Start by conquering the world with unlimited job opportunities.

Chapter 296 Bartender Fang Qingyu is online! ~(Please vote with your monthly tickets!~)

The morning light shone through the dusty window.

Several dappled beams of light were cast onto the cement floor of the simple dormitory.

Fang Qingyu opened his eyes and sat up from the hard bed.

Although the environment was simple, it was a very comfortable condition for him.

A loud yawn came from the next bed.

And there was Lu Jiuyuan's voice.

"Be content, at least you don't have to endure the wind and snow like you would on the front lines."

Soon, the group emerged from the drab, self-built house, full of energy.

The air was crisp and cold, but compared to the biting winds on the Arctic front, it was relatively mild.

In the streets and alleys, ordinary residents have already begun their busy day.

Vendors pushed creaking carts, and children chased and played on the muddy ground, creating a lively atmosphere.

The dilapidated minibus was already parked downstairs, its engine roaring.

Liu San, with a half-smoked cigarette dangling from his lips, leaned against the driver's side door. Seeing everyone come out, he immediately put on a warm smile, stubbed out his cigarette, and greeted them, "Brothers, you're right on time! Get in the car, I'll take you to the city center to broaden your horizons and take care of work while we're at it."

Chu Kuanglan was the first to jump in, plopping down in the passenger seat and grinning at Liu San, "Brother Liu, you'll have to be the driver again today!"

"Hey! Of course!"

Liu San started the car, and the dilapidated minibus bounced along the cracked road. He carefully avoided pedestrians and debris while looking at the people in the back seat through the rearview mirror and asked, "By the way, you said yesterday that you wanted to find some proper jobs, right? What kind of jobs are you looking for? I know a lot of people here, so I'll let you know in advance and help you make some arrangements."

Upon hearing this, Chu Kuanglan immediately perked up, slapped his thigh, and said in a loud voice, "Is there any need to ask? It must be the killer, he makes money fast."

"Squeak—!"

Liu San slammed on the brakes.

The minibus lurched violently, nearly throwing Qi Hao out of the back seat.

"Hey, Brother Liu, take it easy!" Chu Kuanglan quickly grabbed the handrail.

Liu San turned around, his face contorted in disbelief, his eyes wide as he stared at Chu Kuanglan. He then glanced at Fang Qingyu and the others behind him, who remained equally calm, and raised his voice, "Brothers, are you serious?! How desperate for money are you?! Are you crazy?!"

Chu Kuanglan was taken aback by Liu San's reaction and subconsciously asked, "Huh? What's wrong with being a killer? Isn't this a normal job? Isn't that how it is in the Federation?"

"Normal my foot!"

Liu San's voice was filled with lingering fear and urgency as he shifted gears and started the car again, explaining rapidly, "Brother Chu, you've just come from outside and don't understand the local customs! The scum in our City of Injustice are different from those outside!"

"Outside the Federation, you have detectors and intelligence; you know roughly the level of the Ghost's hideout and how many people to send. Here we are? Absolutely nothing!!"

Liu San's voice carried a deep sense of dread: "Those life ghost fluctuations are like blind boxes, opening from a first-tier to a second-tier life ghost, and from a second-tier to a third-tier life ghost. This is commonplace for us."

“Complete annihilation. I’ve seen it too many times. An entire scavenger squad, a dozen or so people, would go in and disappear without a sound, not even a bone fragment could be found.”

Liu San slapped the steering wheel, spitting everywhere.

"In our gang fights, if we can't win, we can run away or negotiate. But that 'Life Demon' thing, does it negotiate with you? It just wants to eat you. Is it worth risking your life for money, brother? Take my advice, don't go. That money is hot ass! You might earn it, but you might not live to spend it!"

The carriage instantly became quiet.

There was only the roar of the engine and the noise of the street outside the car.

Fang Qingyu frowned slightly and looked at Su Wanqing beside him.

Su Wanqing nodded gently, a hint of apology in her eyes, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Forgot about this was my oversight. The rules inside the mirage are special, and the fluctuations of the life ghosts cannot be detected and classified by conventional means. The risks are unknown."

Fang Qingyu understood.

No wonder Liu San reacted so strongly.

In the City of Injustice, hunting ghosts is not a regular job, but a real life-or-death gamble where the rewards are completely disproportionate to the risks. It is a dead end that only desperate outlaws or those with certain special purposes would choose.

Chu Kuanglan subconsciously turned to look at Fang Qingyu.

Fang Qingyu tapped his fingers lightly on his knee and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Chu Kuanglan immediately understood, his expression instantly changing to one of belated realization. He slapped his forehead hard: "Look at my brain, I forgot about that! I've been out for too long, and my thinking has become ingrained. Thank you for reminding me! Thank you so much! That thing really shouldn't be touched!"

He rubbed his hands together, a smile spreading across his face: "Brother Liu, look at us, we're broke, we don't even have enough money to buy a pack of cigarettes. We'll have to trouble you to help us find some decent work, not so quick to make money but safe, to do for now? Ideally, something that will allow us to meet more people and learn about the city."

Seeing that Chu Kuanglan readily agreed, Liu San visibly breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile returned to his face: "That's right! Brother Chu! That's right! As long as you're alive, there's hope! There are plenty of ways to make money, why fight with those reckless lunatics for a living?"

As he drove, he patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, I've got it covered."

After saying that, Liu San seemed to remember something and added, "Oh right, speaking of the Fate Ghost, although the fluctuations are like blind boxes, one thing is certain."

"There's absolutely no way a fourth-tier or higher-level Fate Ghost could appear in this mirage. If something of that level came out, not only would our little territory be doomed, but the entire city would be finished. So, if we're unlucky enough to run into a peak third-tier one, we can only accept our bad luck. We can't run away, but at least we don't have to worry about something even more outrageous appearing."

A thoughtful glint flashed in Fang Qingyu's eyes.

If the upper limit is the peak of the third tier...
For his original team, plus Su Wanqing's addition, the part-time job of cleaner was a good fit.

It's not entirely impossible.

The strategy needs to be adjusted; we can no longer split into teams, and everyone must act together.

You can give it a try.

However, there's no need to tell Liu San about this for now.

The dilapidated minibus bumped along the way, and the scenery outside the window was quietly changing.

The sewage-filled alleyways of urban villages have gradually been replaced by wide and smooth asphalt roads.

The low, messy shantytowns and the dusty cement self-built houses disappeared from sight like the receding tide.

Instead, modern high-rise buildings have sprung up everywhere.

The glass curtain wall reflects a dazzling light under the sunlight overhead.

Huge electronic billboards continuously display a variety of dazzling product information.

The streets were clean and tidy, and stylishly dressed men and women hurried by, their faces bearing the busyness and detachment unique to urban white-collar workers from the outside world.

A fleet of gleaming sports cars and luxury sedans weaved through the traffic, their engines roaring with an air of arrogant wealth.

Chu Kuanglan pressed his face against the car window, his eyes wide, watching a young woman carrying a designer handbag and wearing high heels get into a sleek red sports car. He couldn't help but click his tongue and sigh:

"Tsk tsk. This is probably the only city where superhumans are possibly poorer than ordinary people, right?"

Liu San, driving the car, looked embarrassed and explained, "Brother Chu, you can't say that."

“Those are all locals. Their ancestors have been rooted here for generations. They are either in business or have family-owned shops. The rent they collect is enough to live off for generations. We outsiders can’t compare.”

"However, as long as you have a strong enough fist and enough strength, you can conquer a large territory or be noticed by the major forces in the inner city. You can live a much more comfortable life than them, and have whatever you want. So, brothers, follow Brother Meng and work hard. The future is bright."

Fang Qingyu and the others silently watched the bustling yet chaotic cityscape outside the window, a place where social classes were clearly defined yet strangely intertwined, each lost in their own thoughts.

This unjust city.

Its underlying operating logic is indeed fundamentally different from that of the external federation.

Here, the extraordinary are no longer a naturally privileged class.

Accumulating wealth requires strength, opportunity, and even capital.

Without capital, even a second-tier grandmaster can only struggle from the very bottom.

This strong sense of contrast.

It will more or less make newcomers feel uncomfortable.

finally.

The minibus stopped in front of the building.

A huge logo of Huanyu Talents shines on the rooftop.

"arrive."

Liu San parked the car and called for everyone to get out, "This is it, follow me."

The group followed Liu San into the gleaming building.

A faint fragrance filled the air.

The gleaming marble floor reflected the hurried figures of the elites, a stark contrast to the dilapidated dormitory building in the gray rock district, creating a world apart.

Liu San was clearly very familiar with this place.

He skillfully led everyone through the bright lobby and took the elevator directly to the sixteenth floor.

Pushing open a frosted glass door with a sign that reads "Business Group 3," you'll find an open-plan office area.

A middle-aged man wearing a well-fitting gray suit and with slicked-back hair was on the phone. When he saw Liu San come in, his eyes lit up, and he immediately said "Wait a moment" into the phone before greeting him with a big smile.

"Oh my! Brother Liu! What a rare guest! What brings you here today? Please, have a seat!"

The man in the suit greeted them warmly, his gaze quickly sweeping over Fang Qingyu and the others behind Liu San.

Liu San sat down casually on the sofa next to him and pointed at Fang Qingyu and his group: "A few of my brothers are looking for jobs. You can introduce them to some people."

Manager Wang immediately understood, his smile widening as he nodded repeatedly, "No problem at all! A brother introduced by Brother Liu is definitely no problem!"

He turned to Qin Hui and the others, his professional smile impeccable: "What kind of jobs are you looking for, bosses? What are your specific requirements? For example, working hours, location preferences, and salary expectations?"

Qin Hui, as the apparent representative of the Su family, stepped forward, a gentle smile on his face, and said in a steady voice: "For those who can come into contact with people, the amount of money is secondary."

Manager Wang listened and nodded, indicating his understanding.

He has already helped many extraordinary individuals find jobs.

Many people have this requirement.

He sat back in his office chair, skillfully operating the computer and bringing up the database, while seemingly casually asking, "Gentlemen, are you looking for the more respectable kind?"

Qin Hui's smile remained unchanged, and his tone was calm:

"of course."

"We are all decent people."

Crescent Moon Bar is located in the Neon Riverside district on the edge of the inner city.
It is adjacent to a bustling commercial street and an upscale residential area.

This is one of the more temperate areas within the Mirage City, without any special restrictions or rules, allowing the use of Qi and Blood Techniques and Visualization Techniques.

The area where the bar is located is lined with neon lights and bars and clubs of all styles, making it one of the most vibrant nightlife areas in the city.

It is said that the bar owner is a woman with a cold and aloof temperament, and her name is Crescent Moon, hence the name of the bar.

Loud music could be faintly heard through the heavy soundproof door.

Fang Qingyu changed into a set of uniforms provided by the bar in the narrow but relatively clean staff lounge behind the bar.

Black slim-fit trousers, a white shirt with a subtle pattern, and a well-fitting black vest.

Fang Qingyu looked at himself in the mirror, his expression somewhat dazed. Come to think of it, he had quite a connection with bars, having previously worked part-time as a security guard there.

And he started his first career in a bar, thus embarking on an extraordinary path.
I never expected to work at a bar again after so long.

This time, however, it wasn't a bar security guard, but a bartender.

This is all thanks to Fang Qingyu, who learned a few tricks from the bartender when he was working as a security guard.

However, he hadn't triggered a profession at that time, and Fang Qingyu found bartending a bit troublesome and didn't like interacting with people, so he had no intention of changing careers.

This time, however, it's necessary to gather information.

Being a bartender is actually a pretty good profession.
Fang Qingyu skillfully tied his black bow tie and inserted a small communication headset into his right ear.

The bartender next to him was a young woman with dyed red hair and smoky makeup. She handed Fang Qingyu a fanny pack containing bartending tools and said crisply, "Su Yu, right? Hurry up, things are going crazy up front! Your area is the A section bar, go!"

Pushing open the door from the lounge to the bar, he was instantly overwhelmed by deafening electronic music mixed with boisterous voices and the clinking of glasses.

Dazzling laser lights swept wildly across the dance floor, and the air was filled with the strong aroma of alcohol, perfume, sweat, and tobacco.

All sorts of people swayed and danced in the dance floor, or sat around booths chatting loudly.

Fang Qingyu remained calm as he walked through the crowded throng toward the L-shaped bar in Section A, which was bathed in warm yellow spotlights.

Behind the bar, several bartenders were working at high speed, like clockwork, their ice scoops flying and their shakers tracing dazzling arcs in the air.

Fang Qingyu walked to an empty spot and arranged the tools from his waist bag one by one.

Just after nine o'clock in the evening, the first guest sat down in front of him.

She was a young woman wearing a deep V-neck sequined dress, with exquisite makeup but a somewhat dreamy look in her eyes.

"A Long Island Iced Tea."

Her voice carried a hint of languid intoxication, and her gaze lingered on Fang Qingyu's sharply defined profile for a few seconds.

"Okay, ma'am."

Fang Qingyu's voice was gentle, but his movements were clean and efficient.

The measuring cup precisely measures vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and orange liqueur; the sound of ice cubes clinking is crisp and pleasant; and the addition of cola brings out a deep color.

Finally, a lemon wedge was skillfully placed on the rim of the glass.

The entire movement was fluid and graceful, captivating the female guest.

"Your Long Island Iced Tea."

Fang Qingyu gently pushed the wine glass towards her.

"Thank you."

The woman picked up her glass, took a sip, and showed no intention of leaving. Instead, she looked at him with interest. "Young man, are you new here? I've never seen you before."

"Yes, I just arrived recently."

Fang Qingyu responded casually as he wiped the bar counter.

“No wonder.” The woman smiled and pulled a 50-dollar gray crystal banknote from her elegant handbag, placing it under the coaster.

"Your skills are excellent. Want to chat? There are so many fun places to visit in this city."

Fang Qingyu calmly accepted the banknotes, a professional smile on his face, and began to chat with the obviously somewhat bored guest.

Time slips away amidst the noise.

Several hours passed, and people came and went in front of the bar.

The gray crystal banknotes pressed under the coaster also accumulated more and more.

The clock struck midnight.

Fang Qingyu finished his first shift.

I took off my vest and bow tie, and signed in with the supervisor.

The red-haired head waitress counted the drinks and cash he handed over, raising an eyebrow in surprise: "Wow, newbie, not bad! Quite a generous tip! Here, this is yours."

She counted out a thick stack of banknotes and handed them to Fang Qingyu.

Fang Qingyu took it, and with a flick of his fingers, found approximately 870 gray crystals.

For someone starting work on their first day with no money, this is undoubtedly a huge sum of money.

Step out of the bustling Crescent Moon Bar, leaving the deafening music and psychedelic lights behind.

The city was still brightly lit at midnight.

The artificial starry sky overhead was so dazzling it seemed unreal.

Fang Qingyu walked along the neon-lit streets toward the agreed meeting point.

Walk to a small park at the end of Moonlight Avenue.

From afar, I could see several familiar figures standing by the park bench.

Upon seeing Fang Qingyu approach, everyone immediately came to greet him.

"Qingzi, how's it going? Any results?"

Chu Kuanglan was the first to shout.

Fang Qingyu shook his head, his face expressionless: "I've inquired a little, but not much. It's all just rumors circulating in the streets and alleys, about the chaos in the inner city. It's hard to tell if they're true or false, and the information isn't very in-depth. What about you?"

Chu Kuanglan, Lao Qin, and the others immediately wore bitter smiles.

Old Qin rubbed his shoulders, looking exhausted: "Don't even mention it! I spent the whole day as a porter at a cargo terminal! Those containers, they said they didn't use heavy machinery to save costs, it's all done by hand! I don't even know what's inside, they're so heavy."

Old Qiao and Lü Chen were in similar situations.

Lu Jiuyuan adjusted his glasses and summarized, "It's been too long since we've done this kind of work. Everyone's a little out of sorts, so our efficiency in gathering information is a bit low."

Fang Qingyu nodded in understanding; this was within expectations.

He then took out a thick wad of gray crystal banknotes from his pocket and handed them to Su Wanqing: "Here, today's wages."

Su Wanqing's eyes lit up. She took the money and skillfully counted it with her fingers.

A smile spread across his face: "So many! Almost nine hundred on the first day?"

The others also took out the money they had earned and handed it to Su Wanqing.

Chu Kuanglan earned over three hundred yuan carrying bags at the dock, while Qi Hao only received a pitiful base salary of one hundred yuan according to the surveillance footage.

Old Joe earned 150 yuan doing odd jobs in the kitchen.

Including the various other items, there were a total of over two thousand gray crystals.

Su Wanqing carefully put the money away, patted her bulging little bag, and had a housekeeper-like seriousness and satisfaction on her face.

Fang Qingyu couldn't help but smile as he looked at her rare, down-to-earth demeanor.

He then got down to business: "Any progress with the Cleaners today? Have you found a reliable organization to issue missions to?"

Jiang Wei and her two friends did not participate in work today.

Instead, they were looking for information about cleaners.

Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing immediately suppressed her smile and nodded seriously: "Yes."

She looked at Wei Banmeng beside her, "Banmeng found it, let Banmeng say it."

A rare, extremely subtle look of embarrassment appeared on Wei Banmeng's usually aloof face.

He pursed his lips before speaking, "In the Bibo Bay area, there is a Wei family group."

Everyone was taken aback.

The Wei family!?
Could it be
Seeing everyone's gazes, Wei Banmeng paused and said with a wry smile, "I didn't know it was my family's property. I only found out when the person in charge recognized me after I went inside."

"what?!"

The crowd listened to a series of melodramatic events.
Chu Kuanglan asked in surprise, "Is your family so powerful?"

Wei Banmeng shook her head helplessly, her tone somewhat bewildered: "I don't know either, I rarely ask about it."

Seeing the rare embarrassment on Wei Banmeng's face, Fang Qingyu couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head: "It's alright, so what if they recognized you? Just have them keep your information a secret."

"Moreover, your channels are indeed the most reliable, so there's no need to worry about being cheated or not paying."

Then, glancing at everyone, he said, "Next, besides Lao Qin and the others, if we have time, we can do more scavenger missions."

"it is good."

Everyone nodded immediately.

"Let's go back to the limestone district."

Fang Qingyu called out.

The group walked to the roadside, preparing to hail a taxi.

Just then, Lao Qin touched his empty pockets, a conflicted look on his face.

He hesitated for a moment, then rubbed his hands together, somewhat embarrassed, and approached Su Wanqing: "Butler Su, could you give me some money? I've run out of cigarettes."

Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing didn't ask any further questions.

He simply pulled out a 100-yuan gray crystal banknote from the stack of money he had just collected and handed it to him.

Old Qin beamed and took the money.

I immediately walked quickly toward a 24-hour convenience store on the street corner.

The group continued to wait for their ride by the roadside.

Less than two minutes later, Old Qin returned with a dark face and empty hands.

Seeing this, Chu Kuanglan asked in surprise, "Old Qin? Where are the cigarettes? They don't have the brand you want?"

Old Qin looked up, his face contorted as if he'd just swallowed a fly. He slammed the 100-gray crystal bill back into Su Wanqing's hand, his voice filled with disbelief, a hint of heartache, and a strained expression:
"If I remember correctly, the market price for a single Transcendent Qi Blood Crystal here is 500 Gray Crystals?"

Su Wanqing paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, what's wrong?"

Old Qin's lips twitched violently twice as he said:
"The cheapest cigarettes here cost 100 kylin a pack!"

"What?!"

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

No wonder Liu San always has a cigarette butt dangling from his mouth.

Old Qin sighed, "Forget it, I won't smoke anymore. If I remember that each puff of my cigarette is equivalent to a point of Qi and Blood Crystals, I'll be heartbroken."

(End of this chapter)