CHAPTER 989: CHAPTER 466: ARRANGEMENTS

"Bring it to you early?" Duke Noshan said with an expression of speechlessness, "You’re like a dragon that’s seen but never found, where would I find you?"

Upon hearing the other’s complaints, Lu Hong only then realized that yesterday he wasn’t in the Lin’an World but had gone away to relax. Although with a flick of his hand he could wipe out a city’s population without breaking a sweat, after all it’s human lives. In Lu Hong’s view, such massacres are wrong, but as the saying goes, one must choose the lesser evil, so he had to do it.

As a result, the recent massacres had placed a huge burden on Lu Hong’s psyche. He often chose to wander outside to clear his mind, so it was common for him to be untraceable.

"Alright."

After reading the letter, Lu Hong continued, "Are the people from Gold World still here?"

"I sent them away first. Although Gold World chose to align with my Star Sea, considering the imminent war in Constant Domain, it’s not suitable for them to have too much contact with us at this time. However, Gold World also seems to have received an invitation from Pifu World. I have already communicated with them, and they will deliver the invitation soon."

"An invitation?" Lu Hong squinted his eyes slightly and smiled at Noshan, "Looks like you’ve already planned this."

"Correct, now that we have the invitation, why not attend the Plum Mountain Assembly in the name of the Gold World ancestor. If we can secure the position of alliance leader, the crisis in Star Sea will naturally vanish."

"Good idea." Lu Hong nodded. This approach was indeed worth trying, as many people knew the name of Lord of the Star Sea, but those who had seen his appearance were mostly eliminated.

"Let’s do it then. Who do you plan to accompany me?" Lu Hong made up his mind.

"Let me accompany you." Noshan took the initiative to take on this task.

"You? You’re the treasure of my Star Sea. If things go wrong at Plum Mountain, I might not be able to protect you."

Noshan had become an indispensable figure in Star Sea, a genuine top manager, an important core figure under Star Sea’s centralized power. To put it bluntly, if Lu Hong were gone, Star Sea’s five divisions would essentially be under Noshan’s command. Except for Lu Hong, Noshan was the second-in-command of Star Sea.

So in Lu Hong’s view, if both the first and second leaders of Star Sea ended up gone at Plum Mountain, Star Sea’s five divisions might be half wiped out.

"You’re joking, Lord Star Sea. We’re emissaries from Gold World, attending the alliance meeting with friendly intent. Who would bother us? Besides, aiming for the position of alliance leader as Gold World’s representatives can’t be achieved simply with force."

Listening to Noshan’s words, Lu Hong displeasedly smirked, "You say that, but I always feel like you’re calling me a fool."

"Hey, hey, hey, I didn’t mean that." Noshan quickly waved his hands, "Our Lord Star Sea has brains, just not much space."

Well, isn’t that the same?

Having decided to attend the Plum Mountain Assembly, Noshan also began arranging to handle internal affairs in the Lin’an World. He didn’t know how long he’d be gone, so he had to find a temporary replacement.

Thus, Duke Xinlei and Duke Chenhui were invited over.

"Old Noshan, why did you urgently call us here?" Duke Xinlei sat down opposite Noshan with a face full of displeasure.

With no anger at Duke Xinlei’s complaint, Noshan smiled, "It’s been a long time since our dukes gathered together, hasn’t it?"

"Gather? What do I have to gather with an old geezer like you?" Duke Xinlei rolled her eyes, "Is it something important that must be said face-to-face? I had plans to go get pampered with Mrs. Hao this afternoon."

"Indeed, is there something important, Duke Noshan?" Duke Chenhui also chimed in, "I promised to take my son fishing, and as a father, I can’t break that promise."

Hearing their plans, Noshan felt a bit displeased, and he sighed, "You two have truly become idle hands, haven’t you?"

"What else?" Xinlei and Chenhui simultaneously retorted.

"You joined Star Sea, and at least you have positions, not doing anything every day?"

"Not that we’re not doing anything, just not much to do, plenty of free time." Xinlei waved her hands, "Stop wasting time, state your business."

"I need to leave for a while. I hope you two can temporarily take over my position and handle the upcoming Star Sea affairs."

"No way!"

"I refuse!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the two dukes rejected him.

Noshan’s face instantly darkened, "You two have truly become lazy!"

Xinlei and Chenhui were not really afraid of Noshan. After all, they were from the same place. Currently, within the big melting pot of Star Sea, those from Eagle Alliance were an ironclad faction.

"Old Noshan, I’ve long seen through these powers, such matters bore me now. I prefer staying at home, being a good wife, playing cards, chatting with neighborhood ladies. That’s the joyful life. You want me back in politics, working tirelessly day and night? No way! I’d rather quit, you can fine and I’ll be a full-time wife."

Duke Xinlei clapped her hands, showing a demeanor unafraid of consequences, leaving Noshan speechless.

Duke Chenhui nodded, seemingly expressing similar thoughts.

Ever since the ancient beast race emerged unexpectedly, crushing through Star Sea, these dukes from Eagle Alliance realized the vastness beyond their comprehension. Their abilities and strength regarded by Heavenly Gods were merely child’s play, and upon entering the All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds, power and war became repellent, desiring instead a peaceful life, considered enlightenment.

Seeing the two refusing, Noshan grew anxious, "I really have matters to attend to, only if you two take over my position can I be at ease. Lin’an hasn’t been under our control for long, conflicts between our people and the locals might easily erupt. These must be handled carefully, and you two are the best candidates."

"So, we must agree?" Duke Chenhui retorted, "I won’t trouble you, convince Xinlei, and I’ll comply."

Noshan turned to Xinlei, his eyes bearing a hint of threat.

Xinlei remained unmoved, "I refuse."

"Heh." Duke Noshan coldly chuckled, "Believe me, I’ll transfer you to those four newly conquered minor realms. You won’t return for a lifetime."

"You..." Duke Xinlei knew of recent big moves by Star Sea; if she’s sent there, meeting her husband and kids would become near impossible. This was Noshan’s blatant threat.

However, such a threat was indeed effective.

"How long do you need us to work?"

Ultimately, Duke Xinlei agreed.

"No more than four months."

"That long? Is it for the Plum Mountain Assembly?" Duke Xinlei guessed Noshan’s upcoming activity almost immediately.

Noshan raised an eyebrow, "How did you know?"

"It’s widely spread, scavengers and adventurers brought us this news."

Lin’an hadn’t intentionally locked down communications, maintaining open connections with the outside world. Thus, receiving messages from transient folks was normal, but this normality also alerted Noshan.

By rights, this information shouldn’t reach Lin’an so quickly, given recent local upheavals and war. Scavengers and adventurers generally wouldn’t flock to such zones unless they had nothing to lose.

So the messages must be spread deliberately, with intentions of infiltrating Lin’an.

"Someone, come!"

Following Noshan’s call, soldiers entered through the door.

"What orders, Duke Noshan?"

"Please bring Lord Bu Sheng and Lord Konstantin here."

"Understood!"