"Hello, Mr. Ji."
The elderly man in the wheelchair extended his hand first: "I am Elder Long Ge of the church in Tower City... regarding the issue with Deng last ti, it was a great bother to you."
Deng?
Ji Jue was montarily stunned and then rembered that Deng is the surna of the elder from Cliff City. But after taking on the elder position, people usually refer to them by their church title rather than their actual na.
What he referred to was the incident where Ji Jue helped the Seven Cities intercept the church's hijacked ship, thereby saving the dical team.
Ji Jue grasped his hand, then let go imdiately:
"It was just a small effort, no need to think much of it."
"No, in this world, one might get nothing from the wrongdoings of others, but getting kindness must be repaid."
Elder Long Ge's voice was hoarse, "This is the principle of the church and what we adhere to. Deng specifically wrote to , asking to greet and thank you.
Soon, there will be a procurent letter that needs your confirmation. In the future, the equipnt needed by the church in Tower City will all be sourced from the Coast.
Also, if there's anything else you need, please feel free to say so."
"..."
Ji Jue was silent for a mont, puzzled, "So straightforward?"
The elder's tone was more about repaying previous favors rather than expressing gratitude, with no intention of building closer relations, polite yet distant.
"In this position, unknowingly, one turns out this way."
Elder Long Ge replied calmly, his face covered in wrinkles and sunspots, already accustod to a stern and emotionless expression, occasionally the corners of his eyes twitched from nerve spasms, but more often it was an innate sternness and indifference, far from approachable.
Completely different from Ji Jue's impression of church mbers!
"I'm not pleasant in speech, nor in appearance, but as a decoration, good enough to spoil appetite; if there's any offense, please forgive."
Ji Jue was montarily speechless.
Can't bla the church for speaking unpleasantly, they do it intentionally—no need for flattering, can't be overly diplomatic; unpleasant words, unfriendly looks, are precisely the attitude and style the church needs in this ghost place of Central Earth.
This sa attitude and persona is deliberate.
A way to keep unrelated people at a distance, keeping the petty bargaining of the Empire and the Federation at bay.
In this cesspool, to stay long and avoid changing essence, one must beco as foul and hardened as stone.
Kindness is precious, but kind deeds are hard to carry out.
The gentle rain is too sparse compared to the chaos in Central Earth; no matter how much is invested, it is drop in the ocean; he must ensure this scarce strength is not coveted while it can be used at crucial points.
Can't bla Elder Long Ge.
Ji Jue really needs to find the reason within himself.
At this juncture, as the representative of Sea Tide Military Industry, a soon-to-be prominent, potentially infamous arms dealer, the elder's willingness to co over and shake hands, showing goodwill, is already the greatest effort.
Supre Virtue dal, Elder Deng's favor, and past deeds.
If any were lacking, Elder Long Ge wouldn't pay him any heed.
Furthermore, he actively opened a breakthrough market for Coastal Industry.
If one is not careful, Chongguang Church's neutral stance and halo would be questioned, even tarnished.
Once the pie is eaten, if soone questions how many pieces were in the recipe, Elder Long Ge might have to cut open his belly to prove the church's innocence.
The favor is too heavy.
"Thank you."
Ji Jue sighed, offering a heartfelt gratitude: "Elder really doesn't need to co forward personally, truly unnecessary, no need to waste precious opportunities on soone as petty as ."
"Kind deeds are hard to carry out, but that doesn't an one must do nothing."
Long Ge's expression remained indifferent: "Even now, I'm willing to take a chance; your coming to Central Earth, Mr. Ji, might not be a bad thing for many."
"What exactly to do, even I don't know."
"Indeed, but in doing nothing, haven't you always maintained boundaries, Mr. Ji? That's enough; being able to do this, the church's recompense won't be squandered."
For a mont, under the dim light, the withered and gaunt face twitched at the mouth corner again, as if striving for a smile, even if just for a mont.
Swiftly fleeting.
Yet it was the most sincere gratitude and anticipation Ji Jue received from the people here since stepping onto the land of Central Earth.
In comparison, all other enthusiastic smiles paled, insubstantial.
"Well then, I must take my leave, Mr. Ji."
Elder Long Ge maneuvered his wheelchair, backing up a bit, turning direction: "Ti is precious; I need to go back to organize fire rescue."
"Need help?" Ji Jue asked quickly.
"No need, the fire you save, Mr. Ji, might only burn bigger?"
Long Ge shook his head, but before leaving, he paused again; after a mont of silence, he turned back slowly, glanced at him.
"If soday in the future, you have so leisure ti, Mr. Ji, feel free to co by the church in another capacity."
He said softly: "Though conditions are simple, only plain tea and simple fare, without gourt dishes or fine wine, the fruits picked by the children from the wilderness are quite sweet, eaten with a clear conscience."
"Certainly."
Ji Jue solemnly nodded in agreent, not following any further.
Standing in place, watching the elder push the wheelchair, slowly depart and disappear among the crowd.
Ignore the luxurious world of dazzling lights and intoxicating drinks.
Ji Jue remained silent.
After a long ti, he sighed softly.
This dogshit world, being a good person is really hard...
Being a truly good person is even harder.
.
.
After the banquet ended, the increasingly empty venue and still lively luxurious lounge.
"Things are really bad."
Shaban lay on the couch, smoking a water pipe, glancing at the constantly refreshing orders over Desert Market, most of which pointed to the sa target. He couldn't help but shake his head, as if lanting.
Yet he couldn't help but smile brightly.
Big harvest, folks!
Since Ji Jue ca, Tower City beca lively. Since Hai Chao ca, the performance went up!
Seeing the booming market and nurous bounties, Shaban couldn't help but hug Ji Jue and give him a kiss. Where did this God of Wealth co from?
"Wow, it seems that young man has been targeted." Shaban grinned, looking jokingly at the middle-aged man lying on the other sofa smoking a cigar: "The people from the Empire have already made a move, they're not likely to let him go. Are you just going to watch, Huan Yu Heavy Industry?"
On the sofa, the middle-aged man smoking a cigar casually blew out a puff of light smoke, sipped his strong drink, he didn't look old, yet his temples were already graying.
"Huan Yu Heavy Industry itself can't even feed all at its table, where's the room to feed more mouths?"
Dugu Ming said indifferently: "On the Central Earth's table, there's no place for Hai Chao. If he wants a seat, he has to fight for it himself. If he fails and gets killed, it's his own fault."
"Even if he grabs a seat, it's still in your Huan Yu Heavy Industry's plate, right?" Shaban couldn't help but shake his head.
Huan Yu Heavy Industry, Great Creation.
The forr T5 is barely known today, and the one thriving and most lucrative, albeit also completely different, is the Huan Yu Heavy Industry that has split into Federation and Empire.
With personnel changes, rounds of financing and rgers, even restructuring, the two have now beco a terrifying alliance encompassing over 90% of the current world's industrial capabilities.
Theoretically, Sea Tide Military Industry is also a part of Huan Yu Heavy Industry, yet the fighting and biting within Huan Yu Heavy Industry never stops, what brotherhood is there to speak of?
If not for Lv Yingyue's face, they would've laid down the heavy hand by now, giving Ji Jue so breathing space.
Regardless of whether Ji Jue is willing to admit it, the arrival of Sea Tide Military Industry will inevitably seize the market of Central Earth, and for the Empire, no doubt, this is a probing and expansion by Huan Yu Heavy Industry, and they surely won't sit by idly.
If Ji Jue makes a move, no, even if he dares to show such an inclination, then he will inevitably suffer a head-on blow.
Just like when Coastal Industry tried to get back on the table in the past.
"But what if he doesn't move?" Shaban asked quietly.
Then, Dugu Ming's smile turned mocking, retorting: "Why would he co here if he doesn't intend to move?"
From the mont Ji Jue set foot on Central Earth, the signal sent out has already spread throughout Tower City, unless he really does nothing and leaves in disgrace, otherwise he will find it hard to be tolerated by Tower City.
"Huh? Let see... The one beside him is also not simple."
Shaban flipped through the latest ssage in his hand, a new file with a photo of the middle-aged subordinate next to Ji Jue: "Seems like there's also a Xun Family person with him, could it be that South City wants to get involved too?"
"That's been investigated long ago, the one banished from the family genealogy due to picking the wrong side in the Family Head struggle, even not allowed to use the surna, let him die, alive is just up to fate."
"Coastal Industry, Sea Tide Military Industry, and a Tide Sound Workshop, with a master behind, connections leading to the Heavenly Furnace, golden ribbon from Taiyi Ring, collaborator with the Security Bureau, even linked to the Central Earth Action Departnt and Red Country..."
Shaban clicked his tongue in admiration: "Hey, this kid's background, it's really damn splendid, now I understand why Chen Xingzhou dared to ask for an extra six points for his shipyard when dealing with ... With such a talent, how could there be no business to do?
No wonder everyone 'likes' him."
He paused, squinted his eyes, and looked at the photo of Ji Jue in his hand.
Full of appreciation, as if admiring an unparalleled divine weapon.
——Truly a fine blade!
For everyone, it's the sa.
An outsider with no foundation, a newbie rashly wanting to join the ga, a talented yet naive craftsman who can't see the reality clearly, who wouldn't like him?
At this very mont, in the wilderness to the south of Central Earth, in the vast and chaotic world, it has long been a paradise for Predators.
In this seemingly chaotic and turbulent mire, there's no place for outsiders.
Federation, Empire, military industry, Desert Market, local compradors, wandering agents... each one sharpening their knives in the imminent storm.
For Ji Jue, there's only one path remaining.
If he doesn't choose, there are plenty who will choose for him.
Even if Ji Jue is well-aning, soone will 'help' him proactively. Just like those old dogs of Huan Yu Heavy Industry hoping Ji Jue becos a sacrificial pawn charging forward.
If he can't eat, he'll be eaten.
Fight one, then another, and then another.
Until Ji Jue truly fights a bloody path, qualifying to sit at the table sharing the al. Or, until the knife is blunt, worn out, exhausted, makes a wrong move, strays off path, falls to a world of hostility, and finally left dead in the wilderness.
He has already begun to anticipate it.
Shaban squinted his eyes.
The days to co will certainly be exciting!
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