"What's the difference between witchcraft and magic? And what exactly is arcane?" Xiao Xun hadn't figured it out.
Bai Yang patiently explained to Xiao Xun, "Witchcraft relies on various rituals and incantations to catalyze energy. It's time-consuming and has low accuracy, but its power is still considerable.
Magic can be cast directly. Some require a staff, some can be done with hands, and others use different mediums. The effects of the released magic vary, but it's fast.
Some high-level mages are not only fast but also possess immense power. If they reach the level of Archmage, the magic they unleash can be world-destroying.
As for arcane, it also falls under the umbrella of magic, but it belongs to a different branch. Not only is the casting fast, but it also has no cost, nor does it require any medium or practice. The power released is much stronger than that of high-level mages."
After hearing Bai Yang's explanation, Xiao Xun had a general understanding. "Is that so? Then isn't arcane the strongest?"
Bai Yang nodded. "You could say that, but arcane is the most powerful and mysterious force in this world. To date, very few people have been able to master it completely. Some can occasionally unleash it, but they never grasp its essence. For this reason, the continent has established an academy specifically to research arcane."
Xiao Xun remembered that Lorgaud, who had lent him two gold coins, was researching arcane and was even an instructor.
After leaving the Palace of the Fire Shield God King and returning to the castle, upon entering, he encountered Duke Horton, the Phoenix Lord.
He placed his right hand over his chest and saluted Empress Sailaipesi. "Your Majesty, the funeral has been completed. According to custom, the High Priest has been laid to rest in the national cemetery. My messenger has returned and informed me that the Phoenix Army has assembled and is marching towards the capital. They should all arrive in about seven days."
Sailaipesi said nothing and pointed towards the dining room. "Let's eat!"
Since there was no new prime minister yet, the person sitting opposite Xiao Xun, as usual, was Duke Horton, whom he disliked.
Sailaipesi, who had been hungry all day, didn't show much interest in the lavish meal. Her palate had been spoiled in that other world, and with Xiao Xun's relentless efforts in preparing gourmet food for her, she would rather starve than compromise on her taste.
As the violin performance concluded, everyone stood up to see the Empress and Xiao Xun off. After they left, Duke Horton sat down and continued to feast.
Mu Jiahe lay in bed, preoccupied. Xiao Xun gently went over and hugged her. "Your Majesty."
"What is it? You startled me."
Xiao Xun hadn't expected Mu Jiahe to react so strongly. "Are you troubled?"
"Yes."
Seeing Mu Jiahe's lack of spirits, Xiao Xun didn't dare say more, but he really wanted to remind Mu Jiahe that Horton definitely had something going on.
He had always been a good judge of character, and Horton, if not plotting, was certainly cunning.
He wasn't sure how formidable Horton's Phoenix Army was, but having such a force positioned so close made him uneasy.
The capital had only thirty thousand Imperial Guards. If something happened, the consequences would be unimaginable.
With this thought, Xiao Xun got up and started to put on his clothes. He planned to write a letter to Aaron, who was stationed at the border, asking him to bring back one-third of his troops.
Mu Jiahe watched Xiao Xun get up. "Where are you going?"
Xiao Xun stretched his arms. "I'm bored and can't sleep, so I want to get some exercise."
Mu Jiahe hummed. "Watch the time and come back soon."
Xiao Xun went down a floor, where Mu Jiahe had an office.
He put a letter into an envelope and sealed it with wax.
Then, he handed the written letter to Bai Yang, who lived on the second floor, asking him to relay it to Aaron as soon as possible.
After doing this, he felt a bit more at ease.
Returning to the original timeline, just as dawn broke, Zhao Yuman's phone rang.
Xiao Xun suspected that Zhao Yuman hadn't slept at all last night.
He answered the phone, and before Xiao Xun could speak, Zhao Yuman asked, "President Xiao, how did things go? We really can't delay any longer."
Xiao Xun glanced at Mu Jiahe, who was still asleep, and whispered into the phone, "Let's discuss the details in person."
"Okay, okay, where do you want to meet?"
Xiao Xun remembered something. "Ms. Mu's car needs maintenance. Let's talk at the 4S shop."
"Alright."
An hour later, they both drove to the shop.
Xiao Xun handed the keys to his SUV to the staff and sat with Zhao Yuman in the lounge area of the shop.
"President Xiao, that matter..."
Xiao Xun looked at Zhao Yuman's anxious expression. "I relayed your request to Ms. Mu, but Ms. Mu said..."
He still didn't know how to phrase it. Zhao Yuman instinctively grabbed Xiao Xun's hand. "What does Ms. Mu mean? As long as she's willing to help, money is not an issue."
Xiao Xun blushed and slowly withdrew his hand. Zhao Yuman also blushed and said, "My apologies."
"Ms. Mu doesn't want money; she wants thirty percent of Millennium Group's shares."
Zhao Yuman frowned. "She wants to buy thirty percent of my entire group's shares?"
Xiao Xun's face turned redder. "After she said it, I specifically asked if it was to buy or to take."
Zhao Yuman's eyes darted back and forth. "This..."
Xiao Xun quickly added, "I know it's difficult for you. Perhaps you could think of another way? Maybe I can help."
Zhao Yuman reached out and interrupted Xiao Xun. "President Xiao, please tell Ms. Mu that I'll give her thirty percent of the shares. Please ask her to act as quickly as possible."
Xiao Xun was shocked that Zhao Yuman agreed in less than five minutes.
"You don't need to consult with the shareholders?"
Zhao Yuman waved her hand. "No need. The company's stock price has plummeted, and shareholders are selling their shares. Thirty percent of the shares isn't worth much. As long as Ms. Mu is willing to help."
Xiao Xun understood that even if it wasn't worth much, it was still assets worth billions. To just give it away like that, most people wouldn't have the courage.
Xiao Xun took out his phone. "Alright, I'll contact Ms. Mu right away."
After a one-minute phone call to Mu Jiahe, which consisted entirely of nods, he hung up and said to Zhao Yuman, "Ms. Mu said you should go to the Saint Tiroloman Legal Department to complete the procedures, and your cargo ship can be released tomorrow."
Zhao Yuman thanked Xiao Xun profusely, who quickly replied, "You're welcome."
This 4S shop was the same one where Mu Jiahe had bought Xiao Xun's father a car.
At that time, the car, paid in full, cost around 1.6 million yuan.
After the discussion, Xiao Xun, bored, wandered around the lobby. After all, what man doesn't love cars?
Just then, a few people walked in through the entrance.
Xiao Xun glanced out of the corner of his eye, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
He saw Liu Wenbin leading Liu Shaoyu, with Liu Wencheng accompanying them. The three of them walked in together.
Liu Shaoyu, with sharp eyes, spotted Xiao Xun at once. A hint of disdain flashed in his eyes, and he walked over haughtily. "Xiao Xun, what are you doing here?"
Upon seeing his uncle and second uncle, Xiao Xun maintained the necessary courtesy and turned to greet them, "Uncle, Second Uncle."
He completely ignored Liu Shaoyu's question, not wanting to answer such a foolish question.
Coming to a 4S shop, why else would one be here if not to look at cars?
"Xiao Xun, I'm talking to you, didn't you hear me?" Liu Shaoyu frowned.
Zhao Yuman, seeing from a distance that the people in front of Xiao Xun were not friendly, quickly came over and asked, "What's going on?"