Yuan Shu

"So, sir, may I ask your purpose?"

The middle-aged man struggled to sit up. "Being directly hit in the heart by Dingyuan Jin's Heart-Piercing Dagger... If it weren't for my body being close to advanced body-tempering level, I would have died before I could even inject stimulants.

It's good that you understand the Jin Family's habits; it will save us a lot of time. But I suggest you view the Jin Family with even more caution, because they are always ten thousand times more despicable, shameless, vulgar, disgusting, perverted, and scum than you can ever imagine."

Wang Dong nodded slightly, as if receiving instruction.

He genuinely agreed.

Before his rebirth, he truly hadn't paid enough attention to how troublesome the Jin Family was.

Or rather, he had tried his best to pay attention, but his abilities were limited, and he still hadn't paid enough.

"I have to say, your performance is quite impressive," the middle-aged man judged Wang Dong.

"Whether it's your swift self-rescue when facing the anomaly, your calm response after quickly assessing the situation, or your composure even when facing uncontrollable forces. Young people like you are rare, even among the privileged class."

Wang Dong bowed slightly to express his gratitude.

"You flatter me, sir. I still have much to learn. For example, how did your warship suddenly appear beside me?"

The middle-aged man twitched the corners of his mouth, a gesture meant to be a smile.

"My name is Yuan Shu, and this is my warship, the War Axe. She is a Kindling Warship. What should I call you, young man?"

Wang Dong bowed slightly in greeting. "Mr. Yuan, it's an honor to meet you. I am Wang Dong.

So the War Axe is a Kindling Warship. Was its previous performance a function of a certain ship module?"

Yuan Shu was slightly taken aback. "Wang Dong... young man, it seems you know something about Kindling Warships. That's very rare. To possess such information in this remote place suggests your ambitions are not simple."

Wang Dong crossed his arms and sighed softly. "Yes, Kindling Warships are the symbol of humanity's highest military power, and also the military force the privileged class relies on to maintain their rule.

In fact, owning a Kindling Warship of my own has always been my dream."

Yuan Shu grinned again. "Then congratulations, your dream is about to come true."

Wang Dong frowned. "Mr. Yuan, I don't quite understand what you mean."

"It's just as you suspect. I'm about to die.

There are only the two of us on this warship now. Before I die, I will transfer the captain's authority to you, and you will become the next captain of this War Axe!"

Wang Dong gave a wry smile. "Mr. Yuan, may I refuse?"

"Obviously not."

Yuan Shu moved his arm, seemingly puzzled by Wang Dong's refusal.

"But I don't mind hearing your reasons for refusing; it's truly perplexing. I don't want to leave this world with questions before I die."

"Owning a Kindling Warship of my own has been my dream since I learned of their existence," Wang Dong shook his head, continuing with a wry smile.

"I have my own plans.

I'll work as a miner, save money, and then leave this country for the Federation. The higher education institutions there have the most friendly advancement paths for commoners.

As long as I can graduate successfully and achieve excellent results, I can obtain a Kindling Warship funded by the academy.

It's difficult, but I have confidence in myself; I still have a 30% chance.

Now that a Kindling Warship seems within reach, it could save me at least twenty years of hard work. Of course, I'm tempted. Especially tempted!

But it's too early, and too sudden. I'm completely unprepared, whether it's mentally, in terms of ability, or even in terms of background and influence. Mr. Yuan, do you understand?"

Yuan Shu fell silent.

At first glance, with Yuan Shu's death, Wang Dong would obtain the War Axe, become the new captain, and instantly ascend to a much higher status.

But would it really be that smooth?

First, Yuan Shu, who clearly had enmity with the Jin Family, was undoubtedly going to die. Wang Dong knew it, Yuan Shu knew it, and the Jin Family, who had orchestrated this, naturally knew it too.

But if Wang Dong inherited the War Axe from Yuan Shu, would the Jin Family let Wang Dong go?

Clearly not.

"Vindictive" Dingyuan Jin, ever heard of them?

Just as Yuan Shu had said earlier, the Jin Family had already set their sights on Yuan Shu and the War Axe.

If the Jin Family discovered Wang Dong boarding the ship, he would be included in their elimination range.

Not to mention becoming the new captain of the War Axe.

In fact, any power, upon learning that a commoner like Wang Dong possessed a Kindling Warship, would unhesitatingly move against Wang Dong, doing everything possible to seize the "War Axe" for themselves.

This brought up the second factor Wang Dong had just mentioned.

Background, or rather, influence.

To possess a resource like a Kindling Warship, one naturally needed to have certain qualifications.

This qualification could be ability—recognized elite talent in certain fields, outstanding warship commanders, and so on.

It could be background—privileged classes like scions of noble families or public officials of a certain rank or higher, and so on.

It could also be influence—major conglomerates, local powers, and so on.

It could even be a prodigal son inheriting his predecessor's legacy.

But for an interstellar miner like Wang Dong, it was clearly not "qualified" enough.

Far from enough!