Lu Mingfei, become the King of Elden!

Chapter 232 The moderates thought the hardliners were too moderate.
The black Maserati slid into the driveway of a private estate and stopped in front of a brightly lit Georgian-style mansion.

The waiter quickly stepped forward and respectfully opened the car door.

Angers was the first to get off the train, wearing a perfectly tailored black dress, his silver hair was neatly combed, and the rose on his chest was vibrant and beautiful.

Lu Mingfei, who was following behind him, seemed a little reserved.

He was also wearing a custom-made suit prepared by Angers, which fit him perfectly and made him look tall and straight. However, he seemed a little uncomfortable and looked around. He looked more like a high-ranking attendant who had been temporarily brought in to fill a seat than a guest of honor at the banquet.

“Relax, Mingfei,” Angers chuckled softly, patting him on the back. “Just think of it as a buffet; there’s plenty of caviar and champagne here.”

“It’s not that I’m nervous,” Lu Mingfei muttered to himself, “it’s just that there are a lot of living people around, and I’m not used to it.”

“Be confident, S-class.” Angers’ smile remained unchanged. “Tonight, you’re the most dazzling guy here. Remember, bring out your ‘unyielding’ aura.”

The two entered the banquet hall. Inside, glasses clinked, elegantly dressed people mingled, and soothing jazz music played. Representatives of North American mixed-race families gathered in small groups, conversing quietly; the atmosphere seemed relaxed, but undercurrents were swirling beneath.

Angers’ appearance immediately attracted a lot of attention, a mixture of curiosity, scrutiny, and awe.

The young man with an Asian face who seemed somewhat absent-minded beside him sparked even more whispers.

Angers calmly nodded to a few acquaintances, but did not linger. He took two glasses of champagne and handed one to Lu Mingfei.

"Just follow me, talk less, and observe more."

Angers whispered his instructions.

Lu Mingfei nodded, took a sip of champagne, but his gaze lingered on the exquisite dishes. Just as he was thinking about when to go and catch some prawns, a waiter quietly walked up to Angers and whispered a few words to him.

Angers' eyes flickered slightly, and he gestured to Lu Mingfei:
"Looks like some old friends want to chat beforehand. Come with me."

They followed the waiter through the main hall to a relatively quiet corridor. A crimson door, hidden behind wainscoting, opened, revealing an elegantly furnished lounge.

A thin, elderly man wearing round-framed glasses and a leather cap with a rolled brim stood in the center of the room. Upon seeing Angers, a kind smile spread across his face.

"Angers, it's been a long time. It's so good to have you here."

Angers shrugs:

"I'm not very happy, Henkel. Are you still carrying those alchemical wheels?"

"It's been 100 years, you're not still holding a grudge, are you?"

The old man smiled:

"Back then you could only delay for 4 seconds, now it's more than 10 seconds, right? You can even slow down flying bullets, what's there to worry about? Besides, I'm old now, not the 'Quick Hand Henkel' I used to be."

"But your 'holy judgment' is so annoying. I am not sure I can escape your judgment."

"It's modern society now, we don't rely on incantations or alchemical revolvers to communicate anymore. Come in and have a drink, everyone's here."

His gaze immediately fell on Lu Mingfei:
"Who is this young man?"

"Lu Mingfei, a student from our college."

A brief introduction to Angers, delivered in a casual tone:

“Bring him out to broaden his horizons. Mingfei, this is Mr. Han Gao, an old friend of ours.”

Lu Mingfei nodded vaguely in greeting, his attention still seemingly focused on the lobsters outside. Han Gao smiled, asked no further questions, and stepped aside to let the two into the room.

There were thirteen high-backed leather chairs in the room, each occupied by a handsome young man. They all greeted Angers in the same way, raising their right fists to reveal silver rings on their index fingers—thick, unassuming rings with different totems on their large faces. These were their respective family crests.

They also looked at Lu Mingfei with curiosity and assessment.

"No need for introductions, Hilbert Jean Angers, the principal of the College of Kassel."

Henkel gestured for Angers to sit wherever he liked, and then sat down himself.
“How many years has it been since we sat down and had a proper chat like this, Angers?”

Angers sat down in the empty chair, while Lu Mingfei leaned against the wall a little further away, trying to minimize his presence, his eyes quietly taking in the position and subtle movements of everyone in the room.

"The last time we had a private conversation like this was probably on December 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor. Our negotiations were interrupted by an air raid siren halfway through, and those damned Japanese launched their bombing that day."

Angers spoke in a flat tone.

"Yes, I remember now. During World War II, the United States declared war, which suspended our alliance negotiations."

Henkel nodded, somewhat wistfully:

"More than half a century has passed since we paused. Time flies, we've all grown old."

"Is this the family representative of your generation?"

Angers scanned the well-dressed young people.

Henkel nodded:

“They are all outstanding young people from their respective families. Some of the older folks of your and my generation have already died, and some are lying in hospital beds with oxygen tubes in their throats. Bloodline is a tragedy for them; they won't die suddenly from disease, but their organs will slowly fail... After all, their genes are not perfect, they are only half dragons.”

Han Gao sighed:

"I'm getting old too, and I'm so envious of you, still as agile as a young man. If you went to a bar, would there be any young girls who would fall for a handsome old man like you? I really like the Maserati you drove here."

“Let’s be frank, Henrault,” Angers took a sip of his drink, “It’s been more than half a century since we last met in private. This time, I’m making an exception, and it’s certainly not for catching up.”

You spent a fortune just to send me an invitation, and if all you're doing is engaging in this meaningless conversation, then you're really going backwards.

"Congratulations," Han Gao raised his glass. "For the first time in history, we have truly killed the Four Sovereigns. For thousands of years, the Dragon King's ability to 'cocoon' has been a nightmare for us, and you have solved this technical problem. In the foreseeable future, I believe the Dragon Kings will fall one by one, and when the Four Sovereigns are buried, it will be the most important day in human history. Gentlemen, please raise a toast to our compatriots."

The young people stood up in unison, raising their champagne glasses: "To a new chapter in history!"

“No, what matters is not a completely new history… but the end of a certain period of history.” Angers also raised his glass.

Everyone drank it all in one gulp.

"So, at such an important moment, can we renew our alliance?" A young man stood up; he had an artist's mustache and smiled warmly.

“The door to negotiation is always open. As long as the conditions are good enough, we can get over the wall even if there is no door,” Angers said with a smile.

“I admire your understanding, Mr. Angers. If it were Frost Gattuso instead of you here today, we probably wouldn’t be able to sit down like friends, have a drink, and have a proper conversation.” The young man stared into Angers’ eyes. “I think you understand why.”

“The Gattuso family is the most powerful family among us, and Frost is its representative. He has always been very tough; if it were him, he wouldn’t have given you a chance to ask questions.”

Angers shrugs:
“I’m a moderate, and everyone likes moderates.”

(End of this chapter)