My conditions are simple.”

“First, I want a formal appointment as the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Military Region.”

Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director suddenly stood up: “That’s impossible! You are already a Shadow Blade…”

Su Lei raised his hand to interrupt, continuing:

“Second, the Federation needs to issue a public statement, demanding that the Martial Alliance Association and the Lei Family cease all actions against me.”

Silver Owl’s brows furrowed under his mask: “Su Lei, you know the Lei Family won’t truly—”

“Third,” Su Lei completely ignored their reactions, “I will provide the Materials, and you will use your most cutting-edge technology to forge a custom weapon for me.”

The air in the office seemed to freeze.

Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director’s expression was unpredictable, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk, clearly weighing the pros and cons.

Silver Owl stood to the side, his gaze flickering slightly beneath his silver mask, seemingly observing Su Lei’s reaction.

Finally, Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

“Captain Su, your conditions… are a bit too harsh.”

He shook his head, his tone firm:

“While the star marrow and blue crystal are indeed precious, the Federation cannot exchange military power and the compromise of the Martial Alliance for them.”

“At most, we can agree to the third condition—to forge a weapon for you.”

Upon hearing this, Su Lei’s eyes grew slightly cold.

“Reason?”

Silver Owl, who had been silent, explained in a deep voice.

“First, you are a member of ‘Shadow Blade’, with a special identity.”

“The Federation has never had a precedent of a secret agent simultaneously serving as a Military Region Commander, which would disrupt the balance.”

“Second, the Lei Family has controlled the Martial Alliance Association for many years, and its influence is deeply entrenched.”

“The Federation can outwardly demand them to stop, but cannot guarantee they won’t retaliate in secret.”

He paused, his gaze under the mask directly on Su Lei.

“Pushing too hard will only cause the Lei Family to completely side with the radicals, and even trigger a civil war.”

A brief silence fell in the office.

Su Lei’s fingers tapped lightly on the desk. After a moment, he looked up at Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director, his gaze as deep as an abyss.

“As for the Martial Alliance Association…”

“The Federation only needs to issue a public statement, demanding that the Martial Alliance Association cease its actions against me. As for whether they listen…”

“That will be my business.”

The last sentence carried a chilling coldness.

A chill ran down Qin Yueshan, Deputy Director’s spine, and he instantly understood Su Lei’s unspoken meaning.

The Federation only needed to go through the motions; the rest… Su Lei would resolve in his own way!

Su Lei’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“Since the Shadow Blade identity is an obstacle…”

“Then, the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Western Military Region can be held by Lin Qianqian.”

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