novelraw Chapter 1368 691: Bandit Infighting
Chapter 1368 691: Bandit Infighting
Going home?
What's so good about your broken home?
Ji Jue genuinely didn't understand—could it be that your home is some kind of legendary Heaven, where everyone bows and praises you upon seeing you, each room filled with ninety-nine concubines; where if you want beauties, there are beauties, and if you want young lads, there are young lads, with mountains of gold and silver piled in the basement, never to be spent?
If the demands are too high or unrealistic, fine, but isn't there anyone waiting for you to come home to prepare a bowl of noodles or simmer a pork knuckle soup?
Moreover, at this critical point, are you really the one who wants to go home the most?
Still too obedient to the rules.
Ji Jue couldn't help but shake his head.
He glanced at the desolate Minkler and sighed softly: "Even now, you still haven't shifted your mindset, have you?"
Even if there was some intuition and reaction, unfortunately, self-awareness didn't keep up with the situation at all.
It's like having an invisible stamp of thought on your forehead.
No, it should be said...
It's been intentionally cultivated this way.
It's not that greatness is hard to achieve, but rather, no possibility of greatness is allowed.
As a family member, having such abilities is enough, any more than that, and it becomes a disaster.
The first half of life as a member and tool of the family, even if there were desires and selfishness, that was all there was to it. At most it was just greed for a bit of money, a bit of power, a bit of fame and status, but ultimately relied on the family.
So that, suddenly being kicked into a pit of fire by his own father, when struggling desperately, there was no time to notice that today and the past have become different.
He was no longer the family's ox and horse, but the Controller of the family.
Even if only in name.
"Minkler—"
Ji Jue said slowly: "If at this point, you are still hoping to survive intact and retreat safely, then it's better to find a rope and hang yourself early.
How the situation is, I naturally need not say more, I'll just ask you one thing…do you still have a way out?"
Minkler bowed his head and looked at the incomplete skull at his feet.
The empty eyes of the skull also looked at him.
In silence, speechless glance.
He gave a bitter smile.
If he were only the Commander of the Seven Cities Defense Fleet, perhaps there would still be a chance to retire gloriously to his hometown for a stable life, even trusted and relied upon by the new Family Head, serving as its pillar.
But when the recognition of the Family God appeared on him, everything changed drastically.
He transformed from a controllable tool into a tangible threat to everyone, everyone... inside the family, outside the family, the future Family Head and his confidants, the other existing Six Cities and their minions, none would allow someone who legally threatens themselves yet is so easily controlled to survive.
This is a dead-end road with no retreat, nowhere to escape.
Even if he fled to the ends of the earth, his blood still belongs to Chopra, his soul still belongs to the Family God, and as soon as the new Family Head orders, the Family God would descend from Heaven, taking away his soul and life.
So, choose, Minkler.
Do you follow your father's expectations and legacy, becoming a sacrifice in the family's succession at this critical point, or truly walk down this dead-end road, never turning back, even if your body breaks and your bones shatter, you still grasp your own destiny in your hands?
Minkler remained silent, not responding.
He took off his coat, laying it on the filthy deck, then bent down and kneeled carefully gathering the ashes on the deck, everything left by the vengeful spirits who had just claimed lives, respectfully and meticulously, collecting them one by one.
Wretched yet persistent.
Ji Jue also stayed silent.
Watching his expression, it seemed something became clear to him.
He reached out, collected the ashes from crevices and grooves, took one last look at Minkler's filthy and foul-smelling coat, then sighed.
He took out a box and performed Material Enhancement, casually fashioning an alchemy creation to store materials.
"Here you go."
He said, "Make do with it, don't be picky."
"No, it's quite good already."
Minkler picked up the exquisite box, suddenly smiling: "This is probably the most glorious she's ever been in her life..."
To have a Golden Ribbon Craftsman customize such an expensive ornament for her.
How lucky she was.
In life, she had nothing.
"I want them dead."
He turned back to look at his collaborator, sincerely pleading: "I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
"Good."
Ji Jue nodded, full of delight.
Just like a craftsman seeing a decent piece of material inside a pile of waste.
Still salvageable.
"Let's go."
He snapped his fingers, and the Prosperity's whistle sounded again, rushing through the ocean, accelerating, the fierce wind hitting their faces: "Onward to Yamen!"
The esteemed Fleet Commander will take command of his loyal United Defense Fleet base stationed in the Seven Cities!
"Although somewhat late in realization, it could still be saved somewhat."
Ji Jue pondered for a moment and looked at Minkler: "Don't tell me, after all this time, you're too foolish to cultivate a few confidants and loyalists within your own fleet… logistics, armaments, comms, engineering, command, you must have at least one area you can rely on, right?"
"I do!"
Minkler resolutely nodded, without hesitation.
In the Seven Cities, to aim high and work together without forming factions is somewhat of a dream and nonsense, but to form cliques and engage in power struggles is everyone's strong suit, as easy as breathing!
The smaller the temple, the stronger the winds of discord, the more turmoil there is.