Keeping an eye on the pot while eating from the bowl was only human nature.
It was a good thing Minkler was ambitious. Ji Jue needed hungry, driven collaborators like him; if someone who just wanted to slack off took charge, where would Ji Jue earn his friendship fees?
In return, the Seven Cities—or more specifically, Minkler’s family—once again demonstrated their uncanny knack for winning hearts through sheer billions.
As one of the largest commercial hubs in the southeastern Endless Sea, the wealth flowing through the Seven Cities every day reached astronomical figures. Under the current tense climate, it was even serving as a safe haven, soaking up vast amounts of foreign capital.
His family had been entrenched in the Seven Cities for years, virtually standing as one-seventh of the coalition, and they opened their purses with utter liberality.
At this critical juncture, the Seven Cities needed protection. Its people needed to believe they would be protected. The Seven Cities needed a war hero!
Minkler, once merely an unremarkable grunt within the family, had seen his standing skyrocket. Having tasted power, he had no intention of ever letting go.
What he needed was an ally like Ji Jue—someone who wouldn't threaten his position while offering tremendous assistance.
The two hit it off immediately.
That very day, a massive shipment of materials was routed through the Balance Chamber of Commerce, pulled directly from local storehouses and dispatched to Haian Industries.
On top of that, they acquired a large batch of secondhand and decommissioned alchemical items on his behalf, guaranteeing that this was merely the first batch—more were on the way!
"As long as you don't tell us to stop, let's lock this in for three years to start."
Nothing came in vain; every ounce paid off!
The military merit of downing a mere destroyer was just an opening move. The crucial part was that the Seven Cities had seized the moral high ground—rallying the cause to punish the wicked and comfort the oppressed, enforcing justice in heaven's name.
You, Ekonzo, were the raving lunatic who sent troops to violate the sovereign territory of the Great Seven first; what was wrong with us delivering a crushing counterblow?
Besides, while Punabantu was not large, had scarce grain, and boasted a local populace whose average education barely exceeded fetal development, it had damn mines—gold, a rich vein spanning an entire island!
Everyone was itching to carve up the cake.
To this, Ji Jue’s reaction was: splendid, carry on, keep turning up the pressure.
Had he not been so busy lately, he would have loved to take Pan Ying on a stroll through Punabantu himself. So many choice living sacrifices; letting them go to waste was truly a pity.
Over the next few days, the tides shifted once more across the southwestern Thousand Islands.
First, the Seven Cities declared war on Punabantu to strike back. Four days later, General Ekonzo, who had only recently seized power in a military coup, met a bizarre and sudden death inside his presidential palace—during a banquet he was hosting.
Just as His Excellency Ekonzo was holding his knife and fork and waxing eloquent about the exquisite subtleties of human flesh, his head suddenly burst like a melon, painting the wall with gory splendor and splattering everyone in attendance.
Dead. Dead as could be.
Good riddance to bad rubbish—a death so wonderful that everyone rejoiced.
As for who pulled it off, no one could say for sure. In any case, it didn't matter who did it; nobody cared anymore.
Over the next two days, the whole of Punabantu descended into chaos once again. Within forty-eight hours, four self-styled generals proclaimed they were taking control of the city-state, while two so-called elected presidents of mysterious origin rallied the people to revolt. In a capital of over two hundred thousand souls, the winds changed by the hour.
And then, in a single night, it all ended—silently, as dead and still as hell.
Brought on by the hidden danger they had all forgotten...
Having spiraled out of control, the spiritus plague erupted in full force. Dreamloss Syndrome reaped the souls of more than seventy thousand people, reducing them to walking corpses, and worse, devolved into aberrations.
Under the relentless erosion, the entire city turned into a demon realm. The uninfected survivors—or rather, those whose symptoms had not yet erupted—fled in panic in every direction.
According to the Federation's observations, waiting for the city's anomaly to naturally dissipate and degrade would take at least forty years. Thus, yet another forbidden zone was marked on the world map.
And with the fleeing survivors, the spiritus plague spread through the Thousand Islands.
Yet...
That was hardly the only plague spreading across the Thousand Islands!
Dreamloss Syndrome didn't cause sudden death, it didn't make you explode, and it didn't turn you into a walking vector of toxic contagion; what's more, it was painless, and a vaccine offered a high chance of prevention.
Welcome to the hardcore server, bro. You still need practice—get to the back of the line!
Who gave a damn? Life went on, and everyone was used to it.
Kill who must be killed, die when your time comes, work what needs doing.
Get through today, don't worry about tomorrow.
A few days later, after the Church of Chongguang's investigation and reprimands concluded, the Elder brought his assistant, Yu Shu, who had just finished recuperating, to Haian Industries for a formal visit.
The old man grasped Ji Jue's hands, full of heartfelt gratitude. "Thanks to Mr. Ji's help, this child was able to return safely. Please forgive me for taking until now to offer my formal thanks."
"Elder, don't say that. When my elder fell sick and needed surgery, wasn't it Mercy Hospital that fronted the money? Come, please sit down. Don't stand."
Ji Jue waved off the formalities, warmly guiding them to their seats. He brought out fine tea to entertain them and proposed a new phase of collaboration: a new batch of improved prosthetic limbs had entered the testing phase, and Haian Industries happened to need the Church of Chongguang's help in finding amputees and disabled individuals for trials.
"I understand. Leave it to me."
The Elder accepted the proposal with a smile. A look of wistful emotion crossed his weathered face, and he spoke solemnly, "To be brazen enough to come here today, there is actually another matter I must ask of you."
"Not a problem, please speak your mind."
Ji Jue waved a hand—not in refusal, but to signal: Go right ahead, Elder, consider it done!
In the brief silence, the Elder hesitated a moment, then looked back at his assistant standing beside him, Yu Shu, gesturing toward him. "Could I trouble you to take in this child? Any job to make an honest living will do. While I don't mean to boast, I have great confidence in the children I've raised."
"Huh?"
Ji Jue blinked, dumbfounded.
He had rolled up his sleeves, primed to charge into the Thousand Islands, yet here the Elder was, trying to find a job for his kid... But wait, child?
Are you sure?
This guy has stubble all over his face, looks weathered by life, and is clearly older than me, isn't he?
How did my seniority suddenly jump a generation?
Yu Shu kept his eyes downcast, bowing his head respectfully. Humble and placid, he showed no resentment or resistance, ready to accept whatever was arranged.
How to put it? Some people just looked upstanding, radiating an air of reliability, steadiness, and trust. He was one of them; while not handsome, he possessed immense approachable warmth.
Like a friendly kindergarten uncle.
Only, something seemed to be missing.
The decoration worn by all members of the Church of Chongguang—the insignia on the lapel of his collar—was gone, leaving behind only a pinhole in its place.
Ji Jue vaguely guessed what had happened, but didn't pry. He simply nodded.
"Sure, no problem!"
He nodded decisively. "Since he's recommended by you, Elder, there's no need to waste time on an interview. What are you good at?"
"Surgery, emergency care. I have a doctorate from Nanlin University and a medical license. In addition, I speak some of the Imperial tongue and Mid-Continental. I've done plenty of coordination, organizational planning, and administrative work for the church, so administration won't be an issue."
Yu Shu answered, "Aside from that, a few days ago, I underwent the Higher Calling ritual and was fortunate enough to pass. I belong to the Vortex lineage, and my matrix is Echo."
*Hiss—*
A top-tier talent!
Ji Jue's eyes lit up. Nanlin, like Tianmen, was one of the Federation's Big Five universities, and its achievements in medicine were even more renowned. Earning a doctorate and medical license at his age meant he was an absolute titan of intellect and study. What's more, handling coordination and organizational planning in the Church of Chongguang was playing on hell mode—pitiful pay paired with an insane workload. To manage all that methodically and rise to be the Elder's assistant meant he was an administrative heavyweight in his own right.
And on top of that, he was a healer!
Child my foot—the Elder was practically offering up a Pokémon he had spent years raising!
Couldn't he now kick that quack Xie Lan straight to the curb and become completely self-sufficient?
"Then that's settled! I'll contact Engineer Yan and Director Gou. We won't fix a specific post for you just yet. Take a look around both Haian Industries and Courier Logistics, get familiar with things, and once you get your bearings, we'll hammer out the details."
Ji Jue nodded without hesitation, snatching him up and locking him down on the spot.
Secured!
Once Yu Shu stepped out for a moment, Ji Jue turned his gaze back to the Elder, who had remained silent for quite a while.
"Can you tell me the reason?"
An exceptional right hand and protégé like this would be treasured anywhere. It made no sense to suddenly cut ties with him just to give back to society and donate him to the Federation.
"He committed the sin of killing. The Holy Spirit no longer tolerates him, and the church cannot permit him to stay." The Elder cast his eyes down. "I know this is cruel, harsh, and unfair, but such are the commandments."
Even if forced by circumstance.
Yet weren't commandments meant to bind oneself?
Once broken, they could never be restored.
Lost once, lost forever.
"Besides, he cannot get past this hurdle himself."
The Elder looked toward where Yu Shu had departed and let out a silent sigh. "Once a person wavers within, they lose their answers and their direction. Rather than wandering aimlessly in turmoil, it is better for him to settle down somewhere quiet. He needs time, a safe harbor, a place to sort out what he truly wants."
The Elder said solemnly, "Haian is a wonderful place. Please, do not turn him away."
"What are you saying? True talent will never be buried, wherever he goes. Besides, in a place like this, he's practically a saint."
Ji Jue shook his head with a sigh. "You really are a good father, Elder."
The Elder fell silent for a moment, before offering a self-deprecating smile.
"I truly wish I were."
By the time they walked out of Haian Industries, it was already afternoon.
Ji Jue had invited the Elder to dine with him in Haian Industries' own cafeteria. It wasn't extravagant—just simple dishes and soup, filling, honest, and unpretentious.
Host and guest enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
"All right, seeing me off here is enough."
In front of the newly built station, amidst the bustling crowds and motorcades, the Elder turned back, taking one last look at his assistant. "Panpan is pregnant and can't travel with you. Let her help out at Mercy Hospital for now; with so many people in the church looking after her, nothing will go amiss. Later, once you find your footing and the baby is born, whatever future you two decide on as husband and wife is up to you."
Yu Shu nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Father."
"I told you, don't thank me."
The Elder sighed. He turned, looking out toward the distant construction site shrouded in smoke and dust, toward the direction of Haian Industries, and suddenly said, "I know your heart is lost and shaken. I also know you harbor hatred and resentment. It's all right. When people strive, mistakes are inevitable. Neither you nor I are saints; we all have worldly attachments and distractions. Though they cannot be eradicated, they must be restrained, never indulged."
"I understand," Yu Shu nodded.
The Elder continued, "Mr. Ji is an upright man. You should learn from him. If there is anything you don't understand or can't figure out, you can ask him."
"Father..." Yu Shu's expression was conflicted, words catching in his throat.
At that, the corners of the Elder's mouth curved up, giving him a knowing, faint smirk, as if seeing straight into his thoughts. "...Yet he captures indentured laborers, hounds debtors, runs roughshod over the wilderness, and piles up endless karma, yes?"
Yu Shu remained silent.
"That is why I say he is an upright man, Xiao Shu. Did he do all those things for himself?"
The Elder shook his head with a soft sigh. "In this world, doing good and wielding the blade—mediocre men like me can only choose one.
"No, I should say, terrified of trouble, fearing the eyes of others and the consequences, we crave an unblemished process just to console ourselves, just to eke out an existence, even wavering between two stools and deceiving ourselves.
"I couldn't bear to let my child face danger, yet I couldn't bear to cast away a lifetime's work. I hesitated, torn and indecisive.
"The reason I told you not to thank me is that I am ashamed. I am not worthy...
"Otherwise, the moment it happened, I should have contacted Chen Xingzhou, picked up a blade like a real father, and set out to sea without hesitation to save my child."
Yu Shu looked up, wanting to speak in his defense, but was halted by the Elder's gaze.
It forbade him from interrupting.
"—However, some people don't need justifications or outcomes.
"They don't care about others' judgment, don't need gratitude or so-called reputation, and aren't tethered or entangled by the things you and I fear. He only cares whether what he does aligns with his own rules, even if heaven and earth turn upside down.
"Do you understand now?"
Yu Shu fell silent.
"Stay here. When you find the courage to tell others what happened, then come back to see me," the Elder told him at last. "You may continue to do good. Whether you choose to wield the blade is entirely up to you."
"Yes," Yu Shu answered, bowing his head.
The Elder's expression turned solemn. He wanted to say something more, but parted his lips only to pause. After a long moment, he simply reached out and straightened Yu Shu's collar one final time.
"Don't forget the matrons' teachings," he whispered. "Work hard."
"Mm."
Yu Shu nodded again, his eyes reddening.
With that, the Elder turned and walked away.
His slightly heavy robes fluttered in the wind, wrapping around his frame and revealing the gaunt silhouette beneath.
He drifted further and further, until he vanished from sight.
Yu Shu stood there for a long time, watching the vehicles come and go, the pedestrians passing by.
Only after a great while did he turn around, braving the scorching sunlight against the flow of the crowd, walking toward the workshops of Haian.
The sun shone down upon him, stretching his shadow long behind him, pointing straight in the direction his father had gone.
Chapter 475