At the dining table of Delicious and Fresh, there were only Ren Zhong and Lin Wang.
Both were casually dressed, engaging in relaxed conversation at the table.
The unexpected loss of a valued subordinate left Lin Wang’s face with little regret or sorrow.
Ren Zhong understood that Xing Ming’s death might be a big event for Starfire Town, a topic for scavengers to gossip about for a long time during meals.
But for Lin Wang, it was just the loss of an insignificant vassal.
If he wanted, he could always train a new mechanical warrior for his team.
Perhaps the strength wouldn’t reach the fourth level standard, but it was no big deal because at least 50% of his team’s combat power was always on his shoulders alone.
Thus, Lin Wang was articulate and calm at the table, only showing a slight hint of regret when mentioning Xing Ming’s death.
But Ren Zhong knew that even this small regret was a performance, a show put on for him by Lin Wang to appear empathetic to his subordinates.
After so many repeated interactions with him, Ren Zhong had long seen through his extremely cold-blooded nature.
Ren Zhong: I’d give your acting an 85 out of 100.
"Ren Zhong, your progress is fast, but not enough. Now there’s a vacancy in my team, and I hope you can soon break through to the third level. You should know the ruined beasts in the abandoned mine are different from those outside. As long as you can step into the abandoned mine with me, in no more than six months, you can have a full set of fourth level exoskeleton. Moreover, we have further places to go."
Lin Wang pointed out.
In fact, these days, although Ren Zhong frequently entered and exited the abandoned mine and was forced to kill some second and third level ruined beasts in the pits, to prevent any leaks, he abandoned all their carcasses and crystal chips, not taking any out.
Lin Wang didn’t know that the young man before him, showing a sycophantic smile, had already beaten the abandoned mine thoroughly.
Additionally, Ren Zhong’s complete change of gear happened just yesterday during the day.
After re-gearing, he spent the day with Zheng Tian’s team drifting outside, only casually hunting a third level ruined beast or two.
In Lin Wang’s eyes, today’s Ren Zhong appeared no different from the Ren Zhong of seven or eight days ago.
Ren Zhong made a gesture of gratitude, raising his left hand equipped with a first-level wrist watch, lifting his glass, and respectfully saluting Lin Wang with a gulp of fruit wine, "Thank you, Captain, for your guidance. I will endeavor to make further progress! I will further upgrade my equipment when I return."
Lin Wang nodded with satisfaction, put down his chopsticks, "Very well, since I’ve given you a new task, it’s only natural I offer some support. This money, consider it a loan from me, you keep it."
After speaking, Lin Wang transferred 15,000 post-tax points to Ren Zhong.
Ren Zhong was stunned, stuttering, "Captain, this... this is too much, how can I accept it."
Lin Wang waved his hand, "It only seems like a lot to you. For a fourth level professional, ten to twenty thousand contribution points is a mere drop in the ocean. Do you know the main sources of our income?"
Ren Zhong shook his head, "I’m not quite sure."
Lin Wang raised one finger, "First, like you, hunting ruined beasts. Apart from regular clean-ups in Bone Valley, the abandoned mine is our professional team’s main activity area."
"Second, commissions from affiliated teams, but this amount is very small, and I usually don’t bother with it."
"Third, do you think those teams here in Starfire Town that aren’t affiliated with us can meet us in the wild or on the way back and show no courtesy? This third source of income is no less than the first."
Ren Zhong suddenly understood, "They must!"
Lin Wang nodded, "Then you should understand, as a professional team, making money is very easy. The reason to affiliate semi-professional teams is just the boss fooling Ma Dafu, pretending to show the need to cultivate some new blood. But we actually don’t need this new blood. The resources of the abandoned mine can support a large group of lower class people, even sustain the hundred thousand in the Nameless City within Bone Valley. But back then, Nameless City was just populous, lacking in masters. A fourth level professional requires a thousand times the resources of a first level professional. Now, so many years have passed, the abandoned mine isn’t what it used to be, and its output has declined a lot, only accommodating three professional teams. This is also why the boss... forget it, let’s leave it at that for now."
Ren Zhong nodded, "I understand. But if you’ll forgive me, I’m a bit puzzled."
"You’re wondering, since the second source of income isn’t important, why did Bei Lihui force Zheng Tian and the others a few days ago, right?"