Chapter 2801: The Upcoming Major Event
This kind of questioning appeared in various forms on the Message Collection Terminal, but the District Government did not respond, only dealing with some of the more intense comments.
Of course, many people felt it was completely unnecessary to question the District Government's capabilities because of this incident. After all, they were Outer Zone Players. When others passed through to do Instance Dungeons here, friction with locals was inevitable. Moreover, Xu Huo had taken a photo with the Enforcement Team. That scene could also be interpreted as him having just cooperated with them. If he were the target of an Enforcement Team siege, why would they take a photo with him?
Thus, the topic shifted to what the actual situation was at the time. After much debate, many could only go ask the Enforcement Team.
However, some calmer individuals pointed out Xu Huo's "criminal record." His logs showed quite a few players he had taken photos with, both from 022 and Outer Zones. Were those strangers he had never met before also suddenly inspired by truth, goodness, and beauty upon arriving here, then politely took a photo with Xu Huo?
But since neither the District Government nor Xu Huo, the party involved, stepped in, the debate on the Message Collection Terminal yielded no results. Subsequently, the District Government announced the schedule for this year's Founding Celebration ahead of schedule, indicating a grand and solemn event. Everyone became busy, and naturally, fewer people cared about Xu Huo.
The District Government acted quite efficiently. They did not fully meet Xu Huo's demands, only giving him three A-Grade Items and three A-Grade Devices. To be honest, the compensation was still generous, especially since among the three A-Grade Items was a Location Item. Yes, the kind that can forcibly restrict a player's range of movement. Unless the holder retrieves the item or kills the holder, it is difficult for ordinary players to forcefully break out.
The District Government came with sincerity. The diplomat responsible for negotiations warmly and thoughtfully invited him to attend the celebration, even offering to let him visit the real Cross-Wormhole Point Teleportation Device—the one at the Science Museum was only a semi-finished product and could not be operated according to the manual.
Xu Huo then proposed two other conditions. First, he wanted to know the business channels between 022 District and Stellar Pharmaceuticals. They did not need to disclose transaction details, only the address of the company they dealt with. He also promised not to leak it. Second, he wanted detailed information on the "Bookworm." Since someone in 022 District was doing business with him, there must be a certain level of trust, and 022 District must have conducted a thorough investigation on him.
Regarding these two questions, the diplomat pretended to be troubled, reported to his superiors, and then agreed. However, it would require layers of review, and things couldn't be done that quickly, so he asked Xu Huo to wait.
It sounded like a lie, but Xu Huo agreed anyway. Since he had already obtained the Items and Devices, he also wanted to know what 022 District was really up to.
After staying at the Yongxing Hotel for two days, Zhou Juanjuan and Zhan Erliu and others came to find him one after another. They were also in the final stages of clearing the Instance Dungeon. Although not as relaxed as Xu Huo, it was generally going smoothly. They didn't need to go to the Tourism Department to get stamps. The final souvenirs were related to the upcoming celebration, so they had to wait two days.
"Free accommodation is amazing!" Levi leaned back on the comfortable and spacious sofa in the suite. "When I usually do Instance Dungeons, even staying at Yongxing, I only dare to afford the cheapest rooms. I never even dreamed of a suite like this, costing hundreds of thousands a night."
Zhan Erliu thought he was a bit embarrassing and found a spot farther away to sit.
"I've never encountered such an easygoing District Government either," Zhou Juanjuan looked at Xu Huo. "They don't have ulterior motives, do they?"
Xu Huo nodded. "For now, I don't know what they want to do, but I've already cleared the Instance Dungeon and can leave anytime."
"Better be careful," Zhou Juanjuan said. "Districts have countless ways to deal with players. The worst is a war of attrition."
One-on-one might not be a match, but with all the resources of a district—Items, Devices, and various high-lethality weapons rotating in bombardment—no matter how powerful a player is, they can't hold out forever.
Xu Huo knew his limits.
Not long after they arrived, Chai Sheng and Lei Xiaohe also sent messages. Chai Sheng was one thing, but Lei Xiaohe had recruited a large group of people, wanting to use him to get stamps from different government units. Different travel routes might require different government stamps, but Lei Xiaohe didn't care about that. He gathered them first, then came to Xu Huo.
"How much are you charging?" Xu Huo asked directly.
"Fifty thousand White Notes per stamp." Lei Xiaohe chuckled. "This is the lowest price. You don't know how hard it is to get stamps from some local governments. The people managing the stamps can go on business trips to Outer Zones for months, not caring at all about the players trying to clear the Instance Dungeon. Me? I'm kind-hearted. I take a little money to help them find a way."
"Good. Then figure it out yourself." Xu Huo said, about to cut the connection.
"Don't!" Lei Xiaohe quickly shouted. "Brother Xu, I'm counting on you! I don't plan to keep all the money. How about I take only half of each? Since the District Government is giving you so much face now, they definitely won't refuse such a small request."
Xu Huo sneered and ended the call.
The next second, Lei Xiaohe called again. After waiting a long time with no answer, he switched to sending messages, lowering his cut from twenty-five thousand to fifteen thousand, then to eight thousand, crying and begging, seemingly very eager to earn this money.
In the game world, getting a stamp from a District Government is very easy. If the government side nods, it's a matter of minutes.
But this was different from Xu Huo negotiating terms. The District Government chose to back down due to multiple factors. Getting a stamp for clearing the Instance Dungeon was another matter. If he opened his mouth, it would be 022 District's turn to propose conditions to him.
He rejected Lei Xiaohe's calls, but soon a government worker contacted him, saying someone claiming to be acting on his behalf had gone to the Government Building, demanding they stamp a stack of travel route maps.
The worker emphasized the word "stack."
"I don't know him." Xu Huo replied with only three words.
Unexpectedly, Lei Xiaohe dared to come to the Yongxing Hotel to find him, insisting on meeting him, saying he had something very important to say, and was confident Xu Huo would be interested.
"This guy is clinging to you. Want me to kick him out?" Levi offered proactively.
Xu Huo refused and had the waiter bring the man up.
Lei Xiaohe came in with a full smile, as if the previous "two rejections" had never happened. He also had the good sense to cut straight to the point, stating that the reason he was willing to do this intermediary business was mainly to gather information.
"At least three players from different places with no connections have mentioned that something big might happen in 022 District soon." Lei Xiaohe lowered his voice mysteriously. "And it's something that concerns the entire district!"
"What big event?" Zhan Erliu pressed for an answer.