#548 - Chapter 548: Under the calm surface, each hides their own calculations

Inside the expansive palace hall, crystal chandeliers hung from the towering ceiling, and luxurious carpets stretched across every corner.

Kings from加盟国 all over the world, dressed in their respective national costumes, gathered in small groups, as if this grand banquet was merely an opportunity for them to connect.

However, beneath this seemingly harmonious atmosphere, a clear division was subtly brewing.

On one side, the majority of the kings stood in the center of the palace, raising their glasses and engaging in lively conversations, their words subtly revealing their flattery and awe of the World Government.

They spoke of the magnificence of the Holy Land, the power of the Government, and the necessity of the new Five Elders' ascension.

"The new Five Elders are truly admirable," a king from a central kingdom exclaimed, "Their strength is enough to safeguard the safety of all of us."

"Indeed," another king in a golden robe chimed in, "Although this change was sudden, the World Government's authority remains unshakable."

However, near a corner of the palace, a small group of kings seemed out of place.

These kings whispered amongst themselves, their tone carrying emotions starkly different from the prevailing atmosphere of the hall—doubt, vigilance, and a hint of rebellion.

Although they were also dressed in gorgeous formal attire, the sharpness in their eyes was not concealed by the banquet's extravagance.

They stood close to the edge of the palace, as if intentionally distancing themselves from the kings who enthusiastically praised the World Government.

"Have you heard? General Jin-An won a momentous victory on the battlefield of Elbaf."

One of the kings said in a low voice.

He looked at his companions with gleaming eyes, his tone revealing a sense of pride.

"Of course, I know," another tall, slender king nodded, a secretive smile appearing on his face, "I heard that those so-called Five Elders, even Imu's direct pawns, were defeated by him."

As soon as these words came out, several people smiled at each other, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed a lot.

Their conversation began to become more lively, but they always maintained a low profile.

"That kid Jin-An is very capable," an older king stroked his beard, "When I encountered a rebellion in my own country, he personally sent people to help me quell it. Such a person is our true backer."

"Yes, although the World Government is strong, it only knows how to use oppressive means. A strong man like Jin-An is worthy of our trust."

Their whispers gradually entered the ears of other circles.

Some loyal supporters of the World Government glanced sideways upon hearing this, their expressions carrying some dissatisfaction and even hostility.

"Those people are getting too close to Jin-An," a king standing in the center frowned and whispered, "Getting too close to someone who may threaten the World Government will eventually bring disaster."

"Let them talk," another king snorted softly, "The World Government will settle accounts with these heretics sooner or later. When that time comes, we just need to stand on the side of the victor."

However, those kings who were close to Jin-An did not care about this.

The trust and unity revealed in their conversations subtly contrasted with the coldness and alienation in the center of the palace, as if declaring their position in a silent way.

The conversations in the palace seemed insignificant, but they planted the seeds of division in the undercurrent.

Jin-An's name became an invisible boundary, quietly separating the relationship between these加盟国 nations.

And outside this chaotic palace, a storm was brewing, and Jin-An's next plan would make everything even more unmanageable.

At the other end of the palace, the atmosphere was completely different from the kings' social scene.

Gathered here were the rulers of the underworld, some dressed in luxurious clothes, others draped in low-key cloaks, but their temperament revealed a sharp aura that was out of tune with the palace's extravagance.

Morgans sat at a secluded long table, casually swirling a glass of red wine in his hand.

His huge bird beak opened slightly, letting out a chuckle:

"Boring, utterly boring."

He glanced around casually, his eyes full of contempt for these observers.

"What else can the people here do besides sucking up to the World Government?"

He spoke in a low voice, but it revealed an undisguised disgust.

He slammed the wine glass on the table, making a crisp sound that attracted a few gazes, but no one dared to say a word to him.

On the other side of the long table, Stussy, the queen of the Pleasure District, was leaning lazily on the back of her chair.

She rested her cheek in one hand and idly twirled a ring with the other, her eyes wandering aimlessly around the palace.

"This palace is big enough, but the atmosphere isn't interesting enough," she said softly, her tone like a wisp of light smoke passing by, but with a hint of hidden mockery.

"How could they be interesting?" Morgans replied, his tone adding a bit of disdain, "Living in the shadow of the World Government all day long, they don't even dare to tell the truth."

Stussy raised her eyes and glanced at him, a smile appearing on the corner of her mouth: "Aren't you the same? You clearly hate them, but you still have to obediently attend the banquet."

"Hmph......"

Morgans snorted and did not answer.

Just then, the words "Jin-An" were vaguely heard not far away.

The voice was not loud, but in this quiet corner, it was like a pebble falling into a calm lake.

Morgans' originally lazy posture suddenly straightened, and his small, sharp eyes suddenly looked towards the source of the sound.

Stussy slowly sat up, a hint of undisguised interest in her eyes.

"Jin-An?" Morgans repeated in a low voice, a meaningful smile rising on the corner of his beak, "He has become the center of attention again."

"What's wrong, is the great News Coo so interested in him?" Stussy teased with a chuckle, picking up a small dessert from the table with her fingertips.

"Where there is news, there is my existence." Morgans grinned, but the gleam in his eyes could not be concealed,

"Moreover, this guy is not simple.

In the battle of Elbaf, even the Five Elders were completely wiped out by him. This kind of ability... how can people not be interested?"

Stussy did not answer immediately, but elegantly put the dessert into her mouth, chewed it carefully for a while before opening her mouth:

"I'm just thinking, if a person like him really continues to rise, the World Government probably won't be able to suppress him."

"That's even more interesting." Morgans said softly, his tone revealing an eagerness to try, "A piece of news that can shake this world is simply a gift from heaven."

The two stopped talking, but their eyes fell on the other end of the palace at the same time, as if through the figures of those kings and Celestial Dragons, they saw that distant battlefield, and Jin-An's rising figure.

After a moment, Morgans tapped the table lightly with his wing and muttered to himself:

"It seems like I should move too. Such a big game can't be without my share."

Stussy smiled slightly, a deep meaning flashing in her eyes:

"Perhaps, we still have an opportunity to cooperate."

Morgans glanced at her and smiled meaningfully:

"That depends on what sincerity you are willing to offer."

The two laughed softly, but beneath this calm surface, there were hidden calculations and plans, as if this grand observation ceremony was just a prelude to the storm that was about to break out.

...

...