Yuan Kun felt a twinge of panic.
Truth be told, he had just received the broadcasted Moxel announcement—a summons for a meeting, gathering the heads of nearby Small-Term and Mid-Term Zones.
The message was blunt: send someone with authority to speak. It named names, and those already on their way included representatives from the Song Clan Peng Zone, Ning Yang Peng Zone, Lijiang Big Tent, Wuyou Goods Trade Zone, and other Zones.
When Yuan Kun spotted –Huanghun Big Tent– on the list, he was instantly tempted to slip away, only to be intercepted by an astral link from Kongshan Big Tent’s Penglord, who had immediately caught wind of the news.
{This is the first time Boss Jiazi from Term Cargo Crew has called a formal assembly—there must be some new idea he wants to announce. That kid, who used to keep a low profile and showed no real personality, has grown quite talented. You two have some prior acquaintance. Go there, learn well, take notes, and report back to me when you return.}
–Yes, Penglord.–
A sour ache spread through Yuan Kun’s jaw. For half a month, he had dodged and evaded every way he could, never expecting this day to finally arrive.
He had never dreamed that the penniless Cargo Crew he once scoffed at could draw such a crowd, keep the market running smoothly without rioting, and rake in so many Chronos—long ago earning the greedy envy of his own Penglord.
The Penglord insisted that I, as the first customer of Jiazi Term, conduct trade here in order to make a huge profit.
–Captain Yuan Kun, so you’re here. Are you planning to head into the mountains?–
A figure on horseback approached, none other than Chang Ao, who looked gaunt and expressionless.
–Aren’t you going to check on your cousin?– Chang Ao said.
–Which cousin?–
Seated on his horse in tight-fitting gear, a bewildered Yuan Kun turned his head to look at the person on the chestnut horse beside him.
–The security captain of Wuyou Cargo Crew—you both share the same surname; if that’s not being cousins, what is?–
「……」
–Let’s go, to the meeting. If we’re late, there might not be any chairs left.–
The silhouettes of two horses turned and headed toward the newly appeared rock house in the Moxel proclamation.
Outside the entrance of the rock house, a crowd craned their necks to peer inside. Beside the main seat in the conference room, two nightmare‑model exhaust fans emitted a wheezing, lingering hum, feebly proclaiming the solemnity of the meeting.
–Come, come, Captain Ma, please take a seat here.–
–Here comes Penglord Zhang, this way, please.–
–I dare not, I dare not. In this place, how could I dare to call myself Penglord?–
After registering with Zuo Feixian at the entrance, Professor Chen, and a woman, people of all shapes and sizes politely entered one by one, guided to their seats by Wang Chong, Fan Xiuyun, and others.
On both sides of the long table—formed by cobbling together three large dining tables—people gradually filled the seats several layers deep, with many more standing around.
–Anyone else?–
–Yes, yes, yes! I’m from Zhang Jia Peng on the other side of the mountain, here on behalf of our Penglord to attend the meeting.–
A dusty man jumped off a Nightmare Motorcycle that squinted into narrow eyes.
–Giddyup!– Two horses charged forward, halting quickly at the entrance.
Chang Ao leaped down from his steed, handed the reins to two people who had just arrived, and strode forward.
–Hello, I’m from Kong Shan Da Peng. My name is Chang Ao.–
Professor Chen glanced at the man—recognizing him but with no clear recollection—then said to the woman recording notes beside him, –Chang Ao from Kong Shan Da Peng is the contact person. Let him in.–
Chang Ao stepped through the threshold, then abruptly stopped and turned his head to look at Yuan Kun, who was still on his horse.
–Come over here.–
The horse snorted, shuffled its hooves twice, and was reined in by Yuan Kun.
Zuo Feixian glanced at Yuan Kun and said to Chang Ao, –He doesn’t need to go in.–
Chang Ao looked at the noisy crowd inside the room and asked, –Only one person from each Peng Zone is allowed inside?–
Zuo Feixian cleared his throat, adopting Professor Chen’s demeanor as he earnestly straightened his back and declared,
–Well, theoretically, only one person per Peng Zone. However, since it’s a Grand Peng Zone, of course—for such an esteemed guest—an assistant could be brought along.–
–I can be the assistant,– Chang Ao said, then waved at Yuan Kun.
At that moment, Yuan Kun, unable to save face any longer, dismounted and walked over. He cleared his throat softly into his fist and said,
–Uh, I’m hmm… Wulu Grand Peng-Zone’s Yuan Kun.–
–What?– Professor Chen and the woman writing beside him hadn’t caught what he said.
–It’s ‘Dusk Grand Peng-Zone’ and Yuan Kun from it,– Zuo Feixian interjected. –But there are already two people inside, so there’s no need for you to enter.–
Instantly, the two already seated at the table inside turned their heads to look at the doorway.
Chang Ao’s eyes narrowed sharply, his piercing gaze fixated on Yuan Kun’s guilty face.
–Three people… well, we could squeeze in a few more,– Professor Chen said, glancing around the room. –Let’s allow him in anyway.–
The woman by his side picked up her pen, ready to add Yuan Kun’s name under the Dusk Grand Peng-Zone.
Chang Ao stepped forward and said in a low voice, –Sorry, he wasn’t clear just now. We’re from the Kongshan Grand Peng-Zone (Empty Mountain Grand Peng-Zone), not Dusk Grand Peng-Zone.–
–Huh? …What?–
Zuo Feixian tilted his head with a crooked grin, squinting toward Yuan Kun, who had turned his head away to the side.
–He’s right, let’s hurry inside,– Yuan Kun urged.
With that, he pushed Chang Ao into the house. The two small-time Peng Zone members waiting behind them for the meeting glanced at each other in confusion, then announced their names before entering.
Inside the building, Wang Xin, who had taken her seat, fixed her gaze on Yuan Kun, who was standing near the table not far from the mountainslope.
–No wonder there was that rumor. I was wondering who’s so bored as to make up something that falls apart at a touch…–
Her hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
The place was this small—no matter how low someone’s voice was at the door, you could catch it if you paid attention. At once, she recalled a certain rumor from a few days ago: it was said that on the very second day after the big client Cargo Crew had just set up camp, her Yellow Dusk Greenhouse crew had gone to collect protection fees, only to get taught a lesson by the head of Jiazi Term Cargo Crew.
Upon first hearing this piece of news, Wang Xin hadn’t thought much of it.
After all, a rumor like this—no matter if aimed at the big client or her own Peng Zone—had absolutely no bite, because both involved parties knew it was fabricated out of thin air.
–Why does Director Zuo think those men from Kongshan are my Yellow Dusk Greenhouse people…–
She glanced at Yang Zicang, who had just walked out of a small side room holding a stack of documents. The young man stood near the head of the table facing the door, straightened the papers on the desktop, and beckoned everyone to take their seats for the meeting to begin.
But at this moment, Wang Xin felt as if she were sitting on needles and pins.
Growing unease churned within her heart. Memories of the various somewhat harsh treatments her team had endured recently in this makeshift market surfaced relentlessly in her mind.
Wang Xin had simply assumed it was the major client, Cargo Crew, treating both the Great Peng Zone and vagrants alike, and had not taken it seriously. But now…
–Could it be… not a rumor?–
Her face darkened again as she looked toward Yuan Kun, just catching him averting his gaze, his eyes shifty with guilt.
–Damn it!–
The woman’s face flushed a sudden, faint red with anger.
Yang Zicang’s voice rang out: –Ladies and gentlemen, the reason we are holding this meeting today is twofold: first, to express our gratitude for everyone’s help and support over these days. Thank you all.–
The room buzzed with noisy laughter and replies. Everyone knew this was just polite pleasantries; the real topic was yet to come.
–Secondly, this is the draft of the ‘Wilderness Reclamation and Resource Allocation Code’ I just rushed out after consulting with several Great Peng Lords.–
On hearing this, the faces of some from the larger teams in the room changed.
–What does this mean?–
–Reclamation and resource allocation—does this mean restricting our access to resources once we enter the forest?–
–That’s not exactly fair, Captain Jia.–
Though the main group instantly grew discontent, the smaller faction in the room and those who could only gather resources wore looks of delight.
Was this about subdividing the forest’s resources even further?
It was a boon for those with weaker standing!
Yuan Kun let out a silent sigh. Only someone with the strength of Jiazi Term could make such a proposal; otherwise, who would listen to your directives?
He glanced at Chang Ao beside him—this guy had barely taken his seat before pulling out his Moxel to communicate with someone. While thinking how rude this fellow was, Yuan Kun also felt a twinge of unease, hoping he wasn’t broadcasting to Penglord. But given his ties with Vice Penglord, he likely wouldn’t do such a thing.
All he had to do was record the meeting content and relay it back.
Yang ZiCang said, –Mmm, it’s somewhat along those lines, but the deeper meaning isn’t so simple. Everyone can pass this around—the content is straightforward. Or perhaps someone could read it aloud for me.–
He held out the paper in his hand. The few major Penglords, already aware of its contents, naturally knew what was written on it. They neither agreed nor opposed, sitting silently in their seats, keeping their opinions to themselves.
–Let me,– a person said, rising to their feet.
This was a mid-sized Peng Zone’s deputy Penglord, whose face was covered in black pimples—like it’d grown mold—from a long-term diet of toxic food, presumably.
He took the paper casually, unfolded it, glanced at it, and then stood there with his mouth agape.
–Let me take a look.–
The man beside him stood up, snatched the paper, unfolded it, and after one look, choked and erupted into coughing.
–W-What the hell is this?!–
–What is it?–
The others nearby, who had seemed unimpressed at first, were now drawn by curiosity, rising and craning their necks to get a closer look.
–What?!–
–A st-stable… A-level frequency disorder intersection zone? Do you think this is still a city?–
–No way, establish a shared Peng Zone?–
At these words, a hubbub erupted from the opposite side of the table and throughout the entire room.
–What the hell? Did I hear that right?–
–What are you all looking at?–
The paper was circulated, and some exchanged bewildered glances.
–You mean to stabilize those mountains?!–
Hearing the crowd’s uproar, Yuan Long, sitting by the table, glanced at Yang Zicang. After the latter nodded, he cleared his throat and addressed the people around him:
–Ladies and gentlemen, as someone remarked earlier—wouldn’t it be great if such a bustling market could last forever.–
The buzz of chatter among the crowd diminished significantly as dozens of gazes fell upon the middle-aged man seated at this table. Those allowed to sit at the table were all leaders of the Great Peng Zone and major trade caravans, and if this man spoke, he was undoubtedly a discussant or even an initiator of this matter.
–True, but any mortal who enters the scene of this land will begin to decay after at most half a year, and it will eventually disappear entirely…–
–Stabilizing the mountain forests—is that the purpose of your meeting?!–
Yuan Long smiled, radiating an aura of distinction, and said, –Precisely. If we can stabilize a Class A interleaving zone, this mountain forest will endure forever in the Shibin Wastes. Imagine, how beautiful that sight would be.–
The crowd shuddered with fear, and some even felt a chill run down their spines.
That would indeed be beautiful, but such beauty comes at a cost!
–Do you know how much Absorbed Mind Moxel that would require?!–
One man shouted in anger, followed closely by another.
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