Era of Mist

Chapter 169: Chapter 168: Accelerating Toward the Future (End of the Second Arc)

Leave your mundane life behind! Join Jingtuan delivery—you won’t lose out, and you won’t get ripped off!

Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling~

Never mind the wind and rain, thunder and lightning too, just grab that order and see it through.

Who says we’re blocking all the roads? Who says we’re vagrant criminals?

What if you’re late by just one sec? A fine and no pay, what the heck!

Overtake, cut in, feel the déjà vu, and you’ll be earning ten thousand every month!

Eaaarn~ ten~ thou~sand~!

Ding-a-ling-a-ding-a-ling~~

Jingtuan, a top-tier gang in Tumu Castle with a massive volume of business. This was Shi Tiexin’s brand-new stage.

Going from a gatekeeper to a delivery courier didn’t seem like much of a change, but deliveries in the Mist Era were different from the norm. The gang’s rules were strict and its hierarchy was clear.

According to the introduction, Jingtuan’s members were divided into Inner Sect Disciples and Outer Disciples. Newcomers to Jingtuan naturally started as Outer Disciples. Furthermore, Outer Disciples were also ranked, and new recruits would begin as a Rank 1 Outer Disciple.

Every accepted order, completed delivery, and positive review earned Gang Contribution. Accumulating enough Gang Contribution allowed one to level up: from Rank 1 to Rank 2, Rank 4 to Rank 5, and eventually, to enter the Inner Sect. Each rank came with different benefits—the higher the rank, the better the perks. Becoming an Inner Sect Disciple was the goal everyone fought for.

Gang Contribution was arguably the most important metric in the life of a gang member, especially for an Outer Disciple.

According to the HR manager, the management of Outer Disciples was relatively lax, with few strict regulations. On the other hand, their benefits were also mediocre, and you needed Gang Contribution for everything. However, the ways to earn Gang Contribution were clear, the exchange rates were explicitly listed, and the system was fair to all. Shi Tiexin reviewed the Gang Contribution exchange list for each rank and found that Jingtuan’s catalog was indeed quite extensive.

First, you could exchange it for money. One point of Gang Contribution was worth ten Value Points. The exchange was one-way and could only be processed at the beginning of each month. You could convert Gang Contribution into money, but not the other way around.

Jingtuan paid its salaries in the form of Gang Contribution, with each person having their own personal account. At the beginning of the month, you could cash out as much as you wanted.

”They pay salaries with Gang Contribution?”

Shi Tiexin felt like it was a bit of a scam. ’Value Points are backed by the United Government, but Gang Contribution isn’t. It’s like a company paying salaries in Qiuqiu Coins. If they suddenly stopped honoring the exchange, wouldn’t I be totally screwed?’

”Don’t worry, we’re a century-old enterprise, solid as a rock.” The HR manager patted his chest in assurance. ”Cashing out Gang Contribution is never an issue. But a lot of the time, our people don’t cash it out. Instead, they work even harder to save it up.”

”Why?”

”Because Gang Contribution holds its value so well! Just look at this exchange list—the prices are way more generous than what you’d find on the market!”

Shi Tiexin continued reading and saw that the exchange list was indeed extensive. Beer, soda, mineral water, peanuts, sunflower seeds, instant noodles—it had practically everything.

Then, Shi Tiexin saw housing.

”You can even exchange it for housing?”

”Of course. Rank 1, 2, and 3 Outer Disciples can use Gang Contribution to redeem a spot in the employee dorms. Since they’re communal, only single employees can live there. At Rank 4 and 5, you can redeem a private unit, so even if you have a family, they can move in with you.”

”Inner Sect Disciples have it even more luxurious. They can redeem white-collar apartments or official residences in dedicated apartment complexes or residential districts, and at a great discount, too!”

Shi Tiexin glanced at the list. As a Rank 1 member, he could redeem residency in a communal dorm for twenty Gang Contribution a month, which was equivalent to two hundred Value Points in monthly rent.

’What a rip-off! Back in Xiongan, my salary as a probationary guard was only enough to cover food and rent!’

Of course, the Upper City District had its own prices. Shi Tiexin hadn’t looked into it, so he couldn’t really say anything on the matter yet.

Reading further, he finally reached the main attractions of the exchange list.

There were Secret Techniques and Heart Methods available for redemption.

”’Déjà Vu—Basic Driving Technique, Jingtuan Special Edition.’” Shi Tiexin carefully read the description: ’Every person has a soul that yearns to race. Cultivate this Basic Driving Technique, and you can go on a wild ride anytime, anywhere, and take your mom flying.’

The HR manager immediately jumped in to explain. ”This ’Déjà Vu’ Basic Driving Technique is what you could call our Jingtuan’s introductory Heart Method. Almost everyone redeems it. It directly impacts your efficiency in accepting, picking up, and delivering orders. The deeper your cultivation, the faster you’ll earn Gang Contribution.”

”What’s more, this ’Déjà Vu’ is the foundational Heart Method of Jingtuan, created by Elder Gang Leader Wang himself. It has vast potential for future development. You start with ’two wheels to carry the soul,’ then progress to ’four wheels to house the body,’ and eventually, you can even learn skills all the way up to piloting a starship. It’s extremely high-end.”

”Every year, we hold the ’Take Your Mom Flying’ Cup Déjà Vu Race. It’s a spectacular event, and there’s even a Celestial Golden Light. It’s really exciting! So, I recommend, young man, that the first thing you do after joining is redeem ’Déjà Vu’ and start cultivating it properly.”

Shi Tiexin said nothing and continued to read.

He was more interested in high-level physical arts and hoped to find some good options.

When he saw the list of physical arts, he was even more surprised. At first glance, Jingtuan’s selection of techniques was incredibly vast.

But that surprise was just from a first glance. When he looked closer, he was more than surprised—he was so shocked he almost shuddered!

Gorgeous Wind-Stealing Leg—Go up and down stairs as swift as the wind. Master this, and you’ll be the flashiest kid on the staircase.

Cool and Beautiful Cloud-Piercing Leg—Launch into a sprint, do parkour through old alleyways, and never fear traffic jams. Deliver on time, every time. Cool!

The Most Beautiful Star-Bouncing Leg—Oh, most beautiful star in the night sky, can you hear the loneliness and sighs in the hearts of those waiting for takeout? Ooh~~ Most beautiful star in the night sky, can you recall the figures who once rode with me, now left far behind in my dust?~~~

SLAP. Shi Tiexin slammed the exchange list down on the desk. It took an immense amount of willpower to suppress his urge to make a sarcastic comment.

’Who the hell writes this copy! It’s enough to make a person go berserk! Have they ever considered the feelings of us serious, dedicated gang members?!’

However, after calming himself and picking up the list again, Shi Tiexin had to admit that Jingtuan’s foundations were truly solid. With just a casual glance, he had already spotted several advanced Nourishing Heart Methods that were far stronger than his current basic Essence Nourishment Technique.

The HR manager wore a warm, expectant smile. ”So, now that you’ve learned all this... what do you say, young man? Are you willing to join the Jing Bang?”

Shi Tiexin thought for a moment before nodding. ”I’ll join.”

”Congratulations, then! You are now a glorious Rank 1 Outer Disciple of the Jing Bang.” The HR manager offered another surprise. ”Your letter of recommendation came with three hundred Gang Contribution points. Do you plan on exchanging them for anything?”

’Three hundred Gang Contribution?’ That was equivalent to three thousand Value Points. ’Now *this* feels like a proper special reward.’

Shi Tiexin looked at the list. There wasn’t much he could redeem. After considering the nature of Jingtuan, he finally made his choice. ”I’ll redeem one ’Déjà Vu.’”

”Excellent. Your two hundred and eighty Gang Contribution points will not be wasted.” The HR manager clapped Shi Tiexin on the shoulder and smiled. ”Every boy has a heart that yearns to race. Go on, young man. Break free from your restraints, race to your heart’s content, and accelerate into the future.”

”Alright.”

Shi Tiexin smiled as well.

That day, he returned to the Orphanage. Lying in bed, his mind was still reeling with emotion.

’Break free from your restraints, race to your heart’s content?’

A desire seemed to stir in the depths of his heart. ’That’s right. I *do* want to break free from my restraints, race to my heart’s content, and charge into the future!’

—WHOOSH. An image flickered before his eyes as an unfamiliar world-line echoed in response to him from a great distance.

Shi Tiexin was surprised, then thrilled.

’This is great! It wasn’t a one-time thing. I can really keep crossing between world-lines!’

THUMP-THUMP, THUMP-THUMP. His heart pounded violently, but his eyelids grew heavier and heavier, finally closing completely.

In dreams, unaware of being but a guest.

A somber dream last night,

Suddenly brought me home!