Chapter 157: Dinner

David did not refuse, knowing well that one hundred thousand credits meant practically nothing to Furness.

He was merely puzzled as to what government contribution points were. Upon opening his identity bracelet, he discovered that a new item had been added: Naan City Government Contribution Points, currently showing a balance of five.

"Furness, what are these government contribution points used for?" David asked, looking up.

"Government contribution points are the currency used to purchase government-controlled resources. Since the Naan City government holds only a limited accumulation of certain vital resources, eligibility requirements must be established for their purchase. At the same time, the total amount of government contribution points consumed serves as a standard; only after reaching a certain cumulative expenditure threshold can you view rare resources on the government resource station!" Furness explained with a smile. Then, glancing at his watch, he added, "I'm starving. Let's find a restaurant for dinner. You've made a huge haul today, so you definitely have to treat!"

"Alright, choose any place you like!" David waved with a smile. Having been out since morning without even having lunch, he was feeling hungry as well.

Just as he finished speaking, however, his identity bracelet rang with a communication request.

David was slightly startled when he saw who was calling. It was Mr. Boone from the Titan Consortium. He cast an apologetic look at Furness and connected the call.

"Mr. David, I heard you've arrived in Naan City. Are you free right now? May I invite you to dinner?" Mr. Boone extended the invitation very politely.

"Mr. Boone, I am free right now. Where are you?" David glanced at Furness. He could not refuse such an invitation; he had benefited significantly from the Titan Consortium, and he was not the kind of person to turn his back on benefactors.

"Mr. David, I am waiting for you at the Garden Hotel!" Mr. Boone seemed quite pleased and replied immediately.

David muted the audio output of his identity bracelet, then turned to Furness and asked, "Furness, someone is treating me to dinner. Care to join?"

"No thanks. But the Garden Hotel happens to be on my way. I'll drop you off and then head out—though you still owe me a meal!" Furness said with a smiling shake of his head.

"I won't forget!" David did not press further, as he still had no idea why Mr. Boone was looking for him.

"I'll have your equipment delivered to your home!" Furness said, dropping David off outside the Garden Hotel and waving goodbye.

As David jumped out of the hovercar, he immediately spotted Mr. Boone waiting for him at the hotel entrance with a welcoming smile.

Watching David approach, Mr. Boone could not help inwardly sighing. It was merely a speculative investment in potential, yet only a few days had passed before that favor had to be called in.

He did not know if doing this was the right decision. In truth, given his rank, he was in no position to make such a judgment, and the matter had long since escalated beyond his control.

"Welcome, Mr. David. Please follow me!" Mr. Boone said with a bow.

"Mr. Boone, I wonder what business you have with me?" David and Mr. Boone had developed a certain rapport, so he dispensed with formalities and asked as they walked.

"Mr. David, Young Master Bonner of the consortium heard that you had arrived in Naan City and specifically asked me to introduce you to him!" Mr. Boone replied, leading the way ahead.

David's heart stirred slightly. If Mr. Boone had sought him out alone, it might simply have been to maintain personal ties.

However, Young Master Bonner was the heir to the Titan Consortium, holding an extremely lofty position within it. What could he possibly want by summoning him at this moment?

Immediately, David thought of the Free Blade Mercenary Corps and the Naan Chamber of Commerce, of which the Titan Consortium was a principal member.

Having guessed the intent of the Titan Consortium, David said nothing more and simply followed Mr. Boone into a luxurious private dining room.

Inside the spacious room, only a single young man sat waiting. Just from his bearing and aura, one could easily guess that he was none other than Young Master Bonner of the Titan Consortium.

"Hello, David. I am Bonner. I have heard of you for a long time, and we finally meet today!" Young Master Bonner smiled, stood up, nodded, and introduced himself as David walked in.

"Mr. Bonner, thank you for the spacecraft. I really like it!" David also replied with a smile.

Mr. Boone pulled out a chair for David and then quietly withdrew from the private room.

"Ha ha, just a little toy!" Young Master Bonner smiled, invited David to sit, and continued.

David had been identified by the Titan Consortium as a talent of immense potential. They had long wanted to invest in him, but David's attitude had remained somewhat ambiguous. Nevertheless, the Titan Consortium had seized an opportunity to send a substantial gift.

Due to Young Master Bonner's personal intervention, that gift had become extraordinarily precious, far exceeding the scale of a normal present.

Originally, this had been an act of caprice on the part of Young Master Bonner. Even if the consortium's finance department had discovered it afterward, it would merely have been regarded as one of the young master's many whimsical fancies.

Yet no one could have anticipated that David's rise would be so meteoric: he had become a martial artist, earned the Silver Star Medal, and upon arriving in Naan City, had been taken in as a disciple by Transcendental Galen. These successive achievements convinced the Titan Consortium that the favor had been well worth it.

Just at that moment, the Free Blade Mercenary Corps had brazenly ambushed David within the Naan City underground network and even prompted Transcendental Galen to lodge a direct protest with Transcendental Hadley of the Naan Chamber of Commerce.

Simultaneously, Transcendental Alvin of the military had also issued a protest to Transcendental Hadley, citing the fact that David was targeted because he had assisted the military in an operation, making the actions of the Free Blade Mercenary Corps a direct provocation against the armed forces.

The formidable Naan Chamber of Commerce had immediately swung into action, investigating David's background and discovering that the Titan Consortium had already invested in him.

As the agent who had facilitated that investment, Mr. Boone should have been the most appropriate person to negotiate with David and defuse the conflict with the Free Blade Mercenary Corps. However, since David was now the disciple of Transcendental Galen, Mr. Boone lacked the standing to negotiate with David on equal terms.

If the Naan Chamber of Commerce had dared to send Mr. Boone to handle the negotiations, David might have been too polite as a youth to say anything, but what would Transcendental Galen think?

Consequently, the Naan Chamber of Commerce had turned instead to Young Master Bonner, who had indirectly established a connection of favor with David. That was the sole reason why Young Master Bonner was present here today.

Of course, to persuade Young Master Bonner to step forward, the Naan Chamber of Commerce had also had to concede no small amount of interests.

Two waiters served the dinner. Noting their textbook-standard etiquette, David instantly recognized that this was an exceptionally formal banquet.

Caviar, foie gras, and chicken vol-au-vent were served first as appetizers. The portions were modest, yet David fully understood the exorbitant value of these dishes.

The ingredients for both the caviar and foie gras were specialties of other planets, transported across vast distances while preserving their absolute freshness. The cost involved was far beyond what appeared on the surface.

Following the appetizers, a succession of courses was brought out: seafood soup, white velouté sauce, sirloin steak, mushroom sauce, fresh vegetable salad, cheese, and fruit juice.

The entire meal adhered strictly to standard banquet etiquette, with the waiters presenting each dish at the optimal moment.

Had David not been a minor prohibited from consuming alcohol, he was certain that the table would have featured the finest vintage wine.

Although the dishes represented the utmost luxury of Rock Star, David showed little interest in them. He had been waiting the entire time for Young Master Bonner to state the true purpose of today's meeting.

However, Young Master Bonner maintained impeccable etiquette throughout, refraining from discussing serious matters during the meal and instead chatting casually with David about various amusing anecdotes.

Once dinner concluded, Young Master Bonner invited David to sit in the adjacent lounge area, where the waiters served two cups of tea.

"David, I invited you here today for two reasons. First, to get acquainted with a brilliant young talent like yourself; and second, entrusted by the Naan Chamber of Commerce, to mediate the conflict between you and the Free Blade Mercenary Corps," Young Master Bonner said with a smile, picking up his teacup and taking a light sip as he revealed the motive.

David had already guessed as much in his heart and felt no surprise upon hearing it stated aloud.

However, the other party seemed to overestimate the emotional bond between the Titan Consortium and him. While that Titan S600 transport spacecraft was indeed overwhelmingly luxurious, it was not something David had asked for, nor was it a necessity.

In minor matters, perhaps, he might make some concessions for the sake of mutual goodwill.

Yet the Free Blade Mercenary Corps had attempted to assassinate him; had his own combat strength not been formidable, he would have long since perished in the underground network.

Such a deep and bitter blood feud could never be resolved by a mere word from Young Master Bonner.

Not to mention that this matter deeply involved Transcendental Galen and the collective interests of the allied factions.