Chapter 578: Lobbying
[V6C108 – Sorrow of a Silent Parting]
With a nod, the lieutenant colonel placed two bags—one big and one small—on the counter. “You have chosen to engage in independent hunting. These are your supplies as per imperial military regulations. They have also been adjusted according to your requests. In addition to food, water, and standard supplies, you also have twenty sniper rounds and fifty handgun rounds. I’d like to remind you, however, that these bullets contain only a minimal amount of mithril. Don’t pin your hopes on these bullets when fighting against major Evernight experts.”
Qianye nodded to express he had understood.
The lieutenant colonel pointed toward the small package and said, “This here contains standard medicines and stimulants provided for free. You can apply separately if you require goods of better quality or greater numbers, we still have enough supplies in store. It goes without saying that you’ll have to pay. Both imperial currency and military contributions are accepted.”
Afterward, the lieutenant colonel gave Qianye some basic information.
The vanguard squad that had been hiding nearby landed right after the empire destroyed the passage in Giant’s Repose. This caught the Evernight people unprepared and dealt a more or less destructive blow to their base.
The empire quickly gained the initiative and proceeded to construct bases in six of the seven provinces. Meanwhile, the dark races quickly dispatched duke-level fighting powers to hold their remnant of a base and take control of that war zone. However, their location was pretty bad and surrounded by three imperial warzones.
It would be for the best if Qianye could collect evidence of his kills during the hunting process. However, it was also fine if the battle was too intense and he couldn’t find the time. The empire would compare the numbers with their spies and decide his contributions. This rule was a rule known among all veterans, and Qianye was also familiar with it.
Additionally, as an expert engaging in independent hunts, Qianye could move freely through the warzones and return to the base anytime to rest and resupply. But at that point, all supplies will have to be paid for or exchanged with contribution points.
Qianye listened impatiently to the end, and was just about to excuse himself when the lieutenant colonel said in a whisper, “General Qianye, do you have any special warzone you’re interested in?”
Qianye noticed the implications in the man’s words. “I don’t understand very well. Is there any other difference apart from the geography?”
The officer was all smiles as he said, “Of course there is! And it’s not small, either. You know that all those brave enough to choose independent hunting are true experts. Currently, all the major clans in charge of their own warzones have announced special terms for those willing to operate in their warzone. This includes the imperial court.”
In truth, this was equivalent to an additional bonus. This was the first time Qianye had heard about such an opportunity, so he was fairly interested. “Which clans have announced such conditions?”
Seeing that the topic had piqued Qianye’s interest, the lieutenant colonel immediately became spirited. “It’s not too convenient to speak here. General Qianye, please come with me, we’ll talk somewhere else.”
Qianye nodded and followed the lieutenant colonel to a secluded little tent. The man brought out a notebook and flipped to one of the pages. “The ones with special conditions are the imperial clan, the Bai clan, the Song clan, and the Li family. A total of five war zones.”
“The Li family?”
The lieutenant colonel pointed upward and said in a suppressed voice, “It’s indeed the Li clan of the current empress. They’ve invested greatly this time.”
Qianye’s brows rose sharply. “Is that so? Can you tell me more?”
The lieutenant colonel replied, “The Li clan has allied with several other aristocratic families to take down the most dangerous Misty Wood. Any confirmed kill within the Li clan warzone will be awarded resources of equal value to the contribution. Additionally, if the accumulated contributions reach the count level, the Li family will award an additional batch of count-grade resources.”
Qianye was somewhat moved at this point. This meant that killing a count in the Misty Wood was equal to killing three counts. It was indeed an attractive deal that would pique the interest of many, but it went without saying that greater rewards also came with greater risk. The Misty Wood was a place hated by most experts. A mist capable of locking one’s perception was indeed nauseating.
Qianye asked calmly, “What about the other families?”
The lieutenant colonel snuck a peek at Qianye but became disappointed upon seeing the indifference. But he still drummed up his spirit and explained, “The conditions set forth by the other families aren’t bad, either. For instance, the Song clan will offer a set remuneration each month in addition to the one hundred percent bonus. The pay will depend on the person’s origin power level.
The Song clan’s warzone was called the Full Moon Plains. Half of this place was flat plains, while the other half was filled with mountainous geography. The environment here was relatively better than the Misty Wood. The most attractive part of the deal was still the monthly payment since just hanging out on the battlefield would earn them money. This meant a lot to experts seeking survival.
Qianye at first felt that the Song clan was just being lazy, but after some thought, he realized that having enough experts in their warzone was, in and of itself, a form of deterrence. Moreover, these experts would still have to fight once the dark races arrived at the Full Moon Plains. Otherwise, what was the point of them being here?
In this manner, the Song clan would be able to obtain a sizeable territory on this floating continent as long as they could hold onto Full Moon Plains. The geography of this place wasn’t advantageous for the defender, however, everything had its pros and cons. The lay of the land here was easier for future development.
Qianye couldn’t help but shake his head at the thought of this. The Song clan had never lacked money, but using it to attract experts all the time wasn’t a proper plan for the long term. At least, their own experts would become unknowingly suppressed and the clan descendants would gradually lose their bloodlust.
The lieutenant colonel continued with his introduction. The offers from the other families were more or less the same apart from the Bai clan offering their full range of battle armors. The Bai clan was known throughout the empire for producing high-quality armor. With two out of the empire’s three primary silken gold mines under their control, the clan’s silken gold armors were always in high demand. One couldn’t buy it with money alone.
The imperial clan’s offer was relatively simple—a twofold increase in contribution points. However, this was the hardest part of all because contribution points could be directly exchanged for resources in the imperial treasury. Only the imperial court could make such an offer. Other families were only able to hand out rewards of equal value.
Naturally, this made no difference if one didn’t require special equipment from the imperial armory. Most of those choosing to work for the imperial court weren’t eyeing resources but connections. Likely due to Lin Xitang’s influence, the current emperor’s promotion of talents focused little on status. For instance, there was no lack of experts from side branches and small families in the Thunderous Cavalry, even commoners and those from landowning families. With great enough performance and contribution, that honored person might even bring him under his wing—this meant so much more than intentionally seeking protection.
The offers from every family had been laid out on the table. Qianye pondered in silence, repeatedly weighing the pros and cons in his heart.
The lieutenant colonel observed Qianye’s expression, then said with a cough, “General Qianye, why not listen to my opinion if you don’t mind.”
Qianye smiled at the man and said, “Nothing could be better. Pray tell.” It would seem this person had played lobbyist many times already—the only question was for which family.
The lieutenant colonel paused for a moment before saying, “General Qianye, I’ve heard much about your accomplishments, they’re truly admirable. In my opinion, we’re fighting to kill enemies of the empire regardless of the location. Why not just pick the warzone offering the most resources? Only with enough resources can you obtain better equipment and progress further in this war. For survival, if nothing else.”
“You’re right. Which family do you recommend?”
The lieutenant colonel spoke with great confidence, “The Misty Wood is the best battlefield!”
A sharp glint flashed briefly through the depths of Qianye’s eyes. Almost no one knew of his advantage in the Misty Wood. Nighteye should be the only one who’s most clear about this. How then did this lieutenant colonel find out?
The man seemed to have sensed Qianye’s momentary killing intent. He immediately broke into a shiver and said hurriedly, “General Qianye! I have no other intentions.”
Qianye gazed at him in silence, waiting for an answer.
This brief moment caused the lieutenant colonel to become drenched in cold sweat. He said with a wry smile, “Sire, you’re right. I’ve sided with the Li clan and received benefits from them. But it’s because of this connection and my current position that I know the Li clan’s sincerity is the deepest. At least, they had made the biggest bet out of everyone, so there’s no fear of them holding back their power.”
Qianye nodded secretly. A place like the Misty Wood wasn’t something just anyone could swallow. In fact, it made more sense if the imperial clan, Zhang clan, or Zhao clan wanted this warzone.
The lieutenant colonel wiped away some cold sweat after feeling the pressure lessen. “General Qianye, the Misty Wood is indeed dangerous, but from a different perspective, the most dangerous place is also the safest. I heard you’re matchless in melee combat, isn’t Misty Wood the best place for you to show your skills?”
Qianye chuckled. “Matchless in melee? The nerve of you, I don’t want to hear any more about this. But it looks like you’re quite attentive toward me!”
The lieutenant colonel laughed along. “This little one’s position is all about collecting and organizing information. This is within my scope of duty.”
The man’s tone had grown several times more humble than the outset. Apparently, he had suffered quite the scare. But this lieutenant colonel was no slouch, either, to actually be able to sense Qianye’s emergent killing intent.
Qianye said in an unperturbed manner, “The most dangerous place is also the safest, huh? These words are best left to deceive rookies. Sincerity, however, is a pretty good reason. Anything else there?”