Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The practitioners would transform into Mercenaries, and the City-States offered high prices to acquire these practitioners, with the prices for the skilled ones being even higher, inevitably leading to fierce competition. Eventually, the Alliance had no choice but to halt the arbitration competitions. As time passed, some unresolved conflicts would escalate tensions between nations, potentially leading to war. Once the Alliance City-States and non-Alliance City-States went to war, the Eternity Alliance had a military obligation to intervene, which could trigger the Fourth World War.
Zhao Wei nodded, "Not only did the Red Team lose the competition, but all five members of the Blue Team also swore before the deceased that they would never fight for this City-State again due to honor. The captain of the Blue Team stated that he would rather be a reviled Vampire Mercenary than a patriot with a tarnished legacy. Additionally, representatives of the Four Great Families issued a statement in Hero City condemning a certain City-State's media for its unfounded speculations and insults towards the deceased. They also announced that members of the Four Great Families would temporarily refrain from participating in any arbitration competitions. The Ding Family Head made it clear to all City-States, media, and the public that practitioners were under no obligation to participate in any Competition Matches. The implication was clear: they needed to seek our participation and understand their position."
Zhao Wei continued, "Because of this incident, many City-States have begun to meet with practitioners from our City-State. It is said that all practitioners will soon need to choose their own City-State. For example, if you choose Dawn City from Beiyue, you cannot compete for any other City-State. You can also choose not to select one and become a Freeman; however, the first City-State you compete for will be your only eligible City-State for life."
Most practitioners' development was unrelated to their City-States; they had no obligations towards them. This was not true for the Dawn Empire on the Western Continent. Many years ago, the Dawn Empire invested heavily in finding potential practitioners and subsequently signed contracts for them to serve the Dawn Empire, providing formal training in Force cultivation. The Force Alliance voted on this matter and ultimately passed a regulation by a narrow margin stating that practitioners could not be forced into military service; any City-State that attempted to do so would be expelled from the Alliance. This was significant as it led to the shelving of the Dawn Empire's plans to form a practitioner army and represented a classic victory for independent seats against family seats within the Alliance. The family seats were also reluctant for practitioners to serve militarily but would not prohibit it; when necessary, they could propose legislation against it. When there was no need, they preferred not to reveal their cards.
Currently, competition for seats within the Alliance is fierce. The number of Alliance City-States is unlikely to change significantly; thus, seat votes are largely controlled by member states. The more members one faction has, the more power it holds within the Alliance. Of course, there are basic laws that serve as a bottom line; even if the Four Great Families controlled all seats, they could not act recklessly within the Alliance.
Cui Ming remarked, "Competing for one's own City-State means either winning or losing. I believe that in the future there will only be competitive Mercenaries; it's time again to test national strength—whoever offers more benefits to skilled individuals will gain their assistance. Arbitration competitions have become distorted."
Mi Xiaonan proudly stated, "Except for our York Clan."
Cui Ming shot her a sidelong glance: "That is only if there are City-States willing to engage in territorial disputes with York Clan." The territory of York Clan was already clearly defined; coupled with their base of practitioners and unity, who would dare provoke them? With a bounty on their heads running five meters long and considering Alliance members who did not show up, York Clan's practitioner numbers could be counted by nests. During the Third World War, everyone actively ignored York Clan's existence; although York Clan never declared neutrality, they were truly neutral during that conflict. All practitioners from York Clan had an obligation to defend it.
Mi Xiaonan remained proud: "This shows our status on this planet."
Cui Ming replied: "It also indicates that you will never have an opportunity to participate in a Competition Match."
"..." Cui Ming's words struck at Mi Xiaonan's weak spot directly; from watching the recordings, everyone seemed eager and interested in competing. It was akin to someone realizing just before death that they had been lonely their entire life versus someone who knew from birth about their solitude—two entirely different mindsets. Although Cui Ming's chances were slim, there was still a possibility for him. Mi Xiaonan's chances were virtually nonexistent. Even if someone foolishly provoked York Clan, a competition only required five participants—would it even come around to Mi Xiaonan?
Zhao Wei opened his coat and pulled out a stack of documents from the inner pocket. "Mi Xiaonan, as long as you sign here, you still have a chance to get on stage."
Cui Ming looked at Zhao Wei in surprise. "Zhao Wei, you're becoming more and more like Evelyn. I thought you were just here to chat with us, but it turns out you brought a mission along."
Zhao Wei smiled, a dismissive smile. "If I were Evelyn, I wouldn't have watched the video first before presenting the contract."
That was true. If it were Cui Ming trying to deceive them, he would definitely tamper with the video and then stir up everyone's patriotic feelings to the point where they wouldn't let him leave without signing, all while pocketing some benefits and reluctantly getting them to sign the contract.
Everyone had a copy of the contract to review. The City Hall offered more privileges to practitioners, along with a special monthly allowance of one hundred thousand yuan for each practitioner, in exchange for their binding obligation to Dawn City. This contract was quite fair, stating that practitioners could refuse to compete for Dawn City.
Cui Ming looked around at everyone and said, "Ding Ze, Western Continent. Senior Brother, Alliance Academy. Mi Xiaonan, York Clan. Zhao Wei, Dawnmoon City. As for me, who knows where I'm from? Only Boss is a practitioner born in Dawn City."
Li Qing was focused on reading the contract. "Junior Brother, this clause is quite powerful."
"What?" Cui Ming leaned over. "The fourth clause... allows for three legal spouses at the same time, regardless of gender... Senior Brother, have some restraint."
"Junior Brother, I was talking about the previous clause." Li Qing sighed helplessly and read aloud: "The third clause... unless there is malicious intent or deliberate causing of death, one can enjoy certain rights and basic criminal immunity."
Cui Ming turned to Mi Xiaonan, who was also seriously reviewing the contract. "Mi Xiaonan, what do you think?"
Mi Xiaonan looked up. "I think the fourth clause is quite powerful."
Cui Ming patted Mi Xiaonan's head with pity. "What a sin!" Although it couldn't be said that an ant matched with an elephant, a kitten and a tiger were also mismatched. Moreover, in the eyes of Yorkians, humans must seem very ugly, just as humans viewed giant monsters.
Mi Xiaonan thought for a moment and understood Cui Ming's meaning. She exclaimed indignantly, "Cui Ming, as long as there is love, height is not a problem."
Li Qing laughed and asked, "Mi Xiaonan, what is love?"
"Ah... Cui Ming, what does love mean?"
"What we call love is just the secretion of hormones, like injecting anesthetic powder. It feels great at the moment, but it will eventually wear off."
Zhao Wei couldn't help but interject, "Enough! Can you stop ruining such a sacred word?"
Cui Ming was taken aback. "Are you referring to the anesthetic powder or the hormones?" Then he grabbed Mi Xiaonan, perfectly blocking Zhao Wei's flying punch as Mi Xiaonan broke through the window... It wasn't discrimination; it was just instinctive reflex.
Comment 0 Comment Count