"Right, what else would we use if not our Dragon Squad identification tokens?"
Li Chonglou asked in surprise, "Then why don't I have one?"
"Ah?"
Long Shi truly hadn't known about Li Chonglou not having a Dragon Squad identification token, but he quickly figured it out.
"Well, perhaps it's related to your special circumstances, Shi Yi. Since you've been here, have you ever been assigned a mandatory mission?"
Long Shi said calmly, and Li Chonglou shook his head. He really hadn't. Although the identities of other Dragon Squad members were classified, his was the most special, so special that he wouldn't even be assigned missions.
Otherwise, no matter how well his identity was kept secret, as soon as a mission was issued, someone would inevitably discover it.
Long Shi stated matter-of-factly, "That's why. We're different from you."
Long Shi's expression suddenly became a bit helpless.
"Each of us has at least one exclusive mission every month. It's mandatory, and you can't refuse it."
So that's how it was.
Li Chonglou suddenly understood, but he also felt a different kind of emotion, as if he wasn't a true Dragon Squad member.
However, even so, Captain Long Yi had gone to such lengths for him, making this favor even more precious.
Li Chonglou sighed, realizing that the possibility of returning to his original life after this was slim.
The matter of the Civilian Assembly had completely disrupted Li Chonglou's original plans.
Even if the Supervisory Assembly passed smoothly, upon his return, he would have to face the choice of what to do with his company.
In fact, Li Chonglou had already made his choice.
When he decided to let Chen Pao and the others go to the underground world, he had already made preparations for the company's future.
However, all of this depended on the Supervisory Assembly passing smoothly. For now, the most important thing for him was the current Supervisory Assembly.
Soon, Li Chonglou encountered the two guards from before.
Li Chonglou had initially intended to settle accounts with them, as they hadn't explained any rules to him at the time, leaving him inexplicably indebted to others.
However, when he saw their appearances, the words that had reached his throat were swallowed back down.
"Are you... under attack?"
The two men quickly averted their gaze. Old Tie, with his petty nature, hadn't held back at all when he attacked them!
They were still bruised and swollen even now.
"If there's nothing else, hurry inside. You're not new here, so we won't lead the way."
Li Chonglou glared, "What? You have a guiding function?"
"Cough, hurry inside. It's getting late, and the tavern might be empty."
Long Shi's expression changed. It wouldn't do for it to be empty. According to the rules, to enter the underground world, one had to pass through the Red Coast, otherwise, it could lead to big trouble.
"Let's go, Shi Yi. We'll talk about anything later."
Long Shi said as he pulled Li Chonglou inside. The latter glared at the two guards, who completely acted as if they hadn't seen him, making Li Chonglou's teeth itch with anger.
However, the business at hand was more important, so Li Chonglou could only put this aside for now. After Long Shi pulled him into the tavern, there was still one person guarding it.
This was a strict rule of the Red Coast. When no one was guarding the tavern, the last person to leave had to ensure the next person was in place before departing. Old Wang had also called someone to replace him when he left.
"Why didn't you come earlier?"
Li Chonglou hadn't met the person guarding the tavern at this moment. The crowd in the tavern back then hadn't included him; he was likely an external operative.
As soon as he saw the two appear, the guard gave a wry smile.
The man was around forty years old and dressed ordinarily, but he had a ferocious scar across his face. His build was already somewhat imposing, and this scar made him look even fiercer.
However, his fierceness had now turned into a helpless wry smile.
Long Shi asked curiously, "Why are you in such a hurry to go in?"
The Dragon Squad members, apart from Li Chonglou, had been to the underground world before and were somewhat familiar with its affairs. Thus, hearing the scarred man's words, he assumed he just wanted to use the mission to enter.
"Of course, I'm in a hurry to go in! Brother, this is the Black Spirit stage. Not to mention the treasure grounds outside the camp, there are also more异兽 (yìshòu - foreign beasts/monsters) than usual at this time."
Long Shi then remembered that the underground world had just experienced the Death Storm for the Black Spirit stage and couldn't help but say regretfully, "That's truly a shame, brother. Your luck isn't very good."
The scarred man waved his hand, "Forget it, don't mention it. I'll take you there first."
Long Shi nodded with a smile, and then followed behind him with Li Chonglou.
Li Chonglou whispered, "You know each other?"
Long Shi shook his head. "It seems you don't know the people of the Red Coast very well. Besides their missions, they also need to earn some money in their daily lives, and those who can enter generally have a certain social status."
"So, no matter who it is, as long as it's a mission, they'll be overly friendly."
Li Chonglou's eyes widened. He immediately understood something else: he had been fooled again!
Old Wang and Mei Niang had always acted like seniors in front of him, but now it seemed they were deliberately pretending because he was a newcomer!
If he had encountered an old hand, they would probably have been as amiable and polite as this scarred man!
"Shi Yi, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Li Chonglou forced a slight smile, but inwardly he was cursing profusely.
Because they were in a hurry, at Long Shi's request, the scarred man actively sped up. This attitude was a world apart from what Li Chonglou had experienced before.
When the three of them entered the underground world again through the hole beneath the ship, the sky had returned to normal.
The Black Spirit stage had passed, and the spiritual energy in the air had returned to its normal value. As long as one didn't inhale too much at once, it was beneficial and harmless to the body.
However, the scarred man sighed again.
"Should I take you to the camp?"
The scarred man suddenly asked. Long Shi shook his head, "Go tend to your business. We can manage on our own."
"Understood. Take care."
The scarred man clasped his hands in a salute and turned to leave.
Li Chonglou asked with some confusion, "What if an undercover agent comes in?"
"Don't worry, there will be records. When we entered, we were already registered. If no one reports to any of the three camps within twelve hours, they will be summoned for questioning."
"At that time, a special person will come to investigate. Those with slightly more serious situations might even be restricted from entering the underground world."
"If they are identified as undercover agents, they can expect to be hunted down."
Long Shi shrugged his shoulders. While it seemed casual, the weight behind the word "hunted" was truly immense.
It was only then that Li Chonglou realized that the entire human organizational structure of the underground world was completely interconnected, although it appeared to be divided into several factions.