Chapter 1119 - 372: The Difficulties of High-Level Martial Artists

He stared straight at the assistant, questioning him grimly.

Ever since he walked through the door, he had found these people from the Ketone Trust Group to be an eyesore. Every one of them was heavy-jowled and pot-bellied, their minds completely consumed by money. The only reason the Ketone Trust Group was so wealthy was because they exploited the pitiful sums Martial Artists earned from selling materials.

Many Combat Martial Artists considered these conglomerates to be vampires. These two Major Generals had previously been forced to sell their raw materials at low prices, and even now, they were still being exploited by various material suppliers. These corporations arbitrarily manipulated material prices; they were simply a pack of leeches.

"Money cannot buy peace for the Divine Land, but it can be used to donate funds and supplies to the Martial Artists of the Military Department, and even to build countless orphanages.

"Warriors shed their blood and sacrifice their lives, which certainly commands respect, but do Qi and Blood Martial Artists deserve to languish in obscurity?

"Where does everyone’s armor come from? Where do everyone’s weapons and pills come from?

"Do the numerous subsidized hospitals in the Divine Land that cater to Martial Artists not rely on tax revenue?

"Combat Martial Artists are largely exempt from taxes. Who is going to keep all those expensive medical facilities running?

"If everyone went to the Wet Realm to plunder resources, who would keep the Divine Land’s home front operational?

"Our Ketone Trust Group has grown to such a massive scale, and Mr. Bai has made so many contributions to the Divine Land. Can the Military Department erase all of that with a single sentence?"

The assistant’s temper had flared. This was not the first or second time they had endured the disdain of Combat Martial Artists. In the past, they had just swallowed it. But now that the Ketone Trust Group was about to be acquired by the Divine Land Government, core employees like them would soon take up official posts. Who wouldn’t have a sense of pride and honor? Their long-standing insecurity had finally transformed into arrogance.

"Alright, stop talking. We can’t out-argue them!"

The other Major General stepped forward and patted the first on the shoulder. After all these years, arguing was completely useless. The conflict between Qi and Blood Martial Artists and Combat Martial Artists hadn’t just appeared overnight. The operation of the Divine Land’s massive system truly couldn’t function without either side. However, the Ketone Trust Group’s attitude was indeed detestable.

"Hmph!" The Major General, who had wanted to continue arguing, kept a cold face and said no more.

Bai Zhiyong sat back, entirely unfazed. He neither stopped his subordinate from arguing with the Major General nor showed any particular signs of disgust. Once the Divine Land Government acquired the shares of the Ketone Trust Group, he would become a high-ranking regional official, no less prestigious than a Vice Admiral. If his plans went smoothly, he might even break through to the Eighth Grade. He simply disdained to argue.

The assistant looked calmly at the two Vice Admirals, a flash of contempt darting through his eyes. He thought, "What does it matter how powerful you Combat Martial Artists are? In the end, you’re nothing but nutrients feeding the growth of our Ketone Trust Group."

He wasn’t afraid of offending a Major General. The CEO, Bai Zhiyong, was a relative of Grand Marshal Yuan Longhan. Everyone knew this in their hearts, but no one dared to speak of it. Bai Zhiyong’s parents had both died on the battlefield; he was a genuine war orphan. To compensate him, the government had supported him in starting a business, officially making him a materials supplier for the Military Department. This was the root of Bai Zhiyong’s unmatched dominance in the business world. Looking across the entire commercial sea, there were hardly any competitors who could hold a candle to him.

The fact that Bai Zhiyong could strike a deal with Su Qingfeng was also due to Marshal Yuan Longhan. If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t even have the chance to speak with Su Qingfeng.

The atmosphere in the reception room froze once again.

Ten minutes later.

Su Qingfeng returned. He carried a ferocious demon beast on his shoulder, and there was a shocking gash on his arm. Moreover, Su Qingfeng’s expression was haggard.

"I’m a bit late coming back, but the quality of the goods is fine!" Su Qingfeng said, throwing the Flame Fruit Demon Beast onto the floor. "Where are my things?"

"I’ve brought them. Prince Qing, you returned a little late this time.

"But it doesn’t matter. Out of respect for Prince Qing, I can wait!"

Bai Zhiyong stood up. He walked over to the beast’s corpse, observed it briefly, then covered his nose and waved his hand. Immediately, several staff members ran over and began dismembering the demon beast. They were professionals, every single one of them a highly-paid Qi and Blood Martial Artist. Bai Zhiyong, however, stepped far away. The blood of these demon beasts was too foul-smelling and nauseating.

"Congratulations, Prince Qing. You are only missing the final two materials before the construction of your Divine Return Tower can begin.

"Let me congratulate you in advance on your impending breakthrough to the Ninth Grade!"

Bai Zhiyong waved his hand, and a staff member brought a jade-green stone to Su Qingfeng. He then flashed Su Qingfeng a hypocritical smile.

"Hmph, you don’t need to worry about that!"

With the help of the two Major Generals, Su Qingfeng began applying medicine to his arm. Hunting the demon this time had truly been somewhat dangerous.

"Prince Qing, of the remaining two materials, one is the Jade Caltrop Bamboo, which you still have a chance of finding in the Seven Caltrop Bamboo Forest.

"However, as for the Star Cleansing Stone, which can only be found in that same bamboo forest, you won’t be able to find it anytime soon, will you?" Bai Zhiyong suddenly said.

"What are you scheming now? You push the line further every time. Are you trying to threaten Prince Qing?"

One of the Major Generals stepped forward. Over the past few days, the Ketone Trust Group had constantly been testing Prince Qing’s limits, repeatedly making him do extremely dangerous tasks.

"Even if you lent me the courage, I wouldn’t dare threaten Prince Qing!

"But as far as I know, let alone the Star Cleansing Stone, even the Jade Caltrop Bamboo requires low-level Martial Artists to search for it, and it is exceptionally difficult to find.

"According to the ratios from recent years, you generally have to cut down thirty stalks of Seven Caltrop Bamboo just to find a single Jade Caltrop Bamboo.

"Although your son is remarkably gifted, he cannot keep using Divine Soldiers indefinitely, not to mention the issue of the Star Cleansing Stone."