Chapter 356: Zi Di – Originally I was Determined to Recruit Her
“A magician from the Alchemy Guild?” The dragonman youngster saw the magician burst in and was not surprised, but thought to himself: Finally, they're here.
Earlier, the dragonman youngster had learned that Bu Quan was a silver level alchemist and a genius.
Combined with subsequent intelligence from acquisitions and information obtained from Zhong Yong, the dragonman youngster’s understanding gradually deepened, and he finally realized: even among silver level alchemists, Bu Quan was extraordinary.
Bu Quan’s talent had been acknowledged by many prominent alchemists.
It could be said that she was one of the Alchemy Guild’s most prized assets.
Although it could be said that Bu Quan voluntarily joined the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, as an external mercenary organization, recruiting such talent would inevitably lead to complications.
The dragonman youngster put himself in their shoes: if the big guy were in such a situation, kidnapped by those with ulterior motives and taken to another organization, how would he feel? What would he do?
He would naturally be unhappy and unwilling.
If the organization harbored malicious intent, the dragonman youngster would likely resort to violent action and destroy it by force!
Facing a colossus like the Alchemy Guild, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ situation would be dire if they recruited Bu Quan.
Before Bu Quan’s second visit to the dock, Zi Di had already discussed the matter privately with the dragonman youngster.
She made it clear: "If we recruit Bu Quan, it could bring us major trouble. If we provoke the Alchemy Guild's retaliation, the current Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps might not be able to withstand it."
The key word here was “current.”
Clearly, Zi Di was optimistic about the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ future, especially since they are about to complete the Bloodline Purification formation.
“If Bu Quan has a strong desire to join us voluntarily, our strategy for recruiting her must be adjusted to better handle future complications,” Zi Di suggested.
The dragonman youngster furrowed his brows in concern: “Perhaps abandoning the recruitment of Bu Quan, becoming friends with her, and reaching some form of cooperation could also be a viable option.”
Zi Di shook her head firmly and advised the dragonman youngster: "Lord, do not focus solely on the present; consider the future. In the future, Bu Quan's role will be irreplaceable."
“According to our agreement with the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord, we will obtain three silver level alchemists.”
“Since these three alchemists were traded as bargaining chips, do not expect them to have much potential for growth.”
“Unless they are allowed to use the Bloodline Purification formation.”
“Bu Quan is different.”
"If she grows up to become a gold level alchemist or her alchemy skill rises another level, her value will far exceed the combined value of these three silver level alchemists!”
“Then we'll make a huge profit!”
Zi Di changed the subject slightly and continued.
"Of course, the issue with Bu Quan is her loyalty. Her loyalty hasn't been tested, unlike our other companions."
"But that's not her fault. She simply hasn't shared experiences with us, like the Mystifying Monster Island incident."
“Therefore, we need to have her join us and act together to increase our shared experiences.”
"Only through constant interaction can we cultivate her trust in us. We can also gradually understand her character and personality. If things go smoothly, she could become a core member of our group in the future."
“While our bloodline can be enhanced, wisdom is a different matter altogether.”
"I cannot deny that a significant portion of Bu Quan's alchemy talent stems from her bloodline. However, there are alchemists with the same bloodline as hers who lack her alchemy prowess."
“She is well worth recruiting.”
“We have the alchemy data from the War Merchant, but we cannot fully capitalize on it to maximize its value.”
“Even if we had three silver level alchemists, it would be the same.”
“My and Cang Xu’s alchemy talent... Commander, you should know this very well.”
“One must know their own limitations!”
“If Bu Quan joins us, it will have a tremendous positive impact on the present and future of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.”
“In any case, we cannot afford to let this opportunity slip away.”
“Since fate has brought her to us, we should cherish this chance and quickly bring her into our fold.”
“If we merely befriend her and let her stay outside, we won’t have time to cultivate our feelings for one another.”
“Over time, her gratitude toward you, the captain, and her goodwill toward our Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps will gradually fade.”
“It’s like how nobles maintain their mistresses—they must spend time with them periodically to sustain the relationship.”
Zi Di’s peculiar analogy caused the dragonman youngster’s expression to grow somewhat peculiar.
She didn’t notice this and remained immersed in her own thoughts.
“So now is the best opportunity to recruit her.”
“Though there will be risks from the Alchemy Guild, if we handle it properly, those risks will be significantly reduced.”
“Even if the situation becomes critical in the future, we can proactively terminate the contract to avoid the risk.”
Zi Di’s point was to try and not give up easily. Though the risk was significant, from a long-term perspective, the benefits Bu Quan could bring to the survivors were immense.
She then proposed a series of solutions.
The dragonman youngster accepted her suggestions and implemented them accordingly.
Ultimately, the agreement between the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps and Bu Quan was very lenient.
Bu Quan had once said that she had no specific requirements for compensation, leaving it up to the dragonman youngster to decide.
Thus, Zi Di proposed a compensation of one gold coin.
This was undoubtedly more symbolic than practical.
This compensation left Bu Quan herself momentarily speechless.
Zi Di quickly added: The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps would formally hire Bu Quan as a senior alchemy advisor accompanying the group. The true compensation would be some valuable alchemy knowledge.
The specific form of this knowledge included data and materials from alchemy experiments, as well as blueprints and formulas for alchemy potions and tools.
Upon hearing this, Bu Quan's astonishment faded, and her eyes lit up.
She was very interested in this form of compensation and agreed without much hesitation.
When the dragonman youngster asked about Zhong Yong's ideal compensation, the fishman magician could only grimace and propose a low price of 100 gold.
Before this, Zhong Yong had intended to demand a high price of 500 gold, but he unexpectedly faced such fierce competition from Bu Quan.
Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Zhong Yong could only abandon his previous plan and voluntarily lower his intended salary.
This action undoubtedly made the dragonman youngster and Zi Di view him more favorably.
The two had, of course, conducted thorough research into the hiring costs for an alchemist.
Typically, an alchemist like Zhong Yong would command an annual salary of 200 gold pieces.
The hiring costs for an alchemist far exceed those of fighters at the same level and even surpass those of conventional magicians.
The reason was simple: alchemists could create value on their own.
They could create alchemy items, and by selling these items, the hiring party could receive a steady stream of returns.
Hiring an alchemist for 200 gold might seem expensive, but in reality, it was quite profitable for the hiring party. Additionally, the terms of such contracts did not impose strict constraints on alchemists.
Zhong Yong was different from most situations in the market.
Essentially, he was just a slave. The contract to be signed with him would undoubtedly be very strict.
Zi Di shook her head at the 100 gold offer.
She said, “a yearly salary of 100 gold is simply too low,” and proactively raised the salary to 300 gold.
That's not all.
Zi Di also stated that in the future, Zhong Yong's performance will be evaluated annually. Different performance levels would result in different tiers of rewards. Zhong Yong's loyalty to the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps would entitle him to a fixed dividend annually once he reached three years of service. Additionally, as the years increased, the proportion of the fixed dividend would also grow.
Zi Di was a wise merchant who pursued profit.
Therefore, she proactively increased Zhong Yong's wages to incentivize his productivity and ultimately expand profits.
Zhong Yong was overjoyed!
The terms of this contract offered him a glimpse of a new way of life.
Two days have passed since they signed the contract.
During this time, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps discreetly leaked some information.
This move yielded results—now, the alchemist from the Alchemy Guild had come knocking on their door.
The appearance of Zhong Bei was not so much something the dragonman youngster had anticipated as it was part of his plan!
When the alchemists came to hold him accountable, the dragonman youngster immediately stood up, smiled, and greeted them, “Magician Zhong Bei, hello, please sit down.”
The snow elf was arrogant and cold-faced, but as the saying goes, one would not slap a smiling face. He nodded faintly and sat down beside the chair.
The dragonman youngster moved over and sat beside him.
A mercenary brought tea and pastries.
“I don't need your hospitality,” the snow elf magician said without glancing at the tea and pastries.
He stared into the dragonman youngster's eyes with a firm expression.
“Commander Long Fu, you may not fully understand the severity of this matter.”
"You deceived Magician Bu Quan with your recruitment tactics! Even if you have already signed a magic contract with her, it is useless."
"You have harbored improper intentions! Magician Bu Quan is a member of the Alchemy Guild. Do you think the Alchemy Guild is comparable to the Bayonet Gang?”
The dragonman youngster hurriedly waved his hands.
“Magician Zhong Bei, I have never intended to oppose the Alchemy Guild.”
“Even with a million guts, I would never become your enemy.”
“On one hand, I’m well aware that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps isn’t a match for the Alchemy Guild.”
“On the other hand, why would I want to oppose my friends?”
“There are some things we can discuss properly.”
After hearing these words, the snow elf magician Zhong Bei couldn’t help but scrutinize the dragonman youngster before him once more.
Earlier, he had actually been quite nervous.
Who didn't know the dragonman youngster's reputation?
The origins of his conflict with the Bayonet Gang were a topic of lively discussion among the citizens of Snow Bird Harbor.
The most widely circulated version was Bing Xiao had a confrontation with the dragonman youngster and others in a shop over a gold level potion. He mocked the newly arrived Long Fu and others, which sparked the dragonman youngster’s spirit of resistance.
Later, Bing Xiao even influenced the Bayonet Gang to repeatedly harass the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. Not only did he impose various obstacles, but he also sent assassins to kill two magicians from the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
The dragonman youngster rose up in defiance, ultimately overcoming the stronger foe, and justice triumphed over evil!
In Zhong Bei's heart, the dragonman youngster was a very tough individual.
Who would challenge Teng Dong Lang if they weren't tough?
However, upon first contact, he was surprised to discover that the dragonman youngster was actually quite easy to talk to, and his attitude was very polite!
"Perhaps the Alchemy Guild's reputation is too great; the Bayonet Gang can't compare. Has Long Fu already backed down?"
Thinking this, Zhong Bei couldn't help but feel hopeful: “Perhaps this time, I can resolve this crisis easily.”