Above Destiny

Chapter 571 Hatred

As the door closed gently, Ji Jue's footsteps faded into the distance.

In the silence of the room, the assistant pouring the wine glanced in the direction he had left and remarked with a sigh, "He's a young man after all, so ambitious and driven. It seems Haizhou really intends to get involved in the Central Plains."

“The Central Plains are different from other places. That little fox Lü Yingyue couldn’t possibly not know this. In my opinion, she’s probably using him as a pawn.”

Fan Yun paused for a moment, then chuckled, "And this one is probably also a restless fellow. Whether he understands his own situation or not is another matter, but he probably came to the Central Plains just to cause trouble."

Over the years, military industry representatives have come and gone, their departures varied and dramatic; he's seen it all before.

The moment I saw Ji Jue, I didn't treat him like some obedient child who would know what was good for him after a few scoldings.

Such a person may seem humble, but in reality, they are so arrogant that they look down on everyone else. While they listen attentively to others, they are only thinking about their own plans and schemes.

The air of ambition is practically overflowing.

Such people often die the fastest, cause the most trouble, and also make the biggest disturbances in the Central Plains!
"Perhaps it's just a side move by Garrison Commander Lü," the assistant said curiously.

"Whether it is or not, it doesn't matter, it's none of my business anyway."

Fan Yun raised his double whiskey, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. "If he really knew what was good for him, he should have stayed in the base obediently, gone around in circles for a while, and then left. Then there would definitely be good people everywhere in the Central Plains."

But he came on so aggressively, without any pretense. How could anyone else tolerate him?

Since Lü Yingyue dared to interfere in the internal power struggles of the military and sided with the Di family, the Li family would not tolerate her. Hai Chao wanted to expand, and if he took a bite more, others would take a bite less; his competitors would not tolerate him either.

Before this, would those local agents whose markets had been devoured by Ji Jue, those warlords and arms dealers, have tolerated him?
Before even taking a single step, he's already an enemy of the world. If this kid really gets going, who knows what kind of storm he'll stir up.

Fan Yun narrowed his eyes and sighed softly, "If he really makes a scene, I'm afraid I won't be able to tolerate it here."

The knocking sounded again.

So Fan Yun raised his glass again.

Before they went in, everyone had smiles on their faces, but after they came out, their expressions seemed to have changed, as if they had gained a hint of respect, a hint of apprehension, or perhaps, a hint of malice...

Ji Jue's ability to secure an audience with Fan Yun so quickly is, to some extent, a testament to his own strength. After all, many people who truly wish to meet this general would queue for months and never even get a glimpse of his presence.

Undoubtedly, this is also a statement and expression of the military base's presence, and even a form of permission.

Having met Fan Yun, and not being expelled from the Central Plains, but still able to linger here with a wine glass in hand, means that Ji Jue has obtained some kind of invisible 'visa,' allowing him to conduct some business in the Central Plains.

They actually got their ticket to Middle-earth.

Shaban appeared again with a beaming smile, offering a warm greeting and welcome, subtly probing the purpose of their meeting while also trying to develop new clients.

In such public settings.

Like a straight man in a comedy duo, he proactively provided the topic of conversation.

Ji Jue's face lit up, but he restrained his smugness with an expression that anyone could see, and simply smiled calmly: "It's nothing, just some guidance and advice from elders to juniors."

Worried that I wouldn't be able to take care of myself, they invited me to come back to the base for meals more often. Ah, I'm so deeply touched by their kindness; it warms my heart, and I can never repay their kindness.

For a moment, Shaban's expression became even more interesting.

It seemed as if he was praising it.

You're really good at bragging!

However, the banquet wasn't over yet, and the general's lounge was right next door. Did Ji Jue really dare to spout nonsense? Besides, wasn't what he said the truth? Didn't the general give him any pointers or help him? Didn't he let me eat at the base?
That's what they told me. How you interpret it is your own business!
Just rub, hum rub!
Let's just get on it first!
"To be so highly regarded by the general, your future is limitless, truly limitless!" Shaban clapped Ji Jue's hand, offering his heartfelt congratulations.

He doesn't care whether there's any exaggeration or not. People help each other out, so what's wrong with saying a few words of praise?
The two then engaged in a skillful exchange of banter and teasing.

Amidst the laughter and cheerful chatter, the hostility that gradually rose beneath those smiling faces pierced through like needles, and in some cases, it was no longer concealed.

Ji Jue glanced back seemingly unintentionally at a burly man in another group of people.

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment.

He looked like an imperial man, but sported a Middle-earth-style beard.

His expression was indifferent as he scrutinized Ji Jue's appearance. One of his eyes was blind and had been replaced with a prosthetic eye, which gleamed coldly under the light.

Above and below his eye socket was a horrific, spreading scar.

He raised his glass expressionlessly and drank it all in one gulp.

It's like a toast.

After giving him one last look, he indifferently withdrew his gaze and turned to leave.

Immediately, Ji Jue became curious: "Who is this?"

"Huh? You didn't know?"

Shaban seemed to be taken aback for a moment, looked at Ji Jue, and after confirming that his puzzled expression was genuine, couldn't help but shake his head: "Mr. Ji's level of vigilance is still a bit too low, isn't it?"

Ji Jue became even more curious: "Please enlighten me."

"So you're already taking advantage of me for free? I have to say, your reputation in the Wilderness isn't exactly positive. Oh well, it's rare that we get along so well, I'll give you this information as a gift."

Shaban chuckled: "That Mr. Mudahka is, after all, a local figure. He's a broker with extensive connections and channels, specializing in connecting various parties. He has considerable influence and is also the local agent for some groups from the Empire."

"Do you have a grudge against me?" Ji Jue was puzzled. After all, he had never been to the Empire in his life, and he didn't even know many people from the Empire. Even if he had a grudge, it would be within the association. It wouldn't leak out to outsiders, would it?
"..." Shaban's gaze grew increasingly strange: "Did you see his blind eye?"

"Ah."

"Back when he was serving in the Imperial Army, he was betrayed by that Garrison Commander Lü, suffering a crushing defeat and barely escaping death. He was forced to bear the shame and was expelled from the army, falling to rock bottom... So, what do you think?"

"Ah this..."

Ji Jue was taken aback. He was just sitting at home when suddenly the hatred of Garrison Commander Lü was drawn into his life!

Unprepared!

"Besides that, his main business now is the large-scale sale of second-hand military equipment from the Empire. There's nothing he wouldn't dare to sell, from pistols and landmines to exoskeletons and old fighter jets."

Shaban stroked his chin, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Guess where his main market is?"

"..."

Ji Jue remained silent, and in his utterly speechless state, he couldn't help but chuckle.

Alright, no need to say more.

Where else could it be...?

Perhaps only the coastal industrial products are exported most in Hongbang, the place in China!
From the grudge of Lu Zhenshou's arrow to the hatred of Ji Jue's theft of money, these are truly irreconcilable enemies in every sense of the word!
Before, you were causing trouble in the Federation, and I couldn't do anything about it. Now you've come right up to me... Let alone Mudahka, if I were in Ji Jue's shoes, I definitely wouldn't let it go.

If he keeps backing down, who will take him seriously anymore?!

"Should we hire a bodyguard? Abandoned Village also provides security services."

Shaban grinned: "Mr. Ji, you're so ambitious, it would be unreasonable for Mudahka not to make some kind of gesture... After all, he's notorious for being ruthless and a mad dog."

"That's horrible."

Ji Jue was immediately alarmed and grabbed Sha Ban's hand: "Brother Sha Ban, we hit it off right away, we can't just stand by and do nothing. Could you send me eighty or ninety security guards to try out for ten or fifteen days?"

If it works well, I'll definitely order a lot more!

Is a dog barking?

Shaban felt an itch in his ears, which was unbelievable.

No way, you're really used to getting freebies, aren't you? You come to the Central Plains and don't even pay for the food!
He turned around and looked at Ji Jue seriously, trying to figure out where this freeloading talent from the wasteland had come from.

Kid, you're really awesome!
“Even between brothers, accounts should be settled clearly. Besides, Huangji isn’t something I can decide on my own. If you’re unwilling to spend some money, I can’t help you.”

He sighed with melancholy, yet resolutely pulled his hand away from Ji Jue's grasp.

The hand was so smooth and slippery that Ji Jue couldn't even grasp it.

It's a real shame I can't get it for free.

They won't even let me try it out! What if I actually buy it?
Unfortunately, Shaban had already seen through Ji Jue's stingy nature and refused to be taken advantage of any longer.

Since he couldn't close this deal, he just moved on to the next one and wasn't too bothered. He then went on to look for new clients.

At the subsequent banquets, Ji Jue no longer caused any trouble.

After stating his position, he leisurely leaned against the rooftop railing, swirling the champagne in his hand.

Looking down at the night sky, I was drawn to the lights shining in the distance.

Even as night approached, the city was still brightly lit, with dazzling neon lights. But in the suburbs outside the city, only a few scattered, dim lights could be seen.

But in the deeper darkness, on the land that should have been a dull landscape, a dazzling color rose up and gradually spread, adorning the sky with a dancing, illusory light.

That's flame.

Flames spread between the shacks in the slums.

It gradually spread.

But amidst the dazzling lights of the city center, no one paid any attention, as if they had long since become accustomed to it.

As a newcomer, Ji Jue couldn't help but be drawn in, watching quietly, and for a moment, he was even a little lost in thought.

"The fire broke out in the nomadic settlement in the southern district."

A hoarse voice sounded from behind him, accompanied by the sound of phlegm.

In the dim light, the gaunt old man, draped in a gray robe, had a face full of wrinkles. His withered and aged body sat in a wheelchair, his two legs having long since been severed at the root.

His expression was far from warm; instead, it carried his usual indifference and aloofness.

Only the badge on his chest seemed so familiar.

Finally, he met a reliable acquaintance, and Ji Jue immediately relaxed.

Chongguang Church!

(End of this chapter)