Life Dungeon Game

"Norsen,"

Rudol looked at the middle-aged man in front of him and laughed, "Look at the people from your Moonlight faction. Last time in Ruodan, the cultists of the Mysterious Shadow were your people. This time in Newland, the Chaotic Church of West was your people. And I heard that the cultists who led this spacetime connection incident were also your people."

He paused slightly, a strange look in his eyes, "Your Moonlight, could it be a cult hideout?"

"Jodel!"

Jann Northon's face darkened completely. "I admit that I failed to manage my subordinates properly on these two occasions, and I will launch an internal investigation. But this is not a reason for you to reach into Newland's hands."

"I don't trust you guys,"

Jodel's aged voice was slow as he leaned back in his chair. "Who knows if your new faction members are also cultists? Newland's situation is already complicated enough. If you cause more trouble, don't drag the whole world into hell."

"you!"

Norsen slammed his hand on the table and took a deep breath.

Since the last battle with the research institute, Moonlight, now only a B-rank member, has become the weakest of the three major organizations.

He leaned back in his chair, his voice completely calm, "I heard that the last incident involving the Navigator was orchestrated by people from your World Tree?"

Jodel's expression faltered slightly, but he quickly replied, "We just accidentally infiltrated a spy, unlike you, where a bunch of regional leaders are cultists."

Norsen placed his hand on the table. "It seems that your skill on the battlefield is just as good as your eloquence, Jordel."

Jodel's face stiffened.

The various organizations appear to be on good terms, but in reality they often clash. Among all the known B-rank organizations in the main world, his strength is the weakest.

Even though Jan Norsen was injured by Li Cheng and Wu Ganglie together, he is still one of the top three in all B-class, and defeating Rudol should not be a problem for him.

"cough,"

Sitting on the other side, Li Cheng coughed and looked at Norsen. "So, Norsen, what are your thoughts?"

Norsen's expression darkened slightly, and he said in a low voice, "I can accept joint management by three parties, but the person in charge must be someone from Moonlight."

He knew that Newland City-State was doomed as soon as he sat down at the negotiating table, but he wanted to secure the greatest possible benefits for Moonlight.

Newland is the largest commercial city-state in the northern part of the Tia Empire, ranking among the top ten cities that provide financial support to Moonlight.

Newland's overall economy is even better than that of the Kingdom of Ruodan, so he cannot easily give it up.

"no,"

Jodel immediately said, "Nuland is already close to Tia."

"Empire, if we appoint one of your people as the person in charge, what's the difference between that and you ruling alone? Besides, the situation in Newland is unstable right now; no one knows what problems might arise. We need a B-level leader to suppress any potential disturbances. Do you want to be that leader?"

"I live nearby and can come anytime."

Norsen said calmly.

"By the time you get there, it might be too late."

Rudol leaned back. "The Western Lands have been relatively peaceful lately. The World Tree can spare someone to temporarily act as a 'Guardian' and protect Newland's safety."

Through careful protection, it became the site of the World Tree.

The Western Lands and the Tia Empire are close to each other. If the World Tree occupies Newland, it can continuously send power over, and may continue to encroach on other territories under the Moonlight.

Moonlight did not want the World Tree to reach so close to it.

Norsen looked up at Rudol, then at Li Cheng, and whispered, "Dean Li, do you have any suggestions?"

Middle-earth is the furthest from Newland. If the World Tree appoints a B-rank official as the person in charge, it means that the so-called tripartite co-management will turn into a power struggle between two parties, and the research institute will be completely marginalized. All the manpower and resources invested will not be returned.

From a purely geographical perspective, and from Moonlight's point of view, if there had to be a Class B member in Newland, the best candidate would be themselves, followed by the research institute.

Because the research institute is far away and difficult to support, if anything unexpected happens, Moonlight can join forces with World Tree to force the research institute's forces away.

However, the problem is that, from a holistic perspective, the research institute's influence is too strong.

How can a tiger be allowed to sleep peacefully beside one's bed?

If the research institute turns Newland into an outpost, it will be like a sharp knife held to the throat of the moonlight.

Furthermore, the World Tree would certainly not agree with the Research Institute sending people to take charge of the Newland City-State. The Research Institute has already extended its reach to Ruodan in the southern part of the Western Lands. If it extends its reach to Newland in the western part of the Western Lands, the World Tree will be half-surrounded by the Research Institute.

So the current situation is that if any of the three parties wants to become the head of Newland, the other two parties will resist.

This is also why Li Cheng watched Norsen and Ruodeer argue but basically didn't say anything.

But now that Norsen had asked, he placed his hand on the table and smiled, “Gentlemen, there are more B-level members than just our three major organizations in this world.”

Norsen paused, "You mean, Hao Yi?"

This world naturally has more than just the three major organizations' B-rank members; Dawn also has B-rank members. However, the three major organizations would never hand over Newland to Dawn. Therefore, what we are talking about here is the only 'neutral' B-rank member, Hao Yi.

Although Hao Yi and Moonlight did not have much hatred for each other, there was still a rift between them. The death of Moonlight's B-rank Sloan was due to Hao Yi's interference.

Therefore, it is unlikely that Hao Yi will completely unite with Moonlight, which would be in the interest of the World Tree and the Research Institute.

From Moonlight's perspective, Hao Yi is not entirely unapproachable.

Although Hao Yi had a good relationship with the research institute, the institute happened to be the most distant force from Newland, and could hardly help him in an emergency.

Moreover, he is at least currently neutral.

Most importantly, everyone knows that Hao Yi is probably very strong, along with the World Tree and Moonlight.

They also didn't want to push Hao Yi entirely into the research institute, because that would make the institute too powerful.

Therefore, after the research institute proposed this option, if they did not have a reason to refuse, they could not risk offending Hao Yi by directly rejecting it.

Moreover, Hao Yi's participation in the rescue of Newland City-State has earned him the support of the locals. As the 'Guardian,' he will not be resisted by the local superhumans of Newland City-State.

After careful consideration, Norsen and Rudolf both had to admit that having a neutral Hao Yi manage a neutral Newland city-state was a more acceptable option for everyone, truly achieving tripartite co-governance.

No one won, but no one lost either.

Moreover, Hao Yi is only one person. When it comes to the details of execution, they still have to rely on the extraordinary individuals from the three major organizations.

"But is Hao Yi willing to do this?"

Jodel murmured, “What kind of reward can we offer? To hire him, we’d probably have to give up most of the Newland city-state’s tax revenue.”

Inviting such a powerful B-rank to serve as a 'Guardian' comes at a considerable cost.

“Let’s think about it another way,” Li Cheng said calmly. “We can simply give him the Newland city-state.”

Norsen's brow twitched.

Isn't this my Newland city-state?

However, he lowered his head and seriously considered the feasibility of Li Cheng's statement.

In fact, inviting Hao Yi to be the 'Guardian' is not much different from giving the Newland City-State to Hao Yi. After all, since a B-level has already occupied this place, unless they turn against you or offer you a better location, they definitely won't move.

Moreover, Newland's original profits would most likely end up in Hao Yi's pocket. If Hao Yi wanted to, he could easily build Newland into his own independent kingdom.

Instead of waiting for others to gradually take over the territory, it's better to be generous and give it away directly, which will also earn Hao Yi's favor.

Of course, the problem here is that if it is given away, Newland will lose its nominal control.

The World Tree has no nominal control over Newland; it doesn't exist, so it doesn't matter.

Moonlight originally had nominal control, but with the implementation of the tripartite co-management treaty and Newland becoming a neutral zone, he would also lose nominal control of the region. Since he was going to lose it anyway, he might as well do a favor.

Seeing the thoughtful expressions on their faces, Li Cheng knew that the matter was almost settled.

If he had directly offered to give Newland City-State to Hao Yi from the beginning, neither of them would have agreed.

First, propose a reasonable condition. After they accept it, then propose a more reasonable condition based on that.

Like slicing a sausage, you achieve your goal step by step.

Although Norsen and Ruodeer both knew that Li Cheng was deliberately making demands on behalf of 'Hao Yi', it was indeed the best solution they could find at the moment.

Moreover, the World Tree and Moonlight are closer to the city-state of Newland, so you can visit them whenever you want.

Being able to establish a friendship with Hao Yi, a B-level individual of unknown origin, is actually far more valuable than the entire city-state of Newland.

In essence, the reason they believed the plan was feasible was that Hao Yi and the 'K' suspected to be behind Hao Yi were strong enough that they were willing to give up some benefits to gain Hao Yi's support.

And the weakest

The moonlight shines brightest, and the profits it yields are naturally the greatest.

However, Norsen breathed a sigh of relief. If Newland were given directly to Hao Yi, at least he wouldn't have to think about what to do to thank 'Hao Yi' for his help to the Newland city-state during the crisis.

He couldn't offer a more valuable gift than this city.

Ultimately, it's because the moonlight is too weak.

If Moonlight could have resolved the problems of Newland City-State on his own, there would have been no need for this meeting.

"Let's talk to Hao Yi next," Li Cheng said, seeing that the two of them had basically agreed to the plan. "Even if we're willing to give it to them, they might not be willing to accept it."

······

With Li Cheng's help, the three major organizations finally reached an agreement with He Ao.

The extraordinary side of Newland City-State belongs entirely to 'Hao Yi', and all the taxes and revenues supplied to the extraordinary side are also handed over to 'Hao Yi'.

Given the current situation in Newland, the three major organizations have each provided Newland with reconstruction aid and interest-free loans five times the amount of aid.

Before Newland City-State established its own superhuman organization, the three major organizations each sent a team of superhumans to assist Newland City-State, and they were subordinate to Newland City-State.

The salaries of these extraordinary individuals who came to provide assistance, as well as the related support personnel, were transferred to Hao Yi by the 'Joint Assistance Fund' established by the three major organizations, and then paid by Hao Yi.

After signing the agreement, Norsen sat in his office in deep thought for an entire afternoon.

He didn't wake up until his female secretary in black stockings knocked on the door. He rubbed his face dejectedly and said, "I got tricked by that old bastard Li Cheng."

The initial agreement was for joint management by three parties, but the final agreement not only resulted in the loss of the city, but also required them to contribute money and effort.

-

Meanwhile, in front of a small seaside courtyard on Vinland Island, Li Cheng stepped through the gate.

As soon as he entered the room, he smelled a faint fragrance.

He raised his head and looked ahead.

A girl dressed in an exquisite Gothic maid's gown and with long, grey-gold hair sat on a chair by the courtyard, looking up at the sunset.

Her profile was exquisite and perfect, the most exquisite face Li Cheng had ever seen in his life, like a miraculous creation carved from jade. Even though she was wearing a maid outfit, she seemed to be enveloped in some kind of holy radiance, so beautiful that she didn't seem human.