Chapter 18: Li Shuhao’s Recruitment

Li Shuhao turned and stared intently at Yang Fan. "When the Divine Kingdom first awakens, everyone has grand ambitions, thinking that as long as they work hard, life will keep getting better."

"But the reality? Look at our parents. They constantly exploit their own believers. Their bodies are hunched, their hair is gray, and yet they must keep working."

"A Divine Creature has a lifespan of five hundred years, but most die of old age at two or three hundred. What are your thoughts, Brother Yang?"

"The Divine Kingdom's resources are overextended," Yang Fan said without hesitation. His mother, Sun Rong, already had physical issues in this regard.

"The Federation has a poll tax. To earn Faith Points, every transaction requires paying personal income tax. Even the online trading platforms charge a 2% transaction fee. You have to realize that with how advanced the network is today, matching trades costs nothing."

"Once we graduate and lose the protection of Federation law, we either have to become strong enough or find a backer."

"Taxes on every aspect of life, various hidden expenses… The investment to cultivate believers for the safety of the Divine Kingdom, or simply finding a backer and handing over the lion's share of the profits to them. All of this makes compound interest nothing more than a beautiful math problem."

"The profit margin on Divine Kingdom investments is high, but if you truly only invest, then your Divine Kingdom is just a delicious piece of fat meat. One day, you'll end up handing it over to an enemy along with your own life."

"Classmate Li, you truly are well-read and possess extraordinary insight," Yang Fan said admiringly.

Yang Fan's words were sincere. He was only in his third year of high school and hadn't considered things that far ahead at all.

Li Shuhao's insights and ideas gave him a lot of inspiration and served as a warning.

"Brother Yang, I'll get straight to the point. I want you to be my Subordinate God."

"I know that with your conditions, you actually have better choices. Even with a direct descendant genius like Li Tianheng, you'd be qualified to try. But before that, why not listen to my terms?"

"As long as you choose to sign a contract with me, I will subsidize you with 100,000 Faith Points every month. Furthermore, I can provide you with a B-rank building in a year's time."

"Most importantly, from now on, I am willing to purchase all resources produced within your Divine Kingdom at market price."

"Of course, we'll conduct transactions via transfers to legally avoid taxes."

Hearing this, Yang Fan's expression turned somewhat puzzled.

To seek protection, a Subordinate God's resources are generally sold to the protector at 70% or even 50% of the market price.

He didn't understand the point of Li Shuhao doing this.

Seeing Yang Fan's expression, Li Shuhao explained, "Before today, I naturally wouldn't have offered this price. However, this assessment has allowed me to see another value in you."

"What value?"

"An Actuary. You have the talent of an Actuary. With only five million Faith Points in initial capital, you were able to develop your Divine Kingdom to such an extent within twenty days. I believe your talent as an Actuary is very strong."

"I won't take advantage of your Divine Kingdom's resources, but I hope you can help me plan my Divine Kingdom in the future," Li Shuhao said bluntly.

Yang Fan finally understood. After all that, this guy had misunderstood him just like Li Qingying had.

"Doesn't the Li family have its own Actuaries? Besides, I shouldn't be able to compare to them right now."

"For Actuary fees, the Li family's first-class geniuses have a fund reimbursement service. I, however, have to pay for it myself, and the price is not something I can afford right now." Li Shuhao's expression was a bit awkward.

Yang Fan sighed and said, "Can I refuse?"

Seemingly not expecting this answer, Li Shuhao froze for a moment.

"Why?"

Li Shuhao was confident. His terms involved no loss for Yang Fan; purchasing Divine Kingdom resources at full price plus a monthly subsidy was essentially a windfall from heaven.

"I want to follow the combat path. I don't want to do logistics work."

"Ah? But your talent…" Li Shuhao was in disbelief.

"Thank you for the gracious invitation, Classmate Li, but I have my own ideas. Besides, I don't really have any Actuary talent; my Divine Kingdom's development involved an element of luck."

After a moment of silence, Li Shuhao finally set down his wine glass, looked up, and smiled. "Even if the deal fails, the friendship remains. We are classmates, after all. Perhaps we can even run a Divine Kingdom investment together in the future. Since you're here, I must play the host. Brother, let me treat you to a good time."

"In that case, then I'll thank Classmate Li… Brother Li."

"Hahaha, follow me. I'll take you to experience the local customs here." Li Shuhao laughed loudly and pulled Yang Fan into another private room.

"This is the signature service of Heavenly Fragrance World. Now that we've awakened our Divine Kingdoms, we're considered adults and are finally qualified to spend money here. Brother, pick someone first."

With a wave of Li Shuhao's hand, a row of photos of female characters floated in mid-air.

"Name: Liu Ruyan"

"Measurements: 85, 58, 90"

"Personality: Open"

"Strength: Divine Creature"

"Price: 10,000 Faith Points (Overnight)"

"Name: Bai Ningbing"

"…"

The photos were either enchanting, curvaceous, or pure. Looking at them, Yang Fan couldn't help but gulp, momentarily unsure of how to choose.

Seeing that Yang Fan hadn't moved for a long time, Li Shuhao gave a wicked smile. "Do you need a special type?"

"What are special types?"

"Married women, sisters, mother-daughter pairs… or if Brother Yang has heavy tastes, there are also Elves and Beastkin. If you want something even heavier, there are even beautiful Goblins."

"Pfft." Hearing this, Yang Fan almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Of course, Heavenly Fragrance World also has Demigods and Gods to play with, but they're all upstairs. We aren't qualified yet, and with our current consciousness strength, we'd likely be played to death," Li Shuhao joked.

"This place is way too 'versatile'," Yang Fan's face twitched.

"Network technology is advanced; even if separated by two planets, communication can still happen on a consciousness level. But Brother Yang, rest assured, Heavenly Fragrance World has an excellent reputation. The staff here are definitely not virtual characters; they are all real people from reality."

"Life isn't easy for anyone; they're just out here to earn some subsidies. You know how it is." Li Shuhao gave a look that every man understands.

Yang Fan coughed. "I've never spent money in a place like this before. This is my first time, so…"

"Everyone has a first time. It's a Virtual World anyway, so it doesn't count as cheating on a future wife. How about I make the arrangements?"

"Then I'll trouble you."

"The day before yesterday, I heard a friend say that those Goblins…"

"Stop right there. I think this one called Liu Ruyan is fine."

Li Shuhao showed a look of regret upon hearing this. "In that case, enjoy yourself, Brother Yang. Let's meet again when you're free."

As he spoke, Li Shuhao finished paying the fees and tactfully withdrew from the private room.

Yang Fan's face twitched as he watched the other's departing back. He had a feeling this kid was trying to mess with him because he had just been rejected.

In another private room, Li Shuhao sat in the seat of honor. A white-haired old man, radiating the aura of a Demigod, stood quietly to the side holding some documents.

"Uncle An, what do you think of this classmate of mine?" Li Shuhao inquired.

"Based on your description, Young Master, his talent is indeed good. However, the terms you offered were too generous."

"He is a classmate, after all. I just didn't expect him to refuse such good terms."

"If the Young Master truly wishes to recruit him, perhaps you could start with his parents."

"No need. Schemes can conquer a person, but they cannot win a heart. Developing a Divine Kingdom is a marathon. Relying on those underhanded methods will only result in mutual internal friction in the end. It's always better to have one more friend than one more enemy."