I Become a Landlady in the Game World
Chapter 173 - 105: Dazzling New World

Chapter 173: Chapter 105: Dazzling New World

Bayer greeted Zhou Bai as soon as he saw him.

"Zhou Bai, this is Ellis. He’s a pretty decent mercenary," Bayer introduced Ellis to Zhou Bai, the attitude more akin to a recommendation.

Zhou Bai was also somewhat surprised; after all, due to her identity being exposed, the communication between her and Bayer hadn’t been extensive.

Yet at this moment, Bayer’s demeanor was undoubtedly informing Ellis that she was his superior.

Zhou Bai felt a bit panicked.

However, she was clear that given Bayer’s personality, there must be a reason for his actions.

Suppressing the urge to ask, Zhou Bai extended her hand to Ellis, "Hello."

Ellis glanced at Zhou Bai, his expression somewhat astonished.

His level was much higher than Zhou Bai’s, immediately discerning that Zhou Bai’s professional level was 11. Such a level wouldn’t even surpass the lowest mercenaries in his team, but Bayer’s respectful attitude was quite pronounced.

Why?

A Lord, perhaps?

But there was no sign of Lord Identity on her.

Similarly, Ellis trusted Bayer; seeing the hand extended towards him, he firmly grasped it and then performed a Knight’s Greeting.

Seeing this, Bayer spoke up, "Ellis and his team came from Sorrel Town. We met before in Yuxi Village. After he returned, he didn’t find our territory but recently discovered it and immediately brought his team over. Before they came, the Lord of Sorrel Town was also planning to find them and inquire about the situation in Hope Village."

Listening to Bayer’s words, Zhou Bai grasped what he was hinting at.

That Sorrel Town was paying attention to Hope Village meant that other Human Territories, including the so-called Royal Capital, likely were as well. It was even possible that representatives were already on their way to Hope Village.

The plans she had spoken of before needed to be moved up the schedule.

Waiting for others to arrive could prove to be too late.

Zhou Bai also understood why Bayer was treating her as if she were a high-ranking official.

This was a clear signal of standing behind her, preparing for her ascent to power.

"Welcome to Hope Village," Zhou Bai said to Ellis.

"Thank you," Ellis nodded in response.

Next was Bayer’s turn to continue promoting the merits of Hope Village to Ellis, speaking so much that he planned to personally show them around.

Naturally, Zhou Bai accompanied them.

Talents must be retained by any means possible.

And when they left the Lord Mansion together, the newly arrived Tang Junliang and others asked Ling Mingzhi, "Who is she?"

Clearly, they noticed that Zhou Bai’s identity seemed to be not so simple.

"One of the top big shots in the territory, very likely to be the future Village Chief."

"Village Chief? What about the Lord?"

"There’s no one in Hope Village currently claiming to be the Lord, so everyone acts as if there isn’t one. The territory operates very orderly anyway. As for official positions, they are all obtained through personal exchange. As of now, I’m not yet officially a team leader, but there should be a distinction once I am," explained Ling Mingzhi.

"So, does that mean anyone has the chance to become the Village Chief?" Tang Junliang chimed in.

Men, how can they not have ambitions?

Tang Junliang was inevitably moved by the prospect.

Ling Mingzhi glanced sideways at Tang Junliang and spoke directly, "The Contribution needed to become the Village Chief is 10,000. Up to now, Zhou Bai has the highest Contribution, at 2,889. Bayer is second with 2,102. Contribution is very precious; it must be earned through contributions to the territory. Currently, my own Contribution is just 1,238. You’ve just come to Hope Village, catching up with others will be tough."

Chasing after Zhou Bai? That was a dream.

Listening, Tang Junliang couldn’t help but ask, "How is hers so high?"

"By toughing it out! Through two Beast Tides and two Territory Wars she made a significant effort. On regular days, she contributes a ton of materials, equipment, and supplies to the territory. Plus, that public noticeboard outside the Lord Mansion, the one many people see, was her doing. For every piece of information people post, she earns Contribution. For a more precise understanding of Contribution, you can check the Contribution section in your personal information. There’s a ranking list that shows how everyone earns their Contribution and how to earn it the fastest," Ling Mingzhi added.

Who in the territory doesn’t harbor ambitions to climb higher? But is it that easy to ascend?

Starting from behind makes the chase so difficult.

By the time you catch up, others will have advanced further.

Those in the lead won’t be easily overtaken.

Just like him, if he wanted to maintain his position as captain, he had to work hard to reach 5,000 as soon as possible and make the title of captain truly his.

Tang Junliang listened and went to check the Contribution board, and then he also saw his current Contribution.

Contribution: 0 (Rank: 1483)

The ambition that had risen in him vanished in an instant.

Well, first things first, let’s get settled in this territory.

Seeing his old friend beaten down by reality, Ling Mingzhi laughed and patted his shoulder, "You’ve got your Identity Token, let’s go! I’ll help you settle down first, find a house to live in, and then you can make your plans afterward."

"How expensive is a house?" Tang Junliang asked upon hearing this.

"It depends on what kind of house you want and whether you want to rent or buy. The cheapest is a one-story wooden house, 30 square meters, 6 Gold Coins to buy, or 100 copper coins to rent per day. If you want something better, a two-story wooden house costs 12 Gold Coins, or 200 copper coins per day, and a two-story stone house is 30 Gold Coins, or 500 copper coins per day."

"As for food, there’s no need to worry, it’s very cheap in the restaurant, and it’s not much more expensive outside. The standard of living depends purely on your personal choice. Although there’s not much variety now, there’s already a lot of delicious food, and the variety will only increase once the crops from the farmland are harvested."

"For daily necessities, you can buy whatever you need in the trading area or shops. Currently, all utensils are mainly made of wood, but if you need iron goods, you can have them custom-made at the Blacksmith Shop, though they’ll definitely be expensive."

"To earn money, it depends on your abilities. Any jobs needing people will be announced on the notice boards at the Lord Mansion and outside. Jobs within the territory are more stable, and you don’t have to leave the territory. Outside jobs depend on your Skills. If you’re fast, you can lure Demon Beasts; if you have a Collection Skill, you can go gathering. Of course, the best way is to lead a team to hunt Demon Beasts. Not only can you make money, but you can also gain Experience, and the most profitable is to do business, but you must have a unique craft, and trading area stalls are available for daily rental."

...

Once Ling Mingzhi started talking, he continued to explain the details of the territory.

This completely captivated Tang Junliang and the others.

With the money they currently had left, they could comfortably spend some time in Hope Village.

The overall environment of Hope Village was so much better than that of Overlord Village!

They had made the right choice!

During the casual conversation, Ling Mingzhi took them to the Residential area, and then said, "I’ve told you everything I needed to, it’s up to you now! I still have work to do, so I’ll be off. If you need anything, you can come find me anytime."

"Lastly, welcome to Hope Village!"

He hoped that more and more fellow humans would arrive in the territory, so that they could live happily and the territory could grow stronger.

"Thank you," Tang Junliang gratefully said to Ling Mingzhi.

Although the other party hadn’t given them any tangible assistance, he had led them into a new life.

Ling Mingzhi acknowledged this, smiled and waved his hand, then turned and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Tang Junliang turned to the people beside him and said, "Let’s all settle down with our families first, take a good rest for a couple of days, and then discuss our next steps."

They had been on the move for a long time, and the uncertainty of the future had really drained them; they needed to rest and recover.

"Okay," the crowd responded one after another, and then they led their families into the Residential area and toward the houses marked as vacant.

They were about to begin a new life here!

How wonderful!

Tang Junliang turned to his parents and said directly, "Dad, Mom, how about we buy a two-story wooden house?"

Father Tang and Mrs. Tang looked at Tang Junliang and nodded, "Sure, but do you have enough money on you?"

"I do," Tang Junliang said.

Soon, they found a suitably located two-story wooden house and bought it outright.

After buying it, looking at the empty house, the family of three smiled.

At that moment, an elderly lady from next door saw them and said directly, "You’ve just arrived in Hope Village?"

"Yes," Mrs. Tang replied, coming out to socialize, "We’ll be neighbors from now on, let’s keep in touch!"

"Sure," the old lady replied with a smile, and noticing their plight, she continued, "Oh, new houses have nothing inside; doing the interior decoration yourself can be a hassle, but you can hire a professional team who can get the layout done in a few hours."

"Where can we find them?"

"There’s a stall in the trading area with a decoration sign, just go there. Also, you can find some furniture there, but the most complete selection is at the Wood Workshop on Commercial Street."

"Alright, thank you."

"You’re welcome."

Familiar cultural surroundings allowed Tang Junliang and his group to integrate smoothly. Here, it was as comfortable and natural for them as fish returning to the sea.

On the other hand, Ellis and her group felt like they had entered a dazzling new world.