Chapter 218: A Lone Encounter

Chapter 218: A Lone Encounter

The evening of the next day arrived, and the neon lights of Edo Castle shone brighter than anywhere else.

Tonight's target was Itada Masahiro, and Su Muyu began tracking him according to his flight arrival time, starting from the airport.

At 8 p.m., Itada Masahiro returned to the headquarters of the Oni Warrior Mercenary Company.

The Banseer Tribe began their pre-battle preparations, getting ready for the night's battle.

However, just as they were about to set out.

Su Muyu suddenly reported some news: "The situation has changed; it seems they are aware of our actions."

The previous night, an attack had occurred on a security company under the Sumitomo Corporation, as well as a biological lab, and an entire squad of Oni Warriors had been eliminated.

The core members of the Sumitomo Corporation were all alarmed.

They could guess with their toes that someone was targeting them.

Furthermore, Mia had been captured by the Oni Warrior Mercenaries before, so they were also aware of the existence of the Banseer Tribe.

Lu Heng's analysis of the situation was something the core members of the Sumitomo Corporation could likely deduce as well.

In other words.

It was not difficult to guess that the Banseer Tribe had been summoned, and the Sumitomo Corporation most likely knew this.

It was also not hard to guess that the Banseer Tribe's objective was to eliminate the Soul Snatcher, so both sides were not entirely in the dark.

Su Muyu continued, "Moreover, they know that we three are involved in the operation, and a banner has been hung outside the headquarters of the Oni Warrior Mercenaries, inviting you to meet."

Lu Heng asked the Banseer Tribe to hold their positions and then went to the headquarters of the Oni Warrior Mercenaries himself.

In front of the building, two Oni Warriors were waiting, and upon seeing Lu Heng, they bowed respectfully before leading him inside.

The building had ten floors and wasn't particularly tall.

Lu Heng followed the two Oni Warriors to the top floor and met Itada Masahiro.

In the top-floor hall, Itada Masahiro stood there in a proper kimono, greeting him with a smile.

He appeared to be around fifty years old, of medium build, with typical Japanese features, and a few slight frown lines on his forehead.

Beside him stood a samurai, wearing a white Karura mask.

While others might not know the identity of the masked samurai, Lu Heng did.

This type of Karura mask was a symbol of rank within the Oni Warrior Mercenaries, and in the metahuman community, they were also known by the nickname "Oni King."

Karura was a type of demon in Japanese folklore, with three main variations: the Laughing Karura, the White Karura, and the Crimson Karura.

The Karura mask had a terrifying appearance, with two horns on the head, essentially a demon mask.

Within the Oni Warrior Mercenary Company, only the top warriors were allowed to wear the Karura mask, indicating that they were one of the three "Oni Kings" of the organization.

Lu Heng had mentally prepared for the possibility of encountering the top warriors of the Oni Warrior Mercenaries, and indeed, he had.

The samurai standing beside Itada Masahiro wore a white Karura mask, meaning he was the "White Nirvana Oni" among the Oni Warriors.

As for the face behind the mask, no one had ever seen it, not even Lu Heng.

Itada Masahiro smiled and gestured for Lu Heng to take a seat, speaking in a not-so-standard but clear Mandarin, "Please, Mr. Lu, would you like tea or alcohol?"

"Tea," Lu Heng replied.

He had no intention of drinking tea, but so far, Itada Masahiro had been following the etiquette of a host, so it wasn't time to break the pretense.

Both of them sat down on zabutons.

Two maids in kimonos approached with small steps and prepared tea for the two of them.

Itada Masahiro took the initiative to start the conversation, "I invited Mr. Lu here in the hope of clearing up any misunderstandings between us."

"What misunderstanding?" Lu Heng asked in a cold, unemotional tone.

"Some unpleasant things happened in the past, but that's all behind us now.

Those who don't know how to act, let them be. Mr. Lu, please have some tea." Itada Masahiro once again gestured for him to drink.

Lu Heng didn't reach for the teacup but instead stared at him intently without blinking.

Itada Masahiro chuckled, "As for last night's incident, let's put it behind us. I won't pursue it further."

Lu Heng asked curiously, "You lost a security company and a lab, didn't you?"

Itada Masahiro waved his hand, "That's not important. Compared to you, Mr. Lu, those are insignificant."

Lu Heng didn't want to dwell on such meaningless talk and asked directly, "Then, what is your purpose?"

Itada Masahiro picked up the teacup, blew on it, and slowly sipped the tea before setting it down and speaking, "I'd like to befriend you, Mr. Lu."

Lu Heng refused, "I don't make friends easily."

Itada Masahiro wasn't flustered by the rejection and continued, "I admire your achievements. Without the backing of a major corporation, you've become a top-tier Metahuman. It's not an easy feat."

"I enjoy befriending capable individuals. I believe we could be great friends, even excellent partners."

Lu Heng's response was cold, "I don't think so."

Itada Masahiro didn't get angry at the rejection and said, "I understand that you're allies with the Banseer Tribe. If you're willing to befriend me, I can maintain a friendly relationship with the Banseer Tribe and even assist them with tasks within a certain scope."

Lu Heng's eyes flashed with the realization that his guess was correct.

As he had suspected, Itada Masahiro indeed knew that the Banseer Tribe had been summoned.

He continued, "Furthermore, I guarantee that from this moment on, I won't use any means of attack against you or your friends, including the Soul Snatcher."

Lu Heng remained silent, not responding, and waited for him to continue.

Itada Masahiro said, "Additionally, if you agree, you can become the third-largest shareholder of the Oni Warrior Mercenary Company without any investment. The shares will be gifted to you. The warriors of the Oni Warrior Mercenary Organization will follow your commands."

Lu Heng was surprised by the offer and curiously looked at the White Nirvana Oni warrior standing behind Itada Masahiro. He pointed at the warrior and asked, "Including him?"

A smile appeared on Itada Masahiro's face as he replied, "Anyone I can command is at your disposal."

This White Nirvana Oni warrior had been standing behind Itada Masahiro since the beginning, looking like a bodyguard.

For a Metahuman with the nickname 'White Nirvana Oni' to serve as a bodyguard, it was evident that Itada Masahiro held a high position within the Sumitomo Corporation.

After all, he was also a director at Sakura Bank, which indeed made him quite influential.

Lu Heng's curiosity grew, "With such generous terms, what do you want in return?"

Itada Masahiro answered, "I hope Mr. Lu can return the Soul Snatcher to us. I apologize for the previous misunderstanding."

Lu Heng's curiosity deepened, "Is this Soul Snatcher so important?"

The Soul Snatcher was indeed a rare type of demonic monster.

For the Sumitomo Corporation, each additional Soul Snatcher meant control over another political figure, increasing their influence over the Fusang political landscape.

Therefore, the Soul Snatcher was indeed valuable to them, but compared to the terms offered, the significance of the Soul Snatcher seemed disproportionate.

Itada Masahiro explained, "Of course, you are more important, and the Soul Snatcher is just a secondary reason."

Lu Heng thought for a moment and understood.

In reality, if he agreed to Itada Masahiro's terms and became the third-largest shareholder of the Oni Warrior Mercenary Organization, he wouldn't need to do anything for them. They only needed to announce this news, and it would trigger a series of reactions.

For example, how would Great Xia react upon learning that Lu Heng had become the third-in-command of the Fusang's Oni Warrior Mercenary Organization?

The leader of the Southern War Zone, Li Guining, had once invited Lu Heng for a casual chat, which was actually an ideological and moral evaluation.

If Lu Heng were to join the Fusang's Oni Warrior Mercenary Organization, it would be a clear indication of a change in allegiance.

At that time, the Great Xia government would undoubtedly respond.

With the situation's development, Lu Heng couldn't help but consider doing what the Sumitomo Corporation wanted.

Lu Heng picked up the teacup and slowly sipped the tea before refusing, "I'm sorry, but I won't join your mercenary group, nor will I hand over the Soul Snatcher."

Itada Masahiro spoke in a deep voice, "Mr. Lu, it's better to reconsider carefully."

Lu Heng's response was decisive, "There's no need for reconsideration. Some things are already determined from the start."

Itada Masahiro's expression turned cold, and he coldly humphed, "Some matters are no longer within your power to oppose. Do you know what was in the tea you just drank?"

Lu Heng looked down at the teacup and asked, "What was in it?"

Itada Masahiro took out a mirror and held it up to Lu Heng's face, "Look for yourself."

Lu Heng glanced at the mirror and saw a demonic face appear on his own, the Soul Snatcher.

Despite the Soul Snatcher's appearance on his face, Lu Heng remained calm and smiled, asking, "So what if it's the Soul Snatcher? What of it?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end