No longer thinking about the unbearable king of the Holy Light Church, the puppeteer turned to the reporter and said in a cold voice:
"The Haichao Chamber of Commerce banquet? Humph, a bunch of idiots, inviting a wolf into the house! All they did was add unnecessary trouble! Keep a close eye on the links you were supposed to monitor according to the original plan! Report any signs of trouble to me immediately!"
He paused, his tone becoming even colder: "Also... keep an eye on Team Mark! Especially that red-haired woman! And that weird slime! Don't give them a chance to get close to the target!"
"The failure of the Rot Dragon Swamp is caused by them! They were also responsible for the final stage of the Osborne Town Valley incident! Before the Anchor Bay City plan is launched, I don't want to see any more...accidents!"
"Yes, sir!"
The coolie felt the cold murderous intent, his body tensed up, and he quickly retreated into the shadows and disappeared.
"I'm still short of some flesh and skin... Tsk, please don't give me any more trouble!"
The puppeteer stood alone in the dim light, looking at the exquisite construct that was about to be completed. His eyes under the hood were full of sinisterness and a hint of imperceptible fear.
The members of Mark's team, especially the appraiser who can see through the core of his puppet, and the slime that can only devour the dark magic of his puppet, are the biggest variables in his plan and the troubles he is most reluctant to face.
Although he was reluctant to admit it, the puppeteer knew that this Mark team must be watched by a certain god.
If you encounter some minor disasters or misfortunes, the gods may not care.
But if anything threatens their soul, growth or safety, the gods will just need to move it away gently.
No matter how perfect the plan set by their Enlightenment Society is, it will be disrupted.
Just like the last time at the Witch Dragon Lake, the altar he set up in advance and the magic circle should be able to block even the legendary holy light!
Why couldn't he stop the blazing flames of a mere fourth-order Blazing Sister?!
He had reason to suspect that it was the person behind Team Mark who was deliberately making trouble.
The puppeteer couldn't imagine how powerful the person behind Mark was, as he was able to use the Seraphim under the Holy Light Seat as a gun without the other party being aware.
But at least, the other party shouldn't be deliberately targeting the Qizhi Society...
Otherwise, why would he always send a few of Mark's little guys to disrupt the projects he was in charge of?
Well, this time we have to quickly resolve the issue in Anchor Bay City and stay away from that kid’s team!
The puppeteer looked at the waist-high puppet skeleton in front of him and made up his mind.
Surge Hotel, inside the room.
Mark looked at the visiting card in his hand, which had a dark blue pattern with gold-stamped waves and a gorgeous conch emblem.
The content was worded in an extremely humble and respectful manner, portraying the beach conflict as a huge misunderstanding caused by the recklessness and ignorance of subordinates.
Cole Haichao, the president of the Haichao Chamber of Commerce, was extremely terrified and held a banquet at Hailan Pavilion, the best sea view restaurant in the city, to apologize. He earnestly requested Lord Mark and his companions to attend.
"Oh, so panicked? Are they really that serious?" Mark laughed out loud and casually handed the visiting card to Monica. He habitually rubbed his forehead, which had long since stopped hurting. "This visiting card is even more exquisitely made than the official document issued by the Bishop of Dragon Slaying City. Shall we go?"
Monica took the card, her fingertips brushing over the delicate lines and seals. She spoke calmly, "It's all very pompous, the words are soft, and even the lines between the words reveal fear. I think they just want to find out more about us through this banquet."
Anna held the longbow and asked, "Is it a trap? Do you want me to go to the vicinity of 'Hai Lan Pavilion' and take a look first?"
"It's not a trap, at least not tonight." Mark shook his head, his eyes sharp. "They can't figure out our intentions right now, and they're even more worried that we're here for their shady dealings. We're here to kowtow and apologize, and also to test their nerves. If we don't go, it'll seem like we're guilty or planning something drastic."
Enzo played with his square-peen hammer and said in a muffled voice:
"Who cares if it's a Hongmen Feast or a kowtow banquet! If there's food to be had, why not go? It just saves me money on food! If they dare to do anything, I'll tear down that 'Hai Lan Pavilion' and use it as firewood! It's a good time to see if Mark's new dishes can make me tear down things faster!"
He licked his lips, obviously looking forward to the banquet at "Hai Lan Pavilion".
Mark pondered for a moment and decided, "Let's go! Enzo is right. It would be a waste if we don't eat. Anna, Monica, and Xiao Mu will all go."
He glanced at Xiao Mu, who was in Monica's arms and seemed to be a little curious about the conch emblem on the visiting card and stretched out his little tentacles to touch it.
"Let's see what these 'foreign local tyrants' in Anchor Bay are up to. By the way... let them help recruit a few new adventurers to complete the mission first."
The corners of his mouth curled up as he looked out the window at the densely packed rooftops of Anchor Bay City and the busy docks in the distance.
"Look around this city. Besides this 'tide', there are so many other eyes staring at us."
In the kitchen, the oysters and razor clam meat carefully blended by Mark exuded a lustrous luster in the clear water, and the blue crabs spit out fine bubbles at the bottom of the bucket.
…
Hailan Pavilion is built by the sea, and the huge floor-to-ceiling crystal windows offer a panoramic view of the bright lights of Anchor Bay City and the dark blue sea.
The banquet was held in the most luxurious "Guanlan" Hall on the top floor. The huge crystal chandelier reflected soft light, illuminating the gold-painted walls and the mirror-like obsidian table top.
Cole Haichao, the head of the Haichao Chamber of Commerce in Anchor Bay City, personally greeted him at the door.
He was about forty years old, well-maintained, wearing a well-tailored indigo velvet suit, and his smile was warm but measured.
Deep in his eyes, there was a barely perceptible scrutiny and tension.
"Master Mark! We are honored to have such a distinguished guest here! Please come in!"
Cole was very humble and personally led Mark's team in.
His eyes quickly swept over the badge on Mark's chest, Anna's longbow, Monica's calm face, and the mithril breastplate of "yellow-skinned" Enzo, which could not hide his tough aura even at a banquet.
Finally, he paused for a moment on Xiao Mu, who was looking around curiously in Monica's arms.
A sumptuous seafood feast had already been prepared in the hall.
A huge ice-carved tray is filled with fresh lobster, king crab legs, and a sashimi platter.
On the silver plate were baked lobster cheese and pan-fried cod.
The soup is a rich seafood bisque garnished with vibrant green parsley.
The air is filled with the unique sweetness of seafood and the aroma of top-quality spices.
Well, a very standard Western banquet style.
"Master Mark, distinguished guests, please forgive the recklessness of those fools on the beach today! They have been severely punished and will never dare to do it again!"
Cole personally poured Mark a pale golden wine with an exotic kiwi aroma. "This is 'Coral Tears', which our association found in the deep southern region. It's ten years old. I apologize for not presenting it as a gift."
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