Once, I wanted to be a good person

Chapter 729: 172. An eye-popping choice

As Fang Ze muttered to himself, his mind started to race, trying to figure out what important matter these noble families could have for seeking him out.

After pondering for a moment, he could think of two possibilities.

First, these noble families might be eyeing the Federation quota that he or Miaomiao controlled.

From purchasing Double-sided Fan Tea, it could be seen that the privileges enjoyed by nobles within the Federation were tremendously valuable. Many luxury goods or important resources are not sold externally by the Federation and can only be purchased by families or forces that have the quota.

And now, after years of development, the quotas within various noble families have likely already been divided up or converted into cash through cooperation with other forces.

So, Fang Ze, as a newly returned noble to the Federation, could possess a quota held solely by him. This became something many people were interested in and coveted.

After all, once exchanged, reselling the quota could earn several times the profit.

Moreover, the quota not only includes purchasing privileges but also includes items such as an annual 10 billion worth of supplies or a private escort team of 1,000 people.

Even if a family is not interested in accumulating wealth, the legitimate escort quota of Fang Ze, and the annual 10 billion worth of supplies are extremely enticing. Obtaining these can significantly enhance the family’s strength.

Second, it’s Fang Ze’s recently exposed special ability to break through the protection of demigods.

Although Fang Ze used Black Shadow as a scapegoat, Black Shadow belonged to the Si Family and followed Fang Ze’s orders. Therefore, nobles might approach to inquire about this matter; they might want to buy off Fang Ze to use this ability; or, if they are dissatisfied with this ability, they might want to eradicate it. All these possibilities exist.

And these possibilities, whichever it is, seem to indicate that their visit will not be friendly….

Additionally, these noble families are clearly inviting Fang Ze to different banquets. Deciding which one to attend or not attend, who to offend or not offend, poses a real headache.

No wonder Hei Yu was so urgently rushing to call Fang Ze.

Thinking about this, Fang Ze regained his composure. He calmly said to Hei Yu, “Alright. I understand. I’m heading back now.” Having said that, he hung up the phone, took the documents, and left the office.

…

Thanks to the special teleportation technology of the State Security Bureau, Fang Ze returned home quickly. It took him only five minutes to get back to the Si Family manor.

However, upon his return to the manor, Fang Ze noticed that the manor was tense inside despite the usual calm scene outside with just two or three patrolling guards. Inside the manor, the atmosphere was intense, with over four hundred veteran soldiers already assembled, standing like spears on the training ground, their morale soaring.

Black Bull was patrolling in front of the troops with a stern face while giving a speech as if preparing for a pre-deployment briefing.

Seeing this scene, Fang Ze’s eye twitched, and he picked up the communicator to call Hei Yu.

After the call connected, Fang Ze said in a deep voice, “What are you doing? Are you preparing to exterminate those nobles, or do you plan to bloodbath the council with the assembled escort team?”

“Don’t you know that the demigod-level military base of Xida State is still hovering above the provincial government?”

Upon hearing this, Hei Yu on the other end of the call was also somewhat helpless. She said, “Young Master, a few nobles came earlier and deliberately provoked General, angering him.”

“The General mentioned that, since the Young Master had wandered outside for over a decade and just returned to the family only to be bullied, he, as a veteran, cannot let this go without doing anything. Hence, the escort team was mobilized.”

“However, he doesn’t intend to actually have a conflict with them. Instead, he aims to boost your presence by escorting you.”

Fang Ze understood Black Bull’s intentions but shook his head and said, “Disband them.”

“We still don’t know their exact intentions. Your actions only escalate the conflict with no real value. Also… Reputation is earned through strength, not by numbers and pomp.”

“Even if our family has tens of thousands of fusion-tier members, it’s nothing compared to the other party with even one demigod suppressing the fortune.”

Hearing Fang Ze’s words, Hei Yu, recalling the root cause of the Si Family’s near extermination years ago, fell silent. She responded with a soft “Hmm,” and then hung up the call.

Moments later, Fang Ze saw Hei Yu flying out from the manor, landing on the ground, and whispering a few words to Black Bull.

Black Bull, still visibly angry, quarreled with Hei Yu for a bit, but eventually, reluctantly dismissed the assembled escort team after Hei Yu brought up Fang Ze’s name, stomping away with a bullish expression.

Seeing this, Fang Ze didn’t linger and directly stepped back into his villa, intending to understand what exactly was going on with these seven noble families.

Upon returning to the villa, the table in the hall had already been laid out with the invitations from the noble families.

Fang Ze picked up the stack of invitations and counted a total of seven. All seven were made of gold foil, decorated with intricate patterns, seemingly both ornamental and representative of the different noble family crests.

Fang Ze opened each of the seven invitations and took a look. They were all from the noble families of the Eastern Administrative Region. Two families were from Yunlan State, one from Tang State, one from Tuoya State, and three from the Directly Governed States of the Eastern Administrative Region.

Coupled with Bai Family and Jiang Family of Xida State, it was clear that Fang Ze had now caught the attention of more than half of the noble families in the Eastern Administrative Region.

Since he did not have detailed information on these noble families, Fang Ze, after reading the invitations, made a call to Bai Zhi in Emerald City to inquire about these noble families.

When the call connected, Bai Zhi was signing documents, her face showing the usual look of disheartenment, clearly indicating how much she resented the work….

Now, seizing the rare opportunity for a break, she instantly tossed aside her work without hesitation and started the call with Fang Ze.

After attentively listening to Fang Ze’s situation, Bai Zhi put away her playful demeanor and her face turned serious.

She pondered briefly before slowly saying, “Fang Ze, these seven noble families are all quite powerful, and their demigods, who serve as the anchors of stability, are still alive. They have significant influence whether in their respective states or the Administrative Region.”

“If a comparison is necessary, then the Zeng Family, Sima Family from Yunlan State, and the Jia Family from Tang State are somewhat weaker than the other four.”

She then explained briefly, “Yunlan State’s comprehensive strength ranks mid in the overall Eastern Administrative Region, neither high nor low. Similarly, the Zeng Family and Sima Family have equivalent power. This leads to them constantly holding each other in check over the years, preventing either from achieving a golden opportunity for development.”