Chapter 1039: First the Stick, Then the Carrot
Jiang Nan cleared his throat and put on a serious expression.
"You know very well what the Chen Clan did wrong, so I won't go over it again. I should have simply crushed you to death right here to serve as a warning to all the other families!"
Chen Daoyi shuddered violently, his old face full of bitterness.
So it really came down to being beaten to death with a stick?
Huh? "Should have"? At this moment, Chen Daoyi's face burst forth with astonishing brightness.
Jiang Nan continued, "But the Western Frontier is currently in a turbulent period. I hereby order the Chen Clan to mobilize all its forces and station in the Western Frontier."
"Cooperate with the Spirit Martial Force to clear out spirit beasts and guard the fertile lands of the Western Frontier. Until the Dike Wasteland is pacified, the Chen Clan is not allowed to withdraw from the Western Frontier!"
Chen Daoyi felt as if struck by a thunderbolt, staggering back two steps, his face pale.
"Th-this... how is this any different from crushing the Chen Clan? How many people die every year in the Western Frontier troops?"
They were being exiled to the border just like that? This was too ruthless!
Crushing them before squeezing out their remaining value?
Jiang Nan narrowed his eyes: "You still know that people die? So many young lives have been sacrificed to protect this land, and you sold it away just like that?"
Chen Daoyi's face was full of bitterness, his ears ringing.
Wang Dalei said coldly: "Of course, you can also refuse. Then we'll just crush you directly. That would save us trouble."
Chen Daoyi struggled to speak: "I... I agree."
Only then did Jiang Nan's expression soften.
"During the Chen Clan's garrison in the Western Frontier, half of all resources obtained shall be handed over to the forward base. The remaining half can be kept for your own use."
Chen Daoyi was stunned: "Re-really?"
This way, the Chen Clan would have an opportunity for sustained development!
There was no need to mention how rich the resources were in the wasteland. Even keeping half for themselves would give them motivation while guarding the Western Frontier.
Jiang Nan shrugged: "If you don't want it, we can do ninety-ten."
Chen Daoyi's face turned red with excitement: "You want me to take ninety? That... that doesn't seem right, does it?"
Jiang Nan glared: "What are you dreaming about? You hand over ninety! Keep ten for yourself!"
Chen Daoyi quickly shook his head: "No, no, no! Fifty-fifty is fine! I agree, I agree!"
Jiang Nan then said: "Brother Chen, you're the family head. You know exactly what kind of sorry state your children and grandchildren are in."
"The Chen Clan may be flourishing with many branches, but it's also rotting from within. If this continues, even without me making a move, your Chen Clan will be finished sooner or later."
"Garrisoning the Western Frontier is a tough job, but it tempers people. Since ancient times, extreme prosperity has always led to decline."
"I'm giving your Chen Clan a chance to change, so that your path can go further. You understand this principle better than I do."
Chen Daoyi nodded incessantly. As Jiang Nan said, this was both a disaster and an opportunity for the Chen Clan.
Jiang Nan continued: "As for the Spirit Weave matter, I still mean what I said before."
"If you agree to let me include Spirit Weave in the textbooks so that everyone can benefit, I'll give you the complete Spirit Weave cultivation method."
"You can have Chen Seventy-seven learn from me later."
Chen Daoyi was stunned for a moment, never expecting that even now, he still had a chance to learn Spirit Weave.
He had nothing left to ask for. He couldn't help but bow deeply to Jiang Nan.
"I agree. Thank you."
This "thank you" came from the bottom of his heart. If Jiang Nan wanted to crush the Chen Clan, it would only take a single word.
But he didn't. Instead, he gave them an opportunity, a chance to become better.
Jiang Nan grinned: "Very good."
This matter was finally settled. As for including Spirit Weave in the textbooks, it would only be up to the Spirit Cotton Jacket technique.
He had no intention of writing the top-tier Spirit Cotton Armor into the textbooks.
It was always good to hold something back.
As for the Chen Clan, it wasn't that Jiang Nan had a soft heart. It was just that the Heavenly Slaughter Project had made him nervous.
Rather than crushing the Chen Clan, it was better to pull them into the Western Frontier. At least Chen Daoyi counted as a Dao Heaven-level战力, useful for something.
If he chose to crush them, Chen Daoyi would surely order the Chen Clan to fight back desperately. Some of the Chen Clan's overseas arrangements would stab them in the back, retaliating against Huaxia, causing more harm than good.
This handling method was already the optimal solution.
Wang Dalei looked at Jiang Nan with an appreciative gaze.
Uncle Jiang was amazing. First the stick, then the carrot. He made the Chen Clan contribute while feeling grateful.
No wonder Brother Jian trusted Jiang Nan to make decisions.
Although young, he considered every detail thoroughly.
A fierce tiger that can also sniff the rose—Wang Dalei had to admit he was impressed.
Next, the Dragon Abyss Dark Night moved without rest, directly organizing troops to sweep through the Mist Swamp Blood Vines within the territory.
Even Wang Dalei and Chen Daoyi joined in, making the efficiency terrifying.
And wherever the troops pushed, the Celestial Green Vine absorbed. One generation of new vines replaced the old.
All those Mist Swamp Blood Vines became nutrients, supplying the Celestial Green Vine's upgrade.
In just three days, all the Blood Vines within the Western Frontier were cleared.
The Celestial Green Vine was pushed to Diamond Four Star level.
It stood over three hundred meters tall. Looking out, lush green vines covered the ground everywhere. Mountains and fields were full of Cotton Candy Flowers, breathtakingly beautiful.
And on that day, the Celestial Green Vine also activated its Celestial Force Field.
With a loud "boom"!
Infinite green light burst from the vine body. Countless vines began absorbing chlorine and producing oxygen.
As time passed, the black clouds over the Western Frontier were shattered and eroded away.
They transformed into white clouds, gathering into a cloud vortex, maintaining an oxygen concentration of 27%.
All the Dragon Abyss Dark Night members who had been mutated reverted after a bout of coughing up blood.
Tests showed that their hemoglobin levels returned to normal.
Some even started getting a little drunk on oxygen. Mila was finally able to take off her oxygen mask.
...
In the medical room, Jiang Nan lay on an experimental bed, covered with electrode pads.
His face was full of Southern suffering.
(˃᷄˶～˶˂᷅)
Li Bing pouted, her little hand exploring continuously. Her expression gradually turned serious.
"You, of all people... how long has it been? How do you have so many more hidden injuries? Sigh~"
This showed how many life-or-death battles Jiang Nan had been through, big and small.
His body was already covered in scars.
Thinking of Jiang Nan's smiling face when he handed in his mission, and how much hardship he must have endured behind the scenes to bring back those experimental materials...
Li Bing's eyes reddened a little. Why did he have to push himself so hard?
"There are signs of lignification in multiple body tissues, and also on the organs. This is troublesome."
"All because you drank that Vine Marrow recklessly. That stuff, though terrifying in spiritual energy, isn't meant for humans."
Jiang Nan looked panicked: "Is it serious?"
Wasn't Vivian fooling Pepper when she said Vine Marrow could upgrade?
Li Bing rubbed her eyes.
(°¯᷄◠ก̀) "Very troublesome. You might not feel any abnormality because your body strength is here."
"You've almost reached Diamond-level body strength. Once you reach Diamond, you might be able to ignore rifle fire with just your body. You're such a freak."
"Lignification will affect your future development and limit your potential. It might even hinder you from reaching Dao Heaven or breaking through to higher levels later."
Jiang Nan's eyes widened: "Huh? That serious? I..."
Li Bing tucked her hair behind her ear: "Don't talk. Big sister is here. Let me treat your hidden injuries first."
"This treatment... it's only for you. Hmph!"
"Gifted Spiritual Art: Muah~"
And so she began treating him.
(O˘³˘(˵¯͒﹏¯͒˵)
Jiang Nan's whole body tensed up, not daring to open his eyes.
Oh my god, th-this... who could withstand this?
Li Bing didn't stop, continuing to treat the hidden injuries all over Jiang Nan's body.
After fifteen minutes, Li Bing wiped the fragrant sweat from her forehead, looking exhausted: "I can't do anything about the lignification for now."
"Don't cultivate recently to prevent complications. I'll take care of it for you. Just wait."
"I've recently developed some good stuff. If I could experiment on you first... slurp~"
Jiang Nan shuddered. She wasn't treating him; she clearly wanted to use him as a lab rat!
He shoved a White Rabbit toffee into Li Bing's hand and ran out.
Li Bing quickly called out: "Hey! Don't forget to get your IV! There are still residual parasitic spores in your body that need to be deactivated!"
As soon as Jiang Nan walked out of the medical room, he saw Xia Yao holding an IV bottle for Zhong Yingxue, who had just come out of the bathroom.
(∗❛ั◡❛ั∗) "Xiao Nan? Done with the checkup? Everything okay? Go get your IV. Three bottles. It'll take a while."
Jiang Nan grinned: "I'm going now. What about Da Lang Mie? Are you done with your IV?"
Xia Yao's gaze was evasive.
(｡◔ε◔ิ｡) "I... I'm done. Don't worry about me. Just go. Burp~"
Zhong Yingxue: (≖_≖)...
"Yao Yao didn't get the IV at all. She drank fifteen bottles. Chugged them down. Right in the lobby. The doctor even praised her for being able to drink that much."
Jiang Nan: (⑉ԾжԾ) Pfft~
ꉂꉂ(ᵔᗜᵔ*) "Hahahaha! You actually drank them? Wasn't it bitter?"
Did she have to go that far just to avoid a needle?
Xia Yao blushed.
(⑉`~´⑉) "What are you laughing at? The doctor said the stomach can absorb it, but only 20% efficiency."
"I drank fifteen bottles, so that's 100%. Same thing!"