"I truly have no idea how to proceed from here," the man murmured, shaking his head as he stared into the distant scenery, lost in thought.
Ling Qingyu raised an eyebrow but offered no comnt on his indecisiveness. Only those who had occupied such a position could fully comprehend its burdens—even if her perspective ca from a higher dinsion.
No one held the right, nor possessed the correctness, to judge others unless they had acted from the sa position.
What she intended to say next would be aningless unless there existed a collective group whose interests aligned with the President's and who were willing to communicate sincerely.
"May we speak in private?" Ling Qingyu asked, glancing deliberately at the deputy minister who stood nearby, pretending to busy himself.
The targeted man frowned and sighed. Although his official rank was high, Ling Qingyu's action would damage his prestige and wound him gravely once word spread that he had stood in opposition to a potential major donor.
He would need significant ti and effort to recover his footing. Those already eyeing his position would not hesitate to act.
This woman was clearly retaliating.
"Is it that important?" the President asked, not minding her vengeful undertone, though his eyes glead with interest.
"The fewer who know, the better," Ling Qingyu replied calmly, as a matter of fact.
In truth, this was not rely an act of vengeance for her earlier mistreatnt. What she was about to reveal required utmost confidentiality.
Given the extent of corruption—thoroughly exposed by Athena—Ling Qingyu had no desire to invite trouble through loose words.
As for why she was helping the President, it was simple: her goal was to ensure the group responsible for the attack, would think twice before interfering or chasing her affair in the days to co.
She hoped to ss things around and burden them with solving Country E's moves, believing the group dared not escalate the matter.
The President contemplated briefly before motioning for everyone to leave. One by one, the n and won exited until only a single soldier remained—a man without rank insignia, wearing a red beret.
Xiao Yue remained as well. Ling Qingyu cast a glance at the President, who gave her a small, reassuring nod, indicating this man was his most trusted confidant.
Ling Qingyu pulled out her AR glasses, carefully concealing the flicker of emotion that crossed her features. She cleared her throat gently and glanced at the President playfully to recover her composed deanor.
After all, within the augnted reality feed of her glasses, Athena had just unearthed crucial intelligence.
The man the President trusted so deeply was not entirely loyal.
He had aligned himself with a revolutionary group and had been waiting silently for the right mont to act. Many like him occupied critical positions—although none had yet reached the national echelon.
Still, this man could relay sensitive information to the group and had ford a wide-reaching intelligence network.
The organization had remained hidden, patiently waiting for the right ti, with its mbers rarely connecting unless absolutely necessary. This soldier, it seed, was even a leader among them.
Knowing this background and seeing the trust the President placed in him—Ling Qingyu had to resist the urge to laugh.
Truly fascinating. This trip had unfolded like a political drama, complete with palace intrigue and foreign manipulation, all revealed to her in broad daylight.
She had gained a front-row seat to a compelling series of events, and she intended to keep watching, observing how these pieces would shift in the future.
The President's eyes narrowed slightly when he noticed a brief pause and a flicker of hesitation in Ling Qingyu's gaze after he vouched for his subordinate's loyalty.
Just as he began reconsidering his own assessnt, Ling Qingyu spoke.
"Would you like to dismantle the entire network behind the attack? I can provide you with multiple locations of their strongholds."
"You can? You already have this information?" the President asked, eyes widening as he exchanged a tense glance with his subordinate, whose expression had grown visibly uncomfortable.
Indeed, to witness an outsider wield such depth of insight—surpassing even native officials—was a chilling revelation.
How vast was Miss Ling Qingyu's power?
How deeply embedded was her organization within their own borders?
These questions echoed relentlessly in the minds of the two n. But neither dared to probe further.
Sensing their unease, Ling Qingyu relaxed her posture and smiled aningfully.
"Why wouldn't I be able to, Your Excellency? You underestimate too much. Sotis, what we see isn't the truth, Mr. President. Don't you agree?"
"Even if we knew the truth, do we dare to sever those ties?" the President chuckled bitterly.
He couldn't help but recall Ling Qingyu's earlier comnt about smaller nations before giants. It rang painfully true.
The reality was even harsher than her words implied. While superpowers might restrain themselves from overtly bullying smaller states—mindful of image, reputation, and the risk of giving rival powers an opening—the larger narrative still had to align with their desires.
Ling Qingyu didn't answer directly. She only shrugged slightly.
Whether or not the President acted, was entirely up to him. She wasn't opposed to stirring up trouble, but she wasn't keen on creating unnecessary sses either.
Everything should follow the current. Losing the initiative—now that was the hallmark of failed politicians and foolish businesspeople.
"In any case, I won't be staying long," Ling Qingyu said as she stood slowly. "I'll give you a number to reach my alias if you decide to request the intel. For now, I'll offer my public condemnation of the terrorist attack and my condolences to the victims. I'll be flying out soon once our covenant is confird. So, let's focus on the deals we ca to discuss."
She turned slightly, her gaze drifting toward the artificial wildlife park beyond the glass wall.
"You also have a busy schedule ahead. Why not be transparent with your team now, to avoid any misunderstandings later?"
"Huh…" The President montarily lost his composure and responded weakly. "What is Madam Ling implying?"
Ling Qingyu walked gracefully toward the glass wall, placing her palm softly against its cool, polished surface.
She slowly traced the outline of the scenery outside, admiring its carefully curated beauty.
"You and I both are aware of the reason why I requested the eting. You may not be planning anything yourself," she said, hands clasped behind her back, "but your stakeholders and followers might have their own opinions—especially after digging into my background."
The President's expression tensed. "No, no, Ms. Ling. I assure you, despite the earlier… mishaps during the welco, we are genuinely interested in deeper cooperation and mutual protection of our rights," he said hastily. He had no desire to create more enemies—especially now, with the political storm reaching its peak.
"I admit, we did test you," he continued, rising to his feet and trying to speak righteously. "We had to determine whether your presence would benefit us or beco a liability in disguise. As leaders of our people, we have a duty to ensure our people's future."
Ling Qingyu masked her sneer.
Who didn't know how to speak noble words in such a position?
Any seasoned official could put on this kind of performance. The temperature in the room shifted so quickly that Xiao Yue and the nearby security guard found it difficult to adjust.
One mont, swords seed ready to clash. The next, peaceful negotiations unfolded—gracious words, even promises of cooperation.
Then, just as suddenly, the air turned cold again.
The knife had reached the neck.
Xiao Yue sighed inwardly as she looked at Ling Qingyu's mature figure, her silhouette outlined elegantly against the glass wall, sunlight from the ground casting a soft glow.
There was no ti for either man to entertain lustful thoughts or allow their minds to wander toward anything improper.
Ling Qingyu's voice carried weight with every word, laced with veiled threats that beca sharper the longer she spoke.
"I understand greed. I understand the pursuit of wealth. I understand self-interest," Ling Qingyu said, pausing briefly.
"But spare your bullshittery. We have a clear conscience. Even though your mineral reserves are rare and valuable, I haven't even thought that far ahead."
Her eyes locked with the President's. "There's no need to argue, Sir. I've long been aware of your interest group's true intentions—of their opinions about and the underhanded sches they've been planning."
She didn't bother softening her words. She didn't give him the slightest face.
Maybe—maybe—she would've respected him if he had the courage to act on her advice and dismantle the group responsible for the terrorist attack.
At least then, he would've shown a spine. Just a little.
But for figures like these, spineless and compromised, force worked better than diplomacy.
She didn't need mutual understanding—she needed results.
And her plan, naturally, involved carefully calculated threats to ensure she got exactly what she ca for.
The reason Ling Qingyu tolerated speaking this far was simple: to craft and maintain her image.
Compared to reckless figures who barked threats and ruined negotiations with brute arrogance, her style—politeness hiding a sword's edge—carried far greater weight. It was controlled, deliberate, and unnervingly effective.
The President stepped forward, standing beside her, both of them facing the sa scenery. Yet while Ling Qingyu's expression remained composed, his was visibly tense.
He couldn't understand how the atmosphere had deteriorated so quickly. Just monts ago, things had seed promising.
What he didn't grasp was that Ling Qingyu's earlier humility wasn't submission—it was strategy. She acted courteous to leave no openings for accusations in the future. No matter how history was recorded, she would remain blaless on the surface.
Perhaps his tone had softened as their conversation deepened, perhaps he had even grown to admire this noble and talented woman. The more cards Ling Qingyu revealed, the more he learned to fear.
But admiration and fear could never sway her. Her mind was made.
She would not waver.
And she would not spare him—nor the interest groups lurking behind him.
They needed to be beaten hard enough to rember their place.
"Madam, you must believe in our generosity," the President said, forcing a smile. "How could we possibly intend to harm you? Your visit is the greatest help this nation has received…"
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