131: Chapter 131 Mikey Talks About Rewards (Part 1)

As for Qin Ce.

Just as he stepped out of the safe house, he saw a guard standing not far away.

Upon seeing Qin Ce, the guard immediately stood at attention and saluted, his respectful attitude a world apart from when Qin Ce first arrived: "Comrade Qin Ce, Colonel Mike asked me to wait for you here. Please follow me."

Qin Ce nodded and followed him toward the base's command building.

Along the way, every soldier and officer they encountered would stop, either nodding in greeting or whispering amongst themselves, their eyes full of respect.

"That's Qin Ce..."

"Why does he look even more handsome than last night?"

"Of course he does. He had just come off the battlefield then; it's not the same."

"Wow, a Bronze Rank killing a Gold Rank, single-handedly turning the tide of battle. I still find it hard to believe even now."

"Incredible, and he's so young..."

"His future is limitless!"

...

Qin Ce's expression remained calm as he kept walking, but he expressed his gratitude for the praise to everyone he passed.

At that moment, Tianlu was woken up by the noise in his arms, poking its little head out and curiously surveying the surroundings.

Seeing Tianlu's adorable appearance, some of the soldiers couldn't help but chuckle.

"Wow, what kind of Pet Beast is that? It looks so beautiful."

"You can tell at a glance it's extraordinary."

"It looks like a gryphon..."

Hearing the praise, Tianlu proudly held its little head high and let out a "miwu" sound.

But hearing the word 'gryphon', it started grunting in dissatisfaction.

Its meaning was: don't compare me to those pieces of trash.

Qin Ce pushed its head back into his arms with one hand and hurried away while holding Tianlu.

If the little fellow really started making a fuss, everyone would get curious about its strength, and it would be hard for him to explain in detail.

...

Soon, Qin Ce arrived inside the command building.

At this time, the command building was even busier than usual.

Although the beast tide had receded, the follow-up work had only just begun.

Personnel losses had to be tallied, ammunition consumption counted, beast crystal cores and materials recovered, patrol teams scheduled, and wild farmland restored...

Every department was operating at high speed, with people coming and going in the corridors, their footsteps hurried.

However, when Qin Ce arrived at Mike's office,

It was exceptionally quiet inside.

The base commander was currently sitting behind his desk, a pile of documents spread out before him, though he wasn't reading them.

He was waiting for Qin Ce.

A knock sounded on the door.

"Come in."

Qin Ce pushed the door open and entered; the guard stayed outside and closed the door.

Mike looked up at the young man before him, a smile appearing on his face.

"You're here? Have a seat."

Qin Ce sat down across from Mike, and Tianlu poked its head out from his arms, curiously eyeing Mike.

Mike glanced at Tianlu but didn't ask questions, getting straight to the point:

"Your teacher, Wei Ming, contacted me last night."

Qin Ce sat up slightly straighter.

"He asked me to tell you—" Mike's expression became serious, "In three days, the military will hold a commendation ceremony to reward meritorious service. He wants you to return to Fengling City then."

Qin Ce was slightly startled: "In three days?"

"Yes." Mike nodded. "Your performance was too outstanding; everyone is watching you now. Do you know how many people have already flipped through your files at the First Battle Academy?"

"Seven hundred times!"

"These are First Battle Academy archives; ordinary government personnel aren't even qualified to view them."

"Haha, the number one military merit below the Bronze Rank, the fatal blow that killed the Raven King, the key figure who turned the tide of battle—do you realize how sought-after you are in Fengling City right now?"

He paused, his tone becoming meaningful:

"At a time like this, if you go back early, all sorts of solicitations, probings, and even threats will come flooding in."

"Can you handle that?"

"But if it's at the commendation ceremony, in front of the whole city, where your merits and rewards are announced together and everything is set in stone, then it's different."

"By then, everything about you will be out in the open. Those who want to move against you will first have to weigh whether they have the weight to do so."

"Would moving against you even have any meaning?!"

Qin Ce was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright, I'll follow my teacher's advice."

Mike smiled with satisfaction, then leaned back in his chair, looking at Qin Ce as his tone became more casual:

"Kid, while we have time, let me tell you about the power structure of Fengling City. You'll have to know these things sooner or later."

Qin Ce nodded seriously.

Mike picked up his teacup, took a sip, and began to explain slowly:

"On the surface, Fengling City is a single entity where the City Lord has the final say. But in reality, there are five major powers beneath him, deeply entrenched and checking each other."

"The strongest two are the City Lord's Mansion and the Wang Family."

"The City Lord's Mansion goes without saying; Jiang Tianzong is a peak Bright Moon Beast Tamer who holds command over the City Defense Army and control over the entire city defense system formed by the crystal core towers. As long as he is there, the City Lord's Mansion is the sky of Fengling City."

"What about the Wang Family?"

"The Wang Family's strength isn't bad either. Their old patriarch is at the peak of Starlight; though not as strong as the City Lord, the Wang Family's advantage lies in their numbers. The Wang Family's direct line, branches, and in-laws are spread throughout every department in Fengling City."

"The military, the Administration Hall, the Resource Management Bureau, the City Defense Department... they have people everywhere. Also, you know Wang Zhuo, right? The guy whose Raven King kill you snatched. He was previously hailed as the 'number one person below Starlight' and is the next-generation leader the Wang Family is focusing on cultivating."

Qin Ce's expression remained unchanged, but his heart stirred slightly.

Wang Zhuo?

That show-off who led over a hundred Gold Rank Beast Tamers was named Wang Zhuo?

Wang...

So, the Wang Family opportunity I snatched belonged to him?

Qin Ce didn't have time to think too deeply about it.

Mike continued: "The remaining three families each have advantages in the fields of commerce, politics, and the military."

"The Chamber of Commerce Alliance is led by the Zhou Family. They hold seventy percent of the resource circulation channels in Fengling City. Whatever you want to sell or buy has to go through them. In their domain, even the City Lord and the Wang Family have to show them some respect."

"The Administration Hall faction is led by the Lin Family. They manage Fengling City's administration, taxes, and personnel appointments. On the surface, they listen to the City Lord, but in reality, they have their own little schemes."

"On the military side, besides the City Defense Army directly under the City Lord, there is also an independent 'Garrison Army' led by the Zhao Family. They are responsible for guarding the outer defense zones and have both troops and provisions. Although they aren't as combat-capable as the City Defense Army, they still hold a place at the table."

Mike put down his teacup and looked at Qin Ce:

"These five families are the top tier of Fengling City."

"Major powers have their benefits: abundant resources, wide networks, and quick information. If you want to get something done, connecting with them can save you tenfold the effort."

"But there are downsides too: internal power struggles and mutual suppression. If you enter, you have to pick a side. Pick right, and you'll soar; pick wrong, and you're doomed."

Qin Ce remained silent, absorbing this information.

Mike shifted the topic: "And you, you're no longer an ordinary person. You'll soon face contact from these forces. Because..."

Qin Ce looked up at him.

"You are the top graduate of the First Battle Academy," Mike said word by word. "Moreover, you took the top spot as a one-man team. This means the privileges of an entire team all belong to you alone."

...