In Yang Nation, at the heart of Dong Du City.
Bamboo Under Residence, Dong Du's most renowned private kitchen.
A modest sedan, worth around a hundred thousand, was parked at the entrance, a stark contrast to the surrounding luxury cars worth millions upon millions.
Ye Ling and Wang Liren alighted from the vehicle.
Ye Ling glanced at the restaurant's decor and the opulent cars nearby, chuckling, "Little Wang, judging by the interior and location, I suspect one meal here would cost you the price of that old car of yours, wouldn't it?"
Wang Liren winced, "To tell you the truth, Your Majesty, this establishment caters exclusively to high-ranking government officials and business magnates. They never entertain ordinary people, and reservations are mandatory. If not for my background in the Dragon Department, they wouldn't even accept my money."
"A single meal here would consume half my annual salary."
Ye Ling smiled faintly, "Then why invite me to dine here?"
"Who else but you, Your Majesty? How could I dare be negligent?" Wang Liren replied with a wry smile. Though his wallet ached, he was genuinely willing to treat Ye Ling to this meal.
In his eyes, Ye Ling was a figure at the pinnacle of the global hierarchy, deserving of a seat at even the Queen Mother's Peach Banquet, let alone a place like Bamboo Under Residence.
If he were to invite Ye Ling to a humble eatery, Wang Liren would feel utterly mortified.
More importantly, Bamboo Under Residence boasted extremely high security and a paramount emphasis on client privacy. Only organizations of the Arasaka Department's caliber could obtain client information from them.
If Nie Yi planned to make a move here, they could eliminate a vast majority of potential factions that might aid him.
Wang Liren led Ye Ling into the establishment. Immediately, a beautiful woman in a kimono approached them, greeting them respectfully, "Are you Mr. Wang Liren and Mr. Ye Ling?"
Bamboo Under Residence had very few clients, thus they prided themselves on offering an unparalleled level of service. Having a hostess greet guests upon entry was the most basic of their offerings.
Within the restaurant, the staff were rigorously trained, all possessing exceptional looks, rated nine out of ten or higher. Should clients have any special requests, the employees were obligated to fulfill them without question.
With an attendant to greet them, Wang Liren quickly concealed his pained expression, adopting an air of someone accustomed to high society. He said calmly, "Yes, please escort us to a private room. We are ready to order."
"Certainly... Please follow me."
The beautiful attendant replied respectfully before leading Ye Ling and Wang Liren towards a private dining room.
Ye Ling subtly observed the attendant. He could clearly tell she was braless beneath her kimono. The soft lighting even allowed him to vaguely discern the smooth, fair skin of the attendant.
As they walked down the corridor with the attendant, Ye Ling could also hear sounds of revelry emanating from the adjoining private rooms.
Witnessing this, Ye Ling couldn't help but remark to Wang Liren, "The place you chose is quite decadent and licentious."
Wang Liren, clearly noticing the surroundings, whispered, "Your Majesty, please don't mock me. This is my first time here as well. I'd only heard vaguely about special services offered at this establishment. How could I have known it was *that* kind of special service?"
Despite Ye Ling's influence, which had propelled Wang Liren's status within the Dragon Department to soaring heights, hinting at a rise to the upper echelons, he had, in reality, been just an ordinary office worker mere months ago. He had never witnessed such a scene of drunken indulgence and debauchery.
He was already regretting booking this restaurant.
The beautiful attendant led Ye Ling and Wang Liren into a secluded private room. She then knelt gracefully and said obediently, "Esteemed guests, this is your private room. My name is Zushima Rika, and I am your dedicated attendant. Should you have any needs, please inform me. My sisters and I await your command."
Wang Liren's gaze fell upon Zushima Rika's exposed, smooth shoulder, and he nearly lost control, his nose threatening to bleed. He quickly interjected, "Alright, alright. You may withdraw for now. I will call for you if needed."
"Yes."
Zushima Rika replied respectfully before retreating. Wang Liren, meanwhile, sat down and took several gulps of water, attempting to suppress his surging desires.
Seeing Wang Liren's state, Ye Ling chuckled, "Are you perhaps tempted? If you can't resist, you're welcome to use the adjacent room. I wouldn't mind."
Wang Liren exclaimed, "Your Majesty has seen much, but I am different. Although Zushima Rika is merely an attendant, her beauty ranks among the top ten of all the women I've ever met. And she's dressed like this! How can a novice like me endure it?"
Wang Liren had to admit that if Ye Ling weren't present today, faced with Zushima Rika's allure, he might have indeed succumbed.
At this moment, Wang Liren finally understood how difficult it was to maintain one's innocence after stepping into high society.
Ye Ling, however, remained unfazed. He sat down and stated, "Then let's get down to business. We were followed by tails all the way here, most likely Nie Yi's men."
"Nie Yi is likely planning to eliminate you this time. What are your thoughts on this?"
Hearing Ye Ling shift to the main topic, Wang Liren calmed himself and replied, "If Qi Tan's death is indeed related to Nie Yi, and considering the recent deaths within Yang Nation's Arasaka Department, the gravity of this entire situation might exceed our imagination."
"How serious is it?"
Wang Liren said gravely, "It involves Yang Nation's high-ranking officials... By all rights, we should not and cannot interfere in the affairs of another country. However, Nie Yi is one of our Dragon Department's own, even a deputy minister of a branch. If he is implicated in this matter, it could very well trigger a conflict between our two nations."
Ye Ling asked, "At Qi Tan's funeral today, there was a high-ranking official from the Arasaka Department, what was his name again?"
Wang Liren replied, "Arasaka Chōichi. He's the Deputy Minister of the Arasaka Department and one of the de facto leaders of the current Arasaka Department. His Arasaka Group is valued at over eight hundred billion, making him a top figure in a capitalistic society like Yang Nation."
"Yes, him," Ye Ling chuckled. "Given Arasaka Chōichi's status, there was no reason for him to attend Qi Tan's funeral, let alone listen to Nie Yi's speech. If there's nothing between them, even the gods wouldn't believe it."
"If I were handling this, both Nie Yi and Arasaka Chōichi would be kneeling here right now, confessing everything they've done."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Wang Liren broke out in a cold sweat and quickly said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty... Everything requires evidence. The Dragon Department isn't that overbearing... especially when foreign dignitaries are involved."
"Are you calling me overbearing?"
"No, no, no! I absolutely didn't mean that. Please don't misunderstand!!!"
Seeing Wang Liren's face instantly turn pale, Ye Ling burst into laughter. "Hahaha... You're too easily flustered. I told you, if you're handling this matter, I naturally won't interfere."
"However, Arasaka Chōichi is so influential in Yang Nation, and his cultivation is quite formidable. Perhaps he possesses some information I desire. Once you've concluded your business, I might pay him a visit."
Wang Liren silently offered a moment of pity for Arasaka Chōichi and then asked Ye Ling, "Speaking of which, Your Majesty, what exactly is your purpose for coming to Yang Nation this time?"
Ye Ling replied, "To establish the Demon Palace."
*Clink!*
The moment Ye Ling uttered these words, the teacup in Wang Liren's hand slipped and shattered on the floor.
His Majesty...
Is he planning to build an organization?
Wang Liren's mind was in utter chaos!