Why Are You Still Here?

"Another one hooked!" Enthusiastic applause broke out on the massive warship. The man standing behind the angler clapped and exclaimed, "Colonel Peñarosa's fishing skills truly are profound and masterful!" "You flatter me. At best, it's merely practice making perfect." The slightly aged man flicked the rod, tossed the hooked flounder into a bucket, and offered a faint smile. As if fatigued, he lost interest in the fishing game. Setting down the rod, he took a wet towel handed over by a servant at his side, wiped his hands, and turned toward the lounge chair placed in the middle of the deck. Under the setting sun of dusk, the warship cleaved through wind and waves, followed closely by war vessel after war vessel. The grand, mighty fleet forged across the Endless Sea, magnificent and imposing, as if marching to war. "We should just about be arriving soon, shouldn't we?" After Peñarosa sat down, a sommelier immediately presented decanted red wine, attending to him with utmost courtesy. He glanced over, and before he could even speak, the man who had been accompanying him by his side waved a hand with great thoughtfulness. "Take it away. The Colonel doesn't drink during missions." Thus, the sommelier withdrew, and someone promptly brought out two glasses of iced water. Luxury spring water airlifted from the Empire refracted a crystalline gleam between clear ice cubes. "Thoughtful of you." Peñarosa nodded, not calling out this long-rehearsed performance routine. "It's the least we could do, hardly worth mentioning." Haming smiled flatteringly. "During this disaster wind period, the safety and security of the Seven Cities will depend entirely on your strength. Once we return victorious from this endeavor, we shall pop open a bottle of my uncle's personal reserve to celebrate for you." "What the family does is never more than adding flowers to the brocade. Success or failure ultimately depends on Dancheng," Peñarosa reminded him. "We will help with the threat of the disaster wind, but the family only ever makes investments; it never interferes in local domestic affairs." He paused, adding a pointed reminder: "The real trouble, you must resolve yourselves." "Understood, fully understood." Haming nodded repeatedly as if it were only natural, replying, "Dancheng will not bring shame to the Holy Tree." Smiling on the surface, just how foully he was cursing inside was something probably only he knew. *Never interfere in local domestic affairs.* *Old bastard, you really have the gall to say that...* *As if you bastards haven't interfered enough!* It was merely that he found the persimmon too hard to squeeze, felt Dancheng hadn't offered a high enough price, and was unwilling to waste any more effort. The Holy Tree family's stance this time was crystal clear: backing you to become the leader of the Seven Cities alliance was fine, but backing you to take down Ji Jue? Forget it! Was staying alive not good enough? There was nothing they could do; Ji Jue was too hard a nut to crack. Setting aside his personal abilities, his background alone was utterly absurd—on one side was Haichao Armaments, on the other was the Haizhou Security Bureau; he was virtually one of the premier figureheads pushed forward by the Haizhou faction. Even without any overt, official title, no one could question him. On the contrary, precisely because he had no official title, it was all the easier for him to do as he pleased. What was more, he was so good at stirring up trouble... Their position in the Seven Cities was merely an investment for the Holy Tree; as long as they ensured no losses, the Holy Tree would never risk having Haizhou Customs put import-export under a magnifying glass just to fight a life-or-death battle against Ji Jue. The family had assets in the Federation as well; it wasn't worth picking up a sesame seed only to lose the watermelon. To the point where, back when the Dancheng Alliance still planned to risk it all, the Holy Tree family had already issued a warning: *Friendship first, competition second!* *Showcase your skills all you want, but if you want to take lives, it might not be the other person's life that gets taken!* Only obedient dogs last forever. If you can't understand plain human speech and insist on courting death, then don't blame the family for bringing out the ancestral art passed down through generations—[Divine Severance]. "To accomplish great things, one must be steady. Don't leap to life-and-death at every turn," Peñarosa said nonchalantly. "The family has its own difficulties. You must show some understanding, understood?" "Understood, understood." Haming stood abruptly and responded solemnly. "Then you may step down." Peñarosa waved a hand, adding, "You can leave the wine." Haming nodded without hesitation, bending even lower at the waist. "If the Colonel is interested, I'll immediately arrange for more to be brought up." "No need. When entertaining a guest, showing the right attitude is enough. That gentleman likely won't care about such things anyway." Peñarosa's relaxed expression tightened slightly, taking on an air of gravity. He rose from the lounge chair, smoothed down his sleeves, checked his cuffs, adjusted his collar, and turned back to look at the bewildered Haming beside him. As if asking whether there was anything out of place. Haming froze for a moment, then nodded repeatedly, praising, "The Colonel's bearing is truly extraordinary—a veritable paragon of Imperial style." At this, Peñarosa gave a reserved nod, and finally, a smile touched his lips. Yet it wasn't directed at him. Watching this, Haming felt waves of sour jealousy in his heart. It was just like discovering that the goddess who usually treated you with cold indifference and scarcely looked your way had suddenly dressed to the nines on Valentine's Day—in black silk stockings, delicate high heels, exquisite makeup, and matching lingerie—before heading out in full finery... and hadn't even replied to your "good night" text! Amid the bitter pangs, he suddenly had an ominous premonition. *Please, don't tell me she's getting a boyfriend!* *He can't lick boots nearly as well as I can!* "Is... is the Colonel expecting a guest?" Haming stammered hesitantly. "May I ask when the guest is arriving? That way, I... I can instruct the galley to prepare a sumptuous reception—" *Are you hungry?* *I can order takeout! What would you two like to eat?* "He's already here." Without looking back, Peñarosa stepped forward, waiting solemnly. In that instant, a sudden dead silence descended. In the distance, the dim yellow sun sank beneath the rim of the sea. And at the far end of that gloom, a towering silhouette suddenly bounded forth, emerging to swallow the remaining twilight. Like a giant dragging the pitch-black shroud of night behind it, it advanced toward them, step by step. Even the wind blowing against them grew heavy, suffocating. No spray could be seen, no echo could be heard, and not a trace of it registered on the radar. There was only that silhouette, swelling rapidly—larger and larger. By the time they came back to their senses, it had already come to a halt before them, practically within arm's reach! "Artisan Ji Jue, here by invitation." From the shadows at the prow, a somewhat slender figure emerged, casting a half-smiling glance toward them. "My apologies. Am I late?" "Mr. Ji, you arrive right on time; we only just got here ourselves." Peñarosa burst into laughter and waved warmly. "Please, come aboard! I have looked forward to this for quite some time." "Then pardon the intrusion." Shimmering silver light coalesced into steps. The sudden visitor stepped onto the deck with a smile. Before his final step had even landed, Peñarosa reached out of his own accord to steady him. Once Ji Jue stood firmly, both of Peñarosa's hands naturally clasped Ji Jue's palms, giving them a fervent shake. "Having resided in the Empire for so long, I have long held Mr. Ji in great admiration, yet fate never granted us an encounter until now." Studying Ji Jue, Peñarosa remarked in the Federate tongue with genuine emotion, "Seeing you today, you truly live up to your extraordinary reputation. Regrettably, out here in the middle of nowhere, there was little preparation I could make. I only hope you won't mind my inadequate hospitality." "You are far too kind, sir." Ji Jue patted Peñarosa's hands, glancing at the crest on the man's chest, his own demeanor becoming effusively warm. "The Holy Tree family is a Pillar of the Empire. For Mr. Peñarosa to condescend to treat me as an equal is an honor for me." "Haha, please, take a seat! Please, sit!" Peñarosa laughed heartily, gesturing for him to take a seat. As they chatted and laughed, the warmth between them was as intense as if old friends had reunited after years apart; anyone unaware would have thought they were long-lost biological brothers. Only, when Peñarosa turned his head and his gaze fell on Haming, who stood beside them as humble as a minion, his eyes filled with unmistakable bewilderment. *Why are you still here?* *Do people from the Seven Cities really have no tact whatsoever?* "And this gentleman is...?" Ji Jue asked with a polite smile, which caught Peñarosa slightly off guard. He momentarily couldn't recall what the fellow's name was... Ha... Hashi? Or Hamu? "Haming." Haming dared not wait for the answer. Swallowing the bitter tears welling inside him, he hastily forced a smile and introduced himself: "I am Chairman Callisto's assistant, and an escort officer of Dancheng!" *Oh, Vermin Number Two's relative.* "A pleasure, a great pleasure." Ji Jue nodded, then withdrew his gaze to resume chatting with Peñarosa. The two chatted freely and laughed in high spirits, thoroughly enjoying themselves. It was practically a case of regretting not having met sooner. Socializing was like that—setting man-eating trees aside, no matter what it was, the most important thing was mutual inclination; only then could the illicit affair spark. As long as both parties were willing, even talking just for the sake of talking could keep an awkward conversation going, and as long as they put on a show of enthusiasm, the atmosphere would never cool. What was more, Peñarosa carefully selected topics: you praise me as an elite of the Embers and a future master, while I laud the Holy Tree for flourishing forever and its enduring heritage. Within a few sentences, they were chatting about Mid-Continent customs and specialties of Tacheng. When their spirits rose, they would raise their glasses, and at that cue, Haming standing behind them had to lift the decanter and hurry to pour wine for the guest. He couldn't let the mood cool down and ruin Mr. Ji's enjoyment. Thus, Dancheng's prized reserve entered Ji Jue's mouth, only to sink like lead into Haming's sorrowful gut and ache straight into Callisto's heart. They had gone through all the trouble of setting up this grand formation to display their muscle, show off their lackeys and blades, and win some prestige and results. And what happened? Their backer behind the scenes was practically swearing brotherhood with the guy on the opposite side! Look at this illicit couple, all lovey-dovey and thick as thieves, practically melting into one another, oblivious to heaven and earth! *Chairman, say something! Chairman!* *Why haven't you called to tell them to move their car...* Regrettably, no one cared where the chairman was. Between Ji Jue and Peñarosa, what mattered was the Holy Tree's attitude and Ji Jue's attitude. What Dancheng actually thought didn't matter in the slightest. Whether they wailed in grief or cursed the heavens in heartbreak, not a single person would spare them another glance. There was no show of authority to intimidate him, no disciplinary beatings. The banquet was a fine banquet, and the people were fine people. No one dared be so blind as to jump out and cause friction or make snide remarks—not even Haming. Throughout the gathering, the hospitality was attentive to a fault, making him feel completely at home. Were it not for the imminent merfolk calamity, Ji Jue would have felt like he was on vacation. In truth, he had almost forgotten about it entirely. Except Haming hadn't forgotten. During the banquet, he dared not urge them, even though he was burning with anxiety. Several times he could barely resist glancing up at the grandfather clock in the corner, yet he never spoke, and even used his glare to drive away subordinates who came forward to report. He spent the entire time smiling, performing this very promising job of a background foil to perfection. Not until Peñarosa set down his glass. "Mr. Ji, please wait just a moment." The Imperial Exaltation of the Swarm took a halberd from a subordinate who had long been waiting. "Once we take care of these beasts, we won't stop drinking until we're thoroughly drunk!" In the faint sound of surging waves rising from the distance came the crazed shrieks of beasts. Upon the deathly silent sea, towering waves surged out of nowhere, crashing together with thunderous roars. Dim moonlight spilled down, and amidst the speckles of silver light emerged countless bizarre scales, as well as a furious torrent surging like a deluge beneath the water's surface. The rising and falling screeches sounded like shrill weeping and the shrieks of wailing infants, echoing back and forth from every direction. The ravenous merfolk had already caught the scent of food. They were racing toward them at top speed!