Su Mari, filled with rage and humiliation, burst directly into Hua Ye's side hall. The air inside was thick with a lazy, sweet fragrance. Hua Ye was half-squinting, letting two angel girls massage his neck and shoulders. Seeing Su Mari enter in such a state, he lazily lifted an eyelid.
"King!" Su Mari knelt on one knee, his voice tight with agitation. "I have urgent matters to report! Regarding Chu Mo!"
Hua Ye waved a hand, dismissing the girls behind the curtains, and yawned. "Chu Mo again? Isn't your prejudice against him a bit deep? He's been doing well lately—the treasury is full, and I have everything I want..."
"King! This man hides a treacherous heart!" Su Mari snapped his head up, his eyes sharp as blades. "The escape of Kaisha and Liangbing—though there is no proof, all suspicions point to him! That is the first point!"
"Second, today in the palace plaza, he dared to be publicly disrespectful to me, mocking me with words and acting with such arrogance that he clearly holds no regard for my status!"
Hua Ye frowned, showing impatience. "Just for that? You know how Old Chu is; there are just some misunderstandings between you..."
"Third, and most importantly!" Su Mari interrupted. "Today, in a moment of anger, I struck out. I used my full strength—enough that an ordinary combat angel could hardly withstand it! But that Chu Mo caught my kick with nonchalant ease and remained completely unharmed! My King, you should be well aware of my strength!"
Hearing this, Hua Ye's half-closed eyes finally opened fully. The lazy expression receded slightly. He was, of course, well aware of Su Mari's power.
Su Mari was the sharpest and most ruthless blade under his command. His combat techniques and manipulation of dark energy were top-tier among the male angels of the Royal City. Aside from Hua Ye himself, only a few veteran generals who had spent years at war could consistently best him.
Chu Mo... that always-smiling merchant, caught Su Mari's full-strength kick without injury?
This was indeed beyond Hua Ye's expectations. He had always thought Chu Mo was merely a shrewd businessman who thrived by flattering him and possessing a keen nose for profit. He had never associated the word "strength" with him.
Seeing Hua Ye's expression change, Su Mari struck while the iron was hot: "My King! Chu Mo's origins are unknown. In a short time, he climbed from a mere merchant to the high position of Finance Minister, holding great power and wealth rivaling a nation. Now it appears he has hidden significant strength! Why has he painstakingly approached you? If he were truly loyal, why hide his power? I fear he... harbors rebellious intent!"
"Rebellious intent?" Hua Ye repeated, tapping the armrest. Chu Mo's rapid rise was indeed conspicuous. Wealth, power, and now suspected hidden strength—these elements combined forced one to think twice.
But then he remembered how Chu Mo had spent years solving his problems. Especially after taking over the treasury, the funds had visibly overflowed, and every one of Hua Ye's desires was met. To condemn such a capable and "understanding" man just because he might be strong?
Hua Ye's inherent suspicion clashed with his conceit. He feared potential threats, but he couldn't let go of the convenience Chu Mo provided. More importantly, he didn't believe anyone could stir up trouble under his nose. The Heavenly Palace Order was at its zenith, and he, Hua Ye, was the undisputed King.
After a moment, Hua Ye waved his hand. "Enough. I've noted your concerns. But to conclude he has a change of heart just because he caught a kick is too arbitrary. Perhaps he has some special defensive technique, or he gained some benefits recently. It doesn't mean it's a deliberate deception."
He saw Su Mari's unwilling look and softened his tone. "Tell you what, I'll summon him to the palace later and ask him myself. You, don't target him too much. Old Chu's work is still very effective. You are both my left and right hands; you must be united for the big picture! Don't spend all day jealous of each other—especially over that girl Hexi. Her heart isn't on either of you anyway." Hua Ye ended with a teasing smirk.
Su Mari's face turned pale. He knew Hua Ye hadn't fully believed him and was even warning him about letting his feelings for Hexi cloud his judgment. His resentment grew, but he didn't dare argue further. "Yes... King. I... understand."
---
In the quietest private room on the second floor of "Another Village," Chu Mo and Hexi sat across from each other. Several exquisite dishes were laid out, steam rising from them. Hexi's movements were elegant as she ate slowly, demonstrating her refined upbringing.
"How is it? Does it suit your taste, Miss Hexi?" Chu Mo asked with a smile, as if the tense standoff with Su Mari in the plaza had never happened.
Hexi set down her chopsticks and lightly dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "Very good. I've heard of 'Another Village' for a long time. Trying it today, it truly lives up to its reputation. The dishes are novel and the flavors are layered. No wonder the business is so successful." Her tone was flat, but the evaluation was sincere.
"I'm glad you like it. You're welcome to come often. I'll give you a discount," Chu Mo smiled.
"Then I thank Manager Chu," Hexi nodded slightly, accepting the gesture.
Once she had finished, she picked up a cup of warm black tea, took a small sip, and looked at Chu Mo with her cool, focused azure eyes. "The meal is over. Time for the real business."
Chu Mo's smile receded as he turned serious. "First, and most importantly: I want our collaboration to remain between the two of us. Not a third person can know—not your assistants, not my subordinates. Your research... could cause massive trouble. The fewer people who know, the better."
Hexi nodded. "Naturally. I don't want my research exposed too early, inviting unwanted attention or... intervention."
"Good," Chu Mo continued. "Second, I need you to give me a list of the core resources and special materials required to create the First-Gen female angel gene. Be as detailed as possible, including potential substitutes."
Hexi's eyes flashed with confusion. "What do you want that for? Many of these materials are controlled substances or extremely rare. Even as Finance Minister, requisitioning them in bulk would arouse suspicion."
Chu Mo looked at her and said honestly: "I won't hide it from you. I plan to upgrade some of the trusted female angels who have followed me for years once the conditions are ripe. They work for me and have sacrificed much. I don't want them to have only a thousand years of life or less, living in constant dependence. With the First-Gen gene, they will at least have longer lives and the ability to protect themselves."
Hexi froze. She looked at Chu Mo, and for the first time, her calm blue eyes showed surprise—even a hint of being moved.
"You... surprise me, Chu Mo," her voice was much softer. "I find it hard to imagine that a man viewed by the world as Hua Ye's most loyal lapdog—someone who has amassed such wealth and power under the Heavenly Palace Order—would actually be thinking about... giving female angels combat genes? Do you... not support Hua Ye's Order?"
Chu Mo's eyes instantly sharpened. He instinctively scanned the room. It was soundproof; they were alone.
He breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his voice with a warning tone: "Miss Hexi, watch your words! You should know the dangers of a slip of the tongue. I have never said I don't support the Heavenly Palace Order." He paused. "I simply believe that letting capable, loyal people live longer and be more reliable is good for everyone. There is no contradiction."
Hexi looked at his cautious yet somewhat helpless expression and found it slightly amusing. A tiny curve appeared at the corner of her mouth. "You never said it? But your actions don't look like sincere support. If you were truly that afraid of Hua Ye, you wouldn't bother collaborating with me and taking such a risk."
Chu Mo was momentarily speechless. He rubbed his brow and gave a bitter laugh. "Miss Hexi, you are too perceptive; sometimes that isn't a good thing." He looked up, his gaze deep and serious. "Let's set that question aside. The collaboration continues. I provide the money and resources; you provide the technology. The final result is shared. It's fair, isn't it?"
Hexi met his gaze for a long moment. Finally, she spread her hands with cool elegance. "Very well. Since you won't say, I won't ask. Some things, time will answer." She paused, a spark of inquiry flashing in her blue eyes as she stared into his. "However, I find myself... quite interested in you now. Chu Mo, the things you want to do... they should be very interesting, shouldn't they?"
Chu Mo felt a stir in his heart but kept his face impassive. He simply smiled and offered no answer.
After the meal, Chu Mo personally escorted Hexi to the entrance of "Another Village," watching her figure disappear into the crowd.
As he turned to arrange for the collection of the materials Hexi had listed, an attendant of Hua Ye found him.
"Lord Chu! The King summons you. Please enter the palace immediately!"
Chu Mo's heart jumped. A smile immediately masked his face. "Thank you for the message. I shall go now."
As he watched the attendant leave, the smile vanished. Su Mari was fast. It seemed the conflict in the plaza and the strength he displayed had indeed triggered Hua Ye's suspicion.
He took a deep breath. With a thought, the pure white wings on his back unfurled and beat once. He took to the sky, turning into a streak of light toward the Royal Palace.