Chapter 38: Firehammer Squad

Zhang Zehu laughed in fury. He never expected that Luo Feng, a newcomer, would dare to challenge his authority so openly.

“Five million, and not a single credit less?” Zhang’s eyes gleamed with menace, as if he were about to devour Luo Feng alive.

Yet Luo Feng remained completely unfazed.

He had read many posts on the ‘Limit Home’ forum, knowing that in negotiations, the greatest taboo was for one side to back down. Whoever yielded first was perceived as inferior. Moreover, Luo Feng was clearly in the right. Logically, when two parties were equal in status, the one at fault should apologize.

But as soon as Zhang Zehu arrived, he acted arrogantly, clearly bullying Luo Feng for being a novice.

Unfortunately… Luo Feng was not the kind to bow to such intimidation.

“Alright, listen to me for a moment,” said Wu Tong, the head of the Limit Dojo. “Luo Feng and Kai Shan Hu, both of you take a step back. How about three million Huaxia Credits? Zhang Zehu, this amount isn’t much for you. Pay it, and this matter will be settled. Luo Feng, you have no objection, right?”

Luo Feng nodded. “I’ll go with what Uncle Wu suggests.”

“Kai Shan Hu, what about you?” Wu Tong turned to Zhang Zehu.

Inside the meeting room, all eyes were on Zhang Zehu. He angrily stood up, laughing bitterly. “Make me bow to this little brat? Dream on! Old Li, guys, let’s go!”

“If you don’t settle privately, then prepare to pay one hundred million credits to the state to save your nephew,” Wu Tong said calmly.

“I’d rather donate one hundred million to the state than settle for three million!” Zhang Zehu sneered at Luo Feng. “Kid, being a warrior isn’t that easy! Once you leave the base city, you’ll realize how terrifying the monsters are, and how sudden the dangers can be. They’re nothing like the ones in the military’s monster town, which are all bred in captivity and have the weakest wildness. I hope you don’t die too soon, or how will you play with me in the future? Oh, and a reminder—you should know I’m not far from reaching the War Commander level. How long will it take you to reach that level? And can you even survive that long?”

Luo Feng smiled slightly. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Zhang Zehu. But you should think about how to prepare one hundred million credits for the state to save your nephew.”

“Hmph.” Zhang Zehu’s face darkened. “Let’s go!”

“One hundred million, one hundred million!” Hu Pao Chen Gu deliberately cried out mockingly.

Without saying more, Zhang Zehu’s group left directly.

Seeing them leave, the group from the Limit Dojo became lively.

“Zhang Zehu’s temper is indeed as bad as the legends say. Even though it was clearly his nephew’s fault, he still refused to apologize,” Wu Tong shook his head with a smile. “He’d rather pay one hundred million than settle for three million!”

The Dojo had contribution points, and so did the nation!

Those who contributed to the nation would be awarded contribution points according to the magnitude of their deeds. Reaching 10,000 points meant becoming a one-star citizen. Ten thousand points equaled one-star status. This was the same as the Dojo’s data. The late Dong Nanbiao, who once single-handedly killed a tiger-headed monster crocodile by the Yangtze River, saving hundreds of thousands of civilians, was posthumously awarded the title of four-star hero.

Contribution points could be obtained by donating to the Dojo, and similarly by donating to the state.

Ten thousand Huaxia Credits would earn one contribution point.

One hundred million Huaxia Credits would earn ten thousand contribution points, making one a one-star citizen!

If Zhang Zehu couldn’t reach a settlement with Luo Feng, the only way would be to donate one hundred million to the state on behalf of his nephew, raising his nephew’s national contribution points to one-star level. As a one-star citizen, Zhang Haobai would enjoy privileges and couldn’t be sentenced to many years in prison just because of his conflict with Luo Feng.

“Even if he donates one hundred million to the state and makes his nephew a one-star citizen, a one-star citizen attacking a warrior is still a serious offense. Even if he doesn’t get a prison sentence, he’ll still be detained for three to five months and suffer some hardship!” Hu Pao Chen Gu shook his head.

“Who can blame anyone if he refuses to back down?”

“He’s just rich and doesn’t care.”

The warriors of the Limit Dojo laughed heartily.

“Luo Feng,” said Head Wu Tong with a smile, “according to Director Zhuge’s instructions, we need to arrange for you to join a War Commander-level warrior squad. This way, you’ll gain more experience outside the base city area and have better safety protection! I’ve also negotiated a bit and arranged for you to join the ‘Hammer Squad.'”

“The Hammer Squad?” Luo Feng nodded slightly.

Indeed, Director Zhuge valued him highly, arranging for him to join a War Commander-level warrior squad right from the beginning.

The squads that left the base city and entered the wilderness to hunt monsters varied in strength. Usually, a squad with one War Commander-level warrior was considered a War Commander-level squad.

“Luo Feng,” beside him, Vice Captain Hu Pao Chen Gu slapped Luo Feng’s shoulder and laughed, “I’m the deputy leader of the Hammer Squad! From now on, you’re under my wing. I’ll protect you, but Luo Feng, I must make this clear upfront—our Hammer Squad will give you some opportunities for training, helping you adapt to fighting monsters, but you yourself must work hard and not always rely on other squad members for help. If after the first mission, you still can’t adapt… we’ll have no choice but to remove you from the squad.”

“Brother Chen, I understand,” Luo Feng nodded with a smile.

Warrior squads operated on the edge of life and death. Having a burden in the squad could indeed have a significant impact.

“Glad you understand. Also…” Hu Pao Chen Gu smiled, “Have you bought your weapons and equipment yet?”

“Not yet. I plan to buy some good weapons and equipment. But the better ones are only available at half price to those with one-star contribution points,” Luo Feng shook his head helplessly.

Hu Pao Chen Gu immediately laughed. “That’s simple. Just tell me what weapons and equipment you want, and I’ll help you purchase them! Your contribution points may not be enough, but mine are. I’m not far from reaching two-star contribution points. I can buy them at half price, and then you can transfer the money to my account later.”

“Right,” nodded Head Wu Tong beside them. “Generally, it’s fine for others to help you buy cold weapons, firearms, and other equipment. Of course, various martial arts manuals cannot be purchased by others on your behalf.”

Luo Feng nodded.

He knew this well. For example, if he himself purchased the “Nine Heavens Thunder Blade,” the information database jointly maintained by the Limit Dojo, the Underground Alliance, and the Thunder Dojo would record that Luo Feng had purchased the first three layers of the “Nine Heavens Thunder Blade.” Therefore, Luo Feng could later freely use the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade techniques without issue.

However, if someone like Yang Wu had not purchased this manual but could still perform the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade techniques, once discovered, he would be arrested for suspected unauthorized copying and dissemination of the “Nine Heavens Thunder Blade” manual, infringing on Thunder God’s ownership of the manual.

Without purchasing, one had no right to cultivate!

If someone else purchased it on your behalf, the database would only show that person’s purchase record, not yours. You could buy it but wouldn’t dare cultivate it. However, weapons and equipment had no such concept of “copyright.”

“Write down all the weapons and equipment you’re going to buy, and later I’ll help you purchase them,” Chen Gu said.

“Okay.”

Luo Feng nodded and immediately went to find paper and pen to write it down.

…

The unified 5-series gear, including the full combat suit at half price, cost 9 million. The Blood Shadow Blade No. 2 series at half price cost 3 million. The 5-series shield cost 1.5 million. The 6-series throwing knives, ten in total, cost 1.5 million. The total was 15 million. Adding small tools like a backpack and communication watch, Luo Feng’s equipment was complete.

On the second floor of Luo Feng’s home, in the martial arts training hall.

Morning sunlight poured through the windows, brightening the entire training hall. Luo Feng, wearing loose training clothes and barefoot, sat cross-legged in the hall. The training hall, over one hundred square meters, was empty except for Luo Feng sitting in the center. In front of him lay a manual—

“The Nine Heavens Thunder Blade.”

“I heard the ‘Nine Heavens Thunder Blade’ is very difficult to cultivate. I wonder just how hard it is,” Luo Feng opened the manual and began to read.