Chapter 772: Becoming Acquainted

In the Da Chang Empire, it was naturally unwilling to see such a vibrant civilian organization rise.

However, those who possessed the skills to slay dragons often carried an innate arrogance, slighting officials and disregarding nobility. They were fundamentally incapable of accepting strict control. Once suppressed, they would rise in revolt without a second thought.

Among the supernaturals of this world, there were quite a few who could rival terrestrial true deities. After several bloody conflicts and even major incidents that shocked both East and West, both sides finally reached a compromise. Thus, the Union, this supernatural alliance guild, was allowed to remain.

Possessing power naturally demanded a voice.

Moreover, this world was not dominated solely by the Da Chang Empire. Even if considering only the human race, there were still Western nations to contend with, leaving the Da Chang Empire helpless.

“It seems somewhat similar to the Western mercenary alliance…”

Wu Ming stood before the massive gates of the Union, watching the bustling crowd with a thoughtful expression.

The Union was merely a broad framework, or rather, a loose alliance of Eastern cultivators. Under its umbrella were numerous factions—martial artists, Taoist priests, Gu masters, and even martial arts schools and academies could be included within its name.

Even within this alliance, there were constant internal conflicts. Without significant external pressure, it was completely fragmented.

Upon entering the Union, the bustling crowd and a gigantic screen displaying ever-changing text immediately came into view, making Wu Ming feel as though he had stepped into a Western mercenary guild.

“Recruiting personnel to campaign against the savage barbarians! Daily pay of one silver five-cash coin, additional rewards for enemy heads!”

Urgently hiring sailors, excellent benefits, negotiable compensation!

“Hunting task—My master is gravely ill and urgently needs fresh sperm whale oil to sustain life. Whoever sells it will be generously rewarded. Urgent!”

…

Various colorful mission notices continuously flickered on the screen, exuding a sense of mystery and unpredictability.

Of course, the top-ranked task was still a blood-red notice: “Pursuit and elimination—Pursue the Westerners who caused chaos in Xin Jie Port. This task is issued by the Fengfeng Protectorate! Successful completion will be recorded as military merit and serve as the basis for future noble titles!”

Although there were no additional rewards, it was clear that many cultivators were eager to accept this task.

After all, noble titles in the Da Chang Empire were still quite valuable. Not to mention the ranks of Zi, Bo, and Hou, which allowed territorial fiefdoms, even the lowest rank of “Shi” (scholar-gentry) could exempt one person from taxes and corvée labor. Upon reaching the rank of “Da Fu” (minister), one could protect their entire family.

As for the rank of “Qing” (minister of high rank), they were even more prestigious, possessing small counties as their fiefdoms, making them top-tier nobles in the Da Chang Empire.

The Da Chang Empire had strict decrees stating “No military merit, no noble title,” so military rewards were still highly sought after. At least, the dense records of task acceptance behind this notice showed its popularity to Wu Ming, who couldn’t help but feel pity for those audacious Western bandits.

“However, even a small branch office uses magic?”

Wu Ming gazed at the ever-changing screen.

Clearly, ordinary technology could not reach such a level. The only explanation was the presence of a mage operating behind the scenes.

Such extravagance surpassed other worlds by a significant margin.

According to the information Wu Ming obtained from Zhang Fan’s memories, supernatural arts in both East and West were applied to international and domestic affairs. The existence of true deities further promoted this.

In the Da Chang Empire, there was a divine figure known as Shennong, who oversaw agricultural deities. His priests and shamans were mostly experts in agricultural production, possessing various divine techniques to ensure fertile soil and abundant harvests.

Moreover, there were specialized deities for wind and rain, ensuring favorable weather conditions and controllable water resources throughout the empire.

In civilian life, there were various cultivators slaying monsters and saving the people, with the majority, like the mage currently before him, silently serving society with their supernatural powers.

“What kind of world is this…”

Wu Ming sighed silently.

Thanks to so many powerful beings, the civilization level of this world had already surpassed the steampunk world he had previously experienced, even rivaling his own past world.

After all, although artificial rainfall was impressive, could it control the entire nation’s weather?

The Da Chang Empire could!

“I would like to borrow books from the Union’s library. May I ask what conditions are required?”

Wu Ming approached the mission board and directly asked the female attendant.

“Borrowing books from the Union’s library?”

The female attendant was a woman dressed in flowing robes, her smile revealing sweet dimples on her cheeks. She smiled and said, “First, you need to become a member of our Union. The registration process is very simple… What? You are an overseas citizen without local residency? Then you will need a guarantee from a local member, along with some fees.”

“Okay, that’s simple…”

In fact, just as Wu Ming outwardly agreed while secretly planning to test the branch’s defenses, his ear twitched, and a nearby voice entered his hearing.

“Miss Zhang Guo, I’m very sorry, but I believe the task you’ve applied for is beyond your capabilities!”

To Wu Ming’s left, a girl of about sixteen or seventeen years old wearing leather armor had a stubborn expression on her small face: “Uncle, please help me. It’s almost the end of the month. If I can’t earn a large amount of contribution points, my Union rank will definitely be downgraded, and I’ll be demoted to an outer disciple at the academy.”

“Zhang Guo?”

Wu Ming turned in surprise, immediately associating the girl with a certain figure from Zhang Fan’s memories: “Zhang Fan’s sister? What a coincidence?”

Looking closely, he saw that the girl still had a youthful look, her hair simply tied into a ponytail with a string, exuding a spirited and heroic aura. She had a sword at her waist that had already been sharpened, along with a holster. The item inside was very familiar to Wu Ming: “A firearm? No, according to the Da Chang Empire’s terminology, it should be a mechanical repeating crossbow?”

After all, this was a world that frequently received transmigrators, so the market was always filled with various novel items, even some futuristic creations that Wu Ming found quite fascinating.

Unfortunately, Zhang Guo’s cultivation level was still too low, around one or two stages, without even developing sword qi yet.

At this early stage, a mechanical repeating crossbow was naturally very effective for self-defense and attacking enemies.

“Who are you, and why are you staring at others like that?”

The young girl’s perception was quite sharp. Wu Ming’s blatant staring was immediately noticed, and she glared back like a little wild cat, claws and teeth bared.

“Young lady, I think you misunderstood. Do you have an older brother named Zhang Fan, the owner of the Sihai Trading Company?”

Wu Ming smiled.

Zhang Guo’s wariness quickly disappeared: “How do you know that?”

“I am an overseas adventurer who happened to meet your brother at sea. I was entrusted by him to deliver a letter home… I’ve already given it to Manager Xiang.”

“You know Uncle Xiang? Then you’re probably not a fraud!”

The girl’s wariness quickly faded, and a hint of anticipation appeared on her face: “Big brother, are you a very powerful adventurer? Join my team! Then we can take on that Protectorate task!”

“Sorry…”

Wu Ming shrugged his shoulders: “You forgot that I’m a foreigner. They don’t recognize my adventurer status here at all.”

“Oh right…”

Zhang Guo shook her head in disappointment.

“Cough… Actually, there is a way!”

At this moment, the uncle beside them interjected: “If the young lady applies for a team and includes him as a foreign mercenary, it could work. However, doing so would mean he wouldn’t receive any merit points or contribution points…”

“That’s right!”

The girl’s eyes lit up: “I’ll apply right away!”

“Wait a minute!”

Wu Ming’s forehead slightly furrowed as he felt that this girl was too impulsive when meeting someone familiar.

“Firstly, you haven’t confirmed my identity yet!”

He raised two fingers: “What if I’m a bad person? Secondly, I haven’t agreed to your request yet!”

“Don’t be like that, big brother!”

Zhang Guo, however, acted as if they were already close friends, grabbing his sleeve and gently shaking it: “All adventurers who dare to go to sea are extremely powerful, just like my older brother. His Willow Fluff Like Wind Sword Technique earned praise even from instructors at the Seven Sword Academy…”

“The result is that he’s still stuck in prison eating rice porridge!”

Wu Ming rolled his eyes inwardly.

“How about this? I’ll send you back to the Sihai Trading Company first, and you can tell me the whole story. Then I’ll decide whether to help you or not, okay?”

Since he had received something from Zhang Fan, there was naturally a connection.

The fact that Zhang Guo had encountered him was also a matter of fate. If it was something that could be resolved easily, Wu Ming didn’t mind lending a hand.

“It’s like this…”

Upon hearing that she would return to the Sihai Trading Company, the girl’s last bit of hesitation disappeared, and she pulled Wu Ming’s hand as they walked out of the Union.

“…I’m a formal student at the Huaxia Academy, and I’m about to advance to an inner disciple soon!”

The girl proudly announced. Soon after, through her explanation, Wu Ming roughly understood the difficulties she was facing.

Although the academy was a place where one could learn skills by paying, the transmission of true knowledge still depended on talent and fate.

Zhang Guo’s talent was mediocre, barely earning the favor of a lecturer at the Huaxia Academy, becoming a formal student.

For students like her, the treatment was different from ordinary self-funded students, and the requirements were much stricter, with many semester tasks. Failure to complete them would result in demotion or expulsion.

In previous major exams, she had barely passed with the help of Zhang Fan and others. However, this time Zhang Fan was away on business, and her friends and classmates were all busy with their own tasks, leaving the girl in a difficult situation.

“My task this year is to maintain my Union membership level and even advance to the three-leaf level. I’m just short of a few points…”

Zhang Guo said pitifully.