A trio-specialized mechanic master was a hot talent in any empire. He must not be missed.
Now that this person was in front of her, Catherine the Great, the wisest person, naturally wouldn't let go of this opportunity.
Reward was just the first step.
Hearing Catherine's promise of reward, Chen Rui's first thought was to ask Her Majesty Empress to "reward" Christina to him. However, this request was obviously impossible. Christina, who had been recognized by the artifact, Dark Shadow Cloak, had the strength of a Demon Emperor or even a Demon Overlord. She was definitely the next empress candidate. Even if she was a grand master-level mechanic, Catherine wouldn't agree to use the empire's crown prince as a bargaining chip, so this idea could only be thought of.
Chen Rui bowed to Catherine, "Your Majesty, do you have requiem fruit and flower of mist?"
Catherine thought for a moment and replied, "I don't have requiem fruit, but I can issue a nationwide bounty. There is a flower of mist, but it has withered. There are only 3 seeds left. I wonder if master can use it?"
"Only 1 seed is enough." Chen Rui hesitated for a moment, clenched his teeth secretly, and finally made up his mind to say, "I was entrusted by someone to give something to the noblewoman, Christina, in person. It will be the third reward requested from Your Majesty. Please allow it, Your Majesty."
The eyes behind Catherine the Great's veil flashed slightly, and the surrounding breath suddenly changed. Chen Rui only felt 2 cold, lightning-like eyes on him, and a faint pressure enveloped his whole body. Even with his current Megrez power, he felt a trembling feeling, and this was just a glance from a distance.
Chen Rui had a hunch that Catherine's strength was far beyond the Earth Elemental King, who was also a Demon Overlord. She was even far better than Glorfin. Beelzebub!
After the cold lightning circled around him, it flew back, and the pressure gradually dissipated. A pale yellow light flew out and floated in front of Chen Rui.
Catherine's ethereal and strange voice continued to sound, "Christina is reflecting on her mistakes in the forbidden palace because of her improper handling of matters. She can't meet anyone. However, since it was the Grandmaster's request, he would make an exception and let her see the Grandmaster. Three days later, Grandmaster can bring this token to the palace, and someone will naturally bring you to see her. "
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Chen Rui was secretly delighted. He took the token and bowed to Empress Catherine again. Although there was no news about requiem fruit, the Flower of Mist was finally settled. As for the third condition … It was really a headache just now, but Catherine promised three rewards in front of so many people as an empress. She shouldn't go back on her words.
"Then, now I sincerely invite master to join our country's Mechanic Association. Are you willing to accept this kindness?" Initially, Catherine planned to beat around the bush, cater to his preferences, and slowly rope in this trio-specialized master. But somehow, she suddenly changed her strategy and brought it up directly.
Logically speaking, the most suitable candidate for this request should be the guild leader, Master Anderson.
Chen Rui knew that joining the association didn't have too many restrictions on his freedom, and he could also enjoy various treatments. Since Catherine agreed to his meeting with Christina, and she said it in public, if he continued to decline, he was afraid that the Flower of Mist and meeting Christina would be ruined, so he immediately agreed.
Catherine nodded slightly. When the audience saw the trio-specialized master agreed to join their country's Mechanic Association, they all applauded warmly.
Anderson, Rummenigge, and Xhosa all showed joy. Master Leo smiled a little reluctantly. Among these masters, he was the only one who had a grudge with Chen Rui. However, his strength and talent were there, and he was personally invited by Her Majesty Empress. He would definitely be the most dazzling star in the mechanic industry in the future. If they continued to be enemies, I'm afraid I won't have a good life in the future.
The mechanic finals came to a perfect end in the eyes of the public. The deeds of the first trio-specialized master in 10,000 years and the legendary grade equipment, "Momentary Glory" would quickly spread throughout the Demon Realm from the Shadow Empire. This might be the beginning of a new generation of legends.
Chen Rui followed Master Anderson and others to the association office and received the robe and badge representing the master. The emblem was a purple double moon symbol with a golden border, representing a special glory.
Chen Rui finally got the Brontosaurus Crystal and Star Ice Gravel that he wanted the most. Since then, the materials for "Thunderous Sound" had been completely prepared. He only needed aura. Out of the preferential treatment for the new trio-specialized master who joined the association, Chen Rui also obtained the annual materials and black crystal coins "welfare", the right to purchase internal materials, discounts, and a series of advanced treatments such as entering the ancient magic tower to study.
What he had to do was to provide three pieces of quasi-legendary grade equipment or one piece of legendary grade equipment to the association for sale every year. The association would take 30% of the sales while he took 70%.
This system of borrowing the chicken to lay the eggs was also the reason why the Mechanic Association was enduring. Although the price was high, the reputation and integrity of "the products of the association must be the best" made the supply of the master-level works sold by the association was in short supply.
With the resources and connections of the Mechanic Association, plus the status and treatment obtained by Chen Rui, as long as he had enough aura, he could continue to gather materials to make "Thunderous Sound" or more equipment in the future. That was also one of the main reasons why he considered joining the association in the first place.
Back at the Custer Family, Chen Rui received the highest courtesy and treatment. Even the current patriarch, Croz, came out to greet him personally. Croz knew the weight of a trio-specialized mechanic master. He was surprised and surprised by Dior's foresight and encounter this time.
This master now had a broad future whether in the Mechanic Association or the entire empire or even the entire Demon Realm. The Custer Family was originally a mechanic, so their relationship with this master naturally shouldn't be stopped with the end of the contest. They must use the original cooperative relationship to tie the master's interests with the Custer Family as much as possible. At the very least, they must maintain an extraordinary friendship.
As the biggest direct beneficiary, Dior, the eldest son of the Custer Family and the confirmed heir, was naturally high-spirited. Of course, as long as Croz didn't hand over the family's heavy responsibility to him, Dior was just an heir instead of the real patriarch. Moreover, with Chen Rui's current reputation, it was impossible for Dior to fall out with him. He showed an extremely close attitude and was very attentive to the master.
After learning that Master "Arthur" was in the Custer Family in the inner city, there was an endless stream of high-ranking officials and nobles visiting. Croz was naturally happy and quietly showed the "close" relationship between the Custer Family and the master. On the other hand, Chen Rui seemed to be very patient. It seemed that it wasn't so easy to be a famous person.
Kia seemed to avoid the topic before the final and didn't tell him the inside story he wanted to know. Chen Rui knew that she had wavered, so he couldn't push her too hard at the moment. It was better to boil the frog in warm water and let it cook slowly.
On the afternoon before going to the palace to meet Christina, an expected person came to Chen Rui. It was the third lady of the Custer Family, Celine.
Kia was chatting with Chen Rui. When she saw Celine coming, she found an excuse and went to rest in the house. Celine had a sweet and pleasant smile on her face as if she didn't feel the impact of today's defeat.
Chen Rui smiled, "Welcome, third lady. What advice do you have for me?"
"What advice do I have? I'm just a loser. Now that I have attracted the attention of big brother and second brother, I can't keep a low profile even if I want to." Celine sighed, "I originally thought that with Horford, I can win in one go. I didn't expect to meet such an extraordinary person like master. I can only say that my luck is too bad."
"Where's Master Horford?"
"As a dual-specialized master, it stands to reason that he will be valued by all parties no matter where he goes, but now that his limelight is overshadowed by you, he felt bored, so he left early in the morning." Celine said with a smile, "I'm now submitting to master as a loser. Master can do whatever you want …"
Chen Rui glanced at the snow-white bosom revealed by the open neckline and said calmly, "Get to the point."
"It seems that I really can't compare with Kia." Celine glanced at him with resentment. "The first thing I came for is to ask master to admit defeat. The second thing is to ask master, is the previous promise still valid?"
"Where is Old Gauss?" Chen Rui knew that Celine was referring to the promise to support her to control the family, so he didn't answer directly.
"I got the news that someone found Old Gauss in a house in the southern suburbs. If master wants to find him, I can lead the way." Celine rolled her eyes, "But I heard that he seems to have eaten something that he shouldn't have, and he has been unconscious. This is probably the reason why he disappeared."
"Really?" Chen Rui didn't expose her, but followed her tone and asked, "So when he wakes up, there should be no other problems with his body right?"
"I think there should be no problem. I have 'found' the Old Gauss that master wants, which is enough to prove my sincerity. Then, master's promise the night before yesterday …"
"You have ambition and the same ability. You are more suitable to control the Custer Family than Dior and Falamo." Chen Rui's words made Celine's eyes light up. "However, ambition is a double-edged sword. What I'm worried about now is that this sword will cut me."
Celine definitely deserved the evaluation of "don't judge a book by its cover". For the sake of interests, she could pay any price, including her own body. But from another perspective, Celine had courage, wisdom, and means which were far better than her two brothers. She should be the best candidate for the heir.
Although Dior was fawning on Chen Rui now, he also had the intention to burn the bridge after crossing it.
Chen Rui could still control one person with the puppet mask. It could deal with Celine or Dior, but the puppet mask also had its own small flaws. The puppet made by the puppet mask could live as usual. It absolutely obeyed the master, but its mind would be affected. It was only suitable for a fixed mode of life. Unless it was under the control of the master, it couldn't do things that used its brain flexibly. This was the case for Schneider of the Red Spirit Estate now.
The puppet was irreversible. After becoming a puppet, it couldn't get rid of it for life unless it died.
The [Soul Shackles] of the Leviathan Royal Family didn't have the flaws of the puppet mask. The intelligence of the person who was shackled was not affected, but his strength and soul would be imprisoned. The difficulty of breaking through was greatly increased. For example, Delia's strength was originally higher than Lomont's, but she had been stuck at the peak of Demon King. Now that Lomont had caught up, it was only possible for her to break through to Great Demon King under the special training of the poison dragon and the effect of Aurora Frost. However, every time the person who was shackled by [Soul Shackles] broke through, the power of the shackles would be weakened a lot. Once the person's strength surpassed the caster of [Soul Shackles], the shackles would fail.
[Soul Shackles] and the puppet mask could only be used on people who were weaker than the caster. In contrast, the most suitable control method was the master-servant contract. The mind and strength would not be affected, and there was no restriction of level and strength difference. The master could pay a certain price to destroy the servant's life at any time (there was no price to pay for killing directly). Besides, when the master died, the servant would also die.
The master-servant contract generally required the willingness of both parties (it could also be forced to hand over). Besides, a person could only carry one contract. Many people took in servants early to prevent certain accidents.
The Custer Family was the top business family. The controller must have a flexible mind and means. What Chen Rui needed was a person who could really manage and strengthen the Custer Family and be used by the Dark Moon and him. If he used the puppet mask, unless he stayed here to control at all times, the puppet's mind alone wouldn't be competent when he left.
"If Ms. Celine can help me get rid of my worries, I can fully help and support you to ascend to the position of the master. You also know that with my current reputation and position in the Mechanic Association, even if I don't kill your two brothers, as long as I show this attitude, your father is likely to change his mind. "
"Don't tell me that being your wife isn't enough for you to trust me?" Celine frowned.
"What do you think?" Chen Rui asked rhetorically. Celine could do something to her own brother and then frame the other brother. She could make Old Gauss disappear quietly. She could send someone to assassinate Chen Rui on the street. She could use her body as a bargaining chip to exchange for the position of the master. However, a marriage based on interests was naturally unreliable.
"For master, isn't this a challenge?" Celine smiled and said with a double meaning, "As long as master conquers me, I'll be master's most loyal wife and servant."
Chen Rui wasn't interested in the so-called conquest at all. He didn't have the time to waste here. He nodded and said, "I like the word servant."
"This joke isn't funny." Celine's light red pupils showed a hint of coldness. It was one thing to give her body, but it was another thing to give her soul. She was very ambitious. Perhaps it wasn't just the Custer Family. How could she be willing to be someone else's servant and be controlled by others for life? Besides, this "Arthur" was just a mechanical master.
Now that Old Gauss hadn't been saved, Chen Rui didn't want to fall out immediately. He smiled slightly, "Since it's a joke, why are you so serious, Third Miss? However, the issue of trust is the key to our cooperation, but I've already tested Third Miss' sincerity. How about this, I'll go to see Old Gauss first, then we'll carefully discuss and solve the most critical trust issue of our cooperation. "
Celine's face regained a smile, "There are too many people visiting the master now. When it's late, let's go out from the side door."
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