Prometheus, though proud, deeply trusted his subordinate Arthur, a resourceful and cunning individual. Arthur's profound understanding of human nature, honed from his past profession as a psychologist, made him an invaluable partner. Their long collaboration had forged a tacit understanding; a single glance from Arthur was enough for Prometheus to know his partner was hatching a mischievous plan.
"Greetings, Mr. Ling Tian. I am Arthur, the deputy head and team leader of the US delegation. I've heard a great deal about you. Would you be amenable to joining me for a drink?" Arthur extended his right hand towards Ling Tian, who was surprised by such a humble and polite American, a rarity indeed.
Ling Tian reciprocated the handshake. "Certainly, let's have a drink together."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ling Tian and Arthur moved to a secluded booth. Several Americans stood guard nearby, ensuring no one else would interrupt their conversation. Ling Tian felt no apprehension about the Americans attempting an attack; security personnel from Hell Paradise Island were also discreetly observing the booth. The Americans wouldn't risk provoking Mario Cuiette, that madman, by initiating a fight in the bar. Moreover, given the chaotic state of the forest in the free zone the previous night, any altercation could potentially raze the entire bar, a consequence the Americans were unwilling to bear.
"Mr. Ling Tian, what would you like to drink?"
"Maotai!"
"Maotai? What is that?"
"It's the finest liquor from our China!"
Arthur signaled a bartender and inquired. The bartender appeared troubled. "Sir, we do not have Maotai here."
Arthur turned to Ling Tian. "Mr. Ling Tian, perhaps you could choose something else?"
Ling Tian chuckled. "No need to change. I brought my own! Besides, can I trust your liquor?"
As he spoke, Ling Tian produced a bottle of Maotai as if by magic. He had retrieved it from his spiritual realm, where he stored hundreds of bottles of various fine liquors. Ling Tian uncorked the bottle, and a rich aroma instantly filled the booth. He then poured a generous half-jin into his cup and savored a large gulp.
"Refreshing!"
Arthur observed Ling Tian's every move. As a skilled psychologist, he could discern a person's character from subtle gestures. However, Ling Tian's recent actions left him perplexed, as they seemed inconsistent with the Ling Tian he thought he knew. Arthur found Ling Tian to be a man full of contradictions, utterly inscrutable. He couldn't determine which aspects of Ling Tian's personality were genuine and which were feigned.
Little did he know that Ling Tian's personality was deeply influenced by his six masters, each with their own distinct character. Furthermore, Ling Tian's fifth master, Gu Tianxi, was an old fox who had thoroughly studied human nature and had taught Ling Tian the art of self-concealment.
"Mr. Arthur, please speak your mind. I prefer directness."
"Mr. Ling Tian, our conflict is essentially a misunderstanding. As you've seen, Leo was thoroughly dealt with by you and has learned his lesson. I believe there are no fundamental conflicts between us, and we can even be friends or cooperate."
"Cooperate? On what basis?"
"Times have changed. A new form of energy has emerged on Earth, and it's time to redefine the global order. Your strength is undeniable. If you are willing to work with us, we can offer you financial compensation, various resources, and fulfill your every desire."
Ling Tian let out a dismissive sneer. "That's quite a bold statement. Can you truly satisfy my every desire?"
"Of course. We are the United States, the most powerful nation in the world... We have money, resources, status, and the world's most advanced technology to make you even stronger..." As Arthur spoke, an undeniable pride, deeply ingrained in the American psyche, surfaced on his usually humble face.
"Then let me state my conditions. Can you truly meet them?" Ling Tian asked playfully.
"Naturally!"
"And can you actually make those decisions?"
"I am one of the high-ranking members of the God's Scepter organization. Our word can influence the decisions of the US government! As long as you dare to state your conditions, we can fulfill them!"
"Very well. My condition is... I wish for world peace."
"Uh..." Arthur, about to agree, was stunned into silence by Ling Tian's demand. If anything posed the greatest threat to world peace, it was the United States. The US consistently profited from war, instigating conflicts worldwide to assert its hegemony and plunder global resources. When economic means failed, they resorted to military action. Moreover, the US frequently initiated wars to deflect domestic conflicts and economic pressures. Numerous arms dealers and military contractors amassed fortunes from these wars, and afterward, other American businesses would exploit the situation to seize local resources. For the Americans to bring peace to the world would be a far greater challenge than flying the Earth out of the solar system.
"You see? Americans are all talk! You can't give me what I want, haha..." Ling Tian taunted Arthur mercilessly.
"Mr. Ling Tian, you are trampling on my sincerity!" Arthur's eyes sharpened.
Ling Tian remained unfazed, raising his cup and draining the remaining Maotai in one gulp. "I haven't seen your sincerity, but I have seen your treachery! You think your psychic abilities can affect me? Don't be naive!"
Upon hearing Ling Tian's words, Arthur was greatly alarmed. His ability was to use mental energy to influence people's emotions, thereby indirectly controlling them. His invitation to Ling Tian for a drink was merely a pretense; his primary objective was to get close enough to attack Ling Tian. He was a pure psychic, whose abilities were formidable, even capable of overwhelming powerful psychics like Prometheus. Yet, he never expected his foolproof method to be thwarted by Ling Tian. His psychic attack had proven utterly ineffective, as if a mere punch hitting air.
"Mr. Arthur, I am now considering whether I should beat the shit out of you!"