Above Destiny

Chapter 846 Localized Necrosis

"It's not about reneging on a debt, absolutely not! What are you saying!"

In the reception room on Roh Island, a sweating businessman hurriedly bowed his head and explained to the representative from the coast, "It's just that the turnover of large sums of money is currently subject to some restrictions, so it's not as quick as it used to be..."

"is that so."

The young coastal representative seemed to realize something.

“That’s right.” The chamber of commerce manager nodded frantically: “We’ve had this relationship for so many years, we would never renege on a debt owed to Seven City.”

"That's true, but after all this time, shouldn't we at least get a straight answer?" The receptionist sighed. "There's all sorts of gossip going around. If people who don't know the situation see this, they'll think we're going to die."

"The headquarters is currently very strict with the review process. Besides, both resale and distribution require customers. We really don't know when the payment will come through."

The manager wiped his sweat and solemnly assured him, "I will immediately write a report to urge them upon my return, and I will certainly not delay your time."

"Alright, then I'll trouble you."

The reception at the coast was equally polite, and no further action was taken.

The atmosphere between the two gradually improved, and they reconciled.

After a few casual words, the Chamber of Commerce representative, Zhiji, got up to take his leave. The receptionist from the coast shook hands with him and saw him off. The two walked toward the door with warm smiles, maintaining their original close and friendly business relationship.

Until, a moment of silence.

The coast guard staff suddenly stopped, straightened their bodies, and their previously warm smiles turned serious. They raised their heads and bowed to the approaching crowd.

The chamber of commerce manager, who was standing nearby and didn't know what was going on, was stunned for a moment. He followed the man's gaze and saw someone he hadn't expected.

That face...

He instinctively held his breath and froze on the spot.

"Mr. Ji..."

Who is this?

Ji Jue, who was walking in through the door, looked over.

The receptionist immediately replied, "This is Mr. Loran, the business manager of the Shiye Group."

Then it dawned on Ji Jue: "The one who defaulted on the debt?"

"It's all a misunderstanding." Before Loran could react, the receptionist beside him immediately replied, "He just assured us that he would not delay our payment schedule."

"I see."

Ji Jue suddenly realized, nodded, and then laughed, looking at him: "Really, it won't cause any delay?"

Then, that gradually paling face twitched, trying hard to maintain the fawning smile, but unable to smile.

"Then you should keep it up!"

Ji Jue patted him on the shoulder one last time and continued walking forward.

"Yes Yes."

Loran nodded subconsciously, but didn't know what he was saying, nor did he hear a response.

Only the crowd hurried past, the dense footsteps fading into the distance.

"Please, Manager Loran."

The receptionist smiled again, gestured to the outside, and told him:

"The car is ready."

"It's almost like a fart."

When the 'receptionist' returned, he knocked directly on Ji Jue's office door and calmly reported: "He's a pathetic wretch who was thrown out as a scapegoat. He probably knows it himself. Although he made his promise with great conviction, he actually had no confidence at all."

Seeing his confident and resolute demeanor, I was actually almost prepared to risk my life to shut you up.

"Thank you for your hard work, Ah Chang."

Ji Jue waved and handed over a cup of tea.

"It's just my duty." Yan Chang sat very upright, but his movements were quite natural and relaxed when he took the tea from Ji Jue. "Do you need me to continue working with you for a while longer?"

That Manager Loran's mental fortitude has probably reached its limit. If given a chance, he might be able to make a difference.

"Since he's just an insignificant pawn, there's no need to bother with him anymore. He's quite good at lying, though. I'll have someone keep an eye on him later."

Ji Jue waved his hand and said, "Old Gou called again to urge you. I'll take you back to the Central Plains later. We still need to trouble you with the business there. There's so much to do, so take care of yourself."

Also, I can ignore everything else, but you're responsible for handing in your brother's homework regularly... A perfectly good Ember, spending all his time with a flock of white deer, has forgotten his own job.

"I will keep a close eye on it."

Yan Chang smiled, full of anticipation.

"How can Huangji be such a damn bastard, never giving anyone a moment's peace of mind?"

Ji Jue sat down, sighed in frustration, and completely forgot how much he and Huang Ji had loved each other when they were having an affair.

To be precise, it's not entirely accurate to call it "Wild Gathering." Strictly speaking, it's either a branch of Wild Gathering, or a roundabout name, belonging to the three Wild Gathering sub-regions: Ishiba Islands, Misty Reef, and Iron Hook Zone.

If placed in the western part of the Endless Sea, it could almost be considered the Wilderness Gathering itself.

In this region, any major transaction cannot bypass these places. Due to the needs of all parties, Huangji acts as a platform and intermediary, and also provides guarantees for all parties. At the same time, it ensures that if any party wants to circumvent the rules, these trivial issues can be dealt with.

The chambers of commerce and companies that are now delaying payments to the seven cities are almost all related to these companies in some way.

Now that the harmful winds have subsided, the endless sea has entered a period of retaliatory development.

Like wild beasts emerging from hibernation after a harsh winter, everyone was parched and desperate. Many islands, ravaged by the monsters, were in ruins, scarred and devastated… The desire to rebuild, to revive, to be well-fed, to rest, and even to give people eternal rest—everywhere, in every place, was urgent.

With shortages and demands everywhere, it should be a time to make a fortune, but Huangji has turned the tables and sabotaged things for itself.

Several large orders have yet to receive payment.

Even though the amount owed was not much, it set a very bad precedent and even served as a demonstration to some extent.

To many, this could even be interpreted as a signal released by the desolate settlement... From today onwards, I will no longer pay the coastal taxes; you can do as you please.

Ji Jue's expression gradually became serious.

What exactly are these bastards trying to do?

"Undoubtedly, this is a test, Your Excellency." A respectful voice sounded from the side, bringing Ji Jue back to his senses. He turned his head and saw a semi-transparent figure, and was slightly taken aback.

"what?"

Ji Jue looked closely and was surprised: "How come you're still here?"

"..."

Minkler's dead father, Bustaman, trembled and dared not speak: pondering Mr. Ji's meaning, something seemed amiss!

Does this mean I have to take the initiative to set off?
Ji Jue looked him over and marveled – so this is why they say the potential of life is limitless.

That old dog really knows how to live!
Even struck by lightning, he survived; even when the Supreme Virtue and the Great Evil reigned supreme, he could still hide in some corner and eke out a living. Even when the household gods went out of control and exploded, he could still continue to exist thanks to the copies he left behind. He appeared only much thinner than before, barely visible, and in a worse state, but at least he had managed to survive.

"The offering you gave?" He looked at Minkler.

“I thought this old man might still be of some use to you, so I used some of my own blood to nourish him,” Minkler explained. “This time, he also wanted to show off. If you don’t like it…”

"You decide what's going on; I won't interfere."

Ji Jue nodded and looked at the fawning Bustaman: "Come on, tell me, what's going on?"

"You may have a misconception about this matter."

Bustaman replied respectfully, "To you, this is due to the interference of Araji, but... cough cough, emmmm..."

The more he spoke, the more he hesitated, constantly observing Ji Jue's expression. But Ji Jue remained expressionless throughout, gradually becoming impatient: "Just say what you have to say, or shut up. Stop being so mysterious, or I might just bite the lighter for you!"

"Yes Yes!"

Bustaman's figure flickered intensely. Finally, he mustered his courage, wiped his sweat, and said, "What I mean is, perhaps, maybe, in the eyes of outsiders... you've slightly... you've... overstepped your bounds?"

"I?"

Ji Jue was stunned, pointed to himself, and asked incredulously, "You've overstepped the line? When?"

Bustaman fell silent for a moment.

I don't know how to answer.

The answer is, from the moment he began to control the entire Seven Cities.

After taking control of the entire Seven Cities Alliance, the Coast undertook a complete transformation, completely changing Ji Jue's appearance. While monopolizing and controlling everything, it also uprooted one of the largest markets in the Endless Sea that Huangji had previously operated!
Smuggling, organ trafficking, banned drugs...

Ji Jue has cut off the largest market and widest distribution channels in the western part of the Endless Sea, as well as countless illegal business routes leading to the Federation.

Without Qicheng as a source of goods, market, and distribution channel, countless people have suffered heavy losses.

This is the source of food and clothing for millions of people living among the thousands of islands!

Ji Jue reconnected his blood vessels from Xinquan to Zhongtu, but in the end, he broke the legs of countless people in Huangji, to the point that they couldn't be reconnected!

In particular, they also placed two dogs, Jinmao and Ling Shuo, at the door to keep a close watch, constantly clearing out and suppressing the smuggling, both overtly and covertly, to prevent it from making a comeback.

It's as if they're so full that they want everyone else to starve.

He even ignored the repeated attempts by various parties to meet with him.

To others, the man surnamed Ji was utterly depraved.

It's one thing to eat alone, but why the hell did you smash the pot?
Are we just going to give up on life?

"Your actions have likely caused dissatisfaction among various parties."

As an observer, Bustaman could understand the difference in thinking between Ji Jue and the people of the Thousand Islands: "To be honest, this matter is not that serious."

If I'm not mistaken, they just want you to come forward and talk to them in person.

Even if Ji Jue clings tightly to his plate and refuses to let go, why not turn a blind eye and leave a way out for everyone?

This is a win-win situation.

Furthermore, if Ji Jue were willing to compromise, they could even contribute money and effort to the Seven Cities to maintain this largest transit point from the Thousand Islands to the Federation. In that case, all businesses could continue, and perhaps even thrive.

It is foreseeable that by then, the drug addicts who have been nearly driven to despair and poverty over the past few months will be overjoyed to welcome the king's army and obediently hand over their meager savings to exchange for a little bit of insignificant chemical bliss.

With the help of Huangji, distributors and dealers in various regions will naturally spare no effort to promote Coast's products and help Coast expand...

Another way to make money while lying down has been completed. This powerful alliance is sure to bring endless benefits!

The only problem is...

"What's so good about it?"

Ji Jue asked expressionlessly, glancing at Bustaman, and suddenly asked, "If I want to make money, do I need their favor?"

Bustaman didn't dare to speak and obediently lowered his head.

"Seven cities are mine."

Ji Jue sneered indifferently: "When did my things become their treasure trove?"

talk?
Let's have a chat.

That's settled then, no discussion, don't even think about it.

dream!

Three days later, Coastal Industries once again urged chambers of commerce that were delaying final payments through official channels.

After yet another insincere and perfunctory response, the coast issued its final warning.

From small home appliances to automobiles, generators, and drones.

All products sold by the relevant chambers of commerce have had their internal product serial numbers removed.

Although the goods already sold on the market can still be used normally, all the goods stockpiled in the warehouse have turned into scrap metal!
Now, it's the chambers of commerce that have accumulated a huge amount of waste that are starting to get anxious. However, this time, it's the coast that's resorting to the same perfunctory excuses and prevarications.

Amidst this cold yet anxious tug-of-war, someone suddenly arrived at the Huangji branch of the Iron Hook District with their identification.

As the last surviving bloodline and final heir of the once-dominant family on Ma Island, the other party asserted its ownership of Ma Island and denounced Ji Jue's despicable actions of annexing seven cities, seizing other people's property, and causing widespread resentment among the people. They demanded that Ji Jue immediately return Ma Island and stop making the same mistake again.

With one in charge, the remaining offspring of the other families also started making a ruckus, creating a huge news story on the endless sea and attracting countless eyes.

Seven Cities has remained completely silent on this matter.

What the heck?

I'd be mortified if I even glanced at this garbage!
Amidst this unexpected commotion and amusement, all parties expressed strong concern and offered any assistance beyond practical help, urging both sides to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

In reality, everyone knows perfectly well that these people are nothing more than pawns pushed out to muddy the waters, utterly useless.

Everyone knows what Qiandao Island is like.

Let alone seizing power, wiping out entire families over the most trivial matters is common practice for Ji Jue. As the actual owner of the Seven Cities, everyone considers him merciful for allowing these insignificant fellows to live until now.

You could say they brought it on themselves.

See? He hesitated for a moment, and now look what's happened.
The real key point is that, thanks to the vigorous antics of these clowns, various deserted villages have finally been provided with a reason to cause trouble.

The angle is equally tricky.

Given the dispute over the sovereignty of the Seven Cities, the revenue and final payments owed by the various families in the Seven Cities for the sale of the remains of the calamity beasts entrusted to the Wilderness Market during the previous period of the plague have all entered the review process.

Now that the operating entity has changed, should such a large sum of money still be paid?

After spending the entire night studying various versions of contract law from across the Federal Empire and the Thousand Islands, they still couldn't reach a conclusion.

Ugh, this is so annoying!

(End of this chapter)