"She's like the wind …" Lan Jue muttered helplessly.
"Boss!"
An angry shout came from behind him. Lan Jue realized that all the customers had left. Zeus's four maids were glaring at him with their hands on their hips.
Lan Jue awkwardly took off his hat and mask. He cleared his throat and spread his arms. "How about a hug?"
"Hmph!" The four women snorted in unison.
Lan Jue smiled. "It feels good to be back, girls. Let's not spoil the mood, shall we?
I think we should all have a drink to celebrate. "
The four girls could no longer keep a straight face. Ke Er giggled, "I don't care. At least I want a hug. You all went out to play and left me alone. I don't know how hard it's been these past few days."
Mika said. "It's been hard on us too, running around with the boss, hiding our identities and buying things. It's not easy!"
As he spoke, the four women emerged from behind the counter. They surrounded Lan Jue in the middle.
Lan Jue shuddered involuntarily. "I'm a man of integrity!"
Kerr stuck her tongue out at him. "Pfft, do you think that's rare?"
The other three women also laughed in unison.
"Alright," Mika said. "Let's talk about the shop.
How are things these days, Kerr? "
Kerr said. "Sales have been unusually good. Forty-three percent of our stock has been digested in just a month.
Both high-grade and low-grade energy gems are selling very well. "
Lan Jue nodded. "That's normal. Everyone wants to increase their strength in the face of the alien threat.
Power gems are mainly used in warships and mechas, and powerful Adepts understand the principle of using mechas to amplify their strength and increase their survivability. Anyone who buys power gems at a time like this is smart.
Just wait and see. Power gems will soon be classified as a strategic resource, and private sales will be banned or reduced.
That's what we mean.
We'll stop selling energy gems for now.
It's not for greater profits, but to better equip ourselves. "
"Yes."
The four women nodded at the same time. Don't look at how they would follow Lan Jue's brain, as long as Lan Jue made a decision.
They would support him unconditionally.
Lan Jue said, "Mika, tell me about your harvest this time."
Mika's beautiful eyes flickered as she giggled, "This is a great harvest.
Planet Luo was the capital planet of the Northern Alliance, where most of the Northern Alliance's resources were concentrated.
This time, we mobilized most of our funds and followed the boss's orders to purchase energy gems. At the same time, we earned a lot of cash through our bets and bought all of it into energy gems.
More than thirty percent of the power gems in the Northern Alliance's underground market have been bought by us.
Most of them were A-grade and B-grade energy gems.
When the Terminator announced that they were preparing for war, the price of power gems would definitely skyrocket.
As for ourselves, we've earned enough from selling energy gems to use as liquidity.
The boss is right. From now on, power gems will be our most scarce resource.
With these resources in our hands, we'll be invincible. "
Lan Jue said, "When we get back, compile a list of all the power gems we have on hand. Send a copy to the Wine Master as well.
If Skyfire Avenue needs them, we'll supply them at cost. "
"Yes sir," Mika replied.
"Boss, why did she leave?" After finishing the business, Mika gestured towards the direction of the door.
Lan Jue's face darkened. "It's all because of you."
Mika's eyes darted to the side. "We didn't force her!
We just didn't like her that much.
If it weren't for her, we wouldn't be in such danger. "
"Boss, don't be angry," Xiu Xiu said. "How about I go find her and bring her back?"
Lan Jue looked at her angrily.
"Xiu Xiu, you've always been the most obedient. Why are you saying things that you don't mean?"
Lin Guo-guo giggled and held Lan Jue's arm, saying, "Because we all feel that it's a good thing.
The four of us are enough!
No matter how many people there are, you won't have enough stamina! "
Lan Jue's originally serious expression immediately collapsed after hearing what she said. "Hey, hey, can you not say it so ambiguously?
How am I supposed to make a living if I go out?
In fact, she is also a pitiful person. In some ways, she is similar to you, and even more miserable than you. "
At that moment.
He told them about Su Xiaosu.
As they listened to Xiaosu's story, and the dark side of the Pontiff's Citadel, the four women's expressions changed.
"Boss, we were wrong." Mika bowed his head. "I didn't know the Pontiff's Citadel was even darker than our own.
Those sanctimonious hypocrites! "
"It's fine," Lan Jue said. "I don't blame you.
I just want to tell you that it wasn't easy for Su Xiaosu. She didn't leave just because of you. She still has her people with her, so I support her decision.
I believe in her abilities.
She single-handedly took control of the Moonfiend Pirates and became the most powerful force in the Shattered Starfields. There's no doubting her abilities. She's also been educated in space warfare since she was a child.
Letting her do what she can is a good thing.
Oh, right, I've lent her Zeus -1. You don't mind, do you? "
"What!
Is that so? "
Lan Jue returned to his quarters in a sorry state. More accurately, he'd been chased out.
As the boss of the Citadel, his days were miserable, but a smile never left his lips.
This kind of life was really comfortable!
Back in his quarters, Lan Jue threw himself onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. His heart was in turmoil.
He'd found the two Gods of Wine, rescued Su Xiaosu, and won the Adept Tournament.
Whether it was in terms of cultivation, or in terms of state of mind, he'd done well.
The only problem was his relationship with Lan Jue.
It hadn't been easy for him to get over it. He'd decided to accept Qianlin, but she'd turned him down. His heart had been twisted into a knot.
But he wasn't the type to force others, and he didn't want to force Zhou Qianlin.
She needed to think things through on her own. He'd give her some time to think things through.
Rubbing his forehead, Lan Jue's eyes flashed. He'd go to the ARC class. They knew who he was now.
He couldn't teach the Etiquette class at National Eastern University, but he wanted to stay on as an instructor. Helping the ARC students was a good thing.
The aliens were coming, and if he wanted to do anything, he'd need more power.
With that in mind, Lan Jue dialed a number.
It rang three times before the connection was picked up.
"Yeah." A deep voice answered.
"I'm back on Skyfire. How are things on your end?" Lan Jue asked.
"Everything's normal. All three Major League teams are keeping an eye on the aliens' movements.
The only thing we can confirm is that the alien planets are heading our way.
However, the speed of their approach is sometimes fast, sometimes slow, so I can't be sure. "Lan Qing's voice was grave.
Lan Jue asked. "Is there anything else you know?"
Lan Qing explained. "The alien planets have strong anti-surveillance capabilities. After the lesson we learned from the Northern Alliance, we can only observe them from afar. From what we've seen, they're a terrifying race. They're like three giant progenitors, plundering any planet they pass to strengthen themselves.
I've heard from the military that the aliens on Taihua are capable of plundering other forms of energy, such as metals and power gems. However, their ability to absorb such energy is poor. They prefer lifeforce, which they use to convert into their own energy. "
Lan Jue sucked in a breath at Lan Qing's words. He knew what this meant.
Humanity's population had grown to over fifty billion. Add to that the fact that there were all kinds of life forms, and Lan Qing's words meant that humanity would be their next target!
"I'm going to help you," Lan Jue said.
Lan Qing was silent for a moment. After a moment he said, "Don't."
"Eh?"
Lan Jue's eyes went wide. It was a simple word, but he could hear something in it.
Did his brother, the God of War, have no faith in humanity's chances against the aliens?
His mood was clearly somewhat dejected.
This was the first time Lan Jue had seen Lan Qing in such a state.
Lan Qing asked, "When are you going back to see father?"
Lan Jue answered, "I'll be leaving in a few days.
What about you? "
Lan Qing replied, "I can't go. I can't leave, there's too much to do.
You should go back by yourself. "
"By myself?" Lan Jue's voice took on a timid tone.
Lan Qing said, "You'll have to face it sooner or later. Even if I go with you, it's just to give you some courage. I won't be able to help you much. You'll have to rely on yourself."
"Fine.
We'll face it when we have to.
At least I haven't lost too much face lately. "Lan Jue chuckled.
Lan Qing asked, "You've improved quickly. Is that a problem?"
"More or less," Lan Jue answered. He had nothing to hide from Lan Qing, so he told him about his relationship with Zhou Qianlin.
(To be continued.)