Gongsun Jin

"Mm." Wang Mu nodded. "Although that expert wiped out a small Rebel Army squad, causing them no small amount of trouble, there are twelve counties near 0119 Base City in total.

"The area is too vast, and City Hall simply does not have enough manpower.

"Of those, five counties have now fallen.

"Or rather, they have been infiltrated by the Rebel Army.

"And because of the chaos caused by the Rebel Army, the prices of all food, gasoline, weapons, and Combat Suits throughout the base city have risen sharply.

"This has driven up prices across the board.

"The residents have already begun crying out in misery.

"Yet the Rebel Army is adding fuel to the fire amid the chaos. It's utterly disgusting.

"Two counties' Rebel Army forces even went so far as to stir up hostility between the people and City Hall.

"They disguised themselves as City Hall martial artists, robbing and oppressing the local people.

"They also intercepted all supplies sent as aid.

"Leaving many places without food to eat or water to use, then pinning the blame on the authorities."

Xu Qing frowned. "They'll stop at nothing."

"Exactly." Wang Mu nodded. "The Rebel Army's unrest has forced local authorities everywhere to deploy large numbers of people to suppress them.

"This has triggered a whole series of ripple effects.

"For example, local factions that had previously been fairly well-behaved have begun stirring as well.

"Some have even started claiming mountains and territory as their own.

"The situation is a complete mess. But because of that, I have the chance to bring you to meet him today."

By the time Wang Mu finished speaking,

the car had stopped in front of a low-key, tranquil official residence in the city center.

"Enough about that. We're here. Be more polite when you meet him later."

Even after getting out of the car, Wang Mu was unwilling to tell Xu Qing who the other party was.

Only after Xu Qing repeatedly pressed him did Wang Mu smile faintly. "He is the base city's City Defense Minister, Gongsun Jin—Old Mr. Gongsun.

"If you can meet his requirements, let alone a B-grade Gene Potion, even an A-grade Gene Potion won't be a problem.

"This is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which is why I didn't have time to notify you in advance."

Xu Qing was slightly startled, then thanked him again.

Wang Mu waved his hand. "Let's go."

Soon,

the two entered the villa.

Led by a middle-aged man who looked like a butler,

they arrived at a window-side balcony on the villa's second floor.

"Master, Mr. Wang has arrived."

"He's here?"

A vigorous voice rang out from the balcony.

Then, an elderly man with a burly build and a height of nearly two meters stood and walked toward them.

Xu Qing was slightly stunned.

He had thought that the senior Wang Mu spoke of, Gongsun Jin, would be a decrepit old man in his twilight years,

with a frail or failing body.

Yet he had never expected the man to be even more solidly built than himself.

With that booming vitality, he looked as strong as a young bull.

"Mr. Gongsun!"

Seeing the old man, Wang Mu clasped his fists respectfully in greeting.

Xu Qing hurriedly followed suit.

The silver-haired old man, dressed in a Tang Suit, waved his hand heartily and gestured for the two to sit. "Hahaha, having two young men willing to visit this old place has added so much life to this residence full of twilight air!"

"You're too kind, sir. We're the ones benefiting from this. Let me introduce him—this is Xu Qing, whom I mentioned." Wang Mu quickly said.

Xu Qing clasped his fists again. "This junior, Xu Qing, greets Old Mr. Gongsun."

"Hahaha, good, good! You truly are a fine-looking talent, outstanding among men!" Gongsun Jin's eyes lit up after only one glance at Xu Qing, and he praised him without reservation.

Xu Qing was somewhat baffled by the praise, but he could only smile and go along with it.

"Good. Since you are willing to give me, Gongsun Jin, face, I won't put on airs because of my age. I'll speak plainly." Gongsun Jin smiled and set down his teacup.

"Because of the Rebel Army, the entire base city is severely short on manpower right now, especially experts. Wang Mu says you are quite capable. Would you be willing to do some work for me?"

Xu Qing was slightly taken aback.

He had thought the other party wanted to recruit him into City Hall.

He had not expected that the old man merely wanted to assign him some missions.

Taking private jobs?

Xu Qing was rather interested.

"Please tell me in detail what you need me to do," Xu Qing asked politely.

"It's simple. From time to time, I will issue missions—missions related to the Rebel Army."

Gongsun Jin's expression turned solemn.

"Some people may appear to be ours, but they have long since been corrupted by and colluded with the Rebel Army.

"They may hold positions in public, or wield influence within our camp.

"And relying on the lack of concrete evidence, these people are difficult to deal with.

"It is not convenient for me to handle them, nor is it convenient for the authorities.

"So, I want to use an outsider's hand to secretly eliminate these vermin."

Xu Qing frowned. He did not agree immediately, but neither did he refuse.

He believed the old man had not finished speaking.

"Don't worry. I will handle all intelligence gathering and preparations. You only need to make the move.

"As for the mission rewards, rest assured—they will definitely be proportional to the risks. You will not suffer the slightest loss."

Gongsun Jin said calmly.

"I can guarantee that," Wang Mu hurriedly said to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing nodded and smiled. "Mr. Gongsun, I am not worried about that at all. What concerns me is my identity. After all, this is modern society, not ancient times."

Gongsun Jin smiled. "I understand your concerns."

Then he waved to the butler beside him. "Bring the things I prepared earlier for Little Brother Xu."

"Yes." The butler immediately turned and left, soon returning with a tray.

"Little Brother Xu, this is your City Hall identification. From today onward, you are an officially registered martial artist."

Xu Qing was immediately startled. He took the identification and saw that the information on it was indeed his own.

He glanced at Wang Mu. Seeing him nod, he accepted the identification.

"Good. From now on, whenever there is mission information, I will contact you." Gongsun Jin stood and said with a smile.

Only then did Xu Qing and Wang Mu clasp their fists and leave.

As soon as they exited the official residence, Xu Qing hurriedly thanked him. "I've made Brother Wang worry over me again."

"It's nothing. Why say such things between brothers? If there are complicated missions in the future, we can join forces."

Wang Mu said with a smile.

"Alright!"

After returning to the company, Xu Qing resumed his previous routine, balancing work and cultivation.

Two weeks later,

Xu Qing received his first mission notice.

"0125 County?"

Xu Qing looked at the information Gongsun Jin had sent and weighed whether to accept it.

In the end, he decided to take the mission.

The money was not the important part. What mattered was Gongsun Jin's connections.

As the base city's City Defense Minister,

he surely possessed a great many resources and channels.

If Xu Qing built a good relationship with him, then if he wanted to leave the base city—or even travel to the moon—in the future, he might be able to rely on Gongsun Jin's connections.