After using cheats, I became the strongest Beast Tamer

Taotie quickly became disappointed and lowered its eyes.

Oh~ so it's not food.

Mainly because after evolving, its age was far from maturity, even the display on the panel still showed it was in its juvenile phase.

Sìxiàng withdrew its gaze, bored with such matters.

Back in the laboratory, it had seen too many monsters being taken away by researchers for forced breeding and then discarded into the trash after losing their value.

Having witnessed such sights all too often sparked a deep aversion in it.

As for Dong Jun and Little Xu, not to mention, they were all underage according to their species' years.

Chen Xing said, "No need for Beast Taming."

The receptionist showed a look of realization, "Please follow me, guests."

"Hey! You're serious about this?"

Zhao Guangming followed behind Chen Xing, nudging him with his elbow.

He looked at Chen Xing with the same scrutiny he had when they first met, "Are we counting this as public funds...?"

"After you go in, help me inquire about the frequency of the local City Guard Army's visits here, and how much their salary roughly is. Brother Zhao, remember our mission, don't make mistakes. I'll wait for you outside," Chen Xing whispered in Great Xia's language.

Then shyly said to the man leading the way, "My friend will go!"

Zhao Guangming was shocked. How did it turn into just him going?

You're really forcing me to screw up, aren't you?

This is truly making me suffer.

With a look of heartfelt anguish, Chen Xing turned and left.

In such a primitive-leaning environment, custom shops undoubtedly reflect the local economic level the most.

Experience tales at empire

Anywhere else could be where the City Guard Army's retirees end up, but not the custom shops.

And compared to other places, custom shops have access to all walks of life and are definitely well-informed.

After ten minutes, Zhao Guangming looked around like a thief and then hurried out.

"Remember to reimburse me! And don't let it out," Zhao Guangming lowered his voice.

If his old man knew he had come to such a place, he'd break his legs.

Even though he only went to get information, if he said it out loud, no one would believe him.

"Did you find out everything clearly?" Chen Xing asked in return.

"Do you doubt how I handle things? I found out; whether these Beast Tamers in the City Guard Army have money mostly depends on if there is a war. Generally, they live well for a while after fighting a battle, their military pay roughly matches what we previously inquired about, and they barely manage to support their own beasts," Zhao Guangming replied.

Chen Xing indicated he understood.

Chen Xing said, "Then the basic salary we offer can be three times what they earned in the Stone City City Guard Army, with the usual rules for extra gains, keeping fifty percent of one's spoils and Advanced Beast Tamers splitting the remaining fifty percent equally."

"Three times? Isn't that high?" Zhao Guangming frowned.

Chen Xing shook his head, "It's not too much, the domestic holiday overtime is three times the salary, and being a mercenary involves a high frequency of wars and casualty rates; it's only fair."

"Alright then." Zhao Guangming felt Chen Xing made sense.

Besides, the money wasn't coming from them; it was from Firelight's internal finances.

Firelight's internal allocation was issued by the Ministry of Finance of Great Xia. Both he and Chen Xing had their own salaries, and that money couldn't be touched. Although, with his status, no one would say anything if he took it, some money made him uncomfortable to accept, and he wasn't lacking that little bit anyway.

...

South of Stone City.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

This district was filled with low stone buildings, and narrow intertwining alleys wove the whole area together like spider webs.

Moonlight shone on the upper parts of the walls while shadows engulfed the lower parts.

A tall, thin figure carrying two bags of meat passed through the alley. The meat that wasn't sold by the end of the day at the meat market was discounted, and it was a common practice among the less fortunate Beast Tamers in Stone City to buy meat just before the meat factory closed.

Due to the humidity and heat of Stone City, if the meat wasn't processed in time, it would easily spoil.

"Brother Hong, Brother Hong."

A door cracked open at the corner of the alley, and a short, chubby man gestured from behind the gap.

"What's up?" The tall figure halted.

"Brother Hong, have you heard about the City Lord's Mansion's recent order to reassemble? I've got some insider info that says they are planning to establish an auxiliary Mercenary Corps. Are you going to join? I'm on the fence and wanted to hear your thoughts," the short, chubby man said.

The man known as Brother Hong paused for a while before replying, "You know my situation. My kid's reaching the age to train beasts. If I don't go, how will I afford to buy him a decent beast? I can't let him walk the same path as I did."

"If you're going, I'm going too, Brother Hong. I trust you! I'll be in your care this time!" the short, chubby man quickly added.

"Hmm... let's work hard together," Brother Hong nodded.

Scenes like this were unfolding in many parts of Stone City.

Many old soldiers, for various reasons, had left the City Guard Army and received summoning orders from the City Lord's Mansion, and whispers were circulating about forming a new Mercenary Corps afterwards.

Some old soldiers chose to return, while others decided not to participate for different reasons.

Even so, the number of those choosing to return wasn't small.

The next day, at the City Lord's Mansion.

Chen Xing and Zhao Guangming arrived at the backyard of the City Lord's Mansion where over five hundred Beast Tamers had already gathered.

Most of them were not young, and more than a third were elderly with white hair.

However, despite their age, the fierceness in their eyes was undiminished.

Chen Xing observed them as they also scrutinized him.

Seeing Chen Xing's youthful face, some eyes revealed a trace of contempt.

Other Beast Tamers frowned. A youngster that young, couldn't possibly be the leader of the Mercenary Corps, could he?