The Iron Thorn Combat Hall remains the same as before; at least from the outside, it hasn't changed much.
Unlike before when Zhang Tie swaggered in, this time Zhang Tie and Beneta entered directly from the Battle Hall's parking lot via the VIP entrance, and then took the VIP elevator directly to the VIP service area on the first floor of the Battle Hall.
Zhang Tie used to not even have the right to enter the VIP service area on the first floor.
Beneta changed his clothes in the VIP service area, while Zhang Tie came out of the service area to greet Manager Hans.
Regardless, since he had already agreed to serve as an advisor to the Battle Hall Hans, even if it was just a nominal title, it was only right to say hello since he was here. His title was nominal, but the salary the Battle Hall paid him was real: twenty gold coins per week. This amount was definitely among the highest-paid professionals in Black Flame City. As far as Zhang Tie knew, only top traders at the major commodity exchanges or managers of merchant guilds in Black Flame City could earn that much.
Earning 20 gold coins a week adds up to at least 1000 gold coins a year, which is a huge sum.
The Battle Hall was doing better than Zhang Tie had imagined, seemingly even busier than when Zhang Tie used to work there. After the upheaval in Black Flame City, it seemed more people had awakened and begun to understand the importance of force. In this era, money is a form of strength and power, but only force is absolute strength and absolute power. Money can be converted into force in many situations, but force can be converted into money at any time. The experiences of the Andaman Alliance over the past month have fully demonstrated this point.
The martial spirit of the Norman Empire was unmatched by the commercially driven city alliances of the Andaman Alliance. The people of Black Flame City, a fourth-tier city within the Brunswick Province under the jurisdiction of the Norman Empire's Northern Frontier Governor, quickly experienced this difference and adapted rapidly. In the Norman Empire's rigid hierarchical system, possessing formidable military strength was undoubtedly a shortcut to success. And Zhang Tie seemed to have inadvertently become the first representative of Black Flame City to embark on this shortcut.
When Zhang Tie arrived at Hans's office from the VIP area, he encountered several acquaintances from the Battle Hall. They all knew that Zhang Tie's status was now vastly different from before, especially after seeing Zhang Tie dressed in a dashing Norman Empire military uniform. Their attitude towards Zhang Tie was a hundred times better than before.
Zhang Tie Zhang Tie was very pleased by the radiant smiles, thoughtful greetings, and warm regards. It gave him a feeling of returning home in glory.
After declining the offers of several somewhat familiar staff members from the Battle Hall to show him the way, Zhang Tie went directly to Manager Hans's office. The door to Manager Hans's office was ajar. Although Zhang Tie could easily push the door open and go in, Zhang Tie politely stopped outside and knocked on the door.
His mother often told him from a young age that he should not lose heart when he was down, nor should he be arrogant when he was successful. Zhang Tie remembered this and often reminded himself of it.
"Come in!" came Manager Hans's voice from inside. Upon hearing this, Zhang Tie pushed open the door and went in.
Inside Manager Hans's room, several people seemed to be talking to Hans. When Zhang Tie opened the door, they all turned around. Manager Hans seemed surprised that Zhang Tie would come to the Battle Hall at this time, and the people who were talking to Hans also seemed surprised that a Norman Empire officer would enter at this moment, so they were all slightly stunned.
Manager Hans was the first to react. His face lit up instantly, and Hans portly figure rose with unprecedented agility from the chair behind the table. He strode to Zhang Tie's side, pulled Zhang Tie, and proudly addressed the group, "Do you believe me now? This is Zhang Tie, the most outstanding young man in Black Flame City, a senior advisor to our Iron Thorn Combat Hall Battle Hall, and a lieutenant in the elite Iron-Blood Battalion of the 39th Division of the Norman Empire. He's the first fifteen-year-old genius among millions in Black Flame City to master the Norman Empire's royal secret combat technique, the Black Flame City Iron-Blood Divine Fist. Before becoming our advisor, he was already a member of our Battle Hall Battle Hall, undergoing rigorous testing since his student days. If you don't believe me, you can ask him yourself! Among the various Battle Hall Battle Hall in Black Flame City, which one can cultivate such talent like us? Choosing our Iron Thorn Combat Hall will definitely not disappoint you! Our Battle Hall's motto is to ensure you feel every coin you spend is worthwhile..."
Zhang Tie blushed a little at what Manager Hans said.
The people sitting in Hans's Manager Office seemed to be a family: a portly, richly dressed man in his forties; a woman dressed in fine jewelry, quite attractive, but with a critical eye when looking at people; and a pair of blond boys around ten years old, who were twins.
As Manager Hans introduced them, the group, which looked like a family, all turned their attention to Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie smiled and nodded to them.
"Can this man teach my little Victor and little Peter the secret royal combat techniques of the Norman Empire?" The woman, dressed as a noblewoman, asked, causing Zhang Tie and Manager Hans to both feel a bit taken aback. "As long as he can teach my little Victor and little Peter the secret royal techniques of the Norman Empire, so that my little darlings can become officers in the Empire when they grow up, and make our family a Scholar Clan in the Empire, we can afford any amount of gold coins. Don't you think so, darling!"
The man coughed awkwardly twice, seemingly realizing that what his wife had said was a bit far-fetched. The woman didn't seem to understand what Iron-Blood Divine Fist was, but the man seemed to know a little, which made him somewhat embarrassed. The royal secret of the Norman Empire, in his wife's words, had become like cabbage in a street market, something you could buy wholesale as long as you could afford gold coins.
He gestured for Zhang Tie to sit on the sofa next to him and wait a moment, then Manager Hans slowly returned to his seat. "Madam, your request is a bit too unusual. In the entire Blakerson Human Corridor, there's probably only one place that can barely meet your requirements!"
"What place is it? Can you tell me?" the woman asked, still intrigued.
"I estimate that only the Imperial Family has a 50% chance of doing what you're asking for!"
Upon hearing that only the imperial family could fulfill even half of her request, the woman fell silent, staring wide-eyed at Manager Hans.
Manager Hans shrugged. "Here, I can only assure you that we will provide your little darlings with the best training and treatment, and your money will not be wasted. If they do perform exceptionally well in the future, they may have the opportunity to receive personal guidance from our senior Battle Hall, and witness firsthand what the Iron-Blood Divine Fist is all about."
Seeing that his short-sighted woman was about to say something more, the man quickly spoke up, stopping her in front of an Imperial officer. "Manager Hans, that's settled then. We are very satisfied with everything here. We've decided to let our children train at the Iron Thorn Combat Hall!"
Manager Hans escorted the family to the office door and had someone take them to complete the membership procedures for the Zhanziguan (a type of Chinese cultural organization). As the man left, he nodded apologetically to Zhang Tie, as if he wanted to say something. Seeing the apology and caution in the man's eyes, Zhang Tie, sitting on the sofa, smiled, shook his head, and indicated that he didn't mind.
It's not a good thing to treat the Iron-Blood Divine Fist like a cabbage that can be bought with a few gold coins in front of an imperial official. The man quickly took his woman away to prevent her from saying anything more.
"The most endearing thing about these Lineage who get rich overnight through mining is their gold coins. But the most detestable thing about them is also their gold coins!"
Back at his desk, Manager Hans opened the cigar box, took out a cigar, and gestured to Zhang Tie as if asking if he wanted one. Zhang Tie shook his head, and Manager Hans enjoyed his cigar himself.
" The Battle Hall seems to be doing quite well!" Zhang Tie smiled. "Much better than before!"
"The rules in Black Flame City have changed, and everyone has to change accordingly. In the Norman Empire, a merchant's highest rank stops at the Scholar Clan. Soldiers who rely on military merit and battle achievements can advance to the Merit Clan or even Noble. If they become Merit Clan or Noble and marry into the royal family, they may even join the Imperial Clan family. Recently, the best-selling book in Black Flame City's bookstores is ' The Chapter of Order,' which introduces the imperial hierarchy..." Manager Hans took a puff of his cigar. "I heard that the Black Flame City Military Control Committee is currently doing the final statistics and classification work for the various social strata in Black Flame City. Once this work is completed, Black Flame City will officially end military control and enter the imperial order of rule. Someone like me, who only knows how to make money, if I pay taxes diligently in the future..." "Only by reaching a certain number of donations, or by making a huge donation to the empire, can one barely make it into the Scholar Clan class. Scholar Clan, according to the Norman Empire's rules, I won't even be allowed to ride in a private car anymore; I can only ride in a horse-drawn carriage. The carriage's color and decoration cannot be gold, red, white, or black. The number of horses pulling the carriage cannot exceed two, and I cannot use mutated horse breeds of the second tier or higher, other Devil Beast, or the seven types of purebred horses that the empire stipulates can only be used by the Merit Clan and above. There are also regulations on the size of the carriage. Oh, and I can't even smoke cigars in public anymore; I can only smoke them at home or in the office..." Manager Hans sighed with a worried expression. "The good days for the nouveau riche in Black Flame City are coming to an end!"
Seeing the worried look on Manager Hans's face, Zhang Tie originally wanted to express his sympathy, but when he thought about how many of those guys who, according to Jerome Black Flame City, "only know how to do small business," would be running around Black Flame City in oddly colored little carriages, Zhang Tie couldn't help but burst into laughter. The Norman Empire's class system, viewed from a different perspective, was actually quite endearing.
"Horse manure and horse farts don't smell very good!" Zhang Tie said carelessly while laughing.
Manager Hans, who was holding a cigar, paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"What brings you to the Battle Hall today?"
"Come and take a look, collect your salary, and while you're at it, show off in front of acquaintances when this uniform is at its most intimidating, satisfying a little vanity!" Zhang Tie said honestly.
Manager Hans laughed even louder, finding Zhang Tie a truly interesting fellow. Talking to someone like him was incredibly easy and pleasant. "Alright, you're now a star attraction for our Battle Hall. Many people come because of your reputation. I'll prepare the money for you now, a year's salary upfront. Go ahead and show off your power, and I'll give you the rest of the money when you leave!"
"Okay!" Zhang Tie said, standing up.
"Do you want gold notes or gold coins?" Manager Hans asked.
"Gold coins! I love the weighty feeling of holding gold coins in my hand!"
"Just like me!" Manager Hans laughed again.
After leaving Manager Hans's office, Zhang Tie went straight to the VIP service area and began to enjoy the VIP treatment at the Battle Hall. Beneta was still waiting for him there because Zhang Tie said he was going to say hello.
"Bring all those female assistant coaches over here. I want to choose one!" Zhang Tie ordered the VIP area service manager as soon as he arrived at the VIP area. The manager obeyed and left.
Seemingly aware of Zhang Tie's intentions, Beneta opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent. Mary was merely an ordinary female assistant trainer at the Battle Hall. After Zhang Tie left, Beneta ultimately failed to win Mary over or make Mary his woman. Moreover, after learning about his relationship with Zhang Tie, his mother had sternly warned him against having any further contact with Mary. In Beneta's mother's eyes, Mary, this foolish yet self-righteous woman, would only bring disaster to the men around her.
In no time, dozens of young and beautiful women arrived at the VIP area, and each of them began to stare at Zhang Tie and flirt with him.
Mary was among the female assistant trainers. Zhang Tie spotted her immediately, and she saw Zhang Tie as well. Although there were many legends about Zhang Tie in the Battle Hall, Mary's face turned pale and her body trembled involuntarily when she saw Zhang Tie.
Zhang Tie pointed at Mary, and although he didn't say anything, a smile appeared on his face. Everyone noticed that Zhang Tie's gaze was fixed on Mary, and the female assistants around him also looked at Mary one by one.
Amidst the complex, envious, and somewhat gloating gazes around her, Mary walked out of the crowd, her steps slightly trembling.
"Her! I want Mary!" A sudden voice rang out from the side, laced with provocation. Zhang Tie turned around and saw a familiar-looking kid walking towards him, accompanied by two bodyguards. As he approached, the kid raised an eyebrow at Zhang Tie defiantly. When one of the bodyguards saw Zhang Tie's uniform, his expression changed, and he quickly whispered something in the kid's ear. Unexpectedly, the kid glared at him fiercely and said, "Shut up!"
Looking at this arrogant brat, Zhang Tie suddenly remembered who it was—the one who had knocked him unconscious the first time he came to the Battle Hall, and this brat's name was also Gregory...