Love and passion, cutting up the wasteland.

Seeing that Lu Meng was in a good mood, Lin Ji remained silent and did not disturb her. After a while, he spoke: "Regarding the handover of the security spider..."

"Whether it's you or me, there are naturally other people to handle the specific work of this matter. You didn't call me here for this, did you?" Lu Meng interrupted her and looked at the examiner. "Come to think of it, you haven't answered my question yet."

Lin Ji got stuck again.

indeed.

The ownership of the Security Spiders is a complicated issue. As secret weapons collected by the previous Watchers, even if Qin's behavior is suspected of splitting the organization, it has not happened after all. They are still nominally the property of the entire Depression Lagoon Town and cannot be simply treated as ordinary trophies together with personal belongings.

But then again, if Lu Meng hadn't intervened, the Tech Hunters, not to mention the Security Spiders, would have suffered even greater losses and more intense conflicts, and in serious cases, they might even be divided into the North and the South.

These good babies who are now lying quietly in the warehouse will also become wild monsters that spawn all over the city.

I don't want it even for free.

On the other side, the mechanics in charge of sorting and repairing the equipment should have remained neutral, but their chief Wolf seemed to be extremely concerned.

He almost personally supervised and took charge.

It also speeds up work efficiency.

If he said he was doing it for the tech hunters... that wasn't like the chief's style.

And Wolfe didn't feel at a loss yet.

This adds another layer of instability.

In the end, it is very likely that, as Lu Meng said at the beginning, an exchange of interests will be carried out at an extremely low preferential price.

Both parties take what they need.

As a native of Black Scratch Town, Lin Ji now knows about the headquarters' plan to set up a relay station in Shan, and they will most likely have in-depth cooperation.

Just think of it as a gift to each other.

But in short, whether it is Lu Meng or Lin Ji, the specific discussions and calculations are not their turn to personally discuss and argue.

My subordinates will handle it.

She talked about this only to cover up and find an excuse.

"Is it not okay to just chat a little?" Lin Ji sighed and rubbed his face, "I still think you were more friendly before..."

"I have never changed. The only difference is that before you didn't attack because you thought you were kind, but now it's because you know you can't win." Lu Meng changed the subject and said seriously, "Since you want to gossip, then I will gossip to the end--"

"Is it possible for you to become the successor Watcher?"

Just now, the implied meaning of Lu Meng's behavior outside the warehouse was also the most concerning issue for the waiting Black Claws.

Lin Ji was choked by the first half of Lu Meng's words, and was furious for a moment.

But think about it carefully.

It really is so.

From the moment they first met, she had never been able to control him.

Instead, I have been led by the nose.

The only difference is that at that time Lin Ji could still let you be proud for a while. I am the Inspector of Black Scratches, and when the matter is over, you will have the time to beg me for help... This mentality is somewhat comforting.

Now even this layer is gone.

Only then did I truly realize what I was lacking.

“To be honest…” But after hearing Lu Meng ask his “gossip” question, Lin Ji’s thoughts became heavier. He smiled and said, “I don’t know either.”

"You know, I didn't even think about this before I came here."

Although the prosecutor did a good job in maintaining order, conducting investigations, and commanding the entire Lake Town, he was essentially forced to do things against his will and the results were not as expected.

This also reflects her ability.

"Besides, being a Watcher isn't that easy..."

"Really?" Lu Meng shook the silver card between his fingers, "I think it's okay."

"You don't even call it Watcher!" Although he knew that the other party did it on purpose, Lin Ji couldn't help but correct him, "That's right, it's all because people are used to calling it that, so they can't tell the difference between the two."

What they were actually discussing were the Inner Circle members, the true power center of the Tech Hunters.

The question is whether you can get in.

"In this world, the Watchers came first, and then the Inner Circle." As a disciple of the Sword Saint, Lin Ji knew more secrets than other Tech Hunters. "Throughout the ages, the members of the Inner Circle have changed at least hundreds of times, but the silver cards that circulate and inherit in their hands actually have the same sequence. Most of them are still in the outside world... in the hands of people like you."

As she said this, she glanced at Lu Meng.

To be honest, Lin Ji was initially quite unhappy that the teacher gave this silver card to that unknown warrior. It wasn't because of any special reason, it was simply jealousy...

She herself hasn't had one yet.

For those who are in the technology hunters, the symbolic significance of being awarded the silver card is too great, which is almost equivalent to inviting them to enter the center of power - you can't tell those kings that the crown is essentially a broken hat and ask them to wear it.

Moreover, no one had expected at first that it was an outsider who completed the task of hunting the Flying Bull. The strength of the leader of the K-selection might not be outstanding in the eyes of many people, but he was cunning and had the legend of immortality. He was quite difficult to deal with, but he was the most suitable target for the bounty of the technology hunter.

Lin Ji had already set off.

Even within the Black Scratch, many people believed that this mission was tailor-made for his disciples by the Sword Master using his authority and taking advantage of the fact that the relay station was attacked by Kexuan.

Convenient for gilding.

It is sent into the inner ring in one go.

——To be honest, Lin Ji himself also has expectations in this regard, and there is no need to deny it.

But afterwards, Alke awarded the silver card to the "Nameless Man" without hesitation and against all odds, which made everyone understand that he was serious.

Compared to the show, it seemed that the fact that the relay station was attacked and many hunters were buried in the furnace smoke itself was more difficult for him to accept.

On the other hand, Lin Ji also knew that there were political factors involved in the alliance with the Shak Kingdom. Therefore, although she was dissatisfied and her expectations were dashed, she still did not express opposition.

She just secretly regarded the "Nameless Person" as a target for comparison. Not only herself, but also many people thought that the other party had the advantage of being located within the kingdom. If they were really standing at the same starting line and hunting from scratch, the outcome would be unknown.

It's a pity that now...

It's nothing.

Lu Meng nodded. He also understood what Lin Ji mentioned about the outflow of silver cards.

The watcher of the Mine Town sought help from the Depression Lagoon but failed, and finally withdrew from the inner circle, leaving the silver card to his comrades - now the ashes of the anti-slavers are just a commemoration.

This time, with Hui's consent, Lu Meng used the bounty mission to return the silver card to Black Scratch Town, which could be regarded as returning the property to its original owner.

It is just conceivable that after so many years, as a core silver card is recycled, someone will definitely propose to fill the vacant inner ring member again...

Around it,
I'm afraid it's another competition.

Lu Meng and Lin Ji both knew that being able to pacify the Lower Depression Lagoon would undoubtedly be a huge bargaining chip that could almost overwhelm most opponents from other factions.

If Alke himself had not been trapped in the fog island, he would not have been able to exert any influence.

It was a foregone conclusion that the Inquisitor would step down from his temporary position and become the Watcher in the blink of an eye.

"After the tragedy caused by the Lord of Insects, the hunter faction in the southwest of the continent has been declining, so that the Depression Lagoon has become the only one in power and has become the representative of the entire southern hunters. It was not until the relay station was re-established in the territory of the Shak Kingdom that it started to improve, but it is still not enough to compete for a seat in the inner ring." Thinking of this, Lin Ji couldn't help but talk about it, "There are only three left, our Black Scratch native, the Northern Hunters, and..."

She glanced at Lu Meng.

After a pause, he said, "In the United Cities, at the Gray Desert Relay Station."

Strictly speaking, that area was not originally part of the territorial boundaries demarcated when the United Cities was founded. It was adjacent to the Land of Death and was the only way for the fuel there to be transported to the United Cities.

The United Cities naturally want to control it, but just like its name suggests, the Gray Desert has to bear the pollution of the Land of Death on one hand, and is surrounded by vast desert on the other hand, where dangerous flying sand locusts are lurking, and the various forces are fighting fiercely, and all have suffered heavy losses.

It was not until Long En spent a large sum of money to build the infamous "Treasure House". On the one hand, it was a torturous dungeon as a gift to Emperor Tengu to contain his influence; on the other hand, it was a military fortress and supply point, allowing the empire's warriors to fly across the desert and strangle the energy throat.

It was under such circumstances that the Gray Desert was almost included in the sphere of influence of the United Cities.

As the war on the Iron Valley front intensified, the United Cities never had any interruptions in their energy supply thanks to the help of the relay station.

However, the situation in the Lagoon Town is different from that in the Lagoon Town. There is no strong watcher like Qin who is in collusion with others. Although he is independent, to some extent he is unwilling to be inferior to others.

In the Gray Desert, Lin Ji once went to the relay station to perform official duties, but there, Lin Ji not only saw the hunters' unique furnace flag, but also the United Cities' white eagle with a blue background.

The degree of integration is evident.

This actually does not violate the rules and regulations of the Tech Hunters, or even the founder of the Tech Hunters thousands of years ago did not expect that someone in later generations would be able to infiltrate their organization to this extent.

Grey Desert is in charge of energy trade within the Tech Hunters, with a near monopoly and huge profits. And there is no doubt that the Merchant Guild is providing financial support behind it, which is why it has risen so quickly that even though it is not far from the Black Scratch Town headquarters, it has become a major faction that cannot be ignored.

"Whether it's the inner ring seat or the vacant seat of the Lagoon..." Lin Ji looked directly at Lu Meng and said seriously, "They will definitely not give up the opportunity to fight for and intervene."

"This seems to be your problem," Lu Meng smiled, "What does it have to do with me?"

"There are only two of us here, why should we hide——" Lin Ji was furious again, jumping like a deer, "Don't think I don't know what you are here for. Considering your relationship with the Merchant Guild, don't tell me that we can still sit down and eat together in peace now."

On the surface, the factional struggles within the Tech Hunters do have nothing to do with outsiders - but this is just wishful thinking.

Just like a lagoon in a lowland, when Qin was in power, he was definitely biased towards his own interests.

In the gray desert, Lin Ji suspected that there were many hunters, who were actually warriors who were still loyal to their master. The only difference was whether they took off their armor or not and what clothes they wore.

According to the tradition of technology hunters, if someone can really pretend to be a technology hunter for a lifetime, then you are a technology hunter, and everyone competes fairly.

Gray Desert knows the bottom line.

But for Lu Meng.

This is different.

The reason why Lu Meng targeted the Depression Lagoon and wanted to get rid of Qin this time was because the other party's influence within the Technology Hunters had already made the entire organization begin to become a hindrance to his development.

They even came up with assassination plots.

Lin Ji laid out the factions within his own organization in such detail that once the conversation were to leak out, it would, to some extent, be used against him.

It's quite disadvantageous to her.

This was also why Lin Ji had to say it in this private warehouse, which was only accessible to those holding silver cards, and there were no other bystanders.

The examiner let out a breath and secretly sighed in his heart that the reason why the headquarters attached so much importance to the depression lagoon was probably because they did not want to see the emergence of a second gray desert.

The latter was powerless to recover.

This is determined by the structure of the Tech Hunter organization itself. Under today's backward transportation and communication conditions, the United City, which is vast in area and spans the north and south, must adopt a confederation system, not to mention the Tech Hunters spread across the entire continent?

They are at relay stations everywhere.

It must be in the form of enfeoffment of princes and plenipotentiary governors to control everything.

This depends greatly on personal loyalty.

And temporary constraints such as examiners.

Similar situations exist among hunters in the more remote north, but their situations are different and much more special.

Their inner circle status is not determined by the headquarters, but is a fixed seat held from generation to generation and is only elected from within the North. Their hunters have no interest in political power and most likely will not get involved.

Therefore, although Lin Ji listed three major factions, in reality, there were only two factions left in the fierce competition and suspense in the end.

(End of this chapter)