Hunter of Mysterious Creature

Chapter 779 56: Dragon City (Part 2)

"The hunter rankings initially started as an unofficial list made by some idle media. As its influence gradually expanded, the authorities conveniently acknowledged its legitimacy... But in reality, the so-called legitimacy of this ranking is merely a joke." Candle Dragon continued.

"But don't a lot of researchers and hunters often refer to these rankings?" Sun Hang asked.

"That's because this is the only list that clearly compares and ranks hunters' combat power now," Candle Dragon said. "For example, suppose a forbidden research project at Dubhe Tower created a 'hunter' that can maintain a stable state for only thirty seconds. And this hunter can instantly defeat the current top-ranked hunter at first glance. Do you think this hunter, with a 'life span' of only thirty seconds, deserves to sit atop the rankings?"

"...Now that you put it that way, it kind of makes sense," Sun Hang muttered. "Speaking of which, does such forbidden research really exist?"

"Ahem... I was just giving an example. For such matters, you're better off asking the main brain than me," Candle Dragon realized he misspoke and quickly changed the subject. "Besides that, there are many low-profile hunters who don't want to be summoned frequently or attract unnecessary attention. They prefer not to appear on this list. Of course, they might be on some lesser-known rankings, but very few people know about these lists, and the data on them is utterly unreliable."

"You've mentioned so much, but where exactly can we recruit these so-called 'hidden experts' not found on the list?"

"The entrance to Hexi Corridor, Dragon City," Candle Dragon said. "The Hexi Corridor is adjacent to the northwest border, and it's currently the most active region for mysterious creatures within the Federation, bar none. The frequency of mysterious creatures appearing there even surpasses that under the eternal night of Shuzhou, but because the Hexi Corridor is sparsely populated, it doesn't seem as evident as Shuzhou."

"Dragon City..." Sun Hang suddenly recalled a line from a poem, "But if Dragon City's flying generals remain, no Hu horses dare cross the Yin Mountains."

Dragon City is located northwest of Chang'an and was once a border area of Ancient Huaxia. Later, as the territory of the Xiazhou Federation expanded drastically northwest, Dragon City transformed from a border city into an inland city.

But after the mysterious creature wars concluded, Dragon City once again became a border fortress, turning into a military stronghold for the Xiazhou Federation in the northwest region.

"Due to the unique nature of the Hexi Corridor, many free hunters gather there to 'take jobs.' If we're talking about where in the Xiazhou Federation has the most mysterious creature hunters gathered, other than Chunming City, it's Dragon City," Candle Dragon said. "You might want to try your luck over there... Anyway, we have another six months."

"Alright, so when do we set off?"

"This afternoon," Candle Dragon said. "I have a few acquaintances in Dragon City, and with their networks, we can reach many resident free hunters there."

"Okay." Sun Hang nodded.

"You're going to Dragon City?" Wang Xiyi, sitting beside, glanced at him and asked.

"Yeah, Candle Dragon said we can recruit powerful hunters over there, so might as well check it out," Sun Hang said. "If nothing else, just drag the top one to ten ranked hunters over to Egypt."

"That place, Dragon City..."

"Why, are you going to Dragon City?"

"Never been, but I've heard from hunters who've been there say, although it's also a border city, it's completely different from Tianfu City," Wang Xiyi said. "Tianfu City still resembles a bustling metropolis, whereas Dragon City is completely just an army camp. The people there are tough and martial... in other words, the security situation isn't great."

"With so many troops stationed there, how can the security situation be bad?"

"Not the kind of bad you think, but the people there... like to resolve problems through duels."

"Duels? We're in the Huangli year 4700, not 2700, right?"

"Many refugees from the Central Asia Region and original inhabitants from Xiazhou's northwest have settled in Dragon City, making the religious situation there incredibly complex. And the garrison least wants to interfere with those religious disputes," Wang Xiyi said. "But one good thing is, despite the frequent friction between people of different beliefs, when mysterious creature invasions occur, they unite against the outsiders—regardless of their usual conflicts, they set them aside during crises. If anyone dares stab their comrades in the back during an enemy attack, they'd face collective assault, irrespective of race or belief. It's become an unwritten rule in Dragon City."

"That's pretty good," Sun Hang commented.

"Do you need me to accompany you?" Wang Xiyi asked again.

"Candle Dragon is enough. Many hunters who came for support have left Shuzhou, and Tianfu City needs a top force to stay," Sun Hang shook his head. "Dragon City's people are tough, but they can't possibly kill me, can they?"

"True, you're practically an indestructible little bug. There's no need to worry," Wang Xiyi said, looking at Sun Hang. "Though I won't join you for Dragon City, you must take me when you go to Egypt later."

"Alright."

...

After calling Yang Qi to report his travel plans, Sun Hang headed to the airport to board a specially prepared small aircraft—civil aviation routes between Tianfu City and other federation city-states have not yet opened. To fly out, you either need to go to the military airport or apply for a private plane with the transportation department.

Sun Hang and Candle Dragon agreed to meet in Chang'an and then proceed together to Dragon City.

The reason they didn't meet directly in Dragon City was firstly because landing directly at Dragon City airport required many cumbersome procedures, and secondly, Candle Dragon told Sun Hang that if you want to find someone to do business in Dragon City, it's best to bring some authentic Xinghua Village Fen Wine—which is genuine 'currency' over there.

Xinghua Village Fen Wine is produced in Jinyang, but Jinyang is quite far from Dragon City. Fortunately, Chang'an is one of the most bustling cities in the northwest, and Xinghua Village Fen Wine has a counter here too.

The two bought several boxes of Xinghua Village Fen Wine in Chang'an and stashed them in the trunk. Candle Dragon also bought more than ten packs of fine cigarettes, filling the remaining trunk space before they left Chang'an and drove along the national road towards Dragon City.

"So is there anything I should be aware of in Dragon City?" Sun Hang, sitting in the passenger seat, asked. "Mr. Wang told me the people in Dragon City are tough and like to resolve things with duels. Am I going to accidentally get thrown a white glove because I stepped with my left foot first?"

"It's not that exaggerated." Candle Dragon instantly laughed. "Nowadays, even among civilians, duels are rare. Night Slayer was probably just bluffed; those are just hearsay stories, embellished through word of mouth, leading people from inland cities to genuinely believe Dragon City has daily fatalities... In fact, throughout the past year, there were less than ten private conflict cases in Dragon City, mostly due to mercenaries and free hunters splitting 'spoils' unevenly. Plus, we're official personnel, so even if they're blind, they'd dare not provoke us."

"But I... I'm not... I'm not a government official. Will they provoke me..." A timid voice came from the backseat.

This time, Sun Hang brought no one, except Xue Yue.

Since dealing with people and negotiating was necessary, Xue Yue's ability was absolutely like having a cheat code—even if someone was accidentally angered, as long as Xue Yue intervened, even the most furious person would calm down again.