No Gain Without Effort

Mayor Lauren, who already looked down on these pampered rich kids, became even more adamant after hearing their words: "You'd better leave, or I'll treat you as obstructing official business, and don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The Japanese girl in the sailor uniform who had been the subject of Tang Miao and the other two's comments about her chest said with a hint of anger, "Mayor, I think you must be Mayor Lauren. What you've done has truly opened our eyes. Don't you think this is a compromise with the Red Ornament Guild? How disappointed will your actions be with the victims and their families?"

Upon hearing this, Mayor Lauren sneered and said with a hint of sarcasm, "What could you students living in an ivory tower possibly know?"

Nan Jue looked at the mayor, somewhat confused. Why choose to compromise with these beasts?

She had done some preliminary investigation into the mayor, and all indications suggested he wasn't a corrupt official. So how could things have turned out this way?

He couldn't help but say, "You need to think things through carefully. Do you really think the Temple of Freedom would allow you to do this?"

"Temple of Freedom!?"

Mayor Lauren sneered, then suddenly rebuked him angrily, "Don't mention them to me. If they really want to meddle, then they should immediately send Temple Mage to completely wipe out the Sea Monster in the Caribbean Sea. Don't let them hide in their comfortable mage sanctuaries, enjoying fine wine and food, and pointing fingers at the whole of America when the Sea Monster are rampant and cities and towns are devastated."

I've thought this through before I started, so there's no need for you greenhorns to meddle!

"Without my governance, this city would have long since become a ranch for Sea Monster!"

After hearing about the mayor's aversion to the "Temple of Freedom," even those unfamiliar with politics could somewhat understand that being mayor might not be an easy task for him...

However, recalling the information R had given her earlier, and her previous understanding of the Red Ornament Guild, Nan Jue added, "No matter what, you shouldn't cooperate with these things that are even more cruel than Sea Monster."

Even though Nan Jue meant well, Mayor Lauren didn't listen at all.

Their country and their municipalities are not as developed as the countries in front of us, let alone compared to the United States, which has a huge Magic Association like the Temple of Freedom.

Their military personnel are quite limited, and the funds that the municipality can allocate are even more meager.

With numerous Caribbean nations, diverse populations, and varying ethnic and religious groups, coupled with the threat of Sea Monster, the only solution that a poor nation and municipality could think of was to incorporate the Red Ornament Guild.

Grant the Red Ornament Guild a city and entrust them with dealing with the Sea Monster. This would not only keep these villains in check but also eliminate the Sea Monster's threat.

It must be said that the decision was well-intentioned. If these despicable people hadn't lost the hearts of the people, there would have been almost no problem, and the city could have been brought back to peace.

But... he only witnessed the bloodshed of the Demon Beast, failing to perceive the greed of these hypocritical beasts...

As for these members of the National Team, he really didn't welcome them at all!

Meanwhile, Shao He Gu, the representative of R side, said angrily, "If we join forces now and wipe out the Red Ornament Guild, wouldn't we be free from future troubles?"

Mayor Lauren remained unmoved, saying, "No need. Leave immediately. If you misuse magic on my territory and cause damage or injury, I will arrest you according to the laws of this country!"

"Absolutely hopeless, absolutely hopeless!!"

Nan Jue hadn't personally experienced Mayor Lauren's suffering, so she couldn't understand. She simply angrily rebuked, "How can an official cooperate with a thief? This is the greatest taboo! Throughout history, doing so has always caused even greater social unrest!"

"Hmph, social unrest? Don't waste your breath on these laughable platitudes. This place isn't... uh..."

"Bang!"

Before Mayor Lauren could finish speaking, Tang Miao suddenly appeared and punched her to the ground.

All three team members were completely stunned by what they saw...

After knocking Mayor Lauren down with a single punch, Tang Miao headed towards Baitou Port.

Ai Jiangtu Nan Jue were both taken aback and hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.

Tang Miao stopped and turned to look at Nan Jue, saying, "Didn't you say that the alliance between officials and bandits would cause social unrest? If that's the case, why did you stop me? Besides, these scoundrels are nothing more than Demon Beast in human skin."

Nan Jue paused...

For a moment, she was truly speechless...

Ai Jiangtu wasn't one to whine or complain, and he was also somewhat annoyed by the mayor's actions.

Mayor Lauren's face wasn't just from anger or pain; it was already twitching!

This kid is absolutely outrageous! He actually dared to hit himself?!

Seeing the mayor's displeasure, Tang Miao turned around and said, "Actually, I have no interest in getting involved in your messy affairs. However, we have a mission to complete here, and along the way, we've seen too many people suffering abuse. And the culprits are none other than the Red Ornament Guild, which you're hoping to use to protect this city. So, no matter what, I'm going to destroy this guild today. Anyone who stands in my way... dies!"

Seeing Tang Miao speak as if he were some kind of savior, Jiang Shaoxu felt nothing but contempt.

After all, just a second ago when the two of them arrived, he refused to get involved.

However... seeing that neither side had made a move and they were locked in a stalemate, this guy changed his mind. And, in order to obtain that magical artifact, he actually made a move? Most importantly, his reasons were perfectly valid!

"Damn it... damn it!!!"

Mayor Lauren, who had been beaten, was furious! She roared, "Don't think that just because you're Advanced Mage I won't dare to do anything to you! I'll behead you in Baitou Port!"

At his command, the guards immediately formed a defensive formation and surrounded Tang Miao.

The government troops were numerous, row upon row, column upon column, all exuding magical aura, and the air itself was being driven away by the impending elemental storm!

Seeing this, Mu Nujiao, Mu Ningxue, Jiang Shaoxu, Mo Fan, and Zhao Manyan wanted to rush to Tang Miao's side to help.

At the same time, Tang Miao was surrounded by dense lightning, as if he were absorbing the surrounding lightning elements. Terrifying lightning continued to gather, and at this moment, the Military Mage present were all in a panic...

Because lightning was already gathering above their heads... it seemed that it would suddenly descend with just a thought!

Most importantly, the power of the lightning left them almost no time to draw Star Map. Several Military Mage who wanted to try even had their hands burned by the lightning.

Seeing Tang Miao rush over, Shao He Gu yelled at Ai Jiangtu Nan Jue, "Damn it, what are your men doing, clashing with the government troops!"

In his opinion, were the people in the Huaxia government out of their minds? Stirring up trouble on someone else's territory like this—didn't they know they'd face international punishment?

He certainly didn't care about Tang Miao or the Huaxia. But since they were here too, how could they escape responsibility?

"Call them back quickly." The Indian side is also afraid of trouble. Even if monks have a conflict, they shouldn't try to confront the government army head-on!

"..."

Tang Miao paid no attention to the commotion over there. A bunch of incompetent, furious trash—what was there to care about?

Looking at the government soldiers surrounding him, Tang Miao said coldly, "If you don't want to die, get the hell out of my way. Soldiers like you are a disgrace to the word 'soldier.' You dare not deal with robbers? I'll handle this! Good dogs don't block the way!"

Although he made his move, he wasn't stupid. If he really killed these people, it would definitely cause him a lot of trouble. All he wanted was that "Night Cloak".

After hearing what Tang Miao said, these people felt ashamed... to be honest, they were indeed quite pathetic.

Moreover, and most importantly, the thunderclouds overhead were becoming increasingly turbulent, and they truly lacked the courage to continue obstructing them. After all, no one could be certain whether a bolt of lightning would strike in the next second!

Immediately, the Military Mage blocking the way made way one by one, and Tang Miao ignored them and walked straight past.

Seeing this, Mayor Lauren was even more enraged! Just as she was about to roar and reprimand them, she saw several hot-tempered National Team walk over. Moreover, each of them exuded an exceptionally powerful aura...