Chapter 840: Conflict Of Interests
“Lately, Charles has been showing signs of a breakthrough, and he is focusing on learning and practicing magic. Hence, he will not be attending this gathering. Let’s talk about the Tower of Dusk. President Mogadi, don’t you want that land that produces the Serum Grass anymore?” Joseph asked with his brows slightly raised. However, his calm words struck a sour note within Mogadi, the president of the Blood Moon Clan, and instantly left him speechless. Joseph continued, “Even if the Glittergold Trade Union supports him, will they really give it their all? Will they really do their best? In my opinion, the Glittergold Trade Union is probably greedier than we are.”
The core members of the Blood Moon Clan all had mixed bloodlines like Mogadi. In addition to those who were hybrids of wyrms and humans, there were also some who were hybrids of High Elves and humans, as well as prehistoric magical beasts and humans. However, at the same time that the mixed bloodline brought them great strength, it brought about endless pain and agony for them.
When they were still in the Blood Moon Clan regiment, there were special potions formulated by the High Elves to help them suppress the pain. However, after the fall of the High Elves, there were no longer such special potions. Many of the members of the Blood Moon Clan who escaped the catastrophe even committed suicide because they couldn’t bear the pain.
It was not until later that the Blood Moon Clan unearthed a High Elven relic and obtained the formula of that special potion, which helped to resolve the issue. Through the research of the formula of the potion, they also discovered that the potion played a vital role in mixing bloodlines and genes. But, it required a dosage that was more than 100 times higher in order to suppress the pain.
However, the most important herb of the formula was the Serum Grass which required an extremely harsh environment for growth. The Serum Grass that the Blood Moon Clan could obtain through various channels was not enough for the formulation of the pain-suppressing potions, let alone to create new members of mixed bloodlines. In the vast Breezy Plains, the place that had an environment that was the most suitable for the growth of Serum Grass was a swamp to the west of Garland. However, the swamp belonged to the Tower of Dusk.
Actually, if it had just been a swamp where Serum Grass grew, the Blood Moon Clan would have first thought of asking for it directly from the Tower of Dusk. After all, Serum Grass might be precious, but it was not of much use to pharmacists. However, the problem was that wherever Serum Grass grew, there would inevitably be a large number of magical metal ores, which were something that the Tower of Dusk definitely wouldn’t give up. At the same time, the Blood Moon Clan couldn’t afford it, either.
“You mean… the Glittergold Trade Union wants to swallow the entire Tower of Dusk and encroach on its land?” Claus asked in slight disbelief.
Upon hearing his words, Mogadi remained silent. If the swamp were to fall in the hands of the Glittergold Trade Union, there would be no difference between that and the Tower of Dusk having the ownership of the swamp. The greatest difference was that the Blood Moon Clan would have a tougher time obtaining the swamp.
“It’s not like you guys haven’t seen Hoffman, that cunning fatty. When he smiles at you, it means that he has already cut off a piece of your flesh. Think about it carefully, how could the Glittergold Trade Union give the Tower of Dusk money for nothing? If the Tower of Dusk ends up failing to repay the loan, they would have to…” Joseph sneered as if the Tower of Dusk had really fallen into the hands of the Glittergold Trade Union.
Joseph’s words undeniably made some sense. If the Glittergold Trade Union were to end up encroaching on the Tower of Dusk, their plans would end up in vain as they would just be paving the way for others. At the thought of this, Mogadi and Claus nodded unanimously, and agreed to Joseph’s invitation.
“The Mithril Alliance has sent me an invitation?” Lin Li suddenly received an invitation from the Mithril Alliance as the date set by the Ashen Warlock got closer. Although Lin Li had not interacted with any other forces except Hoffman, whom he chatted with from time to time, in the past two days, he knew that the Mithril Alliance was the root of the recent boycott that the Tower of Dusk had been facing.
In a room which was arranged like a conference room, Lin Li saw Joseph, whom he had met once. Joseph was the only one in the room, and the two greatest allies of the Mithril Alliance, the Blood Moon Clan and the Caesar Family, did not send their representatives.
“President Felic, please have a seat,” Joseph said while remaining seated and pointing at the seat opposite him with an expressionless face.
Lin Li walked over indifferently, pulled the chair out, and took a seat. He then leaned back nonchalantly while staring at Joseph who was opposite him with a look of derision in his eyes. However, Joseph did not seem to have the intention to speak.
Joseph and Lin Li looked at each other for a while, and the former finally couldn’t endure it anymore. “President Felic, let’s put aside everything that happened two days ago. This time, I invited you here because I want to discuss with you the Tower of Dusk.”
“I’m sorry, but did I hear you wrongly? Even the Supreme Council has given the Tower of Dusk absolute autonomy. Hence, it seems that you’re in no place to meddle with the affairs of the Tower of Dusk,” Lin Li said mockingly.
A sullen gaze formed in Joseph’s eyes, but he didn’t lose his temper. Instead, he shook his head slightly, and said, “If it’s just the internal affairs of the Tower of Dusk, we naturally have no right to interfere, but now it concerns the interests of the Breezy Plains. As the representatives of the various forces of the Breezy Plains, we, the Mithril Alliance, can’t sit back and do nothing.”
“Okay, I will hear what advice you have for me,” Lin Li said with folded arms. He leaned back against the chair with a relaxed expression on his face as if he were waiting to watch a show.
“The development of the Tower of Dusk in the past two years was indeed amazing. If the Tower of Dusk hadn’t been in the Breezy Plains, we might have been able to become partners,” Joseph said with admiration, but his tone soon changed. He austerely continued, “However, this is the Breezy Plains, and the development of the Tower of Dusk has already affected the peace that has been maintained for thousands of years in the Breezy Plains. I’m afraid you can’t deny that the Tower of Dusk was built on the corpses of other forces, President Felic.”
“The survival of the fittest is a natural law. Life and death is a natural process of life, and there would be a rise and fall for every force and authority. Even the prosperous High Elves Dynasty was overthrown. As the leader of the Mithril Alliance, you probably don’t need me to teach you that logic, do you, Mr. Joseph?” Lin Li retorted in a hostile manner. Although he knew that Joseph was just trying to find a reason to bring up the topic of his agenda, Lin Li decided to play along.
“Yes, the survival of the fittest is indeed the perpetual law of nature in this world,” Joseph said while clenching his fists which were tucked in his sleeves. However, he did not show much emotion on his face. First he nodded in agreement, and then continued, “However, President Felic, you must not forget that in the Breezy Plains, there is a hierarchy above the laws of nature, and that is the will of the Ashen Warlock. The rapid development of the Tower of Dusk has broken the peace that the Breezy Plains has enjoyed for thousands of years, which is exactly against the will of the Ashen Warlock. I reckon you probably don’t need me to tell you the fate that those who go against the will of the Ashen Warlock will suffer. You should have heard it. This time, the Tower of Dusk may have been invited by the Ashen Warlock, but do you really think you can stand up to us?”
“Oh, in that case, why do you think the Ashen Warlock invited me, Mr. Joseph?” Lin Li questioned, pretending to be worried. However, he was actually amused. Obviously, Joseph had no choice but to reveal his agenda even though he made himself out to be so high-sounding at the start.
“Since you’ve already guessed it, why bother making me state things explicitly, President Felic? However, there is still some room for compromise,” said Joseph, who felt a little confused after seeing Lin Li’s expression. He felt that Lin Li seemed to behave differently from the rumors. However, after thinking about how terrifying the Ashen Warlock was, and the fear that he felt towards him, Joseph reckoned that no matter how bold and brazen Lin LI was, he would definitely feel some fear.
“Is there?” Lin Li continued to keep up his pretense while revealing some nervousness and anticipation on his face. He began to sit up, and stopped leaning against the chair as well.
“That would depend on your choice. Will you choose your own life, or the Tower of Dusk that will bring you big trouble? If you are willing to give up the Tower of Dusk, the Mithril Alliance will give you a hand when you’re facing the Ashen Warlock.” Joseph initially wanted to say that he could let Lin Li join the Mithril Alliance, but he was worried that he could not control Lin Li, and would end up imposing a threat on themselves.
“Do you mean that you want me to give up the Tower of Dusk and give it to the Mithril Alliance? Haha, unfortunately, you can’t sink your teeth into the Tower of Dusk even though you have a huge appetite,” Lin Li said as he leaned back against the chair again. He no longer appeared nervous, and was looking at Joseph with contempt.
Despite knowing that he had been tricked, Joseph didn’t get angry. Instead, he sneered and said, “It seems that President Felic has already made a choice. It’s such a shame. With your talents, I’m afraid you can achieve huge accomplishments wherever you go. However, the Breezy Plains is not for you.”
“It’s not for you to decide whether it’s suitable or not. However, I’m a little curious. I heard that the Mithril Alliance, the Blood Moon Clan, and the Caesar Family are allied, but you asked to meet me alone. Mr. Joseph, aren’t you afraid of letting them find out?” asked Lin Li who began meditating because he had lost interest in the discussion.
“You don’t have to worry about this, President Felic. I believe you will receive their invitation soon, but I think I already have the answer to the outcome of their invitation,” Joseph said as he remained seated with a straight face, not intending to see Lin Li off at all.
Just as Joseph mentioned, Lin Li indeed received the invitation from the Blood Moon Clan shortly after he returned to his room. Actually, the Blood Moon Clan was not as greedy as the Mithril Alliance, but their appetite definitely wasn’t small. The Blood Moon Clan was planning to ask the Tower of Dusk to vacate the swamp in the west of Garland in exchange for their promise to never unite with the Mithril Alliance to go against the Tower of Dusk in the future.