Chapter 1779: Chapter 1779

1779: Chapter 1775: Changes in the World 1779: Chapter 1775: Changes in the World “…These are beasts destined for hell.”

“Animals, so many animals…”

The intelligence sent from the military was all the latest information from the area.

The east was relatively better; after all, there was still some semblance of order there.

However, the small countries in the southwest increasingly revealed the lowest depths of humanity.

“Most of the small countries have already fallen.

Combined with the rising floods, the majority of transportation routes are cut off, leaving countless fragmented pieces of unowned land…”

Looking at the reckless chaos wrought by all manners of humanoid creatures, even Lu Ping’an, who had witnessed the depravity of other humanoid galaxies, was astounded.

He truly hadn’t seen such scenes before.

Do they even possess such a thing?

These are beasts who will do anything to survive… beasts…”

In the face of food shortages, the taboo of cannibalism was the first to be broken.

Not only did they commit these actions, but they elevated them into events, even organizing large banquets and cooking contests.

As for looting and slaughter, those were everyday occurrences.

The intelligence officer reporting on these matters even wrote, “Frankly, I hope they escalate their depravity, maybe steal more women or perpetrate acts so horrifying that at least someone will survive.

Otherwise, they risk becoming mere playthings or food to be abused.” …

It’s difficult to gauge the mental state of the intelligence officer, but it undeniably proves that the area has become a living hell.

“What does the higher command say?”

“…Just consolidate the key points and put together a plan.

Anything stained with human flesh and blood—don’t preserve it.”

After considering for a moment, Lu Ping’an refused the invitation to the eastern front.

That area was still stable—practically a vacation.

The Leduc Peninsula and Sakura Island, which had completely fallen in the past, still saw large numbers of refugees fleeing to the Eastern Country.

Some integrated, while others continued to strive to reclaim their homeland.

This yearning is hard to suppress… At the very least, it’ll take one or two generations before they lose this fervent spirit.

The frontlines in those areas naturally revolved around reclaiming lost territory, employing an endless number of desperate losers.

Considering the Eastern Country’s official promises to those refugees—allowing them to turn the reclaimed land into their battle merit territories—the battle there should proceed smoothly.

But likely, as planned before, the land reclaimed will be divided into numerous “lord territories”… True restoration of nations seems implausible, though creating a few larger overseas territories may be feasible.

Lu Ping’an estimated that if he went, he could establish an overseas territory.

Considering his prior relationship with New Tokyo, he might even serve as a bridge for communications between the two sides, reaping benefits from both.

“But do I truly need foreign benefits now…”

Lu Ping’an didn’t see much advantage in establishing an overseas station during such a sensitive period—he already had enough estates for vacation purposes.

Positioning himself as a ruler would only provoke certain factions.

Although he had intersected interests with the Sakura Islanders before, now it was wiser to create some distance.

As for resources offered by an overseas station…

Lu Ping’an doubted they’d even compare to what his Trading Land generates as a fraction.

It might genuinely be better to consider heading to the Southeast Asia Islands—at least there, moral points could be earned.

“Perhaps it’s better to prepare for the Outside Domain, or straightforwardly refuse everything and focus on domestic stability…”

Lu Ping’an hesitated and felt little motivation to head to the southwest.

As grim as it sounded, that region seemed devoid of interests aligning with his needs.

The Eastern Country’s foreign relations fundamentally differed from those of certain colonial empires.

It didn’t exploit others’ resources, taxes, and finances mercilessly, treating those countries’ populations as eternally bleeding underlings… The grain-producing countries that suffered famine yearly, where people starved to death, felt far too much like hell—too real.

The Eastern Country, even after conquering areas, wouldn’t go that far… Instead, fair trade could lead to mutual benefit, and it wasn’t necessary to challenge humanity’s moral bottom line.

Investments in infrastructure for local prosperity would create better purchasing power, which, in turn, could feed into the Eastern Country’s excess industrial outputs.

This is the ideal development model during an era of peace, and based on what Lu Ping’an had learned, the Eastern Country seemed unwilling to deviate from this fundamental approach.

Colonial plundering or exploiting resource points is inherently shortsighted and cultivates endless cycles of hatred…

“But under those conditions, I’d only be a wandering hired thug, with nothing meaningful to gain.”

The decree to exchange battle merits for the control of unowned lands still existed, yet the overseas territories valued by others as precious gems held little profit and significant trouble for Lu Ping’an.

While some humanitarianism did spark an interest in setting up branches of the Church of Redemption God there—potentially offering Guan Xinxian true redemption and evolution—

“It’s still not worth it.

Better to stay in recovery mode, or head to the Outside Domain instead…”

Lu Ping’an’s forces had consumed a lot during the war, and for a localized conflict with no meaningful returns, it might be best to sit this one out.

“Master, Master, have you received orders for Outside Domain campaigns?”

It was at this time—just after returning to the Ancient City—that Lu Ping’an was approached by several disciples he had relegated to factory work.

“I have no interest in heading east—it’ll be too troublesome.”

The disciples from Sakura Island still maintained contact with their families, so approaching him at this time wasn’t unusual.

Lu Ping’an gave his position directly: he didn’t want to get caught between the Eastern Country and the Sakura Islanders.

Previously, everyone shared a common enemy—the visitors from the Outside Domain—allowing him to act as a neutral intermediary reaping benefits from both sides.

Now, with tensions escalating between the two, staying in the middle only invited disaster.

But Lu Ping’an underestimated the Sakura Islanders’ pragmatism and “sincerity.”

“If you don’t wish to head to the eastern front, the southwest is also an option.

In fact, that might be preferable…”

The situation in the east would undoubtedly become extremely complicated.

Even those who initially enacted the “battle merit for land” policy hadn’t anticipated the counterattack would come so swiftly.

When the time comes, a multitude of overseas territories belonging to Sakura Islanders, Eastern Country citizens, and Peninsula People would fragment Sakura Island and the Leduc Peninsula into smaller pieces.

Restoration of nations seemed unrealistic, and the political and ethnic conflicts in that region would be numerous and exasperating—Lu Ping’an had no desire to get involved.

“Frankly, we don’t want to get involved either.

It’s a seemingly hopeful yet hopeless road…”

The private invitation came from former “royal family members,” whose professional advisors had instead opted to abandon their homeland.

“…We lack both the ability and desire to oppose the powerful Eastern Country.”

Rational individuals don’t talk about sentiment or relationships—they speak in terms of practicality.

“We wish to commission you under our family’s name to secure some overseas territories in that region for us.

They don’t need to be large—just enough to establish a small city where our family can avoid the political vortex and ensure survival.”

The commissioner appeared desperate, but Lu Ping’an saw through their ulterior motives.

If survival were all they wanted, they could simply assimilate into the Eastern Country.

In essence, they still wished to protect their independence.

Lu Ping’an had originally intended to refuse outright, but their offering was simply too generous… far too generous…

“Double-digit rule-level treasures, merely as gifts…”

If that were all, Lu Ping’an could still decline.

“…Coordinates of three worlds inhabited by medium-magic intelligent creatures, featuring highly valuable and unique resource points.”

This seemed to be the most valuable inheritance of Sakura Country, possibly remnants of their Outside Domain colonies or resource points.

“No, this is our family’s property.

We naturally have the right to handle it.

There are only a few family team bases there, still undeveloped…”

Using “worlds” to trade for survival rights in the local realm—this level of “sincerity” tempted Lu Ping’an significantly.

While still weighing the pros and cons, Lu Ping’an unexpectedly received higher command’s “hints.”

“Lu Ping’an, we hope you can once again act as a bridge, sending these problems away…” Fine, it seemed there was no real reason to decline.