Chapter 258: Airborne

Chapter 258: Airborne

As the twelfth month of the Abyssal Descent arrived, the Flame Seal Club had established an absolute monopoly in the fields of tempering, forging, and inscription.

The competition was particularly fierce in the field of tempering.

Due to the Lionheart Empire's possession of another tempering furnace, massive capital had flowed into the empire two months ago, aiming to compete for the tempering market.

However, Lu Heng's strategies had made the Flame Seal Club the undisputed leader in the tempering field.

This had led the White Eagle Federation, the Lionheart Empire, and Japan to invest significant funds in the tempering field, but they had not achieved the expected returns.

Cross-border capital began to exert pressure on the Flame Seal Club in various ways.

Some even lobbied Daxia's power departments, attempting to sanction the Flame Seal Club through legislation.

The fields of tempering, forging, and inscription were new industries that emerged after the Abyssal Descent.

Many existing laws were not applicable to these three industries.

As the Daxia government had not legislated to regulate these industries, there were instances of rule-breaking in many places.

For example, the Tempering Artisan Guild, the Forging Artisan Guild, and the Inscription Artisan Guild had significant influence over their respective industries.

If Daxia were to legislate and regulate the Flame Seal Club and Forge Castle, prohibiting the club from controlling the entry channels to the castle, then these cross-border capitals could rush in and seize control of the entry channels.

However, there was a unique issue to consider.

Did Forge Castle belong to Daxia, and should it be managed by Daxia?

This was a difficult question to answer.

Forge Castle originated from the Abyssal World, and its lord was a Black Iron Dwarf.

Nevertheless, the location of Forge Castle was within the overlap space of Binhai City and the Abyss.

The law had not yet defined whether overlap spaces were part of the territory.

Therefore, there was room for maneuver on this point.

If Daxia were to legislate and define overlap spaces as part of the territory, then Forge Castle would legally become a part of Daxia and naturally be subject to its regulation.

If Forge Castle were to be regulated by Daxia, and if the Flame Seal Club were prohibited from solely managing the entry channels to the castle, then those conglomerates could employ various methods to gain control of the entry rights.

As for Guru Master, he opposed Daxia's regulation of Forge Castle.

The situation became delicate.

As long as the law defined overlap spaces as part of the territory, the space where Forge Castle was located would also be considered part of the territory.

If Forge Castle were to resist, it might lead to a scenario where cannons blasted open the castle's gates.

Even without Daxia's intervention, those cross-border conglomerates would take the initiative and blast open the castle's gates.

As for Guru Master, the conglomerates might even go as far as killing him to gain control of Forge Castle.

At that moment, it would be a matter of who had the stronger fist.

If Daxia were determined to regulate Forge Castle, Lu Heng's current strength would not be enough to challenge the nation.

If such a situation were to occur, would he consider treason?

Therefore, when Lu Heng heard this news from Lin Zeyu, his heart skipped a beat.

...

In his previous life, Forge Castle was different from what it was now.

In his previous life, Forge Castle was in a semi-public state, with multiple conglomerates controlling the entry channels to the castle.

The Daxia government was responsible for oversight, and these conglomerates had reached a balance among themselves.

Moreover, in his past life, Forge Castle did not hold a dominant position in the tempering industry.

After the Lionheart Empire acquired another tempering furnace, capital from Western countries flooded into the empire, recruiting tempering masters and even employing despicable means to occupy the majority of the tempering market.

So, the Forge Castle of that time did not attract as much envy as it does now.

The situation in this life was entirely different.

Forge Castle had almost monopolized the tempering, forging, and inscription fields, suppressing the conglomerates that wanted to squeeze in, causing them to invest enormous funds without seeing any returns.

Lin Zeyu waved his hand in front of Lu Heng, interrupting his reminiscence, and said, "I just received news that the nation is considering legislation to include overlap spaces as part of the territory.

"Moreover, I've heard that someone wants to use this legislation to eliminate the Flame Seal Club and take control of Forge Castle.

"And it's not just one conglomerate that wants to do this; all the conglomerates and capital want to do the same.

"The immense wealth we hold has made countless people envious, and we don't know if we can hold on to it."

This issue was indeed severe.

The large conglomerates and capital were envious, and there might even be those in power within the nation who coveted their success.

Hoarding all the riches for oneself could easily invite hatred and was not a sustainable strategy.

Currently, the Flame Seal Club's immense wealth was entirely dependent on the team of three, and if their combined strength could not hold off the competition, trouble would arise immediately.

It was time to resolve this problem.

Lin Zeyu brought up another matter, "Additionally, the nation has issued new regulations requiring organizations and companies of metahumans with over a hundred members to submit applications for review and accept regulation from the relevant departments."

This development was inevitable, as the number of metahuman organizations continued to grow, and the nation could not afford to leave them unregulated.

Without oversight, these groups with extraordinary powers would inevitably disrupt social order.

Lin Zeyu continued, "Furthermore, if you want to use high-powered thermal weapons, stricter approval processes will be required."

It seemed that the recent frequent occurrences of large-scale metahuman-related incidents had prompted the government to take action.

To maintain order, extraordinary powers indeed required regulation.

The metahuman robbery incident on Zhongzheng Street was just a microcosm of the world.

Especially after the emergence of superpower potions, such situations had become more severe.

Daxia was already the nation with the best order in the world, and there was no other country that could rival it.

In some countries, incidents of superhumans committing robberies had reached uncontrollable levels.

Some countries have even enacted laws stating that store employees must not resist during a robbery, further blurring the lines of order in the human world.

Lin Zeyu continued to reveal the news he received: "Also, the government is planning to establish an official mercenary organization. It seems like this decision has been made."

"In the future, all metahuman security companies and private mercenary organizations will require strict approval."

"If metahuman security companies want to use high-powered thermal weapons, they will need to affiliate with an official mercenary corps."

"So, if our Huan Yu Security Company doesn't want to affiliate with an official mercenary corps, we will only be able to use handguns in the future. It will be difficult to obtain approval for rifles, and explosives like grenades will be impossible."

This had happened in his previous life.

There were too many metahuman organizations, and they were in complete disarray.

If left unregulated, these groups could wreak havoc on social order.

Lin Zeyu spread his hands and said, "So, if we don't want to affiliate with an official mercenary corps, Huan Yu Security will have to reduce the number of metahuman bodyguards to within a hundred. What do you think?"

Huan Yu Security Company originally had over three hundred metahuman bodyguards, a formidable force.

A military battalion typically consisted of five hundred soldiers.

Huan Yu Security had more metahumans than half a battalion, and they were all armed and ready, not to mention they were metahumans themselves.

Such a team would have a stronger combat power than a full regiment.

After listening to Lin Zeyu, Lu Heng paused for a moment before saying, "Don't be hasty. Someone will come to talk to us about this. We'll make a decision then."

...

Just as Lu Heng had expected, with their current combat power and hidden trump cards, the officials would definitely send someone to negotiate face-to-face.

However, what Lu Heng didn't expect was that when the officials came to negotiate, he would receive an invitation from Li Guining.

After meeting, Li Guining indicated that the government would establish a mercenary corps with an official background in the Binhai region, and the name had already been decided—Dragon Might.

The name Dragon Might surprised Lu Heng.

In his previous life, the mercenary corps established in the Binhai region was called Sabertooth, not Dragon Might.

Some changes must have occurred to result in a different name.

Based on Li Guining's description, this Dragon Might Corps was essentially the Sabertooth Corps from his previous life, with similar functions, structure, and goals.

An official mercenary organization, aside from its regular mercenary role, had another purpose—to discipline private metahuman organizations.

If necessary, they would directly eliminate them.

Of course, the primary task of the mercenary organization was still to counter the Abyss.

...

In the end, Lu Heng made a deal with the officials, exchanging interests for power.

Flame Seal accepted state-owned shares and became a semi-state-owned company.

Lu Heng's condition was that the officials could not interfere with Forge Castle.

Additionally, Lu Heng and the other two obtained another power.

This move directly cut off the hands of those conglomerates and capitalists who wanted to meddle in Flame Seal.

...

Half a month later, in mid-December, the Abyssal Descent began, and a new decree was announced.

The Dragon Might Mercenary Organization was officially established. Jian Qing personally came to take Lu Heng and the other two to visit the Dragon Might headquarters.

The Dragon Might headquarters was located in the north of Mingqiong District, bordering Minghong District.

This location used to be a military base and was directly converted into the Dragon Might headquarters.

The position was ideal for guarding the Mingqiong District base city, which was one of the reasons for choosing this location.

Even the address was the same; this was the headquarters of the Sabertooth Mercenary Corps in Lu Heng's previous life.

Lu Heng had once joined this mercenary corps and met many people here.

However, at that time, Lu Heng was just an ordinary metahuman mercenary in Sabertooth, with no authority.

Before Lu Heng had met Zhuo Hongjun, he was about to be parachuted in as the deputy commander of Sabertooth.

...

Lu Heng, Su Muyu, and Lin Zeyu arrived at the Dragon Might headquarters by car. After getting off, they were led inside by Jian Qing.

The group first toured the Dragon Might Mercenary Corps headquarters.

Jian Qing introduced the situation.

"Are you going to be transferred here?" Lu Heng asked curiously, as Jian Qing had not been transferred to Sabertooth in his previous life.

Now, the mercenary corps was named Dragon Might, and since changes had occurred, there was a possibility that Jian Qing could be transferred.

However, Jian Qing shook her head and replied, "I'm only temporarily seconded here. I won't stay here permanently. Let me take you to meet the deputy commander."

As she spoke, she led the three into the headquarters administrative building.

Upon entering a conference room, they encountered a person who was not too surprising to Lu Heng.

Zhuo Hongjun, the gilded war god.

Jian Qing introduced, "You've met him before. Zhuo Hongjun is now the deputy commander of Dragon Might."

In the military, a deputy commander would typically hold the rank of major or lieutenant colonel.

Although Dragon Might was a mercenary corps with an official background, its leadership was transferred from the military and would have military ranks, usually one rank lower.

Currently, Zhuo Hongjun held the rank of captain, but since he was transferred to serve as the deputy commander, the intention was naturally to promote him to major through this reassignment, and the process should be swift.

This was Zhuo Hongjun's ability—to be promoted quickly through reassignment, serving as a deputy commander, and then being transferred back.

With a few such rounds, his promotion speed would be like riding a rocket.

When Zhuo Hongjun saw Lu Heng, a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

After all, Lu Heng had taken an A-grade skill crystal nucleus from him in the case of the lost Academy of Sciences technology data, and he had almost been killed as a result.

Fortunately, the hard drive was eventually recovered, and the spy was eliminated.

Since there was no loss to national interests, the matter was not as severe.

Even so, his family had to exert a lot of effort to resolve the issue of his recklessness.

Zhuo Hongjun's fleeting displeasure was quickly replaced by a smile as he extended his hand, "Comrade Lu, I didn't expect to see you here. Are you interested in joining the Dragon Might? I can recommend you for the position of mercenary captain, or even the commander."

Lu Heng glanced at him indifferently, not responding to his words, and then turned his gaze elsewhere.

Another person emerged from the office on the other side, Instructor Liu Songren.

The very instructor who had led Lu Heng and his team to investigate the case of the lost scientific data from the Academy of Sciences.

Upon seeing Lu Heng, Liu Songren approached with a beaming smile and extended his hand, "Welcome, Comrade Lu Heng."

He was very friendly towards Lu Heng.

After all, during the Academy of Sciences case, Lu Heng had recovered the hard drive, and as a result, their entire group had been awarded the Second-Class Merit.

Liu Songren was also part of this group that received the Second-Class Merit.

Zhuo Hongjun, however, had missed out on this merit as he had led a team to pursue Alex Austin before the hard drive was recovered.

So, in that incident, Zhuo Hongjun's attempt at gilding had failed.

Liu Songren had been transferred to oversee the work, which was why Zhuo Hongjun treated him with respect.

Zhuo Hongjun took the initiative to say, "Instructor, if Comrade Lu Heng is willing to join the Dragon Might, I'd like to recommend him for the position of commander."

Liu Songren's eyebrows furrowed upon hearing this, and he replied, "There's no need for your recommendation."

Zhuo Hongjun, with a worldly-wise expression, smiled and said, "Is the instructor going to recommend him? In that case, I won't compete with the instructor."

Liu Songren's eyebrows furrowed even more, unsure of how to respond. He pulled Lu Heng towards the office, saying, "You guys go ahead."

Once inside the office, Liu Songren took out a file, opened it, and announced, "Southern Front document, appointing Comrades Lu Heng, Su Muyu, and Lin Zeyu as honorary commanders of the Dragon Might Mercenary Corps."

After this announcement, Zhuo Hongjun was stunned.

He had just said that he would recommend Lu Heng for the captain's position, but Lu Heng and the other two had directly been appointed as honorary commanders.

Although the honorary commander position didn't involve managing affairs, it carried authority, which was exactly what Lu Heng needed.

If he had to manage the affairs of the Dragon Might Mercenary Corps, Lu Heng wouldn't want the job.

The honorary commander position was perfect.

This meant that from now on, whenever Zhuo Hongjun met Lu Heng, he would have to stand at attention and salute, respectfully addressing him as "Commander."

This was the difference.

In his previous life, Lu Heng was just an ordinary mercenary, while Zhuo Hongjun had been parachuted in as the deputy commander.

As long as he wanted to, he could easily manipulate Lu Heng.

Now, the positions were reversed. Although Zhuo Hongjun was still parachuted in as the deputy commander, Lu Heng had directly become an honorary commander, outranking him.

At this moment, Zhuo Hongjun realized that his previous actions seemed clownish.

Moreover, it wasn't just Lu Heng who had been parachuted in as an honorary commander; there were three of them, including Su Muyu and Lin Zeyu.

This was what Lu Heng had negotiated for, solving the problem of those tycoons and capitalists trying to get their hands on the Flame Seal Club, and also securing the position of honorary commander.

For Zhuo Hongjun, it was as if three fathers had suddenly appeared and all of them were above him.

After Lu Heng and the others accepted their appointments, they left with Jian Qing. As they walked, they didn't even bother to glance at Zhuo Hongjun.

...

With this appointment as honorary commanders of the Dragon Might, Lin Zeyu's paranormal security company could now legitimately obtain heavy firepower approval.

This was a real boost in power.

It would have a significant impact on their future development in the Ming District of Base City.

...

On their way back, Lin Zeyu couldn't help but burst into laughter in the car, "We were directly appointed as commanders! I was worried that Huan Yu Security might reduce the number of paranormal agents, but now I'm going to be a commander. That's amazing, Lu Heng, how did you manage this?"

In fact, he had already known about this before coming, but only after officially accepting the appointment did he dare to believe it was real.

"I traded half a Flame Seal Club for it," Lu Heng replied casually.

"That's a great deal, an incredible deal," Lin Zeyu said, feeling elated.

Su Muyu was also a bit surprised. Initially, she couldn't believe it either, but now even she had become an honorary commander.

After handing over half of the Flame Seal Club to the nation, those tycoons and capitalists who wanted to get their hands on it were put in their place.

Lu Heng believed that these tycoons, who dared to control a nation, wouldn't give up so easily.

They might resort to despicable means, just like in his previous life.

Lu Heng reminded them, "By the way, in the coming days, arrange for some bodyguards to protect the tempering masters. I have a feeling that some people might get desperate."

"Okay, I'll take care of it when I get back," Lin Zeyu nodded in agreement.

...

Two days passed.

Lu Heng suddenly received a call from Yuan Hecheng.

"Sorry for disturbing you so late, but I couldn't think of any other way. Yao Yao has been taken away by the Ironblood, and I'm worried about her. I can only ask for your help to inquire about her."

Lu Heng was a bit puzzled by what he said, "What did Yuan Yao do? Why was she taken away by the Ironblood?"

Generally, the Ironblood wouldn't arrest people without reason, especially a ten-year-old girl.

"This... Yao Yao killed a paranormal agent, and I don't know how she did it. That night, on our way home, this paranormal agent suddenly appeared, pulling out a gun, I don't know if he was going to rob us or what. Yao Yao suddenly drew a strange weapon and killed him with a sword beam," Yuan Hecheng recounted the events, his words jumbled.

Lu Heng understood the gist of it and said, "Don't worry, I'll send someone to pick you up, and then we'll go to the Ironblood headquarters to inquire about the situation."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end