Above the Galaxy
Chapter 325 - 213, I am a Phoenix person in life, and in death, a Phoenix’s deceased!

Chapter 325: Chapter 213, I am a Phoenix person in life, and in death, a Phoenix’s deceased!

Phoenix Palace.

Prince Philip respectfully bowed to the Phoenix Country Master Zhong Daolong and spoke aloud, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern and care. During this period of exchange and learning, the delegation from the Aus Empire has gained substantially, and I personally have benefited immensely."

"Here, I represent the Aus Empire delegation to bid farewell to Your Majesty, and I eagerly look forward to our next meeting. May the friendship between Aus and Phoenix last forever, enduring through the ages."

Zhong Daolong sat on the sofa and looked at Prince Philip, saying, "It’s very good for young people to exchange and learn from each other. To draw upon each other’s strengths and improve together. Although I was not present, I have been paying close attention to the competition over there."

"The delegations from both Phoenix and Aus have performed exceptionally well, and everyone has gained a lot from this session of the Tian Dao Exchange Meeting, achieving what they desired."

"Although there are some regrets, you are all young. Youth is the most precious wealth. As long as you don’t compromise, don’t give up, you will certainly achieve your wishes and reach new heights in your lives."

"Yes, I thank Your Majesty for your teachings and instructions. I will certainly convey your words to all the members of our delegation."

"Mm." Zhong Daolong nodded and looked towards Prince Philip, saying, "It’s rare for you to come here, why the rush to leave? Stay a few more days in Phoenix City. I’ll have Tian Que and Tian Yi accompany you well... I know you and Tian Que and Tian Yi are very good friends."

"Friends should meet and drink more often; otherwise, the affection between friends will fade. Isn’t that right?"

"Your Majesty is correct, and I too would like to meet and drink more with my two elder brothers. However, the Tian Dao Exchange Meeting has ended, and as the leader of the Aus delegation, I must return to report to the Royal Family and our citizens."

If the Aus delegation had won a complete victory this time, achieving outstanding results, Prince Philip would have had the capital to stay a few more days in the Phoenix Empire, observing the losers’ state of mind and performances, which would have been quite interesting.

But the outcome of the Aus Empire delegation this time was truly dismal, ranking as the worst in history.

With such results, how could he have the courage or interest to stay in the Phoenix Empire, carefree and joyful?

He had to rush back to "defend" himself to his father, no, to explain.

To tell him the cause and effect of this matter, that the battle was not his fault, and to minimize the negative impact on him as much as possible...

Besides, with poor results, there was no face to show to anyone.

Even if Tian Que and Tian Yi didn’t bring up the results of the competition, just one look or smile from them would be enough for him to digest for quite some time.

"Since that is the case, I won’t insist on holding you back. When you return, send my regards to your father and tell him I extend a sincere invitation for him to visit Phoenix when he has the time. We also haven’t sat down together for a drink in a while."

"I will certainly convey Your Majesty’s invitation. I believe my father is also looking forward to sharing a toast while chatting with Your Majesty."

"Then I wish you a safe journey, and do come to visit Phoenix more often when you have time."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Prince Philip bowed again.

After rising, he didn’t leave immediately but looked at Zhong Daolong with a sincere face and spoke, "Your Majesty, I have a modest request, I wonder if Your Majesty could fulfill this small wish of mine..."

"Oh? What wish?" Zhong Daolong asked with a puzzled face.

"During this Tian Dao Exchange Meeting, the Mechanical Beast used by the student Tang Fei utilized a new type of material. This material is extremely tough, impervious to swords and spears, not even the most formidable mechanical blades can cause it any damage—it left a deep impression on me."

"I think this type of material must be on the verge of mass production in the Phoenix Empire? I’d like to ask Your Majesty for a piece to take back and show our people at home the technological gap between us and the Phoenix Empire... only by knowing shame can one become courageous and catch up."

"New material?" Zhong Daolong looked towards Tian Que standing beside him, asking, "Do you have such material?"

"No," Tian Que answered honestly.

When he saw this material on the field, his reaction was the same as his father’s.

The Royal Family doesn’t have it, but Tang Fei does?

He had also inquired about this material after the competition. It was a high-tech material developed by the Lu Family, and it was privately provided to Tang Fei by Lu Siyu from the Lu Family...

Whether to ask the Lu Family for it was not his decision to make.

However, he had already reported this matter to his father long ago. Why then did his father act as if he was hearing about it for the first time?

Was he seeking to use this as an opportunity to take a bite out of the Lu Family?

With countless thoughts running through his head, he dared not display any abnormality.

If the old father wanted to act out a scene, then he would just play along at his side.

"You don’t have it, but Tang Fei does..." Zhong Daolong said with a chuckle, "Let Tang Fei come over, along with his Mechanical Beast."

"Let me also witness how our Empire’s technological level is so cutting-edge and advanced that even Prince Philip cannot forget it and is full of admiration."

"It really does deserve to be called a divine weapon," Prince Philip added fuel to the fire.

He knew the relationship between the Phoenix Imperial Family and the nine major families, and was clearer about the machinations between the Royal Family and the Lu Family.

The Lu Family gave Tang Fei the new material but did not submit it to the Royal Family for use right away.

This was a grave offense.

If Zhong Daolong didn’t care to ask, it would undermine the face of the Royal Family, and he would likely not get over this issue.

If others followed suit, how would that be handled?

Yet, if they forced the Lu Family to turn over their research results, the Lu Family would undoubtedly be unhappy, and a sordid conflict would inevitably arise again...

Philip knew they would not give him this new material. How could they possibly give such an innovation to a competitor?

This move was intended to create fissures between them. If the Royal Family and the Lu Family did indeed fall out over this matter, or even come to blows, then the Aus Empire could attempt to make contact with the Lu Family.

If they could transfer this mechanical dynasty that had stood for thousands of years to the Aus Empire, such an achievement would surely be too great for any monarch to reward.

At that time, what did the slight defeat at the Tian Dao Exchange really amount to?

Even if they could not win them over, they had managed to sabotage the relationship between the Imperial Family and the Lu Family, causing mutual suspicion, which was greatly beneficial to the Aus Empire.

Why not do it?

He was employing a strategy out in the open, boldly making his demands.

But knowing full well there was a pit ahead, you still had to jump in without any hesitation...

And sure enough, Zhong Daolong took the plunge.

Zhong Tiandao nodded and said, "I’ll notify Tang Fei to come over right now."

Soon after, Tang Fei and his Golden Armored Qilin were brought to the Royal Family by the Star Disc.

After saluting Zhong Daolong and several princes, Tang Fei asked, "May I know why the King summoned me?"

"There’s no particular order," Zhong Daolong said with a chuckle, sizing up Tang Fei.

It had been a while since he last saw him, and the boy had shot up a lot taller, looking even more striking and upright.

After arriving at New Star, Tang Fei’s spirit had improved considerably, at least he had clean water to wash his face and bathe every day...

Clothes make the man just as a saddle makes the horse, and the white student uniform trimmed with gold thread from White Crane Academy made him look like a dashing, elegant young nobleman swept in by the wind.

Most unforgettable were his eyes, enthusiastic, pure, seeming to be filled with curiosity about the world.

But, Zhong Daolong could see the hidden arrogance and outlaw spirit deep within his pupils.

It was innate and had not changed even after coming to a strange environment.

Tang Fei, truly living up to his name.

Zhong Daolong pointed to Prince Philip and said aloud, "Prince Philip has come to take his leave of me and wanted to ask for a favor... Unfortunately, it’s a wish I cannot fulfill, so I had to have you come to make it possible."

A matter even the King couldn’t do, only you could be asked for help?

This wasn’t praise, it was setting someone up on a pedestal to knock them down.

It was a strike at the heart!

Tang Fei was taken aback and bowed deeply, saying, "Under the vast heavens, all land belongs to the King. How could a mere student from an academy accomplish what the King cannot?"

"Don’t be nervous," Zhong Daolong waved his hand reassuringly. "I’m not blaming you or complaining about anything... It’s not me being modest, but his wish is indeed one I cannot fulfill."

Tang Fei glanced at Prince Philip, wondering what this old coin had said to Zhong Daolong about him or what malicious words he had fed him...

Tang Fei kept his gaze fixed on Zhong Daolong, not even giving the Phoenix at his side a second glance.

Utterly respectful, unwaveringly loyal.

As if there was no one else in the world but him.

"I wonder what desire Prince Philip has that leaves our omnipotent King so troubled?"

Prince Philip looked at Tang Fei with a smile and said, "During the Mechanic competition, I was quite shocked and curious about the materials used for Tang Fei’s Golden Armored Qilin, so I wanted to ask the King for a piece of the material to bring back for the scientists of the Aus Empire to examine, to see just how much of a gap there is between us and the Phoenix Empire..."

"I didn’t expect the King to say he didn’t have any and that only you could provide it... I wonder if Brother Tang Fei would be willing to help the King satisfy this small wish of mine?"

Tang Fei looked towards Zhong Daolong and said in a deep voice, "I am a Phoenix person in life and will be a Phoenix ghost in death. Everything I have belongs to the Phoenix."

"..." Phoenix.

"As long as the King agrees, I am willing to gift the Mechanical Qilin Beast to Prince Philip without any charge... It would be my greatest honor to ease the King’s worries."

"..." Prince Philip.

"..." Zhong Daolong.

"..." Zhong Tianque.

"..." The courtiers.

Tang Fei’s generosity had, in turn, made Zhong Daolong uncomfortable.

In his eyes, what belonged to Tang Fei was for the nation, and what belonged to the Lu Family was also for the nation.

This was a precious national material, how could they just give it away? How could they give away an entire Mechanical Beast?

What belonged to the nation was his own, meaning Tang Fei was giving away his belongings...

This was something Zhong Daolong did not want to accept.

But he could not say Tang Fei had done anything wrong.

After all, he was doing this to help ease his own burdens, flattering and trying to please him...

Thus, he looked towards Tang Fei and said, "I know that each Mechanical Beast is the Mechanic’s hard work and crystallization. We can’t do things that make demands on others..."

"I called you here not to force you to do anything but to ask your opinion... Would you be willing to fulfill Prince Philip’s wish?"

"I am not willing," Tang Fei said decisively.

"..."