The handover process was cleaner and more efficient than expected.
The former Finance Minister, an elderly angel with graying hair, had already packed his personal belongings and was waiting silently in the outer hall of the Royal Treasury. There was no anger or resentment, only a numb calmness and a deep-seated exhaustion and disappointment hidden in his eyes.
He handed over several crystal keys symbolizing authority, a stack of weighty initial authorization documents, and several large crates of sealed core account backups to Chu Mo.
Hardly a word was exchanged throughout the process. Only as he finally turned to leave did the aged angel give Chu Mo a profound, lingering look. Then, with a hunched back and faltering steps, he vanished into the long corridor of the palace, his receding figure looking utterly desolate.
Chu Mo did not delay. He immediately entered the core area of the treasury to conduct an inventory. Inside the vast warehouse, rows of high-alloy shelves held categorized energy crystals, rare metals, and priceless artworks and antiques.
On the surface, the wealth was mountainous—worthy of being the core treasury of a high-level civilization.
However, as Chu Mo pulled up the latest detailed accounts, his brow furrowed slightly. The figures on paper generally matched the physical inventory, but the output of several resource planets had been pre-extracted years in advance. The actual liquid cash available for immediate use was far less than the ledgers suggested. In fact, it was... strapped.
Soon, the budget request for Hua Ye's new palace was delivered to Chu Mo. Looking at the astronomical figure—enough to bankrupt a small civilization—and then at the actual callable funds, Chu Mo understood.
No wonder the old Finance Minister preferred to be dismissed rather than give in to Hua Ye. It wasn't that he didn't want to provide the money; he truly didn't have it.
This position was indeed a hot potato.
Chu Mo stood in the center of the empty warehouse. He let out a light breath, his face showing no annoyance, but rather a calm, "as expected" look. He never believed Hua Ye's "promotion" was a pure act of grace. An exchange of interests, each taking what they needed—that was the essence of their relationship.
He didn't try to touch the mortgaged assets; that would trigger a chain reaction, exposing the treasury's emptiness and shaking external confidence in the Angel civilization's finances, which would do him no favors. After a moment's thought, he contacted Hong Yu.
"From the special reserves of 'Cloud-Top Celestial Palace' and 'Another Village,' allocate an amount equivalent to seventy percent of the budget. Deposit it into the designated treasury account as a 'Special Donation.' For the remaining thirty percent, run the books through the earnings from several peripheral star systems."
Hong Yu was silent for a moment on the other end; the sum was clearly enormous. "Boss, will this..."
"Just do it," Chu Mo interrupted. "Money can be earned again. But the things this position brings cannot be measured in currency. Get it done quickly so Hua Ye's people can take the report back."
"Understood." Hong Yu said no more.
The funds were in place with startling speed. When Hua Ye's confidant returned happily with the disbursement confirmation stamped with the fresh Finance Minister's seal, Hua Ye was busy enjoying himself with his latest favorite. Hearing the news, he pushed the beauty aside and laughed heartily, speaking to the guard captain, Kunpeng, standing nearby:
"What did I tell you, Kunpeng? I knew Old Chu could do it! Look at that—how long has he even had the job? The money is already in place! The trouble that old fossil couldn't fix in months, he solved in a single day!"
A rare, sycophantic smile appeared on Kunpeng's cold face. "The King is brilliant. This Manager Chu is indeed a smart man. He knows this position wasn't free, and he knows exactly what the King wants." He paused, then added, "A businessman this sensible, using his own money to front the King's expenses, is quite rare."
"Hahaha! Exactly! Sensible! And he gets things done!" Hua Ye, satisfied, pulled the female angel back into his arms. "I admire that clever streak in him! He's so much better than those old antiques who say 'no' to everything!"
Two days later, Chu Mo attended the Royal Court assembly for the first time as the Finance Minister of the Angel Nebula.
He arrived at the Great Hall of Deliberation early. Inside the magnificent hall, gilded pillars supported a high dome, and the floor was polished to a mirror shine. The gathered nobles and officials were huddled in small groups, whispering.
When Chu Mo stepped through the doors, many gazes instantly snapped to him. The original chatter paused briefly before a wave of enthusiastic greetings rushed toward him.
"Manager Chu! Congratulations, congratulations!"
"Manager Chu—oh no, I should say Lord Chu now! Please look after us in the future!"
"Brother Chu is truly young and promising, holding the King's deep trust. Your future is limitless!"
Compliments and congratulations rose one after another. Chu Mo wore a smile that was neither arrogant nor overly humble as he responded to each with a cupped-fist salute. He modestly stated that he was a newcomer and required the guidance of his senior colleagues, adding that he would soon host a banquet at the "Cloud-Top Celestial Palace" to thank them all.
Just then, a chilly aura emanated from the entrance. Su Mari walked in with unhurried steps, his face still wearing that feminine smile. However, when his gaze swept over Chu Mo, who was surrounded by the crowd, the smile vanished, replaced by a piercing coldness.
He said nothing, merely giving Chu Mo a frigid glare before walking straight to the very front of the throne's steps. He stood there with his back to the crowd, never looking back.
The atmosphere in the hall cooled instantly. Those surrounding Chu Mo tactfully dispersed, returning to their designated positions. Everyone knew Su Mari's special status in Hua Ye's heart and his ruthless methods, as well as the tension between him and Chu Mo. When "immortals" fight, it's best for mortals to stay far away.
Fifteen minutes later, accompanied by the long-drawn announcement of the chamberlain, Hua Ye strolled in through the side door, stretching as if he hadn't quite woken up. He reclined crookedly on the wide throne, gave a massive yawn, and waved lazily. "Alright, alright, is everyone here? Let's begin. If there's anything urgent, say it quickly. Don't waste my time."
The assembly proceeded in a dull atmosphere. Hua Ye listened half-asleep, occasionally interrupting impatiently to demand they speed things up.
When it was Su Mari's turn, he stepped forward and clearly reported the results of recent purges against old noble factions who were dissatisfied with the Heavenly Palace Order. Then, his tone shifted:
"My King, within the First Legion, there are still mid-to-high-level officers who are failing to execute your orders and new military doctrines effectively. I suggest a new round of internal rectification to ensure that from top to bottom, the First Legion has only one voice—Yours."
Hua Ye finally perked up, sitting straighter. He nodded without hesitation. "Granted! Su Mari, you are in charge of this. I appoint you as the Commander of the First Legion. Clean it up for me as quickly as possible! Dismiss who needs dismissing, replace who needs replacing! If you need anyone, just ask!"
"Thank you for your trust, My King. I accept the command." Su Mari bowed, the smile at the corner of his mouth finally becoming genuine.
Following this, Hua Ye took the opportunity to appoint several other newly-favored favorites to key positions in the other main legions, either as deputies or in intelligence roles.
As the assembly drew to a close, Hua Ye seemed to remember something and pointed casually at Chu Mo.
"Oh, right, one last announcement." Hua Ye's voice was nonchalant, yet it made everyone prick up their ears. "You probably all know by now. Chu Mo, from today on, is our Angel Nebula's new Finance Minister. He's an old friend, a familiar face. In the future, if any department needs money or resources, go to him! Work well together and don't bring me trouble! Dismissed, dismissed!"
Without waiting for a reaction, he laughed, stood up to stretch, and left through the back door, surrounded by attendants.
As the crowd filed out of the palace into the open courtyard plaza, Chu Mo's gaze inadvertently swept forward.
Su Mari, walking ahead, turned toward a long corridor at the side of the plaza. Standing quietly among the pillars and garden greenery was a figure.
It was a female angel.
Her back was to the plaza, her body slightly turned as if she were admiring the "Star-Whirl Flowers" in the garden. She had silver, side-parted hair that flowed like moonlight, with a soft lock of hair trailing down her forehead, brushing against her smooth temple.
She wore an exquisitely tailored white dress that reached her ankles, emphasizing her tall and upright stature. Her long, fair fingers held a heavy ancient book. Her posture was natural and elegant, as if she were one with the scrolls in her arms.
Hearing footsteps, she turned her head slightly.
In that instant, it felt as though all the light in the garden had converged upon her face. Her azure eyes were clear and deep, containing the tranquility and wisdom of the entire sea of stars. Her small nose was straight, and her lips were a natural soft red, currently pursed slightly in an air of aloof focus.
She stood there quietly, completely different from the gaudy or bewitching female angels surrounding Hua Ye. She was like a silent snow lotus blooming in secret—beautiful without a speck of dust, yet carrying an intellectual coolness that made others feel inferior.
Chu Mo's footsteps faltered almost imperceptibly.
He had seen countless beautiful female angels, and the most exquisite beauties from every star system were gathered around Hua Ye. But this one... her beauty transcended mere features. It was a radiance emanating from within—a fusion of wisdom, coldness, independence, and an indescribable purity. It seized his entire attention instantly.
Almost subconsciously, a name flashed through his mind.
Is this... Hexi?
He murmured under his breath, so softly only he could hear. His eyes involuntarily followed her as she said something to the approaching Su Mari. Her expression remained ripple-free as she turned, clutching her book, and walked with light steps toward the Research Institute. The tips of her silver hair fluttered gently in the breeze before she disappeared behind the pillars and flowers.
Su Mari stood rooted to the spot, staring in the direction she had gone. His back appeared somewhat stiff; the cold, sharp aura he had held during the assembly seemed to fade away with the disappearance of that white figure.
Chu Mo withdrew his gaze, a slight wave rising in his heart.
Hexi. Daughter of He Yan, the most dazzling genius of the younger generation in the Royal City Research Academy, and... the legendary object of Su Mari's unrequited pursuit.
He hadn't expected to meet her here, in such a way.