Chapter 654 Registering as a Hunter

"I'm from Songhai," Zhang Yuanqing replied. "It's written in the information."

The landlady nodded and pointed to the sofa. "Sit down first."

After saying that, she faced the little boy and slapped him on the head, roaring, "All you know is watching cartoons, just like your sister, you're good for nothing. Go pour tea."

She picked up the remote control on the coffee table and turned off the TV.

The little boy seemed used to being slapped. He straightened up, slid off the sofa, ran to the water dispenser to pour two glasses of water for Zhang Yuanqing and Annie, and then scurried into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Such pressure, whether as a landlord or a mother... Zhang Yuanqing took a sip of water.

The landlady smoothed her nightgown and sat down opposite them, like an HR representative from a Fortune 500 company, scrutinizing them as she spoke:

"To be honest, when I saw you with a foreign woman, I didn't want to rent the apartment to you. I'm not discriminating, but different lifestyles and cultures often mean trouble. I'd rather rent the apartment to someone from my hometown."

Zhang Yuanqing sensed her emotions. When the landlady said "I'm not discriminating," her emotions clearly showed discrimination and resistance.

Is this the legendary, 'I hate two kinds of people, those who are racist, and niggers?' Zhang Yuanqing silently scoffed.

Zhang Yuanqing sighed, "To be honest, this is my first time in the Free Federation. Seeing all the dark chocolate and white chocolate on the streets makes me uncomfortable. Only here do I feel comfortable, like I've returned home."

After saying this, he sensed that the landlady's irritable emotions had eased, and she felt a great sense of agreement.

The landlady's attitude did improve, and she said:

"Okay, I'll ask you a few questions, then decide whether to rent the apartment or not."

Zhang Yuanqing nodded, "Please ask."

Zhang Yuanqing could completely understand the landlady's caution. Annie had told him about some of the "local customs" of New York County on the way.

New York County's laws heavily protect tenants, who are considered a vulnerable group, so there are many people who try to live for free or steal apartments.

In situations like the landlady's, the main concern is people trying to live for free. For example, they pay one month's rent, then refuse to leave the apartment. It's very troublesome for the landlord to evict them.

Therefore, when renting out apartments, landlords will strictly screen applicants, only renting to high-quality tenants, preferably those with good income, stable jobs, and Free Federation citizenship, because these tenants are constrained by their credit scores.

Foreigners don't have these restrictions, and they can simply stay until their visas expire, then leave the Free Federation.

The landlady asked, "You don't look very old, are you here to study abroad?"

"No, I've already graduated from university. I'm here in New York County with my girlfriend, and to look for a job. We won't stay for too long, at least half a year, at most a year." Zhang Yuanqing looked at the blonde beauty beside him:

"This is my girlfriend, Annie. She's a foreign language teacher at our university, and she's lived in the country for many years, she's from Fengcheng. She doesn't really have any friends in New York County, and we don't have a habit of throwing parties. You don't have to worry about unsavory people coming to the apartment often."

If Annie was positioned as an assistant, her identity would be a bit exaggerated. He didn't want the landlady to ask too many questions, and it was a lot of trouble to make up lies.

The landlady nodded noncommittally. "What university did you attend?"

"Songhai University!" Zhang Yuanqing said.

"Songhai University..." The landlady immediately smiled, very satisfied with the tenant's education.

She then asked, "What does your family do?"

Zhang Yuanqing said, "Three generations of my family have been in the security system."

The landlady nodded repeatedly, confirming that this was a high-quality customer who met her requirements, and said:

"I have no problem with it. You can stay here, but I need to tell you a few rules in advance. First, don't make noise after ten o'clock at night. My daughter will be taking the university entrance exam next year. Second, no parties in the apartment. You can invite friends over, but they must leave before ten o'clock at night. Third, the furniture and appliances in the apartment are all complete. If you want to add furniture, especially large appliances that need to be installed, you must apply to me, and I must agree. If the appliances are damaged, you can tell me, and I will be responsible for handling it."

Zhang Yuanqing smiled, "No problem!"

The landlady took out a standard contract. After both parties signed it, Zhang Yuanqing paid half a year's rent and three months' deposit in one go.

It's worth mentioning that in New York County, the law stipulates that rent must be paid monthly, and the deposit can be up to one month's rent.

Zhang Yuanqing's priority now was to settle down and reassure the landlady, so he chose to "take a loss."

After receiving the money, the landlady led the two to room 403. The layout here consisted of a living room, a dining room with good lighting near the balcony, a master bedroom, a guest room, a study, and two bathrooms with wet and dry separation.

The kitchen was open-plan, next to the living room.

The furniture and appliances were all complete. It was both warm and comfortable for two people to live in, and the soundproofing was very good.

"Prepare your own daily necessities. There are clean sheets, quilts, and pillowcases in the bedroom closet. You can use them, or you can buy new ones yourself. Just come to me if you have any problems," the landlady said, handing the key to Annie and turning to leave.

Zhang Yuanqing walked through the dining room to the balcony, bathed in the sunlight, and looked out over this unfamiliar city.

Annie began to make the bed, arrange toiletries, and then sat on the sofa in the living room, making a shopping list.

The boss's daily necessities included pajamas, spare sheets, pillowcases, razors, toothpaste, skin care products, condoms, etc.

After she finished the list, she said:

"Leader, I want to take a bath first, then go out shopping. In the afternoon, we'll go to the Bounty Hunter Guild to register."

"You arrange it," Zhang Yuanqing said.

He entered the master bedroom, opened the window, lay down on the bed, and then opened the chat app, changing his ID to "Tongtian Jiaozhu." (Leader of the Heavens Sect)

[Tongtian Jiaozhu: I've arrived in New York County, everything is going smoothly.]

[Sun Miaomiao: Oh, you changed your name?]

[Xiahou Aotian: I just saw Guan Ya leading a team on a mission today. Why didn't you two go abroad together?]

[Hongjige (Red Chicken Bro): Taking your girlfriend abroad, how can you enjoy foreign chicks? Ahahaha.]

Hongjige (Red Chicken Bro)'s one sentence offended three girls in the group.

Guan Ya originally wanted to come along, follow the chicken if you marry a chicken, but Zhang Yuanqing refused. On the one hand, Fu Qingyang was forming an investigation department and a judicial department, and needed high-quality talent to assist.

Guan Ya, as a level 5 Saint, was considered elite talent.

Furthermore, this trip abroad was not for sightseeing, but to start a business. Having a girlfriend by his side would be a burden and a mental drag.

For the same reasons, Xiao Yuan, Xie Lingxi, and the Queen were not brought along.

[Tongtian Jiaozhu: @Sun Miaomiao, nonsense, if I didn't change my name, would I call myself Yuanshi Tianzun (The Celestial Worthy of Origin) abroad?]

[Xiao Yuan: Be careful, don't provoke the official organizations overseas. You don't have a backer now.]

After chatting for a while, he exited the gang group and clicked on the "Three-Eyed Demon Child" cartoon avatar.

[Tongtian Jiaozhu: Demon Eye Heavenly King, I'm going to cleanse the world overseas (doge)]

Demon Eye replied with a series of question marks, then said:

[Going abroad to avoid the limelight is also good. When I have time, I'll get a disguise item and go abroad to play.]

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhang Yuanqing reported his itinerary, residential address, and the tasks from his sugar daddy to Fu Qingyang.

Fu Qingyang replied succinctly: [Be careful.]

With Yuanshi's current status, anything below a Ruler could hardly threaten him, and Rulers were rare, high-level existences among Spirit Realm practitioners.

As long as Yuanshi didn't court death by attacking the Sea God Church headquarters, the Heavenly Punishment branch, or barging into the gathering place of evil organizations, he would generally be safe.

In the morning, Annie and Zhang Yuanqing left the rental house.

Annie was wearing a short trench coat, dark jeans, and low-heeled shoes, using sunglasses and a mask to cover her exquisite face, and her blonde curls were tied into a neat ponytail.

Unlike what Zhang Yuanqing had imagined as a "chaotic bar" or "dark underground castle," the Bounty Hunter Guild's New York County branch was located on the 48th floor of a building called "Molte" in Queens.

The walls here were covered in marble, the floor was shiny and reflective, with bright lights and a beautiful front desk with brown hair and brown eyes, and security personnel in suits and ties.

It looked like a high-end, highly private club.

Annie walked to the front desk in her black low-heeled shoes, and said:

"We are here to register as bounty hunter members, we don't have a member referral."

The tall front desk immediately stood up and smiled:

"Please come with me!"

The two followed the OL-dressed front desk lady to a finely decorated reception room. After the front desk lady served two cups of coffee, she said:

"Please wait a moment, I'll go get the client manager."

She bowed with a smile, then exited the reception room.

In less than three minutes, a middle-aged man in a suit and tie with slicked-back hair and a thin face knocked on the glass door.

He introduced himself in a gentle voice:

"My name is Hal Joseph, I'm responsible for member registration and communication. Are you two registering as members together, or just the lady, or the gentleman?"

Annie said: "This is my boss. He wants to become a bounty hunter, Mr. Joseph, we have things to do this afternoon, let's hurry."

Joseph nodded, pulled out a chair and sat down, saying:

"First, I need to verify your identity."

He took out a dynamometer from his pocket and said, "Sir, if you are a strength-based class, please use this to test. If you are mental or have special abilities, you can demonstrate on the spot."

Zhang Yuanqing thought about it. Using skills would expose his class, so he chose to do the grip strength test.

He immediately picked up the tester on the table, held it in his hand, and gently exerted force.

The value on the special dynamometer instantly soared to 500kg, which was already beyond the human limit.

Joseph smiled:

"Please wait a moment, I'll go prepare the forms."

He got up and left. Half a minute later, he brought the corresponding application materials.

Joseph handed the form to Zhang Yuanqing and said:

"You can fill in your Spirit Realm ID, class, and level as you like. The guild doesn't care about those things. Our registration fee is 20,000 Federal coins per year. If you have a member referral, you can get a 50% discount.

"If you don't have the money, you can choose to do three bronze-level tasks for the guild for free to offset the membership fee. Then there's the commission issue. The guild will take a commission for every task completed by a member. Bronze hunters are charged 30%, Silver hunters are charged 20%, and Gold hunters are charged 10%."

After Zhang Yuanqing listened to Annie's translation, he asked:

"Do I have to pay taxes?"

"Of course!" Joseph shrugged. "On the territory of the Free Federation, whether you're a drug lord, arms dealer, gangster, or evil class, you have to pay taxes, otherwise the Federal Tax Bureau will let you know what justice is."

Annie translated in a low voice, then said, "The Heavenly Punishment has a department that liaisons with the Federal Tax Bureau, specifically responsible for the tax issues of Spirit Realm practitioners."

This fits my understanding... Zhang Yuanqing muttered silently.

This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading!

"You don't have to worry about taxes, we will pay the fees for you before distributing the commission," Joseph said. "The guild has a dedicated App, please download it. After the registration is complete, I will tell you your exclusive code. After you log in to the app, you can accept tasks on your mobile phone."

You don't have to go to the trouble, I really want to fight wits with your Federal Tax Bureau! Zhang Yuanqing nodded and slandered in his heart.

Joseph continued, "Also, let me tell you about the bounty hunter's point system. Bronze hunters need 100 points to upgrade to Silver, and Silver hunters need 1000 points to upgrade to Gold. This has nothing to do with level. Whether you are a Transcendent or a Saint, even a Ruler, you must accumulate points properly."

"Bronze missions are divided into three stages: low-level missions are within 10 points, intermediate-level missions are within 20 points, and high-level missions are within 30 points. A bronze mission has a maximum of 30 points. You can learn about the silver and gold point system on the app."

"Also, newly registered members cannot actively accept missions. We will push missions to you within three days. You must complete the trial mission to truly become a bronze hunter. As for the method of distributing commissions, we have a dedicated cooperative bank. The commission will be transferred to your bank card on time. You don't need real-name authentication to withdraw money with the bank card issued by the guild, you only need to enter your password."

"If you don't want to use a bank card, you can also come to the guild to collect cash, but you need to make an appointment."

You're talking too fast, I didn't understand much, can you speak slower... Zhang Yuanqing pretended to listen seriously.

Annie leaned into his ear and translated in a low voice.

The form can be filled in as you like, no need for real-name registration, and the bank card is also issued by the guild, the confidentiality is indeed very high, even evil classes can register, but in this way, the power of life and death is entirely in the hands of the guild, the guild can completely freeze the bank card...

Tsk tsk, you have to give something to get something… Zhang Yuanqing said, "Annie, pay the membership fee."

At eleven o'clock at noon, the two completed the registration, had lunch at a high-end restaurant, and Annie took him to the supermarket to buy the items on the list.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, they took a taxi back to Chinatown.

Zhang Yuanqing had just finished showering, changed his clothes, and took out the new phone Annie bought, opening the Bounty Hunter Guild's app.

The app interface was in pure English. Although Zhang Yuanqing's spoken English wasn't great, as a top student at Songhai University, reading comprehension was no problem.

The Bounty Hunter Guild's app was very simple, with three leaderboards: Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

Zhang Yuanqing clicked on the Gold leaderboard and saw that one of the missions was: Assassinate Borea, the Chief Executive Officer of Heavenly Punishment.

The top ten missions were all pretty much this outrageous.

The prices were also outrageous, 99.9 billion Federal coins.

Note: The validity period of the missions on the leaderboard is three months. If they are not completed within three months, the missions will be automatically withdrawn.

"Tsk tsk, killing a demigod would ensure you're worry-free for life, but people who can kill demigods don't seem to need to worry about running out of money. These missions are completely invalid."

At this moment, the doorbell rang.