Syracuse stood out among his colleagues in the merchant's guild, managing to get a position at the small council which had only ten seats in total. When the humans were finally liberated, the ten on the small council and the factions that they represented would be the dominant force.
Wang Tong could have denied anyone's audience, except for Syracuse.
"Lord Wang Tong, on behalf of my family, I want to say thank you for all the good things you have done," Syracuse said emotionally. He knew from the start that Wang Tong would succeed, and what a smashing success it was. Wang Tong's achievement was so unprecedented that it sounded like a story from a legend. Looking at the young man in front of him, Syracuse registered that Wang Tong hadn't changed at all, and he still had no clue had the latter was thinking behind that thin veil of a smile.
"We are old friends, Syracuse. No need to be so polite."
Syracuse smiled faintly. He knew very well that Wang Tong had all the major faction wrapped around his fingers. Not only were Zambrotta's Knight units and the Kaedeians under Wang Tong's service, but Lie Jian was also beholden to the earthling boy. Amongst all of Wang Tong's loyalists, the technology committee spearheaded by Wang Tung was gaining more influence on Mars by the day despite its nascency. With this much support backing him up, no one on Mars would be able to rival Wang Tong's authority.
However, it was not a secret to Syracuse that Wang Tong's ambition on Mars was limited. If there were one person who could liberate the humans on Earth and the Moon, it would be him.
"Lord Wang Tong, etiquette is only reserved for a real hero of Mars like yourself. On behalf of the Syracuse family, I would like to let you know that we are at your beck and call." Syracuse said with the utmost sincerity. He knew that the young man in front of him was the de facto ruler of Mars. Syracuse had dug into Wang Tong's past and found out that not only Admiral Samantha was Wang Tong's principal, but also his lover, or so said the rumors.
"I appreciate your offer. After the war is over, your family will be rewarded the most handsomely." Wang Tong knew it was time to cue in his promises to seal the deal.
"Thank you, my lord! " Syracuse said as calmly as he could. However, his trembling voice had betrayed the overwhelming joy inside him. Wang Tong had displayed his power during the fight with Moye, and this power had cast an enormous fear-evoking shadow over everyone during peacetime. Syracuse scarcely dared to speak in a loud voice in front of this man's shadow.
"I hope all the other merchant groups would be as cooperative as you are."
"I will make sure they are," Syracuse answered.
It was Wang Tong's casual mark, but to Syracuse, there was nothing casual about anything that came out of the former's mouth. Wang Tong would need a fleet to ferry the Martians to the Earth and the moon, and the thing about large fleets was that they were expensive. Although Wang Tong had Lie Jian and Michaux's support, it would not be enough, and he would need support from the merchants.
Wang Tong's remark had made the merchants on Mars take a long hard look at their situation. They soon realized that helping him was not a sacrifice, but an investment. If Wang Tong succeeded, they would be paid back handsomely. Therefore, there was no reason not to help him; it was sound business after all.
Syracuse was the only businessman Wang Tong had received, and it had pushed the reputation of the Syracuse family to a new height. Many merchant factions used all tricks they could think of to bring Syracuse closer. The wanted to know what Wang Tong had discussed with him and what would be the fate of the merchant guild on Mars.
Unlike during the peacetime, there were many methods, including but not limited to, violence, for Wang Tong to retaliate against people who dared to oppose him. Since the Martian businessmen, except for Syracuse, had missed their only opportunity to win Wang Tong's favor, their hopes lied on Syracuse, the only connection between the business community and Wang Tong.
Wang Tong was anointed sainthood in the Divine Mastery Sect. He was the holiest saint of all saints: the Saint Savior. The followers of the sect had started the rumor that Wang Tong was the savior ever since he had evoked the miracle while he was at the Divine Mastery tower. By then, he had performed more miracles than anyone could count, among which, the most important of all was killing the Dark Lord. It was exactly as the Divine Master had prophesied.
It had been only ten days after Wang Tong had killed Moye, but the savior had already disappeared after his job was done. However, in every corner of every Martian city, people raised toasts in his name, and banners depicting his face were hung everywhere.
Wang Tong's meeting with Zambrotta was carried out in a relaxed atmosphere. Wang Tong knew he couldn't afford to be vague with Zambrotta, who would be in charge of most of the matters on Mars while he was gone. If Wang Tong were not specific and to the point, he would cause confusion among the Martians.
"Nice to meet you! Is this our first time meeting each other?" Zambrotta said with an approving smile.
"In person, yes. But, I saw your brilliant fight five years ago. "
"Haha, I am still grateful for Einherjar Wannabe's teachings on that day," Zambrotta said politely. He knew that both Wang Tong and the mysterious War God were over level thirty, if not super Einherjars. What was even more impressive about Wang Tong was that he was not only a powerful METAL warrior, but also a deadly mastery caster.
However, if Wang Tong were to pick a fight with Patroclus, which he very likely would, who would prevail?
"Haha…Mr. Wannabe was also very impressed by your skills. There are still many things left to be finished on Mars, and I will appreciate your continued support." Wang Tong said seriously. Dark ones were one thing, but Patroclus was another. The battle against the Divine Lord wouldn't be easy.
Wang Tong had improved his cultivation over the five years, and so had Patroclus. With the advantage of a strong body, Patroclus had an even greater potential than Wang Tong. In addition, after sitting on the Zerg throne for five years, Patroclus' strategic thinking had also improved by leaps and bounds.
"Will do!" Zambrotta announced with conviction. He was tempted to ask about the War God's whereabouts, but he thought better of it. He registered that the forces behind Wang Tong and the War God were way beyond his comprehension, just like the Blade Warrior.
Greetings over, Zambrotta and Wang Tong then discussed the current state of affairs. The situation on Mars was contained and improving by the day. However, there was still a heavy presence of Zerg fleet in Mars' outer space. Despite their numbers, the Zerg fleet was disorganized due to lack of authority. With the help of the Confederation's last armada, humans should be able to push those Zergs out of the way sooner or later.
After that, they also discussed topics of cultivation at length. Although Zambrotta was much more senior than Wang Tong, he acted more like the student during the conversation. This might be Zambrotta's only chance to chat with a super Einherjar, so he showered Wang Tong with questions.
Ever since Zambrotta had entered the Einherjar level, his cultivation had practically stopped improving. But, despite his age, he had not given up the hope of reaching a higher level.
"Once you have reached the Einherjar level, your power becomes less of a determining factor in leveling up. You need to learn to borrow the natural force around you." Wang Tong said with a smile. His words had hit the mark and evoked a fleeting moment of epiphany in Zambrotta. Zambrotta closed his eyes, trying to grasp the meaning again.
"Then what?" Zambrotta asked.
Wang Tong answered with only a smile, seeing which, Zambrotta said timidly, "Excuse me for being greedy."
Wang Tong shook his head. "It's not a secret, and I am willing to share it with you. However, I don't think it's the right time for you to know yet. It might slow you down than help you."
Zambrotta nodded; Wang Tong was right. Patience was the biggest virtual when it came down to cultivation.
At that moment, a knock on the door broke Zambrotta's train of thoughts; it was Brenda. "Dad, can I have a moment with Wang Tong along?"
Zambrotta's eyes glinted like an old fox as he smirked, "Hehe, sure! My daughter thinks I am too old to hear her conversation. Sorry for getting in your way, darling. Haha."
Before Brenda got mad at Zambrotta, he had disappeared behind the door, shutting the door quietly and locking it before he left. "How should I call you? Wang Tong? Savior? The Divine Angel?" Brenda asked slyly and sarcastically.
Wang Tong cracked a smile. "Whatever you like." Brenda didn't answer, not knowing what to say. Wang Tong looked at Brenda and exclaimed. "You look great in those military uniforms. You should be on the recruitment ad. Haha...Young men would flock into our ranks if they saw your face."
Brenda was amused by Wang Tong's words. "You've got a sweet mouth. Tell me, how many hearts have you broken?"
Wang Tong shrugged, "I am innocent."
"Jerk! Those two medics were head over heels for you, and you just ignored them."
Little did Wang Tong know that he had become the public idol among Martian girls. Surrounded by the gorgeous faces and the smartest minds, Wang Tong was powerful and mysterious; handsome and romantic; a character straight out of the most popular female genre books such as "My bossy handsome boss," "Fifty Shades of love" and "Dusk-light."
Wang Tong shrugged again and then said, "Well, I don't know what to do either."