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墨書 Inktalez
Shangguan Wangyu's lips curled slightly, never frivolous, exuding the aura of a true ruler. This was not a demeanor that could be feigned by someone pretending to be delicate or skilled in acting; it was the essence flowing through his veins, cultivated by years of being the leader of Huankezhao.
He slowly raised a hand, as if pressing the pause button on an ancient tape recorder, causing all sounds to vanish. The audience fell silent, their gazes fixed ahead.
"It is an honor that the distinguished figures from various fields of the Cosmos have graced Huankezhao with their presence today. On behalf of myself and the business giants such as Huankezhao and Universal Energy Corporation, as well as our newly established Large Magellanic Cloud order, I extend my sincere gratitude and heartfelt welcome to all present."
Shangguan Wangyu spoke eloquently, his demeanor graceful and elegant, infused with a youthful vigor that surpassed even the aged Secretary-General of the United Nations, captivating everyone in attendance.
As his words concluded, thunderous applause erupted once more. Many young women cast flirtatious glances, their faces flushed with excitement.
The applause continued for a moment before Shangguan Wangyu gestured for silence again. The crowd hushed, waiting for him to continue.
To everyone's surprise, Shangguan Wangyu's next words did not mention Huankezhao or the new world order but instead referred back to the earlier applause.
"There is another joyous occasion worth celebrating here today. Our young director from Express Delivery, Jufeng, has just proposed to his beautiful beloved and has happily won her heart. The applause you all gave earlier expressed enough blessings; however, in these tumultuous times, it is rare to hear such good news. I propose we once again offer our warmest applause to congratulate Feng Shao on his newfound happiness."
As soon as Shangguan Wangyu finished speaking, the crowd erupted into applause again. This time, however, the clapping carried a different meaning than before; more people were applauding out of admiration for Shangguan Wangyu's grandeur and gentleness.
Jufeng smiled slightly, one hand gently wrapped around Vera's waist while raising a glass in salute towards the distant Shangguan Wangyu, appearing as if they were long-time friends expressing their utmost respect.
"Is this flattery meant to create an 'alibi' for himself?"
Vera looked at the figure standing atop the pyramid of Large Magellanic Cloud in the distance. Unlike those infatuated girls or lovesick maidens, she was not captivated by his charm. Instead, after learning about his sordid dealings with terrorists that he dared not reveal publicly, she found him even more repulsive.
Vera knew that Shangguan Wangyu would not simply ask for applause for Jufeng, his enemy, without reason. It was clearly not just a jest; it was more of a spur-of-the-moment decision to absolve himself of guilt if Jufeng were to die tonight.
Because tonight, there would undoubtedly be a decisive confrontation between Jufeng and Shangguan Wangyu, the outcome of which remained uncertain. Those unaware of the details might interpret Shangguan Wangyu's request for applause as a sign of deep camaraderie with Jufeng. If the night concluded with Jufeng's death, no one would associate it with Shangguan Wangyu.
The establishment of a dynasty requires the support of countless individuals. If it were discovered that Shangguan Wangyu had killed the Boss of the Global Top Fifty, it would inevitably spark controversy. Should someone pursue this matter further, another figure like Jufeng could emerge, leading to complications that Shangguan Wangyu wished to avoid.
Jufeng gently caressed Vera's delicate hand and said calmly, "So what? He is certain I will die tonight, but how can I fulfill his wish? Since I will definitely survive, this performance holds no meaning."
Vera recognized that Jufeng was not one to boast recklessly; his words seemed somewhat overconfident, perhaps more for his own reassurance.
"Is it just your shoulder?" Vera asked with concern.
Jufeng lightly tapped Vera's hand twice and replied, "Don't worry. Even if I pilot a mech, I won't lose to you."
Vera was a Red-Class Mecha Pilot and had been immersed in this field longer than Jufeng. Thus, she believed his words and felt a bit more reassured.
As Jufeng and Vera whispered to each other for a moment, Shangguan Wangyu spoke about recent developments regarding the Universal Police. Naturally, Huankezhao was celebrating victories, which elicited waves of applause from the audience.
Some attendees were compelled to be there due to Huankezhao's influence, while many were steadfast supporters. The conflict between Huankezhao and the United Nations posed no threat to these wealthy merchants; rather, it brought them benefits. Although the chaos affected the economy of Cosmos somewhat, it paled in comparison to the tax savings Huankezhao provided them.
Observing the jubilant crowd, Jufeng frowned slightly. The people here represented the top ten percent of wealth in Cosmos; their cheers indicated that the remaining ninety percent were either suffering or about to suffer. The equitable distribution of wealth remained a distant dream because society could not escape nepotism or the ever-expanding greed.
"Shangguan Wangyu has satisfied their desires," he thought, "but at the cost of most people's interests. Yet most do not understand how to resist; it sounds like a tragic tale."
Vera looked at Jufeng's slightly melancholic profile, and an overwhelming sense of affection surged within her. She gently whispered in his ear, "But you are still here. They don't understand how to resist, so we will resist for them. Sooner or later, they will awaken and be grateful to you."
Jufeng smiled faintly and turned his head. "Does their gratitude really matter to us? Even if no one knows and no one is thankful, we must continue. Who knows why we happened to be here? The most important thing is that we are not sages, but we are people with a conscience. Conscience doesn't mean being a good person; it means being true to oneself. We have nothing to be ashamed of, and besides, we are not alone; there are many brothers with us, and that makes it worthwhile."
Vera gazed at Jufeng with infatuation, reflecting on her feelings for him. She couldn't quite pinpoint the reason, perhaps it was related to the feeling she had when they first met—the sense of mischief that came from being true to one's conscience.
The conversation came to an end. On the high platform, Shangguan Wangyu also concluded his speech and slowly walked down amidst the applause of the crowd.
The banquet served as a social gathering, providing an opportunity for elites from the same social class—who usually had little contact—to communicate. Shangguan Wangyu had achieved his purpose and left more time for everyone to engage with one another.
A bright and melodious tune began to play, and amidst the singing, wrapped in luxurious garments within the resplendent hall, everyone started their own conversations.
(To be continued)
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