Bai Di City, an autumn rain, fine strands of rain moistening the clothes of passersby.
With a flash of white light, Lin Zhao, clad in a white robe, appeared at the teleportation array within the city, two swords slung across his back: Zhan Long and Li Quan. His sudden appearance drew the attention of numerous players in the square. This ensemble was too renowned; throughout the entire national server, countless sword cultivator players sported white robes and carried swords, but only he possessed such an aura.
Inside the Great Hall, on a bench by the window, Shen Xingchen, dressed in a stunning spiritual robe, sat quietly waiting. Several meters away, opposite her, sat a middle-aged player with a diagonal scar across his face, from eyebrow to cheek. He was a Level 102 Apothecary, belonging to the Crimson Moon Logistics Group, a production-oriented player from a sub-guild.
"He's here,"
Shen Xingchen stood up and smiled, "Lin Zhao, let me introduce you to Huo Dao, an apothecary from our sub-guild."
"Hello there, Huo Dao!"
Lin Zhao was at ease and stepped forward to shake Huo Dao's hand. He had initially thought Huo Dao was an outsider, but upon realizing he was from the Crimson Moon Knights, he felt no need for restraint.
Huo Dao was somewhat taken aback and said with a smile, "Guild Leader, hello!"
"Have a seat."
Lin Zhao plunked himself down beside Shen Xingchen and said with a smile, "Xingchen asked me to return to the city specifically to meet you, so you must be a capable person, Huo Dao. Tell me about yourself."
"Mm."
Huo Dao nodded and said, "Previously, I was a member of the Coastal Special Forces, serving in the South China Sea War Zone of our Huaxia region. Later, our base came under a fierce assault from a sea beast tide, resulting in heavy losses. I was also injured and lost a leg."
He patted his leg.
Lin Zhao looked down and indeed, Huo Dao's left leg was a prosthetic. Although it had been reshaped in the game, it still looked different from other players' legs, clearly artificial.
"Your face."
Lin Zhao pointed to a corresponding spot on his own face and asked, "That was also from the sea beasts, wasn't it?"
"Mm."
Huo Dao nodded and said, "During those days, we were constantly fighting sea beasts at the coastal bases. Naturally, the sea beasts left their marks on many of us. I was fortunate; it only left some marks. Many of my brothers lost their lives."
"And then?"
Lin Zhao asked, "Did you retire?"
"Yes."
Huo Dao frowned and said, "Although the military provided me with a prosthetic leg support system, it still affected my combat and training. They suggested a demotion, removing me from the special forces and appointing me as a deputy battalion commander in the second-line army. However, I refused. I couldn't bear to be the head of a chicken when I could have been the tail of a phoenix. Since the country no longer needed me, I decided to retire completely. I received generous retirement funds and started playing a production-class profession in 'Tian Xia.' I had no desire to compete with others in combat professions anymore."
Shen Xingchen smiled, "Huo Dao, talk about the skills you possess, not just your resume. That lacks persuasiveness."
"Haha, alright, Deputy Guild Leader!"
Huo Dao chuckled and said, "Guild Leader, in the special forces, I was an outstanding individual, the elite of the elite. I can pilot all sorts of aircraft in the military; a Cloud Shadow class transport aircraft is child's play. Furthermore, I am well-versed in all types of artillery, missiles, and firearms. I even retained skills in tactical cover and deployment. Therefore, not only can I pilot your transport aircraft, but if you were to form a transport escort team in the future, I could help train combat personnel and lead a small, highly effective army."
Lin Zhao's heart trembled slightly. Wasn't this exactly the kind of person he needed?
"Alright."
Lin Zhao nodded and smiled, "Huo Dao, let's make a verbal agreement. Once our Crimson Moon Transport Group is established, you will be the pilot of the first transport aircraft. In fact, if you perform well, you will lead the entire transport team. As for remuneration, we will offer you an additional twenty percent on top of the current salaries of major transport groups. Huo Dao, thank you for joining us!"
Huo Dao's expression turned excited. He stood up and clasped Lin Zhao's hand, saying, "The Guild Leader doesn't mind me being an old cripple and is willing to employ me. It is I, Huo Dao, who should be thanking the Guild Leader."
"Alright, alright..."
Shen Xingchen, being a girl, couldn't stand such overt camaraderie between men. She smiled and said, "No need to rush, Huo Dao. I've already had people start the process. Once Lin Zhao's transport group's official seal is ready, I'll send you an online contract. After you sign it, you can come and oversee affairs here. Don't worry, you will be the captain of the first transport aircraft, and perhaps in the future, you will be fully in charge of the entire transport combat team."
"Good!"
Huo Dao nodded with a smile, then took a step back and cupped his fists towards Lin Zhao, "I will absolutely not fail the expectations of the Guild Leader and Deputy Guild Leader!"
Lin Zhao smiled and returned the salute, "I appreciate your efforts!"
...
Shen Xingchen acted with extreme speed. Or perhaps it was because the Shen Group truly held considerable influence in Su City. In just one day, after Lin Zhao transferred 160 million universal coins from his card, the air route, operating license, airworthiness certification, and other permits for "Crimson Moon Transport Group" were approved in the afternoon. Shen Xingchen even purchased a piece of abandoned factory land within the city for 8 million universal coins at a price that was not far from the studio, just a few minutes' drive away. That night, construction began in the abandoned factory district, demolishing unnecessary structures to build a helipad, hangar, maintenance center, refueling center, and more. These expenses were also drawn from the 160 million. In Shen Xingchen's words, knowing their Guild Leader was poor, she would do the most with the least money for him.
In fact, many minor expenses were directly covered by the Shen Group. As long as their beloved daughter was happy, Shen Tiannan wouldn't care about such trivial amounts.
On the third day, the transport group began to take shape, and the Cloud Shadow class transport aircraft was steadily parked on the first helipad. At noon, a middle-aged veteran soldier, using a prosthetic leg powered by a support system, appeared at the factory grounds. It was Huo Dao, his face filled with resolute determination. Upon seeing Lin Zhao, Shen Xingchen, Chen Xue, and Ding Chi, he became very affectionate, even sharing a big hug with Ding Chi. Huo Dao had been pursued by members of the Azure Knights before, and it was Ding Chi who led the rescue. Therefore, the first address Huo Dao used for Ding Chi was "Lawyer Brother"!
For dinner, the group ate hot pot inside the hangar.
"Ahem..."
Lin Zhao cleared his throat.
Shen Xingchen immediately understood. She sat up straight, looked at everyone, and said with a smile, "Now that Huo Dao has arrived, Lin Zhao's Crimson Moon Transport Group is truly on the verge of its takeoff. Our transport routes have been applied for, and there are two lines. One is the Su-Rong line, with cities along the route including Su City, Xi City, Ning City, Shang City, and Rong City. The other is the Yan-Shen line, with cities along the route including Yan City, Quan City, Xu City, Su City, Lu City, and Shen City. These are two golden routes, and once operations begin..."
She gestured towards the behemoth parked on the helipad outside and said with a smile, "This Cloud Shadow class transport aircraft will bring us immense wealth. That's not an exaggeration at all."
"Mm."
Ding Chi squinted, stirring his tripe in the hot pot, and said with a smile, "Just say what you need to say directly. We're all family."
"Alright."
Shen Xingchen smiled and said, "The full name of our company is Crimson Moon Transport Group. Since it's a group, it's impossible for only one or two people to hold shares. Therefore, we are a joint-stock group. We are in a period of rebuilding, so Lin Zhao and I have discussed it. Everyone here can invest. Use your savings to contribute, so we can purchase more transport aircraft, recruit more pilots, and form combat teams. Only by gradually expanding the pie can our Crimson Moon Transport Group continuously prosper."
Zhang Jun pondered for a moment and said, "Will it lose money? This private money is my wife's dowry..."
Chen Xue rolled her eyes at him, "Lin Feng Sword Immortal, with your looks and demeanor, do you still need to spend money to chase girls and get married?"
"That's true!"
Zhang Jun mused, "Alright, I'll invest. I can contribute about 18 million+ universal coins. It's all hard-earned money, truly!"
"Hahahaha~~~"
Ding Chi ruffled his hair and said with a smile, "Since Da Jun has agreed, there's nothing more to say. I, Lawyer Ding, am investing in this project! I can contribute about 24 million+. I spend very little; I haven't even bought a car, so I have more private savings."
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile. Ding Chi was indeed such a person. He appeared boisterous and carefree, but in reality, Ding Chi was an extremely meticulous individual. If it weren't for the fact that the Crimson Moon Knights had recruited Chen Xue and Shen Xingchen, two Deputy Guild Leaders with maxed-out internal affairs and diplomacy skills, right from the start, Ding Chi would have been the prime candidate for Deputy Guild Leader.
Luo Man pursed her red lips and said softly, "If I invest, doesn't that make me a shareholder of the company? Does that mean I can be with Brother forever?"
"???"
Lin Zhao and Chen Xue both looked at the short-haired beautiful girl. What was going on in this girl's head all day long? To say she was lovesick wasn't quite right. So many young players in the guild, calling themselves "young talents," were pursuing Luo Man, but to whom was Luo Man ever anything but "Get lost, I'm not interested in dating"?
"Alright, alright."
Ding Chi said, "Just tell me if you're investing or not?"
"I'll invest..."
A blush spread across Luo Man's pretty face. "It's so embarrassing, can I invest somewhere else?!"
Lin Zhao was getting anxious and was about to slam the table.
"Ahhh, okay, okay, I know my brother is amazing!"
Luo Man smiled and pleaded, "I can contribute around 20 million. It's tough being a knight; I don't get much money. I only have the hard-earned money from the studio."
Chen Xue smiled at Lin Zhao and said concisely, "I can contribute 30 million. I've also taken out my previous savings. I've been waiting to share all the good times with you."
Mo Chenxue said, "Brother, I have 17 million+. After setting aside some living expenses, I'm investing it all."
Lin Zhao did some quick calculations and said, "In that case, the total is about 110 million. We're still a bit short of buying the second transport aircraft."
"It's fine."
Shen Xingchen smiled and said, "I'll invest 100 million. Not only will we buy the second transport aircraft, but we also need to hire pilots and maintenance personnel. We can take advantage of the current off-season for recruitment and hire more capable employees."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao looked at Huo Dao and said with a smile, "Huo Dao, for now, you will be the supervisor. You will have full authority to screen and hire talent."
Huo Dao immediately stood up and nodded very seriously, "Rest assured, I will not fail in my mission!"