“Gardner, are you at SHADOW?” Donald’s voice came through the phone.
“Yes,” Billy nodded.
“Wait for me there, I’m coming over.” Donald said.
“Don’t make the trip, I’ll come to your side.” Billy responded.
“No need, I’m already on the way and will be there soon. We’ll talk when we meet.” Donald said before hanging up.
In less than half an hour, Donald and his entourage appeared at the entrance of the SHADOW compound. Besides Donald and Adam Greenleaf, the central figure among them was an elderly man. Dressed in simple attire, with graying hair but a youthful appearance, exuding an authoritative aura, the elderly man led the way. Behind them were formally dressed attendants, all displaying a serious and intense demeanor, clearly not ordinary martial practitioners.
As Billy and his group, just exiting the conference hall, saw the elderly man, they all slightly paused before swiftly approaching.
“Prime Minister, why are you here?” Billy bowed to the elderly man.
Given the man’s status, Billy’s respectful gesture was fitting. The visitor was Glavale’s Prime Minister, Urban Woolery, one of the most respected figures in Glavale, dedicating his life to the nation’s prosperity.
“Greetings, Prime Minister!” Bob Stokes and others also bowed.
“Haha, no need for such formality!” Urban Woolery laughed. “Commander Gardner, I’ve come uninvited. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“You honor me too much,” Billy made a gesture of welcome. “Prime Minister, please have a seat inside.”
“Good!” Urban Woolery nodded with another smile.
Billy then greeted Donald and Adam before leading everyone towards the conference hall. Soon, they all settled, and Night Orchid served tea.
“I wonder why you’ve come?” Billy asked Urban Woolery.
“I’m here to express my gratitude to you.” Urban Woolery said, raising his tea cup. “Glavale has mobilized its entire resources to search for the Five Elements Jade Pendants for nearly a hundred years without success. However, you found four in one go. I must thank you on behalf of Glavale’s millions of citizens.”
“You’re too kind,” Billy smiled. “The rise and fall of the nation concern every individual, and it’s a duty we all share.”
“Haha, truly a chosen one, a Qilin sent by heaven to favor Glavale.” Urban Woolery laughed.
“You overpraise me.” Billy replied.
“No need to be excessively modest, Gardner.” Urban Woolery continued. “This time, I bring good news for you. After discussions among the senior members of the Cabinet, once the five jade pendants gather in the capital, we plan to confer upon you a special official title. The proposal has received approval from the hall.”
“The specific title is still under consideration, and we should have results soon.”
“Thank you for your kindness.” Billy said nonchalantly.
Titles and positions didn’t stir much emotion in Billy. The higher the official position, the heavier the responsibilities. He would prefer to resign from such positions and return to Ozin for a quiet life with his family. However, each person had their destiny from the moment they were born. Few could truly defy fate and change their course.
“That’s well-deserved for you!” Urban Woolery said, and the conversation shifted. “Did you really cut down Piers Ramos?” Urban Woolery inquired.
“Piers Ramos?” Billy raised an eyebrow.
“Master Billy, Piers Ramos is the third elder of the Cerulean Abyss Institute.” Adam Greenleaf explained.
“So, his name is Piers Ramos?” Billy smiled. “Did I cause any trouble for you, Prime Minister?”
“They are just a bunch of small fries, how could they trouble me?” Urban Woolery raised his tea cup and took a sip. “Gardner, do you know why Cerulean Abyss Institute came to the capital this time?”
“Wouldn’t surprise me if it’s related to choosing the successor for the national fate?” Billy smiled confidently.
“Haha, you guessed it right!” Urban Woolery nodded.
“Do they have any specific ideas?” Billy asked.
“Lord Greenleaf, perhaps you should introduce him to this matter.” Urban Woolery looked at Adam and said.
“Sure!” Adam nodded and then turned to Billy.
“Young Master, Cerulean Abyss Institute came on behalf of the ancient martial arts world. They propose that the matter of national fate recovery, which concerns Glavale’s millennium-long prosperity, should not be handled lightly. Even the Hall, let alone Cerulean Abyss Institute, cannot act unilaterally.”
“Bloody hell!” Upon hearing this, Bob Stokes and Stout both burst out with strong language.
“They think highly of themselves! A bunch of parasites of the nation, do they have the right to meddle in this matter?” Bob Stokes expressed his anger.
“Uncle Adam, do they know that Capital Hall already has four Five Elements Jade Pendants?” Night Orchid frowned and asked.
“Not at all!” Adam shook his head and added, “However, they probably have suspicions that we have more than one, or they wouldn’t be so urgently discussing the succession of the national fate.”
“Uncle Adam, only Billy and the people around him know about the four jade pendants. How could they suspect?” Ivy Chandler also furrowed her brows and asked.
“Ivy, do you remember if I told you how I obtained that pendant back in the Place of Darkness?” Billy took another sip of tea and smiled lightly.
“I remember. You said you got it in a heritage site of a War Emperor-level martial artist…” Ivy Chandler paused, seeming to realize something, then looked at Billy. “Billy, are you suggesting that someone from Sanctum of Darkness leaked the information to Glavale’s martial sects?”
“Not unexpectedly, that’s correct.” Billy nodded slightly.
In that heritage site, two elders from Sanctum of Darkness had attempted to seize a Five Elements Jade Pendant. Billy had later killed them and thus Sanctum of Darkness undoubtedly knew he had obtained the pendant.
“These parasites of the nation truly colluded with Sanctum of Darkness!” Stout cursed.
“Uncle Adam, did Cerulean Abyss Institute mention anything else?” Billy asked again. He was well aware that representatives of the ancient martial sects, coming to the capital to discuss the successor of the national fate, wouldn’t have the opportunity to speak without certain leverage.