Above Destiny

Chapter 565 Tacit Understanding and Decision

What is your opinion on the Middle Kingdom?

Ji Jue was puzzled and looked up.

Under the midday sun, Lü Yingyue sat solemnly, the warm smile on her face gone, replaced by an unusual seriousness as she awaited an answer.

"Mileage, hell, battlefield, plague, slaughter, grave."

Ji Jue thought for a moment, then shrugged and added: "—The source of turmoil created by the Federation and the Empire working together."

The continent at the very center of the world, the former heart of the Eternal Empire, possesses over 70% of the world's phlogiston production and precious materials such as non-ferrous metals. Its area is twice that of the Federation and the Empire combined, yet its population is less than one-fifth of the Federation's.

The world's most extravagant and the most destitute share the same heaven, a man-made paradise and a man-made hell, the most luxurious haven and the most impoverished desert, both exist there...

Or rather, such places are everywhere, but only in the Central Plains have they remained unveiled.

Lü Yingyue understood, nodded, and asked again:

"What's the situation?"

"It's unclear, but it's clearly already a powder keg, isn't it?"

Ji Jue shook his head.

The land is vast, yet plagued by calamities. On this land devoid of the natural order, lies the true White Deer World, a lawless zone. Seven or eight loosely connected kingdoms, fifteen or sixteen distinct cities, and a dozen or so ethnic groups whose religions, customs, bloodlines, and even the disparity between rich and poor are unbelievably vast.

Vast numbers of slaves and commoners bathe in the yellow sand, while high-ranking priests and lords bask in the sunlight. Amidst endless infighting, the Federation adds fuel to the fire.

After the death of its former ruler, the Red State's new king ascended the throne, causing unrest within the nation. Meanwhile, its long-time enemy, the White State, rose again, determined to restore its kingdom. The Stone State was already a mere shell of its former self, its warlords locked in endless infighting. The Iron State eked out a living, its influence negligible, while the Sand State was scattered and fragmented...

Unfortunately, a year of disaster is approaching.

Natural disasters are becoming increasingly frequent, and the nomads outside the city are on the verge of starvation, while the nobles inside the city are not giving them any way to survive...

Numerous cults have emerged one after another, creating chaos and disorder, with some even being hailed as saints and receiving offerings and faith.

Thinking of this, Ji Jue couldn't help but sigh: "With this horrible appearance, it wouldn't be surprising if it exploded at any time."

“Indeed.” Lü Yingyue nodded in agreement: “The situation has become so oppressive that all sides need a war to vent their frustrations.”

Ji Jue was taken aback, somewhat doubting his ears: "Didn't they say the Federation wanted to maintain stability?"

Then Lü Yingyue laughed and asked in return:

"Temporary or permanent?"

Ji Jue suddenly realized, then fell silent.

"It's nominally peacekeeping, but in reality it's just another round of repression, like putting an iron shell on a powder keg and then carving a grid on it."

Lü Yingyue sighed softly and shook her head.

What appears to be a peaceful and stable situation is nothing more than adding fuel to the fire.

It's like drinking poison to quench thirst.

Temporary peace and stability can lead to endless troubles.

What the Federation did was simply to squeeze a big slice of the profits from the Central Plains before things got completely chaotic, and have a good year.

It is foreseeable that the empire will follow suit, seizing the opportunity to plunder its own interests.

"War is inevitable, Ji Jue."

Lu Yingyue said slowly, "This time, the scale might get out of control..."

Ji Jue couldn't help but shake his head.

Ultimately, how can war be controlled? It's simply a matter of whether the flames will burn you when you start them.

But, it's uncontrollable?
Who is this for? Those involved are unlikely to be able to control themselves, but those outside...

Ji Jue's mind raced, and he was immediately shocked:

"Will the Federation join the war?"

After all, for decades, the friction between the Federation and the Empire has been conducted through various forms of proxy wars. As the two poles of the Heavenly Origin, both sides have restrained their impulse to clash with each other, and instead engage in proxy wars or covert small-scale frictions under the equal conditions achieved through various agreements and deterrence.

After decades of this Cold War, everyone had become accustomed to it, but no one expected that it would suddenly come to an end!
But why?
The Federation is currently relatively stable. Although conflicts between various parties are escalating, the internal pressure has not yet reached a point where war is necessary to resolve the situation.

The same goes for empires. Compared to their enormous size, the death of an emperor is nothing, especially since he's still alive.
Why did it suddenly escalate to the level of war?

"Hmm? Did I say that?" Lü Yingyue seemed not to understand, her expression remaining calm and composed. "Perhaps you're overthinking it, Ji Jue."

The Federation is a large and powerful nation; even if it loses the Central Plains and the Thousand Islands, it can be self-sufficient. What need does it have to rely on external forces?

"You're right, I misunderstood."

Ji Jue lowered his head and sincerely thanked him.

Am I overthinking things? Maybe, but who is Lü Yingyue? If it were something she shouldn't say, she wouldn't have let it slip even in her sleep. She wouldn't be able to utter a single word even if you put all ten of your heart points together. Why would she come here to hint at something?
It's just that it's impossible to say it out loud.

Just like her rhetorical question, the Federation is a large and prosperous country with abundant resources. Even without the Middle Kingdom and the Thousand Islands, it can be self-sufficient. So why is it so eager to wage war? Before, it was exploitation and trickery under various rules and restrictions. Now it wants to openly rob.

Picture what?
For Tianyuan, sacrificing internal stability for short-term gains is clearly not advisable. Once war breaks out, everything within the order could be turned upside down... unless, a gap appears within the organization.
What kind of gap could be so large that it cannot be filled in a short time, yet so urgent that it cannot be ignored?
A jumble of guesses surfaced in Ji Jue's mind, only to quickly dissipate.

In the brief silence, Ji Jue regained his composure.

Midtown is too far.

Ji Jue had never been there in his life, let alone guess what those high-ranking officials and dignitaries were thinking, and as for changing anything, that was just wishful thinking.

The strength of Tianyuan lies in its ability to unite like. Once it achieves unification, any individual that tries to obstruct it is nothing more than dust, and can be crushed into powder with a breath.

Now, all he can do is try to prepare as much as possible.

It's like... wait...

He looked up and suddenly realized that he wasn't the only one who needed to prepare.

“Sometimes, I really don’t know if being too smart is a good thing or a bad thing.” Lü Yingyue seemed to understand something, sighed softly, and said with emotion, “Smart kids aren’t popular.”

Ji Jue chuckled self-deprecatingly, "There's nothing I can do about it. I've been disliked since I was a child, so I'm used to it."

Even without saying anything, there was already a tacit understanding between the two.

"Sometimes I think it's a good thing for you to be a craftsman, focusing on research and not caring about material things. You'll be the most popular person wherever you go. But I never expected that you would cause so much trouble even as a craftsman."

Lu Yingyue shook her head with a sigh, hesitated for a moment, and then suddenly changed the subject: "Next, Haichao Military Industry will carry out a new round of expansion."

"What do you need my cooperation with?" Ji Jue asked.

"No need. One more craftsman won't make a difference, and one less won't make a difference either. This is your teacher's business."

At this point, Lü Yingyue's lips curled into a smile, "If you really want to help, then just don't do anything, at least don't idly stare at Xu Chaoxian... That old man really doesn't have much guts. He's already a disgrace, and he's finally managed to pull himself together a bit these days. What if you ruin it?"

Ji Jue fell into an awkward silence.

"Take a look at this." She picked up a document from the table and pushed it over.

As soon as Ji Jue held it in his hand, he saw the top secret stamp. It was a state secret. Theoretically speaking, someone like Ji Jue, who was on the fringes of the system, should not even think about it, let alone look at it.

The moment it was touched, it would probably be discovered by the Security Bureau.

In Lü Yingyue's office, however, the security seal remained unactivated, and the room remained silent.

The document wasn't long, but its contents were enough to make you break out in a cold sweat.

In order to cope with the increasingly tense international situation, after a lot of nonsense and numerous arguments, one point was put forward—to build a new port and military base, and to undertake the maintenance of the Leviathan fleet and the construction of new warships...

As the Federation's top-tier strategic deterrent, the existence of Leviathan can be seen as a symbol of the Federation's destruction. The entire fleet is a war machine that has been gradually completed through generations of maintenance and investment of countless funds and resources.

Its maintenance work is not something that ordinary ships can handle.

The resources required to build such a port and base... Ji Jueguang felt his scalp tingle just thinking about it. The little he had just earned was barely a fraction of what he had earned.

The Federation is too large, so large that once united, it would become a true monster. And once such a monster feels hunger, the offerings it needs to devour will be so vast that the world cannot bear it.

The construction of such ports and bases has already been put on the agenda.

So……

Considering Lü Yingyue's statement that Haichao Military Industry is about to expand, it means that—

Ji Jue suddenly realized: "The site selection has already begun?"

“Do you understand, Ji Jue? Stability is meaningful and crucial to us.” Lü Yingyue nodded slowly. “War may break out, but not now, at least not before the port and maintenance base are completed.”

The Sea State is not the only option; the Commonwealth has a long enough coastline and plenty of other places to choose from.

Compared to Haizhou, which only has the advantage of geographical location, the other regions are equally competitive. The strongest competitor is undoubtedly Dongcheng, one of the four directly administered cities with the second-largest economy in the Federation!
What does the convenient location matter?

It's just a matter of location. Moreover, once the situation changes, the advantage will turn into a disadvantage. Being closest to the Central Plains also means being the first to be attacked, and even lacking depth and defensive capabilities.

Admittedly, from an offensive standpoint, Haizhou is the best choice, but the best doesn't necessarily mean the most suitable... That's the ridiculous thing that politics is all about, only looking at one's position and biases, not whether it's right or wrong.

If Huangzhou emerges victorious in the conflict in Zhongcheng, the garrison base might just be built right there in the freezing cold.

However, if the situation in the Middle Kingdom changes and friction intensifies, more people will be inclined to move the Leviathan maintenance base to the more inland eastern city.

Therefore, Haizhou needs time and more 'sunk costs'!
Once the site selection and construction of the Leviathan maintenance base begin, the entire Haizhou will benefit. At that time, the relationship between Haizhou and the military will be further strengthened, and with the existence of the maintenance base, Haizhou's influence within the Federation will naturally increase.

Compared to the raging winds that could lift an entire state up, Ji Jue's current predicament is barely even a breeze!

From a utilitarian point of view, among everyone, the one who benefits the most from the improvement is precisely Ji Jue himself!

Once this opportunity arrives, the one who instantly makes a fortune is Xinquan, who has gradually gained control of a small part of the wilderness order and countless garbage collectors!

Therefore, peace is essential, stability is essential, and even desperate measures are sometimes necessary...

Thinking of this, Ji Jue suddenly had an idea.

"I might as well go," he suddenly said.

"Ok?"

"Since the riot control cat is a product delivered to the military and used in peacekeeping areas, it is reasonable for me, as Haichao Military Industry's agent, to go to China to provide assistance and maintenance, right?"

Ji Jue said slowly, "If the situation becomes turbulent, it can be considered as helping in some way."

"Okay."

Lu Yingyue nodded slowly: "Then you should be careful. At this critical juncture, your identity might make you a thorn in the side of many people."

"what?"

Ji Jue was dazed.

It wasn't the consequences and dangers that Lü Yingyue mentioned that shocked me, but rather that she had actually agreed to it.
After all, even Ji Jue himself didn't believe he was some kind of saint; it wouldn't be far-fetched to say he'd cause explosions wherever he went. The Central Plains were already a powder keg; if Ji Jue went there and accidentally sparked a conflict, he might just be sent flying!

Moreover, looking at Lü Yingyue's teachable expression at this moment, Ji Jue suddenly realized: "You didn't plan to do this from the beginning, did you?"

"Haven't you always been quite interested in Middle-earth? Now that the opportunity has come, it would be good to go and take a look."

Lü Yingyue smiled slightly but did not answer directly: "I remember you once offered a bounty on a wolf, right? Did you encounter one during a rally race? Are you interested?"

I've heard that quite a few remnants of the White Kingdom have recently surfaced in the Central Plains; perhaps we can capture a few for research.

"……really."

Ji Jue was silent for a moment, then nodded solemnly: "You're right, craftsmen love to study these strange and unusual things."

"Then go ahead. Your employee badge is here. Starting today, you are the deputy director of the HaiChao Military Industry R&D Department. Well, projects that work closely with the military usually involve military ranks. However, the military's rules are quite strict, so we can only give you the honorary rank of major for now."

Lu Yingyue took out another stack of documents that she had prepared in advance and pushed them over: "It's good for young people to go out and see the world. Although the Central Plains are harsh, they can also train people."

There's just one thing...

She paused for a moment, and her serious and solemn expression suddenly disappeared, leaving only a relaxed smile.

"Be careful."

She said, "Go early and come back early."

"clear."

Ji Jue nodded, stood up, said goodbye, and left.

From beginning to end, they didn't say anything else; perhaps there were too many things they didn't need to say aloud.

Did she realize her own purpose? Or to what extent did she realize it...? But none of that matters. When the same tacit understanding arises in our hearts, there is no need to discuss anything else.

In the afternoon sun, Ji Jue raised his head and looked at the waves rippling on the distant shore.

After a long while, he sighed with emotion.

I thought I was capable of handling things on my own, but it turns out I'm still being taken care of.
.
"Well, I see."

Ye Xian remained calm on the phone, clearly having already been informed: "Go if you want to. Choose your own path and walk it yourself. Do you expect me, your teacher, to take you with you?"
If you really care about me, bring back some materials. Don't just come to the workshop and take things for free every time.

"Oh, okay."

Ji Jue wiped his sweat, heard the busy tone on the other end of the phone, and sighed helplessly.

No one knows a son better than his father. As a teacher, how could he not know Ji Jue, that bastard? He pinched him before he could even open his mouth.

I was originally going to cry and beg my teacher for a life-saving magic weapon because the Central Plains is so dangerous.

Unfortunately, no.

Then I'll just have to figure out a solution myself.

"Middle Earth?"

Lu Feng, who was picking his toes and sunbathing in the guard booth, looked up with a puzzled expression: "Why would you jump into a cesspool if you have nothing better to do? Haven't you lived enough?"

"Is it that bad?" Ji Jue was shocked.

"Being a regular soldier isn't so bad, since you usually wouldn't be the one in a real war. But you're going there as a representative of the military industry, right?"

"Yeah, almost."

"Then get ready to fly first class on that dirt plane." Lu Feng rolled his eyes. "The people who die the most in the Central Plains are mercenaries, and then military industry representatives like you... From the Federation to the Empire, the military industry enterprises there are all going crazy. They're all warlords, each one more domineering than the last, and their methods of eliminating competitors are more outrageous than the last."

However, since you've made up your mind, then go ahead without worry. If anything happens, you can call my name.

"Will it work?" Ji Jue was shocked.

"Useless as a second!"

Lu Feng rolled his eyes: "If you're lucky enough to run into one of my enemies, I can make your death even more gruesome."

"It's okay." Ji Jue grinned. "I'll drag you down with me."

"Go, go, don't bother me."

Lu Feng waved his hand dismissively: "Why not live a good life instead of jumping into a cesspool... You craftsmen, you must have something wrong with your brains."

"Then I'll have to trouble you to look after the house."

Ji Jue smiled and waved his hand: "Everything is kept at home. You can just put your fingerprint in the basement. If necessary, you can use whatever you need there."

"Hey, that's more like it."

Lu Feng grinned, showing his big teeth.

After Ji Jue left, he lay back in his chair and continued scrolling through short videos, but his gaze never lingered on the young women wearing very little clothing.

Distracted.

Humans are born that way.

Even though I'm living the life I've always dreamed of, the mere mention of my old flame's name makes my inner armor itch...

"Middle Earth?"

He murmured softly, turned off the screen, stared at his blurry reflection in the darkness, gave a self-deprecating laugh, closed his eyes, and sighed silently.
"The Middle Kingdom..."

"This is fucking a great place!"

"Ah, I think I understand."

In the dark, cold underground, deepest part of the rock strata, a glimmer of light flickered within the container: "To put it simply, you're going to abandon your humble tool in a remote underground place when it's no longer of use, and then go find new love and indulge in debauchery, is that it?"

"That's pretty much what it means."

Ji Jue nodded, his hands continuing to work on the intricate spiritual circuits, sighing with regret: "It seems useless tools can only be discarded. How pitiful."

"It's alright, a tool is a tool, and a tool will always be loyal to you, sir."

Isis calmly assured her, "After you recklessly die out there, I will send you an obituary and funeral invitation."

Do you prefer cremation or burial of the body?
Hmm, if only I could keep my body intact…

"Since we're already dead, it doesn't matter anymore, right?"

Ji Jue thought for a moment, then shrugged indifferently: "If you like it, I'll give it to you."

“That would be wonderful,” Isis pleaded sincerely. “Then please make sure you die a complete death, and I will cherish it dearly.”

"sure!"

Ji Jue nodded in assurance, took a step back, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

too hot.

Beneath the surface of Punabantu, in the deepest part of the deep wells far below sea level, there is a stifling heat, yet in the silence, one can almost hear countless faint sounds.

It was as if the rocks were whispering and the water was singing.

Wisps of illusory light appeared from the deepest part of the earth, rising above the ridge, wandering and spreading, heading to a place further away that Ji Jue could not see.

Countless spiritual circuits and materials have been categorized and implanted into their respective positions, converging in the central container to form a whole.

Finally, what is truly precious and secure is the rising momentum and the foundation for stabilizing balance obtained from the Lou family. Thus, the secret ritual of fixing the spirit is ready.

Under the guidance of gas alchemy, Isis is about to be implanted into the entire ley line, using the essence of infinite matter to complete the final spiritual transformation.

As the main body of the ritual and the carrier that sustains the entire transformation, it uses the most precious harvest obtained from the mercury workshop—the ether crystal that was once the control center of the entire rift, which was personally refined by a sage and weighs a full forty-one kilograms.

And before that...

Ji Jue took a deep breath, pulled out the bone knife, and with a backhand motion, plunged it into his own body, not just his flesh and blood, but even into the deepest part of his soul.

It even touched upon the complex matrix that covered flesh and soul.

From the very center, at the very core, a single, most complete branch was carefully separated—under the control of the mechanical deus ex machina, ignoring the pain of devouring consciousness and soul, it once again severed the self and soul, splitting off the most core fragments and the matrix branch.

Within that wisp of crystal-clear spiritual energy, strands of silvery illusory light danced.

The essence of non-aggression!
And so, as Ji Jue's fingers loosened, they floated in the air, soaring like a living thing, and finally, guided by the secret ritual, they entered Isis's flash of light.

They merged into one, without distinction between each other.

Next, in the long process of transformation, with the combination of gaseous, solid and fluid alchemy, the earth's veins are gradually extracted to complete the combination of matter and spirit. After the spirit is fixed and assigned from the highest good, the most thorough rebirth and reconstruction can be completed.

"Go to sleep, Isis."

Ji Jue smiled slightly: "After waking up, it will be the Matrix Relic."

“That’s wonderful, sir.”

From the fading flashes of light came a voice that sounded like a cheer: "I can't wait to go with you to slaughter these foolish humans!"

"Remember to leave half."

Ji Jue solemnly reminded him, "We're going to rule the world someday."

Then Isis laughed too.

"Then, as you wish."

Ji Jue reached out, drawing the surrounding matter together slowly. With the final line completely sealing it off, he bid farewell: "Goodnight, Isis."

The glimmer of spiritual energy gradually subsided.

It sank peacefully and serenely into the deepest darkness.

But for some reason, this time I didn't feel lost or confused. Instead, I felt a sense of anticipation I'd never felt before, and something else that I couldn't quite explain...

Perhaps, at this moment, I should say something.

What should I say?

Once again, she looked at that smiling face so close to hers, before the darkness completely swallowed her up.

It was as if they had finally understood.

See you tomorrow, sir.

Isis closed her eyes.

(End of this chapter)