Chapter 527: The Eight Great Families
In the cafe's inner chamber, the space was filled with a dense network of surveillance screens. Like sleepless eyes, these screens silently watched every corner of Hell's Kitchen.
Xia Xiu, Director of the Administration, sat in a soft leather swivel chair in front of the monitors, his posture both relaxed and focused.
His silver cane rested quietly on the edge of his chair. Xia Xiu flipped through the documents in his hand, clutching a stack of intelligence gathered by Moon Rabbit.
By the side, Moon Rabbit stood upright, her expression stern and tense.
Her gaze drifted to Xia Xiu's face, searching for any hint of judgment or instruction.
However, his expression was so bland that Moon Rabbit had no way of knowing whether her recent intelligence work had been up to par in the Director's eyes.
Xia Xiu could sense Moon Rabbit's nervousness, but he didn't express it. His attention was now focused on the intelligence Moon Rabbit had gathered.
Truthfully, Moon Rabbit had performed exceptionally well in her espionage mission.
Based on the Administration's strategic objectives, the other party had clearly defined the types of information they needed to gather, such as Whisper Square's defensive capabilities, the identities of key figures, and magical and technological resources.
The information he now held contained information on Whisper Square's eight major chaebol families.
These eight chaebol families were as follows:
-- Overview of Whisper Square Chaebol Families--
1. Star Gift Family
Race: Halfling
Specialties: Celestial Magic and Astrology
Attitude towards the Administration: Indifferent
Analysis of Adam's racial stance (toward humans): Lawful Neutral
Family Characteristics: Mastering the secrets of celestial magic, specializing in celestial magic items and astrological instruments. Family members are renowned for their profound astronomical knowledge and ability to predict the future.
2. Shadow Weavers
Race: Dark Elf
Feats: Invisibility and Magical Fabric Transmutation
Towards the Authority: Hostile
[Adam] Racial Analysis: Lawful Evil
Family Traits: Expertise in crafting magical clothing and invisibility cloaks. Renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and shadow magic techniques, they provide attire that allows for inconspicuous social interaction.
3. Winged Night Symphony
Race: Nocturnal (small, nocturnal winged people)
Feats: Magical music and musical instruments
Towards the Authority: Indifferent
Adam's Racial Analysis: Lawful Evil
Family Traits: Specializes in the sale of various magical instruments and music scrolls, and specializes in creating musical spells that evoke specific emotional effects. The family frequently hosts magical concerts showcasing unique musical creations.
4. Dreamweaver Family
Race: Elf
Specialty: Dream Magic
Attitude towards the Authority: Indifferent
Adam's Racial Stance Analysis: Lawful Neutral
Family Traits: Specializes in magical items that influence and guide dreams, such as dreamcatchers. Mastering ancient dream magic, they help customers resolve nightmares or obtain pleasant dreams.
5. Lonely Voice Family
Race: Mermaid (a family with a human body and a mermaid tail)
Specialty: Deep-sea magical materials and potions
Attitude towards the Authority: Hostile
Adam's Racial Stance Analysis: Lawful Neutral
Family Traits: A mermaid family hailing from the deep sea, they sell deep-sea magical materials and precious ocean magic potions, particularly magic related to underwater breathing and deep-sea exploration.
6. Dragon's Breath Alchemy Family
Race: Dwarf
Specialty: Dragon Alchemy
Attitude towards the Authority: Cautious
Adam's Racial Stance Analysis: Lawful Evil
Family Traits: Experts in creating alchemical potions from various dragon body parts, offering powerful effects such as enhancing physical strength and healing severe injuries. The family also researches dragon egg hatching techniques.
7. Phantom Traveler Inn Family
Race: Ghostly Wizard Family
Specialty: Interdimensional Travel Services
Attitude towards the Authority: Cautious
Adam's Racial Stance Analysis: Lawful Neutral
Family Traits: Provides consultation and assistance for interdimensional travel, and offers travelers a mysterious and comfortable resting environment. The inn is decorated with artwork from various worlds and dimensions.
8. Protean Workshop Family
Race: Shapeshifter
Specialties: Transfiguration Magic and Disguise
Attitude Towards the Authority: Trust
Adam's Race Analysis: Neutral Good (?)
Family Traits: A family skilled in transfiguration magic and disguise, they provide magical equipment and items that change form and function according to the user's needs.
Protean Workshop is renowned for its highly adaptable and versatile magical creations, including cloaks that change color according to the environment and wands that transform into any tool. Family members are also proficient in transfiguration, easily switching between identities in various social situations, making them experts in information gathering and secret transactions within the Whispering Square (some family members have already contacted the Authority).
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"The alien races that can open hub blocks in the New World seem relatively normal in their attitude toward humans."
Xia Xiu's gaze fell on Adam's racial analysis chart. Every alien on it was a "good citizen" who ostensibly abided by federal laws and New World regulations.
However, these "good citizens" seemed to be full of dissatisfaction with the Administration, one of the three major powers of the New Alliance. Furthermore, their relationship with the Emetics was intimately connected, like twins within one body. According to Bright Moon Rabbit's intelligence, many members of the chaebol held important positions within the Esoteric Cult.
Currently, among the eight major families, only some members of the Thousand Changes Workshop family had expressed their sincere devotion to the Administration. The other families were either hostile, indifferent, or wary.
This truly chilled the heart of the Director.
After all, even the Thousand Changes Workshop family, which was considering surrendering, was not entirely united.
Some members of their family believe that joining the Authority Tower was a mistake. Divergent understandings of strategy and future direction have led to significant internal conflicts and factions.
Xia Xiu carefully placed the last piece of intelligence on the high-legged table beside him. Then, his gaze returned to the surveillance screens dotting the wall. One showed the shapeshifter, seemingly waiting anxiously.
He asked Moon Rabbit, who was standing nearby:
"Is Mira Wanxiang outside the workshop member who intends to establish a cooperative relationship with us?"
Moon Rabbit, upon hearing this, perked up slightly and immediately stepped forward, reporting with remarkable clarity:
"Yes, there are clear contradictions within the workshop family regarding the Authority. Some members believe that establishing a cooperative relationship with the Authority is the best option for the family's development; others are steadfastly opposed to any form of cooperation, believing it would be a surrender of the family's independence and a violation of the Authority. Some family members remained neutral, maintaining an open mind about the future and believing they should gather more information, observe the situation, and then make a decision.
"Smart people, fools, and opportunists."
Xia Xiu briefly summarized Moon Rabbit's report, then instructed Moon Rabbit:
"Send the smart person outside to see me."
"Yes, I'll bring him to the meeting room in the secret room."
Moon Rabbit nodded respectfully and began to follow the director's instructions.
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Mira Wanxiang, in the secret passage leading to the meeting with the director of the Administration within the cafe, shifted her transformed human form slightly uncomfortably. This body was entirely original, without excessive human-like adjustments, making it a legitimate skin.
His figure intertwined between light and shadow, reflecting the turmoil and anxiety within him.
As a member of the ever-changing workshop family, he understood the importance of his journey, bearing not only his own fate but the future of the entire family. Yet, every moment of waiting weighed like a heavy stone on his heart, filling him with anxiety.
The conflicts and arguments between factions within the family had been going on for a long time.
These internal conflicts not only drained the family's internal resources but also inadvertently weakened its unified external stance.
At this critical juncture, the family leadership faced a difficult choice: they had to strike a delicate balance between upholding the family's core values and independence and seeking external cooperation. Cooperation could bring unprecedented opportunities, but excessive compromise could also mean abandoning the family's long-held principles.
Mira Wanxiang understood one thing deeply: cooperation and the abandonment of principles were merely wishful thinking within the family.
For the Authority, the only option was obedience.
Whether members were clamoring for resistance or hoping for neutrality—any such thoughts were wrong.
Because, to the Authority's leader, destroying you is none of your business.
He must earn that leader's "friendship" with the utmost devotion.
"The living room where I'll meet with the Director is just ahead."
The Moon Rabbit, leading the Shapeshifters, paused.
Mira also stopped and looked at the Authority operator, wearing bunny ears and a solemn expression.
"Mind your attitude."
Hearing the other party's cold words, Mira didn't show any anger. Instead, he replied with a look of deep fear:
"I will speak to that lord in the most reverent manner."
"Go."
Standing on the threshold of a meeting with the top brass of the Administration, Mira Wanxiang felt that everything was hanging in the balance.
Mira Wanxiang followed closely behind the Moon Rabbit and entered a room hidden in a corner.
Though the space was small, it was exceptionally exquisitely decorated, and every item reflected the owner's taste and status.
His heartbeat quickened at this moment, knowing that he was about to face a key figure in the Administration—its Director, Hugh Abraham.
Entering the room, Mira Wanxiang's gaze involuntarily fell on the blond young man sitting behind the spacious desk.
Xia Xiu's appearance differed slightly from the image Mira had created in her mind.
His golden hair shone softly under the light, and his handsome features easily captured the attention of all the opposite sex.
Though filled with curiosity and admiration, Mira didn't dare stare at Xia Xiu too closely, fearing that a direct gaze would be perceived as disrespectful.
Led by the Moon Rabbit, he slowly approached, a wave of nervousness and awe surging within him.
"Very good Transfiguration."
Xia Xiu's voice broke the silence of the room. He rose from his desk and approached Mira, his tone tinged with admiration.
His calm and gentle tone of voice caused Mira to slip into a brief trance.
Mainly, the contrast between the man before her and the legendary angel was so stark that her mind froze for a moment.
Mira quickly recovered, a feeling of flattery darting through her heart. She quickly replied, "There are many members of the Thousand Changes Family who are far superior to me..."
His words betrayed a mixture of nervousness and humility, but before he could continue, Xia Xiu gently interrupted him.
"No, from today on, you are the most outstanding Shapeshifter in the Thousand Changes Workshop."
Hearing this assessment, Mira involuntarily raised her head, gazing at the blond youth's warm, smiling face.
However, while the Director's face and voice were filled with gentleness and encouragement, Mira felt an inexplicable chill well up inside him.
He seemed to understand what he was trying to say...
A flash of understanding flashed through his mind, but it was quickly replaced by a strong sense of unease.
His body began to tremble uncontrollably, a mixture of nervousness and fear, but he knew that showing weakness at such a critical moment was absolutely unacceptable.
So, he did his best to suppress his trembling and tried to respond to Xia Xiu with a firm voice: "I understand what you mean... However, some members of our family are indeed radical. They have deep feelings for our family traditions and culture. The elders in our family are..."
His words revealed a deep understanding of his family members and a concern for the future. He wanted to plead with the elder before him on behalf of the foolish members of his family.
Xia Xiu seemed to have anticipated Mira's concerns. He smiled and shook his head gently.
"Actually, we are all businessmen."
Xia Xiu interrupted Mira's trembling words, while Mira gazed at the director of the Administration Bureau with trepidation.
"As a businessman, I will make them an offer they can't refuse."
There was no threat in these words.
But Mira Wanxiang felt as if his heart were covered with ice, a chill that spread from his bones to his entire body.
Xia Xiu's next words were like a sharp knife, slicing through all his defenses.
"Mira Wanxiang, consider this a gift. It's your gift of surrender to the Administration. It's a gift from me, the Director of the Administration—it's a courtesy between friends."
As Xia Xiu finished his words, Moon Rabbit glided lightly to Mira's side. Her movements were graceful and decisive, and the paper and pen she handed to him seemed to bear witness to the silent contract between them.
Mira's eyes finally shone with fear as he beheld the blond youth's magical golden eyes.
The smile in his eyes, even as he gazed at him, evoked a chilling abyss.
Mira took the pen and paper with trembling hands, feeling every movement as difficult as walking a tightrope.
Soon, his hand had written the name "Gift" on the paper.
To earn the "friendship" of the Director of the Administration, he must offer his loyalty.
As long as they offer their unwavering loyalty, the Administration will grant them far more "gifts" and "rewards" than any of their previous friends combined.
"Very good."
Xia Xiu nodded in satisfaction. He placed a hand on Mira Wanxiang's shoulder and spoke as if to a friend:
"You will receive the Administration's gift to its friends—one day, though perhaps never—the Administration will ask you to return the favor. Now, go home. Don't do anything. Just drink your coffee and work on your small business as usual. On the day your gift arrives, you might sleep more soundly than ever before, because you won't need to do anything or think about anything."
The conversation between the two concluded with this, and the door closed behind the grateful Shapeshifter.
Moon Rabbit turned and handed the "gift list" to Xia Xiu.
"I need someone from here..." Moon Rabbit gestured to the Director, slitting his throat.
"Now's not the time to let our friends smell blood—it'll scare them."
Xia Xiu shook his head. He took the list and looked at the names.
"I'll let Mole and Green Ox handle it."
Then, with a serious expression, like a teacher correcting a problem, he spoke to Bright Moon Rabbit earnestly:
"Besides, we're not careless murderers. The Kingdom of Heaven and the Administration have always convinced people with reason."