A Laborer Who Had Crossed the Seas

Near the high embankment in East Sea War City, a towering cylindrical building stands out conspicuously, its imposing presence still felt even from several blocks away.

Half a day after the sea serpent clan retreated, Tang Miao had recovered somewhat. The National Team arrived here and, following the directions, found the person who was to receive them.

The host was an administrator of a Magic Association. He led the group to a 400-square-meter suite with more than a dozen rooms for them to choose from.

Those who were injured earlier went to rest first, while the others stayed in the central hall of the suite.

This man, who looked to be no more than thirty years old, had particularly cunning eyes. His gaze would always sweep over the girls in the group, seemingly with a particular fondness for long legs. His eyes would dart downwards, making him look even more like a lecherous rat.

This person was not particularly handsome, but judging from the badge hanging on his chest, he should hold a fairly high position in the Magic Association.

"This room is chargeable. If you don't have money, you can pay with your Demon Core. Anyway, most of the sorcerers who come to East Sea War City are risking their lives to make a fortune. But you're unlucky; you've only just arrived and you've already run into the sea serpent clan's attack... Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Lai Hengbao, and I'm in charge of receiving and vetting Chinese hunters in East Sea War City." The man glanced at Nan Jue.

Nan Jue had the longest legs, so his eyes rarely left them.

"Wait, wait, we are..." Jiang Yu noticed that the man's attitude was abnormal and hurriedly tried to explain.

"Your name is Jiang Yu?" Lai Hengbao asked, holding a document.

Jiang Yu nodded.

"Are you Nan Jue?" Lai Hengbao looked at Nan Jue with a confident air this time.

"Yes."

"That's more like it. Sigh, don't tell me you're some top-tier hunter team or some outstanding mage combination in the country, what honors you've won, what demons you've slain. I basically handle all the Chinese mages who come to East Sea War City. If you want to become a district team in Donghai Fortress City, you'd better do exactly what I'm about to say. Otherwise, the Japanese Magic Association's review process is several times stricter. Don't end up being sent back because they think you're too weak." Lai Hengbao said impatiently.

"A district squad?" Everyone looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

What are the mentors doing? Weren't they supposed to be training in East Sea War City? Why did they send someone whose identity they don't even know to greet them?

Lai Hengbao said with a strange look, "Damn, are you guys here for tourism? Don't joke with me. I'm pressed for time, so I won't repeat myself... East Sea War City Fortress City is divided into thirty-two districts. Each district has about thirty narrow lanes, six wide lanes, and one main street. Each of the thirty-two districts has a district head, who receives a monthly protection fund from the Japanese government and the World Magic Association. This fund is entirely controlled by the district head. Whether the district head pockets it, cultivates their own mage force, or hires hunters and mercenaries, as long as the district can eliminate the Sea Monster in time during high tide, the remaining money belongs to the district head."

"I'm responsible for providing mage teams to district heads who need to hire people, mainly targeting us Chinese... Didn't your agencies in China tell you this?"

"..."

After briefly understanding the situation, Lai Hengbao left, specifically reminding everyone before he left that there would be a large high tide the day after tomorrow, and to put on their battle gear and prepare for battle.

When Nan Jue returned, she told Tang Miao and the others the news.

Tang Miao lay there, pursing her lips. "So you're just here to work, huh?"

Zhao Manyan was most sensitive to such manipulations of power and business, and immediately sneered, "The Japanese really know how to play. They built this Great East Sea Battlefield, becoming the seafarer themselves, and then contracted out each district to trusted individuals, letting them operate independently. The Japanese government collects rent and cheaply requisitions all the abundant 'sea products,' while the army and the Magic Association are relegated to the sidelines. Those who die are the mages who want to profit from the war, those who sell themselves to kill demons; money and resources flow into their pockets endlessly."

After hearing Zhao Manyan's words, the others nodded emphatically.

The task of slaying demons, guarding the front lines, and charging into battle has essentially become the responsibility of individual mages. And in order to get a bigger share of the money, the other mages will likely work even harder. The Japanese government is only responsible for maintaining order and setting some rules, while they can hide behind the high embankment and count their money.

Wangyue Qianxun initially wanted to respond to his complaints, but after thinking it over, she ultimately decided against it...

After all, it's a fact... and she was just there to see if Tang Miao was tempted by the bead, and now it seems there's almost no problem.

She was actually planning to leave and go back, since she wasn't well received here anyway.

But Tang Miao insisted on keeping it for her, saying that the bead wasn't fully under control yet, and asked if she wasn't afraid of something happening if she left.

Wangyue Qianxun had already seen through his ulterior motives.

So that very evening, Wangyue Qianxun delivered herself to Tang Miao's door. And, as Tang Miao had requested, she even brought a kimono.

The room was well soundproofed, so even though Jiang Shaoxu was in the next room taking care of Tang Miao, she had no idea that the patient she was watching over was perfectly healthy and lively...

As for her previous comment that anyone who paid attention to him was a "dog," she didn't mention it, and Tang Miao didn't mention it either; they simply moved on naturally.

Two hours later...

Tang Miao was no longer as energetic as before; he slumped down beside Wangyue Qianxun.

Wangyue Qianxun's eyes were still a little wet, as if she had been pricked...?

After all, she never expected that Tang Miao, that bastard, would be so rude!

Seeing Tang Miao's happy expression, Wangyue Qianxun became increasingly angry and shouted, "You bastard!"

How am I an idiot?

Tang Miao smiled and said nonchalantly, "You promised to have a competition."

"Do you really think of me as a **?!"

Tang Miao was really just saying it casually; his goal was clear: the beads. But this silly woman insisted on showing him a different side that day, letting a responsible man like Tang Miao see something others couldn't, and that casual remark was instantly forgotten.

Seeing Wangyue Qianxun's slight dissatisfaction, Tang Miao blurted out, "No, how could that be? How could I be that kind of person? It's just that you're too beautiful~"