Chapter 101: Analysis

Chapter 101: Analysis

“Are you really just going to let that senior from the Lord’s Guild go? Aren’t you angry?”

On the way back to the city, Li Fuzhen and Li Hongshen sat together on Da Ha’s back. Leaning into Li Hongshen’s embrace, Li Fuzhen asked.

“Being angry is one thing; seeking revenge is another. These two must be kept separate, especially when your own strength still needs to grow. It’s best to avoid pointless conflicts.”

“How can it be pointless? They openly insulted you. If you don’t retaliate, what will others think of you?”

“You don’t get it. This is the Endless Wilderness. Everyone here is a lord. If everyone retaliated every time, none of us would ever progress. You know the stakes as well as I do; there’s no need for me to spell it out.”

“Hmph. Who knows what you’re really thinking? They say a woman’s heart is like the bottom of the sea, but you’re not much different. Since we left Starry Valley, you’ve barely shown any expression. How could anyone guess what’s on your mind?”

“It’s quite simple. This incident wasn’t really aimed at me. I was just made a scapegoat, or rather, singled out. In reality, I didn’t lose any reputation, prestige, or benefits. So why must I seek revenge?”

“How could you say that? He provoked you in front of so many lords and raised the prices. Isn’t that blatant bullying?”

“If you look at it from another angle, you wouldn’t think so. First, I wasn’t the only Elite Society member present; but as newcomers, it was only you and me. He, as a member of the Lord’s Guild, didn’t confront the instigator, Sang Ba, nor did he choose a senior of his own rank. Instead, he targeted a newcomer lord—and not even a formal Elite Society member.”

“On the surface, it looks like a poor move. But whether it was an accidental misstep or a deliberate attempt to de-escalate, it had one effect: it elevated me to his level.”

“Therefore, I didn’t really lose any prestige or reputation. In the Endless Wilderness, there’s a huge gap in strength between different grade levels because seniors have had more time to develop. I’ve just entered this world, barely out of the rookie phase, yet I stood in the Starry Valley auction on equal footing with a senior. Any reasonable lord wouldn’t underestimate me.”

Hearing Li Hongshen’s words, Li Fuzhen was silent for a moment, a faint smile curling at her lips as she rested her head against his chest.

“Now that you put it this way, it’s true. You know, my mother actually knew I came to Pengcheng No.1 High School to find you. Before I left, she messaged me, telling me to listen to your advice because you’ve always been mature for your age. She trusted me in your hands. Looking back, she was right.”

“What do you mean ‘my mother’? Say ‘our mother’! Haha, our mother knows best. She understands your nature very well. Actually, even though it looks like I got bullied, I want to thank that senior from the Lord’s Guild. Not only did he help me gain some reputation, but he also saved me resources and even did me a few small favors.”

“How so?”

“First, he made me a scapegoat, but his real target was Sang Ba. Sang Ba had to respond, which ultimately meant my batch of goods was exempt from fees.”

“You have to understand, these seniors have been developing for a long time and hold many resources, but they also have many expenses. So their disposable blood crystals aren’t that many.”

“Don’t be fooled by Sang Ba’s indifferent attitude toward those few thousand blood crystals. He had to take a stand—even if it hurt him inside, he had to act unaffected.”

“That’s also why I didn’t bid for the casters and warriors later. Partly because those indigenous warriors and casters aren’t cost-effective, but also for other reasons.”

“If I had kept bidding on those casters and warriors, that senior from the Lord’s Guild might have kept competing with me. Even if I won, Sang Ba would probably waive the fees later, but it would leave a bad impression on him.”

“Now, everything’s just right. I got all the ordinary indigenous population without further confrontation with the Lord’s Guild, and that senior and the Elite Society lords present owe me a favor.”

“Because I genuinely took a hit for them. Whether they care or not, that’s the reality.”

“Though it’s only a minor favor, it still helps me somewhat. They’ll likely support me in future dealings, so from my perspective, I came out ahead.”

“As for reputation, it’s not that I don’t care, but now isn’t the time to seek it. Reputation doesn’t translate into tangible benefits for me yet, and I’m supposed to be the sympathetic underdog publicly. So, I haven’t lost much prestige.”

“After hearing you, it seems our losses aren’t as big as I thought.”

“And according to this logic, if that senior from the Lord’s Guild did it on purpose, he achieved his goal of warning and irritating us, kept the conflict contained, and even compensated you.”

“That’s…”

“Exactly. So you see why I took the population and ran? Clearly, if things were as you say, that senior is very shrewd and skilled in subtle maneuvers. His tactics are worth studying and learning from.”

“Continuing on our assumption, a lord with such tactics is unlikely to be weak. Most likely, I can’t beat him, so retreat is the best strategy.”

“As for who he targets next, or whether the Elite Society seniors push him back, that’s none of our concern. We just need to focus on growing stronger.”

“Shen Shen—”

“Hmm?”

“You’re amazing. Here, a kiss for you.”

…

Li Hongshen spent nearly a month and a half traveling, clearly slowed down by the ten thousand indigenous people.

Fortunately, under his careful reassurance and management, no rebellions occurred. The indigenous people gradually settled down, likely due to the abundant food supply and Li Hongshen’s promise of equal treatment before departure.

When they returned to Hong City and properly settled the indigenous population, Li Hongshen’s numbers surged straight toward thirty thousand. At the same time, he began a new round of construction.

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(End of chapter)