Yama Rising

Chapter 665: Decision (2)

Qin Ye subconsciously played with the wine glass in his hand even as his mind continued to churn with a multitude of thoughts.

What is their true purpose?

And why did he decide to meet with me in private today?

Just then, something suddenly occurred to him.

Wouldn’t they simply be… attempting to please Hell?

That’s right. That must be it! They must be looking to curry favour with Hell!

They’re not in the least bit trying to trip Hell up! And that’s because Hell would still be one of the P4 underworlds even after it emerges from its current state of lockdown! Therefore, it’s choosing a far more prudent approach to send aid in Hell’s greatest time of need - even if it means giving up on some of the immediate benefits to be had with the Russian Underworld!

And since he’s going to willingly sacrifice the interests of the Black Mamba Underworld, he doesn’t want others to witness these actions on his part! He doesn’t want others to witness how he’s going to be clinging tightly to Hell’s thighs!

He was faced with practical difficulties.

But how was he to rebuff their advances in this regard?

And how can he do all that, and yet still convince them to willingly work for Hell’s benefits?

“Prefect Qin.” After a long time, Black Mamba slowly curled up its tail and rested leisurely on the table, “Are you suggesting that… these terms aren’t good enough for Hell?”

But where in the world am I supposed to get a million sets of blight vermin armor?!

No, in fact, I don’t even have an army with which to harvest these blight vermin carapace!

But what else do I have with me right now? Do I really have to hand Fate over to them? No… that’s it! There’s actually something else that I still have to offer!

He nearly crushed the wine glass in his hand as soon as such a thought occurred to him - But… is it really appropriate for me to be handing over something of such immense value?

I can… This is something I can actually do!

Besides, he was further aware that the Harken had already made a copy of these drawings, and there was no fear of losing such know-how to the Alkebulan Underworlds!

And more importantly, Qin Ye simply refused to believe that a mere Black Mamba Underworld had the potential to develop Forbidden Arts to begin with - Be it financial resources or ghostpower and talents, they simply don’t have what it took. And if that’s the case, they would have no choice but to rely on Hell in future… Hang on a minute! Doesn’t this seem somewhat similar to the situation with the Russian Underworld?

That said, all things considered, he was willing to bet that he had a reasonable chance of success with this!

He didn’t have the luxury of time to deliberate any further. The tension in the air was thick and tense, while Black Mamba’s gaze was practically burning a gaze through his soul. Thus, Qin Ye finally looked up, “Unfortunately, I cannot agree to that.”

“Doesn’t Prefect Qin need to relay matters of such importance to the Second King Yanluo before calling the shots?” He lifted his wine glass and pretended to size up Qin Ye, “After all, Prefects in the P4 underworlds would never be clothed with the authority to make such decisions on their own, would they?”

Black Mamba’s scales immediately flared up once more as he stared at Qin Ye with great disbelief.

And that was if King Yanluo had personally bestowed that Emissary with the right to do so. Someone personally clothed with the authority to use Fate must be one of the core members of Hell!

Black Mamba couldn’t help but revise his earlier assessment of Qin Ye - A change of regime, huh? Is this one of the new noblemen that have appeared in Hell? And he’s managed to stand on the right side of the tension?

“A lot.” Qin Ye chuckled, “Hell’s government wouldn’t bother itself with international affairs until its change of regime has finally been concluded. Therefore, it is impossible to enter into a strategic partnership with the Black Mamba Underworld. And as for the blight vermin carapace armor, it is with much regret that I inform you that it is unfortunately not for sale outside of Hell. That said, I’ve got a counter proposal here that I think Lord Mythic Spirit might take interest in.”

As soon as he did, Qin Ye waved casually in the air, and a scroll appeared right before Black Mamba’s eyes.

Time trickled by slowly. 10 minutes later, he finally rolled up the scroll, got to his feet, and then began to pace about the room quickly.

Second generation Forbidden Arts! And the initiation module at that!

It was completely beyond his expectations!

But… can they really resist it having tasted its sweetness?

The wounds that they had sustained centuries ago were one of the deepest wounds that still echoed with pangs of excruciating pain in the hearts of every Alkebulan Underworld. There were no underworlds out there that didn’t wish to possess Forbidden Arts capabilities, especially the Alkebulan Underworlds. This was the perfect opportunity to repay blood for blood! This was their opportunity to unify the Alkebulan Underworlds! And this opportunity… had abruptly appeared right beneath Black Mamba’s nose!

Qin Ye smiled as he swirled the contents of his wine glass, “What’s wrong? Lord Mythic Spirit, is it not to your liking?”

Black Mamba abruptly turned back and stared intently at Qin Ye, and Qin Ye immediately understood the contemplations of his heart.

“You’d better think fast and think well.” Qin Ye sipped his wine and repressed the furious thumps of his heart, “We’ve got to give the Russian Underworld our response after the Spring Festivals. This gift is the final token of Hell’s sincerity to the Black Mamba Underworld. If you still can’t agree with this, then… I’m afraid we can only say that we’re not destined to be together.”

“Sincerity?”

“Whose idea was this? Ksitigarbha? The Second King Yanluo? Or one of the potential successors to the throne? What a cruel tactic. What viciousness…”

Even then, Qin Ye gnashed his teeth and stared right into his own reflection in the wine glass as he responded, “You can always refuse it.”

“Refuse?” Black Mamba vanished at once, and then reappeared in his seat once more, staring intently at Qin Ye with his beady little eyes. Five minutes later, he placed his hand on the scroll and tightened his grip around it, “Why would I?”

Hook, line and sinker.

Perhaps these negotiations could have gone better had he had more time for preparation.

Yet, despite all that, he had still managed to overcome all of the odds to secure the goal that he’d set out for!

His fingers trembled slightly. Not even Qin Ye could have anticipated that this last-ditch attempt to salvage the situation on his part would determine the success or failure of his negotiations. That said, he knew that he couldn’t claim all of the credit for his success in this regard. After all, the true reason for success was the confluence of a multitude of factors. All he had done was to employ the right key to open the door that was already in sight.