Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 698

Qiu Tu was clearly not surprised by what the jackal said.

He glanced at the jackal with a half-smile, then deliberately feigned a puzzled expression and said, "You're right. Now that you've become my subordinates, you should indeed work for me."

"But... that doesn't mean it's free."

"Since I've had some meat, shouldn't I share some with you?"

"In this way, everyone benefits, and our organization can develop healthily."

At this point, Qiu Tu deliberately countered with a question, "What? Isn't it the same way in the 'Mist Shadow Society'?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, the jackal's face underwent a frenzied transformation, as if his entire worldview had been utterly shattered!

After a moment, he suddenly grinned fiercely, baring his teeth, and said menacingly, "Of course not!"

He glanced at Twilight behind him, then said with eyes blazing with fury, "We evil gods who rose from the ashes of cataclysm are treated like stepchildren in this organization! Forget about pay, the organization practically wants to suck our marrow dry!"

He took a deep breath and then began to speak from the beginning, “I am a cultist who rose from the chaos. My talent is limited, but my combat strength is not bad.”

"Back then, after I reached the fifth level in the Southwest region, the Misty Hidden Society took notice of me and sent someone to recruit me."

"They said that once I joined them, all I had to do was follow their orders and do things for them, and I would be protected."

"Protection?" Qiu Tu was taken aback. He tilted his head to look at the jackal and asked curiously, "Is the survival environment for evil gods in the 'Southwest Region' really that bad? Are the sanctuaries so powerful?"

When the jackal heard Qiu Tu ask this, his eyes widened in fury, and his voice sounded like it was being squeezed out from between his teeth.

"They're not human, they're the 'Hidden Mist Society'! They said they'd kill me if I didn't join! So I joined, and that's how they protect me!"

Qiu Tu: .....

Hmm. Don't say that... isn't this a form of protection in itself?

After all, the "Hidden Mist Society" did protect the Jackal from harm.

Hmm... as long as you don't ask who caused the damage...

Thinking this, Qiu Tu asked, "Then... the 'Mist Shadow Society' won't give you anything?"

Upon hearing this, the jackal softened his tone and said, "That's not entirely true."

He said, "After joining the 'Hidden Mist Society,' members will be assigned two types of tasks: daily tasks and special tasks."

“‘Daily tasks’ are those that must be done every day, such as cultivating disaster materials for the organization, gathering intelligence for the organization, recruiting followers, and establishing sects or armed forces, etc.”

"These are all tedious and fragmented tasks. The organization conducts regular assessments and inspections to check the progress of the work."

"Special missions, on the other hand, are tasks assigned by superiors. Generally, there is one special mission per month, and at least 12 must be completed per year."

Both of these tasks offer some form of compensation, though not much.

"Daily tasks reward a thumb-sized Tier 4 'Boundless Divine Crystal' each month, while special tasks reward a fist-sized Tier 5 'Boundless Divine Crystal' each time."

The jackal did a quick calculation and then said, "Over a year, we can barely scrape together a quarter of a fifth-tier 'Boundless Divine Crystal'."

Qiu Tu: ....

That's fucking stingy!

Thinking about this, he couldn't help but ask, "What if I do more 'special missions'? Will I get more rewards?"

It would have been better if Qiu Tu hadn't mentioned it. But as soon as he did, the jackal's eyes turned bloodshot.

He said through gritted teeth, "That's what I thought too! I felt the organization would never be so stingy! They must have left us more ways to earn rewards! Like... special missions!"

"So, that year I actively participated in all sorts of 'special missions.' I participated in every single one that came up. And then...and then..."

Seeing this, Qiu Tu asked curiously, "What happened in the end?"

The jackal's voice choked with emotion. "Then that beast 'Nine-Headed Lion' said the organization's rule was 12 special missions a year. I participated in 19, violating the organization's rules. He said he was confiscating my illegal gains on behalf of the organization."

Qiu Tu:......

This is outrageous! And what's in front of me isn't some jackal, it's a beast of burden, and a top-tier one at that.

Suddenly, Qiu Tu understood why the jackals were so loyal to him!

After working for 10 years at a company that pays 1 yuan a month and operates on a 996 schedule, who wouldn't be loyal to a job that pays 5 yuan a month and is much more relaxed?!

That company is his home, isn't it?

However, as Qiu Tu thought about it, he suddenly felt that something was not right.

If the jackal was really as miserable as he said, then how did he grow from a fifth-order evil god to a sixth-order great evil god?

Moreover, it should be noted that he is not an evil god who developed in the "Boundless Heart Sea - Core Area", but an evil god who achieved his status in the "Southwest Region".

This proves that he must have been valued and nurtured by the higher-ups of the "Mist Shadow Society." He advanced all the way to the peak of the fifth rank and used a powerful treasure like the "Shan Gen" to advance to the sixth rank, becoming an important member of the "Mist Shadow Society" in the "Southwest Region."

Thinking this through, Qiu Tu directly asked his question, "If the 'Mist Hidden Society' exploits you so much, how did you manage to grow into a sixth-tier evil god step by step?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, the jackal's expression slowly faded.

He rarely showed a hint of respect, then said earnestly, "That's because... I performed exceptionally well in the Southwest region two years ago, earning me the opportunity to train at the headquarters of the Mist Hidden Society."

"There, I met a benefactor."

"A benefactor?" Qiu Tu asked curiously as he flew. "What benefactor?"

The jackal, its long, thin body following closely beside Qiu Tu, said, "Her name is 'Qinglan,' an eighth-tier deity, and one of the twelve high-ranking members of the 'Mist Hidden Society.'"

“Qinglan…” Qiu Tu murmured the name, his gaze thoughtful.

The jackal didn't notice Qiu Tu's expression and continued respectfully, "Lord Qinglan was also an ordinary cataclysmic being who became a god, so she has a very good impression of us ordinary cataclysmic beings who became gods and has taken good care of us."

"I was undergoing training at the headquarters of the 'Hidden Mist Society' at the time. She reviewed my information, then proactively contacted me, offered me a lot of help, and gave me some excellent guidance."

"She said she had never approved of the oppressive system of the 'Hidden Mist Society.' It was practically a backward form of slavery."

"She believes that...living beings are free and should not be bound by anything."

"Work... is merely a way for living beings to obtain resources for survival. Life itself is the essence of everything."

"So, for the work assigned by the organization, just complete the basic tasks. As for the rest, slack off whenever you can, and be lazy whenever you can."

"Don't really think of yourself as the master of the organization. In reality... we ordinary members are just consumables for the organization. When we break down, we'll throw us away or replace us."

Qiu Tu blinked upon hearing this.

It feels like... in this world, in this catastrophic era, such thoughts are truly rare.

At this moment, the jackal said with some longing, "Also... it was after she read my mission reports from those two years that she gave me a serious scolding."

"She told me that in this world, if you put in three-tenths of the effort, you've already surpassed eighty percent of the people."

"But that would also cause your boss to dump 80 percent of the work on your shoulders."

"Then she asked me how many 'Boundless Divine Crystals' I earned a year for risking my life for the organization...."

"Ask me if my hard work has any value? I have no connections, I just work hard, will the organization promote me? Give me a raise?"

At this point, the jackal paused, then smiled and said, "Later she told me that she had carefully studied the thoughts and history of humans before the Great Cataclysm."

"I think some of humanity's ideas are correct: the organization isn't yours to work for. Working for an organization isn't about realizing your self-worth; it's just exchanging labor for pay. It doesn't benefit you at all."

"Only when you are working for the organization, slacking off and taking it easy is the only way to truly benefit yourself."

Qiu Tu:....6.

That eighth-tier great evil god truly understood the relationship between workers and capital.

Thinking about it, Qiu Tu suddenly understood why the jackals had achieved their current strength and "status".

Clearly, the words of the great evil god "Qinglan" directly won over the jackals, turning them into his loyal followers.

Judging from the intelligence obtained about the jackals and their actions after invading the "Northwest Region," the jackals have indeed started to slack off and do nothing.

After all... judging from Qiu Tu's interactions with the jackals these past few days, he doesn't seem to be the "cowardly" and "suspicious" evil god described in the intelligence reports. (Chapter 585)

If the intelligence wasn't wrong, then it's highly likely that his "cowardice" and "suspicion" were just a protective facade.

It has that "Nine-Headed Lion," that "heartless capitalist," a master at exploiting his employees. The fact that these jackals are working so hard yet haven't been completely drained suggests they've likely found this plausible excuse to escape...

And over the years, he really didn't receive much benefit from the "Mist Hidden Society." The fact that he was able to advance step by step, apart from his talent, was most likely due to the support of "Azure Mist."

It's even possible that the "root of the nose" was bestowed or specially approved by "Qinglan".

But precisely because of this... the jackal has consistently avoided contact with the "Nine-Headed Lion" and the "core area," clearly having offended the "Nine-Headed Lion." This is probably also why, although the jackal has advanced to the sixth rank, it's not even a regional leader... (Chapter 588)

Thinking about this, Qiu Tu felt that everything was starting to go smoothly.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but glance at the "jackal's" loyalty level.

92 points!

Qiu Tu's generosity just now caused the loyalty of Jackal and Twilight to surge again.

At this level of loyalty, they are practically die-hards. They are completely trustworthy.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's mind raced. Then he spoke, "Jackal, I'm very interested in this 'Qinglan' you mentioned."

"In a couple of days, we'll head to the 'Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart - Core Area.' Could you give me an introduction?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, the jackal was visibly taken aback.

Before he could react, Qiu Tu subtly changed the subject, "However... I need to confirm, given my current relationship with the 'Hidden Mist Society,' will she attack me directly after we meet?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, the jackal indeed forgot that he hadn't yet agreed to Qiu Tu's request. He waved his hand dismissively, as if to assure him, "Master, you can rest assured."

"Unless the organization assigns 'Lady Qinglan' a task, she simply can't be bothered with anything else."

"Even if she sees the disaster materials the organization needs, or the target they are hunting, she will close her eyes and pretend she didn't see them."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but smile. He felt that Qiu Tu was indeed a remarkable person.

Qiu Tu was indeed quite interested in "Qing Lan." But it wasn't because he coveted her body; he was after her information...

It should be noted that almost all of the dozen or so fifth-tier evil gods that Qiu Tu slaughtered this time were members of the "Mist Hidden Society".

In addition to "Nine-Headed Lion" and "Beauty Wind" who died because of Qiu Tu, and "Little Yaksha", "Jackal", and "Twilight" who were captured and turned... Qiu Tu has almost wiped out the southwest and northwest branches of the "Mist Hidden Society".

If he were a high-ranking member of the "Hidden Mist Society," he certainly wouldn't let me off the hook.

Therefore, rather than being caught off guard and forced to fight back, it's better to gather intelligence and assess the enemy's strength beforehand.

In situations like this, high-ranking members like "Qinglan," who don't have much loyalty to the organization, become extremely important. They can be used as informants, or even developed into spies.

In fact, if the two get along well, Qiu Tu might even be able to find out exactly what color underwear the high-ranking members of the Misty Hidden Society wear over a single meal...

And so they chatted as they flew. Soon, Qiu Tu, Jackal, and Twilight returned to Shelter No. 7.

After sending the two men back to recuperate, Qiu Tu returned to his residence alone.

As a result, not long after returning to his residence, Qiu Tu's communicator rang.

Qiu Tu, who was changing clothes, picked up his communicator and glanced at it. It was Guan Xiao calling.

He gestured for the beautiful maid to continue changing the items, then answered the phone.

As soon as the call connected, Guan Xiao's voice came through the receiver.

"Speaker, you're back!"

Qiu Tu did not notify anyone of this operation. However, as the head of the "Ministry of the Interior," Guan Xiao was ultimately responsible for all intelligence gathering. Therefore, Qiu Tu was not surprised that she knew his whereabouts over the past few days.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu smiled and said, "I'm back."

Guan Xiao, smiling sweetly on the other end of the phone, said, "First, congratulations to the Speaker on your resounding victory. This battle has secured over a decade of peace in the Northwest region."

Guan Xiao's greatest strengths, besides her abilities, are her ability to provide ample emotional value to others.

Therefore, Qiu Tu's smile widened even more.

He waved away the beautiful maid who had helped him dress, then walked towards the window, asking, "Speak. What is it?"

"Given your personality, you couldn't possibly be here just to congratulate me, could you?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Guan Xiao chuckled twice, then said seductively, "Speaker, you're still as amazing as ever. Just like your skills in bed."

"I'm calling this time not just to congratulate you. Actually... I'm here to report some special intelligence to you."

"Special intelligence?" Upon hearing Guan Xiao's words, Qiu Tu's smile slowly faded. "What special intelligence?"

Guan Xiao said, "It's like this...the Princess Consort Xi has been acting a little strange these past few days."

"Princess Xi?" Qiu Tu hesitated for a moment.

Guan Xiao hummed in agreement and then began to explain in detail the information she had obtained.