Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 439 Princess Yongning is capable of anything [1 more update]

Chapter 439: 439 Princess Yongning is capable of anything [1 more update]

Mr. Farouk’s hands suddenly clenched as he glared at Valentino, his voice squeezed out from between his teeth, "I provided Wanguo Group—"

He had not finished his sentence when he was interrupted.

"Don’t be foolish, my brother. They came to the Valianjing Family first before finding you," Valentino shook his head, his expression pitying. "Your relationship with them is merely that of a customer and a salesman. They would never offend the entire Valianjing Family for you. It’s best if you accept my plan."

Although he was the next Clan Leader appointed by the Valianjing Family, he had to admit, in terms of blacksmithing talent, he truly fell short of Mr. Farouk.

But who made him nobly born, naturally inheriting the position of Clan Leader?

Even a genius like Mr. Farouk was only destined to work for him.

But now, Valentino was no longer satisfied with this.

He wanted Mr. Farouk’s reputation for genius, so he required Mr. Farouk to not use his own name in future blacksmithing, but instead to use his.

"Mr. Farouk, I’m not discussing this with you, I’m informing you." Seeing that Mr. Farouk hadn’t responded, Valentino knocked on the table impatiently, "Since you were born into the Valianjing clan, you must contribute to the family. Do you think you can secure your reputation as a genius by yourself? Stop dreaming!"

Mr. Farouk trembled with anger, "Even if you are the young Clan Leader, you have no right to steal my belongings!"

Being stripped of the right to name his creations was undoubtedly the greatest humiliation for a blacksmith.

If in the future, all the weapons he crafted were taken and flaunted by Valentino, then what meaning was left for his existence?

"You have three more days," Valentino scoffed, "You don’t have the privilege of choice. In three days, either agree or your hands will be chopped off and used as blacksmithing material."

If it weren’t for Mr. Farouk truly possessing unparalleled blacksmithing talent, he would have killed him long ago, the first time Mr. Farouk defied him.

"Bring him." Valentino clapped his hands and coldly said, "He may not leave his blacksmithing base for these three days, until he agrees."

Soon, a guard stepped forward, "Mr. Farouk, please."

Mr. Farouk clenched his fists and then relaxed them, his expression somewhat dejected.

Valentino was right. Bearing the Valianjing surname and being within Valianky City meant he was subject to the family’s control.

After returning to his blacksmithing base, Mr. Farouk locked himself in his room without interacting with anyone, just silently swinging his hammer, continuing another round of forging.

**

Time quickly reached late night, and the explosion at the auction venue did not affect the daily life of the residents in Valianky City.

At this time, it was still brightly lit outside.

Ye Wanlan returned from outside and saw Yeh Xingli actually playing chess with Yan Tingfeng.

Since there were no chess pieces, they used a pen to draw circles on paper instead.

"Talking all day, what about?" Ye Wanlan raised an eyebrow, "The black piece is misplaced."

"Ah?" Yeh Xingli touched his nose and chose to give up directly, "It’s wrong, then it’s wrong. I’ve only learned a bit, I really don’t know how to play."

Yan Tingfeng blinked gently, "Brother Ye has talent, with just a bit more practice, he could learn."

"These leisure activities, I can only wait until I retire," Yeh Xingli sighed, "but I don’t even know if I can live until retirement age."

After all, his job was always intense, and he was often exposed to various radioactive elements.

Many researchers spent their lives incognito, unable to enjoy their twilight years before dying in experiments.

"Time’s up," Ye Wanlan checked the time, "I’ve prepared a helicopter for you, your assistant is awake, get ready to head back to Global Center. Will someone meet you there?"

"Yes," Yeh Xingli was a bit surprised, "Leaving now?"

"Yes, right now," Ye Wanlan said. "There are people in the city looking for you, and at major airports as well. You have to leave now but can’t take the normal routes."

From the Northern Lands to Global Center, one usually passes over Shenzhou airspace, entering the Nanling Sea area before reaching the destination.

Ye Wanlan’s arrangement took the helicopter on a reverse route, continuing north from the Northern Lands, passing through The Far North, then onto Global Center.

"Okay," Yeh Xingli said seriously. "When Sister Lan and Director Yan arrive at the Global Center, I will make sure to host them well."

Yan Tingfeng smiled faintly, "You will."

The helicopter used "Stealth" technology, relying on principles such as the reflection of light, which allowed the entire helicopter to conceal its form during flight and avoid detection.

Yeh Xingli boarded the helicopter with his assistant, waved to Ye Wanlan and Yan Tingfeng, and left the Northern Lands.

Throughout the journey, he dared not close his eyes until six hours later, when the plane safely landed. Only then did he relax a bit.

He had his own safehouse; after changing his equipment there, he finally made it back to the International Strategic Studies Institute.

At the Global Center, it was eight o’clock at night. Some researchers had gone home from work, but many buildings were still brightly lit.

Yeh Xingli didn’t linger and headed straight for the dean’s office building.

This term, the dean was nearly eighty years old and was set to retire from this position by the end of the year.

"Xingli," upon seeing Yeh Xingli, the old dean sighed in relief, his eyes already moist. He patted Yeh Xingli’s shoulders vigorously, murmuring, "It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that people are back."

As the youngest S-ranked researcher at the International Strategic Studies Institute, too many eyes were on Yeh Xingli.

A genius without power was very susceptible to becoming a sacrificial pawn in the struggle for dominance between various forces.

He could only protect Yeh Xingli for one more year. After that, where would Yeh Xingli go?

"Teacher, I’m sorry to have worried you," Yeh Xingli said, feeling somewhat guilty. "I’ve returned, and I’ve brought back what we needed."

He carefully took out the stone he had obtained at the auction.

After listening to Yeh Xingli’s account, the old dean adjusted his glasses and said with a grave voice, "For your safety, this must not be disclosed to a third person. Also, if any danger is discovered while researching this stone, stop the research immediately."

"Understood," nodded Yeh Xingli. "Teacher, don’t worry, I will earn enough merits and medals within this year to compete for the position of dean."

The old dean patted his shoulder again, his expression kind, "Go on."

Yeh Xingli returned to his own research building, leaned back in his chair, and took out his cellphone.

[Crazy Scientist]: Brothers and sisters, I’m back. Sister YN is reliable. Now, I just need to worry about what to do after the old dean retires.

[Ghostbuster Bro]: What’s there to be afraid of? Just have Rich Sister buy your unit and support you as the dean.

[Crazy Scientist]: Shut up!

Though the group members often teased each other this way, they were all well aware of one thing —

Whether it was the International Strategic Studies Institute, World Bank, or Wanguo Group, although all major powers of the Global Center, they were actually balancing each other out.

Unless someone could unite these major powers into a solid entity.

Yeh Xingli rested a little longer, then eagerly picked up the stone to start his research.

**

Meanwhile, in the Northern Lands.

At three in the morning, Farouk came out from the blacksmith’s forge and was surprised to find Ye Wanlan still sitting in the hall.

"Miss Ye?" He approached, "Why haven’t you rested so late?"

"You’ve been off since you came back," observed Ye Wanlan. "What happened?"

"I..." Farouk paused, his voice weary, "It’s a matter within the family."

Eventually, he briefly shared what Valentino had approached him about.

"I don’t want to become his puppet; I can’t stand having my work bear another’s name, even if it costs me my life." Saying this, Farouk couldn’t help but shed tears.

Ye Wanlan’s eyelashes fluttered downward.

Power.

It was something everyone was infatuated with and fiercely pursued.

She had experienced holding power, and once the taste of power was savored, no one wanted to give it up.

For only when power belonged to oneself, would corresponding wealth, status... and so on, follow.

Yet, Ye Wanlan also clearly understood that having power didn’t mean one had to oppress or bully the weak to show its nobility.

On the contrary, being powerful should be about helping those people.

What she wanted was just four words —

Universal Brotherhood.

Coveting power was never wrong; with such a beautiful and vast country, who wouldn’t feel attachment?

But how to wield power, how to remain unblinded by greed when holding power, that was a difficult thing.

"Miss Ye, rest assured, I promise I will get the Divine Might Spear repaired," murmured Farouk, wiping his tears, "This is the last thing I can do for you."

From then on, the name Farouk would no longer be in the blacksmith world.

Ye Wanlan smiled faintly, stretched out her hand, and gently tapped the table, "Mr. Farouk, are you interested in going back to Shenzhou with me to achieve something great?"

She was lacking people to complete the tasks recorded in the Heavenly Inception Grand Canon.