Twisted Dreams-Chapter 277 - 344: Negotiation

At noon, in the Imperial Capital, a certain neighborhood.

The neighborhood looks unremarkable, a very ordinary residential building.

However, it's very clean and tidy.

If you look closely, you'll find this neighborhood a bit peculiar.

There are quite a few elders in the neighborhood fanning themselves under the trees to cool off and chat leisurely.

There are very few young people here, almost none to be seen.

Occasionally, a nice Audi drives into the neighborhood, parking under a particular building, and a person dressed in a business suit walks towards the building.

When those people see the elders cooling off, a look of reverence appears in their eyes, and they nod humbly in acknowledgment.

The perspective shifts to the entrance of the neighborhood.

Surprisingly, it's not a security booth but a security office at the entrance.

The difference between a security booth and a security office is significant.

The security booth has guards with plastic batons, while the security office has armed sheriffs.

An elder carrying a basket of groceries walks into the neighborhood, and the sheriff at the security office quickly salutes.

The elder waves his hand to indicate acknowledgment and walks towards a certain building.

An elderly lady chatting leisurely strikes up a conversation with the elder:

"Oh, Xiaohu, you've bought so many groceries. Is your kid back?"

The elder chuckled and replied:

"No, there's a guest tonight."

The elder's name is He Jingguo, the Director of the Security Administration.

The old lady clicked her tongue and said:

"Look at that, the bigger the official, the stingier. It's better to go out to a restaurant."

Elder He laughed awkwardly and said with concern:

"The weather is getting cooler, you must take care of your health."

After saying this, he stepped towards the building upstairs.

...

In the Imperial Capital, there are four great families: He, Zhang, Liu, and Xie.

Elder He's home is only over a hundred square meters, which is like a tiny dwelling compared to the other three families.

However, none of the other three families would dare to say Elder He's home is shabby.

Most of the elders in this neighborhood are retired, but almost each one of them was a famous figure in Xia Country before retirement.

Elder He entered the house, carrying the basket of groceries into the kitchen, and began to busy himself there.

Frying, stir-frying, all sorts of cooking, he's proficient in everything.

'Ring ring ring...'

The phone rang.

Elder He picked up the phone:

"Hello, dear, have you arrived?"

The elderly lady on the other end replied discontentedly:

"I just got off the plane, my old bones are about to fall apart!

Luckily, Xiaosun knows how to take care of people, otherwise, I would have been half dead."

Xiaosun is Elder He's personal guard.

Elder He apologetically said:

"Oh dear, it was all too sudden, it's all because of work."

The elderly lady on the other end complained:

"Who invites guests without saying so at least a day in advance, making things so rushed?

I'm not even sure what kind of guest is so important it forces me to leave.

I've been married to you for so many years, and I haven't enjoyed a day of blessing, only endured hardships!"

'Knock knock knock.'

At this point, there was a knocking sound at the door.

Elder He's face changed, and he said in a low voice:

"The guest is here, let's talk later."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, then a gentle:

"Old He, be careful."

Elder He hung up the phone, picked up the dishes, and placed them on the table.

'Knock knock knock.'

The knocking continued.

After placing all the dishes on the table, Elder He glanced at his phone, then put it down.

'Knock knock knock.'

The knocking continued.

The person inside wasn't in a hurry to open the door, nor was the person outside in a hurry to come in.

The knocking went on for a long time, and Elder He took off his apron, walked to the door, and opened it.

Standing outside was a long-haired young man in black.

Elder He smiled broadly and clasped his fists:

"Black Emperor, long time no see, please come in."

Elder He's guest was Crow.

Crow gazed at Elder He.

He symbolically clasped his fists, giving Elder He a bit of respect.

Crow walked into the room, examining the decor inside.

Not as good as Li Yang's current home, but much better than Li Yang's old rental apartment.

"I don't know what Mr. Black Emperor likes to eat, I've prepared some simple meals, please take a seat."

Elder He gestured for Crow to sit down.

He didn't address him as 'Your Majesty,' a mere 'Mr.' indicating he wasn't afraid of this top Extraordinary Creature.

Crow slowly sat down on a chair and said:

"Did you know I was coming?"

Elder He said slowly:

"Didn't Mr. Black Emperor's visit to Mang Mountain Special Prison today mean you wanted to see me?"

Crow chuckled softly, acknowledging Elder He's words.

For Crow to come looking for Elder He so abruptly could have been seen as a provocation to the Security Administration.

So, he went to Mang Mountain first, informing the Security Administration of his arrival.

To let Elder He prepare adequately, maybe arrange some experts around him, to avoid a sudden visit giving Elder He a sense of crisis.

If Li Yang were here, he would definitely feel gratified.

The once reckless Crow had finally become a true emperor.

He had learned to assess the situation, to weigh options, and had developed a soft spot.

However, Crow hadn't expected that Elder He was there alone, with none of the senior administrators present.

Elder He walked to the wine cabinet, took out a bottle of well-preserved good wine:

"Would you like a drink?"

Crow's clothes and hair moved without wind.

The Demon Snake slowly emerged, with its upper body hovering beside Elder He.

Its sharp vertical pupils stared at Elder He with a sense of danger.

The terrifying demonic qi surged wantonly within the room.

Under this dreadful demonic aura, ordinary people would likely be too frightened to stand straight.

Despite being an ordinary person, Elder He remained calm, steadily watching Crow.

The demeanor of the Security Administration Director was indeed admirable.

Crow raised an eyebrow:

"Aren't you afraid of death?"

Elder He shook his head:

"I am not important."

A murderous intent covered Crow's face, and he said ominously:

"Then, aren't you afraid of the people in this district dying?"

Elder He laughed:

"The people in this district are not simple.

If anything happens to me or anyone in this district today, tomorrow Peach Mountain will be razed to the ground.

Mr. Black Emperor, there is no need to threaten an old man. Let's have a good talk about the matters between the Demon Race and humans."

Crow stared seriously at Elder He.

The demon snake dissipated, and the terrifying pressure in the room vanished.

Crow said:

"Humans should not disturb the Demon Race anymore, or you and the people in this district will die."

Crow expressed his stance first.

Elder He nodded, agreeing with Crow's words.

Sitting in his chair, he expressed his own stance:

"The Demon Race shall not harm people, even if someone accidentally enters Changbai Mountain."

Crow said:

"Release Ye Fan."

Elder He nodded:

"Okay."

Elder He poured Crow a glass of wine and continued:

"I have already investigated the reason for Ye Fan killing someone in broad daylight in Bai Mountain City. I can release Ye Fan, but he must join the Security Administration."

Crow furrowed his brow:

"Humans intruded into Peach Mountain, breaking the peace treaty.

This matter has not yet been explained to this king, and you intend for this king's prince to serve you?"

Elder He apologized:

"That matter has also been investigated.

Xie Qilin incited the Talisman Sect to invade Peach Mountain.

That incident was indeed a fault of the Security Administration.

The Talisman Sect disciples involved in that matter are either dead or imprisoned.

Xie Qilin has paid a significant price for it and is currently working for the Security Administration."

Crow sneered:

"I want Xie Qilin dead."

Elder He sighed:

"I cannot do that."

Crow studied Elder He amusingly:

"Your heart is not sincere, it looks like you're not willing to talk properly."

Elder He raised his wine glass and drank it in one go, as if swallowing bitterness:

"Of course, I want to talk properly; otherwise, why would I meet Mr. Black Emperor at the risk of my life? It's just...."

Crow asked:

"Just what?"

Elder He smiled bitterly:

"Though I am the director of the Security Administration, there are often things beyond my control.

This Security Administration is not under my sole authority; I cannot act at will."

Crow was taken aback.

Things beyond one's control?

Cannot act at will?

Crow had a lot of similar concerns now too.

Elder He looked sincerely at Crow, saying:

"To prevent undesirable events like last time, I earnestly request Ye Fan to join the Security Administration.

With Ye Fan in the Security Administration, he can serve as a bridge for communication between the Demon Race and the Security Administration.

What the Demon Race and the Security Administration lack most is communication.

What happened in the past cannot be changed.

Let's focus on the future, and ensure such incidents do not occur again.

I truly want to cooperate with the Demon Race."

Crow carefully observed Elder He's aged face, trying to detect any signs of deceit.

He couldn't tell whether Elder He was just a very good actor or if Crow himself was too inexperienced, but he found nothing.

Elder He's words actually moved Crow.

One is a representative of the human Extraordinary Realm, and the other is an emperor of the Demon Race.

Neither was fighting for themselves but rather seeking peace on behalf of their respective groups.

Crow asked:

"Isn't there a saying, 'Those not of our race are sure to have different intentions'?

I thought you would do everything to strip and exploit the Demon Race."

Elder He poured himself another glass of wine and spoke from the heart:

"The Xia Country boasts a heritage of five thousand years, and there have always been legends of the Demon Race.

[White Snake], [Journey to the West], those stories are widely loved.

Many humans have fantasies about 'demons,' and those fantasies are not simply rooted in fear.

Whether human or demon, we all live on the land of Xia Country; we should be friends, perhaps even family."

Crow was slightly moved:

"And so?"

Elder He said solemnly:

"Now there are also some abnormal incidents of Spiritual Energy Revival abroad.

In the future, Spiritual Energy Revival will only become more intense.

I believe that Xia Country will face many challenges in the future.

I hope humans and the Demon Race can coexist peacefully and jointly guard against future crises.

Because we all live on this land."

.....

PS: Another day of IV drips, driving me crazy.