48 Hours a Day

The skies were already dark when Zhang Heng and Lockheed’s granddaughter finished going over all the details.

So far, the patrol team had finally gone through their biggest crisis yet. The other forces, however, had mixed feelings after receiving the news. In the eyes of outsiders, Zhang Heng had undoubtedly won the negotiation this time. On the other hand, as an outsider and as a patrol team member, Zhang Heng had gained the approval of three major forces to grow and develop his power here. It was indeed a miracle.

The good news was they did not have to worry about the patrol team raiding their gangs out of the blue. Since someone had put a shackle on this wild beast’s nest, they could finally sleep peacefully. When they were told that a thousand Imperial Guards might be stationed in the southeastern city, everyone except for Copper Arm, who hated the patrol team, found it unacceptable. To them, Zhang Heng had taken advantage of everyone’s fear of the Imperial Guards to gain approval from the three major forces.

But Zhang Heng realized the price that he had to pay after being given the opportunity to continue growing here. He even suspected that Lockheed was trying to use him to solve the problems caused by the Jewish gang.

Of course, as far as the final result was concerned, the two parties were using each other, each taking what they needed.

Through this negotiation, Zhang Heng also understood why Lockheed, among all his children, chose his daughter to come here with him. This girl might look innocent, but if someone thought she was just a decorative piece, they’d better be prepared to suffer a lot.

Although her performance wasn’t as good as her grandfather during the negotiation, Zhang Heng could see that Lockheed had trained her for some time now, and she knew her strengths and how to utilize them fully. After the negotiation ended, she swapped back to her innocent look, even inviting Zhang Heng for dinner at her home. In the end, though, Zhang Heng declined her goodwill.

Zhang Heng had been negotiating with Lockheed for the entire afternoon, and he was exhausted. Besides, he still needed to meet an important person. Afterward, Zhang Heng asked Marcus and Aris, who came together with him, to go back first. He then picked a random direction and walked toward the street under the night sky.

He didn’t have to walk too far before he spotted Cornu, who had left the tavern before him in an alley ahead.

The latter was playing mud with a group of children, and he was having a good time. However, when he heard footsteps, he drove those children home. He then dusted off his hands, stood up, and said in surprise, “What a coincidence?”

“The legendary Beehive knew what I had for breakfast. Why are you so surprised to see me here?” Zhang Heng asked rhetorically.

Cornu smiled. “Just like the rumor, you really are difficult to deal with. It seems I have been overthinking. Even if I don’t help you, you could deal with the situation smoothly.”

“No, the information you gave me when we met helped me a lot in the subsequent negotiations.”

“You were ruthless when you accused me of something that I didn’t do.” Cornu smiled bitterly, “I’m pursuing Lockheed’s granddaughter. What you said about me might have cost me my chances.”

“I believe a love expert like you will find a way to salvage the situation,” Zhang Heng said, his expressions remaining the same.

“Well, I still have some small tricks up my sleeve, but those are my trump cards. I initially planned to use them when I get caught cheating after my marriage,” Cornu said with a smile. “By the way, you must be curious about why I helped you earlier?”

“Are you going to tell me the reason?”

“Of course. I come from the same place as you,” Cornu replied mysteriously.

“So, are you also from the mysterious and distant East?” Zhang Heng asked.

“No, you know what I’m talking about.” Cornu looked around and confirmed that no third party was present. He then whispered into Zhang Heng’s ear, “May everything in the world be balanced. You and I are both Kreis’s daggers.”

“What does it mean?”

Cornu looked at Zhang Heng as if he wanted to find traces of a lie on the latter’s face, but he failed in the end. Zhang Heng looked like he had never heard what he said before. His brows slightly frowned, and his eyes reflected a hint of doubt.

Cornu then smiled again, “Nothing, forget it. I just made a joke. Don’t take it to heart. The truth is that Beehive is very interested in you. Although you are in trouble now, we believe you will soon be able to return to Commodus’s side. Beehive feels that you will become a new star in the Roman political arena and is willing to bet on you and pay you with some of our kindness in advance.”

“Then, you are quite generous,” Zhang Heng said. “What do you want from a future star like me?” he added.

“For now, you don’t have anything that interests us. However, when you advance a little further, then, I think we can find more things to talk about.”

“I never thought that Beehive is interested in the politics outside the southeast city.” Zhang Heng raised his eyebrows.

“We are unlike the Jewish Gang and the Golden Crown. The southeast city is not the only place we pay attention to,” said Cornu. However, it seemed he did not want to explain further. He then smiled again. “Anyway, I’m glad to meet you. I believe we will meet again soon.”

After speaking, he squatted down again and continued to play with the mud, apparently attempting to finish the mud palace he had built with the children.

As for Zhang Heng, he continued to walk down the street after bidding farewell to Cornu. For now, the patrol team’s troubles were solved. It was time for him to have a good break. He had an appointment with the slave girl tonight, and he was supposed to go home for dinner. So, he would temporarily leave the southeast city for one night.

And shortly after Zhang Heng’s figure disappeared, another figure walked up to Cornu and asked, “How is it? Is he from there?”

“I don’t think so. I used the Balance Blade’s doctrine to test him, but he hardly reacted to it.” Cornu said truthfully, “It’s like he hasn’t heard about it before. What should we do? Should we continue to keep an eye on him?”

“Forget it, let’s withdraw our people first. We don’t need unnecessary attention. After all, he was the gladiator that claimed the championship at the Amphitheatrum Flavium. And he is also the only person who can fight Lockheed. This is the critical period of the plan. If we succeed, we can wipe out the members of the Balance Blade. That being said, there is no need to dwell on one person. Let him go first,” the person said.