Small Temple, Big Demons

Just as the two attendants barely dared to breathe and the tension grew ever thicker, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Let’s leave it at that, gentlemen. This is Great Britain."

It was George VII. Naturally, he could not simply stand by and watch Lu Su and Apache, two Master Grade experts, come to blows.

His Majesty the King was helpless as well. Though he knew the Indo-American Federation and Great Ming had clashed before, he had never expected their hostility to be this intense.

And judging from Apache’s words just now, there was likely more to the previous incident than met the eye.

But matters had come to this. Neither Great Ming nor the Indo-American Federation was someone Great Britain could afford to offend right now, so George VII could only bite the bullet and step in.

Unfortunately, neither of the two seemed willing to give him any face.

There was no need to mention Lu Su. The other party had provoked him first, and with the matter of the Skin Peeler added in, the fact that he had not attacked directly already counted as restraint.

As for Apache—

The Master Grade powerhouse from the Indo-American Federation withdrew the smile from his face and stared expressionlessly at Lu Su.

Seeing this, George VII’s expression gradually turned cold.

Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly raised a hand to cover his nose and mouth, then looked toward an attendant nearby.

The attendant had pissed himself.

Under the somewhat strange gazes of Lu Su and Apache, George VII darkened his face and said to another attendant beside him, "Take him away."

Before long, the two attendants vanished from the sight of the three Master Card Masters.

Yet after this incident, the atmosphere eased slightly.

A faint smile returned to Apache’s face as he took the initiative to speak. "Don’t be nervous. Without Lord Adley’s permission, I won’t make a move so easily."

"Tch." Lu Su curled his lip at that but said nothing.

Since the other party had brought up Adley, he did not intend to do anything for now. Even if he truly wanted to act, he would have to find a time when no one else was around.

Although Lu Su believed he could win even one against two, he would take it as giving George VII some face.

Besides, he was not some reckless brute. Great Britain had no past grievance or present enmity with him, so there was no need to be so rash.

With that in mind, Lu Su ignored Apache and said to George VII, "Please lead the way, Your Majesty. Let’s discuss today’s business in the conference hall."

Seeing the atmosphere gradually ease, George VII’s expression softened at last, and he could not help letting out a sigh of relief inwardly.

To be honest, he had just been preparing to evacuate the people of Great Britain. The collateral damage from a clash between two Master Grade beings would cover far too wide an area.

Not to mention there was someone as exceptional as Lu Su among them.

Fortunately, they had not fought in the end.

Thinking this, George VII turned and walked ahead of the two, temporarily serving as their guide. "This way, gentlemen."

Soon, under his lead, the hall specially used for discussions came into Lu Su’s view.

What surprised the youth was that Great Britain’s conference hall was built entirely from stacked stone, with quite a bit of moss even climbing over its surface.

Still, every country had its own customs. Perhaps Great Britain simply liked this primitive style.

Suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, Lu Su followed George VII into the conference hall.

After the three took their seats, George VII, as the host, spoke first. "First, I must thank Great Ming and the Federation for still being willing to lend a hand in times like these."

"You will be Great Britain’s friends forever."

Though this was a transaction, the proper pleasantries still had to be observed.

As for friends forever—

It was just something to hear. Not one of the three present believed it.

After a few formal words, George VII went straight to the point. "There are currently three Master Grade Secret Realms within Great Britain’s territory."

"I hope the two of you can help me suppress all of them."

Since he had decided to accept foreign aid, he naturally wanted to settle everything once and for all.

If he chose to leave loose ends behind merely to save on compensation, that would be far too foolish.

After stating his request, George VII fell silent and watched Lu Su and Apache quietly, clearly waiting for them to name their conditions.

To be honest, Lu Su was at a slight disadvantage in this negotiation, because he did not know Apache’s true strength, while Apache had some understanding of his.

If Apache could suppress several Secret Realms alone like he could, Lu Su would have no way to demand an exorbitant price.

Still, that scenario was probably unlikely.

After a moment of silence, Apache smiled and spoke first. "I only need one set of Master Grade Materials."

George VII raised his brows upon hearing that condition, looking somewhat surprised.

Not because it was too high, but because it was too low.

Then he turned his gaze toward Lu Su, clearly wanting to hear his terms.

Noticing George VII’s gaze, Lu Su began to think with an expressionless face.

Apache’s move undoubtedly restricted the compensation he could obtain. It was a case of hurting the enemy for eight hundred while losing a thousand himself.

The youth could now be certain that the Indo-American Federation had agreed to Great Britain’s request probably not for profit.

Or rather, not merely for profit. Part of the reason was likely to disgust him.

It seems the Skin Peeler is even more important than Teacher and the others guessed.

The feather-crowned woman had been important enough for Adley to personally rescue her, so her status in the Indo-American Federation was clearly not low. But given the current situation, her identity was likely even more complicated.

George VII naturally grasped the key point as well. Although his expression did not change, inwardly he wished for Lu Su and Apache to fight as fiercely as possible.

After all, that would best serve Great Britain’s interests.

Unfortunately, Lu Su was not as simple as they imagined.

With just one sentence, he made Apache’s expression stiffen. "I can complete the suppression alone."

Lu Su’s meaning was simple: he did not need Apache’s help.

And if what he said was true, Great Britain could undoubtedly save the compensation meant for the Indo-American Federation.

George VII had clearly thought of that as well. He no longer remained silent and merely said sternly, "Lord Lu, this is not something to joke about."

Because Great Britain and Great Ming were so far apart, His Majesty the King’s intelligence on Lu Su was still limited to the time he drove away a Hall of Fame Grade Demon and successfully lasted one minute against Golden Embryo Motiān.

In his view, although Lu Su’s record was indeed impressive, there had been some cleverness involved in it.

After all, methods such as expulsion and sealing were measures born of desperation when there was no other choice.

As for lasting one minute against Golden Embryo Motiān—

Since he did not know exactly what had happened at the time, George VII had no way to judge it.

Therefore, he believed Lu Su was strong, but claiming he could suppress every Master Grade Secret Realm within Great Britain’s territory by himself was still somewhat Arrogance.

Though that was what he thought, George VII showed no distrust on the surface.

He merely shook his head slightly. "I appreciate Lord Lu’s goodwill, but that would be far too exhausting."

"And I cannot let Lord Apache make this trip for nothing."

At this point, the King of Great Britain paused. After a brief moment of thought, he continued, "How about this, Lord Lu?"

"Once this is done, both you and Lord Apache may each choose six Master Grade Materials from Great Britain’s materials treasury. How does that sound?"

After speaking, he looked toward Lu Su and Apache with an inquiring gaze.

George VII’s choice was to offend neither side.

But honestly, even if he had believed Lu Su, he would still have made the same choice. Great Britain, currently caught between decline and renewal, could only survive cautiously in the cracks like this.

Apache showed no reaction to receiving more compensation. What he was considering now was Lu Su.

As the Skin Peeler’s younger brother, he naturally knew more than others about what had happened during the Four Calamity Gods’ invasion.

The reason Lord Adley had chosen to yield entirely was because the Supreme Machine God was suppressing a Hall of Fame Grade Secret Realm in Antarctica. Otherwise, how could some mere Master Card Master have been allowed to act so arrogantly?

In Apache’s view, their lord was simply too softhearted. What did Antarctica’s affairs have to do with the Federation? If something truly went wrong, would the other Hall of Fame Card Masters on Blue Star simply sit back and do nothing?

Thinking this, the brown-skinned man raised his head and glanced at Lu Su beside him, curling his lip almost imperceptibly.

Clearly, neither George VII nor Apache knew what had happened within the Rebel Secret Realm. Otherwise, they would not have had such thoughts.

After hearing George VII’s compromise proposal, Lu Su did not think for long before quickly agreeing.

"Do however much work for however much pay."

That was the youth’s thought at the moment. He had come as a mercenary anyway. Since the employer had made this choice, he had nothing more to say.

Lu Su would naturally do what was required of him properly. As for work beyond that—

George VII probably did not want him doing it either.

Seeing both Great Ming and the Federation agree to his proposal, George VII could not help exhaling softly.

As long as they eliminated the three Master Grade Secret Realms within the country, Great Britain would be able to barely catch its breath again.

With that thought, he said solemnly, "Then I’ll be relying on you both for what comes next."

"You are too courteous, Your Majesty."

With the deal settled, Lu Su returned to his lodgings to prepare for the battles to come.

That night.

Just as Lu Su rested with his eyes closed, an unfamiliar presence made him suddenly open them.

"Who’s there?!"

The moment his words fell, a graceful female figure appeared in the room.

Seeing the newcomer’s appearance, Lu Su could not help frowning slightly. "You are…"

"Charlotte?"

He recognized her identity. She was Princess Charlotte, who was currently competing with Lyon for the throne.

At the same time, Lu Su knew that Apache of the Indo-American Federation stood behind this princess.

Thinking of that, a playful look appeared on his face. "What brings Your Highness to see me so late at night?"

Seeing that her identity had already been exposed, Charlotte immediately removed her hood.

Or rather, she had never intended to conceal her identity in the first place.

Facing Lu Su’s question, Charlotte lowered her swan-like neck and asked respectfully, "Your Excellency Lu Su, what benefits did my brother promise you?"

The moment those words were spoken, the room fell silent.

After a long while, Lu Su’s voice sounded again.

"Everything."

Charlotte’s expression did not change at those words. She merely stated calmly, as if presenting a fact, "Your Excellency, you know that is unrealistic. My brother does not have that authority."

"And His Majesty George VII is still alive."

Of course Lu Su knew that was true.

He had only said it to see how she would react. "Interesting. What did you come to me for?"

"Your Excellency, I hope you will abandon my foolish brother."

Charlotte raised her head and stared directly at Lu Su as she continued, "I know of the transaction between Great Ming and the Tsardom of Russia. If I can become the heir apparent, Great Britain can likewise exchange materials with Great Ming afterward."

"Of course, I only need you to abandon my brother. I do not need your support."

Hearing this, Lu Su was truly somewhat surprised.

He had not expected Charlotte to have connections not only in the Indo-American Federation, but even in the Tsardom of Russia.

From every perspective, this princess was indeed far stronger than Lyon.

The room fell silent once more.

Seeing that Lu Su gave no response for a long time, Charlotte seemed to think the conditions she had offered were insufficient. After some brief thought, she spoke again. "Your Excellency, I know your relationship with the Federation is not good."

"While I cannot help you deal with them…"

"However…"

"I can tell you everything you wish to know, as long as I know it."

Lu Su raised his brows and asked casually, "Even if I want to know Apache’s card abilities?"

For a Card Master, card abilities were undoubtedly of paramount importance.

After all, sometimes even a tiny gap in information could lead a battle toward an entirely different outcome.

Charlotte fell silent for a moment after hearing Lu Su’s question before replying calmly, "I can."

"But Lord Apache is my elder, so…"

She needed more money.

At that moment, Lu Su could hardly suppress his smile. He looked at Charlotte with great interest and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Your Excellency needn’t worry. It is a very simple matter." Charlotte shook her head slightly. "I only need you to support me when necessary."

Just as George VII had not placed all his hopes on a single country when seeking foreign assistance this time, Charlotte needed to ensure that she would not become a puppet of the Indo-American Federation after becoming heir apparent.

Thus, Great Ming, which already had friction with the Federation, entered her sights.

That was why she had come to find Lu Su tonight.

But Charlotte was also gambling—gambling that Lu Su would be interested in information about the Indo-American Federation.

Lu Su naturally understood Charlotte’s intentions. He merely said noncommittally, "You’ve made quite the calculation."

After saying that, he closed his mouth.

For a moment, Charlotte could not read the youth’s attitude. Although she had already prepared herself for failure, a trace of disappointment still rose uncontrollably in her heart.

After a long while, Lu Su’s voice sounded again.

"Tell me about the Indo-American Federation first."

"But if it is all unimportant information, then forget it."

Joy rose in Charlotte’s heart at those words. She knew the matter was more than halfway settled. "Yes, Your Excellency."

"The Federation…"