novelraw Chapter 1329 669: Not Enough Work? Take on a Side Job_2
Chapter 1329 669: Not Enough Work? Take on a Side Job_2
Jiang Tongguang said, "Hu Jian is indeed narrow-minded and lacks tolerance, but he's really generous to his own people. Over the years, I don't know how many people have benefited from his kindness.
It's fine for you to thrash him, because the folks in the Association love a good show. No matter how bad it gets, it's still fine. But if you really keep going at it with him, making it an antagonistic, life-and-death struggle... I'm afraid it won't just be about the alchemy faction. I'm afraid many in the Association will start taking sides.
Of course, I know you don't care."
Jiang Tongguang pinched his nose while saying all this nonsense, took a deep breath, and, despite holding the esteemed position of a director, seriously said to a mere Golden Ribbon Craftsman, "I just want to figure out one thing, Ji Jue..."
He asked:
"—Do you really want him 'dead'?"
"…"
For a moment, Lou Feng hesitated, feeling like Director Jiang might be a bit of a fool—a Golden Ribbon Craftsman wanting a master dead? Are you joking?
But for Jiang Tongguang to come all the way here, to sit in Ji Jue's office and ask this question, it shows... he truly thinks it's possible.
For him, this is the beginning of the war between the Fluid faction and the Transformation faction.
Moreover, it could very well end in a bloody, no-holds-barred conflict, dragging others into it and causing an uproarious internal strife...
Even if it's just a possibility, who knows how big Ji Jue's appetite is?
He is known for being thorough!
In response, Ji Jue was equally straightforward and didn't beat around the bush.
"Not necessarily."
With this, Jiang Tongguang started laughing.
"Good, so there's room for negotiation?"
Ji Jue said nothing, picked up his teacup, and after sipping for a long time, finally put it down and let out a long sigh.
"Director Jiang, there's something I don't understand."
"Please, go ahead."
"Just one thing: even if it involves internal disputes, and even if it might become a big deal, it shouldn't prompt someone as esteemed as you to lower yourself to play mediator, right?"
Ji Jue asked, "Is his face that important?"
"He's nothing."
Jiang Tongguang shook his head decisively and frankly said, "It's like if you created a group and two people inside it started arguing, shouldn't you resolve the conflict before it spreads?"
Ji Jue frowned even more: "Since when has the Association been so responsible?"
"That's just a bit of my personal interest."
Jiang Tongguang sighed and suddenly asked, "Have you seen that set of 'Alchemy Four Basic Discussion Annual Summary' published by the Association, twenty-four volumes in total, from shallow to deep?"
"I have seen and memorized it."
Ji Jue nodded. He remembered this set well because it was one of the few basics thrown to him by Professor Ye, which he found relatively easy to understand and learn in an organized manner. Although it didn't go into depth, it thoroughly explained each step.
"This was promoted after Hu Jian took office."
Jiang Tongguang said, "It has been compiled into seven editions in total, and is still being revised. I've also seen the eighth edition, with many additions. Of course, there's certainly his personal interest in it, but being able to uphold his interest to such an extent is no easy feat.
You can say he is sanctimonious, or pretentious, it doesn't matter.
Even though throughout these years he's become increasingly unbearable, there's still a bit of public-mindedness left...
Therefore, I have just one purpose for stepping in—to see if I can use my seniority to advise you, let him end this project in dignity.
Also, let him contribute a bit more, impart some real knowledge, as a wrap-up for his years of hard work."
As a craftsman, Jiang Tongguang couldn't care less if Hu Jian died.
But as a director, he had to intervene, whether for Hu Jian's contributions over the years, to fight for him a decent ending, or for the internal stability of the Association, he pinched his nose and jumped in to clean up.
Ji Jue pondered for a moment, Jiang Tongguang had said this much, it was hard for him to further refuse, especially since it's just about not pursuing it further.
This battle was already over, he wouldn't miss out on anything he deserved. What they asked for was just to leave a little face.
What made him, with a casual move, stumble upon the biggest breakthrough in the Spiritual Creation theory in fifty to sixty years?
Losers will always lose.
Serves him right.
Ji Jue thought for a long while, then asked, "But, if he continues to..."
"Then let him die."
Jiang Tongguang laughed, "No need for you, I'll personally pick up the pieces of my lost face. By then, I'll twist his head off myself, how about that?"
"Wow, such candor, Director!"
Ji Jue immediately grinned, "Then there's nothing more to say, it's settled!"
"Hey, we're all buddies here!"
Jiang Tongguang waved his hand and took out a list: "The assets of the Transformation Department are all here, take your pick. Oh, and this is for you, consider it a little welcoming gift within my power, no need to follow formalities, just get straight to it."
Three boxes were placed in front of Ji Jue and Lou Feng.
Two for Ji Jue, one for Lou Feng.
The boxes opened to reveal three strips of pure gold sashes, ancient in style, crafted with precision, momentarily lighting up the eyes of the two people.
Craftsman's honor medal, golden ribbon!
For a moment, both of them were all smiles, they got it!
However, Ji Jue quickly realized something was amiss…
"Why do I only have two?"
Ji Jue exclaimed: "Shouldn't there be three?"
With two A+ and A- papers, and a co-authored A+ paper with Lou Feng, surely it should add up to three in total!
"Take it easy now!"
Jiang Tongguang sighed: "The difference between A+ and A- is not trivial. If it weren't for the fact that you were also the co-author of that one paper, you'd be waiting until next year for the second ribbon!
Receiving two golden ribbons a year is already extraordinary! Besides, how could one achievement merit two golden ribbons?
Do you really think it's an S+?"
"Alright, alright, I'll take a loss, two are just two."
Ji Jue shook his head and sighed: "For the greater good, I'll put up with this. It's inevitable for an honest person like me to suffer losses often."
With a sweep of his sleeve, the list Jiang Tongguang gave also went into his pocket. With a quick glance, it was clear that the Transformation Department was vast and abundant, with no shortage of good stuff…
Take money, do the job, and then you can be lenient.
Watching the rascal act like he got the short end of the stick, Jiang Tongguang couldn't help but sigh—what will become of our Association if this continues?
Still, it seems life will become more entertaining!
As for headaches… that's Gustav's job, what's it got to do with a slacker like me?
But at that moment, seeing Ji Jue's eager, hopeful, watery eyes once again looking at him, as if wanting to negotiate more, Jiang Tongguang suddenly felt Gustav's pain…
"No more."
He clapped his hands and shook his sleeves: "Out of all the directors, I'm the poorest, no factions, no industries, if it weren't for some brewing skills, I'd be broke and still not have as much money as you do on your books."
"It's fine, Director, whether a lot or a little, it's fate, I don't mind."
Ji Jue stubbornly smiled, his not-so-clean little hand attempting to reach out once more, only to be decisively slapped away.
"No benefits, but there is a tough job waiting."
Jiang Tongguang glanced at him, suddenly with a peculiar expression: "I've noticed you've been pretty free lately, how about doing a side job for me?
I have an opportunity within the Association, the risk is high but so is the profit, as they say, wealth is found in danger, let's see if Director Ji has the guts!"
Ji Jue instinctively became alert, curiously asking: "Director, is this side job… legitimate?"
"It's not about being legitimate or not, it's a very special kind."
Jiang Tongguang's expression became even more solemn, though his lips struggled to suppress a grin, thinking of what he was about to propose: "It's complicated if you want it to be, but simple if you understand it that way."
"So…" Ji Jue grew more suspicious: "Could you briefly explain?"
"Punishment Team."
Jiang Tongguang smiled, bright and sunny.
"What?!"
Ji Jue hadn't even reacted when Lou Feng leapt up in shock, face filled with horror, as if seeing someone toss a bioweapon into the Association's already chaotic ecosystem…
Sending Ji Jue, that rascal, to the Punishment Team?
Isn't that like letting a fox guard the henhouse?!
Not caring for hierarchy, Lou Feng remonstrated in anguish: "Director, are you out of your mind?!"
With a smack.
Ji Jue grabbed Jiang Tongguang's hand, giving it a firm shake!
"I'm in!"
Joy is infectious.
Just a handshake, yet Ji Jue's face already beamed with Jiang Tongguang's signature sunny smile.
Is there such a good thing in the world?
Kids, this is me, I've joined the Punishment Team!