Chapter 101
East District’s general director?
That question genuinely stumped Jiang Jitang.
If he didn’t live in C-Nation, but in any other unstable country, he would have long since claimed territory and built his own power. But born in C-Nation, he never had to worry about life-or-death instability, so he never seriously pursued power.
Life had been too comfortable—he was practically becoming a salted fish.
After a moment’s thought, Jiang Jitang asked Mr. Tao in return, “Why the sudden question?”
“It’s not sudden. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Yesterday’s incident just made that idea stronger.” Originally, they thought the identity of “healer” could act as cover for External Aid, but now it seems even that identity draws jealousy. While the incident in Eastern Capital has concluded, Jiang Jitang’s situation has only just begun.
“I think you’re very qualified to move higher.”
“Player organizations are different from other government departments. They have dual attributes.
“On one hand, players still live in a normal, orderly society. Their leaders must be government-recognized representatives. Political background, character, competence—all factors of evaluation.
“On the other hand, players have died once and must frequently face the dangers of dungeons. They possess terrifying items and increasingly enhanced physical capabilities. In such a survival-of-the-fittest environment, admiring strength is the most natural thing. So their leader must be a powerful player recognized by them.
“A wolf pack only acknowledges the strongest alpha.”
“That brings us trouble—where do we find someone with both attributes?”
Mr. Tao sighed. The leaders of each city were qualified, but their energy was focused on daily affairs and most had low player levels. Take Jiang Xingzhou for example—she’s only a third-tier Cube player. She’s already doing extremely well just to stabilize the players in a single city. To go higher and lead tougher, more rebellious social players would be very difficult.
It’s like choosing an official ‘martial alliance leader’—someone recognized by both the authorities and the martial world, whose words carry weight.
The general director must be accepted by the players and by the city leaders. It’s extremely difficult.
That’s why they’ve delayed appointing the four-zone general director.
“Comrade Jiang, you’re exceptional. Your healing ability is the strongest ‘strength,’ and the special-effect food associated with you is the best means of gaining recognition among social players.
“I know you have many private matters to handle, but that doesn’t affect anything. A professional team can be formed to serve you.
“I believe you need a higher status—to protect yourself and others.”
That “protect yourself” referred not only to his “external specialist” identity. Mr. Tao seemed to have guessed Jiang Jitang carried many more secrets. It was a hint. The higher Jiang Jitang’s authority and position, the safer he’d be—and so would those around him.
Jiang Jitang was indeed tempted, but deciding immediately felt too hasty.
“I’ll consider it. For now, let’s deal with the ‘street vending stall’ matter first.”
“All right, please think it through.” Mr. Tao said. He hadn’t expected Jiang Jitang to agree on the spot anyway—this young man had very firm opinions.
Jiang Jitang acted briskly. He opened the system-provided map, located the two exact positions Mr. Tao mentioned, and placed the “street vending stalls.”
Then he spent another 2,000 points to upgrade.
[Level 2 Street Vending Stall: capable of placing 2 self-service vending machines, sharing protection system. Upgrade cost: 10,000 points.]
He bought 4 damaged vending machines, upgraded them to regular units, then to high-quality units. Next, he took some of the food items from his backpack and distributed them among the 4 vending machines.
This way, each stall could provide over 10,000 servings of special-effect food per day.
“All done. I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Tao had already sent people to verify. Though he had high emotional intelligence and communicative ability, at this moment, he could say nothing but those two words.
There was no time to be moved—an emergency meeting had to be convened to implement these welfare measures.
In times of great struggle—advance and grow strong, or retreat and perish.
Jiang Jitang closed communications and tossed the wristband into his backpack.
The forum issue, the chain reaction from the special-effect food, and his healing ability—all handled. He felt light and unburdened.
As a professional courier, he had little time or mental space for interpersonal affairs. Better to leave that to people who did.
While players were discussing the mighty healer waiting for his friend to bring breakfast, after an emergency meeting, C-Nation’s officials opened a Q&A thread on the forum.
Global players would ask questions; they would answer.
“There is no ‘secret healer’—there has only ever been ONE, the one from Jin City. He just happened to come to the Eastern Capital for a meeting. That’s all.”
“Ah… the healing item overclocked this time and suffered fundamental damage. But in that situation, our healer had no time to think—he just went in headfirst.”
“Large-scale high-level healing? How could the Cube World produce such a terrifying healing tool? No, absolutely not—too exaggerated. Yes, there is group healing, but its effect can’t match single-target healing.”
“Single-target healing can regenerate limbs, repair damaged organs, heal old injuries—even viruses and curses can be cured. There’s a chance for them all. But group healing cannot do that—it’s already outstanding if it can regrow a single finger segment.”
These statements made everyone’s teeth ache. Officials from various countries, watching through screens, all twitched in the face.
Regrowing limbs, fixing missing organs—even treating curse-level conditions, up to 100 people per day? Was this C-Nation healer the Cube World’s illegitimate child?
Other countries might have such high-level healers too—but they were all snatched with high-paying contracts and locked away as private assets of the rich and powerful, as if legendary treasures that only appear in rumors.
“Damn it! Why is our funding so little? Why don’t our healers have this dedication? They always choose to become slaves to money!” Officials elsewhere were practically jumping in anger.
“C-Nation’s public servants are highly respected. But we…” The man spread his hands—enough said.
“A thousand people? Absolutely nonsense. Our healer barely used the healing item this time and it already broke.” The C-Nation officials were unaware their counterparts had already lost composure—they still spoke indignantly.
“Treating 100 people at once is normally feasible—we admit that. But right now, it’s tough. We’ll see if there’s a chance for repairs.”
“Treating 100 people at once is normally feasible—f*ck.” Their counterparts rolled their eyes, nearly hurling espresso at the screen.
It was infuriating—an item that could be reused, with such insane single-target healing, AND group healing as well? Did C-Nation’s players spend money to upgrade the Cube World?!
“Even if repaired, it would only be restored to its original capacity. Hardly any additional quota. This healer’s targets were all frontline military players who died in service.”
“We have rules: only severely injured qualify. Treating minor injuries wastes the quota.”
“To get more slots, an advanced upgrade item would be required—but those are rarer than healing items.”
The officials’ frustrated complaints made complete sense logically, and emotionally, the players finally calmed down a little.
A C-Nation-IP player asked: although C-Nation introduced player medical insurance, it only covers treatment after leaving the game. Were there any policies to improve social players’ survival inside dungeons?
That was admittedly a difficult request. Some countries didn’t even have basic healthcare. But the officials didn’t get angry. They responded that nighttime elective courses at local universities would soon be made available—players could strengthen themselves through learning.
They also prepared training videos for sports and combat, so players could improve physical fitness through effective training.
Only at the end did they mention “special-effect food,” saying Jin City currently had shops selling it, and that distribution points would soon expand to other cities.
Nanjian City and Beiguo City already had them—registered players would see the exact locations.
People elsewhere were told not to worry—more would come.
“Why are all the good things in Jin City?!”
Some complained. Others began acting.
While foreign players asked if non-C-Nation citizens could benefit from C-Nation policies, stirred C-Nation players had already started packing their bags.
Jin City had the strongest healer and edible special-effect items—what were they waiting for? Backpack on—go!
The world moved like a rising storm. Eastern Capital’s sky churned like a storm too. Leaning on the sofa, Jiang Jitang gazed out the window, admiring the world.
From up high, the scenery was indeed different—there was a heart-stirring feeling as if the world lay under his feet.
“No wonder those tycoons don’t just settle for villas—they also buy sprawling penthouses atop skyscrapers. Draw back the curtains and you get clouds and moonlight; look down and you see all living beings. What does it mean to stand on a giant’s shoulders? At least physically, they’ve done it.”
Parsons walked out of the bathroom drying his hair. Among his properties were villas, estates, and city penthouses. Yet living-wise, countryside villas were still the most comfortable—not too close, not too far from people, large space, and a row of tall oaks could ensure privacy.
You could even raise animals.
He just never had time before.
Thinking of that, Parsons remembered the pony Jiang Jitang had given him—it was still at the Jin City government office, being well cared for.
“Where to today?”
“To the museum. There’s also a private jewelry exhibition in an old-style Western house. A famous jewelry designer—his most renowned pieces are there.”
Talking about glittering gems made Jiang Jitang happy. He was like a child collecting seashells on the beach—just that his seashells were slightly more expensive.
Parsons thought of the ruby he’d sent for custom design. Was it time to urge them?
Eastern Capital truly deserved its reputation as the top international city—it could be a powerful figure atop skyscrapers manipulating the world via finance, or a gentle housewife in an alley cooking soup, bringing you warmth like a spring breeze.
Jiang and Parsons passed quickly through the city, stayed only two days, then headed back home.
They returned as five, sitting together in a small private cabin. Jiang Jitang, who had partied at a bar until past 2 a.m., was protested by his circadian rhythm and fell asleep on the train immediately.
Parsons served as his cushion, holding a book.
Han Shuo glanced at the title: Brand · Design · Gemstones. Oh boy—another day of not liking books. No wonder he was first-tier player—even such dense material he could chew through.
Han Shuo actually wanted to ask about the protective item on his wrist.
They only learned what had happened in the meeting room afterward. Most protection items from the game couldn’t withstand infrasound attacks—the enemy could strike through walls and ignore obstacles. Yet the bracelet Jiang Jitang gave protected everyone.
It had to be high-level.
But how could such a high-level item be supplied in bulk?
Ever since the Cube World appeared, item distribution had been stingy. Only high-rated players had a chance at them, and at most one item per dungeon—most commonly none at all.
Even the most ordinary items now cost upwards of five digits on the market, and were often unavailable.
Bulk purchasing of high-tier items? Unthinkable.
But since Minister Jiang had specifically warned him beforehand, Han Shuo swallowed his curiosity. After all, he got a high-tier item for free—better to silently enjoy it.
He wondered what “Nanny Dad” liked. Maybe he should collect something as a thank-you. He had comrades in the northern border—their horses were excellent. Maybe buy a pure white one to match the little pony from kindergarten?
The high-speed train reached Jin City. Jiang Jitang woke fully refreshed, dragged Parsons off for a rejuvenating massage, while Han Shuo and Old Zhang followed Minister Jiang back to the “World Civilization Diversity Research Center Jin City Branch”—aka the kindergarten.
“I’m back! Look what I brought you!”
A group of colleagues with dark eye bags looked weakly at their energetic return.
“You’re finally back! These past days players have been flooding in like crazy—foreign, domestic—I’ve pulled three all-nighters!”
“Huh?”
“Huh what? You’re staying and working overtime!”
“Hey hey hey!” Han Shuo didn’t even get to hand out his gifts before being buried in official work.
Back home, Jiang Jitang noticed: “There were already quite a few people watching my house before. Now there are even more.”
He had sharp senses—even if someone watched through binoculars, he could feel it. Now? It was like hundreds of binoculars focused on him, every movement analyzed.
Do celebrities face this many staring eyes daily? Terrifying.
“Feel bothered?” Parsons asked. If he did, they could clear them out.
Jiang Jitang snapped his head around. “Parsons, you’re dangerously bold lately.” Someone once so strictly law-abiding was now immediately thinking of illegal methods.
“C-Nation is a law-abiding country. Anything leaving traces or evidence—don’t do it, don’t even think about it.”
“…So if it leaves no evidence, it’s okay?”
Parsons, who had only intended to threaten legally with police and lawsuits, quietly closed his mouth.
“It’s just a few extra pairs of eyes. It’s fine. They’re all officially registered—if anything happens, they won’t get away.” Jiang Jitang hooked an arm around Parsons’ neck. “Come on, big bro will take you to eat something delicious.”
Being dragged away, Parsons asked, “Big bro? You want to be my big bro?”
“I’m older than you.”
“Only because I arrived late.”
“All right, all right. I’ll call you big bro. Let’s go, let’s go—time to try my super cool new car.”
—
Life moved slowly, and before they noticed, it was time for another task drop. Jiang rubbed his sleepy eyes: “This is probably the last task from the Magical Beast World. After this, I’ll really have to think whether to bind this world or not.”
The system waited for his sigh to end, then issued new tasks:
Task 1: Please take a family portrait for Professor Chang of Death Valley. Budget: 10,000 yuan. Note: must include one person and four beasts. (Difficulty: 
, countdown 149:27:31)
Task 2: Please open an escape route for tunnel survivors. Budget: 10,000 yuan. Note: assist 60% within 5 minutes to evacuate successfully. (Difficulty: , countdown 09:44:41)
Task 3: Please create a portrait of the Ice-Clear Carp. Budget: 300 yuan. Note: must be pretty. (Difficulty: , countdown 33:27:46)”
Difficulty had climbed—two five-star tasks, one with only nine hours left to prepare. Jiang Jitang felt a ticking clock appear above his head, already counting down.
“The second task only has nine hours left?”
The first time he encountered the system, it had said all tasks started with the same countdown.
At his current progress, tasks were sent every seven days—so all countdowns were originally seven days. But if unaccepted and abandoned, time would be lost.
Nine hours meant it had already been rejected by thousands of taskers.
“Check the details of the second task first.”
He wanted to see just how difficult it was.
