Chapter 035: The Martial Artists Selection Assembly

It wasn't that Xu Dalü was clinging to his seniority. He truly believed there was no need to buy a slaughterhouse! Spending so much money to purchase a facility for butchering livestock—sure, it could be profitable, but timing was everything! If Tang Mubai’s father were still around, or if they had money to spare, then buying the slaughterhouse would be no big deal. But right now, the mercenary group was short-staffed; recruiting new members was the most urgent matter. Coincidentally, tomorrow was the once-a-month "Martial Selection Gathering." With over two million Federation credits, they could surely recruit four or five people!

Given Tang Mubai’s youthful vigor, Xu Dalü patiently explained their current situation in detail, breaking it down thoroughly. In the end, he sighed and said with a hint of resignation, “If you find carrying the burden of ‘Miracle’ too much, you could just disband the mercenary group. We still have the restaurant; that’s more than enough for us to live on.”

“No, that’s not what I mean,” Tang Mubai replied, touched but with a wry smile. “The mercenary group was my father’s legacy. Disbanding is out of the question. On the contrary, I plan to make it greater than ever!”

“Grandpa Xu, I understand your concerns. I’ll be at the recruitment event tomorrow. But from now on, I won’t judge recruits by their martial ranks—whether they’re at the professional, occupational, or even master level. Not that we could recruit masters with our current resources anyway. What matters most from now on is a person’s character! Potential comes next!”

“Those seasoned mercenaries who fancy themselves clever and experienced—even if we could get them for a song, I won’t take them!”

“And as for the signing bonus, I’ve decided that from here on, there won’t be any signing bonuses for new recruits at all!”

Tang Mubai’s face was resolute.

He found it absurd that, much like entertainment celebrities switching agencies back on Earth, martial artists joining a mercenary group would expect a signing bonus—a tacit rule in the industry. Sure, being a mercenary meant risking one’s life outside the domain, but every time a group ventured out, every member got a share of the spoils. The more they gained, the more each person received. Unlike martial halls, sects, or companies, where at best you might get a bonus or a set salary, a mercenary group thrived on teamwork—sharing fortune and hardship alike.

Of course, when true hardship struck, some would flee. But everyone could see the shared rewards. Given that, why pay extra? Especially when signing bonuses could range from tens of thousands to over a million credits! Tang Mubai wasn’t about to indulge that.

More importantly, once someone joined “Miracle,” he could expend his own lifespan to boost their strength! That kind of enhancement couldn’t be matched by any amount of money.

Tang Mubai made up his mind, but Xu Dalü was stunned, murmuring, “Without a signing bonus, no one will join…”

“It doesn’t matter,” Tang Mubai waved it off. “If no one joins, then it’s just the three of us. When it’s time to go outside the domain, I’ll represent ‘Miracle’ and team up with other mercenary groups.”

It was common for several groups to cooperate on a hunt—officially sanctioned, and small groups were always willing to work together.

With Tang Mubai so resolute, Xu Dalü had nothing more to say. After a moment, he managed a wry smile. “Alright, I’ll contact the agency and see if we can buy a slaughterhouse quickly.”

“That’s the spirit!” Tang Mubai clapped his hands, energized. “Make sure the slaughterhouse we buy is well-run and has never had any problems. No matter how cheap, don’t buy one with issues!”

“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind,” Xu Dalü nodded. If they were going to buy, they might as well buy a good one.

With everything arranged, Tang Mubai left the restaurant and continued driving around the city. He made the most trips to the streets near the east branch of the City Security Bureau. He had tipped them off that Xie Hongyun was harboring a half-beastman. By rights, the bureau should have acted. Yet, all day, Tang Mubai saw no movement from them. This made him more curious about the true power of the Honghu Group. Clearly, the bureau was wary of them. Maybe they were making preparations in secret, but on the surface, everything was business as usual.

Tang Mubai was curious but didn’t intend to dig deeper. He figured the bureau was biding its time, waiting for the right moment to strike. When that day came, it would be earth-shaking—and he’d be there to watch and harvest vitality.

He didn’t visit Hongyun Slaughterhouse. After a full day, the vitality he collected—converted into years of life—barely pushed his total past 100, reaching 102 years. That night, he spent ten years of his life for one last treatment for Xu Dalü.

The next morning, the old man woke to find he was completely healed! Though he still walked with a slight limp, that was just a habit from decades of injury. With time and perseverance, he would recover fully. For a crippled leg to heal itself in three days—few would believe it if they heard. Overcome with emotion, the old man kept silent. If he didn’t speak of it, neither would Tang Mubai nor Fang Shuixian.

At dawn, after breakfast, Tang Mubai drove to the Martial Association building to attend the Martial Selection Gathering. This unique recruitment event took place in the open square behind the building, where rows of temporary tents had been set up. Representatives from martial halls, companies, and mercenary groups sat in the tents, fielding questions, negotiating terms, and signing agreements with passing martial artists.

Sects rarely took part, as they preferred the elite route—recruiting those with talent or wealthy backgrounds. Most martial artists attending the Selection Gathering were ordinary; the sects had no interest in them.

Tang Mubai was even more selective than the sects. He found the event organizer and set up a booth. He hung a single banner beside it with just one line:

“We can make you stronger!”

That was all. No requirements, no conditions.

Professional martial artists passing by were intrigued and stopped to ask questions, but when they learned it was just an empty slogan, with no concrete plan and not even a signing bonus, they erupted in outrage.

“Who do you think you’re fooling? A mercenary group with no signing bonus?”

The man who spoke was about thirty, gesturing wildly in front of Tang Mubai’s booth, shouting and making a scene.

“Everyone, come take a look! This mercenary group offers nothing but empty promises, yet dares to recruit!”

“I’ve lived over thirty years and never seen such a ridiculous mercenary group!”

“No guarantees, and not even a signing bonus!”