Chapter 1638: Chapter 1638

1638: Chapter 1634: A Delicate Relationship 1638: Chapter 1634: A Delicate Relationship Time often only reveals its ruthless passage when we look back.

“…Ten years, has it been?”

Lu Ping’an, slumped in a lounge chair, reached toward the warming sun above…

After experiencing many an Exotic Realm, he grew increasingly certain that only Earth was truly the most suitable home for mankind.

Three years after the great retreat from Sakura Island, it’s now the middle of 2008, in another timeline, this was also a very important year.

For Lu Ping’an, it also marked his tenth year in this world and the tenth year since he became a professional and inherited God’s Keystone.

In these ten years, he went from a 16-year-old college entrance examination student to where he is today…

From a child about to graduate high school to a man in his twenties.

He didn’t even know what to consider himself anymore.

He had resigned from all official and military positions and was now a retired major shareholder in the Rebirth Commerce, without any formal duties.

Because of this, even the former Secretary General could only address him as “Mr.”

But not just the Ancient City, even on the level of Eastern Country, they couldn’t ignore the no-killing Lu Ping’an.

It was quite strange that the more the normal high-tier professionals grew, the heavier their killings, whereas Lu Ping’an, in these three years, became increasingly known by the names “Peace Road” and “King of Mercy.”

Non-Killers seemed to have found some new ways of doing things too.

“…I’ll four hundred AK-74Ts to Ancient City.

These autonomous defense robots should help maintain public order in the city.

They have Life Perception radars (Fishman Fluctuation Lock) and carry Holy Fire Generators (T2).

A single unit is all it takes for an entire squad of Sea Devils.”

“A fully equipped ‘Fishman Slayer’, huh?

A unit starts at 4 million, and the fully equipped one needs over 6 million, and you’re giving away 400 units just like that?

“Is it that expensive?

Since I’m the producer, the cost price is very low…

Don’t ask me how much, I haven’t done the accounts for a long time, and I’m not used to checking my wallet anymore.”

“…Even though I know you’re pretending, as long as you deliver the goods…

pretend all you want.”

Xia Qin was quite straightforward, after calculating for a bit, the addition of four hundred of the newest Fishman Slayers to the force would save over a thousand in human resources—it was essentially investing money to ensure peace.

Indeed, now Lu Ping’an really was a person who didn’t know what money was anymore.

In recent years, the country had invested a lot of capital and technology, especially in AI and robotics, and a hundred percent of it was aimed at killing.

And the greatest advantage on Earth was that these technological creations could essentially be used right away.

In just three years, Rebirth Commerce, which deeply focused on killing robots for Fishmen and marine lifeforms, rolled out at least seven generations of products, with the newest ones not even widely released yet.

In fact, even with exclusive Flame Spray technology, AI (Fang Clan.21 edition), and armor refining (Animated Armor Enchantment) techniques, this near-extraordinary killing machine still counted only as second-tier domestically…

after all, the domestic competition was intense, Gods had invested their technologies, Divine Realms, and Divine Grace into this field, Lu Ping’an’s team was strong, but not the strongest.

Xia Qin, who completed the “Gift” mission, didn’t rush to leave but instead opened a bottle of good wine and personally poured a glass for Lu Ping’an as thanks.

“If you’re really thankful, stay the night?”

“I could, I even have my pajamas here…

Aren’t you afraid your permanent lady will get upset?”

Xia Qin’s smile bloomed, her cheeks flushing red, her lips fragrant—she had gained a femininity she didn’t possess in the past.

Implicit in her words, she had not planned to leave from the beginning.

“No worries, she’s working overtime, several projects are rushing to completion…” The courtyard had become the biochemical base and factory, and someone, and Meow, were both working overtime day after day.

Gently clinking glasses, two close adults touched their foreheads together, enjoying their rare vacation.

In name, Xia Qin also left the Rebirth Commerce…

She took the political and judicial path, it’s best to shed any trace of business from herself.

But in reality, she still retained a significant share of the company, only she let Lu Ping’an manage it…

In fact, the value of this share was such that murder for its ownership wouldn’t be unusual; for an ordinary person to do so would clearly be courting death.

But whether it’s Lu Ping’an, Xia Qin, or the relationship between the two, it’s clearly not that ordinary.

Of course, this could also be described as “official-business collusion”…

Looking at this transaction between the local security chief and the business tycoon, there isn’t a single thing wrong with saying that, except that the “business” side is giving it away for free, and the “official” side is providing personal compensation for favours.

Uh, it’s hard to say who’s compensating whom.

A night without words.

The next morning, Meow only caught one in bed when trying to catch a cheating spouse…

cough, while sending the shirking major shareholder off to work, the Director had long gone to morning exercise and work.

“…Is there something so urgent?”

Wiping off the kiss marks from his body, Lu Ping’an shook his head, slightly annoyed at the interruption.

He originally planned to sleep until noon and then go to the Special Service Team to meet acquaintances and kill time…

He is still in his no-guests vacation period.

Unlike before where he relied on others’ “Divine Boat” for flight, now Lu Ping’an could only rely on his own ability to travel between planes.

Although it’s more convenient, the consumption isn’t low…

The first week upon arriving at a new Plane is basically his weak period, and he wouldn’t be sought after for matters that were not very important.

Meow doesn’t indulge him either, with Lu’s status being too special, just disappearing for a dozen hours will have the Official authorities, Rebirth Commerce, the local business association, local judicial and security departments, and the military all looking for him…

Many forces might be checking their watches waiting for Lu Ping’an, only for him to vanish for almost two days.

Catherine said, if you don’t show up, she’s going to…”

You think I’m afraid of her?

Who’s the BOSS, who’s the head of the family…”

“…She’s going to disappear too, at least for two weeks.”

“Help me up; I’m going to work.”

Lu Ping’an yawned and honestly went off to work.

Lu Ping’an was scared into sobriety; by going to work now, he’s just there to sign documents, but if Catherine finds an excuse for him to take a holiday, he fears the chaos of countless issues will come seeking him, and he’ll really have to get down to work seriously.

This isn’t just a simple matter of handling contracts, sometimes a single document could involve many national industries and powers, requiring hours just to clear up its origin and consequences.

In his team, there are many capable people and quite a few who can oversee the whole picture, but there really aren’t many who have earned Lu Ping’an’s trust…

whether in terms of character, binding interest relations, or capability.

In fact, Catherine is already a seventh-tier extraordinary professional, and because of some special connections, she’s one of the stronger battle-professionals.

Now, she really doesn’t need to work overtime as Lu Ping’an’s secretary, but some things always need someone to do them.

The current Rebirth Commerce…

To be precise, Lu Ping’an’s power, has become like the Lin Nu’s Church from before, a collective of multiple high-level combat powers.

The material benefits between each other don’t really need to be calculated too meticulously, as long as they don’t go bankrupt, even if they spend a lot of money, it’s still just a financial loss…

True extraordinary power, trustworthy comrade relationships, and even deeper blood pacts with allies, are much more important than these external possessions.

Old friends coming together are what make a truly powerful extra-dimensional force; if scattered, they are just relatively precious members of the high-level combat power ranks.

“Today is going to be a good day.” Watching the familiar sunrise slowly rise, Lu Ping’an said so.