Chapter 1799
Chapter 1799 - 1795: Days
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"Your Excellency, this time our nation is placing significant emphasis on the development of the Exotic Realm. If circumstances permit, we hope your Church might dispatch its main forces; if you are able to personally oversee matters, that would be even better."
The familiar Reception Hall of the council, some vaguely familiar officials, and an even more respectful attitude.
The six months following the war have been a time of reshuffling and reorganization of power across the whole continent. Many things remain unchanged, but more have permanently shifted.
Among the high-level Strongmen, some newcomers have risen, while some veterans have utterly collapsed... And before my eyes stands a younger individual, seemingly "too youthful," who has in fact climbed across multiple industries and established himself as a true Big Shot.
The strength he displays requires no further elaboration. His potential and velocity of ascent are dazzling, while his achievements on the battlefield warrant the title of "Hero." Yet what earns the deepest respect is the fact that his principal enterprise turns out to be philanthropy.
"He is a Benevolent Deity, a rational Benevolent Deity."
To become a Deity, or beings akin to them, one must be brutally honest with oneself.
Though somewhat harsh and merciless to express, reality is no fairy tale. The virtuous may not necessarily live to see the finale... Statistical evidence shows that those who are most selfish and ego-driven tend to journey farther in the Extraordinary World.
However, the nature Lu Ping’an displays—pursuing mutual benefit, development, and uplifting the weak—is exceptionally rare and commendably advantageous. Big Data calculations affirm that such a Deity’s existence benefits not only the nation but humanity as a whole.
This is why Lu Ping’an’s Church and company have experienced explosive growth in the Eastern Country. In a certain sense, his deeds truly align with the proverb: "Gain the Tao, and earn widespread support."
Since he has shown no interest in engaging in politics while providing tangible benefits to ethnic groups, even the more Official factions refrain from obstructing his rise, and at times even offer tacit support.
Other newly ascended Deities face various challenges and Lower-level competitors, but Lu Ping’an continues to ride the tides, advancing effortlessly.
This is the era’s great wave—or, more accurately, the great wave of human revival itself. Even just his initiatives for "Universal Extraordinary Enhancement" and "Dragon-Snake Purge" as philanthropic ventures are attacks the Eastern Country refuses to permit.
For this reason, Lu Ping’an has also been subtly restricted from leaving the country for over half a year...
"Can I leave this time?"
"Of course, we’ve never had the intention to restrict you... Now, perhaps that Star-zone needs your strength more. If the immigrants there can achieve Universal Extraordinary capabilities, it will greatly assist us."
Several habitable planets handed over from the Sakura Island negotiations years ago have already been verified.
Judging by results, this enterprise turned out to be wildly profitable... No surprise—it was a national-level Treasure acquisition. Among the planets, some have undergone years of development, and their habitability and developmental ceilings even surpass that of humanity’s Mother Star.
That none of these planets have been discovered by other Kingdoms thus far is due to their Plane being sufficiently remote from Earth... Expeditions require specialized and prolonged Exploration, with the back-and-forth demanding precise navigation.
Not only are the paths arduous but also distant. Under usual conditions, travel between planets within humanity’s sphere of influence averages from half a month to one and a half months aboard a Starcraft. However, the trip to these newly discovered planets generally exceeds two months.
Regions this exceptional require national-level power for organized Exploration. The past Sakura Kingdom had such capacity.
But now, it clearly doesn’t. These coordinates have instead become ticking time bombs and burdensome liabilities.
The Eastern Country, however, fears not inconvenience—only the absence of profit. In these six months, they’ve progressed from confirming the Exploration coordinates to dispatching a dedicated expeditionary team.
To truly incorporate these regions into the Eastern Country’s Outside-the-Domain Territory demands further resources. Among these planets is one of notable value, where they found numerous relatively amicable intelligent Subhumans, alongside hostile and dangerous Races... Lu Ping’an is perhaps the most suitable Explorer, able to transform ordinary Subhumans into true Extraordinary Warriors, dramatically mitigating the drawbacks of extended supply lines.
"Let me give it more thought..."
Though the other party has laid out highly favorable conditions, Lu Ping’an cannot act rashly at present.
Even with the Eastern Country’s Official protection assuring safeguards for his enterprises, Lu Ping’an understands these promises have limits. Lin Nu is still rampaging near insanity, creating security risks if he leaves.
"...Please consider further. That region not only holds the potential to establish a Gods Country but also possesses the capability to become a second Earth Mother Star."
Their attitude is sincere, their temptations vast. If Lu Ping’an weren’t genuinely "loyal," matters of this kind would not even come his way.
After mulling it over, Lu Ping’an ultimately decided to return to deliberate further.
A complete new world—a blank slate of Medium Magic and higher—a prospect teeming with Evolutionary possibilities—indeed tempts even his current hunger for advancement.
At the very least, it beats staying on Earth, where even slight actions lead to countless Official warnings and backend messages.
Respect historical borders and avoid arbitrarily redrawing international lines; honor military leaders and lords’ human rights; uphold local residents’ freedom of choice; refrain from exploiting them for cheap labor... Though some accusations are undeniably absurd, being asked to respect the freedom of refugees made Lu Ping’an laugh aloud.
Freedom to be enslaved by warlords? Freedom to succumb to sudden death tomorrow? Freedom to blindly remain indentured slaves?
Yet some matters link to politics and international dynamics—progress must proceed incrementally.
The Earth Government remains under construction, and power plays between nations persist. Unless Lu Ping’an plans on abandoning ties to the Eastern Country, certain choices must prioritize the greater good, following directives.
Although he can comprehend the situation, its demands indeed feel stifling... Of course, his opponents likely find it even worse. In the shadows, Lu Ping’an shows no mercy when striking.
"Have the advisor team analyze this further. Also, give me an updated list of Lin Nu’s bases and key personnel near Wanjing. I’ll clear them out later."
Upon returning to his company, Lu Ping’an briefly took a break before instructing new tasks.
Such a grand enterprise naturally necessitated a headquarters in Wanjing. Within the Fourth Ring zone, a modest factory housed a Secret Realm residence, adequately accommodating the factory and its employees.
In one of the villa interiors lay Lu Ping’an’s private "base." The place—well-maintained by Chris—offered cared-for plants, long-term pet Magic Pets, and even housed his beloved cats. It was more than fitting to call it home.
After all, during his extended residence in the Eastern Country, his time at his Wanjing abode had far surpassed visits to his old home in the Ancient City.
It’s worth mentioning that this modest inner dwelling with only a few rooms contained spaces for Lu Ping’an, his Magic Pets, Chris, and her two younger sisters.
Other than those, there was only Meow Cat. She had managed to carve out a hidden compartment in Lu Ping’an’s room—more precisely, she had built an entertainment nook in the ceiling with a collection of game consoles, comic books, and a sleeping bag.
Xia Qin retained a room here as well. However, she continued to spend most of her time in the Ancient City, rarely making appearances in Wanjing aside from the occasional battlefield-related business trips.
"Do you have to discuss this at mealtimes?"
The "young girl" in an apron complained while arranging chopsticks and soup spoons, calling her younger sisters to the table.
Meanwhile, Lu—the man sprawled on the living room couch—glanced at the meal setup with a look of disdain.
"Fish and seafood again? I’m not even an actual cat..."
But seeing the glowing "cat eyes" staring at him from the table, he sighed, lowered his head, and resumed reading the newspaper.
Though a professed cat lover, it seemed he’d gathered too many feline companions.
Yet he bore no genuine complaints. After all, perhaps in his previous life, his dream of blissful days was precisely this: coming home after work to read the paper, tease cats, and wait for someone to call him to dinner.
— End of Chapter 1799 —