Jiang Rui felt a headache coming on just thinking about the terrifying amount of Points the Mercenary Guild would have to pay out after issuing such a mission.

However, more than the expenditure, he was concerned about whether such a method was truly feasible.

After all, even if the Mercenary Guild couldn’t afford the Points, they could just have the Shelter allocate the funds directly.

"Brother Lin, if we do as you say, will those First and Second Level Mercenary Corps, especially the First Level ones, really dare to enter Guanghan City to fight?" Jiang Rui asked hesitantly after a moment of silent contemplation.

Although the Point rewards offered were very tempting, Guanghan City was truly too dangerous for those First Level Mercenary Corps.

No amount of money mattered if you weren’t alive to spend it, so he worried whether the First Level Mercenary Corps would actually be willing to go.

Although the First Level Mercenary Corps had weak combat capabilities, their numbers accounted for more than half of the total population of Mercenaries.

If this group couldn’t be mobilized, the effectiveness of the plan Lin Xinghai proposed would be greatly diminished.

"Rest assured! They’ll definitely go. In fact, even for a First Level Mercenary Corps, going to Guanghan City isn’t as dangerous as you imagine."

"Because as long as the mission’s Point rewards are high enough, their combat methods can be changed," Lin Xinghai said with a smile.

"Hmm?" Jiang Rui was a little confused.

"You’ve seen the data we brought back. The Zombie density in Guanghan City is two to three times higher than in a typical city."

Jiang Rui’s expression grew puzzled again, because what Lin Xinghai just said was hardly good news.

But before he could voice his question, Lin Xinghai continued, "It’s precisely because the Zombies are so dense that we can change the conventional combat methods. For example, by swapping out Tearing Rifles for Hand Cannons."

Jiang Rui’s eyes widened instantly. He immediately understood why Lin Xinghai insisted on raising the rewards to such a degree.

Under normal circumstances, no one would use a Hand Cannon as a conventional means to attack Ordinary Zombies. The reason was simple: Hand Cannon Bullets were expensive, costing 100 Points for a single one.

An Ordinary Zombie’s Elemental Crystal, on the other hand, was only worth 20 Points. In other words, a single Hand Cannon Bullet had to kill at least five Zombies just to break even.

But Zombies wouldn’t just stand there foolishly. With their keen Perception for danger, they would start dodging the moment a Hand Cannon was aimed at them, even before the trigger was pulled.

Therefore, under normal circumstances, killing two or three Zombies with one shot was already considered a pretty good outcome.

But Guanghan City was different. The Zombie density here was at least three to five times that of other cities.

This meant that a single Hand Cannon Bullet could kill at least six to ten Zombies. In that case, just from Elemental Crystals alone, one could get back at least 120 to 200 Points.

And that wasn’t even counting the mission Points from the Mercenary Guild. So, as long as they were a little careful, even using Hand Cannons would be a guaranteed profit.

Moreover, an area-of-effect weapon like the Hand Cannon could also reduce the pressure on a Mercenary Corps to a minimum, making it manageable even for a First Level Mercenary Corps.

Once they used Hand Cannons to clear out the majority of the horde, the remaining stragglers could be easily dealt with, whether by spraying them with Tearing Rifles or by deploying Mechas directly.

Once he thought it all through, Jiang Rui no longer doubted the feasibility of the method. He said excitedly, "Good! I’ll go find Commander Wei right now and have him approve the funds to execute this plan."

"In that case, Supervisor Jiang, are you confident you can get the funding approved?" Lin Xinghai asked.

"No problem. Right now, what our Shelter’s development lacks most is Time. Compared to Time, this amount of Points, while large, is nothing."

"Besides, for the Shelter, the Points are just moving from the left pocket to the right one." Jiang Rui chuckled as he finished.

Lin Xinghai couldn’t help but nod. Indeed, these Points would ultimately end up with the Mercenary Corps. An increase in the strength of the various corps was equivalent to an increase in the overall strength of the Shelter.

"Then if there are no problems, you can release the news first. That way, the major Mercenary Corps can prepare," Lin Xinghai suggested after a moment’s thought.

"Right. I’ll get the publicity department on it right now. The news should reach all the Mercenary Corps by tonight," Jiang Rui said quickly. It was always best to implement these kinds of things as soon as possible.

Next, the two discussed a few more details. After they had more or less finalized everything, Lin Xinghai didn’t linger and left directly.

...

"Everyone’s celebrating at the Mercenary Guild’s bar. Shen Han sent me a message. You want to go?" Fang Tianhe said, glancing at his wrist-comp.

Lin Xinghai had originally wanted to refuse, as he wasn’t particularly keen on such celebrations. But on second thought, he remembered Liu Miaomiao would be there and nodded. "Alright, let’s go together."

When the two of them arrived on the first floor of the Mercenary Guild, the place was extremely lively, one could even say it was buzzing.

Because as time passed, news of what had happened in the Mercenary Plaza had already spread here.

Hearing that the Heaven-Sundering Mercenary Corps had gone out and hunted twelve Mutated Zombies on a single trip, how could these people not be shaken?

Many had even run over to the bar area to offer their congratulations, and the place had become overcrowded once again.

However, having learned from yesterday’s experience, the Mercenary Corps had spontaneously decided to only send their leaders and deputy leaders.

Lin Xinghai watched this scene, amazed. Perhaps this would become a tradition in the future.

Of course, that was on the condition that someone could pull off another earth-shattering feat that would attract all the Mercenary Corps over.

Amid a chorus of compliments and congratulations, Lin Xinghai and Fang Tianhe walked into the bar. Once inside, Lin Xinghai quickly found Liu Miaomiao, who looked both excited and a little flustered.

She was holding a drink, standing beside Shen Han, and dealing with the corps leaders who came one after another to offer their congratulations.

Lin Xinghai grabbed a beer from a passing waiter’s tray and walked over with a smile. When Liu Miaomiao saw Lin Xinghai, she trotted over as if she had just seen her savior.

"These people are so enthusiastic, I don’t know how to handle it. And some of them even... even asked if I have a boyfriend." Liu Miaomiao was a little embarrassed as she said the last part.

Lin Xinghai raised an eyebrow. "It’s fine! I’ll take care of it for you. Take my arm."

"Ah!" Liu Miaomiao was stunned.

Without another word, Lin Xinghai took her soft hand and walked toward the crowd.

The corps leaders who came up to offer compliments saw their intimate gesture and exchanged knowing glances.

Those who had harbored certain ideas all suppressed them. While congratulating him, they also began asking Lin Xinghai if there were any opportunities for collaboration.

Even Qin Wenbo was here, surprisingly.

"Brother Lin, next time something like this comes up, bring us from the Soaring Dragon Merc along! You can eat the meat, just leave us some soup to drink," Qin Wenbo said with a chuckle, walking over with his glass.

Lin Xinghai had been about to offer a few pleasantries to send him on his way, but then he thought about his conversation with Jiang Rui. An idea struck him, and a warm smile appeared on his face.