Wang Dong remained completely still as the green-tinted injection entered his body.
"This is a secret medicine of the Yuan Family. No need to explain its potency. It will activate precisely one year from now," Yuan Shu said in a low voice.
"The lockbox containing the antidote is on the desk inside the captain's cabin. I've already set the unlock condition. As long as you kill any direct descendant of the Jin family, the Shipboard AI Core will verify it and release the antidote.
I'll use my captain's authority to hard-code this condition—future captains won't be able to change it."
Such family-named secret medicines were typically among a family's trump cards, and the corresponding antidotes were nearly impossible to obtain on the open market.
Wang Dong's expression revealed a trace of concern.
"The Dingyuan Star System is very far from this Mining Star Region. And the Jin family is powerful—their direct descendants command far more resources than most. Their Spark Warships aren't ordinary either. I fear I won't be able to find a suitable target anytime soon."
"You needn't worry about that. The Jin family's direct descendant who plotted against me—Sima Decao—is still in this starfield, tracking me. He won't leave anytime soon. He's your best target.
I've already prepared all relevant intel on him. Once you become captain, you can access it anytime from the Shipboard AI Core database."
Yuan Shu's voice was calm.
Using secret medicine to bind Wang Dong was entirely expected.
From his standpoint, what other method could guarantee Wang Dong would inherit his will and fight the Jin family to the end?
In truth, Yuan Shu was forcing Wang Dong to stain his hands with the Jin family's blood—cutting off all retreat.
Since ancient times, making a blood sacrifice had always been a reliable way to induct someone into a cause.
And in this case, Yuan Shu was also driven by a desire for revenge.
Sima Decao had directly caused his downfall. To say he felt no hatred would be a lie.
Whether the demand was fair or whether it might cost Wang Dong his life—those were no longer concerns for Yuan Shu.
He was about to die himself—what did he care?
Wang Dong wasn't even a descendant of his bloodline. No familial sentiment bound them.
In the end, Wang Dong was merely Yuan Shu's final act of defiance—his last hope before death.
In his previous life, Wang Dong had resented this coercion.
But in this life—he felt nothing.
After experiencing so much, one learns that if you want to gain something, you have to give something up.
To obtain a Spark Warship and the chance to break free of his status, any price was worth it.
Though he had just confidently told Yuan Shu he had a 30% chance of getting a Spark Warship on his own—that was pure nonsense.
Reality wasn't that kind.
Just figuring out how to cross interstellar distances—light-years across—from the Zijing Kingdom to the Golden Sparrow Federation was already a massive uncertainty.
More importantly, the Battle Axe had several Ship Modules of truly exceptional quality.
It was no wonder the Jin family coveted them so badly they destroyed the Yuan Family, and Yuan Shu resisted to his last breath.
Wang Dong wanted them badly too.
In his previous life, without those few Ship Modules, how could he, a mere novice captain, have dodged the Jin family's pursuit and clung to life for over ten years?
"This condition isn't unreasonable. I accept it," Wang Dong said solemnly.
It was a sincere promise.
With Yuan Shu's decades of experience, combined with the enhanced perception granted by intermediate Body Forging Technique, he could tell at a glance that Wang Dong meant it.
"Good. Fate hasn't completely forsaken me. To find a suitable successor for the Battle Axe before death—what more can I ask?"
Yuan Shu, weak and close to death, straightened himself up with great effort.
He waved off Wang Dong's attempt to help, then raised his voice with solemn authority.
"Battle Axe, as captain, I now issue the following command: Transfer captain authority to the human citizen standing before me, Wang Dong."
"Beep! Beep! Beep! Highest-level command detected. Beginning authorization process.
… Verifying issuing officer: Captain Yuan Shu.
… Verifying issuing environment: No anomalies detected.
… Verifying recipient: Human citizen Wang Dong.
…
Verification complete. Captain Yuan Shu, please confirm the order."
Unlike the low-grade Mine Overlord Type II that Wang Dong used, the Battle Axe's Shipboard AI Core spoke with a soft, pleasant voice.
"Confirm command!" Yuan Shu enunciated clearly, his words brimming with complex emotions—reluctance, relief, hope, and bitter regret.
"Command confirmed. Captain Wang Dong, congratulations on becoming the third commanding officer of this vessel. Battle Axe reporting for duty.
May fortune favor your battles."
The authentication process was precise and rigorous.
Every part of the procedure required repeated confirmation, and even the issuing environment had to be assessed to ensure the captain wasn't under hypnosis or coercion.
With the full verification complete, Wang Dong officially became the new owner of the Spark Warship Battle Axe.
His emotions were complicated.
This was the turning point.
He had set foot on the path to escape the bottom rungs of society.
But it was only the beginning.
In his last life, he had stumbled at this very first step.
Now that he'd been reborn, he wanted to see—this time—who would win.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。