I Don't Agree to the Terms

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"After all, do you really think the funding for the Royal Research Institute's exploration of the parallel universe comes from nowhere?" Gu Shanhai sneered.

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This made Baruch's face turn pale, "It's them..."

"Yes, the Royal Research Institute has long since accepted funding from my Jile Technology. You seem to be unaware of this. As the Dean, that's quite negligent." How could Gu Shanhai not pay attention to the Royal Research Institute?

The reason Jile Technology bypassed Baruch, the head Dean, to approach the two deputy deans was naturally because the guy was no good.

If they really had to discuss matters with him, they'd probably end up backstabbed.

After Richard had been used, he was dealt with—yes, killed outright. Such behavior was a breach of the rules.

As for the other founder, Marina, she was also ousted from the Royal Research Institute, and now, well, she's serving at Jile Technology.

And Baruch didn't manage to get his hands on any of the Quantum Channel's patents either. Instead, they were claimed by the empire following negotiations by the Prime Minister and his faction behind him.

However, Baruch wasn't without some benefits. He received support for his candidacy as a member of parliament—yes, just support—and this support can be influenced. The parliamentarians don't care whether Baruch lives or dies because he's essentially worthless now.

With the discovery of the parallel universe, various powers of the Royal Research Institute are being reclaimed by the Royal Family. The reason he hasn't been removed for his scheming as Dean is precisely because he's preparing to run for parliament, planning to resign in three months. This three-month period allows the Royal Family to use him as a buffer and transition.

Otherwise, dealing with Baruch right away could cause unrest, whereas his resignation could ensure a smooth handover.

Officially, Baruch is still very much a respected Dean, with all his actions carried out secretly through all sorts of conspiracy and trickery, known to few.

"Dean Baruch, nominations for parliament begin in three months. I think you should not focus on the immortality project, but instead prepare more for your campaign donations." Gu Shanhai stood up, patted Baruch on the shoulder, and then opened the door to his study, as if to say you're not yet a threat to me, let's keep things civil for now, go on, get out of here.

Baruch's expression conveyed a sense of powerlessness as he slowly rose to leave.

Gu Shanhai casually closed the door behind him, then settled back into his chair.

"Prince Tulip, compared to the Royal Research Institute, which by now largely belongs to the Royal Family, we princes are natural allies, aren't we?" Gu Shanhai sat down and poured another glass of wine for Prince Tulip before speaking.

"Does Prince Rose have some other plan?" Prince Tulip had guessed what Gu Shanhai was planning.

"Of course, are you convinced that if the Royal Research Institute really discovers the mystery of immortality, it would share it with us princes?" Gu Shanhai asked.

"How could I be sure that Jile Technology, after discovering the secret to immortality, would share it with us?" Prince Tulip countered, but this indeed revealed his distrust of the Royal Research Institute.

The Royal Family and the parliament jointly controlling the Royal Research Institute was unavoidable, and these princes had no direct way to involve themselves in politics, unless, like Gu Shanhai, they interfered through indirect means.

So, they were utterly unable to intervene in the affairs of the Royal Research Institute, considering even their businesses were under the Royal Family's control, with every prince but Gu Shanhai effectively having a chain around his neck.

"Believe it or not, if you won't do it, there are plenty who will." Gu Shanhai's tone was mild; he simply wanted the princes to ensure more security for the Jile Technology research team that would accompany the Royal Research Institute on their expedition to the cancerous universe.

There you go, thinking of gaining an inch for a mile with something that's a mere trifle.

Prince Tulip was numbed—here he was quoting sky-high prices, yet you're the one who's taking it too far.

"Of course I believe. Prince Rose once helped me out, so even if there are no benefits this time, I will still take extra care of the Jile Technology research team," Gu Shanhai said confidently.

At this moment, Prince Tulip didn't dare to confront Gu Shanhai head-on anymore. The last one who did was threatened by Gu Shanhai and took direct action. If Prince Tulip knew what was good for him, he would resign as the Dean of the Royal Research Institute and take a billion back to the countryside to live a decent life. If he didn't, not only would his money go to waste, but he himself could end up in jail.

"Prince Tulip really catches on fast," Gu Shanhai praised insincerely. The man was both greedy and short-sighted; otherwise he wouldn't have fallen into Gu Shanhai's hands once again.

If it weren't for the need to keep a low profile, he would have already buried the man in a cement pillar at the bottom of the sea.

There are only around twenty princes in total. If one died, it would be quite noticeable; if one disappeared, even more so.

If Emperor Navia were to get involved, it would not be worth the loss.

Emperor Navia's attention should currently be caught by the cancerous universe; otherwise, why would the princes follow the Royal Research Institute? They're paving the way for Emperor Navia.

As for why Emperor Navia doesn't go there himself, it's simple. Why would a sovereign personally handle such matters? It should be the subordinates who take care of the tasks. If he had to manage everything, would he also have to adjust the janitor's broken broom himself?

If Emperor Navia really had such intentions, neither the council nor all the officials of Navia would behave in this way.

"Not at all, I'm no match for Prince Rose," Prince Tulip also complimented Gu Shanhai against his will. He didn't have much fondness for Gu Shanhai; it was just a matter of vested interest.

After a round of mutual flattery, Prince Tulip finally departed.

Gu Shanhai saw him to the door.

"Send a letter to all the princes except Prince Tulip, subtly reminding them to take extra care of the Jile Technology research team. They will share the results when the time comes," Gu Shanhai said to the housekeeper upon returning to his study.

"No problem, my lord," replied the housekeeper without asking about the results or the research team, but he expressed himself clearly nonetheless.

Gu Shanhai wasn't worried about what the research team and the Royal Research Institute could come up with. The immortality of the cancer universe wasn't so easily solved, even if Emperor Navia went there himself—it would take a lot of time.

At least he didn't expect any practical results within a hundred years. Emperor Navia, as talented as he might be, was not on the same level as Gu Shanhai; they saw different worlds.

If the other was truly a studious and progressive type, he wouldn't be hiding in the Imperial Palace playing these boring puppet games.

So even if Emperor Navia reached the cancerous universe, at most he would bring the concept of death. To master the reductionist system of life concept like he controlled Ghost Energy, it would take at least several hundred or even a thousand years.

Even if the other side managed to grasp it quickly, Gu Shanhai wasn't worried. On the contrary, he would be happier because he could then control Emperor Navia by force and extract from him the ability to balance life and death, effectively usurping the fruits of his labor.

Of course, there was a slight chance that Gu Shanhai might not defeat the other, but this possibility was so low that Gu Shanhai almost couldn't bear to consider it.

However, even if he couldn't win, Gu Shanhai had a backup plan. He would directly summon Rein's projection and order it to commit suicide and revive repeatedly. In a short period of time, the unusual deaths would continuously strengthen Rein, the embodiment of the Human Emperor and the will of the Human Dao. Then, even if Emperor Navia was strong, he wouldn't be able to defeat Rein.

The concept of death could indeed cause Rein's projection to die, but as an anomaly, the stronger it got with each death is illogical.

Gu Shanhai was always cautious, so even though the likelihood was painfully low, he had arranged a contingency plan just in case things went wrong.

If the projection of Rein couldn't resolve the issue, Gu Shanhai would certainly choose to abandon the mission and leave this world, after all, he had an escape plan.