"That's why I need you to start to build up more and more connections to those people who are in control of their own communities in this region. You will build your network slowly from the bottom to the top, from the nearest village or city around here to the furthest human settlement in this region."
Liu Guanyi smiled slightly. "Naturally, we won't make you do a job without any reward. In return, we will give you protection to your family and your village even from the Zahard Empire. Also, we will give you the resources to lift your family from poverty so you no longer need to endure all the sufferings your ancestors had to undergo anymore."
"Not a bad deal, isn't it? You will be able to live without any worries of poverty, the threat of the Zahard Empire, and live with your descendants carefreely."
The village head seemed to ponder hard for a moment before speaking. "So, I only need to build a vast network and connections across the Mirchea Region in order to infiltrate FUG and monitor their movements if they have any in this region?"
"Correct, old man. I want you to develop an information network that if possible, stretch as far as the entire middle area of the 80th floor while we are going to continue climbing the tower." Liu Guanyi paused and took out a black lighthouse.
Although he was not a light-bearer, he still had his own stock of lighthouses. He would occasionally use one of them to do research or in this case, stuff his own personal belongings.
Liu Guanyi took out stacks of new clothes, ration, canned foods, and even stacks of gold bars and put all of them on the table, surprising the village head as he had never seen so much precious metal on the table.
"This will be our reward for you now in terms of monetary. However, these are nothing compared to the real reward, such as this." Liu Guanyi opened his palm, showing a fist-sized shinning blue rock, which made the village head stare at it in shock!
Seeing his reaction, Liu Guanyi smiled in amusement. "It seems you know what it exactly is, quite an amazing knowledge you have despite being isolated in here all your life, old man. As you probably have guessed, this rock is pure Suspendium, the most expensive and sought out mineral in the tower."
"As for the exact worth of this small fist-sized Suspendium, you might not know its exact price on the market out there but this thing can easily be traded for more than dozens of millions of credits."
Liu Guanyi put the Suspendium in front of him. "You will need this to fund and build your network, old man, use it well."
"Understood, honored guest. Then, if you have given this much, I guess I can't decline your offer anymore." Said the village head affirmatively.
"Anyway, that's about it. Make sure you keep your health so you won't die in a few decades, old man. Or if you are about to die, make sure to at least pass the agreement to your successors to let them continue your efforts."
"Keep the pocket that we gave you safely. We will get in touch when we need you in the future, old man. I hope at that time, you will have the network of information and some important connections ready." Liu Guanyi said calmly.
Then, he looked toward Adori and spoke politely. "Let's go, your highness, our business here is done."
"Wait, honored guests! Let me send you off." The village head quickly said as he tried to get up.
"There's no need to, old man. Just sit there patiently and think of our agreement." This time, it was Adori the one who spoke, starling him as he heard her soothing yet assertive voice as he suddenly found himself unable to get up from his seat.
Liu Guanyi and Adori turned back and walked away, showing their back to the old man, making him finally able to see something that fitted into the puzzle that explained what made the grown-up villagers terrified when they passed them before.
There, on the upper back part of the red and black rode the white-haired woman, he saw something that became the symbol of terror in the Mirchea Region as her long beautiful white hair swayed to the side, three crimson red eyes that stared right into his soul!
The emblem of the Zahard Empire, the emblem of king Zahard himself!
No wonder…
It was no wonder that the villagers became terrified…
And it was also no wonder that they had so confidently proposed to offer them protection even against the Zahard Empire and prosperous life.
The village head was about to sigh but was unable to as his body was still seemingly frozen in stiffness. He had guessed it when he saw the villagers make such an expression. That was why he invited them to his place in the first place.
He didn't want to believe it at first but since he had seen it himself, he couldn't deny it any longer.
Turned out, they were from the Zahard Family themselves!
Yes, not just the Zahard Empire but the royal members of the Zahard Family!
He realized this the moment he had seen those three crimson red eyes. Only the core members of the Zahard Empire could wear and show the signature emblem of the Zahard Family.
Which meant, everything that they had been saying was all true and not a bluff!
Seemingly knowing what the turmoil that was happening inside him, the two halted their steps just at the doorstep and the voice of the white-haired woman was heard again.
"Don't worry, old man. If you do what was told to you, you will be fine. And if your job satisfies me, I can even move all of your family into a much better place." Said Adori curtly with a calm, indifferent voice.
Liu Guanyi waved his hand and spoke carefreely. "Goodbye, old man. Don't die on me before you do all your job, alright?"
And then, they were gone from his sight.
He didn't know how long he was frozen unable to even twitch his finger, but after he continued to struggle, he could finally get up from his seat. Without wasting any time, he instantly ran out of the house toward the village entrance.
They were nobody, not a single soul outside on the streets, giving a cold and gloomy feeling in the previously lively village. However, he didn't care, he only ran as fast as possible to the edge of the village, forcing his old body to its top capability.
When he finally managed to reach the entrance of the village with ragged breathing, he looked around and saw nothing other than a vast of green expanse.
He let out a deep sigh.
Although their meeting was brief, he would never forget that black-haired man and the white-haired woman not that he could afford to forget them with the agreement and all.
Even though they could force him to do whatever they wanted, they didn't do that. Instead, they offered both a carrot and stick to make him follow their direction by himself.
Truly, What a terrifying people…