Chapter 1704 - 874: Eight Factions Stirring Up Trouble

Without needing to speak, Satria understood that this was a trap specifically prepared for Ji Jue.

And he himself was the bait in the trap.

Even though he seemed to be securely seated in the position of a decision-maker, with infinite glory, his life had long been grasped in others' hands, beyond his control...

But what could he do?

Satria closed his eyes, waiting for the Blood Fried to be prepared once again.

He had no choice!

For several consecutive days, on the surface, the Iron Hook District remained prosperous as always. With Satria's injuries fully healed, he easily subdued all the rebellious subordinates and steadied his position once more.

But secretly, Mr. Han's arrangements had quietly infiltrated every aspect, like an invisible net slowly spreading, waiting for someone to walk into it.

Days went by like this, one day after another.

Then... nothing happened.

Nothing, at all!

Left waiting, right waiting, waiting until the flowers withered, waiting until the flowers bloomed.

The Seven Cities remained completely still, in the face of Satria's increasingly ostentatious actions, against the ever more blatant harassment in the Iron Hook District, even in the face of the Hidden Mist Reef electing a new decision-maker under Mr. Han's influence...

Ling Shuo, or rather the Ji Jue behind him, made no moves.

Absolutely no reaction.

So much so, that all the departments eagerly preparing to watch the drama, even Satria himself, were dumbfounded.

Unbelievable.

Endured?

Come on brother, you can endure even this?!

I'm not one to stir up trouble, but if it were me, I absolutely wouldn't endure it! He's even inviting you for a cheeky drink!

What's wrong with you?

Aren't you capable?

If you can't handle it, don't blame everyone for getting a bit hands-on...

Now, not only were the Hidden Mist Reef and the Iron Hook District stirring up trouble, but even the original channels, even the transportation route from Hai Province to Central Earth, began to experience frequent issues.

To add insult to injury is human nature, and anyone who doesn't seize an advantage is a fool.

In the Desert Market, there's no benevolence, morality, or endurance for the public good. Anyone who can suffer will only continue to suffer more, and anyone who can endure hardship will face endless hardships.

Moreover, backed by the East City Wilderness Market, equally entrenched in smuggling and shipping for years, secretly applying pressure at every step.

For a moment, Messenger Logistics' operations began to be affected, not only with repeated problems occurring in berths and routes but even with the fuel element supply experiencing issues.

Even the newly opened market started showing its merciless cold side, numerous quality issues emerged continuously, and sellers began showing their true colors—from refusing prepayments to insisting on withheld goods, and the loan payment terms being delayed again and again...

In just a week, the warmth and coldness of human relationships became evident through the rising adrenaline.

Finally, at this critical juncture, the Seven Cities seemed to have woken up.

Satria, who had waited endlessly, finally witnessed actions from the Seven Cities Wasteland Collection.

Then, discovered...

——What does it mean he went to call the parent?

The head of the barely one-month-old Seven Cities Wasteland Collection branch, Ling Shuo, used his authority to report to the headquarters and issued a notice.

[Respectfully informing the headquarters that the Iron Hook and Hidden Mist branches have violated the rules, carrying out assassinations for victory or defeat, with malicious intentions, disregarding the rules of the headquarters... Kindly request the leader to issue a judgment.

Furthermore, ordered the Iron Hook and Hidden Mist branches, within three days, to return the remaining funds, interest, and compensation, as well as the resources due to the Seven Cities; the Seven Cities can be lenient and show mercy, take heed of this warning!]

A brief notice spread with the news to everyone, and then... it made everyone laugh.

What the hell is that?

So fierce in words, so harshly spoken, but in the end, why didn't you dare to give Satria two slaps?

It's a show of force but weak inside, no different.

Do you really think this is in the Federation and the Empire? Tian Yuan is all in your head, do you think the leader will pay attention to you!

The facts prove the leader will indeed care, especially in matters involving violations of regulations, and naturally will make directives, but unfortunately... there's no difference from other directives.

[The leader is aware].

Oh, noted, and then?

Just this sentence, no further response.

Leading to, in the hype and eagerness to see a commotion, the Seven Cities almost becoming a laughingstock in the Wasteland Collection within a few days.

In response, the Seven Cities remained completely still, seemingly not continuing to mention the matter.

No matter how turbulent things were behind the scenes, on the surface, they had devoted all their energy to the upcoming Coast Product Exhibition.

Eager production, steadily expanding the market, paying no mind to outside gossip.

Even on the opening day, Ji Jue personally gave a speech to welcome guests from all sides.

Unfortunately, there were very few participants.

The vast venue was desolate and bleak, except for a few booths of friendly businesses invited by the Federation.

The product launch, which was painstakingly prepared, received an unprecedented cold reception. The brightly decorated scene starkly contrasted with the sparse audience, almost turning into a tragedy.

The bleak and defeated scene spread to the outside world through photos, provoking ridicule and contempt.

Even at the product launch conference, aside from the few invited media reporters, the seating was not even half full.

Despite Ji Jue, the director, personally taking the role of host, the atmosphere was undeniably awkward.

Not to mention the repeatedly cold process, the highlight product—the security reconnaissance drone "Crow," which finally revealed its true face after long publicity since last year—seemed like a bride dressed up only to encounter a canceled engagement, becoming unasked for and pitiful.

After methodically playing the product promotional video and unveiling various specific parameters and operating times, the Coast also announced a new drone cluster control system.

Everyone had to admit, the product was indeed a good one; there was no issue with the quality and effect, especially this new operating system, which could almost be plugin-compatible with most similar competitors, and the control climbed more than one level.

But unfortunately, the timing of the release was really bad!

The many distributors who truly came for the product could only offer scattered applause, barely lifting the atmosphere.

Unfortunately, compared with the vast and empty venue, it only appeared more desolate.

Seeing Ji Jue introducing on his own, reporters and various spies in the audience couldn't help it.

Someone actively raised a hand to ask: "Mr. Ji, may I ask, regarding the current situation in some parts of the Endless Sea and the provocations from the Iron Hook District, does Seven Cities really have no response? Don't you plan to retaliate?"

"I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you're talking about."

Ji Jue slightly hesitated on stage, seriously saying: "You may have misunderstood. Coast is a legitimate enterprise, strictly following the laws and regulations of each country and place in production, sales, and service.

Moreover, when will revenge end? We have always advocated fair and just solutions, solving problems through friendly negotiations...

Today is a product launch conference, please don't speak of unrelated issues anymore."

Ji Jue paused, pressed the PPT remote control in his hand: "Next, we will demonstrate the working state of the Crow drone under extremely adverse conditions, please watch the big screen."

Ji Jue's words left the attendees speechless.

Extremely adverse?

No, dude, isn't the situation in Seven Cities already adverse enough?

What are you thinking...

But no matter what, Ji Jue had already stepped off the stage, leaving the large screen to start live broadcasting the actual situation.

On a rusty freighter, swarms of drones took off in batches under the on-site operation of staff and rose to the sky.

Facing harsh sea conditions, in the fierce storm, the drone swarms congregated like birds, freely shuttling between the stormy waves, showcasing their capabilities and control.

Not even professional drone pilots were invited, but instead, a slightly slow-witted teenager operated the entire system, looking flustered with no experience.

Even so, the drone swarms still relied on the system and real-time calculations, autonomously avoiding most dangers, eliciting scattered applause and admiration.

Soon, as the drone swarms collectively ascended and dispersed, the distant sea and sky gradually revealed...

Under the gloomy sky, numerous piled-up wrecked ships gathered like a town, even more, the towering structure on the massive freighter in the middle.

Whoa, wait!!!

Isn't something amiss?

The groggy reporters and representatives below paused, rubbed their eyes, instinctively roused to watch closely, but the footage suddenly shook.

In the roaring sound of the wind, something seemed to flash by?

While everyone was bewildered, another flash swept by.

It seemed like a cylindrical object, with something spraying out from the rear...

Fire?

Seems like...

——Boom!!!!

In the 4K high-definition live streaming footage, suddenly the scene between the sea and sky erupted with a violent flash of light accompanied by a loud explosion, illuminating the dark sea and sky.

In the gales spreading, a mushroom-like dark cloud seemed to rise from the town, creeping and unfolding voluptuously.

Then came the second, third, fourth...

Flashes of light descended from the sky like torrential rain, racing one after another, incessant.

Thus, in the chaotic waves of destruction and the lamentations of the sea tide, flames surged forth repeatedly, wantonly spreading.

When the lively and uproarious scene rushed from the screen, the entire venue fell into deathly silence, flickering light illuminating stunned and bewildered faces, constantly erupting crimson lighting up blank, void eyes.

Not a single sound was made anymore.

Even the sound of gulping became distinctly audible.

When coming to terms with what they witnessed, even fear and bewilderment were too late, unable to utter a single word.

Just instinctively widening eyes, staring at the light and shadows on the screen.

Unaware of when it began, sweat was pouring profusely.

"Oh my God..."

So, in this seemingly sparse and desolate product launch, witnessed by agents and reporters from various sides, began an extinction-purpose carpet bombing!