Chapter 654 Registering as a Hunter

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

The landlady nodded and pointed to the sofa. "Have a seat first."

After saying that, she turned to the little boy and smacked him on the head, yelling, "All you do all day is watch cartoons, just like your sister. You're both useless. Go get tea."

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

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

So much pressure, both as a landlady and 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. It's not that I'm prejudiced, but different lifestyles and cultures often mean trouble. I'd rather rent to someone from my hometown."

Zhang Yuanqing sensed her emotions. When the landlady said, "It's not that I'm prejudiced," there was obvious prejudice and resistance in her tone.

Is this the legendary, "I hate two kinds of people: racists and..." Zhang Yuanqing silently thought.

Zhang Yuanqing sighed. "To be honest, this is my first time in the Free Federation, and seeing all the black and white chocolate on the streets makes me uncomfortable. Only coming here makes me feel relaxed, like I'm back home."

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

The landlady's attitude indeed improved. She said:

"How about this, I'll ask you a few questions and then decide whether to rent the apartment."

Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "Go ahead."

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

New York County's laws heavily protect tenants, who are considered a vulnerable group, so squatters and renters who don't pay are common.

In situations like the landlady's, the main concern is squatters. For example, they pay for one month's rent and then refuse to leave. It's very troublesome for the landlady to evict them.

Therefore, when renting out an apartment, the landlady will strictly screen potential tenants, only renting to qualified ones, preferably those with a good income, stable job, and Free Federation citizenship, because such tenants are subject to credit scores.

Foreigners, on the other hand, don't have these restrictions and can simply stay until their visa expires and leave the Free Federation.

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

"No, I've already graduated from university. I came to New York County to accompany my girlfriend, and also to look for a job. We won't be staying too long, at least six months, 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 has lived in the country for many years. She's from Wind City, and doesn't really have any friends in New York County. We also don't have the habit of throwing parties. You don't have to worry about unsavory people coming to the apartment."

If he were to position Annie as an assistant, her identity would be a bit exaggerated. He didn't want the landlady asking too many questions, and making up lies would also be troublesome.

The landlady nodded noncommittally. "What university did you go to?"

"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, "For three generations, my family has been in the law enforcement system."

The landlady nodded repeatedly, confirming that this was a qualified customer, and said:

"I have no problem. You can stay. But there are a few rules I need to say in advance. First, no noise after 10 pm. My daughter is taking the college entrance exam next year. Second, no parties in the apartment. You can invite friends over, but they must leave before 10 pm. Third, all the furniture and appliances in the apartment are complete. If you want to add furniture, especially large equipment that needs to be installed, you must ask me for permission first. If the electrical appliances are damaged, you can tell me, and I will take care of 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 requires rent to be paid monthly, and the deposit can only be a maximum of 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 near the balcony with good lighting, a master bedroom, a guest room, a study, and two bathrooms separated into wet and dry areas.

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

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

"You can prepare your own toiletries. There are clean sheets, blankets, and pillowcases in the bedroom cabinets. You can use them, or you can buy new ones yourself. Anyway, just let me know if you have any problems." The landlady handed the keys to Annie and turned to leave.

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

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

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

After she finished the list, she said:

"Master, I'd like to shower 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 on the bed, and then opened the chat app, changing his ID to "Tongtian Jiaozhu."

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

[Sun Miaomiao: Huh, 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: Took his girlfriend abroad, how is he going to enjoy the foreign women? Ahahaha.]

Hongjige offended three girls in the group with one sentence.

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

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

Also, this trip abroad wasn't for sightseeing, but to do something significant. Having a girlfriend around would be a burden and a mental encumbrance.

For the same reasons, Xiaoyuan, 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 abroad?]

[Xiaoyuan: Be careful. Don't provoke the official organizations abroad. 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 foreign world (doge)]

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

[It's not bad to go abroad to avoid the limelight. If I have time, I'll get a disguise prop and go abroad to play too.]

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

Fu Qingyang replied succinctly: [Be careful.]

With Yuanshi's current rank, it's difficult for anyone below the Master level to threaten him. Masters are few in number and represent high-ranking existences among the Way of the Extraordinary.

As long as Yuanshi doesn't try to rush the headquarters of the Sea God Church, the Heaven's Wrath branch, or break into the gathering place of evil organizations, he should be safe.

In the morning, Annie and Zhang Yuanqing left the apartment.

Annie wore a short trench coat, dark jeans, and a pair of low heels, covering her exquisite face with sunglasses and a mask. Her golden curls were tied into a neat ponytail.

Unlike Zhang Yuanqing's imagination of "chaotic bars" and "dark underground castles," the address of the Bounty Hunter Guild's New York County branch was located on the 48th floor of a building called "Moelter" in the Queens district.

The walls here were covered in marble, the floor was polished and shiny, there was bright lighting and a beautiful receptionist with brown hair and brown eyes, and there were security personnel in suits and ties.

It looked like a highly exclusive and private club.

Annie, stepping on her black low heels, walked to the front desk and said:

"We're here to register as Bounty Hunter members. We don't have a member introduction."

The tall receptionist immediately stood up and smiled.

"Please follow me!"

The two followed the OL-dressed female receptionist to a well-decorated reception room. After the female receptionist served two cups of coffee, she said:

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

She bowed with a smile and 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 gaunt 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 contact. Are you two registering 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 confirm your identity."

He took out a grip strength tester from his pocket and said, "Sir, if you're a Strength-type class, please use this to test. If you're a Mental-type or have special abilities, you can demonstrate them on the spot."

Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment. Using a skill would reveal 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 grip strength tester instantly soared to 500kg, which was beyond human limits.

Joseph smiled.

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

He got up and left. Half a minute later, he returned with the relevant application materials.

Joseph handed the form to Zhang Yuanqing, saying:

"You can fill in the Way of the Extraordinary ID, class, and level as you like. The guild doesn't care about that. Our registration fee is 20,000 Free Federation dollars per year. If you have a member introduction, you can get a 50% discount.

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

After listening to Annie's translation, Zhang Yuanqing asked:

"Do I have to pay taxes?"

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

Annie translated in a low voice, and then said: "Heaven's Wrath has a department that liaises with the Federal Tax Authority, specifically responsible for the tax issues of The Way of the Extraordinary."

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

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

"You don't have to worry about taxes. We'll pay them for you before we issue the commission," Joseph said. "The guild has a dedicated app. Please download it. Once the registration is complete, I'll give you your exclusive code. After you log in to the app, you can accept tasks on your phone."

You don't need to worry about that. I'd actually like to match wits with your Federal Tax Authority! Zhang Yuanqing nodded while slandering in his mind.

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 your level. Whether you're Transcendent or Saint, or even a Master, you must accumulate points."

"Bronze tasks are divided into three stages. Low-level tasks are within 10 points, mid-level tasks are within 20 points, and high-level tasks are within 30 points. A Bronze task is worth a maximum of 30 points. You can learn about the Silver and Gold point systems on the app."

"Also, newly registered members cannot actively accept tasks. We'll push tasks to you within three days. You must complete the trial task before you can truly become a Bronze Hunter. As for the commission payment method, we have a dedicated partner bank. The commission will be credited to your bank card on time. You don't need to be named for withdrawing money with the bank card issued by the guild. You only need to enter the 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 close to his ear and translated in a low voice.

The forms can be filled out as you like, no need for real names, and the bank cards are also issued by the guild. The confidentiality is indeed high. Evil classes can also 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...

Well, there must be gains and losses... Zhang Yuanqing said, "Annie, pay the membership fee."

At 11:00 a.m., the two finished registering, had lunch at a high-end restaurant, and Annie took him to the supermarket to buy the items on the list.

At 4:00 p.m., they took a taxi back to Chinatown.

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

The app interface was purely in English. Although Zhang Yuanqing's spoken English was not good, as a top student at Songhai University, he had no problem with reading comprehension.

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

Zhang Yuanqing clicked on the Gold leaderboard and saw that one of the tasks was: Assassinate Boreas, the Chief Executive Officer of Heaven's Wrath.

The top ten tasks were all similarly outrageous.

The prices were also outrageous, 99.9 billion Free Federation dollars.

Note: The tasks on the leaderboard are valid for three months. If they are not completed within three months, the tasks will be automatically cancelled.

"Well, killing a Demigod would set you up for life, but it seems like someone who can kill a Demigod wouldn't have to worry about running out of money. These tasks are completely invalid tasks."

At this moment, the doorbell rang.