Chapter 1778: Chapter 1778
1778: Chapter 1774: Gift 1778: Chapter 1774: Gift After the victory in war, “distribution of rewards” is an inevitable step.
In the era of slavery, land, gold, silver, cattle, sheep, and slaves were divided.
In the feudal era, land and serfs were apportioned.
The capitalist era appears gentler, but it is, in fact, more ruthless—losers nominally retain their land, yet countless banks, companies, and organizations continuously bleed them dry.
In the new era, this “distribution” remains, owing to inherent logic and practical needs.
If those who made sacrifices and contributions are not rewarded, who will put in the effort next time?
Historically, countless rebellions have occurred simply because previous merits were not given due recognition and rewards.
Many companies, groups, and organizations manage to sustain themselves not only because of their ongoing success but also because leaders refrained from excessive greed.
It’s acceptable for the boss to have meat, so long as followers are at least given soup.
Though it might sound unpleasant, the reality is that many start-up companies crumble due to an unforgiving purge of contributors or intense internal power struggles, ultimately leading to disbandment.
This world’s differing timelines allow for the existence of entities like the “Proper God Church,” which vaguely transcend international boundaries with their quasi-independent power.
This makes “spoils distribution” far more straightforward and transparent.
At this moment, Lu Ping’an, who had achieved notable merits, was naturally invited for his share of the rewards.
What he rightfully deserves, Lu Ping’an will take.
If he doesn’t take it, it will create unease and dissatisfaction…
His refusal to accept would make others wonder if he plans to abandon ship, leaving those with lesser achievements unsure of what they should claim.
Since he’s still within this circle, taking remains inevitable.
But how to take it—that’s an art.
“High-ranking positions and generous salaries mean nothing to me…”
And thus, during the honors and rewards ceremony, Lu Ping’an disappeared.
He made it clear that he didn’t want an official position.
His absence was the best response…
If they truly awarded him a title like Admiral or Director, a refusal would be a direct slap in the face.
“Accepting a fief or a resource planet isn’t out of the question, but it appears overly detached and impersonal…”
Several churches ultimately chose Foreign Domain territories as their form of compensation, pursuing purely independent routes beyond Mother Star.
Playing the game this way made sense…
Incidentally, these groups also lost their Proper God titles this time around, though they seemed not to care.
“I’ll accept a portion, but I want it integrated into this world, becoming part of society’s positive operations…”
This, regardless of whether the ideology is loyal or not, at the very least looks loyal through action.
Unable and unwilling to become an insider bound by organizational constraints, Lu Ping’an found his best position as a free actor within the system.
After all, this was also a form of self-preservation…
Considering the existence of the “Trading Land” and the “Hunting Dragon and Snake Fog Sound,” the Eastern Country’s officials would never allow such strategic resources to slip away.
Lu Ping’an saw clearly that he must not only accept but also accept more and acquire something that cannot be taken away.
Call it interest binding or an interest-based community—it works either way.
Lu Ping’an needs to state his position, and higher authorities need to give their response; only then can everyone feel like one family.
Bloodlines and racial ties are valued heavily by Lu Ping’an, but unfortunately, many others do not hold them in the same regard—this is especially true in the world of high-level Extraordinaries, where switching worlds is simply too easy.
You say you’re loyal?
Well, you’ll have to show it to make others believe.
Some of these ideas came from Lu Ping’an himself, while others originated from the advisory group and were verified by acquaintances over in the Ancient City…
At the very least, the hints and feedback from Wanjing were quite promising and even included a message stating that additional compensation and rewards would follow in due time.
“…Is this part of the compensation too?”
“Depends on how you look at it.”
What Lu Ping’an received was a “commission,” or perhaps, two commissions.
One was to head to the East and participate in the Eastern Battlefield (Leduc Peninsula, Sakura Island).
The other was to head Southwest and join the main force in sweeping through Southeast Asia.
These were commissions, not orders…
With the Plane War nearing its conclusion, the Eastern Country’s officials could no longer casually mobilize civilian combat forces.
And so, as the Eastern Country’s Plane War reached its concluding stages…
the rest of the world’s wars showed no signs of stopping.
While Lu Ping’an was taking a vacation, other nations continued their desperate struggles.
Fragmented Fishmen and Exotic Realm Invaders, fighting for survival, avoided actively provoking the powerful Eastern Country; instead, the chaos in other regions intensified.
Now that the Eastern Country had largely cleaned up internally, it was the right time to address external issues.
“Isn’t this interfering in domestic affairs?
It doesn’t align with our style.”
There’s no clear distinction between internal and external anymore…
With nations destroyed, what is there to divide?
They’re sending over a dozen rescue requests daily, desperately hoping the Heavenly Army will claim their territory tomorrow.”
Accompanying the commissions came intelligence briefings coordinated by the military.
The more Lu Ping’an read, the more his scalp tingled—while the Eastern Country was recovering its strength, the situations in other countries not only failed to improve but in many cases took a severe turn for the worse.
Small and medium-sized nations were already struggling to survive, and the purification of the oceans didn’t mean safety for them.
On the contrary, the widespread presence of Dragons and Snakes nearly collapsed their coastal defenses in one fell swoop.
Following that, the Foreign Domain life forms, driven mad by the Dragons and Snakes, forcibly came ashore, plunging various regions into the latest wave of death matches.
During that phase, the Eastern Country and several powerful nations were locked in battles at the Australian front, leaving them powerless to concern themselves with others.
Naturally, one by one, these nations exhausted their regular troops.
When seawater rises, it’s always the “shortest” who drown first.
Some succumbed to destruction, some surrendered.
After taking this beating, Earth’s total number of nations surely no longer exceeds one hundred.
And with the departure of the God Above Gods, the demise of the Three Gods, and the Eastern Country’s ceasefire…
the outside world hasn’t halted its fighting.
In reality, during this time, the outside world is the true hell on Earth.
Their national systems have been shattered; armies and security forces have all disbanded; their territories are infested with Magic Monsters and alien races, fully entering the rhythm of Doomsday…
And in Doomsday, the greatest threat has never been zombies or monsters—it’s human nature.
“…When social order collapses, humans are even more terrifying than demons.”
While this may be a cliché, it now has tangible evidence in reality.
In some countries, “warlord civil wars” have begun; others have started forming “gang alliances;” and in some areas, various “Imperial restorations” are going on, creating unprecedented chaos.
Their only common trait is that strength rules supreme…
“Among them, many have Extraordinaries taking the throne, claiming the arrival of the Extraordinary era.”
Just after completing the World Defense War, Lu Ping’an was stunned—was this about to shift into a human civil war?
“No, they’re not worthy.
It’s merely a security battle.
Our Eastern Country’s sweeping cleanup operation…
Are you interested in acquiring an overseas territory?
Perhaps a private manor?”