SWNOVELXO Chapter 163: Commanding Will
The next morning, a gentle drizzle filled the sky.
Bright and early, Lin Zeyu called, "I've found a B-class Spirit Control Skill. The data looks powerful, but it's quite pricey, and the seller doesn't seem eager to sell. He says he wants to meet you to negotiate."
Lu Heng was a bit puzzled and asked, "Why does he want to see me?"
Lin Zeyu replied as if it were obvious, "You're now the only Quenching Master in possession of the Quenching Castle's key. Isn't it normal to want to talk to you? He probably wants to insert someone into Quenching Castle."
After thinking for a moment, Lu Heng asked, "What's the skill called?"
Lin Zeyu answered, "From the data he sent, the skill is named 'Commanding Will.' Judging by the skill description, it's really strong, having the ability to control a target. Just thinking about it is terrifying."
If it were truly that skill, it indeed would be frightening.
This could be said to be the most terrifying among B-class Spirit Control Skills.
Because 'Commanding Will' could directly control the target and dictate their actions.
In other words,
if you encountered an opponent with 'Commanding Will,' you might face a situation where a teammate shoots you in the back.
Lin Zeyu continued, "I finally understand why you said if we don't have Spirit Control Skills, we need to seek out Spirit Resistance Skills. If someone controlled you and you turned on me, not even a god could save me."
Lu Heng's Spiritual Attribute wasn't low, and he possessed a Spirit Resistance Ring, so the likelihood of this happening was relatively small.
Unless the opponent's Spiritual Attribute was exceedingly high.
Even facing a Spiritual Superpower User with incredibly high spiritual power, one could rely on experience to strengthen the will's resistance and shake off control faster.
Of course, this B-class 'Commanding Will' had impressively strong effects.
"This skill is terrifying. If the seller is willing, then we should buy it regardless of the high price," Lu Heng stated.
"I want to buy it as well, but even after offering 60 million, the seller wouldn't budge and insisted on meeting you," Lin Zeyu said.
Lu Heng thought for a moment and replied, "Alright. I'll meet with him."
...
In the afternoon,
Lu Heng arrived at the agreed location, a teahouse inside the Coastal International Trade Building.
Lin Zeyu had arrived early, ordered a set of tea, and was joking with the server who was preparing the tea.
After a while,
two middle-aged men walked in and approached Lu Heng. One of them extended his hand and said, "Hello Mr. Lu, I am Hasegawa Tom."
Hearing this name, Lu Heng's eyebrows lifted imperceptibly.
It was clearly a Fusang (Japanese) name, and there was nothing peculiar about the name itself.
Lu Heng was a bit surprised because the name written in the envelope given by 027 was "Hasegawa Tom."
This meant that the man from Fusang in front of him was the person invited by the "Creator," codenamed 029, right after himself.
"Step outside for a bit; I want to talk to him alone." As soon as Lu Heng saw Hasegawa Tom, he sent Lin Zeyu away.
Hasegawa Tom also dismissed his entourage, leaving just the two of them.
The two began to size each other up, analyzing character traits from each other's words and behavior.
Hasegawa Tom appeared to be in his thirties but not yet forty, with the typical facial features of a Fusang person, though his stature was quite tall and his gaze sharp.
When he took up his teacup to drink, he used his left hand, indicating he was likely left-handed.
Besides that, there seemed to be a compelling need for symmetry; the clothes he wore and even his hairstyle needed to be balanced.
"I don't like to beat around the bush; let's get straight to the point. What do you want to discuss with me?" Lu Heng jumped directly to the matter at hand, without hesitance.
Hasegawa Tom chuckled and said, "Mr. Lu is indeed straightforward. It's simple, a month ago, a Soul Capturing Monster appeared in Coastal. I believe Mr. Lu has it now, and I would like Mr. Lu to return it."
Lu Heng's eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing his request.
The other party's objective was actually to retrieve the Soul Capturing Monster.
And 027 had delivered the Sealing Card, containing the sealed Soul Capturing Monster, on time to him just the day before.
Moreover, this Hasegawa Tom in front of him was someone the "Creator" wished to invite. It meant that he must possess some distinctive qualities.
Those invited by the "Creator" either had great Combat Power, possessed unique abilities, or held irreplaceable value that no one else could provide.
Lu Heng stared into Hasegawa Tom's eyes, pondering what characteristic this person might possess to catch the "Creator's" interest.
The teahouse fell into a long silence before Hasegawa Tom asked again, "Mr. Lu, could you please confirm whether you have the Soul Capturing Monster or not?"
Lu Heng set down his teacup and nodded, "Yes, I do."
Hasegawa Tom showed a pleased expression upon hearing this reply and continued, "Good. Name your price, Mr. Lu. I would like to buy back the Soul Capturing Monster."
Lu Heng did not instantly respond but rather pondered while swirling his teacup. After a moment, he asked, "The 'Commanding Will' Crystal Core? Let me see it."
Hasegawa Tom remained silent for a while before replying, "The Crystal Core is too precious to be brought out. Once I see the Soul Capturing Monster, I will show it to you."
Lu Heng laughed softly, then sharply changed the subject, abruptly asking, "How many Soul Capturing Monsters do you have?"
Hasegawa Tom calmly picked up his teacup, not answering the question.
According to the timeline from Lu Heng's previous life, the Abyss Descent would occur a year later, and an incident would erupt in Fusang involving politicians controlled by Soul Capturing Monsters.
However, not much information had been revealed about the incident.
It was unknown how many Fusang politicians had been controlled; just that there was more than one.
And it was also unknown Since when the incident had started, but it seemed now that by the time it erupted, those Fusang politicians had been under control for at least half a year.
Furthermore, there was another key piece of information.
A single Soul Capturing Monster could only control one person.
"That is to say, there are multiple politicians in Fusang who are under the control of the Soul Capturing Monsters. This indicates the existence of a multitude of such creatures.
With each additional monster, one more politician can be controlled.
It goes without saying, the value of a Soul Capturing Monster is immense.
Sato Ichiro brought one to Da Xia in pursuit of the Source Material, resulting in the beast's loss.
This was a colossal loss for Sanyo Corporation, one of the three major financial groups of Fusang.
To recuperate their losses, Sanyo Corporation would naturally send someone to search for the Soul Capturing Monster.
Clearly, this Hasegawa Tom was the Superpower User sent to look for the monster, and after their conversation, Lu Heng could confirm that he was a Spiritual Superpower User.
Hasegawa Tom continued to persuade, "The Soul Capturing Monster holds no value for you. I hope you can sell it to me. You can name your price. As long as you agree to return the monster, you will be a friend of Sanyo Corporation in the future."
Sanyo Corporation, as one of the three giants of Fusang, had influence over both the underworld and legitimate businesses.
The incident involving controlling politicians and affecting Fusang's political landscape was Sanyo Corporation's doing.
Furthermore, after the outbreak of the event in the previous life, Sanyo Corporation faced no retaliation.
Therefore, some suspected that the number of politicians under Sanyo's control was not limited to those exposed.
Imaginably, the reach of Sanyo Corporation's power in Fusang was terrifying.
Lu Heng had no interest in becoming a friend of Sanyo Corporation; no matter how powerful they were in Fusang, their reach didn't extend to Da Xia.
However, Lu Heng was contemplating whether to carry out the mission assigned by 027.
According to the mission's requirements, Hasegawa Tom needed to be invited to join 'Creator.'
And as per 'Creator's' principles, the invitee would not be coerced to join but would be presented with an offer too tempting to refuse.
So, could the value of the Soul Capturing Monster get him to agree to join 'Creator'?
If using the monster could exchange for his membership in 'Creator,' then he could fulfill the mission assigned by 027.
And, 027 had also sent the Sealing Card that had suppressed the Soul Capturing Monster.
It was clear that he was supposed to negotiate with Hasegawa Tom using the monster.
"Mr. Lu, have you made up your mind?" Hasegawa Tom asked once more.
Lu Heng took out the invitation and slid it across, asking, "Do you know what this is?"
Hasegawa Tom picked up the invitation, opened it, and saw just one word on it: 'creator.'
To the average Superpower User, this invitation would mean nothing.
But as one of the top three financial groups in Fusang, Sanyo Corporation wielded great power, had many information channels, and controlled several politicians.
Thus, Hasegawa Tom knew many secrets unknown to the ordinary person.
His eyes narrowed slightly, "Are you a member of 'creator'?"
"What 'creator'?" Lu Heng feigned a puzzled expression.
"Isn't this the invitation you gave me?" The light in Hasegawa Tom's eyes flickered strangely.
"This was given to me by someone on my way in to pass on to you," Lu Heng spread his hands.
Hasegawa Tom pondered for a moment and felt that this was more reasonable.
According to what he knew, members of 'creator' were mysterious, with no one aware of their identities, and no member had ever revealed themselves.
Naturally, no 'creator' member would send invitations in person.
Holding the invitation, Hasegawa Tom asked, "What are the conditions?"
"What conditions? I'm just the messenger. Shouldn't you be giving me something in return?" Lu Heng shrugged.
Hasegawa Tom found it somewhat amusing and snorted coldly as a sinister gleam suddenly flashed in his eyes.
In an instant.
Lu Heng felt the world before his eyes darken as if shadows enveloped everything around him, and then his hands began moving uncontrollably over his body, searching for something.
Lu Heng tried to forcefully control his hands, but to no avail.
Not just his arms, but his legs, even his head, were beyond his control.
Lu Heng immediately understood what was happening—he had clearly been hit with a Spirit Control Skill.
Sitting across from him, Hasegawa Tom's eyes emitted an eerie pupil light, which turned out to be... Commanding Will!
This damn Fusang, talking about the 'Commanding Will' Crystal Core, had used it already—therefore, he couldn't produce it at all.
Lu Heng watched as his hands reached into his pocket and turned everything in it out onto the table.
Cell phone, keys, tissues—nothing was spared.
However, the Sealing Card that contained the Soul Capturing Monster wasn't found.
Because Lu Heng never brought that item with him in the first place.
Once he realized he'd been affected by the 'Commanding Will' skill, Lu Heng began attempting to break free from it.
This skill was powerful, but it had several weaknesses.
First, when the Caster was controlling the target, they had to focus their spiritual power on the victim, rendering the Caster's own body immobile.
Secondly, the target could use external stimuli to break free from the 'Commanding Will' - the stronger the stimulus, the faster the release, particularly through pain. If the pain was intense enough, one could break free instantly.
Moreover, Lu Heng was less controlled than the average standard for this skill, and he could still move some parts of his body.
Hasegawa Tom felt Lu Heng gradually escaping his control and immediately asked with a commanding tone, "Where is the Soul Capturing Monster?"
Lu Heng's lips parted, starting to reply uncontrollably, "It's at... fuck you!"
Just as he was about to reveal the location, Lu Heng's left thumb pressed down hard on the Spirit Resistance Ring, driving the sharp edge of the ring into his skin to create pain.
Then, he shouted loudly and instantly broke free from the 'Commanding Will,' unsheathing the Aurora Blade in a flash and striking out with it.