sinovels Chapter 340 340: My Bottom Line Is Decided by My People
Chapter 340 340: My Bottom Line Is Decided by My People
This man was most likely a loser in some internal power struggle, trying to use outside force to eliminate his political enemies and reclaim authority.
Reid had already lost interest in him.
What truly intrigued him was Joy Boy.
A hundred years later, that name would be practically deified. A savior. A figure of compassion who rescued the suffering.
So what choice would he make now?
Reid glanced at Joy Boy and said lightly, "Don't disappoint me, Joy Boy."
The suffering described might be real.
But it was nowhere near as pure as the man made it sound.
And he himself was certainly no noble figure who truly cared for the people.
Joy Boy listened to the tearful accusations. The foolish grin on his face slowly faded, replaced by a deep frown.
He carefully moved closer to Reid and gently poked his arm with a thick finger, lowering his voice.
"I… want to tell you something."
"What is it?" Reid asked indifferently.
Reid cast a glance at the minister, who was clearly trying to eavesdrop. The blood mist quietly enveloped Joy Boy, isolating their voices.
"I think… he's lying."
That alone was enough to wake Reid up a little.
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
"What I saw and heard… that country really is suffering. I couldn't see anyone smiling."
Joy Boy poked him again, like an uncertain puppy.
"Um… Reid… I… I want to go take a look. Is that okay?"
The difference in size between them was enormous.
Joy Boy was a giant.
Reid was just an ordinary man.
That "poke" from Joy Boy could easily be seen as something else entirely. An opportunity, even.
Fortunately, Reid was not someone easily provoked.
His expression darkened. A thick mass of blood mist swatted the finger away.
"This is your ship. Go wherever you want. Why are you asking me? And if you poke me like that again, don't blame me if I hit you."
"Ah… sorry… but…"
Joy Boy shook his head. His expression suddenly turned serious. Even rigid.
"But this is our adventure. Of course I have to ask you."
Reid froze for a moment.
He looked into Joy Boy's clear eyes.
There was something simple and unwavering in them. A sense of we're in this together.
For a second, Reid didn't know what to say.
This idiot…
When it came to things like this, he was unexpectedly stubborn.
And… painfully sincere.
Reid clicked his tongue and looked away.
"Do whatever you want. I've got nothing better to do anyway."
He casually dispersed the surrounding mist.
Joy Boy immediately lit up, his face bursting with joy.
"Great! Then let's go! We'll beat up the bad guys and save the country!"
He waved his arms excitedly, already steering the rubber boat to turn.
Reid watched him for a moment.
Then he glanced at the kneeling minister.
The man was overwhelmed with joy, tears streaming down his face. But at the corner of his lips, there was a faint curve. Subtle. Almost imperceptible.
"Get out."
Reid's voice was calm, cutting off his endless gratitude.
The minister scrambled back to his boat, repeatedly shouting thanks, calling them saviors, claiming the nation was saved. Then he eagerly led the way forward.
The rubber boat followed behind.
On deck, Joy Boy's excitement still hadn't faded.
But after a while, he seemed to notice something. He leaned closer to Reid, his rubbery face showing a trace of confusion and unease.
"Reid… just now… did you want to kill them?"
He was referring to the minister and his guards.
Reid casually used blood mist to wipe the spot Joy Boy had poked earlier.
Again and again.
As if cleaning something off.
He had heard stupidity could be contagious. Better to clean it thoroughly.
Without even looking up, he answered flatly,
"Mm. The kid doesn't like them."
He glanced toward the girl standing quietly nearby.
From the moment the minister boarded, the faint chill around her had only grown stronger. Her ice-blue eyes showed no attempt to hide her dislike.
Reid noticed that.
That was enough.
The girl looked up at him.
She gave a small nod, silently agreeing.
She didn't like them.
There was something about them that felt wrong.
Joy Boy opened his mouth, compassion filling his face.
"But… they still had the courage to ask for help. And the people in that country really do seem to be suffering…"
Reid finally looked up.
His crimson eyes were completely calm.
He waved a hand, cutting him off.
"Joy Boy, we can be friends. We can go on adventures together. We can even beat up people we both don't like."
He paused.
Then glanced at the small boat ahead, his tone turning colder.
"But we're just friends."
"My vice captain decides who I hate."
"And I deal with enemies in a very simple way."
"If this were my ship, the moment my vice captain disliked someone, that person would already be feeding my blood mist."
"The fact that I didn't turn him into mist right away… that's me showing respect to you. My friend."
The meaning was clear.
We can cooperate.
But don't tell me how to act.
My bottom line is decided by my crew.
Joy Boy stared at him blankly.
Then he looked at the girl beside him.
She still had no expression, but there was a quiet gentleness around her.
His slow mind took a moment to process everything. The relationships. The idea of enemies.
Finally, he scratched his head.
That familiar, slightly foolish but bright smile returned.
"Oh! I get it! I still don't think they need to be killed… but Reid, you and your vice captain make a great team! I trust you!"
His logic was simple.
If his friend trusted someone, then that someone must be good.
Even if their methods were a bit strange.
Reid snorted softly and said nothing more.
This idiot…
Unexpectedly easy to deal with.
If Joy Boy had been some rigid, self-righteous idealist, Reid would have packed up and left overnight.
But instead…
There was something about him.
Something Reid couldn't help but reluctantly admire.
In this era, ideas were still scarce. Even powerful races acted like fools.
Some would blame the lost century.
Reid disagreed.
Ideas were the hardest thing to erase.
They were sparks.
And the most stubborn kind.
The rubber boat followed behind the small vessel, heading toward the so-called "suffering" nation.
Reid was curious.
When Joy Boy saw the truth with his own eyes…
When he saw the minister for what he really was…
What choice would the man who wanted to "spread laughter across the world" make?
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