Chapter 1368: Catching fishes

"Alright. You have my attention," he said to the messengers. "But I want this contract to be signed right here and right now."

The Ease of Vindication looked a bit uneasy once they heard that. It was always better to take your time when it came to contracts and negotiations. Look what happened with the Western Pole company.

"If I find out that you don’t have the Antique and that this was all a lie..." Michael warned.

And immediately, the messengers relented. "Alright! Alright! We’ll hammer out the negotiations of the Sanctum Duel today. No need to delay it any further."

"Good," Michael said.

And at that moment, the door opened and Yuna came in with a smile on her face. In her hands was a stack of paper detailing all of the specifications of their Sanctum Duel.

She moved quickly and with haste, giving the messengers no time to hesitate. She was so high-paced that the messengers didn’t even realize that Yuna had come in with papers already written, even though they had just come a few minutes ago.

If they did notice it, they would have found out that Michael had been planning this from the very beginning.

Unfortunately for them, they were way too desperate to have a Sanctum Duel with him.

They probably knew that if they didn’t move faster, other big fishes, and possibly even the main Conglomerates themselves, would make their move and take over the Chasm.

So, they just went along with whatever Yuna had told them.

They were basically sheep. And she was the herder. Her words acted as the dog that slowly guided these helpless little lambs into their designated locations. And before they knew it, they had been trapped inside a barn unable to get out from all sides.

Michael couldn’t help but be impressed with Yuna once again. She was simply far too good at her job.

The way that her hair lightly bounced as she challenged the messenger’s words. The way that her nose slightly perks up whenever she thinks she’s winning. And those eyes too. Those blue, captivating eyes. He could get lost in that sea for hours at a time.

He’d been so absorbed watching Yuna in her element that before he knew it, the negotiations had finished.

Eventually, the Ease of Vindication messengers left the Reborn company with mixed feelings.

They were supposed to be excited. They secured a Sanctum Duel against Reborn, giving them a chance to earn the Chasm. But why did they have a foreboding feeling?

"Did I do good?" Yuna’s back was turned away from Michael. She was stacking the papers that they had just signed for the Sanctum Duel.

"What?"

Then, before he knew, Yuna quickly turned around and faced him ever so closely. He could feel her breath on his chest.

It had only been a few months, but Michael had far outgrown Yuna. He was an entire foot taller than her, and she was already tall compared to her peers.

And despite having Drones around him for defense, despite his golden Nascent Armor nanoparticles just a thought away from being summoned, Michael backed away, a little bit flustered.

Even against an attack from a Nascent Spirit cultivator four stages higher than his own cultivation, he wouldn’t back down.

Yet, Yuna was able to make him back away with just a single step.

"What?" he asked, turning his head away, hiding the blush in his cheeks.

"Did I do a good job?" she asked. "You were just watching me the entire time."

Michael cleared his throat before moving away from her, pretending to fix the items in his desk. "Oh, yeah. I guess. You were fantastic."

Yuna hummed. "I see." She began to pace back and forth, with her hands behind her back. "Then why don’t you tell me about the details of the Sanctum Duel?"

Michael’s heart seized with nervousness. He didn’t even remember anything being discussed during the negotiation.

He should at least know how many soldiers they were going to deploy. But he didn’t even know that!

Think! Think! Think!

But unfortunately, the harder he tried to recall the words discussed from before, the more he started to see Yuna’s glistening lips.

That certainly didn’t help his recollection.

ChatJK6! Any help? You can record anything I see, right? What did they talk about?

[I plead the fifth,] she replied.

Traitor! I thought we’re partners in crime!

"So? Are you going to answer, or are you just going to stare at my lips?" she asked him.

Michael was so flustered that he swore smoke came out of his ears. Was his ears red? They were. They definitely were. She could definitely see how flustered he was.

"Huh?"

"I said, are you going to answer, or are you just going to stare at the list."

He noticed that she was just pointing at the stack of papers in the desk.

"Ah. The list. The list of resources that the Ease of Vindication company has wagered for the Sanctum Duel... right, right."

Yuna moved towards him and looked up at his eyes. "Why? What did you think I said?"

"Nothing. I mean, I heard exactly what you said."

She tilted her head at him, as if unconvinced. Michael had never felt so pressured at this moment. It’s as if the sun was right next to him, making him sweat profusely.

"Fufufu, right. You better prepare for the Sanctum Duel, then."

Then, Yuna walked over towards the door. She lingered for a few seconds before turning back towards Michael. Only the side of her head peeked through the door.

"You heard me right the first time," she said.

"What?"

Michael wasn’t sure, but he swore he saw Yuna’s cheeks blushing behind that door.

He wasn’t hallucinating, right?

Right?

ChatJK6! Analyze!

[Sorry. A freak bug had corrupted the video file of your vision.]

And so, Yuna left his office, leaving him feeling completely crazy. He was so out of sorts that he didn’t even notice that he should check up on his army.

Who cared about the Duel? About the Chasm? About the Antique? The only thing he wanted to know was what Yuna meant by her words!