Wilderness Brutes

"Engineer Yan, why did you have to leave us so soon?!" "Engineer Yan, come back to us!" "How am I supposed to live without you, Engineer Yan? Take me on vacation with you—!" On the tablet screen, video clips of young faces flashed one after another, either grinning mischievously or making a show of dabbing at tears, while holding up a black-and-white photograph of Yan Jian. From his hospital bed, Yan Jian stared, dumbstruck. He began to question his entire existence. Wait, he had only been away for a single day, and they were already giving him a lavish state funeral? Stiffly, he turned his head to look at Ji Jue, who had come to visit him, horrified. "Director, what are you trying to imply?!" "Ahem... young kids, you know, they love fooling around—" Ji Jue coughed twice and gave an awkward smile, not daring to admit it had been his idea. "Everyone insisted this would definitely cheer you up." "Those—" Yan Jian choked on his words for a long while before finally grinding out through gritted teeth, "Their workload clearly isn't heavy enough." *Ah, yes, exactly!* Ji Jue nodded vigorously. *That's the reaction I wanted to see!* Yan Jian sighed. His previously gloomy expression brightened somewhat. He shifted slightly in bed, wincing and grimacing at the pain. "Director, can't I be discharged yet? Didn't they say I'm already out of danger?" "Technically you could, but it costs extra. The hospital director here is a real skinflint. The fact that you're lying in bed still breathing has already cost me a fortune, so don't go asking for VIP treatment, alright?" Ji Jue ruthlessly splashed cold water on his hopes. "Just get some proper rest. The factory doesn't depend on just one person—the world keeps spinning no matter who's gone. Did you think you were still the indispensable pillar holding up the heavens?" In truth, Xie Lan's emergency care package could have fully cured him, but the rapid surge of flesh and blood induced by a Vortex blessing came at the price of cutting a person's lifespan short when applied to ordinary mortals lacking spiritus and possessing frail souls. Once he was out of danger, it was better to let him heal gradually. Ample medicinal and nutritional support would be plenty. After soaking up this round of care, someone as bald as Yan Jian might even sprout a fresh head of hair. "If I'm not running things, what about our orders?" Yan Jian fretted anxiously. "Won't the factory grind to a halt?" "The workshops have been modified to seal them off from the external contamination, and internal production is continuing. Once the frames, chassis, and bodywork are done, we ship them off in batches to auxiliary plants for assembly. "Efficiency took a hit, sure, but at least the line hasn't stopped." Ji Jue spoke calmly, "The rest of the staff are taking rotating vacations too. Everyone's having the time of their lives at farm stays and resorts right now, so I'd advise you not to stick your nose where it doesn't belong." "What about the contamination?" Yan Jian pressed. "What about the chemical runoff?!" "Don't worry, I brought in a professional team. At most, they'll have it sorted in half a month." To decontaminate the site, Ji Jue had gritted his teeth and tapped a massive chunk of dedicated project funds, using Security Bureau connections to hire the Current World Environmental Construction Association, an organization of Celestial Chosen, for the cleanup. If those powerhouses could thoroughly scrub away corruption remnants on the scale of Quancheng, a mere splash of chemical pollution was a walk in the park. A three-person squad could wrap it up in just a few days. Well, as long as you could afford the bill... Even though the money had never been in his personal pocket and he hadn't spent a cent of his own, Ji Jue still couldn't help aching with heartache. *If I could've embezzled that sum, it would've been enough to upgrade my basic workshop facilities before they even arrive!* *Those dogshit military-industrial bastards really know how to ruin people's lives!* Still, there was no other choice. Right now, every second counted. The sooner they restored operations, the sooner they could strike while the iron was hot, seizing market share and expanding capacity. First, you needed a plate—whether paper or plastic didn't matter—before you could load meat onto it. Only by surviving the current crisis could there be any talk of the future. There was no need to tell Yan Jian all this. It would do nothing except disturb his recovery. In the end, Ji Jue patted him on the shoulder, deftly dangling a carrot in front of his nose. "Just enjoy your paid leave, Engineer Yan. In a few days, when you can leave the hospital, that design you've spent over a decade perfecting can officially go into production." "Really? Are you serious?" Yan Jian was overjoyed, his face instantly flushing with radiant vigor. Ji Jue said nothing more. With a faint smile, he pushed open the door and stepped out. Then, his expression collapsed immediately. Fractured limbs, comminuted spinal fractures, cerebral hemorrhage... Any single item on that long list in the medical records could have killed Yan Jian. If Ji Jue hadn't reacted swiftly and brought him back that very night, seeing Yan Jian's face again would have required hiring an Ascension-path shaman to perform a seance and hope his spirit could possess someone. And it wasn't just Yan Jian; Haian itself was currently riddled with holes. Raw materials, procurement, manufacturing, sales—every single link had suffered under this blow. Even with Ji Jue utilizing out-of-city channels and in-house proprietary developments, they were still struggling at every step. Despite pouring in every ounce of effort and working themselves to the bone, all they could manage was robbing Peter to pay Paul just to keep production of the Huanggua from halting completely under the impact. That sudden, vicious blow had nearly shattered the half-breath of life that Haian had managed to regain with such difficulty. "I've wrapped up talks with the Environmental Construction Association. Since it's right along the way, once they finish cleaning up the contamination, they'll handle the factory expansion too, free of charge." Ye Chun was radiant with excitement, looking thoroughly pleased with herself. Rare good news had finally arrived. "Uncle Shengnian just called to say that negotiations with several relevant automotive enterprises have concluded, so we won't need to worry about future production capacity. However, the timeframe was just too tight. Acquiring large corporations isn't something that happens overnight; the earliest it can go through is next Thursday." Uncle Shengnian was Tong Shengnian, the second son of the Tong family's Old Master, and the current generation's representative in business affairs. In Yacheng, any commercial endeavor of decent stature couldn't bypass the Tong family. It was just that the Tongs had always kept a low profile, mostly taking equity stakes without meddling in daily operations or personnel. Besides, there was no need to. A single glance at a resume and photograph was likely enough for them to see right through a person's ancestral background for three generations. And if it was the Old Master himself reading the dossier, he might even see three generations into the future just as clearly. All one could say was that the Path of Aether was tailor-made for thriving behind the scenes. Just as Ye Chun said, acquisitions of major corporations could never be wrapped up in a day or two; starting negotiations after Haian ran into trouble would have been far too late. Unless plans and preparations had already been laid long before. In fact, it was quite possible those moves had been quietly arranged in the shadows even before Haian resumed production. Hearing this, Ji Jue couldn't help letting out a breath of relief. With Lyu Yingyue far away in Midtown and Xu Chaoxian continuing to be sustainably defeated by his illness, if the Tong family were to stand idly by right now, forget Haian—even Yacheng as a whole might not have managed to maintain stability. "Then for the next couple of days, I'll trouble you to oversee the factory, Senior. Just proceed according to the previous arrangements." Hearing this, Ye Chun paused slightly. Dropping his responsibilities at a time like this didn't match Ji Jue's personality or her understanding of him at all. That left only one possibility... Ji Jue gazed at the sunlight beyond the corridor window for a long while before looking back with a smile. "I plan to stir up a little commotion." December 29th, two days before the end of the year. The almanac read: *[Heavenly Officials Bestow Blessings, All Taboos Lifted]* If anyone else had said that, Ji Jue might have denounced it as feudal superstition and sneered in disdain. But when the person sending the screenshot was Tong Ting, Ji Jue decided it was best to believe at least a little. Especially since he received the message the second he stepped out of the hospital doors... *I don't know what you're doing, and I don't know what you're planning, but what a coincidence—look, today's an auspicious day, isn't it!* Attached was also a photo showing the heads and tails of several copper coins where they had landed, apparently the result of some divination. Ji Jue couldn't make heads or tails of it. However, Tong Ting seemed to have long understood Ji Jue's tragic lack of humanities literacy, adding a concluding note: *[Earth over Water, The Army: Move through danger with compliance. When lost in doubt, head east, and good fortune may follow.]* Ji Jue was instantly energized and replied: *[Can you give me the winning lottery numbers for this draw? Hook me up, hook me up!]* Tong Ting fell silent for a long time, eventually sending only a deeply enigmatic smile emoji. *A bottomless well of dedicated project funds sits right before your eyes and you can't even be bothered to reach out and grab a fistful; Tong Shan controls the Security Bureau with who knows how many lucrative projects dripping in fat, yet you don't even ask; Tide Sound Workshop holds a mountain of patents, and cashing in on Fluid Alchemy could bring in as much wealth as you could ever want, yet you haven't publicized a single one; and here you are asking me for lottery numbers?* *Little brother, isn't your brand of begging a bit too absurd?* Seeing that no further reply was forthcoming, Ji Jue shrugged helplessly, pocketed his phone, and set off in his Little Niuma. That evening, the procurement team for this "Meimei Supermarket Massive Clearance Sale" had already gathered out in the wilderness beyond the city, just outside a remote, abandoned settlement. The rusted sign of the old mining company rattled in the wind, producing shrill creaks. More than twenty years ago, while Nanling Mining was still operating, this had been one of the few lively spots in the wilderness, bustling with traffic and crowds. Unfortunately, the location was simply too inconvenient. Right in the midst of its boom, it had weathered two natural disasters only to be hit by the Great Depression. Once geological surveys revealed that mineral reserves were insufficient and lacked large-scale extraction value, the bubble blown by Nanling Mining burst completely. The company went bankrupt overnight, and the entire settlement emptied out, degenerating into a ghost town indistinguishable from any other abandoned settlement or ruin in the wilderness. Yet unlike its past desolation and decay, years later, the settlement had unexpectedly seen signs of life once more. Regrettably, those occupying it were vicious outlaws and bandits roaming the wilderness. And not long ago, the guests who had moved in happened to have had a tiny, negligible... well, bit of friction and conflict with Director Ji. "Quite a hiding spot," Ji Jue marveled with a click of his tongue. If he hadn't reacted quickly, he wouldn't have even found a chance to strike back. To be fair, this really was the best way to hide. Once people entered the city, they left countless traces. With the Security Bureau above and the Wild Gathering below, having enemies across both lawful and underworld channels, and needing to avoid Aether observation while evading pursuit... the ideal method was to make camp in the wilderness. Abandoned settlements and towns were beyond count, not to mention countless uncharted hideouts. Too bad traitors were impossible to guard against— Such as Yin Zhaoyang, who had recognized reality and flipped at lightspeed without hesitation. Lu Feng had meticulously prepared numerous tricks and techniques, but before he could even use them, Yin Zhaoyang's first words upon opening his mouth were: "Where's the polygraph? Truth serum works too!" He poured out everything he knew without holding back a shred: things he had done, things he hadn't done but knew about, things he hadn't done and didn't know about but considered possible—he dumped the entire basket clean. Back when Echo bypassed him to take direct action, he had already prepared himself. To avoid being silenced by his former employers or thrown out as cannon fodder, the moment he caught wind of rumors through other channels, he hadn't even bothered verifying them; he had immediately initiated the escape plan he'd prepared for who knows how many years. After all, he'd made enough money and skimmed enough fat. Why not seize the chance to disappear, change his identity, buy a ranch in the Thousand Islands, and live as a wealthy gentleman? Too bad Director Ji was a petty man... Not to mention that from start to finish, he had been right under the Tong family's noses. Having bad "luck" was only natural. With such a breakthrough, the clandestine maneuvers executed by Echo and several other military-industrial firms over these days—both inside and outside the city—spilled out like grain from a torn sack, easily laid bare. And the scene before them was merely one of them... "What's the situation?" Ji Jue lowered his binoculars and asked, turning around. "We've been observing for over a day. There are about two hundred people, likely three or four bandit gangs merged together, probably preparing for a major operation next. They've got everything from rifles to heavy weapons, complete patrol routes and sentry posts, and even reconnaissance drones and armored vehicles." Lu Feng took a drag from his cigarette and chuckled. "If it weren't for the lack of unit insignia, who the fuck could tell the difference between these bandits and a regular army?" He wasn't surprised in the least. These days, running a bandit gang in the wilderness required patrons and financial backers; otherwise, how could anyone maintain such a force? How could they recruit specialized personnel? With so many line-fodder conscripts returning discharged from the Mid-Continent every year, after growing accustomed to murder and arson, could they truly settle down as obedient beasts of burden in the city? Not to mention, some of these bandit crews... had certain origins from the very start. Walk by the river long enough and your shoes will get wet; everyone needed rain boots and gloves. If Lu Feng hadn't met a benefactor back then and pulled out in time, even after a smooth discharge, he likely wouldn't have escaped being manipulated, forced to keep doing wet work and dirty jobs as someone else's disposable tool. "Quite a few Celestial Chosen as well," said Uncle Lin, who returned silently, condensing out of black smoke. "Around twenty. A mixed bag: seven or eight at Metamorphosis, and even one at Regeneration. A few are hiding very deep, so I couldn't get a close look, but... I did spot a few familiar faces." He gave a cold chuckle without elaborating further. Still, anyone Uncle Lin recognized wasn't going to be a good person. They were probably enforcers and hitmen from other Wild Gatherings, or top contenders on wanted lists. Now, as the night deepened, the settlement showed no signs of turning in. Instead, it was a hive of clamorous activity, lights flickering. They had realized something was amiss and were preparing to pack up and relocate. Uncle Lin said, "We need to act fast. Once we strike here, if the other locations catch wind, they'll scatter without a trace." "No need to worry about that," Ji Jue said, pulling out his phone. The screen displayed the weather forecast he had received before leaving the city. "Later tonight, a severe electromagnetic storm will roll in. When that hits, unless they're using wired lines, all wireless communications across the wilderness will be cut." At his words, everyone exchanged glances in the ensuing silence. Luck. It was all luck. Damn, what absurdly good luck! "Still, aren't we a bit short on hands?" Lu Feng sighed, glancing back toward their concealed camp at the thirty-odd "security guards" he had brought along, as well as the eight or nine Wild Gathering Celestial Chosen Uncle Lin had assembled. Forty against three hundred. Even if they were catching three hundred pigs, it wouldn't be easy. Ji Jue and Uncle Lin exchanged a glance, both breaking into identical, enigmatic smiles. "Who said we're going in ourselves?" Ji Jue grinned, throwing an arm over Lu Feng's shoulder. "Brother, we've got money now!" With that, he let out a whistle and snapped his fingers. "MUSIC!" Instantly, accompanied by a blast of pumping music, over twenty burly men with bulging muscles leapt down from the trucks! Their gear was a hodgepodge drawn from virtually every corner of the mortal realm; their hair was a riot of colors—black, blond, red—and their skin tones covered the full spectrum of yellow, white, and black... And the one leading them—just look at those hungry eyes, that sycophantic grin, and those thoroughly detestable gestures, and anyone would know he was a prime specimen among the Swarm! Among them, apart from Chen Xingzhou's regular partners, were over twenty Knights of Homecoming whom Ji Jue had hired by throwing money around through Lou Feng's introduction. At their head was none other than Slan, an "old friend" he had dealt with back in the Border Realm, and... Old Tom, who had caught the scent and scurried over to beg for handouts! At this moment, in a concealed ravine out in the desolate wilderness, the hulking brutes formed a neat, unified line, bowed in unison, and roared: "Greetings, Boss!"