In just a few days, the enmity between Xinquan and the Bloodwash Fleet, as well as Ji Jue's actions, have spread like wildfire, reaching almost every settlement in the wilderness.

Although the idea of a pirate who has been bounty hunted offering a bounty on others might sound absurd, the Desert Market is willing to make a deal as long as there is confirmation of an advance payment and your ability to pay. And with an amount so tempting that it makes everyone contemplate their life, future, and actions, almost everyone starts wondering if this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Should they seize the chance and give it a shot?!

Those bold enough to take on the bounty are sharpening their knives in the shadows, ready for action. But those without the capability or skills are left pondering whether they should wait for death on this ship that seems doomed to sink.

Rumors are spreading like wildfire among the common folk, especially with some people fanning the flames from the shadows—starting with Ji Jue recklessly toying with the lives of everyone in Xinquan, and certain big figures in Thousand Islands expressing their discontent, to the harsh words being spread by strange Water Ghosts…

Rumors like Ji Jue is courting death, all pirates have their eyes on Xinquan, Ji Jue has offended everyone, the Desert Market has already placed a Jianghu Murder Order, the Akatsuki organization has taken the bounty, all ten of the Espada from Void Circle are on the move, and the Four Emperors of the New World are coming to kill!

And when Ji Jue didn't show up for a few days, the rumors transformed again—the bastard has sneaked away quietly, leaving Spring City; Ji Jue is begging outside the governor's mansion, and Xu Chaoxian doesn't pay him a glance; the Tong family has already cut ties and cleared its association with Ji Jue, and so on…

There are even more seemingly logical ones: Ji Jue never intended to deal with the mess of Xinquan. All his actions are but an insidious plot to sacrifice everyone in Xinquan and all the pirates attacking, transforming into evil, and joining the Evil Cult…

All the details are laid out so vividly as if they had substance, even Ji Jue found them feasible, as if they were indeed something he could pull off.

Thus, amidst the chaos, people were restless.

Some were ready to run even before a single pirate hair appeared.

Even more were stirring up trouble within Xinquan, inciting unrest, and even calling for people to take up arms. You are unjust, and I am unrighteous; you started it, so everyone follows me, knives in hand, and kill the Ji dog!

There is no need to guess where these rumors are coming from and who is manipulating things.

When they meet weaker ones, they rush in, robbing and burning. When encountering stronger ones, they bribe traitors to create internal chaos, collaborating inside and out.

This has always been the usual path and process of those Water Ghosts from Thousand Islands, unchanged for years.

But it really works.

So much so that, even before the Bloodwash Fleet and many ship groups have set sail, Xinquan looks like it's in a stormy, precarious state.

There are countless people fleeing, and even those staying have their hearts uneasy. Some are even trying to incite friends from the management team to empty the warehouses, steal from the vault and make a run for it…

There are just too many fools.

Lu Feng's electric baton is sparking, but it cannot suppress everything.

Ji Jue never cared about those who wanted to leave; Xinquan isn't a demon's lair, people come and go freely. But for those who signed contracts and indentures, it's not as amiable.

They've enjoyed the benefits and treatments, and now they want to wipe their mouths and slip away like wiping their ass? What are they thinking!

Among those stirring up trouble, there were plenty of such characters; some even caused considerable damage directly on the production line.

In response, Ji Jue merely opened the door to the underground workshop lightly.

As if he were recruiting talents.

As long as people don't die, money can always be earned back.

By now, less than half the people remained in Xinquan compared to before, and those who were left either couldn't leave because they signed a contract or they had nowhere else to go, lying flat and enjoying a few more days awaiting death.

There are probably less than one-tenth of people genuinely hoping Ji Jue could win.

But Ji Jue didn't care, not a bit saddened—he was merely hiring workers, not raising Death Soldiers. Some benefits he implemented on a whim, just to make himself feel better; expecting these to buy people's hearts is overly naive.

Anyway, as long as there are cattle and horses to work for him, it's all good.

He doesn't care about the rest.

At least, if it really comes to crossing blades and fighting those Water Ghosts on the sea, this bunch of workers is far from enough.

Luckily, experts have arrived.

Two rumbling trucks drove into Xinquan, covered in mud, struggling after a tough journey, finally stopped unsteadily. Then, a group of burly men, each over two meters tall, jumped off the vehicles.

They assembled and almost blocked the street.

Unlike the skin tone of Federation people, their skin was slightly pale, eyes green, but with black hair, carrying streaks of natural curls.

Each person's spiritual aura had a hint of scarlet; gathered in such numbers, the spiritual wave they created was akin to a never-ending scarlet flame.

At the forefront, someone holding a waist knife stepped out, heading straight for Ji Jue.

Then, he bowed, respectfully saluting.

Expressing loyalty to the boss.

"Mr. Ji Jue, Knight Captain Slan of the Returning Knight, at your service!"

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