Some people live most of their lives without an audience, while others, when their end comes, find every seat below packed to capacity.
Ji Jue had no need to put on any promotional campaign; the sight of the falling airship was already burned into everyone's eyes.
Like the fall of a colossal whale, it was horrific and tragic.
Yet none could help but sigh with relief. Finally...
When a whale falls, a myriad of things thrive. With Mudaheka dead, who knew how many lives were saved? A good death, a marvelous death, a death that had everyone singing in celebration!
Even Mudaheka's former allies and the financial backers behind him couldn't help beaming with delight at this moment. Over so many years of back-and-forth dealings, who knew how much dirt this bastard had kept on everyone?
He had done so much dirty work, mauled so many people, and hoarded so much blackmail. Now that he was no longer of any use, there was only kicking him while he was down—who on earth would offer warmth in the snow?
The dog died? What was the big deal? Just get another one!
One could say that from the very moment the informant uttered the name "Mudaheka," he had already been deserted by all his "allies" and betrayed by all his "kin."
As Tacheng's ultimate scapegoat king, all of his life's contributions combined were not as great as his death today.
In fact, everyone could even use the tragic demise of their "dearest friend and sworn brother" as an excuse to pressure Huanyu Heavy Industries—the ones sticking their necks out—and demand another sum in "funeral expenses"!
Just thinking about the zeros on the check and the profits behind it made countless people hum with satisfaction.
Mudaheka died well!
Yet it wasn't entirely good, either...
Because his death had been far too horrific, and far too swift.
So horrific that no one had seen it coming, and so swift that everyone felt a chill down their spine.
A fellow who had operated in Tacheng for so many years had actually died at the hands of an outsider who had arrived in Tacheng less than twenty-four hours ago.
He had merely bombed the other side's office, and in return, his own stronghold and all his assets had been burned to ash and blasted to the heavens in the exact same manner.
A tidy and complete departure.
He had died under universal condemnation, died as the irresistible trend of the times.
Even the last shred of his value had been thoroughly squeezed dry: his corpse turned into a tool to show off his killer's methods, his lair turned into a stage for Ji Jue to intimidate his rivals...
A Rare-tier mad dog had just died, only for an Epic-tier, Gold Collector's, Enhanced-Power edition to arrive in its place!
Everyone was somewhat dazed.
At this moment, watching the towering flames of Locust Tree Manor slowly reduce it into barren rubble, the participants who had just been celebrating began to fall silent, one by one, without realizing it.
No one spoke anymore.
Only a vague foreboding surfaced once more in their hearts.
From now on, days were probably going to get tough...
"A lot of people have told me that life in Tacheng is getting harder and harder."
Inside the luxurious general-officer restaurant at the Federation Garrison Base, soft music echoed amidst aromatic incense. Beyond the prime ocean-view terrace, blue waves surged.
The meeting of sea and sky was so stunning that a single glance widened one's chest.
Before such beauty, Fan Yun held a knife and fork, casually cutting into the beef on his plate as he chatted leisurely. "Everyone says they're living in constant fear every single day. Suffering like this, they don't know when it'll ever end... What do you think?"
"Total bullshit," Ji Jue replied without hesitation. "When the Federation arrived, order and stability came with it. As long as you are here, General, Tacheng will remain peaceful. In such peaceful times, anyone who still can't make a living—can they really be anything good?
"Don't be fooled by those vermin, General. That lot is rotten to the core. For the sake of the grease on their own tiny plot of land, they'd do anything."
"Indeed."
Fan Yun was slightly taken aback, then chuckled and nodded in agreement. "If someone can't even enjoy the good days provided by the Federation, what kind of good person could they possibly be?
"If they can't get by, it serves them right.
"It's rare for someone so young to possess such ability and insight."
"You flatter me, General."
Ji Jue lowered his eyes and replied deferentially, "I am merely an artisan. What ability or insight could I speak of? It is entirely thanks to your magnanimity that you tolerate my clumsy display."
Fan Yun laughed.
A waiter stepped forward silently, refilled his glass, and retreated without a sound.
Beneath the refreshing sea breeze, the luncheon's atmosphere was light and gentle.
Not a trace of gloom could be seen.
After leaving the police station, Ji Jue had been brought here by a dedicated car to dine with the general. And facing the mess Ji Jue had stirred up, from beginning to end, the general hadn't uttered a single harsh word or rebuke, let alone held him accountable.
It was as if an elder were catching up with a favorite junior, filled with endless laughter.
"In my memory, the last time I met with Xiao Lü feels like just a few years ago. Who would've thought that in the blink of an eye, so much time has passed?"
Fan Yun examined Ji Jue's features and sighed with sentiment. "It's been a long time since I've seen such an outstanding young man."
"Just youthful impetuousness." Ji Jue gave a modest sigh, bowing his head with utter regret and sorrow. "I didn't expect that in the end, I would still cause trouble for everyone."
"Indeed." Fan Yun nodded and said genially, "A minor matter, that's all. Just be more mindful in the future."
"Understood." Ji Jue nodded resolutely, as though he had etched the elder's admonishment deep into his heart.
Deeply self-reflective.
"Youth is grand. Make a mistake, and you can still correct it. When you get old, it's not the same; one false step, and you might end up smashed to pieces."
Fan Yun sighed softly, sipping his liquor. He didn't care whether Ji Jue's remorse was an act or genuine. He merely asked out of the blue:
"Still, was it really worth it?"
Going through such a massive commotion, he had slaughtered with flair and slaughtered with finesse. He had wiped them out ruthlessly, but he had also cut off his own future avenues.
He had made it to the table, yes, but from now on, he would have no "friends" and no buffer whatsoever.
His reputation with every faction was locked at Unfriendly, just a hair away from Hostile.
His credit was thoroughly overdrawn—and like a deadbeat who refused to pay his debts, he was already blacklisted on the credit registry.
After all, nobody liked someone who ignored the rules, and players who didn't follow the rules of the game at the gambling table were always eliminated first.
From now on, Ji Jue would live under everyone's magnifying glass. If he made any further dangerous moves, he would likely face an immediate, united crackdown from all sides.
One misstep, and he wouldn't even have a way out.
Huanyu Heavy Industries had been thoroughly screwed over by Ji Jue and wouldn't protect him, while Grand Creation wouldn't miss any chance to kick him while he was down.
"None of that mattered in the first place, did it?"
Ji Jue twirled noodles on his plate with complete indifference, shoved them into his mouth, and answered unconcernedly, "If I were gentle, kind, courteous, reasonable, thought thrice before acting, yielded at every turn, prioritized the big picture, and bore hardship for the common good... would everyone suddenly like me?"
What a joke! Keep dreaming!
Ji Jue had taken a blow to the head before he'd even set foot in Mid-Continent. When he arrived here, the Medal of Chivalric Virtue was still pinned to his chest, wasn't it? And what came of it?
Was being a good guy useful?
Not a damn bit!
If giving face didn't work, then to hell with face—nobody would get any. A mad dog was a mad dog; at least everyone knew not to throw bricks at a mad dog when they had nothing better to do.
As for Mid-Continent's games, Ji Jue had no interest, nor did he intend to participate deeply.
He didn't even mind making zero progress and becoming an ornament.
As long as they didn't get in his way!
"I'm just an artisan. Why should I worry about so much?"
Ji Jue smiled faintly, humble as ever. "Other matters don't concern me. As long as I can contribute my modest strength to the order and stability of the Federation, I am already content."
Fan Yun looked at him with a smile, studying him for a long time.
Finally, he couldn't help raising his hands and applauding.
"Well said!"
Regardless of whether this bastard was putting on a show, the sheer righteousness of his passionate demeanor, so absurdly upright that it bordered on demonic, was enough to make Fan Yun gasp in admiration.
Every act for love of the Federation, every word preaching stability, a heart filled with nothing but loyalty, hands grasping only peace—you've taken care of the big picture all on your own!
If he himself had possessed such a thick skin in his youth, how could he have wasted away in Mid-Continent for so many years?
"Since you possess such insight, my mind is at ease."
Before leaving, the general patted Ji Jue's shoulder and said with earnest gravity, "Young man, don't rush. There will be plenty of opportunities to contribute to the Federation. From what I see, your Haian Industries is doing quite well. Keep up the good work. If you run into any trouble, come find me.
"Remember: no matter where you are, the Federation is your strongest backing!"
"Ask not what the Federation has done for me—ask what I have done for the Federation!"
Ji Jue's eyes grew red. Watching the general's departing figure, he nearly raised both hands toward the rising sun in the distance, tears brimming in his eyes.
With these words from Fan Yun...
He was, at long last, at the table!
The plan for Haian Industries to act as the vanguard and help Haichao Armaments establish a foothold in Mid-Continent had, through tacit understanding, received the general's approval.
Or rather, the general didn't care.
He didn't care whether Ji Jue lived or died, whether he got besieged, or whether he died with flair and finesse. Nor did he mind whether Haichao Armaments wanted a piece of the action.
As the one permitting Ji Jue to take a seat at the table, through this meal, he had only one point to make, conveyed with utmost clarity.
—There will not be a next time!
If Ji Jue pulled any more stunts that shattered Tacheng's outward peace and order, the first thing awaiting him would be the garrison base's "loving caress."
Cut the whining about any Evil Transmutation Cult—if anything else happens, take it up with my armored knight company!
Ji Jue, for his part, didn't care at all.
A card as good as the Evil Transmutation Cult had indeed been a bit of a waste just to break the ice. But no matter; he held plenty of cards in his hand.
Next time, he could try the Profound, the Dragon Sacrifice Society, or even consider those surviving tyrant remnants of the Eternal Empire. Worst case, he could just flip the table and unleash Nirvana!
All one could say was that having too many brutal tricks up one's sleeve could sometimes be a nuisance in itself.
After seeing the general off with a smile, Ji Jue didn't tactlessly loiter under his nose to become an eyesore. He turned on his heel and left.
Time to take over the new territory!
***
Old Gou certainly had wide connections and plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
In less than half a day, the office building pried from Huanyu Heavy Industries was already hanging the sign of Haian Industries.
The only pity was that Brother Dugu hadn't been generous enough. The entire building was only newly completed and half-renovated, with absolutely no exterior finishing. It stood in a sea of dull greenish-gray, looking like an abandoned construction project.
Right in downtown Tacheng, this thirty-one-story unfinished eyesore stood among exquisitely designed, impeccably tasteful corporate headquarters—an absolute blot on the landscape.
Much like Ji Jue himself.
"Time was tight, Boss. We just got water and electricity hooked up," Gou Er, sweating profusely from the work, asked for instructions. "I'm thinking of bringing a renovation crew straight from Xinquan. The locals' craftsmanship is just too shoddy."
"No need. Leave it like this."
Ji Jue looked up, glancing at the tower before him, admiring its ugly visage. "Isn't this pretty nice? We won't be expanding business anytime soon anyway, so might as well keep it this way. You could call it authentic."
"Uh, but..." Gou Er began sweating. That crude?
"What about the interior finishes?" he asked timidly. "The drop ceilings haven't even been installed, and the walls haven't been skim-coated with putty. It really isn't fit to live in."
Ji Jue didn't reply. He merely turned his head and looked at Yan Fei, who was excitedly pushing his wheelchair all over the place like a wild dog off its leash.
Suddenly, he smiled faintly.
Wasn't there ready-made cheap labor right here?
Yan Fei froze in his tracks.
Cold sweat began to form.
"N-Not that far, right...?" he stammered. "I... I'm an Embers Heaven's Choice after all..."
"What we call Embers means someone who creates the world with their own hands," Ji Jue told him with a smile. "Fluid Alchemy must be learned, but applying wall putty and laying bricks must be learned too. Only then can you be considered well-rounded."
"What about adv-advanced mathematics?"
"Naturally, that too." Ji Jue nodded with growing approval. "Since you're so eager to learn, while you skim-coat the walls, you can study an introduction to number theory. That way, no time is wasted."
"Guh..."
Yan Fei's face twitched. He stole a glance at Ji Jue's expression, hesitating.
At this point, asking whether he could switch to another Supreme Goodness... was something he no longer had the guts to say aloud!
Chapter 577