Chapter 653: Negotiations with the Mythic Spirit (1)
This was a display of might used as the tyrannical precursor to negotiations. The Yin energy around the Black Mamba swirled subserviently, almost as though they were all paying tribute to their master. Unfortunately, just like the sun, Qin Ye couldn’t see the Black Mamba’s appearances clearly no matter how hard he tried.
What a terrifying monster…
He wasn’t bowing in subservience to another underworld, but bowing in respect for a Yama-King’s might and authority.
With that, the stifling pressure in the surroundings suddenly eased up, and Qin Ye finally managed to get a better look at the sights around him.
Five of these seats were already occupied by underworldly emissaries. In fact, Qin Ye could’ve sworn that the exact same person was seated on three of these seats.
Babulu was naturally seated on one of the chairs, and he smiled, “Prefect Qin, let me make the introductions. These three are the council elders of the Black Mamba Underworld. While they do not have names, they were conferred the titles of Blazing Sun, Bright Moon, and Yonder Star over the course of their service in the council.”
Babulu made an inviting gesture and smiled, “All prominent decisions here in the Alkebulan Underworlds are made by none other than the respective Lord Mythic Spirit of the lands. That said, the daily affairs are all handled by the ancestral shaman of each tribe. This esteemed individual here is none other than the ancestral shaman of the Black Mamba Tribe. You may address him as Ancestral Shaman Cain, or Shaman Cain for short.”
The entire grand hall was silent.
Qin Ye slowly took his seat. Ever since he entered the grand hall, his nerves had been tensed up to the extreme, so much so that he was now like a tightened bowstring, ready to fire its loaded arrows at the moment’s notice.
The Russian Underworld had already made its move. What he needed to do next was not only to convince them to give up the potential benefits to be had from a partnership with the Russian Underworld, he even had to do so without disclosing too much about the current situation of Hell. This was something that was bound to come up in the negotiations sooner or later. It was the elephant in the room.
Why does Hell need the Alkebulan Underworlds to make a move instead?
Clink… Qin Ye picked up the wine cup in front of him and gently swirled it about before taking a sip from it.
As the warm liquid trickled down his throat, he slowly regained his composure. Then, when he finally set the glass back down on the table, he slowly looked back up, only to realize that the other end of the table was currently occupied by a… creature.
He had the head of a cobra, and there were clearly black and vermillion tattoos etched all over his body. He stood at approximately 1.6 meters tall, and he was covered with golden ornaments replete with a simple white robe. The wide seat at the end of the table appeared almost too large for this creature, but nobody thought it fit to laugh at the creature. Instead, everyone reverently placed their hands on their chests and bowed respectfully to the creature.
The suffocating aura of Yin energy dispersing from the creature’s body was more than a sufficient reminder as to whose territory he was currently in right now!
Black Mamba’s gaze landed directly on Qin Ye, and they locked eyes. Qin Ye’s hands were already damp with cold sweat, yet he managed to maintain the same, placid smile on his face as he nodded back in response. Several seconds later, the head smiled faintly, and the scales on his cheeks rattled slightly as he raised his hands and made a gesture for all to take their seats, “Please take a seat. Emissary of Hell, you appear somewhat nervous.”
Black Mamba smiled back, “Then this must probably be the first time you’re visiting the various underworlds here in Alkebulan. It’s commendable that you’re able to maintain the requisite standards of etiquette despite being so nervous.”
It was a little joke, and the underworldly emissaries chuckled along. At once, the atmosphere softened somewhat.
He’d seen several Yama-class powerhouses to date, but never quite someone with such unrestrained and wild Yin energy.
“There’s no one else here.” Black Mamba spoke with indifference, “Feel free to speak in your own language of preference. Rest assured that I can understand everything that you’re saying. And, more importantly, nobody else apart from us is privy to the conversations that are taking place. Babulu.”
The food was rich and delightful. However, Qin Ye didn’t even bother to pick up the utensils set on the table. This banquet was more of a table for discussion than anything else. The more he ate, the slower his thought processes, and the more likely he was to disgrace himself.
Thus, Qin Ye slowly sipped at his wine in an elegant and reserved posture, waiting patiently for the Black Mamba Underworld to ask their question.
“Please ask.” Qin Ye maintained an impeccable smile on his face.
Babulu nodded, and then his smile faded away, “First question, do you have a detailed charter of the upcoming shipment for our inspection? How many ships are we looking at? What’s the cargo weight of each ship? What’s the expected departure time, the time of the port of call, and the sailing route?”
This was merely a segue that Qin Ye had thought up at the eleventh hour in order to gain an audience with the Mythic Spirit. He didn’t even know what these were, much less prepare something like that to be used to convince the Black Mamba Underworld.
All eyes were on him. Although there weren’t many people in the grand hall right now, every single underworldly emissary was at least at the level of an Abyssal Prefect. Copious amounts of Yin energy flowed constantly in every direction like the vast oceans out there.
“Prefect Qin.” Elder Blazing Sun interjected, “Importance is one thing, but professionalism is quite something else. With all due respect, I didn’t find any traces of professionalism in your earlier conversation with Deputy Chieftain Babulu. Or are you saying that…”
Qin Ye smiled.
“First of all, this is merely an indication of our intention. We don’t know whether the Black Mamba Underworld is still open to the idea of maintaining a sea trade route with us after the lapse of a hundred years. After all, it’s been some time since Hell has gone into reclusion. What is needed to determine the intention of parties isn’t so much professionalism, as it is trust.”
Elder Blazing Sun nodded his head, acknowledging the veracity of Qin Ye’s explanation.
He smiled, “As you’ve mentioned, it matters not who you represent. The Malagasy Underworld holds an edge over all other underworlds in terms of its geography, and will always welcome Hell’s fleet with open arms.”
Qin Ye was cautious about his answers. Thus, he mulled over the question for several seconds before finally responding, “Artwork.”
“Clothes woven from fine fabrics, jewelry etched with precious gemstones, ornaments made by famous craftsmen, and the like.”
“What about the Rain Swallows?” Just then, a hoarse voice interjected from the other end of the table. Qin Ye looked up, only to see a terrifying pair of eyes gazing intently at him, “The Zhu Clan had earlier promised that they would be sending us ten Rain Swallows in the next voyage to the Alkebulan Underworlds. Is the Zhu Clan…”
His eyes narrowed, “Is the Zhu Clan planning to resile from its earlier promise?!”
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