Chapter 2318: Mine, Mine, All Mine
Yuan Yao was busy picking up leftovers, coming and going in a hurry. After eating, he helped clean up the dishes and left. However, quite a few other people had gathered near the residential area, lingering without leaving.
Seeing that they didn't intend to come in, Xu Huo didn't bother with them. He got a solid, good night's sleep, and early the next morning, he called the Jing City Safe Zone to let his family know he wouldn't be back for a few days.
The Xu family was now living in the Safe Zone, arguably the highest-security location in the entire 014 Zone, so there was nothing to worry about.
Special Defense Department personnel came specially to deliver breakfast, along with a customized shopping card—directly giving money seemed a bit vulgar. Although Ting City's economy wasn't under Painting Woman's control, it could still support her spending. This exclusive shopping card allowed her to spend anywhere in the city, with the bills settled by the government.
Painting Woman was quite interested in shopping, and Xu Huo also wanted to see how Ting City had changed, so after breakfast, the two of them went out together.
From the news, many cities across the country had installed new instruments. Ting City naturally had them too, though the levels weren't very high. They were mainly used to interfere with Space Items. A city-wide Blockade Barrier wasn't available yet; it could only be deployed by players during a crisis.
Things like Flight Recorders and Armed Aircraft had been added in large numbers, visible every time one looked up.
Some stronger players, after applying, had also cordoned off certain areas within the city to form defensive perimeters. Occasionally, the faint glimmer of a Blockade Barrier could be seen.
White Notes were now widely accepted. Whether using cash or electronic payments, they were recognized just like the original currency.
As Painting Woman entered the mall, Team Leader Wu arrived with Sima Xiao'er and a few other Special Defense Department members.
"You go ahead with your business, no need to escort me," Xu Huo said.
"It's only right, it's only right." Team Leader Wu had no temper at all. He still looked at Xu Huo with the same gentle expression as yesterday and proactively began telling him about several underground defense facilities Ting City planned to build in the future. These were mainly for housing large instruments to facilitate city defense activation. He also subtly hinted that if Xu Huo had any suitable Defense Instruments, the Special Defense Department would be willing to buy them. After all, the department's main resources were currently concentrated on Safe Zones and super-large cities, leaving places like Ting City temporarily neglected.
In simple terms, players needed to have a sense of ownership. The Special Defense Department could grant them certain privileges in exchange for their initiative in reinforcing the city.
Xu Huo nodded to Painting Woman, who was showing off her new clothes, before saying, "Are players already giving the Special Defense Department this much of a headache?"
Before Team Leader Wu could say anything, Sima Xiao'er couldn't help but blurt out, "Brother Xu, you haven't seen how arrogant some players are. They're quick to open their mouths when asking for money and resources, but when you need their cooperation, they won't come even after repeated requests. That's not even the worst part. They love coming around just to show off their presence. It's not just ordinary agencies; even our Special Defense Department often has people getting hurt."
"And the Special Defense Department allows them to provoke like this?" Xu Huo was quite surprised.
"It's not that. They always use the excuse of 'sparring' to cause trouble, and we can't do anything about it. If we don't respond, they'll think we're actually scared!" Sima Xiao'er said indignantly. "Even worse, some lunatics openly demand that we arrange celebrity companions for them. What do they think the Special Defense Department is? Shameless!"
In the age of players, there were probably many willing to attach themselves to players. Deliberately making such requests in front of the Special Defense Department was essentially a provocation. It wasn't too serious, just a bit disgusting.
"The elite players are holding back and not rushing to upgrade to B-rank. What are they doing?" Xu Huo asked. "Has there been a sudden surge of Mutant Resources in the country?"
Team Leader Wu was no longer a core member of the Special Defense Department, so he wasn't privy to some important matters. But he knew a fair bit about things that couldn't possibly be hidden, like zonal evolution.
"With the future integration of zones and the game, the more resources we can get now, the better. We don't want to be caught off guard, and we don't want to let outsiders benefit."
"Are there any Primordial Stones?" Xu Huo glanced at him.
Team Leader Wu gave a helpless smile. "How would I know? Unless they appeared near Ting City."
"Just asking casually, no need to be so tense." Xu Huo caught a bag that Painting Woman tossed over and handed it to Sima Xiao'er. "Are there many Random Instances appearing lately?"
Mentioning this, Team Leader Wu looked a bit worried. "Random Instances are increasing, and their levels are getting higher. This should be a precursor to the complete integration of the game. I'm afraid we don't know how many Outer Zone Players will pour in then. We'll probably fall into a long period of chaos again."
"Last time, just that small number of people caused such huge losses. When the real integration happens, it will likely be even worse."
"At that time, players will be more focused on their gains from the instances. After all, they're newly spawned instances. Picking up one or two decent items is already a return on investment," Xu Huo said.
Team Leader Wu didn't share such optimistic hopes. He looked at Xu Huo with sincere earnestness. "You know the situation now. Compared to other small places, Ting City, thanks to you, has relatively well-behaved Player Organizations and player groups. I'm counting on you entirely."
Due to interference from Player Organizations and groups, Team Leaders in many places had been replaced, sometimes without even a good excuse. They were simply disliked by those groups, who had no desire to cooperate. Some small cities that had to rely on local players were forced to compromise, making Special Defense Department members lose face.
"One side rises, the other falls. Keep a level head," Xu Huo said, patting him on the shoulder.
What else could Team Leader Wu say? It was true that some people within the department had done terrible things in the past, so getting a taste of their own medicine was only fair.
"This card is great! I can buy anything, and I don't have to pay!" Painting Woman ran over happily, holding up the shopping card. "This land is mine, the houses are mine too. I can buy things without spending money. Awesome!"
Team Leader Wu enthusiastically said, "It's not just for food, clothing, housing, and transportation. Some trading houses for items and potions also accept this card."
Painting Woman wasn't interested in those things. She dashed straight into the jewelry store across the street.
"Girls do like shiny things." Team Leader Wu's gaze was full of relief. "If all players were as easy to deal with as Miss Li Chun, it would be so much easier."
Xu Huo gave him a half-smile. "You're dreaming."
Team Leader Wu laughed heartily and then brought up lunch plans.
Although Ting City was nominally given to Painting Woman, the Special Defense Department knew that the real person to negotiate with was still Xu Huo. He was now the representative of Ting City. Out of both courtesy and necessity, he needed to meet the backbone of the Special Defense Department, as well as the local Player Organizations and groups. Many players had moved here because of his reputation. They were a source of strength, but also an unstable factor. The local branch couldn't suppress them on its own; Xu Huo needed to step in and set the rules.