Chapter 145: 145 looks like a crazy decision_1
She had almost come to understand the pattern of this world. Yunxia possessed a single, continuous thread of civilization. For example, dynastic titles like those of the First Emperor of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han were known. However, most of the information about these emperors also involved many myths, rendering their documented existences as a mixture of history and legend, never fully concrete.
Popular culture was even more significantly absent. For instance, when Wen Jiang created the Lantern Demon, most people knew that lanterns existed in ancient times. But there were no records detailing any deeper cultural symbolism these lanterns held for the common people. This made it difficult for modern people to feel any real connection.
They even considered lanterns merely tools for illumination. While this was factually true, it was obvious that much of their profound cultural significance was missing.
Wen Jiang’s mind was crowded with ideas, and many things became clear to her as soon as she thought of them. She knew many allusions from ancient cultures. The problem was that she couldn’t possibly remember every single detail because Yunxia’s civilization was far too vast. She could only act on what came to mind at any given moment. Moreover, she had experimented before. She found that if the allusions were ordinary and didn’t involve myths or supernatural elements, she couldn’t create a powerful Card Spirit. At most, she could use her strong spiritual power to forcibly craft a Card Spirit with only superficial consciousness. Poets like Li Bai, for example, were just ordinary people and couldn’t be turned into profound Card Spirits. (Su Daji was an exception because her story involved mythological legends.)
Previously, Wen Jiang had been busy creating cards with combat power for the competition, so naturally, she hadn’t wasted time on this. Now, hearing what Hua Zhuo said, countless ideas instantly flooded her mind.
Making R-Rank Card Spirits was not a problem for her. She could create five or six such cards a day when she had free time at the association.
Never mind the Four Great Classical Novels; creating a Founding Emperor Card Set alone would be a significant undertaking.
In this world, Qin Shi Huang still enjoyed considerable renown, and numerous ancient documents pertaining to the Qin Dynasty existed. There were also no restrictions on integrating such historical figures into everyday life. For example, popular games and paintings often featured various emperors and historical figures.
Perhaps due to issues with historical renown, detailed information became scarce after Qin Shi Huang’s era, particularly through the Three Kingdoms period. It grew even more obscure during the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Jin Dynasty, leaving only a general outline for each dynasty. Information became clearer again around the Tang Dynasty. It seemed there was no particular advantage for her Emperor Card Set, but one crucial issue stood out: historical figures didn’t have Card Spirits.
Consequently, they weren’t popular choices for cards.
To increase the credibility of her card sets, she could list each emperor’s reign and a brief biography, thereby indirectly helping the Yunxia Empire fill in its historical gaps.
She returned to the association and continued with the competition. In her spare time, she began to forcibly create R-Rank Card Spirits.
With Wen Jiang’s affirmation, Hua Zhuo decided to sever ties with the Qiao Family and terminate their cooperation. This was a move that Xie Lingyan couldn’t prevent, and one the Qiao Family certainly couldn’t stomach.
An heir who had just returned dared to openly defy the Qiao Family? It wouldn’t be the Qiao Family if they didn’t teach her a lesson.
The Qiao Family withdrew their core personnel, who had been embedded in the factories for years. They also bribed and swayed a large number of Card Makers to leave with them. This dealt an instant, heavy blow to the eight Card Factories run by the Jimo Family in Yunxia.
Even other families found it incredible. How could the Jimo Family be so decisive? Would they rather offend the Qiao Family to the point of no return than give in?
This heir, so recently returned, seemed like an utter novice who understood nothing.
However, this ’novice’ had, after all, displayed incredible talent in the competition. Even though she was only A-Level, everyone now realized it wasn’t wise to blindly disparage her. To stage such a comeback after living in the slums—one could only say she was indeed Jimo Xiao’s daughter.
While she clearly possessed the talent of a Spirit Card Master, she apparently lacked any acumen for managing the family business.
Such an impulsive move, if it went wrong, could completely drag down the Jimo Family, leaving it unable to ever recover.
They couldn’t even conceive of a way to save a noble family so clearly headed for ruin.
After all, the history of this world had seen ruined noble families before, often beginning with the death of all their heirs.
Even Song Ji found it unbelievable. He couldn’t grasp how Hua Zhuo could allow Wen Jiang to make such an impulsive decision. He rarely took the initiative to call, but this time he inquired about the Jimo Family’s recent situation and stated that he was naturally willing to offer help if Hua Zhuo asked.
"Even with the Empire’s backing, she won’t last long with just those few cards of hers."
Song Ji possessed an exceptional intelligence network and could guess that the recent surge in powerful cards was related to Wen Jiang. However, he disapproved of her impulsive actions.
Hua Zhuo, having spoken with Wen Jiang several times recently, had begun to adopt her manner of speaking. She simply said, "If she fails, then I suppose that’s her fate."
Then let it all be destroyed. She was tired anyway.
Song Ji was uncharacteristically speechless.
Xie Lingyan, his expression dark, was frantic on the phone, "How would I know why she’d make such a decision?"
"You must be joking. She’s the current heir to the Jimo Family; it’s set in stone. Even as her uncle, I wouldn’t dare make decisions for the head of the family."
"Yes, those are all her own decisions, and they have nothing to do with us. I can’t persuade her. Sigh. As her uncle, I can only do my best to clean up her mess. What else can I do? After all, she’s the only bloodline left by my poor, unfortunate sister."
The old lady of the Xie Family was beside herself, "Has she gone mad? Does she know how much money we make from those factories every year? She wants to break ties with the Qiao Family, so we just break ties? With the Qiao Family pulling out, not only will we have to pay a huge penalty for breach of contract, but what about all those Spirit Card Masters?"
Even as an ordinary person, Old Lady Xie knew the importance of Spirit Card Masters.
Xie Lingyan wiped his face, his eyes fierce, "Mom, we can’t control her. You heard what she said last time. I think the Jimo Family is doomed under her leadership."
"She’s causing all this chaos, and that Hua Zhuo doesn’t even try to stop her!" Old Lady Xie was close to throwing a full-blown tantrum. "What did we do to deserve this? The Jimo Family’s wealth should clearly belong to our Xie Family! Why does the Empire insist it belongs to the Jimo Family?!"
Xie Lingyan quickly covered his mother’s mouth, "Mom, for heaven’s sake! Some things you just can’t say!"
The Xie Family had marital ties to the Jimo Family and had entered the ranks of nobility by riding on their coattails, but their own status was awkward.
The position of nobility was passed down only through the direct bloodline, even if that line died out completely. Outsiders had no right to interfere. This was also why the Xie Family hadn’t been able to directly seize the Jimo estate initially.
Not to mention Hua Zhuo, who had appeared out of nowhere.
Xie Lingyan still found it hard to believe Wen Jiang would truly dare to sever ties with the Qiao Family. "Just wait and see," he scoffed. "In a few days, she’ll surely come crawling back and beg them!"