The Captain

Wang Dong stood perfectly still, allowing the injection to be administered.

"This is the Yuan Family Secret Medicine. I don't need to explain how effective it is. It will take effect one year from now."

Yuan Shu spoke in a hollow voice.

"The sealed box containing the antidote is on the desk in the captain's quarters. I've already set the conditions for unlocking it: you only need to kill any direct descendant of the Jin Family. The Shipborne Optical Computer will verify the kill.

I'll use my captain's authority to make these conditions permanent. The next captain won't be able to change them, either."

Secret medicines named after their families were generally one of each family's trump cards. It was difficult to find an antidote for them on the open market.

Wang Dong's expression turned somewhat worried. "The Dingyuan Star System is a long way from this mining region.

"And the Jin Family is powerful. Its direct descendants control far more resources than ordinary people, and the Kindling Warships they possess are no ordinary vessels.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to find a suitable target anytime soon."

"You don't need to worry about that. Sima Decao, the Jin Family direct descendant who schemed against me, is still in this region, tracking me down. He won't be leaving anytime soon. He's the perfect target for you.

"I've prepared the information you'll need about him. Once you succeed me as captain, you can consult it in the Shipborne Optical Computer's database at any time."

Yuan Shu spoke indifferently.

Threatening Wang Dong with the secret medicine was entirely in character for Yuan Shu.

From his point of view, what other way was there to make Wang Dong carry on his legacy and fight the Jin Family to the bitter end?

In effect, Yuan Shu was forcing Wang Dong to spill the blood of a Jin Family direct descendant soon, cutting off any possibility of retreat.

Since ancient times, a blood offering had always been a good way to bring someone into the fold.

Besides, Yuan Shu's move might well have been motivated by a desire for revenge.

Sima Decao was the direct cause of Yuan Shu's death. Anyone who said Yuan Shu didn't hate him would be lying.

As for whether this was reasonable, or whether Wang Dong might die as a result of being forced into it—

It didn't matter. Yuan Shu was going to die himself. How could he worry about so much?

Wang Dong wasn't some younger member of his family, someone he felt a familial bond with.

When all was said and done, Wang Dong was simply Yuan Shu's final act of resistance and effort before he died.

Before his rebirth, Wang Dong had resented him for it.

But in this life, he felt neither sorrow nor joy.

Experience taught you that if you wanted to gain something, you had to give something up.

To obtain a Kindling Warship, the best means of rising to a higher social class, Wang Dong didn't think the price was too high.

Wang Dong had seemed utterly confident in front of Yuan Shu just now, claiming he had a thirty percent chance of getting a Kindling Warship on his own and rising through the ranks.

It was all nonsense.

The real world wasn't that simple.

For one thing, just figuring out how to cross a distance measured in light-years, leave the Purple Thorn Kingdom, and travel to the Golden Snapdragon Federation was a major uncertainty.

More importantly, the War Axe carried several truly exceptional Shipborne Modules.

No wonder the Jin Family had coveted them, driving the Yuan Family to ruin and forcing Yuan Shu to fight to the death.

Wang Dong wanted them badly, too.

Before his rebirth, without those Shipborne Modules, how could he, a novice captain, have repeatedly evaded the Jin Family's pursuit and scraped by for more than ten years?

"This condition isn't unreasonable. I accept."

Wang Dong answered solemnly.

He meant it from the heart.

With Yuan Shu's many years of experience judging people, and the keen senses granted by the Intermediate Body Tempering Technique, he could tell at a glance.

"Good. Fate hasn't completely extinguished my hopes after all. Before I die, it's let me find a suitable master for the War Axe."

Yuan Shu, weak and on the brink of death, forced himself upright.

He waved away Wang Dong's attempt to support him, then straightened his expression and spoke loudly. "War Axe, in my capacity as captain, I hereby issue a formal command. Transfer captain's authority to the human citizen standing before me, Wang Dong."

Beep! Beep! Beep! Highest-level authorization command changed. Beginning authorization verification.

...Issuer identity confirmed: Captain Yuan Shu.

...Issuing environment confirmed: no abnormalities.

...Recipient confirmed: human citizen Wang Dong.

...

Verification complete. Captain Yuan Shu, please confirm the command.

Unlike the low-end Mine Overlord Type 2, the electronic voice from the War Axe's Shipborne Optical Computer was gentle and pleasant to the ear.

"Command confirmed!" Yuan Shu said, enunciating every word. His voice was laden with complicated emotions: reluctance, release, hope, and resentment.

Command confirmed. Captain Wang Dong, congratulations on becoming the third captain of this vessel. The War Axe reporting in.

May fortune favor you in battle.

The authorization process was cautious and meticulous.

Not only did the command have to be confirmed again, but the environment in which it was issued was also checked. Only after ruling out unusual circumstances, such as the captain being hypnotized or coerced, would the authorization go through.

With the full verification process complete, Wang Dong officially became the new master of the Kindling Warship War Axe.

He felt a little conflicted.

This was the turning point in his fate.

He had already set foot on the first rung leading out of the mire of the lower classes.

But this was only the beginning.

Last time, he'd stumbled as soon as he set out.

Now that he'd been reborn, he wanted to see who would ultimately emerge victorious.