221. Party Mission
Fine, I'll just take a job. Beno quickly adjusted his attitude.
Technically speaking, he could kill himself and start over right now, but since the Hundred Rebirths has a upper limit, such a restart would be too wasteful.
Although he had now become a formal member, Beno still knew little about the Red Party, and his knowledge of the world remained limited to what he had learned growing up in the village and had read in books. Though he considered starting over, he recognized that living longer in this life would provide valuable advantages for his next one.
Countless buildings stood within Heaven Mending Peak, but only two truly stood out. One was naturally the Peak Master's dwelling, and the other was a tall, nine-story structure called the Pavilion of Accord.
The Pavilion of Accord served as the central hub where formal disciples conducted trades among themselves, posted bounties, and accepted Party missions—all under the protection of the Red Party.
Beno entered the Pavilion of Accord and approached a counter.
"Excuse me, sir, is this where I sign up for Party missions?"
"Obviously, you... hm?" As the words left his mouth, the young Daoist at the counter casually glanced at Beno, then his eyes brightened upon noticing his handsome appearance.
The next second, a warm smile spread across the young Daoist's face.
"Please, don't call me sir. My name is Xuhe Zhao, a steward of the Pavilion of Accord. You must be a new recruit, right? I haven't seen you around before."
"I am Beno Alder, greetings, Comrade Zhao."
Beno hurriedly bowed while activating his badge to verify his identity.
Xuhe Zhao examined the badge, his expression growing increasingly gentle, his smile more radiant. "Good, good, Comrade Alder is quite talented—very impressive indeed."
Xuhe Zhao gazed at him with a look that made Beno uncomfortable, then suddenly said, "Comrade Alder, since you're seeking a Party mission, I happen to have one—or rather, an opportunity for wealth I can offer you. If it works out, I guarantee your future path in the Party will be grand."
"Really?" Beno feigned interest while remaining inwardly cautious.
"Absolutely! It couldn't be more real!" Xuhe Zhao grinned, pointing toward the top of Heaven Mending Peak. "The current Peak Master is seeking a son-in-law for his daughter, and I believe you look quite distinguished."
"???" Beno stared in bewilderment.
I came looking for Party missions to earn money through honest labor, with diligence and hard work—and now you're suggesting I become a kept man?
"What, not interested?" Seeing Beno's stiff expression, Xuhe Zhao pressed more eagerly. "This is an enormous fortune! If you could enter the Peak Master's dwelling, you'd immediately become a Wave Realm Breaker, with contribution points, techniques, resources—everything you need. Make this one right move, and you could save yourself sixty years of detours."
Despite Xuhe Zhao's flowery promises, Beno remained unmoved.
In truth, if it were really about marrying into wealth, Beno wouldn't mind.
But this was the Red Party!
An malice far worse than the vampire scourge. The very center of the axis of evil, even before the apocalypse! With Xin Liu's precedent in mind, how could he possibly trust Xuhe Zhao's promises about becoming the Peak Master's son-in-law?
There must be a catch!
After considering this, Beno sighed and said, "Comrade Zhao, it's not that I don't wish to marry into the Peak Master's family, but I have a rather delicate personal issue."
Xuhe Zhao raised his eyebrows. "A delicate issue?"
"To be honest," Beno wore an embarrassed expression, "I suffer from a venereal disease."
Upon hearing this, the enthusiasm on Xuhe's face instantly vanished.
The venereal disease itself wasn't much of a problem—he had ways to cure it. The real issue was why he had contracted it in the first place. That was the key.
"Ah, what a pity." Xuhe shook his head. No matter how handsome Beno was, the Peak Master would never allow his daughter to marry a man who had contracted such a disease.
Beno bowed respectfully and said, "Sorry to waste your time, Senior Comrade."
One doesn't hit a smiling face. Seeing Beno's respectful manner, Xuhe Zhao's expression softened somewhat. "In that case, I'll find you a good mission."
"What type of mission would you prefer?"
Beno replied: "High contribution points, relatively safe."
Xuhe Zhao's smile remained unchanged, clearly having anticipated this request, as all new recruits sought such missions. "I do have one like that."
With that, he handed Beno a flyer.
"The Yin-Yang Immortal Flower needs to be nourished with blood and essence from First Realm Breakers to survive. Heaven Mending Peak purchases them at the highest price—150 contribution points per flower," Xuhe Zhao cordially explained. "This is a task issued by the Peak Master himself, with no quantity limit. He'll buy as many as you can grow. And you don't need plant cultivation skills, Comrade Alder. The Yin-Yang Immortal Flower is extremely adaptable—as long as you plant it in your dwelling, it won't easily wither."
Upon hearing this, Beno felt a momentary temptation, but quickly shook his head.
Xuhe Zhao frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Thank you for your guidance, Comrade Zhao, but," Beno wore a bitter expression, "I still need to pay next month's rent and simply can't afford to buy the flower seeds."
"I see." Xuhe Zhao sighed. "I understand your difficulties. I've been through this stage myself. Well then, let me help you."
Xuhe Zhao then extended his hand and said, "Give me your badge."
Beno obediently handed it over, and moments later, he was surprised to find 500 contribution points had appeared on his badge out of nowhere!
Xuhe Zhao smiled gently. "These are your reserve contribution points from the Three Rivers Association. You can use them whenever needed—go buy the flower seeds."
Beno frowned. "Comrade Zhao, isn't this just like the loan from the Archives Pavilion? I'm afraid..."
"The Three Rivers Association is a major power within the Party's inner circle. New members borrowing from us enjoy thirty interest-free days—far more generous than the Archives Pavilion's loans."
"Besides, didn't you want to buy Yin-Yang Immortal Flower seeds?" Xuhe Zhao said in a gentle, kind tone. "One of our Three Rivers Association senior members specializes in selling these. Since you've borrowed from us, I can put in a good word for you, and he'll sell you the seeds at cost."
"What a great deal! Thank you, Comrade Zhao," Beno said, feigning delight.
"That's because I feel we have a connection," Xuhe Zhao said with a laugh. "If not for that, I wouldn't share this opportunity with just anyone!"
With that, Xuhe Zhao produced another piece of paper and handed it to Beno Alder. "This is that senior member's information. I wish you prosperity, Comrade Alder!"
"Thank you, Comrade Zhao!" Beno left with a thousand thanks.
As Beno departed, Xuhe Zhao's lips curled into a cold smile before he returned to scanning the Pavilion of Accord for his next prey.
Beno didn't rush to find the "reliable senior member" Xuhe Zhao had recommended for purchasing the Yin-Yang Immortal Flowers.
Instead, he first returned to his quarters to make some calculations.
A loan of 500 contribution points can buy ten Yin-Yang Immortal Flower seeds, with an annual interest rate of 36%, the same as Archives Pavilion's loans.
Getting up early and staying up late to nourish the flowers with blood and essence, it would take approximately a year for all ten to mature, yielding 1500 contribution points.
After paying the rent, only 1,140 contribution points would remain.
Pay 460 for the principal and interest of the loan for the technique, leaving 680 contribution points. Then he'd need to pay the 500-point principal plus 180 points in interest for the flower seed purchase.
Nothing left?!
Where did all my money go?
With this question in mind, Beno recalculated, then stared blankly at his notes for a long time. When he finally came to his senses, he couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
Good grief! They've calculated everything with such precision that they don't even leave me money for food!
Truly worthy of the Party that devised the socialist market economy!
As a formal Party member, you start with debt, then get stretched to the limit on the financial food chain, with mission earnings barely covering expenses.
To earn more and save money, he must work overtime and take on additional missions. Otherwise, one misstep could break the financial chain, and the massive loans weighing on his back would instantly become the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back.
If you're willing to suffer, there's no shortage of suffering to endure.
Simply put, they use basic necessities to keep lower-ranking members on a string, compelling them to work desperately—all to add more bricks and tiles to the Red Party's monument of glory.
"What a bunch of bastards!"
Thinking of this, Beno Alder couldn't help but curse out loud, then consoled himself: I work for the Red Party, the Party pays contribution points, loans and housing collect contribution points—it's essentially the Party producing and consuming its own currency, while I merely serve as the middleman who supposedly benefits!
Then, Beno recalled the previously cordial and enthusiastic Xuhe Zhao, glanced at the 500 contribution point loan on his badge, and inwardly sneered.
Since you're not playing fair, don't expect me to play fair either.
High-interest loan? I'll simply default!
Despite these bold thoughts, Beno still felt oppressed by how the Party treated members as mere beasts of burden. The more he thought about it, the worse he felt, and an unnameable anger began to rise within him.
"...Red Party pig?" Just then, the curtain lifted. It was Khmara Bohdana, who had heard Beno Alder's outburst of cursing and had risen from bed to investigate.