Chapter 1910 - 982: Partners and Work

Money doesn't fall from the sky.

Absolutely!

The reason for such certainty isn't because this rare probability wouldn't happen, but because money, to begin with, doesn't exist.

Sorry, Sky Rail went bankrupt hundreds of years ago, all debts are wiped out; you still want wages?

Dream on!

What's more depressing is that the work that needs to be done hasn't decreased one bit, and it's all just a bunch of messy troubles.

"I know it's hard, but it's an order, newbie!"

"Though Sky Rail is vast, we have nowhere to retreat, and behind us is the Central Dispatch Center."

"It's a matter of life and death, today... probably."

In the dispatch command room, the dispatcher in the picture frame rambled on, pointing at the images and signals on the central screen, finally making Ji Jue understand the current situation.

The [Jiedi Law] has already issued a warning.

Thanks to the chaos of time and the final consolidation, under the gathering of Cause and Effect, the [Jiedi Law] often can issue warnings before crises appear, and promptly remediate after troubles emerge.

Externally, it's nearly like the foretelling abilities of a Prophet.

It itself possesses a considerable degree of adaptability, able to devise different strategies based on impending problems, just like Ji Jue today.

A month ago in the current world time, the Jiedi Law had already made a Reaction. After the president initiated the [Final Protocol] and fully awakened and activated the entire Central Dispatch Center, the initial recruitment of [Temporary Workers] had already begun.

Thus, a month later, the chosen temporary worker Ji Jue answered the call and came.

Even if the president cared for him dearly, and no matter how unwilling he was for Ji Jue to get involved in these troubles, Ji Jue still decided by his own choice to jump into it.

One can only say it's time and fate.

"Is this what they call destiny?" Ji Jue sighed, "Why am I always entangled with this topic lately."

"Perhaps for the Central Dispatch Center, where time lines are completed, Cause and Effect is the least of concerns.

If you ask me, instead of calling it destiny, it would be more accurate to say it simply tends to choose cheap, useful, and most convenient tools... after all, a craftsman with a value-for-money Non-Attack legacy like you might just be a unique specimen in the whole world."

The dispatcher sized up the baffled Ji Jue, a sly smile gradually forming: "Want to know just how many positive reviews you have hanging over you?

Geez, this scale is terrifying, and it spans both Superior and Mutated ends; everyone who uses you has nothing but praises!"

"Alright, enough already."

Ji Jue covered his face, not wanting to continue the topic: "So, what exactly is my task? Protect the Jiedi Law? You must give me a target, right?"

"Haven't you seen the target? Those bugs!"

The dispatcher's words instantly brought back Ji Jue's memory of Cancha's appearance, including that bizarre faux station and everything inside it.

"Based on clues gathered by Du Bin over these few days, they're attempting to invade the station system by forging stations, with the ultimate goal likely being to continue developing this way, eventually finding the Central Dispatch Center's coordinates for invasion."

"Forging stations?" Ji Jue frowned, "Can they really succeed in forging them?"

"As long as it's sufficiently similar."

The dispatcher snapped his fingers and sighed: "After all, imitation itself is a kind of primitive Secret Ritual. It can gradually accumulate some of the properties of the finished product, and with the interference of ether and the mirror system's Chosen Ones, there's a good chance they can pass off fish eyes for pearls and temporarily deceive reality, really becoming part of the station system."

Ether and mirrors, those bugs probably can't find.

But Filth Contamination and the rainbow?!

In a flash, Ji Jue's mind locked onto the remaining seeds of the Benyuan Lineage, as well as that Polluted Demon which appeared in the ruins of Spring City!

Which means, these guys have been going crazy recently looking for sacrifices just to help the bugs complete their station forging and invasion!

For what?!

Are they trying to be featured in the Vortex's Ten Most Inspirational Acts?!

"In any case, these guys also kind of stumbled onto the right thing."

The dispatcher said: "While the existence of the Jiedi Law is unknown to outsiders, if something happens to the Central Dispatch Center, there might be a chance of destabilization; should a single mistake occur, the Shadow Sun Seal could really encounter trouble."

"That serious?" Ji Jue frowned, "Although things look bleak, it's not as if disaster is imminent, right?"

"The probability is low, nearly zero, but you cannot say it doesn't exist. You hold the Non-Attack yourself, are you not aware of the risks?"

The dispatcher gave him a deep look: "'Possibility,' as long as it's not zero, has plenty of room to play out..."

Ji Jue fell silent, unable to retort.

"However, that said, there's no need to be overly tense, as they say, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, it's never wrong to be prepared. Through hundreds of years of storms, the Jiedi Law isn't something that breaks at the touch; it's more resilient and stable than you think."

The dispatcher laughed heartily to the skies: "I see the Shadow Sun Seal lasting for thousands of years; the Jiedi Law as steady as a mountain!"

Ji Jue could only wish to spurt a mouthful of old blood onto his picture frame.

Old chap, can you stop jinxing things!

But honestly, he has a point.

Even if the Central Station were invaded, it wouldn't exactly spell disaster; while the Jiedi Law exists only within the station, it remains Invisible, everywhere but nowhere.

And its source, rooted in past significant historical nodes like the "End of the Chaotic Era," the "Manifestation of Superior," the "Establishment of the Eternal Dynasty," and the "Collapse of the Heavenly Pillar."

Ultimately, tangled in layers of Cause and Effect, it transformed itself into a mega-sized Anchor Point rooted in time, absolutely unalterable!

Unless the Shadow Sun breaks free from the Gate of Eternity's suppression and wipes all these things out at once, the stability of the Jiedi Law remains unshakable.

Yet, if the Jiedi Law hasn't dispersed, the Shadow Sun can't break free from the seal.

Blocking both ends, the logic is so twisted it's practiced to perfection.

But even so, no matter how stable the seal remains, as long as there's a slight leak in the Shadow Sun's Mutation, it would become another devastating calamity sweeping across the present world.

This world can no longer endure any further chaos.

"So, my job is to take down those guys, right?"

Ji Jue nodded knowingly, already entering the ride-hailing mode to fight: "When? Where? How many to kill?"

"..."

For a moment, such proficient and swift demeanor left even the dispatcher in silence.

Scratched his head.

In just a few hundred years, have the Embers already replaced the Desert Market's position in the world and become a killer organization?

Damn it, I knew this group of lunatics would cause trouble once they lost guidance! Isn't it true that the craftsman reform of the Carrion back then ended in failure?

If he didn't know Ji Jue's background, he would have been ready to respectfully ask how big of a deal he was.

Oh, Mohist heritage, then it's all good.

Look at this scene where they quickly resort to killing, and turn around exuding evil aura and black light, you can tell, 100% Mohist, pure!

"Your idea is good, I can understand, but let's start with the most basic things first. We can explore the other work later."

He coughed a couple of times and stood up: "Come with me, let me introduce you to your new work partner."

"Partner?"

Ji Jue's eyes lit up.

Thinking of Brother Du Bin's mighty strength, his heart immediately started beating wildly.

Then, ten minutes later, Ji Jue was completely numb.

In the elevator, he looked down at his feet...

A black, white, and yellow Gou Zi walked in with an arrogant stride, its big ears hung down beside its head, and its eyeliner-covered eyes glanced sideways at Ji Jue.

Then, it started barking at the picture frame, wer! Wer!

Like an angry wild donkey!

"It..."

Ji Jue's expression twitched, looking at the Dispatcher: "What is it saying?"

"Do you want to know?"

The Dispatcher's eyes became peculiarly curious as he took a deep breath and translated in a matching tone: "Wow, damn, you temporary worker set me up for this crap..."

Snap!

In a blink, Ji Jue expressionlessly reached out and pinched the dog's mouth.

Finally, the hair-raising donkey sound stopped.

The world finally quieted down.

He sighed with relief.

Yet, the donkey-like dog with big ears that he pinched, kept making muffled sounds as if swearing vulgarly.

Ji Jue looked at the Dispatcher, confused: "Why aren't you translating?"

"..."

The Dispatcher also looked at him in doubt: "Does this really need translation?"

So it must truly be vulgar!

Ji Jue closed his eyes, taking a deep breath: "Alright, no need to translate."

A few seconds later, the constantly whimpering Gou Zi was released by Ji Jue, struggled fervently, and started pulling at the electrician's tape wrapped around its mouth.

"Can I change it?" Ji Jue frowned, feeling incapable of getting along with this guy.

Even a partner from the medical department?

Fluffy, chubby, at least can provide some emotional value.

"No, this is the standard equipment for a temporary worker, part of your work items." The Dispatcher shook his head: "Besides, how could soldiers go to war without weapons, Ji Jue?"

They need to be weapons!

Ji Jue was furious, pointing at the donkey-like Gou Zi with its mouth still bound and barking incessantly, he tore open a dog tag on his chest, [Special Crisis Disaster Management Department]:

"What's the use of this?"

"You'll understand when the time is right." The Dispatcher assured: "Don't worry, it's definitely the most suitable partner for you within the Sky Rail."

"Alright, no more talking, let's get to work, Ji Jue!"

With that, he clapped his hands, and suddenly, a pile of things appeared in the elevator, a dazzling array: "Choose your favorite tools, our working time begins!"

For a moment, Ji Jue hesitated, rubbing his eyes, then rubbing them again.

Incredulous.

He reached out and pointed at a seemingly ragged piece that looked like a rag: "What is this?"

"A rag!" the Dispatcher retorted: "Isn't it obvious?"

"And this?"

"A mop."

No need for Ji Jue's questions anymore, the Dispatcher proactively explained each item: "That round red thing by your foot is called a bucket. That stick with hair on the end is called a broom, and the shovel-shaped one next to it is called a dustpan..."

"Who the hell doesn't know!"

Ji Jue turned completely red-hot: "What are you giving me this for?!"

"Isn't it true that temporary workers start by serving tea and sweeping the floors?"

The Dispatcher looked at him, waving approvingly: "From here on, the cleaning work is yours! Do your best~"

Ding~

The elevator doors opened.

[Border Hell Layer], arrive.

Before Ji Jue could react, his 'partner' bound with electrician's tape suddenly broke free, shouting loudly.

Then immediately, in the strange space outside the elevator...

Boundless darkness rolled in!