Looking at the exceptionally young face of the man before him, Yang Zhenjun couldn't help but feel a sense of daze.
Though he had known in advance that Schicksal's representative was very young and had seen Ming Yu's photograph, none of it compared to the impact of seeing him in person.
He was clearly of high school age, yet he already possessed the power to overwhelm a nation. And the Ming Yu before him was far from Schicksal's strongest.
The power of Schicksal was simply despair-inducing!
Whether it was the Emperor-class Honkai Beasts capable of destroying cities or the even stronger Judgment-class Honkai Beasts that could devour continents, they all seemed fragile before Schicksal's Valkyrie troops.
That giant beast Chiyou from the ancient legends of Shenzhou, the hurricane and tsunami caused by its mere emergence had inflicted tens of billions in economic losses on coastal nations, yet it still met its end in the South China Sea of Shenzhou.
In comparison, Singapore, which had to give its all just to deal with a single Emperor-class Honkai Beast, was utterly insignificant.
Whether it was the elite squads formed in imitation of Schicksal's Valkyries or the mechanized troops established in imitation of Anti-Entropy, they were nothing more than children's toys before the two giants.
"Please, come this way, Your Excellency Ming Yu, and everyone from Schicksal."
Sighing softly, this iron-willed man couldn't help but bow his head to reality, turning to the side and bending at the waist to invite Ming Yu and the others.
Observing the pained expressions on the faces of the Singaporeans behind him, Ming Yu sighed inwardly but didn't say much.
Although Ming Yu didn't particularly care about such matters, he now represented Schicksal's stance. It was only natural for the weak to bow their heads to the strong to seek protection.
Schicksal had never been a charitable organization.
Nodding silently, Ming Yu followed behind the Singaporean representative into the lavishly decorated manor.
While leading the way, Yang Zhenjun also explained the recent changes in Singapore's power dynamics to Ming Yu.
Although with Schicksal's intelligence network, such information certainly couldn't be hidden from Ming Yu and his team, volunteering it could at least earn some goodwill.
Listening to the other party's introduction and combining it with Schicksal's intelligence, Ming Yu gained a deeper understanding of the situation in Singapore.
Due to the previously established strategy of befriending Anti-Entropy, quite a few people in Singapore leaned towards them. In fact, the majority of people in Singapore favored Anti-Entropy; it could be said to be the will of the people.
Thinking of this, Ming Yu couldn't help but glance at Mo Xi, who had been frowning without a word. Based on her previous performance, she should be considered a staunch supporter of Anti-Entropy.
Unfortunately, although Singapore wanted to cling to Anti-Entropy's thigh, Cocolia was only after Singapore's population. To that madwoman, a city of a million people was clearly not as important as a single possibility of saving her daughter.
Because of the influence of previous policies, the strength of the Schicksal faction in Singapore was far weaker than the Anti-Entropy faction. Even with the addition of the neutral faction, it still couldn't compare to the Anti-Entropy faction.
If it were just a simple matter of choosing a side between Anti-Entropy and Schicksal, Schicksal would not be able to compete with Anti-Entropy. In terms of image, Schicksal was indeed far inferior to Anti-Entropy.
But since Anti-Entropy was already planning to completely destroy the city, the people of Singapore had no second choice, which was why Ming Yu was so confident.
Even someone who detested Schicksal as much as Mo Xi would ultimately have to fight to resist Anti-Entropy. Anyone who truly loved their country would not be foolish enough to choose Anti-Entropy.
Furthermore, the Far East Branch under Theresa's leadership had an excellent reputation, a significant departure from Schicksal's traditional domineering methods.
But just like ME Corp's early evacuation during the Third Honkai Eruption, there were also those in Singapore who had completely thrown their lot in with Anti-Entropy.
The cooperation between Anti-Entropy and Singapore deepened with the arrival of the Gem of Serenity, and the power of the Anti-Entropy faction in Singapore became more prominent. To build up their strength, the true Singaporean faction went underground. While they ceded power on the surface, they secretly held a firm grip on the armed forces.
And as Anti-Entropy's plan gradually proceeded and the situation in Singapore changed, the time for a counterattack had been set, which was why Ming Yu and the others were here tonight.
Besides a formal welcome reception, many consensuses would also be reached here.
"Hm? What's this..."
Walking into the spacious dining hall, Ming Yu's brows furrowed.
The food already on the dining table was quite exquisite, and the mixed aromas wafted over, making one's mouth water. But what annoyed Ming Yu was another group of young men and women entering from a side door.
The men were handsome and dashing, the women charming and graceful, clearly handpicked. Their expensive clothes set off their extraordinary temperament, and their young faces were full of friendly smiles.
"Doesn't Your Excellency Ming Yu's team also have many young people? Let the youths from both sides interact a bit more, which will also make it convenient for us to talk business."
Seemingly sensing Ming Yu's displeasure, Yang Zhenjun hurriedly explained, his old face flushing red.
"Heh heh~"
Upon hearing the explanation, Ming Yu merely responded with a cold laugh.
Looking back, most of the Valkyries of the Inverse Feather Squad showed hesitation but said nothing, simply looking towards Ming Yu, their captain.
Although they weren't interested in this kind of socializing with clear political intent, this was a state-level banquet after all, and they had no right to object. If Ming Yu agreed, they could not oppose it.
Or perhaps, this kind of exchange with a political purpose was a common tactic in international relations.
Faced with this custom, Ming Yu quickly gave his own answer.
Suddenly taking a step forward, Ming Yu formed a sword with his right fingers, and a dazzling blue sword light began to shine.
"Have all the irrelevant people withdraw!"
As he spoke in a low voice, Ming Yu's sword-fingers swiped out. A cerulean slash of Sword Qi shot out with a boom, cutting straight through the central round table and carving a long, narrow crack in the wall, sending countless fragments of stone flying.
Following the path of the Sword Qi, a light blue frost rapidly condensed and spread across the floor. The round table, split in two, was held together by the ice, preventing it from collapsing, and the scene from another room was visible through the crack in the wall.
Feeling the cold air spreading through the hall, the Singaporean contingent couldn't help but swallow hard.
The group of young people's faces changed drastically, their bodies beginning to tremble uncontrollably.
They had only been told that there would be a very high-level dinner party, and that they should do their best to befriend the other party, preferably to the point of making vows of eternal love.
Having received such a hint, they understood their mission and were rubbing their hands together, ready to make a big splash.
But looking at that completely unscientific slash of Sword Qi, they felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over their hearts, their enthusiasm instantly extinguished.
No one ever said a monster like this would be here!
"Ahem! Have them all withdraw."
Clearing his throat, Yang Zhenjun gave the order, feeling a sense of relief somewhere in his heart.
Although he had agreed to the proposal of arranging such an exchange at the dinner, as a soldier who had spent half his life on the battlefield, he still found such tactics rather contemptible.
Looking at the still-frosty Ming Yu, Ximei couldn't help but sigh secretly.
As expected, just as Lady Himeko had said. Their captain never played by the rules.
If it were her, even if she knew about Singapore's scheme, she wouldn't have flipped the table so publicly. After all, in state-level negotiations, some compromises were inevitable.
Besides, she didn't think her girls had such poor taste.
But Ming Yu's arrogant action seemed... quite good, actually.
Her posture straightening, a pleasant smile appeared at the corner of Ximei's mouth.
His gaze swept over the faces of the Singaporeans one by one, Ming Yu paying no mind to their ugly expressions.
What did the political practice of "seeing through something but not exposing it" have to do with him? Wielding absolute power, Ming Yu had no intention of playing by any rules.
"Let's dispense with the boring probes and get straight to the point. Mr. Yang Zhenjun?"
Pulling out a chair directly at the large central round table and sitting down, Ming Yu's gaze fell on the middle-aged man as he spoke unhurriedly.