Chapter 297: Reaching Cooperation
Several hours of intense negotiations left the several Transcendent-level Experts in the hall feeling parched, their minds clearly showing signs of fatigue.
In the end, after mutual concessions from all sides, a result satisfactory to everyone was reached.
The chosen cooperation plan was the first option. All forces would be free to enter the Dark Domain to obtain resources, of which fifteen percent would be handed over to Snake King Fortress.
As compensation, Zhou Ming could allow other Hunting Corps, hunter squads, or other private forces to enter as well. However, these parties would be required to submit thirty percent of their gains.
Of that thirty percent, half would belong to Duanmu Ruibo and the others.
In exchange for collecting these benefits, once the Underground Cavern where Snake King Fortress was located was invaded by external enemies, they would be required to provide unconditional support.
In addition, Zhou Ming also made several demands to the three Transcendent-level Experts of Qinghui Base:
First, Snake King Fortress would have the right to purchase high-powered weapons eliminated by the City Defense Army.
Second, Qinghui Base would need to construct a signal station here for Energy Pulse Communication Technology.
Third, the Hunter Guild would establish a stronghold here. The Wildfolk within Snake King Fortress would likewise have the right to accept missions and exchange resources.
Although it appeared to be inviting the wolf into the house by allowing a Hunter Guild stronghold to take root in their own headquarters, to Zhou Ming, none of that truly mattered—as long as the ownership of the passage remained in his hands.
His objective was simple: to continuously acquire vast quantities of resources to nurture the Spirit Molting Snake Race.
As long as he possessed sufficient strength, he was confident he could suppress any storm that arose. After all, in this world, the strong ultimately reigned supreme.
After the negotiations concluded, the three Transcendent-level Experts of Qinghui Base did not linger. They immediately returned to Qinghui Base to begin preparations for entering the Dark Domain.
Meanwhile, Duanmu Ruibo and Scorpion-Lion temporarily stayed one night at Snake King Fortress.
As for their purpose, Chu Yujie and the other two who had left earlier were well aware of it. After all, the Duanmu Family had previously provided Zhou Ming with considerable assistance.
However, as long as their own interests were not harmed, Chu Yujie and the others had no intention of probing further.
In the end, just as they had expected, Zhou Ming agreed that the Duanmu Family would only need to submit ten percent of the resources they obtained in the Dark Domain.
Furthermore, if the Duanmu Family encountered trouble here, they could request support from Snake King Fortress.
Having obtained the desired result, Duanmu Ruibo’s expression clearly carried more delight.
After Zhou Ming finished handling all matters, he finally took some time to have a small gathering with Scorpion-Lion.
Inside Snake King Fortress, in a small reception room, Zhou Ming was opening a bottle of red wine that Scorpion-Lion liked.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Facing his old friend, Zhou Ming’s usually cold expression carried a trace of a smile. However, there was also a hint of teasing within it.
“Should I be calling you Lord Zhou now? Or Master Zhou?”
At this moment, Scorpion-Lion’s mentality was like that of two brothers who had shared hardship together, only to find that Zhou Ming had secretly found himself a wealthy patron.
Driving luxury cars, living in villas, drinking fine wine—the taste in his heart was difficult to describe.
“Sure. Call me that a couple of times and let me hear it.”
“In your dreams.”
Taking the red wine Zhou Ming handed him, Scorpion-Lion remained like a proud lion, unwilling to bow his head.
When the two raised their wine glasses and exchanged a glance, they burst into hearty laughter.
Their friendship had not been affected in the slightest by the disparity in strength.
After their brief gathering, Scorpion-Lion grew curious about Zhou Ming’s strength and profession and proposed a simple spar.
Naturally, Zhou Ming agreed without hesitation.
The final result was Scorpion-Lion grinding his teeth, his body aching as he sucked in cold air, swearing an oath.
“I’ll definitely get payback for this beating.”
The next day, Scorpion-Lion and Duanmu Ruibo departed from Snake King Fortress.
After handling external affairs, Zhou Ming immediately convened the Camp Senior Leadership to rearrange positions and departments.
Inside the largest conference room of Snake King Fortress, numerous senior members gathered together.
Without wasting words, Zhou Ming directly began outlining his specific internal arrangements.
The Scientific Research Department would remain as it was. It was a core department of Snake King Fortress, responsible for all matters related to scientific research.
The minister would still be Su Ningfeng. In addition, two deputy ministers would be appointed—Dai Jiuqu and Wen Yang.
They were both high-level research talents brought back from the Wilderness and Fallen Maple Ridge respectively—one proficient in biological genetics, the other skilled in mechanical materials.
The Department of Internal Affairs and the Department of External Affairs would continue to be led by Lu Tao and Lin Hai.
The Department of Internal Affairs would be responsible for education, medical care, logistics, camp construction, and material trading. Additionally, a new security squad would be established to guard Snake King Fortress internally.
As for the Department of External Affairs, besides hunting Ferocious Beasts and gathering resources, it would also be responsible for guarding Tiger’s Maw Pass and taking over the duties of the Training Department.
Because of the large scope of responsibilities, Zhou Ming selected several well-performing veterans from the camp to serve as deputy ministers.
Qiu Tieyi, who had originally been in charge of the Training Department, would become the minister of the newly established Adjudication Department. He would be responsible for maintaining order for external personnel entering the Underground Cavern and handling various disputes.
Xiong Lie, formerly of the Special Operations Squad, would serve as Qiu Tieyi’s deputy. The Special Operations Squad would be disbanded.
The Inspection Department, responsible for enforcing internal camp regulations, would remain unchanged, still under Li Bao’s management.
The Snake Guards would continue to be led by Li Hu and would also begin undertaking intelligence missions.
Finally, Ding Mowen and Mu Ye would form the Snake Den, responsible for cultivating Beast Tamers and managing certain necessary resources, such as various Beast Taming knowledge and research materials.
After establishing the overall framework, the next step would be detailed personnel allocation.
In addition, Zhou Ming planned to construct a camp outside Snake King Fortress to serve as lodging for external personnel, while also providing a trading venue and various services.
Through further discussion and suggestions from everyone, detailed procedures gradually took shape.
After the meeting ended, everyone immediately began carrying out the tasks Zhou Ming had assigned.
“My lord, what about me?”
After the others left, Catgirl Aina finally asked her lord.
“Freelancer.”
“What’s a freelancer?”
“It means you go wherever you’re needed. If there’s nothing to do, cook for me.”
Although Zhou Ming was not fond of beauty, Aina’s culinary skills were indeed exceptional, so naturally he kept her by his side to serve him.
If anything urgent arose, he could arrange tasks for her at that time.
“Ah… isn’t that just being a beast of burden?”
Having watched movies on Blue Star, Catgirl Aina had also begun to use internet slang.
“At least I’m not making you share my bed. Why so picky?”
Having advanced to Transcendent Master and secured cooperation from several same-level powerhouses, Zhou Ming was clearly in a good mood. He even began teasing Aina.
Upon hearing the words “share my bed,” Aina instantly blushed. Her tail swayed repeatedly as she fled the conference room in a flustered state.
Zhou Ming merely smiled faintly at her reaction and paid it no further mind.
Now that all miscellaneous affairs had been handled, the remaining matters could be entrusted to his subordinates. Thus, Zhou Ming returned directly to his laboratory.
Whether it was continuing to refine his Beast Taming System or using the remaining Extreme Cold Marrow Jade to enhance his Spiritual Power, there were many areas that required his effort.