Hunter 116: Two Letters

"How's our little place?"

Xu Si asked, holding an unlit cigarette between his lips.

"It's not bad."

Lin Jiu replied, leaning back in his chair, speaking in his hometown dialect.

"Ah, that accent sounds familiar. Where are you from, Leader Red?"

Xu Si smiled.

"Jiameng," Lin Jiu responded, aware that Xu Si and his team had likely done a thorough background check on him. But the identity provided by Reincarnation Paradise was flawless.

"We should get to know each other better... But first, Leader Red, could you please give us a brief account of what happened this time?"

There wasn't much to say. It was a simple matter of remnants from the Yaoxian Sect showing up, being recognized by Lin Jiu, and then being killed. Lin Jiu summarized the event in a few sentences.

"Leader Red, you've done us a great service dealing with the Yaoxian Sect. We'll make sure to send you a banner in appreciation."

Xu Si said with a smile after noting everything down.

"That works. A reward would be even better."

Lin Jiu had no reason to refuse a banner earned through his efforts.

"Haha, as the leader of a sect, do you care about such a small reward from us?"

"Even a mosquito is still meat."

Lin Jiu said without a hint of embarrassment.

"By the way, Leader Red, your Reincarnation Sect has been drawing a lot of attention by involving so many ordinary people in the world of the Outcast. Aren't you worried?"

Xu Si shifted the conversation to the main topic, curious about the sect leader's thoughts.

"There's nothing to worry about. Those guys wouldn't dare harm ordinary people, and if anyone has a problem with it, they can come to me."

Lin Jiu replied with a smile. He was hoping someone would give him a reason to act; it would suit him just fine.

Xu Si winced slightly. If he didn't know better, the man in front of him looked like a major villain.

"Anyone who understands our Reincarnation Sect knows that the Outcast are just a side matter to us. We've always prioritized people," Lin Jiu said, referring to ordinary people when he mentioned "people."

Whether the Reincarnation Sect was classified as an Outcast faction was of no concern to Lin Jiu. The sect was merely an experimental organization created to complete a mission. Compared to the few Outcast, the vast number of ordinary people were Lin Jiu's primary focus.

"What those guys think doesn't matter to me, as long as you don't have any issues."

Lin Jiu said casually.

Xu Si gave a wry smile and said, "There are a lot of issues. Ever since your peculiar sect appeared, the higher-ups have been paying close attention. I've been pulled into meetings countless times. But after some investigation, they couldn't find anything wrong."

Lin Jiu knew Xu Si wasn't lying. The sudden emergence of a sect focused on ordinary people in the world of Outcast was indeed striking. However, the existence of the Reincarnation Sect was also reasonable. It didn't have the goal of intentionally spreading the existence of Outcast to the outside world, nor did it preach any twisted doctrines. It was more positive than most of the so-called righteous sects.

As for Li Laiquan's actions in teaching, there was nothing wrong with it. Outcast taking on disciples from among ordinary people was the norm.

The Reincarnation Sect had only been around for less than a week, and it's no surprise that higher-ups had already taken notice and held meetings to discuss it. It was probably the recent addition of Outcast like Zhang Chulan that drew attention.

"In any case, I hope the Reincarnation Sect continues as it has. We might have a chance to collaborate in the future. Let's exchange contact information so you don't have to reach us through 114 anymore."

Xu Si said, extending his hand.

Lin Jiu smiled and shook Xu Si's hand, though his thoughts suddenly shifted without showing it.

A notification from Reincarnation Paradise appeared before him:

[The self-established faction "Reincarnation Sect" has been officially recognized by the relevant authorities and is now a faction within the derived world!]

[The hunter has joined the Outcast faction "Reincarnation Sect," current position: Sect Leader.]

[Notification: Due to the hunter being the first to establish a faction, a reward of 1% World Source is granted, bringing the total World Source obtained to 2.4%.]

This was an unexpected reward that brought a small surprise to Lin Jiu. Establishing a faction in a derived world is typically a thankless task, and if it weren't for the achievement mission, Lin Jiu wouldn't have bothered with it.

Normally, joining an established faction would allow for easier activation of faction missions. Additionally, these longstanding factions have well-established logistical systems and reward exchanges.

For example, various sects have contribution value exchange points certified by Reincarnation Paradise, where one can exchange for the sect's treasured items and skills.

Such benefits are nonexistent in a newly formed faction. Without any foundation, there's no real advantage, and one might even face exclusion or suppression from other factions.

This time, Lin Jiu was merely experimenting with a method to complete an achievement mission. In future derived worlds, he might not establish a faction again. These decisions require a comprehensive assessment of factors like time, benefits, and difficulty.

The creation of the Reincarnation Sect wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was based on an analysis of the social environment in the derived world of the Outcast. A stable, law-abiding society ensured the safety of ordinary followers, while the turmoil within the Outcast world ensured Lin Jiu's gains.

"What do you think of this Leader Red?"

After Lin Jiu left Express Delivery Company, Xu San asked Xu Si.

Xu Si took a deep drag from his cigarette and grinned.

"This guy seems like someone straight out of a wartime era—he kills ten or so Outcast without a second thought. Even in the world of Outcast, you don't see many with such ruthless tendencies..."

"Is there any danger?"

Xu San's glasses reflected a flash of white light.

"Not likely. He's more clear-headed than most. But if he ends up facing Zhang Chulan in the Raten Taishō, then there could be trouble."

Xu Si said, shrugging.

Lin Jiu had already guessed that Xu San and Xu Si would conduct a risk assessment after he left. He wasn't worried. If a law-abiding Outcast like him couldn't pass, then no one could.

Returning to the new base of the Reincarnation Sect, an independent villa, Lin Jiu had no particular requirements for his accommodations, but he couldn't refuse the generous renovations funded by the parents of his followers. He had no objections to moving into a more comfortable house.

Apart from Li Laiquan, who was busy teaching disciples at the martial arts hall, the other four were at the base.

Seeing their sect leader again, the expressions of the Outcast, except for Wang Mingjian, changed noticeably, especially Zhong Yuanhe, who had been sent to assist Express Delivery Company in handling the scene.

This was a clear and effective warning. The fact that over a dozen Outcast were killed with little resistance made them grateful that they hadn't opposed joining the Reincarnation Sect. Otherwise, they might have ended up in the ground alongside Zuo Zizhi.

"Leader!"

The others' tones were more respectful now, and they called him "Leader" with genuine "willingness!"

"Good," Lin Jiu immediately noticed the change in attitude and was very satisfied. It seemed his warning had been quite effective.

Zhong Yuanhe thought: How could it not be effective? The number of Outcast who died at your hands is almost more than the number of Outcast some of us know!

"Leader, we received two invitations for you!"

Wang Mingjian handed two letters to Lin Jiu.

"What era are we in that people still use letters?"

Lin Jiu cautiously inspected them to ensure there were no issues before opening one. It contained an invitation from the Old Heavenly Master, inviting him to participate in the Raten Taishō.

In this context, using a letter seemed quite fitting. For such a grand ceremony, a formal invitation was appropriate.

When the Raten Taishō opens fully, any Outcast under 30 will be able to participate, and Lin Jiu could just sign up at that time. But since the rules hadn't changed yet, he hadn't expected to receive an invitation from the Heavenly Master's Mansion so soon.