Chapter 20: Winning People Over with Virtue
Li Dongze quickly returned to his desk, rubbed his hands vigorously, and opened the computer with high spirits to edit a message.
"Centurion Fu, I have something to report. I just received news that the Nightwalker I recruited has successfully passed the trial mission and returned to reality. Yes, he has successfully cleared the Sheling Tunnel."
He clicked send.
In the White Tiger Troops' system, subordinates cannot directly call their superiors unless it's an extremely urgent matter. Usually, they report via email or message.
Zhang Yuanqing clearing the Sheling Tunnel was a big deal, but not an urgent one.
About ten seconds after the message was sent, the phone on Li Dongze's desk rang, with the caller ID showing it was Centurion Fu.
A direct call? Li Dongze immediately picked up the phone.
"Li Dongze, you need to take responsibility for your words," a young man's cold voice came through the speaker, enunciating clearly.
"Centurion, this matter is indeed unexpected." Facing the centurion's warning, Li Dongze was incredibly relaxed. "I just got off the phone with him."
"Is there a strategy guide?" Fu Qingyang immediately asked.
"We'll have to wait a little longer for that."
Centurion Fu was silent for a few seconds, then his icy tone softened. "I didn't have any expectations, so this is a pleasant surprise. For someone to clear the Sheling Tunnel, they must have extraordinary abilities."
"Li Dongze, you've recruited a talented individual for the White Tiger Troops. I will report this to the Elder Council and credit you with a major achievement."
Oh god, this was simply amazing. Li Dongze's smile widened, then he seemed to recall something and lowered his voice. "Do we need to keep this confidential?"
The fact that he had recruited a Nightwalker was no longer a secret among the district captains in Kangyang. Even if he deliberately didn't mention it later, people would notice after a while.
It couldn't be hidden for long.
Especially since the Pentad Alliance and the Taiyi Sect had signed an agreement giving the Taiyi Sect priority in selecting any Nightwalkers that appeared nationwide.
This agreement resulted in the Pentad Alliance having almost no Nightwalkers of their own, just a scant few.
Fu Qingyang scoffed. "Why hide it? The Taiyi Sect has already clearly stated they don't want this Nightwalker. They can't go back on their word now."
"What you need to guard against are people within the Pentad Alliance. I don't want a repeat of what happened with the Baihua Association. We need to win him over with virtue."
This aligned with Li Dongze's thinking. He humbly sought guidance. "Please advise me, Centurion Fu."
"Give him full membership and a raise."
Huh? A raise? Is this winning someone over with virtue?
"I don't like using money to buy loyalty, because those who come together for profit will inevitably part ways over it. I prefer winning people over with virtue, but virtue takes time to demonstrate, while money shows results immediately."
Centurion Fu's tone was calm. "Have him write up a strategy guide as soon as possible. I want to know the core information about the Mountain God Temple. And take the opportunity to return the Taiyi Sect's favor."
Any S-rank spirit realm was bound to contain valuable information and intelligence that ordinary spirit realms couldn't compare to.
"Understood!"
Li Dongze ended the call.
What kind of winning over with virtue was this? But it was indeed the Fu family's style. Li Dongze shook his head.
This young master Fu's family had gone abroad to escape the chaos and turmoil of unstable times. After a century of development, they had grown into an enormous capital predator.
Later, the Fu family accepted an olive branch extended by the country and returned with vast wealth to participate in economic development.
The Fu family was not only a huge capital force but also a generations-old family of spirit realm explorers, producing a certain number of scouts each year.
They were an influential family force within the White Tiger Troops that could not be ignored.
Centurion Fu was young but proficient in various financial abilities, jokingly known as the "Money Young Master" among the four young masters of the official organizations.
At this point, Li Dongze saw someone @ him in the "Kangyang District Spirit Realm Explorer Management Group."
Qingteng: "@Li Dongze, Captain Li, how's the situation with that new Nightwalker you recruited?"
Qingteng was the captain of the Baihua Association. If it had been any other plant demon asking this, Li Dongze would have suspected ulterior motives.
But this female captain had a gentle and kind personality, not the type of unscrupulous seductress.
Bailong: "Wow, those words cut deep. Knowing full well it's impossible for anyone to clear the Sheling Tunnel, you still want to provoke Captain Li?"
Before Li Dongze could speak, Bailong, who had a history with Qingteng, was the first to jump out and start a fight.
Dajiba: "He must have perished in the Sheling Tunnel. Yesterday, someone in the area I manage also disappeared in the Sheling Tunnel. That poor soul still hasn't been found and has basically died in the spirit realm."
This hotheaded fire mage was still so annoying.
Besides these three more active captains, the others didn't say anything, seeming to have lost interest in the matter.
My buddies, you're going to be envious of me, in the next second! Li Dongze casually sent out a 1000 yuan red envelope.
He was the first to grab it himself, snatching a 5 yuan share.
Qingteng: "Thanks boss."
Bailong: "The boss is generous."
Dajiba: "The boss has a strong waist and good kidneys."
They instinctively grabbed the red envelope and expressed thanks, going through the motions. Then they suddenly realized...
Bailong: "No way, right?"
Dajiba: "Li Dongze, what do you mean? Explain clearly."
Qingteng: "Captain Li?"
Li Dongze: "Thanks everyone for your concern. The new Nightwalker I recruited has successfully cleared the Sheling Tunnel."
The group suddenly fell silent as if everyone was muted.
Yuan Ting: "Li Dongze, don't joke around."
The Taiyi Sect's Nightwalker, who didn't often speak up in the Pentad Alliance's management group, was the first to emerge.
Unlike the other captains, when it came to major events concerning his profession, he couldn't turn a blind eye to Li Dongze's information, even though the possibility of it being a joke was greater.
The other captains still didn't speak, silently waiting for Li Dongze's reply.
At this point, Centurion Fu sent a message in the group:
"As of today, the Sheling Tunnel's first clear belongs to our Pentad Alliance. I will synchronize the spirit realm strategy guide to the information database shortly. As an S-rank trial spirit realm, it can give birth to higher quality Nightwalkers compared to other spirit realms. I believe it will greatly aid the organization's Nightwalker cultivation plan."
Seeing this long passage of text, the captains were stunned.
Centurion Fu was an executive-level figure. His words carried different weight than Li Dongze's. Since he said this, it had to be true.
The Sheling Tunnel was really cleared? What kind of freak did Li Dongze recruit?
At this moment, the captains suddenly realized the value of that newcomer. He was no longer just a "rare profession" but perhaps the most worthwhile investment himself.
Dajiba: "I want to do team building again."
You just want to poach from me, right? Li Dongze's mouth twitched.
Shuishangpiao: "No more shipments this month. Let's set a time for a get-together, today even."
Tang Guoqiang sent a red envelope.
Bailong: "A get-together is fine, but I don't think the Baihua Association should participate."
Qingteng: "Heh."
Quanwang: "I'm very curious about how that newcomer cleared the Sheling Tunnel. Someone capable of that is probably no ordinary person. Li Dongze is quite lucky to have recruited a talented individual."
Seeing the group's "wavering hearts," Centurion Fu sent another message: "I will use the Sheling Tunnel strategy guide as a bargaining chip to fight for Nightwalker slots from the Taiyi Sect. I'll try to allocate a Nightwalker to each of your teams within five years."
Qingteng: "Thank you, Centurion Fu."
Dajiba: "Holy sh*t, there's such a good thing?"
The atmosphere in the group suddenly became lively.
Centurion Fu's move was brilliant. With this big cake dangling... Li Dongze exhaled.
Next, the captains enthusiastically discussed long-term plans for cultivating and allocating Nightwalkers, while openly and covertly probing Li Dongze about who that pioneering hero was.
Male or female, and how old?
But Li Dongze just wouldn't tell them.
While the captains were happily discussing, Yuan Ting from the Taiyi Sect had a completely different mood.
He stared blankly at Centurion Fu's words, reading them over and over again, finally allowing himself to digest this major event.
The Sheling Tunnel, which even the Taiyi Sect was helpless against, was actually cleared? How did that newbie do it?
As a Nightwalker and with the Sheling Tunnel being a spirit realm of his profession, he was more eager than the other captains to know the truth. It was as agonizing as having a hundred claws scratching at his heart.
But now was not the time to dwell on the truth. He had to report this matter to the organization.
Shouldn't such an outstanding Nightwalker join the Taiyi Sect?
Elder Sun was muddled. How could he make a careless promise and cause the Taiyi Sect to lose a talented individual for nothing? Yuan Ting felt a little resentment towards that elder in his heart.
Zhang Yuanqing took a taxi to the police station and deftly made his way around to the back of the building, entering the elite-looking glass tower.
Ascending to the second floor, he immediately spotted the mixed-race beauty sitting on the sofa drinking tea, her supermodel-like long legs crossed, wearing a blouse, skirt suit, black stockings, and high heels.
Her waist was slender and her bosom ample. Her makeup was exquisite and her hairstyle fashionable. If the standard image of a workplace goddess needed an example, Zhang Yuanqing felt it would be her.
Fortunately, his aesthetic threshold had already been trained to an extremely high degree by his aunt. He greeted her with a straight face. "Sister Guan Ya."
Guan Ya put down her teacup, stood up to welcome him, and said with a smile, "Tsk tsk, I thought our college student was a little puppy, but it turns out he's a little wolf. Congratulations on becoming a Nightwalker. Your sister will reward you with a hug."
She opened her arms, her bosom magnificent.
Zhang Yuanqing, having already roughly figured out her personality, didn't fall for it. He snorted coldly. "Demoness, how dare you milk me!"
With any other girl, Zhang Yuanqing definitely wouldn't say such a thing. But Guan Ya was an old hand, and stepping on the accelerator was the right way to interact with her.
Guan Ya was taken aback for a moment, then giggled. "Let's go, the captain wants to see you."
After walking a few steps, she suddenly turned her head and said with a faint smile, "You must have gained quite a bit in the spirit realm. No, no need to tell me. Concealing your strength and means is a necessary quality for every spirit realm explorer."
I wasn't planning on telling you anyway. Zhang Yuanqing was startled, then realized she meant for him to appropriately keep some secrets and not lay all his cards on the table.
Following Guan Ya, Zhang Yuanqing once again entered the luxurious office and saw Li Dongze comfortably reclining in a soft chair, a cigar in his hand.
"Do you know what I'm most worried about right now?" Li Dongze got up and walked over to the guest sofa while sizing up Zhang Yuanqing.
"What?" Zhang Yuanqing asked cooperatively.
"I'm most worried that you'd be kidnapped by someone on your way here." Li Dongze opened the liquor cabinet, took out three glasses, and said, "What do you want to drink?"
"Cola!" Zhang Yuanqing replied.
"Guan Ya, have someone go buy it," Li Dongze immediately instructed.
Not bad, my status has clearly improved. Zhang Yuanqing took a seat with Li Dongze, who drank a mouthful of alcohol and got straight to the point.
"The young are to be feared. You did very well."
"In a bit, I'll have to trouble you to write a detailed account of your strategy. But before that, I wanted to ask, did you discover any unusual information in the Mountain God Temple?"
ps: I'll update with corrections for any typos later.
(End of chapter)
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