Baron’s team had been binging for so long that Guan Yu had actually lost his privileges to go into the hall of records. Currently, they had been going almost non-stop for 2 decades and a bit, but the truly capable strategists of planet 4 had gone on to binge simulations for centuries on end without any rest nor respite. This was an insane pace that the allies of Baron were taking, but they all knew that this was necessary in order to take down Wang Yi, Eumenes, and William Bridges who had been hired, bribed is more accurate, to stop their advance in becoming an official faction.

They all decided it was time for a break as there were still 30 or so years before the faction selection tournament would begin and they would have plenty more time to practice before then. Baron went to go check up on Madam Zheng as well as Roxi during their unanimously agreed upon one month break. Guan Yu and Yue Fei continued to do tasks for the community, run by the Sun Alliance so that they could increase their elder rankings. Then, the Meng duo retreated to their father’s faction so that they could help out with some matters over there.

By the time that Baron got to the residence of Madam Zheng, the organization that she had run was completely different since the last time that Baron had visited which was just a few years prior. That time he had sent Roxi to Madam Zheng so that the two of them could go and have an audience with the legendary matron Fu Hao. Now, the crew that was the Forever Pirates led by the eagle-eyed Madam Zheng was an even tighter ship than before. It was quite a drastic change from what they were going with just in the last Sun Alliance tournament.

This was just a whiff of the changes that Baron could tell was different about the Forever Pirates as well as Madam Zheng. She had a new attitude about her that resembled more of that top brass that brought with it a respectable air about her. On the other hand, Madam Zheng could tell that Baron had undergone a similar transformation that was far more ferocious than the last time she had seen him. It also brought about an air that commanded authority, even if he didn’t really much.

(BM) “Madam Zheng, long time no see. I trust you have been well?” Baron asked one of his first and most powerful allies that he had in this world.

(MZ) “Of course, my, I have to say that there is just something so reassuring about your new posture, demeanor, and expressions.” Madam Zheng responded.

(BM) “Tell me, have you had the chance to incorporate the deepstrikes into your arsenal and such?”

(MZ) “I have, it’s quite the domineering weapon just like you said, and just like you had Roxi demonstrate in the final Sun Alliance tournament a few decades ago.”

(BM) “Heh, indeed. It was quite a worthwhile purchase. To have gotten so much for just spending a few hundred thousand coins it sure has made my team that much stronger. I’m sure once you have a chance to prove it out on the battlefield that you will be blown away by the performance of such a weapon if you personally commanded it.”

(MZ) “I’ll take your word for it for now. Am I to assume that you came here to see if you could see Roxi again?”

(BM) “Am I still not allowed?”

(MZ) “It’s something like that. The subdivision that I brought Roxi to is forbidden to men. I don’t make the rules, the femme fatale does.”

(BM) “Femme Fatale? I have heard that mentioned a couple of times, what is that exactly?”

(MZ) “Essentially, it is a group of women with a lot of power. There are a few in charge that dictates everything. In fact, matron Fu Hao actually used to be the leader of this group but has since stepped out of that position due to her growing interests in R&D.”

(BM) “Are you part of this group? I’m sure they wouldn’t refuse someone of your power and influence.”

(MZ) “Yes, but I am only one of the bottom position as I have no plans on moving up with that group. Though they may all be powerful, there is no way I would ever want to be associated with them. You need to understand, Baron, that there are many factions out there that have gone quiet so that they may make a great comeback later. The femme fatale is one such group.”

(BM) “Exactly how powerful are they?”

(MZ) “At their absolute peak led by matron Fu Hao, they were almost on par with the Yellow Wang faction of today. Presently, I have no idea how powerful they were. That one piece I do know is nothing more than a rumor.”

(BM) “Interesting.”

(MZ) “Indeed, though that may be a rumor, I do believe that there are some truths to it. Back on track, I took the liberty of reading in between the lines when you sent that messenger. Don’t worry, I have gotten Roxi out of that old bat’s place for a few days. She’ll be here in a few days. Why don’t you come back in a day or two? Or would you rather have a tour of my brand new revised faction?”

(BM) “You know the answer to that question. A tour of your faction is something that a lot would kill for. However, can you get Zi Bo and Zi Ji Ge here? There is something that I have to talk to them about. Also, there is something that I have to return to the elder brother.”

(MZ) “For sure, I’ll go get a messenger to bring them here immediately.”

(BM) “By the way, have you chosen which one of them to promote to elder of your faction while I was busy training?”

(MZ) “I will make that announcement soon, but until that time comes, I won’t say anything.”

(BM) “Alright.”