Monarch of Evernight - Chapter 578

Chapter 578: 578

Chapter 578: Lobbying [V6C108 – Sorrow of a Silent Parting]

With a nod, the lieutenant colonel placed two bags—one big and one small—on the counter . “You have chosen to engage in independent hunting . These are your supplies as per imperial military regulations . They have also been adjusted according to your requests . In addition to food, water, and standard supplies, you also have twenty sniper rounds and fifty handgun rounds . I’d like to remind you, however, that these bullets contain only a minimal amount of mithril . Don’t pin your hopes on these bullets when fighting against major Evernight experts . ”

Qianye nodded to express he had understood .

The lieutenant colonel pointed toward the small package and said, “This here contains standard medicines and stimulants provided for free . You can apply separately if you require goods of better quality or greater numbers, we still have enough supplies in store . It goes without saying that you’ll have to pay . Both imperial currency and military contributions are accepted . ”

Afterward, the lieutenant colonel gave Qianye some basic information .

The vanguard squad that had been hiding nearby landed right after the empire destroyed the passage in Giant’s Repose . This caught the Evernight people unprepared and dealt a more or less destructive blow to their base .

The empire quickly gained the initiative and proceeded to construct bases in six of the seven provinces . Meanwhile, the dark races quickly dispatched duke-level fighting powers to hold their remnant of a base and take control of that war zone . However, their location was pretty bad and surrounded by three imperial warzones .

It would be for the best if Qianye could collect evidence of his kills during the hunting process . However, it was also fine if the battle was too intense and he couldn’t find the time . The empire would compare the numbers with their spies and decide his contributions . This rule was a rule known among all veterans, and Qianye was also familiar with it .

Additionally, as an expert engaging in independent hunts, Qianye could move freely through the warzones and return to the base anytime to rest and resupply . But at that point, all supplies will have to be paid for or exchanged with contribution points .

Qianye listened impatiently to the end, and was just about to excuse himself when the lieutenant colonel said in a whisper, “General Qianye, do you have any special warzone you’re interested in?”

Qianye noticed the implications in the man’s words . “I don’t understand very well . Is there any other difference apart from the geography?”

The officer was all smiles as he said, “Of course there is! And it’s not small, either . You know that all those brave enough to choose independent hunting are true experts . Currently, all the major clans in charge of their own warzones have announced special terms for those willing to operate in their warzone . This includes the imperial court . ”

In truth, this was equivalent to an additional bonus . This was the first time Qianye had heard about such an opportunity, so he was fairly interested . “Which clans have announced such conditions?”

Seeing that the topic had piqued Qianye’s interest, the lieutenant colonel immediately became spirited . “It’s not too convenient to speak here . General Qianye, please come with me, we’ll talk somewhere else . ”

Qianye nodded and followed the lieutenant colonel to a secluded little tent . The man brought out a notebook and flipped to one of the pages . “The ones with special conditions are the imperial clan, the Bai clan, the Song clan, and the Li family . A total of five war zones . ”

“The Li family?”

The lieutenant colonel pointed upward and said in a suppressed voice, “It’s indeed the Li clan of the current empress . They’ve invested greatly this time . ”

Qianye’s brows rose sharply . “Is that so? Can you tell me more?”

The lieutenant colonel replied, “The Li clan has allied with several other aristocratic families to take down the most dangerous Misty Wood . Any confirmed kill within the Li clan warzone will be awarded resources of equal value to the contribution . Additionally, if the accumulated contributions reach the count level, the Li family will award an additional batch of count-grade resources . ”

Qianye was somewhat moved at this point . This meant that killing a count in the Misty Wood was equal to killing three counts . It was indeed an attractive deal that would pique the interest of many, but it went without saying that greater rewards also came with greater risk . The Misty Wood was a place hated by most experts . A mist capable of locking one’s perception was indeed nauseating .

Qianye asked calmly, “What about the other families?”

The lieutenant colonel snuck a peek at Qianye but became disappointed upon seeing the indifference . But he still drummed up his spirit and explained, “The conditions set forth by the other families aren’t bad, either . For instance, the Song clan will offer a set remuneration each month in addition to the one hundred percent bonus . The pay will depend on the person’s origin power level .

The Song clan’s warzone was called the Full Moon Plains . Half of this place was flat plains, while the other half was filled with mountainous geography . The environment here was relatively better than the Misty Wood . The most attractive part of the deal was still the monthly payment since just hanging out on the battlefield would earn them money . This meant a lot to experts seeking survival .

Qianye at first felt that the Song clan was just being lazy, but after some thought, he realized that having enough experts in their warzone was, in and of itself, a form of deterrence . Moreover, these experts would still have to fight once the dark races arrived at the Full Moon Plains . Otherwise, what was the point of them being here?

In this manner, the Song clan would be able to obtain a sizeable territory on this floating continent as long as they could hold onto Full Moon Plains . The geography of this place wasn’t advantageous for the defender, however, everything had its pros and cons . The lay of the land here was easier for future development .

Qianye couldn’t help but shake his head at the thought of this . The Song clan had never lacked money, but using it to attract experts all the time wasn’t a proper plan for the long term . At least, their own experts would become unknowingly suppressed and the clan descendants would gradually lose their bloodlust .

The lieutenant colonel continued with his introduction . The offers from the other families were more or less the same apart from the Bai clan offering their full range of battle armors . The Bai clan was known throughout the empire for producing high-quality armor . With two out of the empire’s three primary silken gold mines under their control, the clan’s silken gold armors were always in high demand . One couldn’t buy it with money alone .

The imperial clan’s offer was relatively simple—a twofold increase in contribution points . However, this was the hardest part of all because contribution points could be directly exchanged for resources in the imperial treasury . Only the imperial court could make such an offer . Other families were only able to hand out rewards of equal value .

Naturally, this made no difference if one didn’t require special equipment from the imperial armory . Most of those choosing to work for the imperial court weren’t eyeing resources but connections . Likely due to Lin Xitang’s influence, the current emperor’s promotion of talents focused little on status . For instance, there was no lack of experts from side branches and small families in the Thunderous Cavalry, even commoners and those from landowning families . With great enough performance and contribution, that honored person might even bring him under his wing—this meant so much more than intentionally seeking protection .

The offers from every family had been laid out on the table . Qianye pondered in silence, repeatedly weighing the pros and cons in his heart .

The lieutenant colonel observed Qianye’s expression, then said with a cough, “General Qianye, why not listen to my opinion if you don’t mind . ”

Qianye smiled at the man and said, “Nothing could be better . Pray tell . ” It would seem this person had played lobbyist many times already—the only question was for which family .

The lieutenant colonel paused for a moment before saying, “General Qianye, I’ve heard much about your accomplishments, they’re truly admirable . In my opinion, we’re fighting to kill enemies of the empire regardless of the location . Why not just pick the warzone offering the most resources? Only with enough resources can you obtain better equipment and progress further in this war . For survival, if nothing else . ”

“You’re right . Which family do you recommend?”

The lieutenant colonel spoke with great confidence, “The Misty Wood is the best battlefield!”

A sharp glint flashed briefly through the depths of Qianye’s eyes . Almost no one knew of his advantage in the Misty Wood . Nighteye should be the only one who’s most clear about this . How then did this lieutenant colonel find out?

The man seemed to have sensed Qianye’s momentary killing intent . He immediately broke into a shiver and said hurriedly, “General Qianye! I have no other intentions . ”

Qianye gazed at him in silence, waiting for an answer .

This brief moment caused the lieutenant colonel to become drenched in cold sweat . He said with a wry smile, “Sire, you’re right . I’ve sided with the Li clan and received benefits from them . But it’s because of this connection and my current position that I know the Li clan’s sincerity is the deepest . At least, they had made the biggest bet out of everyone, so there’s no fear of them holding back their power . ”

Qianye nodded secretly . A place like the Misty Wood wasn’t something just anyone could swallow . In fact, it made more sense if the imperial clan, Zhang clan, or Zhao clan wanted this warzone .

The lieutenant colonel wiped away some cold sweat after feeling the pressure lessen . “General Qianye, the Misty Wood is indeed dangerous, but from a different perspective, the most dangerous place is also the safest . I heard you’re matchless in melee combat, isn’t Misty Wood the best place for you to show your skills?”

Qianye chuckled . “Matchless in melee? The nerve of you, I don’t want to hear any more about this . But it looks like you’re quite attentive toward me!”

The lieutenant colonel laughed along . “This little one’s position is all about collecting and organizing information . This is within my scope of duty . ”

The man’s tone had grown several times more humble than the outset . Apparently, he had suffered quite the scare . But this lieutenant colonel was no slouch, either, to actually be able to sense Qianye’s emergent killing intent .

Qianye said in an unperturbed manner, “The most dangerous place is also the safest, huh? These words are best left to deceive rookies . Sincerity, however, is a pretty good reason . Anything else there?”