“So, sir, may I ask what your purpose is?”
The middle-aged man sat up with difficulty: “I was hit directly in the heart by the Heart-Piercing Dagger of Dingyuan Jin. If I hadn’t relied on my body, which was close to advanced body-tempering, I would have died before I even had time to inject the stimulant.”
“You understand the nature of the Jin family, which is good, it will save us a lot of time. But I suggest you consider the Jin family even more seriously, because they are always a thousand times more despicable, shameless, vile, disgusting, perverted, and scum than you can imagine.”
Wang Dong nodded slightly, feigning understanding.
He genuinely agreed.
In his previous life, he had indeed underestimated the Jin family's tenacity.
Or rather, he tried his best to take them seriously, but his ability was limited, and he wasn't serious enough.
“I must say, your performance has been quite impressive.”
The middle-aged man passed judgment on Wang Dong.
“Whether it’s your quick thinking and self-rescue in the face of the anomaly, or your calm response after quickly assessing the situation, or your composure in the face of uncontrollable forces. Young people like you are rare, even among the privileged class.”
Wang Dong bowed slightly in gratitude.
“You flatter me, I still have much to learn, for example, how did your warship suddenly appear beside me?”
The middle-aged man twitched the corner of his mouth, a semblance of a smile.
“My name is Yuan Shu, this is my warship, the Battleaxe. She is a Seed Warship. What is your name, young brother?”
Wang Dong bowed slightly, acknowledging the greeting, and said: “Mr. Yuan, it’s an honor to meet you, my name is Wang Dong.”
“So the Battleaxe is a Seed Warship, does that mean the earlier display was a function of some onboard module?”
Yuan Shu was slightly taken aback: “Wang Dong… little brother, it seems you are also familiar with Seed Warships, which is remarkable. To possess such knowledge in this remote backwater suggests your ambitions are not simple.”
Wang Dong clasped his hands together, sighed softly, and said: “Yes, Seed Warships, the symbol of the highest military power of human civilization, also the military force that the privileged class relies on to maintain its rule.”
“In fact, owning my own Seed Warship has always been a dream of mine.”
Yuan Shu twitched the corner of his mouth again: “Then congratulations, your dream is about to come true.”
Wang Dong furrowed his brow: “Mr. Yuan, I don't quite understand, what do you mean?”
“It’s as you guessed, 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, you will become the next captain of this Battleaxe!”
Wang Dong chuckled wryly: “Mr. Yuan, can I refuse?”
“Obviously not.”
Yuan Shu moved his arm slightly, as if perplexed by Wang Dong's refusal.
“But I don't mind hearing your reasons for refusing, it’s indeed confusing.”
“I don't want to leave with doubts before I die.”
“Owning my own Seed Warship has been a dream of mine since I learned about their existence.”
Wang Dong shook his head, continuing to chuckle wryly.
“I have my own plan.”
“I'll work as a miner, save money, then leave this country and go to the Federation. There, in the higher academies, there are the most friendly upward paths for commoners.”
“As long as I can graduate smoothly and achieve excellent results, I can get a Seed Warship sponsored by the academy.”
“It’s difficult, but I have confidence in myself, I still have a three out of ten chance.”
“Now, having a Seed Warship seemingly within reach, saving me at least twenty years of struggle, I’m naturally tempted, especially tempted!”
“But it’s too early, too sudden, I’m completely unprepared, whether psychologically, in terms of ability, or even in terms of background influence. Mr. Yuan, do you understand?”
Yuan Shu remained silent.
At first glance, Yuan Shu dies, Wang Dong inherits the Battleaxe, becomes the new captain, and instantly ascends to a higher level, his status greatly enhanced.
But can things really go so smoothly?
First, Yuan Shu, who clearly has a grudge against the Jin family, is undoubtedly going to die, Wang Dong knows it, Yuan Shu knows it, and the Jin family, who instigated it all, naturally also knows it.
But if Wang Dong inherits this Battleaxe from Yuan Shu, will the Jin family let Wang Dong off the hook?
Obviously not.
Dingyuan Jin, known for their “eye for an eye”, remember that?
Just as Yuan Shu said before, the Jin family has long had their eyes on Yuan Shu and the Battleaxe.
Once Wang Dong boards the ship and the Jin family discovers it, they will be included in their target for elimination.
Not to mention becoming the new captain of the Battleaxe.
In fact, any force, upon learning that a commoner like Wang Dong possesses a Seed Warship, would not hesitate to attack him, attempting to take the “Battleaxe” for themselves.
This brings us to the second factor Wang Dong just mentioned.
Background or, more precisely, influence.
To occupy such a resource as a Seed Warship, one naturally needs to have certain qualifications.
This qualification could be ability – recognized elites in certain fields, outstanding warship commanders, etc.
It could be background – privileged class members like descendants of noble families, or public officials of a certain rank or higher, etc.
It could also be influence – large conglomerates, local forces, etc.
It could even be a *wan ku zi di*, inheriting the legacy of their predecessors.
But for a space miner like Wang Dong, clearly, they do not have the “qualification.”
Far from it!