Chapter 1678 - 862: Urgency and Composure

It turned out that the window theory applies to the Four Seas.

If you claim you want to smash all the deals in Desert Market, the leaders will definitely be enraged and give you a hard time. But if you say you were misunderstood, actually I just want to deal with those guys who first provoked me, then the leaders will think it's no big deal—they deserved it.

Similarly, if you ask the Association to help you take down Desert Market, the Association will hesitate, hold meetings for a few days, and ultimately dismiss it. But if you say I'm not targeting Desert Market, I just want to personally handle those Little Kalami who are irritating me... then the Association will naturally roll up its sleeves and help you intensively without a second thought!

To the Association, as long as you don't disrupt things, everything can be discussed.

But to Desert Market...

You can mess around as much as you want, and if you can cause a big stir, that's your skill!

Ji Jue previously maneuvered remotely, pushing Ling Shuo into Desert Market for dock visits, wasn't it for the identity of the Dragon Head within Desert Market?

Now that Desert Market says 'the leaders know,' naturally it's time to see how I strategize next!

"This kid..."

Inside the Desert Market headquarters, Chen gazed at the new announcement on the table, and after a long time, he chuckled softly: "I can't tell how high the alchemy level is, but this knack is truly extraordinary.

No wonder Hai Province regards him so highly. Not only that kid Chen Xingzhou, but even the old fox Shaban speaks of him highly... entering subtly into the gap, majestically maneuvering with ease.

Handling affairs like a knife, it can almost be called magical."

"Blathering, cautious in doing things, another troublemaker."

Wei rolled his eyes, disdainful of such long-winded and non-decisive methods—if you don't like it, just chop them down, what else can Desert Market do to you?—Yet, even so, he had to agree on one point: "At least he has a sense of measure and understands the rules."

"Doesn't that seem more sophisticated?"

Hai looked up: "Chen, this flatterer, sees people and compliments them but perhaps can't set the standard. Yet even someone Wei can't find fault with, I see less often."

Wei rolled his eyes, showing him a finger.

Yet, didn't deny his words.

As Chen admired, Wei despised, and Hai stated, Desert Market isn't without people of such complex identities.

It's just that those stuck between two sides tend to be cautious, walking on thin ice, at most or causing small disturbances, taking advantages from both sides, quietly getting rich, fearing any attention.

Where is someone like Ji Jue who swims like a fish, enjoying freely?

From beginning to end, hidden behind the scenes, subtly promoting the many changes between Desert Market and the Association, in this narrow space.

Through a series of effortless maneuvers, astonishingly he turned nothing into something, conjuring illusions, playing the three old Desert Market divisions of Stone Page, Hidden Mist, and Iron Hook District clearly like a dog.

Everyone has truly widened their horizons.

What's the point of fighting? You kill, I survive situations abound, even if you bloody three divisions, it's just another headline, what's the big deal?

Where can you find someone who effortlessly blocks all routes, leaving just one option?

By this time, even the most unruly, arrogant, or lawless would understand what bowing down means.

There's only this one path to life.

Stop being shameless.

Now, Ji Jue has cast the fishing rod; even without the hook, feeling the gradually warming water temperature should help know the choice.

After a long time, a knock on the door sounded.

Yuan Xing held two folders in his hand, reporting: "Reports and pleas for help from the three divisions have been submitted again."

"Just throw them over there."

Hai casually pointed at the pile of waste paper in the corner, continuing with the original topic without raising his head.

Leave them aside!

.

.

"Don't panic, these are Desert Market's deals, the leader definitely won't ignore us!"

Satria's face was ashen, saying words even he didn't believe to stabilize morale, turned back to look at the nearby mirror, the two faces in the mirror equally ugly.

Caruso was no longer shaking his draft of red wine, his lighter twirled back and forth, expression fluctuating: "Can't we think of other methods?

Our three divisions have been in Endless Sea for so many years, the surname Ji provokes us repeatedly, but can we really just let us be slaughtered?"

Without Butcher Ji, do we have to eat furred meat?

Absolutely a joke!

Change places!

"No use."

William yawned, rubbing the stubble on his chin, slowly saying: "People just went below to Gray Port's Illusion Village Workshop, tried to probe Master Petition's attitude.

For identification, maybe small batches can be allowed, one or two items no problem, but too many... no negotiation."

In fact, their original words were harsher.

The people below dared not repeat verbatim, William even if he's mindless, seeing his followers' expressions could guess the scenario.

In fact, even small batches are not feasible, the craftsman communicating on Illusion Village's behalf visibly changed when hearing it's Seven Cities' goods, immediately served tea and sent guests away.

Like encountering a ghost, fearing being too late as if these people get suddenly knocked down at their doorstep.

Don't throw your issues on me; I'm afraid I can't wash away too much blood!

Offending Master Ji and still want to leave?

Making a dream!

Not just Illusion Village, the other two workshops receiving requests seem to have unified their external statements, full of 'though but,' 'probably maybe,' but not giving a definite reply, just saying they'll report back and discuss, then entering dormant status.

Unlike the scattered cafeteria of Desert Market, where everyone fights tooth and nail for meals, craftsmen among craftsmen though not seldom messing around among themselves, but with the Association's firm restrictions, they maintain consistency externally.

The Association's announcement already explained everything.

If you ignorantly make a mess, then don't blame the Association for showing you a thing or two...

Moreover, not to mention others, just with the occupation of 'identification' now, all craftsmen on the list have aligned!

Whether or not the master personally identifies, or whether after closing doors, the work is done by apprentice or beast, the key point is now every urgent identification document with master's seal requires an additional fee of two percent of the value of identified items!

What's this?

This is an extra income delivered to the door!

So, who gives you this meal?

Master Ji!

This damn thing is the benefits Master Ji fought for all the colleagues in the association! You don't even say thank you, Mr. Ji, and you want to ruin his work?

Ptooey!

Just watch how the Dissociation Technique gets you, and you'll be done!

When you're dead, everyone will speak well of you, but when you're reduced to ashes, everyone will stomp on you in passing to vent their anger.

If anyone dares to take on work at this time, risking censure from all sides, then they must gauge whether they have the resources of You Sui.

Even after the news spreads, none of the other Desert Market branches are willing to take their goods.

Selling at a low price won't help!

Who doesn't know Master Ji is notoriously petty?

Now that they're making a big fuss, heating the pan with oil, it's just to deal with you few dishes. If I take it, won't it be asking for trouble?

For a moment, as the three looked at each other, 'a face full of worries,' William suddenly sighed deeply.

"I'm the youngest here, so let me say the bad stuff first—Desert Market is one family, right? Look at the mess this has become..."

He rubbed his chin and stared blankly at the slip of paper outside the mirror, stuttering over his words: "In the end, it's still better to resolve grievances than... to make them? Damn, what kind of lousy saying is this, cough cough... anyway, the final payment has been delayed long enough, it's really not right.

I've already talked to Xiao Ling, so I'm backing out first. We're brothers at heart, let's drink together next time, and if there's anything, just let me know."

Before the words were finished, the bronze mirror went dark, and the figure vanished.

Gone.

Only Satria and Caruso were left, their eyes wide in anger.

William, you son of a—!

Back then, it was do or die, and now you're the first to backslide in the wind; are you even human!

Three days ago, on Luo Island, Ao Gao's actions inadvertently connected a crucial thread between the two families, now giving William the chance to walk the tightrope.

But unfortunately, Hidden Mist and Iron Hook, due to Gray Port, were already thoroughly offended.

Now Ji Jue lifted a hand to Gray Port, not targeting Ling Liu, partly because his reach couldn't extend that far, and partly to corner Ling Liu outwards, conveniently targeting the others.

And now, under the leader's direction, the alliance of three families, once prepared for a decisive battle with the Seven Cities, has already crumbled before the fight began.

Even without drawing their swords or firing a shot, they've been gripped by the vital point, painful to their soul!

Ji Jue isn't in a hurry.

Completely unhurried, taking his time, methodically executing his plan.

Now, it's their turn to panic!

Want to authenticate?

Still want to expedite?

Fine, no problem, then quickly send everything over to Luo Island, so I can take a good look... Rest assured, I will definitely give a fair and just result!

Ji, you're no man!

If you have the guts, fight me fair and square!

But now, at this critical juncture, as long as Ji Jue still holds this buckle, no one can untie it!

No matter how strong or clever their tactics, they can't use any of them.

It feels like an invisible hand is gripping their neck, manipulating them, inching them deeper into the mire, kneading and squeezing...

After indulging and reveling for years with the White Deer on the sea, they finally feel a suffocating sense of entrapment as they plunge suddenly into the swamp.

Creak, creak, creak...

After the meeting ends, Satria's face turns steely blue, wordlessly sitting on a gradually warping iron chair under the pressure of his hand.

In the deathly stillness, he closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and squeezes his voice through his teeth.

"Go negotiate."

Himawan is stunned for a moment, hesitating, disbelieving, yet not daring to ask what Satria meant...

Until those blood-red pupils raise, staring straight at him.

"Go negotiate, wasn't I clear?"

Satria roared: "Whatever he wants, give it to him! Get that damn authentication done, understand?!"

Himawan nodded numbly, not daring to hesitate, turned on his heel, and left.

On that evening, Ji Jue received a call from Ling Shuo.

The tone was respectful and cautious.

"Mr. Ji, both families have sent representatives... Just how should we receive them, please advise."

"Receive them? Why should we receive them?"

The voice on the other end asked leisurely: "Are you very idle?"

"I understand."

Ling Shuo nodded, comprehendingly, listening until the busy tone at the other end, ending the call, putting down the phone, and as he turned, the smile on his face disappeared.

"Make them wait outside, I'm busy."

He instructed his subordinates: "Keep an eye on them, if anyone causes trouble, break their legs, and after breaking their legs, have them kneel and continue waiting!"

The subordinate understood and left.

Meanwhile, at the banquet, the lively atmosphere continued.

"Come on, brother William, let's continue."

Ling Shuo raised his glass again, beaming: "Though I've heard of you for a long time, I never expected that today, upon meeting, we would be such kindred spirits!

Come, a toast to you."

"Hahaha, well said, well said, we're all bros..."

William laughed, patting his chest, just about to say something when he felt a pain on the back of his foot, and as he blinked, Ao Gao beside him raised his glass, saluting towards the highest point on Luo Island.

"To the Seven Cities."

He said, "To Mr. Ji!"