I just wanted you to make a movie: You made a Honkai Star Rail movie

But Jade responded with a charming but cold smile: ”Even from Pier Point, as distant as it may be, I’m more than capable of keeping you on a tight leash.”

At this moment, some of the audience’s masochistic tendencies exploded!

-------------------------------------

: Sister is amazing!

: So cool! Lady Jade!

: Isn’t she currently the most powerful female character?

: This negotiation is truly ”cutthroat”!

: As expected of a IPC executive! To be able to work under someone like her, even if it means living in a mansion and driving a convertible every day, I’d be willing!

: Good kid, came here just to freeload, huh.

...

Jade’s ”attack” wasn’t over yet!

After finishing speaking, she changed her tone.

”However, if you agree to give up that half-baked plan to go public, the IPC will assure you that we’ll never jeopardize the interests of the Family heads under your leadership.”

”After all, we also need allies here in Asdana. The IPC can assist Penacony with financing, starting by acquiring 30% equity shares. With our financial support, stabilizing and rebuilding Penacony will be a piece of cake.”

Jade’s proposal, at least in the audience’s eyes, still carried a strong sense of aggression.

Given Old Oti’s previously firm stance of opposing The IPC, the audience thought this proposal probably wouldn’t pass either.

But in the next moment, Old Oti calmly responded: ”30% equity, you say? Who can guarantee you won’t want more in the future?”

He didn’t outright reject the proposal but instead left room for discussion about the shares!

The audience was utterly shocked. Such a drastic change in attitude!

Jade laughed: ”Heh, that’s the brilliant part of it all. The answer is simple: No one. There are no guarantees. It all hinges on self-awareness and mutual respect. However, the board of directors will consider the interests of the Family heads to some extent.”

At this point, Jade revealed her own hand and The IPC’s bottom line.

She no longer concealed anything and said calmly:

”You’re a smart merchant, Old Oti. Isn’t the whole purpose of this elaborate game to showcase your business acumen and seek more benefits for The Family?”

”Know when to stop, that’s good for everyone in the industry.”

”It benefits us if we both take a step back. And if that’s not enough for you, I’m pretty sure that another goal of making Penacony go public is to expand the influence of the Planet of Festivities and attract more customers.”

”I understand your concern, and I have a solution for that, too.” Jade continued.

After saying all this, Old Oti nodded slightly: ”Fine, now I see your sincerity. As the head of the Alfalfa Family, I don’t think I have any reason to refuse your offer...”

”However, as THEIR (Xipe, the Harmony) chosen one, I still need one final answer.”

This sudden shift left the audience stunned.

They suddenly realized that all of Oti’s previous attitudes and words might have been false.

All those sharp confrontations and opposition were simply tests at the negotiating table.

As Oti’s stance became clear, those earlier brilliant exchanges were reinterpreted by the audience.

Now it was obvious.

The first half of the negotiation was the clear dividing line.

In the first half, both sides were probing, testing each other’s goals and bottom lines. After that ended, the situation was already clear.

Jade knew The IPC couldn’t take Penacony without a fight.

And Oti also understood that The IPC absolutely wouldn’t give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But both also knew that war wouldn’t be the way to end these talks.

Whether it was The Family, The IPC, or Oti and Jade as individuals, what they needed was a complete, thriving Planet of Festivities.

Only such a Penacony could continuously generate value.

A ruined Penacony meant nothing.

So, although it looked like Jade was threatening Oti in the first half, in reality, both reached a tacit agreement through this dialogue, and understood each other’s bottom lines.

After the first half ended, the next step became much simpler.

Oti was ready to sell part of Penacony, or rather, he had long been ready.

By intentionally revealing his plans in the first half, he was signaling to Jade, asking for her response.

His only goal in the second half: hear The IPC’s offer for Penacony and protect the status and interests of The Harmony and The Family in Penacony.

And Jade’s goal was to give Oti The IPC’s offer while safeguarding The IPC’s interests in Penacony.

Both clearly understood each other’s bottom lines and weaknesses.

The Family had been in decline after the Dream of Ena, urgently needing revitalization.

For Oti personally, Penacony going public was also an important goal.

With The IPC’s investment, Penacony could reach new heights while preserving The Family heads’ dignity and long-standing legacy.

On The IPC’s side, there was no way they’d allow Asdana to return to the era of war. The universe was no longer in the ”Age of Great Exploration” trailblazed by Akivili.

Civilization, trade, and preservation, if The IPC allowed the already famous Planet of Festivities to be stained with blood, the resulting consequences would be unbearable.

It could even lead to conflict between two major factions.

Thus, intervening through equity acquisition was already the best outcome.

This was the focus of the second half: negotiating alignment of interests and redistributing benefits.

It seemed simple, but the words they exchanged and the underlying tension were real.

If either side failed to withstand the pressure and said the wrong thing or made the wrong decision,the other side would bare its fangs.

In other words, this seemingly harmonious negotiation progress was only possible because Oti and Jade were both experienced negotiators.

...

: In front of these two old-timers, I am simply like a rookie.

: They speak with hidden meanings, sharply perceiving all goals and boundaries, and directly engage in a tacit exchange of interests. Such decisiveness is truly intimidating!

: So, Old Oti was actually already prepared to sell off Penacony, and Jade was likewise prepared to purchase shares?

: You can’t say it like that. If Oti had shown weakness, Jade might have asked for 80% of the shares by now. Similarly, if Jade hadn’t performed well, Oti might have compressed The IPC’s shares down to 10%.

: It can only be said that both have deep skill and have reached some kind of subtle balance.

: Damn, capitalists are still too overpowered. I feel like my pants are about to be stripped off!

: This is what I like about Honkai: Star Rail, no one is a simple character!

: It seems now that Brother above underestimated the situation a bit.

...

The audience sighed in the bullet comments about the scheming in the negotiation plot.

And on the screen, Old Oti asked the final question.

”When I was a child, I heard the adults recite the tale of the Ancient Amber Era, about the ascension of Xipe the Harmony, and the downfall of Ena the Order.”

”The Order and the Preservation used to be close in ancient times. So why does the IPC, as a follower of the Amber Lord, seek collaboration with The Family instead of aligning with the Order?”

After speaking, Oti waited for Jade’s answer.

This question was very private and even touched on ideological differences.

”The answer is simpler than you think:” Jade said calmly: ”It’s all about credits, everyone’s favorite thing and the universally recognized currency among the stars. The IPC has the power to perpetually ensure their value.”

”With each new world integrated into the credit system, the IPC adds another building block to its cause. Eventually, all exchanges, capital, and businesses will operate within a unified monetary system.”

”By then, all planetary developments will be recorded in accounts with well-defined values and the ability for exchange and circulation. And the heart of everything will be Qlipoth’s ”credit”.”

Hearing this, Old Oti sighed: ”And then the IPC will be able to exert influence over everything.”

”Our intention is to establish enduring Preservation, so I’m sure you can understand...” Jade, however, refuted Oti’s words, saying lightly: ”This universe doesn’t need two types of Order.”

Such straightforward and explosive words made the audience’s scalps tingle.

Unlike the speculations during the Swarm Disaster episode, when Jade, an executive of the IPC, really said such words, that genuine sense of shock made countless people tremble and feel excited.

”Ohoho!” Old Oti suddenly laughed: ”Well said! Now you’ve convinced me.”

...

: The case is really cracked; Ena’s death is indeed fishy!

: For The IPC, Ena’s Order is not needed; what they need is regional stability!

: The Amber Lord might not care, but the IPC built on the Amber Lord’s credit absolutely cares about ”Order”!

: I suddenly thought, if this logic holds, then when The IPC controls everything, wouldn’t the ”Order” it represents make the path of Preservation unimaginably terrifying?

: Not to mention how many people in The IPC have their own agendas; from a results perspective alone, this move does seem to genuinely help the Amber Lord build walls, though it’s more of a conceptual help.

: I’m now even more curious about the founding principles of The IPC’s original founders.

: These explosive revelations have to come from the old-timers’ mouths to feel so impactful!

: This entire negotiation scene was so amazing! It’s real substance, far beyond ordinary political drama!

...

From interests to ideology, it was clear Jade had fully convinced Oti.

The only thing left was the final solution: How to further expand Penacony’s influence.

”Please, Topaz, invite ”Sweet Dew” to join us at the table.” Jade gave the order.

At this moment, the doors opened.

Under the respectful eyes of the attendants, Topaz walked in with a tall figure with fiery-red hair.

It was Himeko!

The third major force in Penacony had also arrived!

”Please allow me to introduce her to you, Mr. Alfalfa. This is Miss Himeko from the Astral Express, one of the future shareholders of Penacony!” Jade regained her smile, slightly covering his mouth.

”I’ve heard so much about you, Mr. Alfalfa. It’s an honor to meet you as representative of the Astral Express.” Himeko politely nodded in greeting.

Her words and actions were impeccable, still willing to be a friendly face for the IPC.

”Ohoho! The navigator of the Astral Express? It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Oti also responded with a smile.

With Himeko joining in, this solution surfaced.

Jade proposed: After this round of financing, of the thirty percent shares of The IPC’s, 5% shares would be given to the Astral Express as a gesture of goodwill.

Additionally, Ms. Himeko would be nominated as an independent director of Penacony.

The official external statement was much more elegant: this move was to recognize the historic dedication and contribution of the former Nameless to the Land of the Dreams.

After the proposal was put forward, Himeko was not polite, merely expressing that the Nameless were not fame-and-profit seekers.

The reason for accepting without hesitation was because the Express absolutely could not bear to see the ”Harmony” upheld in Penacony distorted again.

The tragedy that happened here must never happen a second time.

...

This was the third-party power both The IPC and The Family could accept.

Meanwhile, because of the uniqueness of trailblazing, with Himeko as an independent director, Penacony’s external influence would surely reach new heights as the Express set off again.

Thus, a tripartite balance was formed.

Oti protected The Family’s interests and dignity, successfully took Penacony public, and also gained the support of Preservation and Trailblazing.

This undoubtedly greatly furthered Oti’s ambition for ”Harmony.”

Jade, representing The IPC, successfully regained Penacony and obtained a large number of shares.

Twenty-five percent seemed small, but it was enough to make The IPC the second largest shareholder and firmly hold power.

On a personal note, Topaz and Aventurine were safe, and Topaz could also leverage the merit of this operation to return to P45.

The Nameless, represented by Himeko, also became independent directors.

With this, Himeko gained decisive and expansive decision-making power.

An independent director’s independence was not just a title, independent directors had voting rights far exceeding what shareholding alone would grant.

In short, after Penacony went public, all major plans required unanimous agreement among the three.

The Family represented Penacony’s local forces.

They controlled resources, manpower, local regulations, cultural identity, and the deeper operations of the Land of dreams.

If The Family voted against, then even if The IPC and the Express agreed, without The Family’s cooperation, the plan would stall in Penacony.

Local resistance would prevent the plan from taking root, ensuring The Family and Penacony’s harmonious foundation.

The IPC represented the second largest shareholder.

If The IPC opposed, then the plan would be rejected in its early stages.

This guaranteed The IPC’s rights as the main investor and its basic control over Penacony’s development.

As for Himeko, the independent director of the Astral Express, her veto power, beyond the rights granted by shareholding, was backed by moral authority, historical credibility, and the public trust carried by Trailblazing itself.

Overall, The IPC controlled the entrance, The Family handled implementation, and the Express safeguarded Penacony from derailing once again.

Missing any one vote would halt the plan entirely.

...

: I’m impressed, this outcome for Penacony couldn’t have been better.

: Amazing, this share structure and triple-check balance is beautifully done.

: Jade’s restrained words, benefiting everyone, perfectly summed up these negotiations.

: Any side that tries to overextend will be heavily restrained by the other two.

: Not only that, the specific decision-making power still lies with The Family and The IPC, the Express has supervisory authority, and having the Express as a middle party ensures no excessive friction.

: When Harmony, Preservation, and Trailblazing converge, I feel Penacony’s development will skyrocket!

: Damn! It feels like the Express crew is going to become rich beyond belief!

: That’s what status means! Damn, I can’t even imagine what Stelle and March will say when they hear the news, their tails will be wagging for sure!

: So satisfying!