Joseph walked slowly on the road with a smile on his face, but his eyes were filled with gloom. He had been like that since he came out of the Princess Retail Store.
As he was passing through an isolated alley, Joseph’s footsteps stopped and he said firmly, “That human must die.”
As Royce heard that, he asked with surprise, “Sir, that human is nothing but a useless person. Why…”
Joseph said with a dignified look, “I saw a lot of things in the Princess Retail Store just now. Not just the goods but also some hidden wonders. These things are amazing innovations even if you look at the entire Demon Realm. In other words, it is likely to come from beyond the Demon Realm and the human from the surface world is the biggest suspect…”
“Also, I bid with Alan just now wasn’t to teach him a lesson but to raise the price. Then, I’ll buy the burr puzzle and give it to him so that I can please both the little princess and Alan simultaneously. I know Alan’s personality well. As long as you show him deference, reconciliation isn’t a difficult thing.” Joseph’s face became gloomier, “I never thought that human to actually notice my intentions and hinted the little princess. That’s why little princess did that. With that, our relationship with the Karon Family will worsen. If it is not resolved as soon as possible, Kanita might take advantage of that.”
“Is this human really that powerful? He actually influenced the little princess’s decision?” Royce looked like he had a sudden realization. In his mind, he had a whole new understanding of his “master” in his heart. For his master to receive such recognition from someone like Joseph, he must be truly impressive.
“If I guessed it right, the person behind the Princess Retail Store is Chen Rui. For the Princess Retail Store to prosper today, it is all because of the human. That’s why Alice would listen to him. With just one look, she actually grasped all his intentions.”
Having said that, Joseph’s eyes were filled with murderous intention inexplicably, “Since this human appeared in the Dark Moon City, a series of changes have taken place, be it the Master Challenge, the Sky Battle or the Princess Retail Store. Nevermind his impressive talent, even if he’s useless, and he can only bring fortune to Princess Royal’s side, I have to find a way to get rid of him!”
If Chen Rui heard that now, what would he think. Actually, Chen Rui didn’t completely notice Joseph’s intentions. He simply got it by chance. However, Joseph’s wisdom was definitely not someone like Alan could rival. He had already concluded that Chen Rui was the man behind Princess Retail Store. He also associated it with the Master Challenge and the Sky Battle, and even the so-called “luck theory” factor.
“Sir, leave that to me.” Royce thought and requested.
Although Joseph had impressive intelligence, he would’ve never thought his powerful subordinate had become that human’s servant. That request of killing Chen Ruiwas nothing but a fluke to secretly let the “enemy” escape.
“Royce, I know that the incident at the magic store is still bothering you, and you want to make up for it. I have already said that you have no responsibility for that. It was all due to that idiot Alan.” Joseph glanced at Vasasha who had no expression facing Royce and smiled slightly, “As for Chen Rui, I already have a plan. Actually, it is too easy to assassinate this human. I need his death to be more valuable. Princess Royal is currently watching the show between Alan and I leisurely. If this is the case, then I’ll let her worry for a while.”
“Understood.” Royce bowed slightly; his lowered eyes had a faint glow.
The next morning, the quarterly meeting began.
There were many people attending the regular meeting. Chen Rui only knew Joseph and Alan. The rest such as the Saiful Family patriarch, Ford, the Mellon Family patriarch, Carl and other small and medium-sized family representatives were those who could only be seen in that document.
Chen Rui quietly activated <Analytical Eyes> and looked at everyone’s strength.
Female Boss Shea – Race: Arrogant Royal Family; Strength Rating: Unable to Judge.
Butler Old Gauss – Race: Lich; Strength Rating: D.
Nasty-Nice Joseph – Race: Great Demon; Strength Rating: C.
King of Thrash Talk, Alan – Race: Great Demon; Strength Rating: E.
Saifu Family Patriarch, Ford – Race: Great Demon; Strength Rating: D.
Mellon Family Patriarch, Karl – Race Great Demon; Strength Rating: D.
……
Now that Chen Rui’s personal strength had reached D. While using <Analytical Eyes>, Joseph’s strength rating was no longer “Unable to Judge”, but it was displayed as C; whereas Shea’s strength was still “Unable to Judge”. Chen Rui was quite skilled at using <Analytical Eyes>. He knew that this skill could analyze a level higher than himself, so anything above that would be shown as “Unable to Judge”.
The strongest person present is Shea, followed by Joseph, who must’ve reached the level of Demon King. The worsts are Alan and the representatives of several small families. As Shea said, Alan shouldn’t really be eliminated now. If not, where can we find a sheriff that is weak both physically and cognitively?
Shea’s analysis of “Arrogant Royal Family” made Chen Rui a little curious. I remember Athena once mentioned that Demon Realm currently has three royal empires, namely the Fallen Angel Empire representing “Arrogant”, the Bloody Empire representing “Greed” and the Dark Shadow Empire representing “Lust”. Demon Realm had seven great empires during its heyday. In the past millions of years of natural selection, there are only three royal families left in the end. The other four royal families were either dependent on others or have disappeared. Arrogant, greed, lust… sounds quite familiar.
However, Shea is only 23 years old. Her strength is at least Great Demon King for it to be “Unable to Judge”. How did she train? Does she also have a Super System?
Also, Old Gauss is a lich. The usual upper limit for lich should be Intermediate Demon, which is E. Now, it is displayed as D. It seems that he’s another one with the mutated bloodline.
Chen Rui was observing then a concern sounded, “Secretary, I heard that your body was unwell some time ago. Is it better now?”
This voice didn’t make Chen Rui feel comforted because it was from the nasty-nice Joseph. He just asked this question yesterday, and he deliberately asked the same question again today. He probably had a bad intention.
“Sir Joseph, thanks for your concern.” Chen Rui got up and bowed, “Actually, I blame my body for being too weak. I have been sick for a while, and I have yet to recover.”
The Alan beside didn’t hide his despise at all – Weak human. He hasn’t been in the Demon Realm for that long, but he already can’t endure it and fallen sick. It’s best if he dies from sickness!
“Be sure to take care of your body.” Joseph nodded meaningfully, “Otherwise, how can Princess Royal be assured to give you more important tasks in the future. Actually, I have always thought highly of you.”
Thought highly your ass! Chen Rui secretly complaining: Who doesn’t know you? Shouting brother at the front, but sharpening your knife at the back.
At that moment, Shea spoke up, “Okay. Enough with the chatter. Let’s get started.”
The quarterly meeting was mainly to summarize the situation of the current quarter and make a rough arrangement for the next quarter’s work.
The summary at the beginning was nothing more than reporting the major events which was mainly based on the logbook that Chen Rui was responsible for. After Shea finished the summary, Joseph took the lead and stood up when Shea was asking everyone for the arrangement of the next quarter, “I lost 100 vine stones to the little princess from the Sky Battle last time. As I needed time to collect the vine stones and I had some personal matter at the Red Spirit Estate, I took a long leave last month. After attending this regular meeting, I also want to request for at least two months leave from Princess Royal. After I settled the issues, I will return to serve the Dark Moon. I hope Your Royal Highness can understand.”
Shea slightly nodded. In fact, everyone knew that taking leave was just a formality. Princess Royal was eager for the financial officer to go out the longer the better; it’d be best if he doesn’t return.
“Thanks Your Royal Highness! Please be assured that I will arrange all the work at hand before I take my leave.” Joseph smiled and said some work arrangements. Then, he looked at Chen Rui, who was recording and said, “Upon returning to the Dark Moon this time only that I found out Princess Royal has a secretary around which turned out to be Chen Rui who was outstanding in the Master Challenge and the Air Battle. Actually, I’ve always thought that Chen Rui is very talented. Princess Royal is really excellent in discovering those who are talented.”
As Joseph said, everyone’s eyes were on this tiny secretary. Chen Rui knew that this guy definitely had no good intention, so he was secretly vigilant. Even Alan, a simple-minded guy also understood that Joseph must have a plan for him to praise Chen Rui like that.
Sure enough, Joseph shook his head and said, “Your Royal Highness, please forgive me for being rude. In fact, in my opinion, him being a secretary is an overkill. Chen Rui is Master Aldas’s apprentice and is skilled in pharmaceutics. Besides, he’s daring yet careful. I believe those who have watched the Master Challenge and Sky Battle will understand. I intend to recommend Chen Rui to take on more important tasks. What do you think, Princess Royal?
Shea had already expected Joseph to make a fuss on Chen Rui. She thought it might be discrimination or suppress, but she didn’t expect it to be a recommendation. She frowned and said, “What do you want to recommend Chen Rui to do?”
Joseph smiled and said, “The mining problem has been a chronic problem that has plagued the Dark Moon Estate for many years. As the financial officer in charge, I would like to recommend him to be a mine officer to go to Mountain Xilang. He shall show us his talents and manage the mining industry. What does Your Royal Highness think? ”
Mountain Xilang! Mine officer! Shea’s eyes flickered in cold lights as she immediately understood Joseph’s sinister scheme.
Not just Shea, but everyone present understood the objective of Joseph’s “kind” recommendation.
The Mountain Xilang’s mine used to be the largest source of resources and wealth for the Dark Moon. However, for a few decades, the underground demonic beast had been rampaging, taking many lives of the miners. It seemed that the last mine officer had disappeared in the mine, and his body had yet to be found. Nowadays, there were even bandits who disturbed from time to time, so it was highly dangerous.
Let alone a powerless human like Chen Rui, even a Higher Demon most probably couldn’t return safely. Joseph clearly wanted to kill the human.
Sure enough, the human secretary had a weird look, and he was silenced at once.
As soon as Alan heard that proposal, he couldn’t bother about his bad relationship with Joseph lately, and he was the first one who agreed. The Mellon Family immediately expressed his support on Joseph’s comments. The families that defected to Joseph also supported one after another. Many people looked at Chen Rui with gloat, as if he was already a dead body.
No one knew the true reason of Chen Rui’s strange look – Mountain Xilang was exactly where he wanted to go. Could it be that Joseph also has some knockoff <Mind Reading> skill like Alice!?
At this moment, Old Ford of the Saiful Family spoke up, “The mining industry of Mountain Xilang has always been an important source of income for our Dark Moon. However, the scourge has been frequent in recent years. There are bandits from outside and demonic beasts from within. It’s almost impossible to mine. This human his powerless. I think that Sir Joseph yourself is the best candidate. If you can go there in person, you can definitely solve the problems and let the Dark Moon reinvigorate.”
“Finance and economy are the fundamentals of an estate. I am the person in charge of this work. If I go to the mine personally, and if something happens regarding finance, who will bear this responsibility?”
Joseph’s words brought a faint treat. He sneered, “Old Ford, your son Tim was the last mine officer. I am sorry for his disappearance. However, it doesn’t mean that the secretary valued by the Princess Royal will be the same. Are you questioning the Princess Royal’s choice in choosing her own subordinate? Or is this your revenge that I shouldn’t let Tim go to the mine back then? You have to know that my intention is for the development of the entire Dark Moon!”
Old Ford was shivering for his anger. The Saiful Family was one of Dark Moon’s oldest family, and it had always been rivaling with Joseph who was the outsider. Two years ago, Tim, the eldest son of Old Ford was appointed as a mine officer by Joseph and went missing in the mines as a result. There were no news to date; he had been identified as dead. Thus, Ford hated Joseph to the core. The other small families that supported Shea also expressed their opposition and the council hall became noisy for a while.
The chills in Shea’s cold eyes were looking straight as if it wanted to penetrate Joseph’s heart. Unfortunately, her gaze couldn’t kill, otherwise, Joseph’s smirking face had long turned into a sieve.
Joseph ignored Shea’s anger and looked at Chen Rui with his habitual smile – When this human die, the Princess Retail Store will decline sooner or later. Shea will also lose a major support commercially. Her morale will definitely greatly influenced.
“I am willing to go to the mine.”
The noises suddenly calmed down, and everyone looked at the human who stood up.