Dawn of a New Era

Chapter 759 - 732: Non-Naturalized Individuals

Time flies by swiftly.

In the month of September,

a mid-level Divine Power Barbarian God, uninformed of current events, invaded the Middle East, causing millions of people to suffer, with lives devastated.

The local government urgently requested aid from Great Xia Country.

Chen Shouyi personally made a trip there, transforming into a Giant under the watchful eyes of many onlookers, easily vanquishing the Barbarian God and taking away the Divine Corpse.

The surrounding Barbarian Gods were all intimidated, not daring to even harbor secret intentions from that point on.

Meanwhile, on the Great Xia Country’s side, it was only briefly mentioned in the People’s Daily to boost the morale of the populace.

But the effect?

Less than satisfactory.

At least the increase in believers was minimal.

The strength of President Chen couldn’t surprise the people much anymore.

It could even be said they were "numb."

To ordinary people, Barbarian Gods seemed just that, anyway, seeing President Chen easily disposing of Barbarian Gods frequently.

No matter how shocking, no matter how unbelievable, when witnessed too often, it’s not surprising anymore.

Even the authorities felt the same.

When the powerful Lord of Lightning was defeated, what’s surprising about killing a mid-level Divine Power Barbarian God?

No blinking an eye.

As for Father Chen and Mrs. Chen, they were even calmer.

...

During dinner.

"When did you go to the Middle East? Why didn’t I know?" Chen Dawei asked in confusion.

"Went yesterday afternoon," Chen Shouyi swallowed his food and said, "and returned before evening."

"You weren’t hurt, were you?" Mrs. Chen inquired.

"No issues, not a scratch on me."

After that, no more words were exchanged, causing the words Chen Shouyi originally wanted to say to be swallowed down.

He couldn’t help but glance at his sister and parents, who were eating quietly.

Aren’t you at all surprised, not at all shocked?

This was a mid-level Divine Power Barbarian God.

I fought quite hard, you know?

...

It was just starting to dawn.

On the street.

Ruan Xiong, dressed in Martial Arts Uniform, a long sword hanging at his waist, holding a bow case in his hand, walked briskly towards the passage entrance.

He was not from Great Xia Country but from Luoyue Country.

Back when he flowed in with the refugees entering Great Xia Country, he was dispersed and settled in Zhonghai. At that time, the situation was still unclear, and to be able to return in the future, he chose to retain his nationality when considering joining citizenship.

For this decision, he regretted it countless times.

Unfortunately, there’s no medicine for regret in this world.

As policies tightened, the immigration window had closed.

The kind of situation where merely fleeing into Great Xia Country and taking a simple oath could grant one citizenship had long ceased to be possible.

Also, the citizenship conditions have become increasingly rigorous.

For example, needing to reside continuously for 12 years and pass various assessments, including language (scientific researchers, engineers, doctors, and Martial Artists recognized by Great Xia Country can have terms reduced).

Or serving three years in the military and showing good conduct for two years after discharge without a bad record.

Or making outstanding contributions.

...

And he was just a strong Martial Artist; although he had reduced years, he still needed to reside for six years.

Unless he made an outstanding contribution in a major crisis or became a Martial Artist, a long wait awaited him.

There is still a significant difference between citizens and non-citizens.

Firstly, the tax rate is higher; with the same salary, the tax rate is higher by twenty percent.

Secondly, they cannot enjoy the welfare of compulsory education and pensions in Great Xia Country.

Lastly, they cannot become public officials except by joining the army.

But no matter what, living in Great Xia Country is still much better than in Luoyue Country, with sufficient material supplies, a comfortable life, and a prosperous city. Even with his strength, living well in Luoyue Country, and possibly better because of the shortage of strong Martial Artist level personnel there, one thing is incomparable.

That is a sense of security.

Only those who have experienced war and fear know the value of peace.

Especially for someone like him with a family to care for.

Even if he died, his family could live well here.

...

Ruan Xiong walked to the cafeteria hall in the base, where it was bustling and noisy.

Many people were having breakfast.

There were white people, black people, and yellow-skinned people inside.

Ruan Xiong ordered a full plate of breakfast and sat at a table.

"Ah Xiong, you’re here."

It was his fellow countryman, Li Lin, who spoke. The other person hadn’t joined citizenship either, sharing a similar plight, making the relationship closer.

Ruan Xiong nodded, picked up a bun, stuffed it into his mouth, and glanced at the cafeteria: "Are more people being recruited?"

"The wages here are high, and there’s not much risk." Li Lin enviously glanced at several Great Xia Country people and said, "Even those strong Martial Artists of Great Xia Country are attracted here."

"Just wonder how long they can do it?" Ruan Xiong sighed.

Employment positions for non-citizen Martial Artists are narrow, some institutional work is isolated from them, others either involve martial arts training or venturing into alien worlds.

"I asked those in the military; it should last a fairly long time, as Great Xia Country seems prepared to penetrate the entire forest."

"Could it be for road construction?" Ruan Xiong said, laughing at his own joke.

That forest is vast, spanning not just hundreds, but thousands of kilometers; unless Great Xia Country is crazy.

"Haha, maybe it really is."

...

In the alien world.

The machinery roared.

Thirty to forty tracked steam logging engineering vehicles lined up, each wielding chainsaws, frantically cutting down trees.

Trees fell one after another.

Emitting earth-shattering sounds.

In the dense forest, a massive corridor, hundreds of meters wide and several kilometers long, had been developed.

There are five such projects in Great Xia Country, preparing for a potential mass migration and all placed in Zhonghai. The reason is naturally because General Manager Chen is stationed there, capable of handling issues immediately if they arise.

In fact, such trouble is unnecessary at all.

If only Chen Shouyi is willing.

Even just walking normally, he would only need a few days to carve out a corridor thousands of kilometers long in the forest.

But the authorities didn’t wish to trouble Chen Shouyi with such a "trivial matter."