Starting Cultivation in Wasteland

Chapter 989 - 855: Remote Control

Seeing Claire smiling happily, someone mustered the courage to ask, "Wasn’t this done by your family?""No," Claire shook her head and raised her hand to point at the sky, "There are drones, we didn’t leave the house at all."

Someone else received new information and shouted loudly.

"That C-level City Guard said he was taken away in his sleep and insists it’s related to yesterday’s events, but unfortunately no one listens to him."

"Yeah, now those people plan to go back, they certainly won’t dare to come back today!"

Laughter filled the scene—everyone had long been annoyed by the news of land requisition.

Everyone knew that this matter was unlikely to end this way, but a phase of success was enough to delight everyone.

As for future matters, we’ll talk about them later; perhaps more good news will emerge.

After laughing for a while, someone spoke with concern, "But the city hall is quite strong-handed..."

Upon hearing this, the excitement among the crowd dissipated more than half, with some even frowning.

Someone asked Claire, "The big boss of the city hall has quite a temper, so you better be careful."

"Hehe," Claire laughed indifferently, let’s not talk about the city hall’s boss—what about the Homeland Star’s boss?

So she merely remarked lightly, "No matter how assertive they are, they still have to be reasonable, right?"

In fact, the city hall’s boss was currently in a rage, "What are they doing, haven’t found him yet?"

Last night, his most beloved eldest grandson went missing; the disappearance occurred while he was asleep in his bedroom.

Imperial people usually have many children, having ten or eight is standard, but his case is exceptional.

It’s not that there aren’t enough children, but he has too few sons; he had nine daughters and only two sons.

The eldest son died quite early, leaving only two daughters.

The second son had six consecutive daughters, and after spending a fortune, it was discovered there was a genetic defect making sons difficult to bear.

Later, through a series of genetic adjustments, three grandsons were finally born.

Regrettably, the genetic defect was inherited, and only the eldest grandson was relatively unaffected, with hope of breaking free from its impact in the future.

Thus, the eldest grandson holds significant importance for the family, and now he’s... just gone missing?

The boss knew very well that this was certainly the work of enemies, but he had... too many potential enemies!

Until now, he couldn’t figure out who would do such a thing, and the perpetrators hadn’t made any demands.

He was truly baffled—would the effort needed to take someone not entail any sort of benefit request?

While he was in a fury, suddenly someone brought news saying that on the same night, an entire deputy’s family had their heads shaved!

The boss instantly calmed down, pondered on the deputy’s business, and frowned, "Go find Adams!"

Adams was an advisor he employed recently, with a B-level cultivation but more skilled in giving advice.

In usual times, he respectfully addressed him as "Mr. Adams" and rarely disturbed him, but now he couldn’t bother with those courtesies.

Soon, someone reported back, "Mr. Adams... hung himself in the room, the time of death was probably during the night!"

"I know who did it!" The boss nodded thoughtfully.

He knew Adams well—this person might do anything but would never commit suicide.

And the idea of land requisition was proposed by him to boost city hall’s performance.

Of course, if there was strong local opposition, they would get him involved as the boss.

Regardless of performance, he would benefit either openly or secretly.

The boss thought it was a sound suggestion, handing it over to the corresponding deputy to handle-sharing benefits is the essence of governance.

The deputy wouldn’t dare to take it all for himself, of that he was certain.

Realizing the cause and effect, he truly regretted, "Had I not meddled... where are they requisitioning?"

The information about the town was quickly provided—it was only a pilot, a success would lead to wider implementation.

"Immediately arrange for someone to..." the boss said halfway and shook his head, "Forget it, I’ll go myself."

Adams was a B-level Awakened, yet was silently ’suicided’—the opponent must at least be A-level.

So sending someone else to communicate might be too disrespectful to an A-level.

The boss feared for his life too, but at this moment, he couldn’t afford to hide.

If perceived to have a wrong attitude, his own life might not be spared.

However, when the boss travels, he must be appropriately prepared, and since the opponent is so formidable, he must find at least two A-level bodyguards.

One A-level is easy to find, but finding the second A-level took some time.

The boss knew quite a few A-levels, but most were occupied with their own affairs, making it inconvenient to find people temporarily.

After some hustling, the second A-level candidate was finally settled, but even two A-levels... might only ensure self-preservation at best.

Yet, before he could set off, his family called his wristwatch: his grandson contacted the family!

It turns out the child was locked up in a sealed underground mine, the iron door tightly shut, and the watch had no signal.

In such a situation, it’s really like crying for help but no one answers, fortunately, there were still some water and nutrient injections.

The child had never eaten nutrient injections since childhood.

At least, in school, the teacher taught related knowledge, so he recognized the nutrient injection.

The child thought he would be here for a long time, but unexpectedly, just now, the iron door opened automatically,

He walked out the iron door and walked a long distance down the tunnel, finally finding his watch got a signal, and contacted home immediately.

"Just now?" The head mumbled to himself, then painfully laughed, "Do I still have their eyes on me?"

The other side had prepared food and water but suddenly released him, clearly aware of his change in attitude.

What kind of person have I provoked this time? The head truly felt a bittersweetness in his heart.

At that moment, he even thought Adams had died too early — without this guy’s bad idea, would I have offended such people?

Immediately, he considered another issue: it seemed inappropriate to meet them again!

Not long after he decided to change his mind, the other immediately decided to release the person, signaling a clear message.

This not only showed the other side’s keen intelligence, letting this matter go, but also the intent not to have more contact.

Otherwise, the other could wait for him to visit before using means to release the person, which would still give face on the spot.

However, now, the other even disdained to do so, choosing instead to remotely release the child.

It was an unmistakable signal — handle this matter smoothly, as we’re not interested in seeing you!

Realizing this, he decisively canceled the trip.

To be honest, this was also what he wanted; he would tremble at the thought of meeting them indeed.

At that moment, most people were already dispersed at Qu Jianlei’s doorstep, although some neighbors remained, wanting to see the final result.

It wasn’t until the evening that no new information came from the town, and everyone left.

However, that very night, rumors spread that the city might cancel the land expropriation.

In a hollowed-out planet like Homeland Star, over 80% of the permanent residents are local natives, so being well-informed is quite normal.

The next day, people came to Claire for news, wanting to confirm if the land expropriation had indeed been canceled.

Claire, however, shook her head in confusion, "I’m not sure either, but they’re welcome to come if they want."

A couple of days later, an announcement was posted in the town saying the annual land management plan for the planet had been completed, delaying the land expropriation.

In the age of the internet, posting a physical announcement seems a bit off, but in reality... it’s not so surprising either.

Especially in Homeland Star, where they like doing this as the population on the planet keeps decreasing!

Already lacking popularity, if everyone hides at home surfing the internet, wouldn’t the liveliness sink even more?

Therefore, important announcements not being online is a last resort — only by coming out for a walk often will there be any popularity, right?

Claire saw the announcement in the town, returned and muttered, "Delaying the land grab... their greedy intentions are unending."

But Xiao Qin understood clearly, "Don’t worry, this matter is in the past, but we can’t say it outright."

"The previous uproar over the land expropriation can’t just be suddenly vetoed... without authority, how could the government manage?"

In fact, the city hall leader wanted the mayor to personally go to explain.

But the mayor really didn’t have the guts, as he had also quite offended Qu Jianlei’s group back then.

However, over time, a series of events that happened in the city hall still spread.

So much so that surrounding neighbors are outrageously polite when they see Qu Jianlei’s group.

Claire specifically asked the boss once, "Wouldn’t these people hold grudges in silence and cause trouble later?"

After thinking for a moment, Qu Jianlei seriously replied, "That possibility can’t be ruled out and might even be likely."

"But the government’s people often follow the powerful... as long as we remain strong, they won’t dare!"

"Since we’ve spared them and haven’t resorted to extreme measures, let’s not dwell on it... focusing on self-improvement is the key to success!"

Hearing this, Claire couldn’t help but pout, "But you said I shouldn’t advance recklessly!"

"Alright," Qu Jianlei raised his hand to pat her shoulder, "I just don’t want you to rush ahead, and I hope you build a solid foundation."

"My advice is just that, advice; cultivation is more about your own feeling."

Claire’s eyes lit up, "Then can I retreat to advance?"

"Of course, as long as you feel it’s okay," Qu Jianlei casually replied.

"But recently, we’re planning to take a trip to Paradise Star... seems like you won’t be able to go."

"Paradise Star?" Claire perked up at once, "I want to go too."

Then she composed herself, "Boss, you’re right, I think accumulating for a while longer sounds good too."

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