Chapter 872: Chapter 667: The Audience (First Update)
Along the way, Su Mo stared dazedly at the vibrant holographic ads and the ceaselessly flowing crowd below.
For a mont, he was sowhat lost in thought.
By the ti Su Mo snapped out of it, the car had already driven within the high walls of the Imperial City Center, arriving behind the tallest Parliant Building in the central area.
Here stood a courtyard, quaint and solemn, out of place with the modern cityscape.
Tang Qin parked the car at the entrance, then got out and walked to the other car door, personally opening it for Su Mo.
“Lord Su Mo, we have arrived.”
Su Mo slowly got out, his eyes filled with intrigue as he looked at the courtyard before him.
Council President Long Ming really did have excellent taste.
“Lord Su Mo, please follow .”
Tang Qin led Su Mo inside.
The soldiers guarding the place stood motionless, not obstructing them, like statues.
Walking into the courtyard, a fresh breeze greeted them, as if entering a tranquil mountain retreat. One must know that the air quality in the Imperial City is usually not good.
The paths in the courtyard were paved with irregular cobblestones, and on both sides were lush green trees, shielding the sunlight overhead.
Su Mo followed Tang Qin, walking inward as if traversing a serene pathway.
After so ti, Su Mo saw a house made of redwood appear ahead.
“This is where Council President Long Ming usually rests.”
“Hmm.”
Su Mo nodded slightly, calculating in his mind. This entire courtyard was at least a hundred acres in size; in a place like the Imperial City where land is precious, how much would it cost?
Tang Qin led Su Mo inside and went into a room.
The room was empty except for a few vintage cabinets.
Su Mo looked at Tang Qin with a face full of confusion.
“Where is Council President Long Ming?”
Tang Qin, smiling, took a set of bathrobes from the side and handed it to Su Mo.
“Do you see the back door of the room? Council President Long Ming is behind there. Once you change into the bathrobe, you can go over. I’ll excuse myself first.”
Before Su Mo could react, Tang Qin exited and closed the door.
Su Mo showed a helpless expression. He swiftly changed into the bathrobe and, feeling a bit uneasy, pushed open the back door.
Instantly, warm mist surged in.
A natural hot spring ca into Su Mo’s view.
A kindly old man was soaking in the hot spring, with a small white towel on his forehead.
Su Mo had actually seen Long Ming on TV, but seeing him in person felt a bit unfamiliar.
“Co on down, the hot spring is particularly comfortable today.”
Long Ming warmly invited him.
“Yes, Council President Long Ming.”
Su Mo hurriedly replied and then entered the hot spring.
Long Ming smiled and said, “It’s not working hours now, no need to be so formal, just call by na.”
“I dare not.”
Su Mo answered solemnly, joking aside, council president Long Ming may be affable, but he couldn’t possibly be so informal.
Long Ming smiled, not dwelling on the matter. Instead, like a kindly elder, he chatted with Su Mo.
“Have you adjusted well during your years recuperating at that base?”
“I’ve adjusted well enough, it’s just truly boring with limited areas for activities every day.”
Su Mo couldn’t help but complain.
“Ha-ha, old Pusov is always so rigid. It’s normal he didn’t let you go out for fresh air, you’ve had a hard ti these years.”
Long Ming said with a broad smile.
“Ahem, actually it wasn’t much, Commander Pusov treated quite well within the rules, not too restrictive.”
Su Mo scratched his head in response.
“Let’s not talk about that. Actually, five years ago I was prepared to personally receive you, but it got delayed.”
Long Ming said with so emotion.
“But now we’ve t.”
Su Mo also began to relax, gradually opening up.
“Yes indeed, we have t. Though you are a bit different from what I imagined, you actually feel better than expected.”
Long Ming praised with a smile.
“Council President, you are too kind.”
Su Mo was sowhat flattered.
“I am not exaggerating, actually during the expedition, Li Ruiqi kept updating about you. All your performances, each ti more impressive than the last! And it’s not just Li Ruiqi who keeps praising you, Vice Speaker Spade holds you in high regard too, even Vice Speaker Augustus has quite objectively acknowledged your abilities. To earn the approval of so many, it explains everything.”
Council President Long Ming sincerely told Su Mo.
“I didn’t really do much, just within my capabilities.”
Su Mo humbly replied.
Long Ming smiled and said, “No need to be so modest. If it weren’t for you turning the tide at the end, the Federation wouldn’t be what it is today.”
At this mont, Tang Qin ca in.
She respectfully said, “Council President, everything is ready.”
“Hmm.”
Long Ming nodded slightly.
Then he smiled at Su Mo and said, “Co with .”
Su Mo promptly got up, following Long Ming out of the hot spring.
A mont later, Su Mo, having changed, followed Long Ming and Tang Qin to his private office.
Upon entering, Su Mo imdiately noticed on Long Ming’s desk a brand-new admiral uniform, alongside a transfer notice.
Beside it lay a special bank card.
Long Ming picked up the card and handed it to Su Mo, “This is for you.”
“What’s this?”
Su Mo asked with a face full of confusion.
“There are 2 billion Star Coins in here, it’s yours. You deserve it.”
Long Ming said with a grin.
Su Mo’s eyes widened at hearing this.
“That much? Council President, this doesn’t seem right.”
“There’s nothing wrong with it. The Demun Empire compensated us 3 billion Star Coins; you get 2 billion, I get 1 billion, we’re splitting it up.”
Long Ming said with a smile, as if dividing the spoils.
Su Mo’s expression suddenly beca quite spectacular as he stared at the bank card in his hand.
“This is compensation money?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Initially, I demanded 10 billion Star Coins, but the Demun Empire was too stingy, refusing to pay. Yet, they wanted soone, so the Emperor of Galmotos had to step in. Thinking they could just pay a bit to brush off a beggar, it was a pipe dream. If it weren’t for the fact that it’s not yet ti for a full-scale war, I would have let them keep the money to prepare for their own funerals.”
Long Ming said with a grin.
Su Mo felt a chill at the back, he could tell Council President Long Ming was truly planning to do such a thing.
“I’ve been keeping track of this issue, it’s been deadlocked for many years.”
Su Mo awkwardly responded.
“It dragged on for years because even after making concessions, the Demun Empire still couldn’t gather enough money. It’s just recently that they managed it.”
Long Ming replied with a smile.
“Well, Lord Long Ming, taking this money seems a bit inappropriate for .”
“It’s perfectly appropriate, let them consider it compensation to you. The remaining 1 billion Star Coins, I’ll use to console the families of all those who died.”
Long Ming had everything planned out.
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