Chapter 1693 - 868: Where Did the Trouble Come From?

Sometimes retribution comes so quickly.

So fast that it catches people off guard.

As the saying goes, the powerful are always challenged, killers can naturally be killed, and similarly, those who like fishing often can't escape the day when the rod breaks and they fall into the water.

When it truly comes to a showdown, Ji Jue actually feels relaxed.

After all, acting requires effort too.

Finally, there's no need to pretend anymore!

Coincidentally, I'm not exactly a gentleman either...

At this moment, watching Satria's face gradually turn pale, the last trace of pity in Ji Jue's expression silently fades away, leaving only indifference and ruthlessness.

.

Yesterday, Luo Island, the Flying Airship hurriedly descended.

Minkler was already waiting at the cabin door to disembark before it even stabilized.

He headed straight for Ji Jue's office.

When he entered with a respectful knock, he saw Ji Jue in front of the tea cabinet holding a teacup, handing it over.

The tea had just been brewed, and the water temperature was just right.

"It's nothing major, relax, have some water, and sit down first."

Ji Jue returned to his seat, and only after Minkler finished watching the video in the reception room did he slowly say, "Alright, now that you've seen it, let's talk... What do these two guys want to sell?"

Minkler pondered, a bit puzzled.

But having been deeply trained in Busstaman's courses, now after quietly watching the whole process, he couldn't help but scratch his chin.

"It somehow feels like there's a problem, they must have some scheme, but if I had to say... it's just a feeling."

Minkler thought for a moment, slapped his forehead, and his eyes lit up: "I don't know why, but their pretentiousness somehow reminds me of my dad."

"Indeed."

Ling Shuo nodded in agreement, "If you put it that way, they kind of remind me of my dad too!"

The two exchanged a glance, as if they found some common ground, and inexplicably, their bond seemed to suddenly deepen... to the point where even Ji Jue was speechless.

No, how did you two end up in the same boat?

The Avengers of Fatherly Vengeance, huh!

Excellent family education comes from parents' words and actions, and it just so happens that Busstaman and Ling Liu are both great at pretending, acting, and enduring, all of them silent biters.

Having touched such high-quality counterfeit money often, when encountering similar ones later, there would always be a slight feel of it.

Triggering their biting instinct is quite normal.

In reality, Caruso and Satria's current predicament leaves them with very few choices.

If they don't want to bow to Ji Jue, want to regain face, and want to turn the tables, they will have to make painstaking efforts and come up with a new plan... The outcome of this confrontation being problematic is a hundred percent.

Not cheating would be suspicious!

If a trick is not caught, it doesn't count.

This is the confidence the Desert Market gives me, using all means possible is the true principle.

Just when the meeting fell into silence, Minkler thought for a moment and proactively said something stupid, or a joke: "Is there a possibility that they just want to find a way out?"

Suddenly, the office was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Don't make Brother Wolf laugh.

If they truly wanted face and decency, they just needed to hand over the money and the Flowing Light Golden Spring respectfully, asking Mr. Ji to be merciful, and Ji Jue wouldn't mind giving them a break.

Why go through so much trouble?

From the beginning, the malice and hatred that the Wolf Perception sensed never stopped, so where was there any thought of bowing down and admitting defeat?

No matter how respectfully and submissively they act, or how sincerely they pretend, justify, and explain their hardships, it's ultimately just performance and excuses.

But what Ji Jue couldn't understand was that assessing the situation is also an instinct of survival for beasts.

Normally, after truly understanding the gap between themselves and Ji Jue, even if they've suffered great losses and can't swallow the indignation, they should at least see the reality.

At the very least, they shouldn't provoke Ji Jue again in the short term.

Just like Ling Liu...

During a brief moment of contemplation, Ji Jue's eyes suddenly shifted, looking at Ling Shuo, and he suddenly asked:

"What has your dad been up to lately?"

"Huh?"

Ling Shuo faltered for a moment, then his face flushed with anger as he resolutely replied, "I've already cut ties with that old beast, there's no such thing anymore!

Honestly, if anyone's been good to me, it's been you, and if anyone's treated me like a son, you're the one who could truly be like my own father!"

"..."

Ji Jue fell silent, at a loss for words.

In this awkward silence, he looked towards Minkler beside Ling Shuo, and Minkler also avoided his gaze, looking elsewhere.

You say I've been in the local area for less than a year, and suddenly I've gained these two devoted sons and grandsons under my wings?

Is there something wrong with the feng shui of your Seven Cities!

Drifting for half a lifetime, you guys truly mastered the essence of it...

"Having you two treasures is really my greatest blessing!"

Ji Jue rolled his eyes and angrily slapped the table: "Cut that nonsense, be serious and speak properly!"

Soon, Ling Liu's movements from the recent days were laid out on Ji Jue's desk.

No anomalies.

After re-stabilizing the situation in Gray Port, Ling Liu's actions were as usual. Except for appearing every Thursday to mediate conflicts and collect offerings, daily life was just eating, walking, bird-watching, enjoying plays, and doing exercises.

It's like finally understanding the truth of living a simple life without any fuss...right?

Is this right?

The hell if it is!

No matter how normal it looks, without any action, it just makes things seem off for this reason alone.

Although patiently enduring hardship is correct, it could also be temporary concealment, or perhaps he truly wants to rest and recuperate for now, gathering strength...

But why should Ji Jue have to understand others?

If I feel something's off about you, then everything you do is suspicious!

Proving your innocence should be your task, not mine!

Ling Liu's carefree and collected demeanor had a bit of a deliberate touch for Ji Jue.

A dirty mind sees dirt everywhere, a vile person sees vileness everywhere.

When you've been fishing for long enough, you start to wonder if there's a bite the moment you smell the water's scent, suspecting if someone is secretly feeding the fish upon hearing a sound.

Even if Ji Jue doesn't understand Ling Liu's character, wouldn't Ling Shuo know?

If you think he can swallow this anger, not even Ling Shuo's heels would believe it—this old dog, as long as he's not dead, will certainly find a way to regain his ground, sooner or later!

"Could these guys have already teamed up?"

Ji Jue tapped the table and slowly said: "They've already stirred things up once; now with a common enemy, joining forces again seems only natural, doesn't it?"

Ling Shuo and Minkler couldn't help but exchange a glance and nod in agreement.

Whether they have or haven't, just assume they already have!

Even if they haven't, giving a slap is easy enough, just keep busy.

With this hypothesis in mind, looking at the act in the reception room might reveal something different.

Even if Caruso and Satria seem sincere and humble, essentially, they are just begging, delaying, trying to grasp at another so-called opportunity...

No different from those idiots in the casino who lose everything, crying for another attempt to turn the tables, is it?

So, as a gambler driven to madness by poverty, besides winning back the stakes and dignity, what else can they do to reclaim their losses?

The answer is, as long as they can kill the creditor, the result is the same!

Kill a person, erase the debt.

With Ji Jue dead, wouldn't the whole situation instantly turn around? As soon as he's dead, both the loss of face and interest could be regained, possibly even improved if handled properly.

But is that possible?

Dare they challenge him outright?

Why do they think they can? What's the gain? What's in it for them?

Who gave them the courage? Who's willing to pay for their actions?

What possibly drives them to risk everything and break rules to target Ji Jue?

Deep in thought, Ji Jue flipped through the information collected by Isis, his gaze scanning line by line, seeing nothing more than Desert Market's commonplace power struggles and conflicts.

Recently, almost every day different Desert Market branches would have some disputes, suggesting a vibrant, thriving scene.

More importantly...

Ji Jue's gaze suddenly landed on the announcement board of the Desert Market's homepage, amidst numerous pieces of information, a rather plain notification.

From the Empire, the Highland Purple Fir Heavenly City's branch of the Desert Market completed a sovereignty change; the previous Dragon Head stepped down due to 'health reasons.'

Ji Jue paused for a moment, sensing a familiar feeling, déjà vu.

"How many is this now?"

He shifted his focus, rummaging through the Desert Market's massive amounts of information for reports on power changes.

He found, to his surprise, that since last month...more than six Desert Market branches had changed Dragon Heads in succession!

Some retired voluntarily for health reasons, some were ousted by a coup, others suddenly and unexpectedly died at home.

These occurred from the Federation to Central Earth and again to the Empire, each place far apart and unrelated, yet happened so intensively. Meanwhile, more than four brand new branches reported to and were approved by the central committee, including the one where Ji Jue resided at the Seven Cities!

Associating this with the recent strange movements in the Iron Hook District and Hidden Mist Reef, Ji Jue felt like this group had gone mad, each one secretly agitated, clustering numerous illogical events together. Either it's collective insanity, or...there's something he's unaware of?!

Ji Jue looked at Ling Shuo: "Any movements recently from the central headquarters?"

"Huh?"

Ling Shuo was confused: "N-no, unless the leader issues an order, the subordinates just submit the monthly quota, the central never intervenes."

Ji Jue slapped his forehead.

He forgot, this is a novice, just newly appointed, what channels would he have?

Now, if there's any information to be gathered, he should be consulting seasoned veterans.

So, where are those veterans?

Ji Jue glanced down at the phone on the table; this time, even before he dialed, a call came through as if by coincidence.

The spokesperson for the Cliff City Wilderness Collection, Chen Xingzhou!