The sky was still gloomy, making everyone's mood gloomy.
The hotel was still the same hotel as yesterday, and the restaurant was still the same. The only difference was that the small round table had been replaced with a luxurious big table, and the simple buffet had been replaced with a dazzling array of dishes. The instructor, the station chief, and the butler were already waiting quietly at the table.
These changes in the restaurant meant that Ding Meng had passed the butcher's test and had truly become the Hidden Front's boss' VIP. Ding Meng realized that he had never seen any of these fifty to sixty dishes before. It seemed like this was a truly high-class welcome banquet.
The group quickly took their seats, but strangely, Number 2 did not sit down. He stood like a javelin behind the Hidden Front's boss, looking like a loyal bodyguard. However, it was difficult to assess this bodyguard's strength. There were probably not many bodyguards like him in the entire Empire.
This time, there were not only drinks on the table, but also wine. Unfortunately, the Hidden Front's boss' glass was not filled with drinks or wine, but plain water.
Everyone else's glasses were filled with wine, and only the butler was drinking a drink.
"Please!" The Hidden Front's boss raised his glass.
Ding Meng poured himself half a glass of iced red tea and said, "Please!"
His action caused everyone's expression to change. The boss had never respected anyone, but he had made an exception this time. However, Ding Meng still did not pour him any wine. This guy was really bold.
However, there was a hint of a smile in Boss Yin Feng's eyes. "How bold!"
Ding Meng also smiled and said, "Boss, I can't refuse your hospitality. I just don't have the habit of drinking."
The Hidden Front's boss said, "But it's a good habit!"
Ding Meng smiled and said, "Your habit is not bad either."
The Hidden Front's boss said, "Water clears the heart. If the heart is not disturbed, the path will not be obstructed."
Ding Meng put down his glass and said meaningfully, "It seems to me that your heart is a bit disturbed."
The Hidden Front's boss was interested. "Oh?
Mr Ting can tell? "
Ding Meng said, "If I'm not wrong, Boss seems to have encountered some kind of problem."
The Hidden Front's boss's eyes flickered. "Mr Ting is indeed a hero among men. He has been to so many places, and his experience is top-notch."
Ding Meng said, "That's not it. I just find it strange."
The Hidden Front boss said, "Mr. Ting, please speak!"
Ding Meng said, "The instructor showed me around the modified factory yesterday. Boss must have put in a lot of effort to maintain this business."
The leader of the Hidden Front was silent for a moment before he said, "It is indeed not an easy task to have Chuangyu continue to provide blood for this place."
His words undoubtedly confirmed Ding Meng's speculation last night. Guan Lin was just his tool.
Ding Meng said casually, "Miss Guan is still not bad."
When he said that, the atmosphere at the table suddenly became tense. The butler and the others all looked surprised. This kid really knew how to touch a sore spot.
Unexpectedly, the leader of the Hidden Front laughed. "They say that women are like clothes, while friends are like hands and feet. With a friend like Mr Ting, it doesn't matter if you wear clothes like Miss Guan or not. Besides, Mr Ting has quite a number of close female friends. One more piece of clothing won't make much of a difference."
Ding Meng said in a low voice, "Unfortunately, I'm not Boss's friend."
The leader of the Hidden Front said, "You will be soon!"
Ding Meng asked curiously, "Oh?"
The leader of the Hidden Front said, "There are many types of friends."
Ding Meng said, "I wonder which type I belong to?"
The leader of the Hidden Front laughed. "Mr Ting and I should be the type that relies on each other."
Ding Meng asked, "Why do you say that?"
The leader of the Hidden Front said, "Because I have something that you're looking for, and you have abilities that I don't have. It's a good opportunity for us to work together. You're right. I was just worrying when a big shot like Mr Ting came to visit. It seems like this is a blessing from the heavens."
Ding Meng laughed and said, "You're talking as if I'm the only one who can solve your problem."
The leader of the Hidden Front said, "There are many big shots, but there's only one person who can do it as easily as Mr Ting."
Ding Meng said, "You're making me feel like I'm starting to believe you."
The leader of the Hidden Front shook his head and said, "I'm not trying to flatter you. It's the truth. Zhong Shan of the Federation can be considered an important hero. A hundred years ago, he was the leader of the Devouring World War. He led many experts to defeat the Devouring World War's army. A hundred years ago, he had already entered the Warlord level. I wonder what level he's at now."
Ding Meng said thoughtfully, "He is indeed a big shot."
The leader of the Hidden Front sighed and said, "It's a pity that the older you get, the more cowardly you become. This person is a stickler for the rules, spending his old age peacefully in Shenghui. To those in the top circle, this is called not thinking about making progress."
Ding Meng said, "You can also say that he's building a cart behind closed doors."
The leader of the Hidden Front nodded and said, "After the Devouring World War's Immortal Elemental King, this person was extremely talented and worked hard to rule the world. In the war a hundred years ago, she was almost invincible. It's a pity that she lacked the foresight to know how to make good use of people. In the end, she was harmed by her own people. Not long ago, I heard that it was because Mr Ting was traveling around the Devouring World that she was able to escape."
Ding Meng also nodded and said, "That's true!"
The leader of the Hidden Front continued, "The president and his wife of the Holy Grail Federation are actually two big shots. It's a pity that they're too obsessed with power. It's difficult for them to achieve great things."
Ding Meng said, "Boss, you seem to know these people very well?"
"Just a little bit!"
The leader of the Hidden Front waved his hand and said, "These are all people on the table, just like the head of the Norse Empire. They're all people who stand at the top of the pyramid. We always know some trivial things about them."
Ding Meng said, "Could it be that there are other people in the dark?"
The leader of the Hidden Front said, "The Fifth Lord can be considered an outstanding person. I believe you know him."
Ding Meng obviously knew him, but he had never seen him before. The Fifth Lord of the Black Handprint was even more mysterious than the leader of the Hidden Front.
The leader of the Hidden Front said, "These people all have one thing in common. They've all been quiet for too long. They're not like Mr Ting, who's experienced and adventurous."
Ding Meng sighed and said, "Boss, you've overestimated me."
The leader of the Hidden Front said, "I'm not overestimating you. I'm still confident about that. Just look at this small space station of mine. It's been around for a hundred years, but no one has ever discovered it. But you managed to find it so quickly."
Ding Meng smiled and said, "I was just lucky."
This was obviously a humble way of putting it. Actually, it was not that difficult to find this place. However, the only person who could find this place and sit at this table to eat was probably Ding Meng.
Other things aside, if it were anyone else, that butcher from earlier would have been swallowed alive.
Besides, the leader of the Hidden Front was sitting at the head of the table. On his left was the instructor, and on his right were the station chief and the butler. Behind him was Number 2, which vaguely gave off the vibe of opposing Ding Meng.
Ding Meng was confident that he could defeat the instructor, the station chief, and the butler. However, with the three of them working together, Ding Meng believed that even if he could win, he would have to pay a heavy price. If the unfathomable Number 2 joined the fray, Ding Meng would have no chance of winning. As for the leader of the Hidden Front, Ding Meng could not see through him at all.
Even with the strength of this group of people, there was still something they could not do. Ding Meng could not think of any other reason other than the key to the Land of Entropy.
Ding Meng suddenly changed the topic. "The situation in the Fertile Chalk System is now split in two. The Empire is in the south, and the frogmen are in the north. Only the Central Spiral Galaxy can't be touched. Boss's space station is deep in the core."
The leader of the Hidden Front asked in return, "Is this what you find strange?"
Ding Meng said, "Your space station has been operating here for over a hundred years. It just so happens that you released your regenerated warriors in the last few years. This obviously doesn't make sense."
The leader of the Hidden Front stared at him. "What do you think, Mr. Ting?"
Ding Meng said, "The appearance of the regenerated warriors in the front line seems to balance the balance between the Empire and the frogmen, but in reality, it's a very big risk. Because no matter which side attacks unilaterally, as long as they get serious, I believe that these regenerated warriors will not be able to withstand the interstellar fleet."
The leader of the Hidden Front said, "That makes sense!"
Ding Meng continued, "You spent so much effort to cultivate such a force, but it's definitely not for the sake of showing off to both sides. Doing that would be too stupid. If I'm not wrong, the purpose of this force entering the front line is to attract the attention of both sides, so that both sides will hesitate to attack. Then, they will use their private forces to investigate the Hidden Front. While both sides are not fighting, you will be able to achieve your true goal. Your goal is Rainforest Planet 5 below."
Everyone at the table was silent. After a long time, the leader of the Hidden Front sighed. "That's why I said that only someone like you, Mr. Ting, can find this place and become friends with me."
His words undoubtedly confirmed that Ding Meng's deduction was correct.
He suddenly stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Mr. Ting, please come with me!"
This time, even Number 2 did not follow. The leader of the Hidden Front directly led Ding Meng downstairs and went straight to the entrance of the space station.
A Songqing exploration ship had already been prepared on the huge space launch pad. Only the leader and Ding Meng were on the ship. The ship quickly left the port and flew towards Rainforest Planet 5, which could be seen with the naked eye.
The surface of Rainforest Planet 5 was actually similar to Rainforest Planet 1. The sky was foggy and rainy, and the surroundings were swamps with ugly trees growing everywhere. However, there was a simple spaceport built on the ground.
There was only one person on the landing pad to welcome them. It was a young woman. She was short and had delicate features. She was wearing a utility suit and looked like a well-mannered student.
When she saw the spaceship's connection hatch open, the woman immediately came up to them. "Boss!"
"Old Seven, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Ding Meng!" the leader of the Hidden Front said.
He was calling her Old Seven, so the person in front of him had to be Officer Number 7. However, Number 7 did not seem to have much of a reaction when she heard Ding Meng's name. She just said calmly, "Welcome!"
The leader of the Hidden Front turned to Ding Meng and said, "You can call her Doctor. Doctor will show you around and answer your questions."