Chapter 334 - 334 334 Direct Involvement

Words : 1154 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

334: Chapter 334: Direct Involvement 334: Chapter 334: Direct Involvement Not being trusted can certainly be problematic, as many people view those they cannot trust as enemies. When the time comes, one still has to confront a large number of nobles, and that is definitely no easy matter. “Better the official present than the one afar,” and I am not always staying in the Imperial City among the nobles. I will need to go out and interact with various lords. Offending these lords could mean trouble, even with the Royal Family’s backing. Although Zhao Guang doesn’t care much about territories, such things are the ladder to higher levels of power. There are things one simply does not know until reaching a certain status. Zhao Guang wants to keep advancing himself, so he cannot give up his status in the Otherworld. “So, what you mean is, we should also get involved?” Zhao Guang felt this was not good; as someone with solid morals who hadn’t yet become hardened, he did not want to harm ordinary people. Though not acting personally, being involved gave Zhao Guang that feeling. “Indeed, we need to get involved, but the extent of involvement needs consideration.” Qiao Miya had figured out her master Zhao Guang very well these past days. People become crafty with age — this isn’t just said in jest. Her master might seem strong, but often he is too softhearted, a noble with the heart of an ordinary person. Such a person is undoubtedly good, but sometimes troublesome. Thus, when giving advice to Zhao Guang, Qiao Miya was extremely careful, fearing she might upset him. Suddenly, Zhao Guang spoke, “Do you think the Sibar Family will also join?” Qiao Miya immediately responded, “The Sibar Family is a border lord and not strictly pro-monarchy. They are not completely aligned with the Royal Family, so I am 80% sure they will join.” “Eighty percent, that’s enough. I will go and talk to Hawks.” Zhao Guang waved his hand and stopped Qiao Miya from continuing, instead walking towards the next room. Even if the opponents do not know, what then? The worst is just finding another way to solve the problem. As his only and biggest partner in the Empire, Zhao Guang naturally tends to work closely with the Sibar Family. As for other families, well, we’ll see. Isn’t there always a way when it gets to the mountain? Soon, Zhao Guang was facing Hawks. He signaled to Hawks, who then had everyone else leave. “What’s the matter that’s so urgent? Did a microscope get delivered?” The microscope, now well-known within the Empire, is said to reveal tiny organisms invisible to the naked eye, completely overturning people’s previous understandings. Unfortunately, only the Royal Family owns a microscope, and most nobles have only heard of it. Zhao Guang shook his head: “No microscope; it’s just that tomorrow may be troublesome.” Zhao Guang quickly shared the information he received and then just watched Hawks. Hawks was silent for a while before he spoke, “What are you thinking?” “I originally didn’t want to get involved, after all, I’m not short of money and I don’t want to harm ordinary people. But if we don’t get involved, other nobles might think I stand with the Royal Family, and that would be troublesome.” Hawks nodded, “Indeed that would be troublesome, but that’s how most of the Empire’s nobles are.” Having the same thoughts as himself reassured Zhao Guang somewhat. “So, you’re coming to me to prepare for a joint collaboration?” Zhao Guang nodded, “After all, I’m just a newly promoted noble. It won’t be easy to manage things without cooperation.” “You’ve come to the right person. We also don’t like their methods. Whether we were poor before or wealthy now, we really dislike it. But sometimes, you need to show a stance.” “We are neighbors, after all, so let’s do this together. Just tidy up the house a bit, let them burn the yard down. Whatever they steal, we won’t distribute it ourselves; we’ll just report the loss in the taxes.” Zhao Guang nodded; this way, they wouldn’t be involved in their schemes. Moreover, it would send out a signal that he was involved, ensuring the secrecy of the matter. Thus, they would be on the same side without any conflicts. The most important thing is, he wouldn’t be doing much and wouldn’t be harming the interests of ordinary people. Although this might seem like a weak justification, it still put his mind at ease. And most crucially, even if it comes out and is investigated in the future, the small deeds they performed wouldn’t count for much. Just a tax fix, not much at all, especially since their yards did suffer some damage indeed. If the Royal Family ever decides to investigate, it wouldn’t involve them. Zhao Guang didn’t know how many other nobles were like them and he didn’t want to dive deeper into the investigation. Knowing too much about such matters is more dangerous for oneself and frankly, holds no benefit. “I understand, then I will reply to them in that way.” “Use the name of the Sibar Family banner. You’re too low in rank right now. Without this name, some mindless types might trouble you,” Hawks spoke calmly to Zhao Guang. “I understand; I will handle it well.” He hadn’t realized there would be such issues. It seems that after being atop society for so long, some people are truly foolish. Back at home, Zhao Guang conveyed Hawks’ suggestions to Qiao Miya and told him to prepare. Meanwhile, Zhao Guang also said to them, “Tomorrow, all of us will leave and go to the festival. I’ll rent a room in advance, and you guys can just stay there; it’ll be safer than getting caught in a potentially chaotic crowd.” “What about the things in our house, though? We can’t really let them burn everything.” Zhao Guang patted Jeana’s little head, feeling the fur between her ears in his palm. “I’ve moved everything valuable into the Space Ring. We’ll leave just an empty shell behind, with no one in it. When they come to burn it, they’ll just burn some ordinary decorations, and we can just tear down whatever’s left when we return.” Zhao Guang was already prepared to turn his home into an empty shell. Alas, once these guys have tasted success with such tactics, they might continue them. In the future around the Imperial City, he certainly couldn’t leave any important items. It’s not such a problem for him, but it’s likely more troublesome for the neighbors. The Sibar Family, cooperating with him, had bought a large amount of goods. Now these items are unsold and stored mostly in warehouses, so protecting these warehouses is of utmost importance.

Chapter 334 - 334 334 Direct Involvement

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