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Chapter 53: Song Ming Song's Face
Chapter 53: Song Ming Song's Face
The moment "titanium crystals" were mentioned, Zhu Yaokui's eyes twitched, a ripple of emotion passing through him. However, he quickly regained his composure.
He knew his son all too well. If Zhu Kang had acquired something valuable, he would have clutched it tightly to his chest. The fact that he was talking about it now meant only one thing: he hadn't managed to get it.
Not only had he not managed to get it, but the other party wasn't someone to be trifled with.
"Tell me, who was it this time? And how many titanium crystals were there?"
Under normal circumstances, Zhu Yaokui wouldn't have cared. But since this involved a resource they were desperately short of, he was very concerned.
"The person concealed their identity. After I returned, I did some investigating, but I didn't find any useful information."
Zhu Yaokui frowned, his disappointment growing. It was one thing to lose a fight, but if he couldn't even determine the other party's identity, it was a matter of capability, not just strength.
"Are you sure the other party is from Jiangyuan City?"
Hearing this, Zhu Kang nodded hastily.
"There's a high likelihood." He added, perhaps fearing his words lacked conviction: "After breaking through the energy shield of the Silver Blade, the person didn't dare to finish me off, clearly afraid of a subsequent investigation. And someone who, even after hiding their identity, still fears your investigation, is most likely from Jiangyuan City."
"The other party's frigate also had purple-quality components, possibly more than one. Their status in Jiangyuan City must be extraordinary, which is why I've come to ask for your help, Father."
Pausing, Zhu Kang continued, "As for the exact number of titanium crystals, the other party mentioned a fragment of an ore vein, with a reserve of no more than 300 units. But based on my estimation, this number should at least double, meaning there are at least 600 titanium crystals."
Zhu Yaokui's expression remained unchanged, showing no visible emotional response.
Seeing this, Zhu Kang grew anxious.
"Father, what I said—"
Before he could finish, a communication chime suddenly rang out.
Zhu Yaokui waved to cut Zhu Kang off, lowering his gaze to his Dawn Star Kingdom premium communication bracelet. The name displayed was "Song Ming Song."
"Song Ming Song, why would he contact me now? Could it be—"
In the entire White Tower Floating Land's five major cities, with a population of over a hundred million, there weren't many third-tier Flameheart captains. Most had each other's contact information.
Looking at the name on his bracelet, Zhu Yaokui glanced at Zhu Kang, as if he had already guessed something.
Beside him, Zhu Kang also caught this information. He was well aware of the name Song Ming Song, as it was one of the top three names on the list Zhu Yaokui had specifically given them, warning them never to provoke.
"Could he really be here about the titanium crystals?"
His heart sank, but Zhu Kang wasn't willing to accept this possibility, instinctively denying it.
Zhu Yaokui shifted his gaze from his son and clicked to accept the communication.
Soon, a rugged figure appeared on the projection screen, his face strong and his attire wild, showing no signs of age.
As the figure appeared, a faint smile appeared on Zhu Yaokui's previously expressionless face.
"What wind is blowing today that you, a man of action, would reach out to an old bone like me?"
On the other side, Song Ming Song laughed heartily, and the two began to exchange pleasantries.
After a bit of small talk, Song Ming Song got to the point.
"Old Zhu, the reason I'm contacting you today is about a matter concerning the younger generation."
Song MingSong’s gaze shifted, scanning Zhu Yaokui’s side where Zhu Kang stood, before casually retracting his eyes.
"I’m sure you’ve heard about it. Two of my juniors had a conflict with your young one. Those two boys didn’t know that the 'Black Mountain Club' was actually your son’s territory, hence this incident occurred."
"Fortunately, both sides knew their limits and nothing serious happened. How about we just let this go?"
Song MingSong’s tone was warm and soothing, making it easy to listen to, but the more so, the heavier Zhu Yaokui’s heart became.
Song MingSong’s fiery temper was well-known throughout the White Tower Floating Land. For him to adopt such a conciliatory stance, the "two juniors" he mentioned were likely far from ordinary.
After a moment of consideration, Zhu Yaokui asked, "Old Song, the juniors you mentioned, who are they exactly?"
At this, Song MingSong’s expression turned slightly grim. He hesitated for a while before responding, "To be honest, I’m as embarrassed as you are. They’re similar to you and Zhu Kang."
Song MingSong didn’t elaborate, but Zhu Yaokui immediately understood. Zhu Kang was his son, and if the relationship was the same, then the people who had the conflict with Zhu Kang were Song MingSong’s sons.
With this answer, Zhu Yaokui quickly agreed to let the matter drop. Both sides would no longer pursue the issue.
Of course, Song MingSong wasn’t going to be stingy. Since Song Chao would still be living in Jiangyuan City in the future, they agreed that 200 titanium crystals from the 1000 would be sent to Zhu Yaokui.
Hearing about the 200 titanium crystals, Zhu Yaokui’s smile became more genuine. Zhu Kang was unharmed, and he had received 200 titanium crystals, preserving both his face and his interests. He wouldn’t pursue the matter further, either openly or covertly.
After the communication was cut off, Zhu Kang, who had been silent the entire time, still seemed reluctant.
"Dad, since they can easily offer 200 titanium crystals, it means they’ve gained much more. Are we really going to let this go?"
Zhu Yaokui’s expression turned cold, and he rebuked, "Do you think I don’t know that? Do you need to remind me? If you’re not skilled enough and let others get ahead, who else is to blame?"
"I’m warning you, this matter ends here. Song MingSong is not an ordinary person; his temperament is uncontrollable. If you provoke him, no one can stop him except the White Tower Guardian."
Zhu Kang was taken aback. In the hundred years since he was born, this was the first time he had heard Zhu Yaokui admit so directly that he was inferior to someone.
Watching Zhu Kang leave, Zhu Yaokui’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. There was one more thing he hadn’t said.
Even if they disregarded the difference in strength, the other party was much younger. As a 500-year-old third-stage Ember Captain, he was already in his twilight years. Even if he could hold off Song MingSong for a while, what would happen once his time was up?
Not to mention Zhu Kang, even his eldest son, who was currently the strongest among his children at the peak of the second stage, had less than a 10% chance of advancing to the third stage. Once he was gone, Song MingSong could make the Zhu family disappear with just a word.
This was the real reason he didn’t want to provoke Song MingSong. As far as he knew, Song MingSong was not even 300 years old, terrifyingly young and with a significant potential to advance to the fourth stage.
(End of Chapter)
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