133: Chapter 133 Michael Talks About Rewards (Part 2)

"The previous first-place graduate would generally have their choice of any position below the division level," Mike explained. "In the military, that's usually a company commander in charge of a hundred men. In government departments, it's a police station chief or a section chief of an important administrative office. In the resource and commercial sectors, it's a manager at a key node—like a supervisor of a trade route checkpoint, a head of a material collection department, or a manager at an armor and weapons manufacturing company."

Qin Ce nodded. Every one of these positions was a post of real power, a threshold that ordinary people might not even reach after a decade of hard work.

"However—" Mike changed the subject, "In view of your performance during the beast tide, you'll be promoted one grade. But that's a promotion in name only; in practice, you still have to follow the process."

Qin Ce frowned slightly. "Follow the process?"

"Yes." Mike sighed. "Both the army and the government have rules. For example, in a unit like mine, as the top graduate, you should technically become a company commander right away. But in the actual process, you have to serve as a squad leader for six months, then as a platoon leader for a year, before you can be promoted to company commander."

Qin Ce remained silent.

This process would take a year and a half.

"Furthermore," Mike laughed again, "with the boost from your outstanding performance during the beast tide, giving you just a company commander position would be a bit of an insult. Your rank should be at least a regimental commander in a remote area, or a battalion commander in an elite unit. Plus, you'll have a certain priority in subsequent promotions."

"In that case, you'd have to serve as a company commander for another three years before you can officially reach the position you're meant to be in."

Four and a half years?

Qin Ce frowned.

Mike took a sip of tea, paused, and then added: "Of course, if you can earn more military merits during your tenure and prove you're fully capable of your current role, you can be promoted ahead of schedule."

Qin Ce's eyes lit up, and he nodded thoughtfully.

"Oh, right—" Mike suddenly remembered something. "Regarding the military merits you earned previously, if you plan to go into the military, don't be in a hurry to redeem them."

Qin Ce was startled. "Why?"

"Once you're in the army, military merits can still be used, and they're incredibly useful." Mike's expression turned serious. "As you know, the military's resources are usually the best. Things you can't buy outside no matter how much money you have can be exchanged for military merits in the army. Moreover, the purchasing power of military merits is much stronger inside the army than outside."

Qin Ce narrowed his eyes slightly.

This was important information.

Mike looked at him and suddenly shifted his tone, becoming casual and friendly:

"Kid, I have a bit of a selfish request. Would you consider coming to the South?"

Qin Ce looked up at him.

"Your teacher, Wei Ming, and I both came out of the Sixth Field Army." Mike's voice held a special warmth. "Most of our group are in the South. If you come, your entire military and political career will certainly be smooth sailing. From platoon leader to company commander, from company commander to regimental commander, there will be someone to guide you every step of the way. You won't lack resources, connections, or opportunities."

He looked at Qin Ce, his eyes full of sincerity. "Besides, the situation in the South is relatively stable, and the number of beasts isn't high enough to form a beast tide, which is suitable for a young person just starting out like you. You can slowly build your strength there, and once you reach Gold Rank or Star-Glow Rank, you can move on to a broader world."

Qin Ce remained silent.

The South.

Mike and Wei Ming's sphere of influence.

If he went there, things would indeed go smoothly.

With a teacher to cover for him, seniors to guide him, and resources tilted in his favor.

His path to promotion would be much flatter than elsewhere.

But where he wanted to go wasn't the South.

Where he wanted to go was the North.

The North!

Three months from now!

A mythic-grade ruin!

That was his greatest current opportunity.

If he went to the South, how would he get to the North in three months?

Even if he could take leave and rush over, he would be in unfamiliar territory with no connections and no intelligence. How could he possibly compete with the major factions that had been planning for months?

Qin Ce took a deep breath and asked:

"Uncle Mike, what's the situation... over in the North?"

Mike's smile froze instantly.

He looked at Qin Ce, silent for a long while before finally speaking:

"The North?"

Those two words carried a special weight as they left his mouth.

"The North is not doing so well." Mike's expression became serious, even grave. "In the entire North, whether it's the military, the government, or the chambers of commerce, over seventy percent is within the Wang family's sphere of influence."

Qin Ce's pupils contracted slightly.

Seventy percent.

The Wang family!

"If you go to the North, you'll definitely be targeted by the Wang family," Mike said in a low voice. "Especially since you outperformed Wang Zhuo during the beast tide. Wang Zhuo is the next-generation leader the Wang family is focused on cultivating. Their plan was for him to build prestige during the beast tide, but a commoner like you stole his thunder and even took the Raven King's kill, making all his efforts serve your gain. You can imagine the Wang family's current attitude toward you."

He paused and emphasized, "The North is your worst choice."

Silence fell over the office.

Qin Ce lowered his head, two thoughts clashing fiercely in his mind.

The South was a smooth road.

With connections, resources, and security.

But he would miss the ruins in three months.

Even if he could grow in such a peaceful environment, his system was no slouch.

The North, however, was a dangerous path.

With suppression, exclusion, and danger.

But there were ruins, opportunities, and a major event that would affect the entire region in three months—and he already had a ticket in advance.

Wouldn't it be a pity not to go?

Which one to choose?

Qin Ce looked up at Mike.

"Uncle Mike," his voice was very calm, "is there really... no chance at all in the North?"

Mike looked at him for a long time.

In those eyes, there was no youthful impulsiveness or recklessness, only a heavy, well-considered determination.

Mike sighed.

"There is," he said, "but it's very difficult."

Qin Ce's eyes lit up slightly.

"The Wang family's influence in the North is indeed great, but they don't control everything." Mike walked back to the map and pointed at several markers in the North. "There are several resource points in the North that are directly under the jurisdiction of the City Lord's Mansion, where the Wang family can't intervene. There are also a few places where several small and medium-sized forces have banded together for warmth, and the Wang family can't crack them either."

He turned around and looked at Qin Ce. "If you really want to go to the North, you'll have to start from these places. Don't clash head-on with the Wang family; find the gaps in their influence and slip through."

Qin Ce listened intently, firmly committing this information to memory.

"But—" Mike's tone became even more serious, "you must think it through. If you go to the South, your teacher and I will protect you. If you go to the North, you'll truly be on your own."

He stared into Qin Ce's eyes. "Are you sure?"

Qin Ce didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he looked out the window.

...