Chapter 363: The Sixth Day in the Struggle for Supremacy World

Chapter 363: The Sixth Day of Transmigrating into a Hegemon-Building Story

"Ruzhi is too modest." An Yi's voice remained gentle, but carried a note of added solemnity: "In our three years of correspondence, your letters have shown unique and profound insights into economics, people's livelihoods, governance, and even military affairs. Each one has broadened my horizons and benefited me greatly. To be able to win the devoted assistance of such great talent as Ruzhi..."

He paused, his gaze sincere as he looked at Bai Ji: "is truly my good fortune."

He offered the highest praise, placing Bai Ji in the position of a great talent. However, An Yi then shifted his tone, becoming even gentler, even carrying a hint of sincere counsel born of concern for the other's welfare:

"Only..." He leaned forward slightly, his gaze calm as he fixed his eyes on Bai Ji: "Does Ruzhi know that my return to Sique this time, nominally for quiet recuperation and study, is in truth... the wind is rising before the storm—the road ahead may not be smooth."

"Though Yuncang has countless faults and myriad shortcomings, it remains for now the imperial capital, beneath the Son of Heaven's very feet, able to maintain a surface tranquility for the time being. With Ruzhi's talent and insight, given time and gradual progress, you could surely carve out a place for yourself within this capital—perhaps meeting an enlightened lord, perhaps realizing your ambitions."

He shook his head slightly, as if with regret: "Why put yourself through... following me to that wild, uncertain frontier where fortune is unpredictable? I truly cannot bear to see talent like Ruzhi's, because of me, needlessly drawn into unknown storms."

Bai Ji's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.

An Yi called him... Ruzhi.

And moreover, An Yi's words... were they a genuine attempt to dissuade him? Or a deeper test?

Was it testing how much chaos Bai Ji had truly seen? Why, when he still "had a choice," he would choose to follow a noble scion about to leave the center of power, seemingly to avoid trouble?

Was it genuine recognition of his judgment and readiness, or was there another agenda? How firm was this resolve to pledge allegiance?

Testing Bai Ji's foresight, testing the motives behind his choice, testing whether he truly saw the situation clearly, and... whether he had truly fixed upon An Yi himself?

His thoughts raced, yet his expression betrayed no hesitation.

Instead, after a brief silence following An Yi's words, he laughed softly.

He raised his eyes, looking directly into An Yi's.

The habitual mask of gentleness and refinement in his eyes receded like a tide, revealing beneath it a deeper, sharper, more authentic hue.

The soft smile still lingered at the corners of his mouth, giving his expression a strange sense of dissonance—sharp eyes, yet a warm smile.

"Why does the young lord ask what he already knows?" Bai Ji's voice was steady, even softer than before: "This tranquility of Yuncang is nothing but a thin layer of gold leaf hastily pasted over a great edifice that's about to collapse—brilliant and beautiful on the surface, yet when a slightly strong wind comes, it will flake away in the wind, revealing the rotten beams beneath."

His gaze locked onto An Yi, as if trying to see through those calm eyes to the true thoughts behind them: "Since the young lord asks this question, you must already see what others cannot see, know what others cannot know. This great edifice on the verge of collapse—if the young lord can see it, how could I not see it too?"

He paused briefly, and on his pale face, a faint blush crept up from a subtle stir of emotion. This touch of color oddly softened his pallor, adding a measure of vitality.

He continued, his voice low: "I am unwilling, when the gold leaf peels away and the rotten wood crumbles, to burn alongside those who live in drunken oblivion amidst the ruins. I am willing to follow the young lord, before the storm hits, to seek another path and prepare early—even if the road ahead is thick with thorns and full of pitfalls."

He paused again, his tone resolute: "That's still better than sitting idle in false peace, waiting for death with my hands tied."

Then, as if recalling something, he added another line, this time with a note of certainty: "Moreover... the young lord once wrote in a letter, 'Extraordinary times require extraordinary talents to do extraordinary deeds.' Though I'm unworthy, perhaps... I might barely qualify as 'extraordinary.'"

He looked deeply at An Yi, and in those unguarded dark brown eyes, sharpness and something deeper intertwined: "And the young lord is the only person I've seen who could possibly accommodate this 'extraordinary'—and truly put it to good use."

An Yi listened quietly, his fingers tracing the warm porcelain cup, feeling its fine texture.

The parlor fell silent for a moment, only the occasional leftover rain dripping from the eaves outside, tapping against the stone steps with soft "tap, tap" sounds.

Lying.

An Yi calmly made his judgment.

Bai Ji's words were heartfelt, sound in reasoning, and logically consistent, and even faintly hinted at a sense of mutual recognition between kindred spirits.

But An Yi knew things were by no means so simple.

How could a man of deep schemes, skilled in plotting, who saw others as chess pieces, so easily decide to throw in his lot with someone upon first meeting—merely because he saw the situation clearly and appreciated that the other could make room for extraordinary talent?

There must be other reasons.

Perhaps... thinking of the comments section...

An Yi's fingers, stroking the cup, paused.

None of that mattered for now.

What mattered was that he needed talent.

Chaos was coming, and he needed all kinds of talent to build his system and achieve his goals.

As for Bai Ji—his abilities were outstanding, his judgment sharp, his methods formidable. That alone was enormous value.

As for any hidden intentions, secrets, or that intriguing newfound interest... An Yi wasn't too concerned.

"Ruzhi is too serious." An Yi spoke.

The smile on his face grew a few degrees more genuine. He looked at Bai Ji, his gaze earnest, as if all the probing from just now had never happened, leaving only straightforward appreciation and invitation: "Since that's the case, I'll stop exchanging empty pleasantries with Ruzhi, and adding needless mutual suspicion."

He said with a smile: "To win the devoted assistance of talent like Ruzhi is truly like adding wings to a tiger. The journey to Sique will be long, with inevitable travel hardships. Once we arrive, all the arrangements, reconnecting with local clan elders and old friends, the reorganization of the manor's retainers, and the planning of countless future affairs... a thousand loose ends, immensely complex."

He nodded slightly: "I precisely need someone as meticulous and planning-minded as Ruzhi to share my burdens and oversee the big picture."

Then, An Yi shifted his tone, considering matters with great thoroughness:

"However, given the special circumstances at present, to avoid unnecessary complications, I must temporarily ask Ruzhi to travel in the capacity of my friend and advisor. All living arrangements and daily expenses shall be the same as mine—please do not decline."

He smiled, with a hint of apology: "Once we arrive in Sique and are settled, we can discuss matters at length. I will not keep Ruzhi in such a position for long."

This was formal acceptance.

Not merely acceptance, but offering the highest courtesy and a posture of trust.