Chapter 297
The Same Rules!
"Third, the agglomeration effect and economic radiation of the industrial chain."
Lin Xia pointed to those specialized weapons shops, pharmacies, and material purchasing points.
"The distance of 100 kilometers creates a natural selection and gathering process. Soul Masters returning from the forest with their spoils need such a place to process their loot, exchange for much-needed supplies, and rest their bodies and minds."
"Merchants were also happy to set up bases here, to centrally purchase, process, and resell various resources from the forest. Various service industries that served Soul Masters also sprang up as a result."
"The convenience brought by this clustering far outweighs the simple saving of distance."
"If it were scattered among the small villages at the entrances of various forests, it would be impossible to form such a large-scale and professional market. It's like the soul tool trading center on the continent is in Gengjin City, not at the entrance of a mining area."
"Fourth, strategic depth and early warning time."
Lin Xia's tone took on a cold tinge.
“This hundred-kilometer area is not just open land. It is also a huge hunting ground and buffer zone. The town relies on the forest, but it is also wary of the forest. There are a lot of low-level soul beasts active in this area, which becomes the source of basic resources for the town's soul masters, and at the same time, it is an outpost for monitoring abnormal movements in the forest.”
"If a large-scale beast tide or an extremely powerful soul beast disturbance occurs deep in the forest a hundred kilometers away, the news can still buy precious early warning and evacuation time when it is sent back to the town."
"If the town were right on the edge of the forest, there might not even be a chance to react."
"at last."
Lin Xia looked at Ning Rongrong, who seemed to be deep in thought, and concluded.
"This is also a subtle, tacit boundary between the human and soul beast world. The Star Dou Great Forest is the territory of soul beasts and a hunting ground for humans to obtain resources, but it is by no means a backyard that can be occupied at will."
"This hundred-kilometer-long blank space symbolizes a balance of power and awe of the unknown terrors deep in the forest. Building the town here is the last 'respect' for the world of soul beasts, and also a kind of wisdom for survival—not being too aggressive, but leaving room for maneuver."
Lin Xia's explanation progressed step by step, from the surface to the core, from security to order, from economy to strategy, and finally rose to the delicate balance between humans and soul beasts, completely overturning Ning Rongrong's initial simple idea that "the closer the better."
Her small mouth was slightly open, and her glassy eyes were filled with shock and understanding.
For the first time, she understood so profoundly that behind the seemingly simple selection of a town site lay such complex and meticulous considerations.
This is far more real and cruel than the magnificent headquarters of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"It turns out...that's it."
Ning Rongrong murmured, her gaze towards this bustling town completely different.
She began to understand the significance of those shops, the weariness and longing on the faces of the Soul Masters on the street, and the tense yet opportunity-filled atmosphere in the air.
She felt that her understanding of the "world" had broadened to another level.
Flander stopped in front of a building.
This is a drab two-story building with a wooden frame that has been eroded by time to a deep brown. The signboard simply reads "Hunter's Tavern," but the lettering is somewhat blurred.
The first floor is an open hall with seven or eight rough wooden tables and chairs, which also serves as a dining room.
The second floor must be where the accommodations are located.
The air was filled with the mixed smells of cheap ale, stew grease, and stale wood, and the faint sounds of people talking drifted out from inside the open door.
"Let's do it here."
Flander pushed up his glasses, his tone flat and devoid of emotion.
"Rest for one night, depart tomorrow morning. This covers accommodation and meals."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the students in front of him.
“You will have to pay for it yourselves.”
Shrek Academy's financial difficulties were an open secret. Flander and the other teachers themselves had little source of income, and the promised repair funds from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had not yet arrived. Flander was ingrained in his very being when it came to being frugal.
He went to the counter first, succinctly booked a single room for himself, took the key, and went straight upstairs without saying a word, seemingly wanting to avoid Lin Xia's presence. The remaining group stood at the entrance of the somewhat crowded and noisy tavern.
As the nominal leader, Dai Mubai's gaze swept across everyone's faces as he quickly made his calculations.
"The usual!"
Dai Mubai spoke calmly, breaking the brief silence. "Let's book a four-person room for the four of us."
Then he pointed to Lin Xia, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.
"Lord Lin, Miss Zhuqing, Rongrong, what do you think?"
The implication was that the three of them would definitely not squeeze into the large dormitory room.
Lin Xia didn't even lift her eyelids, casually humming in agreement, clearly acknowledging that she would be living alone.
Zhu Zhuqing remained aloof as always, nodding slightly.
Having weathered the storm of the chamber of commerce negotiations, Ning Rongrong was much more composed. Although she felt a little uncomfortable in the simple environment, she merely pursed her lips and nodded, saying:
"I have my own room."
The remaining one is Xiao Wu.
She glanced at Tang San, then at the other three boys, her eyes looking somewhat lost.
Tang San, of course, couldn't let her squeeze in with the boys, and immediately said:
"Xiao Wu also lives alone."
"Row."
Dai Mubai nodded and turned to the boss behind the counter, who had a pipe in his mouth and a face full of fat.
"Boss, book four single rooms and one four-person room."
The boss, with a pipe dangling from his lips, swept his cloudy eyes over the group of young people with their distinct personalities, lingering particularly long on Lin Xia, as if assessing the quality of these "newbies."
He exhaled a puff of smoke, quoted a price, and Dai Mubai readily paid with silver soul coins.
After the keys were distributed, Oscar rubbed his stomach with a pained expression.
"Boss, let's eat first before going upstairs? I've been eating sausages all day, my intestines are practically turned into sausages, and the smell of sausages makes me want to throw up!"
His exaggerated expression drew repeated nods of agreement from Ma Hongjun, and Tang San and Xiao Wu also showed expressions of deep agreement.
During their journey, in order to save money and time, Flanders' rations consisted of Oscar's sausages. Now, smelling the aroma of stewed meat wafting from the tavern, their taste buds were in rebellion.
Tang San looked at Dai Mubai.
"Should we ask the dean to come down with us?"
He was referring to Flanders.
Dai Mubai shook his head.
"No need. It's the academy's rule that while teachers won't pay for our expenses when they come out with us, they also won't accept any benefits from us. That's the principle."
Ma Hongjun chuckled, his chubby face jiggling.
"Rules are rules, but this is good too. It's clear and straightforward, saving us trouble. I like the down-to-earth nature of our college; we don't play games!"
There was some truth to that. Shrek's poverty and straightforwardness, to some extent, allowed these privileged children to experience a different kind of purity.
Seeing Ma Hongjun's drooling expression, Dai Mubai kicked him in annoyance.
"Stop talking nonsense, you fatso! Go order! You're the pickiest eater, the most discerning customer!" (End of Chapter)