Chapter 1646 - 847: The End of the Green Duckweed

"Hello? Big brother!"

Gold Hair Boy stood up and pressed the answer button.

"There's something I need to tell you."

Chen Xingzhou's voice came from the other end, calm and straightforward, "Yesterday, Mr. Ji called me, saying you've been doing well recently. He asked if I wanted to give you more responsibility, but I turned it down for you.

The things he wants done, they're not suitable for you."

Chen Xingzhou paused slightly, then continued, "As your big brother, cutting off your chance for advancement is hard to justify.

If you think it's inappropriate, I can also ask him to reconsider carefully."

"Ah? If you, big brother, think I'm not suitable, then I surely can't handle it!"

Without thinking, Gold Hair shook his head repeatedly, "Forget it, forget it. If I mess it up, it'll be one thing to embarrass myself, but if I ruin Mr. Ji's plans, I wouldn't have the face to return to Cliff City!"

Chen Xingzhou laughed, "Aren't you curious what the matter is?"

"Uh..."

Gold Hair was bewildered, "Does it make a difference?"

"...Alright, then just come back. Bring a few reliable people."

Chen Xingzhou's tone remained calm, "You've been doing well at New Spring, Mr. Ji also wants you to continue. You need to push on, don't drop the ball."

"Then I'll have someone book the earliest flight right away!"

"There's no rush, take your time when doing things."

Chen Xingzhou reminded one last time, "Mr. Ji is willing to raise you up, don't forget to be courteous."

"Don't worry, big brother, I understand!"

Gold Hair Boy nodded repeatedly. After hanging up, he kicked open the door directly, ordered his subordinates to pack up, ignoring their bewildered expressions, and drove straight to Ji Jue's place on Luo Island.

During the journey, he kept pondering how to thank Mr. Ji for his regard and how to properly say goodbye to him, desperately searching his mind for auspicious phrases. The more he thought, the more he couldn't help but curse his own lack of culture: apart from clichés like 'fortune as boundless as the East Sea, longevity like the South Mountain,' he could only think of 'happy birthday'...

In the end, when the time came, he opened his mouth and forgot his words.

Stammering.

Instead, Ji Jue continued to smile as he invited him into the living room to sit down. On the table, the brewed tea was at a nice temperature.

"I imagine Boss Chen has already told you, getting ready to leave?"

"Uh, ah, yes...yes!"

"Relax, don't overthink."

Ji Jue waved his hand, signaling him to relax, "It's different working in the Seven Cities compared to New Spring. The Seven Cities are too chaotic; if I force you to work there, you probably wouldn't manage well.

But the matters at New Spring are too important, and I don't feel safe letting someone else handle them.

Nowadays, there aren't many people who stick to the rules. Moreover, you've always handled things and acted with discretion; both Mr. Chen and I have high hopes for you."

Suddenly, Gold Hair Boy grew even more excited, instinctively stood up, his face flushed, "Yes, I...I won't disappoint you and big brother!"

Ji Jue chuckled, feeling a slight sense of emotion.

If it were Ling Shuo, he might just directly drop 'big brother' from the conversation, making it sound smoother. Conversely, it's precisely because Gold Hair Boy absolutely wouldn't drop it that puts people at ease.

He pushed the box on the table over to him.

"Since you're leaving, at least take some local specialties back with you," he joked, "Can't just let you drink my tea for nothing..."

Gold Hair Boy quickly shook his head:

"What do you mean..."

Before he could finish speaking, he stopped abruptly.

He stared down in disbelief.

In the box Ji Jue opened, that folding knife resting on the brocade was dazzling and mesmerizing...just one glance and he forgot to breathe.

Then, at the second glance, he could no longer breathe.

The folding knife in Ji Jue's hand opened, spun lightly, and pierced into his heart, right to the hilt.

He didn't even have time to react.

Dazed and confused.

"Huh?"

It wasn't so quick that it took him by surprise. Yet, there was no way to resist. Such a movement was too succinct, smoothly flowing, flawless, as if divinely ordained, leaving no chance for resistance whatsoever.

Though everything unfolded right under his eyes, even if he wanted to dodge,.

More so, he couldn't comprehend what had happened...

Uh? What's going on?

Why did Mr. Ji stab me?

Seriously?

Did I say something wrong?

And then, belatedly, he remembered: why don't I feel any pain?

Not only was there not the slightest pain, but he felt invigorated, his whole body renewed!

Even breathing became smooth.

The blade piercing his heart seemed to meld with him, absorbing his blood and spiritual essence, subtly changing, until a viscous black liquid silently seeped from the knife handle, dripping onto the table.

The smell of alcohol and tar was pungent.

"Smoking and drinking damage the body. Even for a Chosen One, moderation is necessary."

Ji Jue withdrew the knife, placed it before Gold Hair Boy, and told him, "Take care of yourself, keep it."

Gold Hair Boy remained in shock, breathing heavily.

"This...this..."

His voice trembled, "This...is really for me?"

"Your blood is on it, it's bound to you. Who else would it be for?"

Ji Jue smiled, urging him to quickly take it, "After the spiritual essence infusion is complete, remember to carry it at all times. Don't leave it behind; it's life-saving."

"I… I… Thank you, Mr. Ji… I…"

Gold Hair Boy carefully grasped the knife, unable to put it down.

The recent strike wasn't for harm, but for healing!

Under this Blessed Creation, all harmful substances within his body were actually extracted by one stab…

At this moment, he felt unprecedentedly well.

Gold Hair Boy's strengths were knowing his limits, obeying, and following rules; his weaknesses were the same.

His brain wasn't sharp enough, so he focused only on truly important matters; hence, he earned the trust of Ji Jue and Chen Xingzhou, and thus, he was sometimes naive.

It's too simple to deal with him; sometimes, there's not even a need for force—one glass of poison wine, nine out of ten times, he'd fall for it. If you persuade him enthusiastically enough, he might even think it's just a strong drink today.

For this reason, Ji Jue forged this creation.

Whether it's a Curse, poison, or even the mind control of Heart Core and the allure of Ascension, one slash can directly root out the body and soul, removing all external interference and influence, and rejuvenating the person.

If the user's condition weakens to a certain degree, it will replenish all spiritual essence and life, while granting a short-term overload state.

Even if just barely alive, one could achieve full blood Rebirth, with maxed attack speed, Reaction, and output, entering Frenzy. Ensuring that even if they're dying, they can fight to the End.

This references some designs and mechanisms from Fish Intestines and Chun Jun, specifically adapted and optimized for Gold Hair Boy.

More importantly, Ji Jue's name and mark were engraved on the knife handle.

Even just the mark was enough to increase its value unimaginably; it was a reward for Gold Hair Boy's diligent work during this period.

"It's just practice; nothing major."

Ji Jue told him, "If you truly appreciate it, do your job well."

"I will!"

Gold Hair Boy bid farewell, stood up solemnly, and left.

That passionate demeanor made one think he was going to take Ji Jue's place on a death mission, making Ji Jue feel a bit uncomfortable.

The foolish boy really hasn't seen good things yet; this isn't the end.

Once there's time, he'll give him some new toys.

After bidding farewell to Ji Jue, Gold Hair Boy didn't delay further and boarded the ship with his subordinates that afternoon, leaving all his territory and gains for Ling Shuo to manage.

He suddenly exited, leaving abruptly.

Even Ling Shuo couldn't believe it when he received the news: Wait, did he really leave so cheerfully?

Didn't even say a word?

I thought up so many ways to make you retreat without hard feelings, aren't they all useless now?

You've made me seem silly!

For this, he could sense Ji Jue's almost undisguised care for Gold Hair Boy: The foolish child couldn't manage such complex matters, go home and play.

And precisely because of this, after initial shock and jealousy, he couldn't help but feel joyous.

Good riddance!

Left perfectly!

Because Gold Hair Boy left safely and quietly, he could feel settled—Mr. Ji was indeed different from others!

In a sense, for the Seven Cities, for Ji Jue, it would have been better had he stayed, struggled in vain, and fought intensively, with life and death battles on both sides.

The power struggle was never child's play; life or death is the norm.

No peaceful exits, only survival of the fittest, the weak being preyed upon.

As a stepping stone, Ling Shuo could eliminate the useless Gold Hair Boy, and rightly merge his territory and assets, letting everyone feel Ling Shuo's authority, adhere to his position, establish his rules, and completely rise—this was the best use for Gold Hair Boy!

Even leaving him alive could use his miserable defeat as an example, intimidating demons!

Now with Gold Hair Boy gone, though taking over subsequent affairs might be troublesome, isn't this just leaving himself a way out?

Mr. Ji was always kindhearted and generous, definitely not like others who disregard those who serve them—

Knowing this is enough!

He was already boiling with excitement.

"Brother Ji Jue said, he's given you the chance."

That evening, a stranger with a sword at his waist came into his office, handing him a box:

"—Whether it succeeds or not, and if you can wear it openly, is up to you."

Ling Shuo looked down at the open box, the dazzling, majestic dark golden ring on the silk, so beautiful, he almost forgot to breathe.

For a moment, he wanted to pick up the ring and wear it, but when he realized, he recoiled as if shocked.

Carefully closing the box, he stored it away.

This wasn't something he could touch now; it was a gift, a congratulatory present from Mr. Ji to the Seven City Leader!

"I understand."

Ling Shuo firmly assured, "Please rest assured, Mr. Ji, I absolutely will not disappoint him!"

"Oh."

The somewhat wooden youth just nodded at these words.

It felt like he didn't understand, not engaging at all, leaving Ling Shuo speechless.

Unclear why, even though Gold Hair Boy just left, a stranger's face appeared, what's his story?

He seemed not yet of age, with a slender build, and under the broken hair, had features as beautiful as a girl's. When speaking, he didn't look people in the eye, seemingly always avoiding subconsciously.

But when those clear, silent eyes inadvertently swept over, it left him shivering all over!

Like a beast sensing a Natural Enemy's gaze, instinctively trembling.

That presence, as if he had encountered it in a nightmare somewhere.

He instinctively lowered his head, putting his attitude even lower, "How should I address you?"

"You mean me?"

The puzzled youth looked over, giving a slight smile:

"I'm An Ran."