Chapter 129: Undercover

Gandalf, the dungeon maniac of the Imperial Capital Academy, was enjoying the ultimate thrill of fifty times the experience points.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Donghai City, Zhou Huai's other Clones had fallen into a leveling Bottleneck.

Donghai City was a small place after all.

It did not possess the Heaven-Defying resource integration capability of the Imperial Capital Academy, which could encompass all dungeons from level twenty to forty within a single building.

However, the scattered level twenty dungeons in the wilderness of Donghai City were few and far between.

Dungeons above level twenty-five had never even been seen.

Although the three Clones of Yasuo, Xiang Yu, and Moria farmed dungeons non-stop…

Their efficiency was far from comparable to Gandalf's.

A week passed.

Yasuo's Rank still remained at LV23.

Xiang Yu and Moria had both reached LV19, just a step away from level twenty.

Zhou Huai finally understood why the average Rank of Professionals in those guilds of Donghai City mostly hovered around the low twenties.

Those who could reach above level thirty were already exceptionally rare, enough to serve as core upper management in the guilds.

Resources determined one's vision and also determined one's upper limit.

…

Donghai City, Eternal Night Guild headquarters.

Inside the office on the third floor, Zhou Huai controlled Moria, quietly leaning against the sofa.

Moli wore a capable black uniform, her long hair tied up high into a ponytail, standing in front of the desk and meticulously reporting on her work.

"Lord, since the establishment of the Eternal Night Guild up until today, we have recruited a total of sixty-seven official members."

Her voice was crisp and her speaking speed was steady.

"Currently, the average Rank of all members has reached level fifteen."

Zhou Huai controlled Moria, gently tapping the armrest of the sofa, signaling her to continue.

Moli opened the report in her hands and continued speaking.

"As guild members frequently engage in outdoor activities, our friction with other guilds is increasing day by day."

"Last Wednesday, our team had a conflict with the people from the 'Black Tiger Hall' in the 'Wailing Mine'."

"Three of our side suffered minor injuries, and all six of the other side were killed on the spot."

"Yesterday, in the 'Land of Decay', we were ambushed by the 'Blood Wolf Society' again."

She paused, a hint of coldness curving the corners of her mouth.

"As a result, their twelve-man elite team was completely annihilated by us, with not a single survivor."

"After these two battles, the name of our Eternal Night Guild has completely spread in the underground circles of Donghai City."

"Now, quite a few freelance Professionals have come by reputation, wanting to join us."

"According to your instructions, I conducted a strict screening of all applicants and kept fifty-two people."

"They can accept your evaluation at any time."

Zhou Huai controlled Moria and nodded slightly.

"You've worked hard."

"Lord, this is all what I should do."

Moli bowed in salute, her eyes filled with undisguised fanaticism and worship.

In a mere half-month, she had completely shed the innocence and childishness from when they first met, growing into a qualified guild manager.

She raised her head, her expression returning to calm.

"Lord, there is one more small matter that needs to be reported to you."

"Let's hear it."

"Perhaps the members of our guild have performed too brilliantly."

"Recently, quite a few guilds have started contacting our members privately, attempting to poach them."

Hearing this, Zhou Huai couldn't help but want to laugh.

Poaching?

Poaching from his Eternal Night Guild?

These members were all Demon Slaves who had signed the [Demon Lord Contract] with him, and absolute loyalty to him was branded deep within their Souls.

If they could be poached, the character "Zhou" in Zhou Huai could be written upside down.

Moli's voice continued to come over.

"Of course, all contacted members reported to me at the first instance."

"However, what surprised me a bit…"

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly.

"The Radiant Alliance of the Zhou Family has also extended an olive branch to the people of our guild."

"Oh?"

Zhou Huai controlled Moria and let out a soft exclamation of surprise.

Radiant Alliance.

This name reminded him of some unpleasant memories.

Ever since the failure to capture Yasuo in the Old City District last time, this guild affiliated with the Zhou Family seemed to have completely vanished from the surface.

Zhou Huai even thought for a time that this guild had already disbanded.

Now it seemed that they had merely gone underground.

A guild that didn't organize members to run dungeons, nor participated in the competition for outdoor resource points.

It was impossible for the Zhou Family to support that group of people in vain and let them eat for free in the city.

This was illogical.

Moli seemed to see through his doubts and immediately added.

"The Radiant Alliance didn't just extend an olive branch to our people."

"According to my investigation, during this recent period, they seemed to have contacted the elite members of all guilds in Donghai City."

"The benefits they offered were quite tempting."

"A guaranteed monthly salary of twenty thousand Daxia Coins."

"This does not include equipment subsidies, potion subsidies, and other various benefits."

Zhou Huai's eyebrows raised.

Twenty thousand monthly salary.

This was almost twice the salary of core members in other guilds of Donghai City.

What was the Radiant Alliance doing?

Burning money like crazy to expand manpower?

Zhou Huai's intuition told him that behind this generous treatment, there must be some fishy business hidden.

"How many of our people were contacted by them?"

"Currently only one," Moli replied, "It is Qin Ming."

"He has been performing very hard recently, and his leveling speed is also very fast. Aside from Mister Yasuo, he is the member with the highest Rank in our guild."

"He has currently reached level seventeen."

Zhou Huai's fingertips gently tapped on the sofa armrest, falling into deep thought.

After a moment, he raised his head and looked at Moli.

"Have Qin Ming take the initiative to contact the people of the Radiant Alliance."

"Tell them that he is willing to jump ship."

Hearing this, a trace of puzzlement flashed in Moli's eyes.

"Lord, what is this…?"

Zhou Huai controlled Moria, a cold arc curving the corners of his mouth.

"Let him infiltrate and act as an undercover agent."

"I'd like to see what tricks this Radiant Alliance is actually playing."

…

The next day.

Opposite the Professionals' Task Center, inside a dimly lit small bar.

The thin and capable Qin Ming pushed open the creaking wooden door and walked in.

Behind the bar, a bloated fat man was leisurely wiping a glass cup.

Seeing Qin Ming, smiles immediately piled up on his face.

"I thought you wouldn't come."

The fat man's voice was a bit hoarse, as if sanded by sandpaper.

"Yesterday, you refused quite decisively."

Qin Ming plopped down on the high stool in front of the bar, his movements casual.

"Give me the strongest one."

He threw a few coins onto the bar counter, making a crisp sound.

"People always change, don't they?"

The fat man poured him a glass of amber-colored strong liquor and pushed it over.

"Let's hear it, what made you change your mind?"

Qin Ming picked up the wine glass and drank it in one gulp.

The spicy liquid burned all the way down his throat into his stomach.

He heavily placed the cup on the bar counter, making a muffled sound.

"I went back and thought about it for a long time."

His eyes carried a bit of unwillingness and resentment.

"That bullshit Eternal Night Guild, besides sounding intimidating, has no future at all."

"It's completely incomparable to your Radiant Alliance."

He paused, his voice lowering a bit.

"What's more, the money you give is several times that of Eternal Night."

"My mother's illness relapsed again recently."

"I urgently need money."

The fat man listened quietly, the smile on his face becoming increasingly brilliant.

He extended his plump palm.

"I really appreciate a visionary young man like you."

"Believe me, joining the Radiant Alliance is definitely the most correct choice you have ever made in your life."

Qin Ming looked at that hand and was silent for a moment.

Then, he also extended his hand and shook firmly with the other party.

"I hope so."

The fat man picked up the wine bottle and refilled both of their wine glasses.

He raised his glass, gesturing towards Qin Ming.

"Welcome aboard."

"Bang."

The two glass cups gently collided under the dim light, making a crisp sound.