Chapter 2647: Relationship
The Three Monarchs Universe was separated into three different regions: the Lower King Domain, the Upper King Domain, and the Emperor Domain. Only people from the Emperor Domain were allowed to freely travel between the Upper and Lower King Domains, whereas people from the two lower domains struggled to gain entry to the Emperor Domain. The only way for them to enter the Emperor Domain was to have the right connections.
However, there were a few individuals who were allowed to travel freely between the three domains, among whom included the Crystal Banks employees.
After humans moved beyond the more primitive stages of development, economics began to play an increasingly crucial component in civilization. The Crystal Bank, much like the Mavis Bank, controlled the Three Monarchs Universes economy.
In the Emperor Domain, the Crystal Bank's headquarters was shaped like a massive ring that was far larger than any planet. It slowly spun in place, like a clock hanging over the Emperor Domain.
Thump, thump, thump. A man stood outside a door, clearly.
"Enter," a female voice ordered. Her voice sounded steady, competent, as well as touched by the passage of time.
The man entered and bowed. "Collector."
A woman sat in front of him. She was not beautiful in a conventional sense, though her appearance was rather noticeable. Her eyes were incredibly sharp, and the moment they rose when she glanced at the man, he felt as though she could see completely through him, which caused his heart to tremble.
"How is it?" she asked.
The man answered respectfully, "It has not reached the standard limit yet."
"Then go and check it again," the woman commanded before lowering her head once more. It was impossible to see what she was looking at.
The man stepped out, thought for a moment, and then knocked on the door again.
"Enter."
The man approached the woman, "Collector, the standard limit has been reached. It is ready to be replenished."
"Hmm," the woman responded, "Well done."
"Thank you, Collector." The man wiped the sweat from his brow. His job was to determine when it was time to replenish the rainbow wall with monarch essence. People did not tend to last long in this position, though not because the job was difficult. Rather, people did not stay because the job was too simple. It was so simple that it only required a glance, but no one could come to an agreement on how to interpret the information from that glance.
Every time the man submitted a report, he felt like he was flipping a coin.
Everyone who knew Shui Ningqiu understood that the woman had a certain limit in her mind, though no one knew exactly what it was.
The man left, a complicated expression on his face. He had no idea how much longer he would be able to keep his job for. He might not be so lucky the next time he delivered his report. Luckily, he had reacted quickly this time, as it had allowed him to keep his job.
"Im going to the Mo Courtyard," the woman stated indifferently. As soon as she spoke, two people stepped out from behind her. Each one was a Retainer, and they were the experts responsible for Shui Ningqius safety when she left for the imperial treasury, which was located in the Emperor Domain and under the Mo Courtyards protection.
The two experts trailed behind Shui Ningqiu like two shadows as she headed towards the Mo Courtyard.
One of the two bodyguards was actually Lu Yin in disguise. He was rather surprised at his luck, as he had not expected to leave for the imperial treasury almost as soon as he arrived. He had only intended to make some observations and take note of when Shui Ningqiu made her trips so that he could plan accordingly.
As for Cang Bi, there was no way he could actually monitor Lu Yin.
In the Three Monarchs Universe, the Mo Courtyards status was second only to the three Monarchs themselves. The Mo Courtyard served as the sword and shield of the three Monarchs, and the fifteen Semi-Progenitor-level experts in the Mo Courtyard were tasked with protecting the Emperor Domain. Even other universes had no choice but to respect the Mo Courtyard.
Even if other parallel universes had more than fifteen Semi-Progenitor-level experts, such powerhouses were usually not a part of a unified force. Only the Three Monarchs Universe could gather every Semi-Progenitor-level figure into a single unit, and their combined force was something that could not be ignored.
In the past, the Fifth Mainland had only been home to seven Semi-Progenitors, which served to properly frame the strength of the Mo Courtyard.
Since the imperial treasury was under the Mo Courtyards protection, only a peak powerhouse could force their way into the place.
There were also undoubtedly additional methods of protection and surveillance within the imperial treasury as well.
Suddenly, someone reported, "Collector, a member of the Mu family has been spotted up ahead."
Shui Ningqiu and Fu Yuan were both surprised. "Someone from the Mu family?"
Soon, they met with Old Lady Mu.
"So, it's the Collector's vessel. No wonder it looked so familiar." Old Lady Mu's calm face betrayed a hint of coldness, which made Shui Ningqiu feel as though she was being looked down on. Still, she did not dare to offend Old Lady Mu. Shui Ningqiu was well aware that the only reason why she had beaten Old Lady Mu in the contest to become the head of the Crystal Bank was because Monarch Mu had wanted to limit the Mu familys influence.
While Monarch Mu had gone missing, Luo Zang was still alive, and the Mu Family's influence would not diminish in the slightest unless someone took Luo Zangs place as the heir apparent to the Three Monarchs Universe.
Old Lady Mu then turned to look at Fu Yuan. "It has been a while."
Fu Yuan replied politely, "It has indeed been some time, Senior."
"Why are you here, Senior?" Shui Ningqiu asked with a voice that carefully portrayed a high degree of respect.
Old Lady Mu casually replied, "Oh, nothing much. I heard from someone that there have been some discrepancies between how many flourishing crystals have been withdrawn and how much you have been supplying to the rainbow wall, so I came over to check on things."
Both Fu Yuan and Shui Ningqiu's faces grew pale.
"Senior, who spread such slander? Baseless accusations should not be spoken lightly!" Shui Ningqiu replied in a stern voice.
Fu Yuan remained silent, but his face showed he was similarly unhappy.
Old Lady Mu remained unruffled. "Regardless of whether the claim is true, we'll know as soon as we check. Collector, bring out the flourishing crystals that you're taking to the rainbow wall. The flourishing crystals from the imperial treasury that are specifically intended for the rainbow wall contain monarch essence that is unique to Monarch Luo, which makes them different from what is circulated in the economy, as they cannot be counterfeited."
Shui Ningqiu felt her heart start to drop. She had just given Fu Yuan 10 million flourishing crystals, which meant that, if Old Lady Mu were to check the delivery, they might as well confess to stealing the flourishing crystals. That could not be allowed to happen!
"Senior, delivering the flourishing crystals to the rainbow wall is not a minor task, and this is not something that others can check on however they please. After all, this task was assigned to us by Monarch Luo himself. If we allow you to check on us due to a mere rumor, it would allow others to take the same liberties. What if one of Aeternuss spies takes advantage of such an opportunity to steal the flourishing crystals? Who would be held responsible?" Shui Ningqiu retorted.
Old Lady Mus brow furrowed. "Are you unwilling to cooperate with me?"
"This is not about willingness, but rather that what you are asking is impossible." Shui Ningqiu stood her ground. Given the situation, she absolutely could not show the slightest opening.
Old Lady Mu looked back over at Fu Yuan. "What is your position on this matter?"
Fu Yuan replied, "Senior, if you wish to inspect the Collector's delivery of flourishing crystals, I would need to ask how you intend to prove yourself to be Old Lady Mu. If you are an Aeternus spy disguised by using abilities we cannot see through, wouldn't you simply steal the flourishing crystals the moment we expose them to you?"
Old Lady Mu sneered. "If a spy could deceive you with a disguise, why would they need such a trivial amount of flourishing crystals?"
"While it might be considered a trivial amount, they have a strategic significance," Shui Ningqiu insisted, "If this supply of flourishing crystals is not delivered in time, it could trouble the rainbow wall, which would be a very serious matter."
Fu Yuan stepped forward. "Senior, if you insist on inspecting this batch, that can be arranged, but we need to first report this matter to Monarch Luo and ask him to decide."
Old Lady Mu sneered again. "You two certainly play off each other well enough, just like what the whistleblower said would happen. The two of you must have been inseparable in your youths."
Shui Ningqiu and Fu Yuan were struck with horror at this comment. This was a catastrophe, as they had clearly been discovered.
OMA's Thoughts
Translated By: OMA
Edited By: Neshi/Nyxnox
TLC'ed By: OMA