Chapter 1050 - 916: Loneliness
Jilt wasn’t planning to provoke the Planet Government—strictly speaking, the syndicate has a considerable number of connections within the Government.
He merely wanted to display his side’s stance to Qu Jianlei and others through such actions.
Moreover, during such critical times, raising vigilance to effectively protect oneself is indeed necessary—what if someone is blind to the risks?
In any case, the local forces and the incoming dragons forming a strong alliance undoubtedly enhance the sense of security for both sides.
However, with this maneuver from the Planet Government, it becomes quite difficult for the Military to intervene in this matter.
There’s no talk of forced rebellion in the Empire, but if there’s unrest locally, someone has to be held accountable, right?
Under these circumstances, if the local Government and the Military are on opposing sides, they’ll inevitably blame each other.
The Military basically has no chance of prevailing in the blame game—Ping’an is just a local syndicate.
Military intervention in local affairs is itself a taboo, and without support from the local Government, taking the blame is inevitable.
After Flower Scorpion’s message went out, still no major incidents occurred.
Not only has the Military not stepped in, but even the people of Taiping are gradually retreating from the Purple Star, clearly indicating they’re admitting defeat.
As for Xijiesi’s response? No reaction whatsoever, it’s rumored even the people have disappeared.
Nevertheless, the Planet Government won’t step up to help Ping’an find this person.
The reason is simple, "What happens in the underworld, is resolved in the underworld."
Ultimately, he is a Supreme being, with special privileges; matters from the business world should be settled in the business realm.
While the Purple Star Government is on good terms with Ping’an, the Celestial River Star Realm Government has a decent relationship with Taiping as well, why stir up trouble without reason?
Those forces that once opposed Ping’an have all retreated again, unwilling to venture recklessly.
The difference lies in that some forces have retreated more, clearly intending to sever ties completely, while others have retreated less, possibly harboring intentions.
But these appearances mean little, if Ping’an flips the situation again, those who’ve retreated the fiercest might rush forward the most eagerly.
In short, Ping’an has achieved great expansion during this time, causing those weighty individuals to retreat threefold in places they arrive.
In the blink of an eye, two months have passed since Flower Scorpion sent out the message, still with no movement.
"Seems they’ll pretend to be dead," Qu Jianlei remarked to everyone, "Since nothing’s happening recently, I’m thinking of returning to Gemini Star."
"The primary reason is the looming deadline, so I’m considering if I can make some money to repay the loan."
"Let’s go together," the Paranoid voiced his opinion, "Anyway, it’s temporarily inconvenient to use the Array here."
The potential opponents haven’t emerged, but those present aren’t lacking caution, all agreed to temporarily refrain from setting up the Array.
Besides, everyone’s condition is still good, and no one is in urgent need to Break Through in the short term.
"Need to leave someone behind," Qu Jianlei answered, "We’re collecting fifty million annually from others, so we must leave a Supreme in Purple Pool."
"Then let it be me," Granny Jia volunteered, "I’ll help guard the fort for you."
Qu Jianlei felt assured of Granny Jia’s vigilance and knew her capability in handling matters.
However, Granny Jia wasn’t young anymore, still nurturing thoughts of making another impact beyond Supreme, and wasn’t suitable for intense battles.
Having expended a Life-Extending Pill, Qu Jianlei wouldn’t want to waste his prized asset.
"You’re suitable for support; leave another Supreme for main force output. Who else is willing to stay?"
"Then let it be me," Qinghu answered solemnly, "Can’t let those two be separated."
Paranoid and Mu Yu exchanged a glance without making a sound.
Thus it was settled, and before leaving, Qu Jianlei still reminded Qinghu to heed Granny Jia’s advice.
That night, Qu Jianlei and the five others departed.
The next morning, Duoduo came to report on the related matters, but was shocked to discover Lord Huang Tian wasn’t present.
Instead, Granny Jia, whom she had interacted with several times before, was there, "Greetings, Lord, is Lord Huang Tian unavailable?"
"They went out to handle some matters," Granny Jia replied cheerfully, "Don’t worry, there’s a Supreme staying behind."
"You’re a Supreme as well, right?" Duoduo gathered her courage, trying to befriend, "You’ve been getting younger lately."
"I’m not the only Supreme," Granny Jia replied kindly, "There are two Supremes here, no need to worry."
Duoduo glanced up, noticing Qinghu, slightly taken aback: this one’s also a Supreme?
But she was already different from a year ago, no longer curious about who among them is Supreme and who isn’t.
Because a part of the attack on Kopache and Collins had eventually leaked out.
Say no more, at least many people heard: Ping’an had recently embraced a major backer with "particularly many" Supremes.
So Duoduo smiled slightly, "Then I’ll leave the hard work to the two Lords, by the way, when will those Lords return?"
"At most half a year," Granny Jia replied cheerfully, "Aren’t they coming back for the Energy Stone Ore excavation then?"
"Half a year is manageable," Duoduo breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, as she was indeed worried they would be gone for years.
After all, everyone knows that once Supremes get busy, there are many matters to attend to.
Qu Jianlei and the five purchased passenger tickets to the Blade Star Realm using their current identities.
They didn’t fly directly to Gemini Star, mainly to avoid creating associative imaginations.
After arriving at Blade, the five of them played around for four or five days, leaving enough traces before changing identities to head to Homeland Star.
But admittedly, the folk customs of Blade are truly fierce.
Even though there are many cameras on the Habitable Star, fights are still not uncommon.
It’s indeed the kind of social atmosphere where a phrase like "What are you looking at?" can lead to a head-bashing brawl.
Upon arriving at Homeland Star, as soon as they got off the starship, Qu Jianlei’s face changed.
Xiao Moshan’s perception was sharp; he asked quietly, "Boss, what’s wrong?"
"Nothing," Qu Jianlei shook his head and then said gravely, "Let’s go to the farm first."
According to their departure arrangements, there should be three people at the farm, with ABB cultivation levels, namely Mountain Fortress, Youyou, and Celestial Sound.
But now, only Youyou and Celestial Sound are there, with the highest cultivation level Fourth Master missing.
On the surface, the farm looks pretty good; crops, trees, and livestock are there, and it’s well managed.
However, these tasks are not something two women can handle alone, so they hired some local people, about a dozen in total.
If you’re too busy, you hire people; nothing to say about that. But with old and young living happily together – it shouldn’t be just a day or two.
As expected, when the five drove to the edge of the farm, not far away a twelve or thirteen-year-old kid looked over.
He asked cautiously, "Who are you people?"
Flower Scorpion poked her head out of the car and replied casually, "You work at my house, and you ask me who I am?"
"Tell them, someone’s back."
As soon as her words fell, dust rose in the distance, and a motorcycle sped over; it was Youyou on the bike. "You guys finally came back!"
She saw Flower Scorpion in the monitor and rushed out without thinking, with a face full of joy, but also tinged with a little fear.
Flower Scorpion nodded, "Alright, let’s talk inside."
Since leaving Homeland until now, it’s been about two and a half, almost three years—it feels like a dream.
However, no one hurried to engage in small talk.
Upon entering the estate, Qu Jianlei immediately asked, "Where’s Fourth Master? Why does it feel like he hasn’t come back for a long time?"
"He went to Paradise, been gone for over half a year," Youyou responded solemnly, "There was a situation over there."
"Bentley took Claire away, manpower was already scarce, then someone took an interest in our guesthouse..."
There are also three people left at the guesthouse on Paradise Star: Xiang Xue, Xiao Qin, and Claire.
Two years ago, Bentley returned piloting the Omen Ship and has been running between Homeland and Paradise, providing some support.
But after half a year, without waiting for Qu Jianlei and others to return, he, being restless, set out to find them.
Everyone knows that searching for someone in space is harder than finding a needle in a haystack, but he insisted on going.
Moreover, nobody can stop him; he’s searching for the team leader.
Claire volunteered to go along, as piloting a starship alone was exhausting.
Actually, Claire wasn’t the only one who wanted to go, but both Homeland and Paradise needed personnel for their affairs.
The six people were reduced to five, originally already stretched thin, and then more than half a year ago, someone took interest in the guesthouse.
At Paradise, only Xiang Xue and Xiao Qin are left. Although the work there was outsourced to a labor company, there weren’t many affairs.
But with trouble arising, two women were not enough; upon hearing the news from Homeland Star, Fourth Master went to support.
As for the farm here, it was operated in a well-ordered manner, without any potential dangers.
Previously, when Qu Jianlei was around, he had an outburst, leaving a lasting impression on the nearby mayor and the city guards.
Moreover, the farm’s profit isn’t large, so even with just two women, they can manage it completely.
The two women hired local people and pay them rather well. Those people also know many from the farm are away, so they’re quite vigilant.
After hearing this, Qu Jianlei frowned slightly, "Is the situation at Paradise serious?"
Youyou nodded, then shook her head, "The pressure from the government over there is very high, but it’s not too urgent."
"The government... what trouble are they adding," Qu Jianlei muttered with a frown, feeling slightly relieved.
Since he crossed over, except for Garbage Star, he never felt any government executed power strongly.
Simply put, the government feels more like a secondary authority, with the influence of capital being greater.
So he asked another question, "How many energy blocks did Bentley take with him, going without returning?"
"He returned once after going out for half a year," Youyou replied solemnly, "About a year ago, he left again."
"He took quite a few energy blocks, saying space conditions are complex, planning to be prepared for contingencies."
"However, he said he’d be back in a year, and now it’s almost time."
Qu Jianlei was silent for a long time before sighing, "This guy is getting on in years, why doesn’t he just focus on cultivation?"
The subordinates not obeying orders, recklessly wasting energy blocks, is something he dislikes.
But in this life... have I become quite successful?
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