2768 Kong Huan’s Rage!
The Iron Hammer Federation was on the best terms with the Great Lush Federation. The latter’s trade volume with the Iron Hammer Federation was far greater than its trade volume with the Divine Wood Federation.
Although the Startling Lines Continent had entered a state of peace, there was deep resentment between the Divine Wood Federation and the Great Lush Federation. Even if this resentment was not actively mentioned, it was still seared into their citizens’ bones and could not be removed easily.
Hence, even if Luo Lan wanted to scheme against another federation, her target should be the Divine Wood Federation and not the Great Lush Federation.
Waves of fright washed over Jin Qianxun. He struggled to calm down even some time after Jin Lü left.
Given Jin Qianxun’s understanding of Luo Lan, she was open to communication but strongly enforced her stance.
Luo Lan would never intentionally interfere with other federations. She knew that if she did so when the three federations were structured the way they were, Lin Yuan would be displeased when he learned about what she did.
Lin Yuan wanted there to be equality among the three federations because he did not want any federation to fall under the control of another federation.
Luo Lan had to mentally prepare herself before sending Jin Lü to warn him.
The Flower Mink Mouse had been as healthy as it could have been when it was in the cage, jumping around and baring its teeth. But after consuming the quince blossom buds in a mad frenzy, its stomach expanded and broke.
By trying to take sole control of the harbor and claiming benefits for his own federation, Jin Qianxun was just like this Flower Mink Mouse.
At that moment, fear gripped Jin Qianxun.
He ignored everything else and prepared to contact Luo Lan.
After some pondering, he did not use the Thoughts Letter Paper to contact Luo Lan. Instead, he called her over the phone.
Originally, communication in the Great Lush Federation was limited to within the federation. But as Lin Yuan altered the Startling Lines Continent’s infrastructure, he set up numerous special spiritual ingredients that could transmit signals. This enabled calls to be made across the entire continent.
However, after becoming accustomed to using the Thoughts Letter Paper, Jin Qianxun had not used his phone for communication in a very long time.
The messages in the Thoughts Letter Paper were recorded and could be checked. Jin Qianxun did not want evidence of his attempt to take sole control over the harbor to be left behind.
Luo Lan picked up his call very quickly.
She had been waiting for Jin Qianxun’s call ever since she arranged the matter.
Given her understanding of Jin Qianxun, he would respond to her gesture regardless of whether he heeded her advice.
If he had yet to heed her advice, she could still try to persuade him over the phone!
However, if Jin Qianxun insisted on his original plan even after the call, there would no longer be any hope for him.
Luo Lan could thus prepare herself for a change in the Great Lush Federation’s ruler.
“Jin Qianxun, you must be calling me because of Jin Lü. If there’s anything you want to say to me, don’t beat around the bush and just come out and say it! I can keep your secrets as long as it doesn’t disrupt the Startling Lines Continent! If I wasn’t sincere, I wouldn’t have sent Jin Lü to you!”
Luo Lan did not want to argue with Jin Qianxun. Just like how she did not trust him most of the time, he would not be fully trusting of her either. At the end of the day, both of them were rivals.
Hence, they needed to clear the air in order to communicate effectively. This would also bring the two of them closer together.
Now that Luo Lan had expressed such an attitude, she would understand his intention if he showed an unwillingness to continue the topic.
In such a case, she would no longer communicate with him in such a manner again in the future. She might even shove him from the back to quicken his fall from grace.
Jin Qianxun’s expression faltered. He felt certain that she knew something. Otherwise, she would not have sent Jin Lü to deliver trash like the Flower Mink Mouse and quince blossom buds to him.
“You know that I have been trying to take control of the harbor. I want to ask you if you think that by doing so, I am like the Flower Mink Mouse guzzling the quince blossom buds.”
Luo Lan’s straightforwardness led to the right response from Jin Qianxun.
Luo Lan smiled brightly. It seemed that Jin Qianxun intended to form an alliance with her!
If she helped Jin Qianxun and the Great Lush Federation, he would inevitably have to return the favor in the future.
“At least the Flower Mink Mouse could overstuff itself with quince blossoms before it died as a result of its gluttony.
“The harbor is something that the Great Lush Federation should never have tried to covet. In the beginning, 50 Island Whales were immediately invested in the harbor. I thought this was enough to make you see things clearly. I never expected your mind to become clouded by some insincere flattery from the other federation envoys.
“Once the harbor is expanded, the Startling Lines Continent’s three federations combined won’t be able to compare, much less the Great Lush Federation on its own. The harbor is meant to be the Radiance Federation’s gate to the rest of the world. It doesn’t have much to do with the Startling Lines Continent.
“You actually tried to dip your fingers into such an important entity. How do you think Lord Lin Yuan will feel about this? If I were you, I would immediately remove my men from around the harbor and then find the opportunity to explain myself to Lord Lin Yuan. If he decides to step in before that happens, you might lose the opportunity to salvage the situation!”
Buckets of cold sweat began dripping down Jin Qianxun’s back.
Luo Lan had given Jin Qianxun a similar warning in the past. However, she had not been as clear as she was now.
Jin Qianxun had been blinded by his desires back then as well.
But now, as the harbor’s construction came closer and closer to completion, Jin Qianxun realized that the Great Lush Federation did not have the ability to manage the harbor.
Jin Qianxun had already spent numerous lonely nights terrified by this realization.
Now, he no longer felt confident about gambling with his and the Jin family’s future.
“Luo Lan, you are the closest to Lord Lin Yuan. Please help me. What do I need to do to resolve this misunderstanding?”
Luo Lan fell silent instead of responding immediately. It was only when he repeated his question that she said, “I can’t give you an exact answer to this. It depends on your actions! Acting now might not earn the Lord’s forgiveness. But if you don’t act within the next week, you will have to pay the price for your greed!”
Luo Lan hung up upon saying that and stopped concerning herself with Jin Qianxun. She knew that Wen Yu had to be by Lin Yuan’s side now that he had some free time. She would definitely give him unfiltered reports of the recent happenings in the main world.
After learning of what had happened, Lin Yuan would certainly step in to handle the situation.
Luo Lan was still the one reporting to Wen Yu about the situation in the Startling Lines Continent.
…
As Jin Qianxun listened to the static sounds on the other end of the call and mulled over Luo Lan’s final words, he eventually called Jin Zhanming in hastily.
Jin Zhanming was still holding the tray of tea and snacks. Before he could place them on the table, Jin Qianxun said anxiously, “Zhanming, send out my order this instant. All the men stationed around the harbor are to be dismissed immediately. Let the harbor’s workers continue their work as usual! By tomorrow morning, I want it to look like the harbor is separate from the Great Lush Federation!”
Jin Zhanming had never seen Jin Qianxun in such a state. At that moment, his demeanor was slightly unbecoming for the Great Lush Federation’s ruler. However, this also showed just how urgent the matter was.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I will send out your order right now!”
Jin Zhanming immediately went to work.
Jin Qianxun did not wait until the next morning when all of the Great Lush Federation’s forces had retreated from the harbor to contact Lin Yuan. Rather, once he composed himself, he immediately contacted Lin Yuan through the Thoughts Letter Paper.
Jin Qianxun never expected to get a response from Lin Yuan on the same day. Usually, whenever he contacted Lin Yuan, it took a very long time for him to get a reply!
Lin Yuan was not overly interested in what was going on with the harbor because he knew that the harbor and the entire Startling Lines Continent were under his control. If there were any issues, he would cleanly remove the source of the problems.
However, unless it was absolutely necessary, Lin Yuan did not want to swap out Jin Qianxun.
This was because Jin Qianxun had been doing a good job of governing the Great Lush Federation. He was also able to develop it in the right direction. Lin Yuan could not be certain that Jin Qianxun’s replacement would be equally as competent.
Moreover, Lin Yuan did feel some attachment to these people who had been with him for some time. If they committed errors but were able to see and fix their issues, Lin Yuan would give them a chance.
Jin Qianxun was one such example.
Lin Yuan did not know why Jin Qianxun suddenly changed, but all that mattered was that Jin Qianxun was able to see the error of his ways.
Lin Yuan replied to Jin Qianxun.
[Lin Yuan]: I am aware of your previous thoughts and motives. You don’t have to try to spin your ambition in a positive light. Having ambition isn’t a bad thing. However, it needs to be directed toward the correct objectives. If directed towards the wrong objectives, it will only lead to trouble. The Great Lush Federation doesn’t have the ability to take sole ownership of the harbor. I’m sure you have come to realize this.
[Lin Yuan]: In the future, a specific faction will manage the harbor. At the end of the day, the harbor is located in the Startling Lines Continent. The Divine Wood, Great Lush, and Iron Hammer Federations will be able to participate in its management. The three federations will share 30% of the profits from the harbor! This means that you will also need to take up the respective responsibility of managing the harbor!
Lin Yuan did not waste time reprimanding Jin Qianxun. This was the last chance he was giving him.
Wen Yu would send out her instructions tomorrow afternoon. At that time, white-clothed followers would take over the harbor’s supervision.
If the Great Lush Federation maintained control of the harbor upon the arrival of the white-clothed followers, Wen Yu’s directive was clear: eliminate Jin Qianxun immediately.
Jin Qianxun had essentially saved his own life.
Furthermore, Lin Yuan did not have to worry about Jin Qianxun forming harmful ambitions. If he did, Lin Yuan would not offer him any more chances.
After his conversation with Lin Yuan, Jin Qianxun’s gratitude toward Luo Lan increased exponentially. But at the same time, he was extremely happy.
Lin Yuan had decided to give 30% of the profits to the GDivine Wood, Great Lush, and Iron Hammer Federations.
After the harbor was expanded, it would be able to house at least 1,000 Island Whales. Even sharing 30% of the profits would allow each federation to earn enormous wealth!
Jin Qianxun felt that he needed to thank Luo Lan.
…
Lin Yuan was currently holding Merciful Soul.
Even after evolving to World Emperor/Divine Kingdom, Merciful Soul still preferred not to be in human form. Rather, it took the form of a small beast that was about the size of the palm.
Merciful Soul wanted to cling to Lin Yuan at every moment.
Genius and Chimey were already very clingy. But neither of them could hold a candle to Merciful Soul.
At the Sky Beyond the Clouds…
In one of the halls of Honor Absent Palace, the ground was covered in a mess. Countless valuable items had been smashed to smithereens.
Kong Huan slammed her hand forcefully on one of the stone pillars in the hall.
Luckily, the stone pillars in the hall were all made of exceptionally sturdy stone. Otherwise, Kong Huan’s hand might have broken the stone pillar apart.
Kong Mu stood off the side. She dared not even take a breath. In truth, she felt every bit as furious as Kong Huan.
Kong Huan had been under the impression she had successfully recruited Fan Lou into her camp and turned this captain of a Boundary Patrol Team into her obedient servant.
She never expected him to betray her and join Feng Qing.
The Chaos Wind Demon Wolves had even publicly announced that they were taking Fan Lou in as a relative.
Fan Lou was the crux of the search of the Class 2 world.
Kong Huan had invested considerable resources and used many favors to enable Fan Lou to become this expedition’s guide.
But now, all that she had spent had essentially become a dowry that she paid to Feng Qing.
Fan Lou did not hold any value of his own. The only reason to explain why Feng Qing saw so much value in Fan Lou was that the latter had revealed extremely important information.
Given that the information had been sufficient for Fan Lou to be taken in by the Chaos Wind Demon Wolves, it had to be related to the Class 2 world.
Meanwhile, since Fan Lou was no longer part of Kong Huan’s camp, how could he still hand over the resources he had promised to Kong Mu?
Kong Mu could not ask for resources from Kong Huan either.
If this matter was revealed, it would affect Kong Huan’s trust in her.
“Fan Lou is truly scum! I must make him pay! He better not think that things will be smooth sailing for him from now on just because he has become a relative of the Chaos Wind Demon Wolves!”
Kong Huan’s voice was full of rage, and her fury was so intense that Kong Mu could not help but recoil.
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