813 Taking Over the Supervision of a Zone, Part Two (1/2)

Translated by XephiZ

Edited by Aelryinth

Most Magicians knew the rules of the Hunter Union, as no Magician would dare to think they were rich enough to be self-sufficient.

It was common for Magicians to take on quests when they were running short on money. These quests included hunting demon creatures, escorting, gathering, scouting, rescuing, patrolling; they could do anything as long as they were paid.

Obviously, the way the East Maritime Fortress operated was simple and straightforward. If this were agriculture, a reputable landlord would secure a land and hire farmers that could handle the rats, wild boars, and pests to manage the crops and protect them. Usually, the crops were ready to be harvested every tide. The landlord would take the profit, and pay the farmers their wages!

However, the income of the farmers in the East Maritime Fortress was quite spectacular. Otherwise, Lai Hengbao would not be so smug about it.

----

Lai Hengbao left after explaining the situation to the team. He even reminded everyone to prepare themselves for the upcoming battle, as the tide would rise in three days.

”Aren't the Japanese smart? They built this East Maritime Fortress on the maritime battlefield, asserted control by splitting it up into zones, and handed the zones to reliable parties to manage. The government then takes all the 'sea products' as rent from the parties managing the zones. As such, the army and Magic Association are able to withdraw from the front line, while Magicians who are keen to earn some quick cash die in the battles against the sea creatures. In the end, the government takes both the money and the resources!” Zhao Manyan laughed hollowly. He was very sensitive toward authorities and merchants who abused their power to take advantage of others.

The others nodded in agreement after hearing Zhao Manyan's explanation.

The groups of Magicians were responsible for eliminating the sea creatures and risking their lives to defend the fortress. In order to make more money, the parties would compete fiercely for job opportunities, while the government's role was to maintain the order by setting the rules, and hide behind the line of defense and count their profits.

”It's far from our concern. It seems like we have been allocated to the twentieth zone, which is very close to the nineteenth zone where we stumbled into the two Blue Valley Ferocious Beasts. Guess who the zone master is?” said Nanyu.

”Who is it?” asked Ai Jiangtu.

”Take a look yourself,” Nanyu turned the monitor around.

On the screen was a photo. The zone master was a plump middle-aged man with curly hair, small eyes and a big nose, the typical kind of Magician who once possessed great talents at his youth, but became a tyrant in middle age.

Normally, this kind of person would possess an impressive cultivation, but they no longer had the passion to pursue further levels of cultivation. The reputation and connections they established in the past granted them resources to either manage other Magicians or become a supplier of magic equipment.

It was the same for many Magicians, who worked as Hunters when they were young and would go on adventures fearlessly. However, once they reached thirty-five, they started focusing on doing business. Their skills would turn rusty. Their weight gain was the most convincing proof.

”Do we know this person?” asked Jiang Yu with a confused look.

”We don't, but don't you think the orange-hair beside him looks familiar?” Nanyu pointed out.

Jiang Shaoxu took a closer look and immediately blurted out, ”Isn't he the one who was particularly attentive to Mu Ningxue, and tried to save her? So he's the son of the twentieth zone's master?”

”Awesome, we'll ask Mu Ningxue to have a little chat with him, and ask his dad to give us four stars. Mission accomplished!...” proposed Jiang Yu excitedly.

He immediately saw a few cold gazes directed at him, belonging to Guan Yu, Jiang Shaoxu, and Zhao Manyan.