Chapter 229: That

Horace stood at the construction site near the Horace Textile Factory, holding a wooden box filled with money in both hands, a flash of heartache crossing his face.

"Once this money is given out, I really don't feel right in my heart... this was all saved by my frugality." He muttered in a low voice, his eyes drifting.

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 walked up with a half-smile, with a hint of teasing.

"Mr. Horace, I am a reasonable person. If you really can't bear it and want to go back on your word, that's fine, I won't force you."

The corners of his mouth rose, and a playful light flickered in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, a flash of panic instantly crossed Horace's face.

Especially when thinking of the scene of the Grizzly Gang's revenge, he couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine, shivering, and hurriedly offered a stiff smile.

"Look at what you're saying, I, Horace, am the person who values contract spirit the most... how could I go back on my word."

Contract spirit.

That really is a fresh term.

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 looked at him with a smile, not taking the fart he let out to heart at all.

Horace knew he was asking for trouble, so he stopped talking and handed over the money box very reluctantly.

At the same time, he cursed in his heart, wishing Lord Shengxi would descend with holy light and send this group of greedy jackals to hell.

Lord Shengxi is above!

The business environment in Lei Ming City is really too bad. Princess Ailin Campbell only cares about sympathizing with those poor ghosts and completely ignores poor pious people like him!

If it weren't for the gold coins, he really wanted to leave here.

Of course, where to go after leaving here, he hadn't thought about it yet...

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 took the box filled with money and threw it on the construction materials nearby, looking indifferent.

After all, they came from the Great Cemetery and used underworld coins, so they didn't have much concept of these gold coins.

Watching Horace leave, 【Jade-Faced Hand-Tired King】 curiously picked up a gold coin, played with it in his hand, and said with great interest.

"We've been playing this game for a while, and this is the first time I've seen this kind of golden currency."

The rewards given by the Adventurer's Guild are mostly copper and silver coins, and general living supplies can be bought with copper coins, while only some alchemy props and magic equipment produced by human kingdoms will use silver coins.

The sunlight spilled onto the gold coin, reflecting a dazzling light, causing everyone's eyes to focus over.

【Iron-Blooded Fat Otaku】's eyes turned, an idea popped into his head, and he shouted excitedly.

"Why don't we use these gold coins to buy things from NPCs, and then move them to the Great Cemetery to exchange for underworld coins, maybe we can make a fortune!"

"Isn't that taking off your pants to fart," 【Jade-Faced Hand-Tired King】 rolled his eyes, "The Great Cemetery's bank can already exchange NPC money."

"Oh right, I forgot, hehe... by the way, what is the exchange rate, do you remember?" Brother Fat Otaku touched the back of his head embarrassedly.

Several players looked at each other, and 【Canglang Lame Leg】 closed his eyes silently, exited the game, and opened the official forum to check.

Except for the most reliable Brother Rich Man, the second most reliable in the entire adventurer team is this Brother Lame.

After a moment of waiting, his eyes opened again, and excitement flickered in his pupils.

Without waiting for other players to ask, he said with a trembling voice.

"Found it... 1 gold coin equals 10,000 copper coins, and the exchange rate between copper coins and underworld coins is 1:1."

He swallowed, looked at those pairs of astonished eyes, and said the second half with difficulty.

"That is to say, we have 5 million in our hands..."

5 million!

The moment they heard this number, everyone gasped, and even Brother Rich, who didn't care originally, looked at the wooden box with astonishment.

"Holy shit... this thing is so valuable?!"

【Iron-Blooded Fat Otaku】 was also so surprised that his mouth couldn't close, his chin almost falling to the ground, repeating a "Mommy..." in his mouth.

5 million underworld coins are not much for top players, but for them who joined the game in the A08 version, it was an astronomical figure!

They had been busy in the labyrinth for more than a week, not even earning a fraction of this money, but they just beat up a group of little hooligans, and this huge sum of money automatically flew into their hands!

⊙????? ⊙￠O

Not only that!

After the whole project is built, Horace still has to pay them a huge final payment!

Until this very moment, they realized what a considerable wealth they held in their hands.

And at the same time, they also saw the huge business opportunities and development space hidden in Lei Ming City!

"Calm down... calm your breathing first! Hu!"

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 took a deep breath, calmed down with a group of excited partners, and began to discuss the use of this fund.

Although it is not impossible to exchange everything for underworld coins, it is obviously not the most profitable choice.

After some discussion, they first went to the tavern to inquire about some information, understood the operation rules of the local construction industry, and then took most of the funds to the bank.

In order to ensure that subsequent procurement matters could be successfully docked, 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 brought the "Chief Architect" Karl of the Invincible Supreme Adventurer Team.

Karl learned that he was going to the bank to dock funds and procurement matters, and while surprised at the boss's executive power, he was also pleasantly surprised.

This elderly gentleman tidied up his clothes, then brought the design drawings and relevant materials, and walked toward the bank with 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】.

He originally didn't intend to earn money outside his duty, so it was best for the boss to understand the rules.

This way, the trust cost between the two sides could also be reduced.

The bank in the industrial zone was not far from Horace's textile factory, located in the center of a factory area, with rolling thick smoke from the chimneys around it.

The main body of the bank building was built of thick bricks and stones, with tall corridors supporting wide porches, although there was no luxurious decoration, it revealed a steady and atmospheric style, showing its extraordinary style.

And the emblem on the door was an improved version of the Andes family's coat of arms.

Walking into the bank, the lobby was spacious and bright, with simple magic chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, emitting a dim and soft light.

The ground was paved with slightly rough stone slabs, and the footsteps of people coming and going echoed in the lobby.

Staff in dark uniforms were busy behind neatly arranged wooden counters, their expressions focused, movements skilled, and they handled various businesses in an orderly manner. This place mainly handled the business of nearby factories, and the account books were densely recorded with the capital flow of the factories.

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 and Karl walked toward a client manager. 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 spoke first, clearly stating the intention of deposit and the request for the bank to dock procurement with Karl.

The client manager received him enthusiastically, and then guided them to complete a series of rigorous deposit procedures according to standard processes, successfully depositing 400 gold coins into the account.

The bank under the Andes family was very professional in the process of handling capital flow business. After all, they had a history of hundreds of years, and even had their own factories and mines as supply channels, which could be introduced to customers in need.

Even if the industry norms of this world were sloppy in many places, the Andes family's emblem was enough to become a guarantee that all parties were convinced.

This was also the biggest reason why they could last long in the financial industry, and even the royal family borrowed money from them.

After handling the deposit, Karl took out the design drawings and communicated with the client manager in detail about the procurement details, confirming everything from the type, specification, and quantity of building materials.

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 added his own thoughts and requirements on the side, solemnly entrusting the client manager to work closely with Karl, accurately controlling and recording the flow of every fund, and fully ensuring that the construction work of the dormitory building met expectations.

After listening to the client's needs, the client manager in a suit patted his chest and guaranteed.

"Please rest assured, both of you, we will definitely handle every item according to your requirements and ensure that every penny of yours is spent where it should be."

"This is the best." Karl took off his top hat and solemnly shook the client manager's hand, "Happy cooperation."

The client manager smiled and shook back.

"Happy cooperation!"

After handling all matters, 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 said goodbye to Karl and returned to the construction site.

Standing in the center of the construction site, he cleared his throat and called the names of Tang Mu and others.

Not long after, a group of team members including Tang Mu gathered from various construction areas, covered in dust and confusion, not knowing why the boss called them over.

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 took a deep breath, solemnly took out the heavy 50 gold coins from his arms, untied the rope of the money bag, and shook it in front of everyone.

The collision of gold coins made a crisp sound, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"Brothers, listen up, as long as you work steadily for me, not only will you get the agreed wages, but after our project is completed, everyone will have a gold coin bonus! That's right, all of you have a share!"

He said word by word, his voice firm and powerful, spreading far in the noisy construction site.

Tang Mu and others were stunned when they heard this, seemingly unable to believe their ears.

That's a gold coin!

They had lived for so long, and hadn't even seen what the Emperor printed on the gold coin looked like?

And when they came back to their senses, excited expressions gradually appeared on their faces, some people breathed rapidly, some people's faces were flushed, and even their eye sockets were moist.

Especially Tang Mu, his lips trembled with excitement, he clenched his fists, his voice choked with a few sobs, and he promised loudly.

"Boss, rest assured, we will definitely work hard!"

Not just him, a man with a hunched figure and coarse cloth clothes in the crowd stood out and shouted eagerly, raising his volume.

"That's right! Boss trusts us so much, we absolutely cannot drop the chain!"

That voice spoke the hearts of countless people and soon received echoes one after another.

"That's right!"

"We must do this job beautifully and cannot live up to the boss's intention!"

The team members around talked to each other, although the language was simple, their eyes were full of firmness and gratitude.

Looking at their excited appearance, 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 couldn't help but feel a little touched, took a deep breath, and said.

"Rest assured, as long as you don't live up to me, I will definitely not live up to you!"

After motivating the team members, 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 went back to meet with other players, carefully putting away the remaining 50 gold coins and keeping them properly.

They knew in their hearts that the remaining 50 gold coins were crucial and were daily turnover funds for dealing with emergencies.

In this game world full of variables, no one knows what will happen in the next second.

And with this fund, it is like having an extra bottom line, and in the face of unknown difficulties, they can have an extra calmness and ability to deal with it.

Because there were too many things to deal with on the construction site, after some discussion, the four players decided to postpone the time to return to the labyrinth, intending to wait until they stood firm in the new factory area before leaving.

Anyway, they had already fallen behind the new activities too much, and it was not easy to catch up now, so it was better to spend their minds on the artificial human gameplay updated in the A08 version to see if they could earn more benefits from the human society on the surface.

Just like this, three days passed.

The news that the Invincible Supreme Adventurer Team beat up Balk of the Grizzly Gang was like a strong whirlwind, spreading rapidly on this street at a speed beyond imagination, making everyone know about it.

Especially since Balk hadn't appeared these days, which confirmed the authenticity of the rumor.

Those factory owners who were accustomed to being stingy and cautious on weekdays, after hearing this news, were like discovering a new continent, unable to suppress the excitement in their hearts, and rushed to the construction site one after another, eager to seek cooperation with this famous adventurer team.

At the same time, the construction site of the Horace Textile Factory dormitory building was a scene of enthusiasm.

Rough stones and yellowish logs were piled up beside the newly laid foundation, workers were working hard in the sun with their shirts off, everyone was full of energy, tired but full of hope.

Simple scaffolding was built crookedly, and not far away, several strong horses were pulling simple winches, slowly hoisting heavy stones, making a dull "creak" sound.

The air was filled with the smell of dust and sweat, mixed with the fragrance of newly cut wood.

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 stood with his hands behind his back, patrolling his "territory."

And his "subordinate" Karl stood not far away, his figure straight, directing the workers to work in an orderly manner.

The old gentleman had a rosy face and was majestic, as if he were ten years younger, directing work with ease.

And 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 was happy to leave these troublesome things to reliable people to manage, after all, he was not very professional, just knowing a little about the construction industry.

The game world is different from the real world. The social background here refers to the early Industrial Revolution. The construction industry system is not perfect. Designers often serve as contractors and sometimes have to do it themselves.

After all, no one understands the design drawings they draw better than the designer, and many of the farmers who come to work don't even know how to read, let alone understand the complex design intent.

Just as he was looking at the construction site, a fat factory owner with a rich figure rushed from the entrance of the construction site, his face full of flattering smiles.

Before 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 could ask his intention, the man spoke enthusiastically.

"Respected... uh, Mr. 'Rich Man Who Eats Dirt'? I have a brand new factory project on hand, and the scale is not small! I am sincerely asking you to help with construction, we can discuss the price, and we will definitely not let you suffer!"

This guy's name was a bit strange, and after he inquired about it, he followed it for a long time before remembering it.

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 was slightly stunned, then said with a laugh and a cry.

"I'm really sorry, we haven't finished the work on hand, and we don't have enough manpower, so we really can't spare anyone to take new work."

The fat factory owner was anxious when he heard this and hurriedly said: "How can there be a shortage of people? Refugee camps are full of cheap populations. If you need it, I can help you contact them!"

As he spoke, he kept wiping the sweat from his forehead because of excitement and anxiety with a handkerchief, his eyes full of expectation.

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 hadn't organized the language to respond, and a burst of footsteps came from the noisy construction site again.

He turned his head to look, only to see another factory owner with a slightly thin figure rushing over with big strides.

Like the big-bellied factory owner, his face was full of flattering smiles, and before he stood still, he couldn't wait to shout loudly.

"Respected Mr. 'Rich Man Who Eats Dirt', I also have a new factory construction project there, and I am worried that I can't find a reliable team! I have heard of your reputation for a long time, you must consider me for this cooperation! The price is easy to discuss!"

That identical line was full of sense of sight, and 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 couldn't help but have a strange expression on his face.

The fat factory owner widened his eyes when he heard this and shouted with a thick neck: "What do you want to do! I came first!"

The thin man was not to be outdone, sneered and retorted.

"So what if you came first? I have more than ten acres of land waiting to be developed! Even if you signed a contract in your mother's womb, you have to step back for me!"

The two of them went back and forth, arguing fiercely right in front of the dumbfounded 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】, with spit flying everywhere.

【Iron-Blooded Fat Otaku】, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, couldn't help but mutter a sentence.

"... The sun must be rising from the west."

With the two bosses arguing incessantly and looking like they were about to come to blows, 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 hurriedly pulled them apart.

After a moment of silence, he took the business cards they handed him, casually stuffed them into his jacket pocket, and nodded in response.

"I will seriously consider your suggestions, but please give me some time. I will give you an answer before the sun sets tomorrow... if we can find enough manpower."

The two hurriedly took off their hats, bowed to show their respect, and after thanking him repeatedly, turned and left, satisfied.

Thanks to Edward's new policies, Lei Ming City was not short of cheap labor at all, especially since the work at the construction site required no technical skills—just a bit of strength was enough.

In their view, the cooperation between the two sides was already a done deal.

Just shortly after the two left the construction site, satisfied, dust billowed again in the direction of the site's main gate.

As the sound of rapid footsteps drew closer, the noisy, clamorous human voices became increasingly clear.

Before he could even recover from the pie that had fallen from the sky, 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 saw a large wave of ragged refugees gathering at the entrance of the construction site.

Most of them were people living in the nearby refugee camps. Because of the reduction in relief porridge, they could no longer support their families and were forced to come out to look for opportunities to make a living.

Hearing that the pay here was generous and that there were bonuses to be had upon completion, they rushed over from all directions as if they had grabbed onto a life-saving straw.

Looking at 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 standing at the construction site, a ragged young man squeezed to the front of the crowd, cleared his throat, and shouted loudly.

"Boss, let me join! I have strength, and I'm young—I can do any kind of work!"

As soon as his voice fell, before Hao Ge could answer, a sturdy man also shouted loudly.

"Boss, please look at me! I promise to be obedient! Whoever you tell me to beat up, I'll beat up!"

Several players heard this, and their eyes went wide.

Good grief.

Is this how people look for decent jobs?

【Jade-Faced Hand-Tired King】 couldn't help but interject.

"Can you handle work in the labyrinth? The kind where you beat up monsters."

The sturdy man's expression froze upon hearing this, and he shrank back with a sheepish laugh.

"That... Boss, if I had that kind of skill, why wouldn't I just go be an adventurer myself?"

Jade-Faced Hand-Tired King: "..."

Alright then.

It seems these people are essentially no different from the batch of landless farmers they recruited before.

If there's any single advantage, it might just be that they have self-awareness.

【Iron-Blooded Fat Otaku】 couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva: "Oh my... did we trigger a hidden quest?"

【Crippled Canglang】 shook his head, bewildered.

"I don't know."

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 looked at the people crowding the construction site gate and then at the business cards in his hand, feeling a wave of emotion.

Where is the labyrinth filled with gold... it's clearly right here in Lei Ming City, outside the labyrinth.

After hesitating in his heart several times, he finally made up his mind, cleared his throat, and spoke in a majestic voice.

"If you want to join, stay, but you must follow the group's rules and work hard!"

As soon as his voice fell, the crowd immediately erupted in cheers.

Clearly, this bunch of guys only heard the first half of his sentence—the part about staying if they wanted to join.

"Oh oh!!"

"Don't worry, Boss!"

"We'll listen to everything you say!"

Hearing this, everyone's faces instantly bloomed with joyful smiles, as if they had found an organization. They cheered and surged into the construction site like a tide, their eyes full of longing and expectation for the future.

Watching the surging crowd, Hao Ge, who had just established his grand ambitions, suddenly felt a bit nervous again and hurriedly added a sentence.

"We only need 200 people, okay? We can't afford to feed more, so don't go introducing all your relatives and friends!"

His voice had already been drowned out in the sea of people. In just a few minutes, the number of people in the Invincible Supreme Adventurer Group had doubled, heading toward the 200-person mark.

Several players were left between laughter and tears.

Now this is great.

They had come to the surface with the idea of shaking off those dead weights, but the dead weights hanging on them were only increasing.

The expressions of Tang Mu and the others who were working on the site sank slightly, and a trace of worry arose in their hearts—would these newcomers snatch away their hard-won job opportunities?

But thinking that this was the Boss's decision, they could only suppress their dissatisfaction.

After all, those four adventurers were their benefactors, not to mention that they, who were accustomed to accepting life's hardships, were already used to obedience.

Although no one stated it clearly, in their subconscious, those four powerful adventurers had already become their de facto lords, shouldering the feudal obligations and powers of a lord.

The only difference was just a change in title.

Humans are animals with strong adaptability; once new relations of production are formed, a group of people will naturally evolve a new order to match them.

This is almost an instinct.

With the addition of new members, those who were already working on the site also felt a sense of urgency.

Including those who had just joined the site.

They all knew in their hearts that to gain a foothold here, they had to put in more effort.

Thus, everyone gritted their teeth and worked even harder, sweat rolling off their foreheads and dripping onto the land beneath their feet.

From this moment on, they were no longer just a simple rabble—

But an organized one.

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 walked over to Karl's side and sighed, saying.

"There was a bit of an accident with the situation... I'm afraid I'll have to take on two more jobs in a couple of days, and I'll have to trouble you then."

Karl laughed, his aged face glowing with health, looking full of vigor.

"How could it be a trouble? Sir, just go ahead and take the jobs. I'm not afraid of trouble; it'll be a good chance to bring along a few more apprentices."

These people were easy to talk to, and he really liked working with them.

Especially since, in his view, they were truly good people who not only had moral bottom lines but also valued tradition.

Karl steadied himself, looked at 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】, and continued with a sincere voice.

"I have an immature suggestion: if you are only taking on temporary jobs, the adventurer status is enough. But if you want to grow the business, it's best to register a company. This way, taxes are easier to handle, and you can simplify some processes when drafting contracts."

"I am planning that matter." 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 nodded slightly. "What do you think of the name 'Invincible Group'?"

Karl was stunned for a moment, held it in for a long time, and gave an ambiguous evaluation.

"Uh, I think... there's nothing wrong with it."

Anyway, a name is just a title.

Moreover, compared to this gentleman's own name, the company's name wasn't strange at all; at most, it was a bit ostentatious, but it didn't reach the level of overstepping.

【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 showed a satisfied smile on his face.

"Then it's decided."

Up until now, no one had discovered their identity as synthetic humans; it seems their infiltration into Lei Ming City was quite successful.

Perhaps...

Growing bigger and stronger wouldn't be a bad idea either.

He suddenly wanted to test the limits of this game.

And test his own limits while he was at it...

Horace stood outside the construction site, looking at the bustling scene and the two people chatting in a friendly manner. He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, his wariness toward that 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 increasing by a few notches.

Over 200 people...

At its peak, the Gray Snake Gang only had twenty or thirty people. What is this guy planning to do by gathering such a large group? Open a factory?

In this day and age, even adventurers are starting to get involved in the new factory district business—the sun must be rising from the west!

Muttering to himself, he shook his head, turned, and left the construction site, returning to his textile factory.

At this very moment, whether it was 【Rich Man Who Eats Dirt】 himself, the workers busy on the site, the departing Horace, or everyone else, none of them realized that a new condensation nucleus was gradually taking shape.

It was like a seed, just like many other seeds, that had fallen onto the soil outside Lei Ming City—soil irrigated with flesh and blood—where it would take root, sprout, and grow wildly...