Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 608 - 478: Breaking the Deadlock?

Qu Jianlei paused in surprise, unable to grasp the other's train of thought.

But eventually, he scoffed, "Afford a Vortex? Looks like you've embezzled quite a lot."

Then he sighed softly, "Words can't help a soul bent on self-destruction... If you want to eat something good lately, go and eat."

Desis didn't react at first, stunned for a moment before flying into a rage.

"Are you saying I'm not long for this world? Ha... such bold talk!"

Then he turned around and walked away without looking back.

From beginning to end, he did not mention that his family was being watched, the other side surveilled so openly, obviously not afraid of him knowing.

Moreover, the other side should be certain that he already knows what he needs to know.

So there's no need to mention it, firstly showing a lack of perspective, secondly exposing a weakness.

But back at the office, the more he thought about it, the angrier he got, his hands trembling with rage.

In the afternoon, just before work resumed, the vehicles at the door disappeared, and soon, he received a call from his wife.

"That person... that person is here again, aren't you going to deal with him?"

Desis's mind was in a tangle, unable to refrain from shouting a few words, "I'm not dead yet, it's not your turn!"

After hanging up, he sighed lightly, with a twinge of regret: I wouldn't have taken this business if I'd known earlier.

But now, it's too late, and he knows exactly what Panda wants.

However, betraying the employer... he really doesn't have the guts for that, Panda is hard to deal with, but the employer is even harder.

Panda wants to deal with him, with forces backing him, while the employer only needs to speak a word to strip him of everything.

In the midst of distress, the afternoon passed by quickly.

Just before quitting time, that person appeared again outside the Customs Enforcement Division's main entrance.

"Bastard," Desis's mouth twitched as he cursed at the screen, "Just watching without acting, are you so bored?"

Qu Jianlei truly isn't bored, his actions now intend to apply pressure and expand influence.

He's causing such a commotion to see if he can force out the mastermind behind it.

Even if the mastermind doesn't show up, this abnormality will attract considerable attention, then he'll act against Desis.

He's no longer that transparent small figure, establishing authority is important.

As for consequences... as long as he isn't caught red-handed, what consequences can there be?

Desis can use procedures to talk his way out, can he not? Think the credentials from the second mansion are cheap? 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

When there's a homicide, the investigation is certainly handled by the city guard or patrol guard, and customs enforcement can't interfere.

The Customs Enforcement Division can only urge and apply pressure, at most send someone to supervise.

Proof suggests that in these few days, the anomaly at the entrance has caught considerable attention from the Customs Enforcement Division.

Someone even came over to ask him to move his car—this is the territory of the Customs Enforcement Division.

But Qu Jianlei directly flashed his credentials, unfazed by claims that he's using authority as a front.

He simply stated flatly: with these credentials, there aren't many places on Star No. 4 where I'm not authorized to park.

No question, some customs enforcement truly lacks intellect, thinking even the opposite road is the domain of the Customs Enforcement Division.

That was a recently retired C-level Warrior, impulsively rushed over to take action.

Qu Jianlei, cigarette in mouth, reacted not at all, just calmly watched him as if gazing at a dead man.

Finally some in customs enforcement knew, this young man came for trouble, spoke to stop that impulsive warrior.

Veterans in Customs Enforcement know how the parking regions are divided, so informed the city guard to maintain order.

After examining Qu Jianlei's credentials, they immediately turned around and left without a word.

Who knows which city guard let slip, spreading news to Customs Enforcement, so everyone knew that visitor was from No. 2 Mansion.

Recently, Desis's inspection of passenger starships wasn't exactly a secret.

Though he confiscated some people and goods, ultimately, it's a grouping of two warships, rumors spread in private, saying he failed.

This news spread faster than wildfire, especially with enemies already at the door, fermentation accelerated remarkably.

At quitting time, Desis still drove away from the Customs Enforcement Division—his last act of defiance.

He casually visited a restaurant, ate absentmindedly, drove around twice, then returned to the Customs Enforcement Division.

That annoying car still hauntingly followed him.

Desis's frustration wasn't only this, since leaving the Customs Enforcement Division, his wristwatch kept buzzing.

Including while eating, driving around, on the way back to Customs Enforcement Division, and after returning...

One call after another, making him unbearably irritated, crucially many people contacting him weren't purely out of concern.

Some wanted gossip, others wanted to know if it'd affect others.

Some even barely concealed schadenfreude from their tone.

Just when he was about to explode in anger, an old subordinate called him.

This subordinate was one he considered promoting, had assisted in multiple occasions.

Later on, this person had other opportunities and was poached by a certain faction to specialize in cargo transportation.

It's quite normal for Customs Enforcement Team members to switch to cargo transport; it's a specialized field and they know the industry well.

But the two of them still maintained a good relationship. This person asked right away, "Bro, someone causing you trouble?"

Desis gave a bitter smile, didn't attempt to hide anything, and explained the situation he could.

Having both worked in Customs Enforcement, they understood the intricacies without needing an explanation.

After listening, the person thought deeply for a moment and then said, "Then we have to deal with him... What's he taking us in Customs Enforcement for?"

"It's a bit tough to handle," Desis sighed, "That person has a clear identity and backing."

"So what?" this person responded dismissively, "You don't even need to act yourself; just get someone else to handle it, right?"

"I'm afraid it's not that easy," Desis sighed, well aware of how big this burden was, "Who would I ask?"

"Don't you have a quota at hand?" the person directly suggested, "If you want to make a move, go after him. Otherwise, why bother getting involved?"

Desis was stunned for a moment before realizing, "Are you talking about the Living Dead? Aren't you guys at odds with them?"

"It's irrelevant whether I get along with him or not, as long as he's useful to you," the person stated quite openly, "Their family is not lacking in strength."

The Living Dead is a force that has emerged in recent years, actively involved in commercial trade.

However, although the Hope Star Realm is located at the Empire's edge, the layout of various industries has basically settled.

Only Star No. 4 is a new habitable star, where construction is booming and various industries are still in the staking-out phase.

This process is actually very brutal.

Everyone sees the glamour of the successful, yet few see how many corpses are buried in the dirt beneath their feet.

But it cannot be denied that though it's brutal, there is still a chance for ordinary people to rise if they dare to gamble their lives.

In a stable society, dreaming of soaring to the sky without roots is like dreaming of everything in your sleep.

Thus, the opportunities on Star No. 4 are considered rare, and it is normal for new forces to come here seeking development.

The reason they're called the Living Dead is that the leader of this force wears a mask year-round, emanating an aura of decay.

According to experience, this is the decayed aura that occurs when a Wood Attribute Warrior reaches a certain level but fails to advance to Supreme.

So everyone agrees that this force at least has a peak A-level... or you could say a half-step Supreme.

However, the Living Dead have only been on Star No. 4 for a few years, and it's also difficult for them to make headway.

They fought several tough battles, and some supreme forces suffered losses.

It's not that they don't dare to fight, but they're worried the Living Dead also have a Supreme who hasn't revealed themselves yet, so they're constantly on guard.

If an A-level couldn't beat an A-level, they'd deserve it, but if a Supreme interfered and bullied the weak, what would happen if it provoked the other party's Supreme?

In any case, as long as this external threat hasn't exposed its limits, no one will attempt to force them into a desperate situation.

Desis originally didn't plan to continue targeting Panda, but after receiving this communication, he couldn't help but ponder.

He had contact with the Living Dead organization several times, but he only met their masked leader once.

The impression that the leader gave him was not good; besides the gloomy aura, he wore a mask during their meeting.

Desis could sense that the masked leader was quite powerful, and another A-level with him adopted a particularly humble posture.

At the time, Desis didn't pay much attention. What about two A-levels? There have been many A-levels appearing in the Customs Enforcement Division.

The department has its own rules; never mind A-levels, even Supremes have to follow the rules.

During his duties in Customs Enforcement, Desis has relatively significant authority, and the quotas he controls are not many.

However, if he puts his mind to it, it's not impossible to secure some quotas.

After pondering for a while, he lifted his wristwatch and dialed a number.

"Help me take care of someone. If the matter is handled well... I'll help secure the quota."

"No, it's definitely not just empty talk. Securing the quota is just a matter of time. I'm only a B-level; how could I dare deceive you?"

He didn't have to kowtow to A-levels; his job determined that. If an A-level comes and he had to bend, he might as well not work.

But since he needed a favor, once the other party handled the matter, he dared not renege, and they would be justified in dealing with him.

Finally, he stated, "...No need to leave him alive, just kill him."

Previously, the employer's requirement was to capture this person alive.

But after encountering problems, he reported it to the employer, who made no response.

Since they left him to fend for himself, there was no need to consider keeping someone alive.

The key is that if Panda doesn't die, the forces behind him may take action to rescue him, and the situation could spiral out of control again.

In that case, taking him out directly is truly once-and-for-all.

Even if the forces behind Panda want to pursue it, they first have to fight the Living Dead.

If things escalate, Star No. 4's government and military won't stand idly by.

So this plan is just perfect.

(Updated to this point, calling for monthly tickets, subscriptions, and recommendation tickets.)