There's no such thing as a wall that doesn't leak information, especially not the ones at city hall, which are like honeycomb coal walls, so there's no hope for secrecy.

It didn't even take half an hour for all the people of Cliff City to know!

Xu Chaoxian crossed the road without looking at the traffic lights and hit the jackpot; Xu Chaoxian took a bath without turning off the power and got electrocuted; Xu Chaoxian stepped out with his left foot first and got hit by a flower pot; Xu Chaoxian's karma caught up, and he ate excrement to death; Xu Chaoxian couldn't accept the latest scientific theories and blew his mind; Xu Chaoxian reincarnated into another world...

In short, tens of thousands of death scenarios, each one as thrilling as the next, filled with all kinds of believable possibilities.

Unfortunately, the only drawback is...

He didn't die.

Now he's in the hospital fighting for his life!

When Ji Jue received news from Tong Shan, his heart was a mix of emotions: suddenly, he didn't know whether to hope the illness quickly defeats Xu Chaoxian or that it waits a bit longer...

At least wait until this storm passes!

"What's the situation exactly?"

Ji Jue couldn't make sense of it: "Perfectly fine, and then food poisoning? A prestigious governor wouldn't be eating expired pork trotter rice, would he?"

"Pork trotter rice is unlikely, but other questionable things, yes. After all, he... likes that stuff,"

Tong Shan sighed, "The chef made a Black Striped Sea Snake stew, didn't clean the venom sacs properly, and the temperature was insufficient. After eating it for lunch, he started vomiting blood during the afternoon meeting. Thankfully, Ji Xue was on duty, or no one might have reacted in time."

Ji Jue was silent for a long time, "The chef?"

"The chef is an old cook Xu Chaoxian brought over from Central City, has been with him for decades, and the whole family relies on Xu Chaoxian. If he's not trustworthy, Xu Chaoxian would have died decades ago."

"So it's purely coincidental then?" Ji Jue chuckled, "I've suddenly discovered a suspicious target."

Now it was Tong Shan's turn to be speechless.

Indeed, no matter how you look at it, the whole thing seems like a series of coincidences.

Coincidentally, an old black sea snake, coincidentally the venom sacs weren't cleaned, coincidentally due to a chemical factory explosion causing natural gas supply issues resulting in insufficient temperature, coincidentally the largest piece landed in Xu Chaoxian's dish, coincidentally eaten...

Such coincidences don't happen frequently in the world.

And those who excel in coincidences, probably... are none other than ether!

Everything like a book, the mundane like paper, the Chosen Ones of the Ether Path love these sprawling arrangements and setups revealed with twists... to the extent that manipulating fate isn't just empty talk.

The difference in the Embers Path's skill level is like cloud and mud—some are as outlandishly skilled as the Heavenly Furnace, and others are apprentices who haven't passed numerous craftsman examinations.

The Ether Path also follows suit, with no obvious show of skill, the hidden disparity only growing larger.

Simpletons can only compare to minor figures inserting themselves in maps, yet they fall far short of true ether big shots.

"Brother Shan, you know I support you being the governor," Ji Jue pledged loyalty sarcastically to Tong Shan, bullying the honest.

"Grandpa has been busy recently, a true Heavenly People wouldn't just fixate on Xu Chaoxian, right?" Tong Shan's ears automatically filtered out the barking noise, sighing wearily, "In this world, we're not the only ones skilled in ether."

This truly hit a sore spot.

Usually, Xu Chaoxian, the figurehead, mostly wasted food without practical use, though saying he's useless doesn't quite fit, especially given the current situation.

Lv Yingyue, Xu Chaoxian, the Tong family, none can be spared. Without Xu Chaoxian's communication, there wouldn't be promises between the two parties in Central City, and without the governor's position, the Tong family couldn't represent Cliff City.

"What's the result of the rescue?" Ji Jue asked, "Since he didn't die on the spot, it shouldn't be impossible to rescue him, right? If he's truly suffering from divine retribution, at least I can lend a membership card from Hope Hospital."

This time, it was Tong Shan who remained silent for a while.

Their conversation line upgraded with higher confidentiality amid his operations, after confirming Ji Jue was alone, Tong Shan vaguely said: "Xu Chaoxian's condition is unlike that of Chosen Ones or ordinary people, some methods don't work on him... I can't explain the specifics to you, but for now, we can only rely on emergency treatment.

The results aren't ideal, out of surgery, but still hasn't woken up.

Be cautious of everything, don't resist stubbornly if anything happens, as long as you can hold on, everything is alright, understood?"

"Though I don't completely understand, I sort of do."

Ji Jue sighed, "Brother Shan, you take care then."

After hanging up the phone, Ji Jue sat in the empty factory space, released a silent sigh.

Soon enough, he received a call from Ye Chun.

As expected, all the previously agreed sales merchants encountered problems.

Due to weather, financial issues, a wife in labor or all sorts of haphazard scenarios, anyway, cucumbers can't be sold for now.

The penalty will be paid, and if you're unhappy, we can bow; sincerely sorry for causing you trouble.

Not only did Yulou Trade encounter sabotage, but all sales channels, inside and outside the city, faced either accidents or overt and covert warnings.

Meanwhile, due to chemical pollution, Coastal Automobile Factory completely shut down.

Even with Tong Shan's storms and rain, with 99.9% falling away, leaving less than 0.1% residue, for ordinary people, it's still a risk for cancer and severe illnesses.

Since the afternoon, television coverage of chemical pollution has been nonstop, coupled with numerous bloody cases and past examples, many workers are fearful and considering resigning.

And within two hours after the leak, East City Echo Science and Technology, Northern Border Group, Sky City Industry in Yu City, and New Yuan Power in Central City, all participants in Hai Province's military bidding, suddenly jointly protested and questioned Coast's military qualifications and operational state.

When the struggling coast finally mustered up the strength to lift an arm, the corporate giants that had previously divided all market shares of the coast responded again, ruthlessly striking!

Echo Technology, Northern Border Group, Sky City Industry, and New Source—these four military enterprises affiliated with the Federation—represent more than just themselves; behind them lies tangled family powers and city interests, involving even the two political parties and the upper echelons of the Military Department, and many Hai Province people who have feasted off the coast's downfall for a long time…

It was like the seamless flow of Ji Jue's turnaround with cucumbers back then; when luck came, everything seemed possible. But once a reversal happened, things plunged into the abyss.

The prior minor squabbles and coldly watching were merely waiting for the prey to show itself amidst the muddy waters.

Once they make a move, they spare no means.

Even Xu Chaoxian was sent to the hospital!

Ji Jue even suspected that, compared to all this, the chemical pollution leak was just a decoy to draw attention.

At this moment, facing the complex situation and far-reaching struggles, Ji Jue finally felt the helplessness and exhaustion of a pawn crossing the river and a protruding beam.

No matter how bravely you march forward, the outcome of the situation has never concerned me.

"We are so small, Isis."

Ji Jue leaned back in the chair, sighed self-deprecatingly.

"You have merely joined a game of decay that is too long."

The Spirit of Workshop said coldly: "If you need comfort, I will try to offer it, but it seems to me that you might not require such meaningless encouragement.

If you are tired of all this, you can withdraw anytime."

Ji Jue asked, "What if I die without regret, still overestimating myself?"

"As your tool and slave, do I have any other choice?" Isis responded without hesitation: "I shall serve you, sir, until I witness your tragic end."

"Then let's continue."

Ji Jue laughed, staring at the messages on the screen, the complex networks formed by the four military enterprises and their countless connections, even the dazzling awards at the forefront: Shang Tongwen, Lv Tianhao, Li Yu'an, Gao Yue…

The screen went dark, reflecting a face devoid of expression.

After suffocating for so many years, having finally breathed in a breath of fresh air, no one could make Ji Jue let go of it!

He picked up the phone again.

"Hello, senior sister, um, the equipment is currently fine, the pollution still lingers quite a bit, don't come back yet.

The production of the small tricycles has already been moved to the auxiliary factory, and the new factory area in Spring City is being rebuilt; just focus on resuming cucumber production.

As for the workers' arrangement, well, let's treat it like a holiday team-building; anyway, the budget is still sufficient. Until the factory issue is resolved, find a few farmhouse resorts and holiday villages to spend a few days, I'll have to trouble you in this area.

As for the new production plan, I need to discuss further with Yan Gong…"

"That's why I'm calling you."

On the other end, Ye Chun sighed, "At noon, Yan Jian took people to collect a batch of parts just arrived at the port, and then couldn't be contacted.

A moment ago, the other two workers who went with him were dumped at the hospital entrance, and their condition isn't good, their hands are broken."

Ji Jue instinctively straightened up:

"Where's Yan Jian?"

"Yan Jian is still detained."

Ye Chun lowered her head, flipping through the just-found information: "The shipping company that sent this batch of goods is from Thousand Islands, pretending to be Desert Market, not coming with good intentions.

The leader is called Ling Zhou, a Federation born, head horse of the Northern Thousand Island Hub Grey Port, with a debt in hand collected from somewhere unknown, claiming that debts should be repaid, which is perfectly justified.

If you want the goods and the person, you have to personally explain."

Ji Jue was silent.

For a long time, a soft sigh.

"Indeed, treated like a soft persimmon…"

"It seems they're targeting the coast," Ye Chun asked, "Do you want to contact the Security Bureau?"

"No need."

Ji Jue resolutely shook his head: "For Desert Market's explanation, I'll find Desert Market to give it."

"It's your decision, but if anything happens, don't forget to talk to aunt," Ye Chun said, "No matter what, people from Tide Voice can't be randomly handled by Desert Market."

"Such a trivial matter, there's no need to trouble the teacher."

After Ji Jue hung up the phone, he found Chen Xingzhou's number.

"Hello? Mr. Ji, please hold on a moment."

After the call connected, the voice on the other end remained calm and warm, as always:

"I'll be ready soon."

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