novelraw Chapter 1396 704: Worthless Rabble
Chapter 1396 704: Worthless Rabble
"A person's fate, with its ups and downs, is truly unpredictable."
Ji Jue sat at the bow of the ship, sighing at all the talk about personal struggle and all that... other nonsense.
Things have turned out like this, completely beyond his original plan.
Initially, Ji Jue came sniffing around for Disaster Beasts, hoping to pull in a bit more sponsorship from those in the same trade as You Sui... But later on, after Minkler spoke the truth, he realized his outlook was too narrow, his thinking too limited.
Why should sponsorship be limited to those in the same trade?
Must they stop seeking sponsorship just because they can't find You Sui when the storm blows?
The Seven Cities can sponsor him too!
If the Seven Cities are unwilling to sponsor, he can make them willing!
At worst, with Minkler's declaration, taking over the Chopra family would be a breeze!
Besides... just look at that bunch of beasts from the Sujano Family, the bugs in the Seven Cities, the useless people of the Chopra family.
No matter how much Reversed Action goes on, or how much Blessing Park expands its recruitment, it wouldn't be worse than this lot, would it?
As for whether he could pull it off, Ji Jue hadn't thought about it.
The Federation's waters are too deep for him to stir, the mud in Central Earth too chaotic for him to explode, but a mere Seven Cities, does he really need to fear retribution for trying something?
Let's give it a try, even if trying means perishing.
A horse won't grow fat without nocturnal grazing, Ji Jue wants too much, the troubles on him are too great, yet there's too little in his hands. To truly grasp his own fate, he always has to take risks!
The waters of the Seven Cities are already so muddy, why shouldn't he dip his hand in?
It's known that no matter how much others give you, it's never as good as what you have in your own pocket.
Craftsmen need sponsorship, but the more sponsorships they take on, the more tightly they are bound to others, and the more they become constrained. Ji Jue already has enough chains on him and really doesn't want to add a couple more.
The terrifying gap in the Fly King project, the funds needed for his workshop's development, the setup of new parks and production lines, and the long-term plans for the future...
He needs enough income, a market exclusively his own, and a fulcrum strong enough to support the expansion of Coastal Industry throughout the Thousand Islands.
At this moment, seeing the silhouette of Xiang State growing closer, Ji Jue stood at the bow, silently watching.
Suddenly, everything in the distance felt within reach.
As long as he extends his hand...
He raised his palm, spread his five fingers, and slowly clenched them, grasping everything in the distance into his hand.
Lou Feng walked out from the cabin, looked at Ji Jue's back and the city far away, and sighed, "This day came a bit sooner than Grandpa imagined."
"Huh?" Ji Jue looked back puzzled.
"There was a proposal from Guardian Lv before, and the families in Hai Province discussed it."
Lou Feng lamented, "Supporting New Spring is beneficial for everyone, and investing resources is perfectly justified. Should you become a Heavenly Person in the future, each family can shift their position a bit and make room for you...
Originally, everyone thought you'd want to establish a foothold in New Spring, but it turns out your ambitions are so vast, so daring, and you're so capable of stirring things up, even reaching into the Seven Cities..."
"You can't always take endless advantage, right?"
Ji Jue smiled, "I'll thank the elders for their support when I get the chance. If I succeed, I won't keep it all to myself."
Lou Feng gave him a complicated look, "It's your own capability."
"No, I mean, I was born in Shu but grew up in Hai Province. If Hai Province can accommodate me, I'm not a selfish person. If the Seven Cities are taken, do you really think I can consume and digest it all by myself?"
Ji Jue laughed, "To accomplish things, ultimately, you have to rely on your own people. Even if the combined weight of the Seven Cities can't match a single Central City of the Federation, it's never unwelcome to have more dishes on the table, right?"
"Then why did you..."
Lou Feng paused, frowning slightly.
Besides Lou Feng of the United Workshop, Ji Jue hadn't contacted anyone else from the beginning, there wasn't any communication at all.
But soon, he realized.
"See, this is the difference between a family offspring and a stray dog."
Ji Jue tapped the railing, "To you, the family is always the priority; they gave birth to you, raised you, and when life is good, naturally yours will be too.
But to me, doing odd jobs for others is fine, but to achieve something, I must be the priority—I'm the one setting the stage, not just here to eat. It doesn't matter how many guests come, and when they eat a lot it's fine, but my bowl can't be given by someone else."
The stage I set must be led by me!
Guests can eat as much as they like, but the table is mine, and you cannot touch it!
If one truly relies on the families of Hai Province, when the Seven Cities are taken, would they belong to Hai Province or to Ji Jue? If one can't open up the situation, why should each family invest resources?
Face is mutual; if others give, you must reciprocate. If he relies on Hai Province to use empty promises to get a white wolf, he might end up with just a part of the wolf.
He doesn't want to wait for others to distribute the meat, he wants to be the one distributing it.
"..."
Lou Feng sighed softly, "Why didn't I take care of you the moment we met? This mongrel will surely be a significant nuisance in the future."
"Too late, Old Lou."
Ji Jue chuckled, waving his hand in the end, "It's too late to regret now, better think about how you'll survive on this pirate ship."
As the sea breeze hit his face, Lou Feng let out a long sigh.
Exhausted.
But who isn't like this?
This life, we just muddle through somehow, after all, the child is almost here, he was quite good to me before...
Whose wonderful life is it anyway?
.
On the other end, Minkler was stunned.
He looked down at what Ji Jue was holding and hesitated to speak.
"So... I get it in theory, but do we really have to... do it this way?"
"Come on, today I'll teach you a legendary trick that has been passed down through the underworld for ages—the ultimate skill of scraping by when stranded in a foreign land. Once you master this move, even if you can't become the Family Head in the future, at least you won't starve."
Ji Jue smiled and picked up two Spiritual Swords: "Alright, Lord Minkler, open your mouth."
Today, I'll teach you how to swallow a grand sword!
.
.
"The Disgrace of the Chopra Family Lands in New Spring," "The Doomed Cannon Fodder Marches Toward the Seven Cities," "The Despicable Betrayer Seizes the United Defense Army," "Commander Minkler Defeats the Venom Fleet"...
Next Chapter:
"The Noble Family Head Candidate Arrives at His Unloyal Xiang State."
Just kidding, it won't take that long.
Before the next chapter even releases and before noon arrives, the Seven Cities Defense Fleet's ships have already swaggeringly parked at the docks of Xiang State. Among an escort of elite guards, the commander of the Seven Cities Defense Fleet, Rear Admiral Lord Minkler, returns gloriously to his homeland!
They drove straight into the bustling downtown of Xiang State with one swift acceleration, amidst countless skyscrapers and lush greenery in front of mountains.
At the entrance of the Chopra family estate.
The newly-appointed butler was dumbfounded upon receiving the news.
What do you mean Minkler is already at the doorstep!
He turned around and saw a figure walking into the courtyard, instinctively wanting to glower with anger.
Brat, how dare you come back!
"Hmm?"
Minkler glanced over with an ambiguous smile.
Immediately, the stiff butler habitually bent over, not daring to pretend as before.
"Oh my, young master is back?"
He plastered on an ingratiating smile: "Please come in, please come in, serve the tea, the best tea!"
"No need."
Minkler waved it off indifferently: "I'm busy with military affairs, just passing by home, I'll look around and leave."
The butler was about to say more, but before he could take a step, he saw Minkler slap him directly.
Without mercy, shattering a mouthful of teeth.
As the world spun, he fell to the ground, still not grasping what was happening, hearing the voice fading away: "A dog should act like a dog, don't block the way."
The further inside, the more lively it became.
The entire place was brightly decorated, jubilant and festive, with a subtle smile and gentleness on everyone's face, making the intruding group look like despicable guests.
Various gazes projected over.
"So many guests?" Ji Jue remarked: "Really lively, has your father finally started the feast?"
"Yes, just about, all relatives."
Minkler sneered sarcastically, sweeping his eyes over the crowd in the lounges and courtyards, "The old geezer may lack many things, but he's full of daughters, sons, and in-laws everywhere, he's got friends in every corner and countless alliances."
Simply put, plenty of brothers!
If you are loyal, you have brothers; if not, then even more brothers.
When the old geezer was alive, it could be said he had brothers all over the world, countless sons-in-law, partners, and friends!
Everyone understands not to put all eggs in one basket, but how many can actually do it? The old dog loved multi-faceted investments, adept akin to a dancer with long sleeves, and often engaged in double dealings.
As they say, even in a shell of locust snails, arenas are held, with tigers and wolves also residing within, using the Chopra family size to attract so much support without losing main control, is a rare skill in itself.
Unfortunately, when people die, tea cools; after his death, the situation drastically changed, as many supports and allies quickly aligned themselves with his children and began to fight first.
"Look, those are relatives of Old Fourth's in-laws, that group belongs to Old Six, Old Eleven..."
He enthusiastically pointed at the crowd, identifying either emaciated strange figures, unnaturally aged early, or smiling, amiable-looking uncles and aunts, or wild looking figures adorned in random decorations from who knows which deserted island, burly muscular men and aunts, to inconspicuous old men and kids...
Wulou Temple, Heavenly Heart Society, Blood Eye...
Ji Jue cast a glance and laughed.
Tsk tsk tsk, there actually are some old acquaintances!
"Your family's composition is really quite a mixed bag!"
He casually waved, interrupting Minkler's words: "Enough, no need for introductions, it's all minor, not worth mentioning."
As soon as he said this, the courtyard instantly fell into dead silence.
All the smiles and gentleness on their faces vanished, turning in unison to look at Ji Jue, their gazes gradually growing cold. Ji Jue also turned back calmly, looking at them.
Expressionless.
Ignoring the chill and coldness coming his way.
"What, upset that I called you insignificant?"
Ji Jue retorted coolly, "Not convinced, huh?"