141: Chapter 141 Let's pretend you didn't say anything, goodbye.

Seeing Chen Xi like this, the contempt in David's heart grew even stronger.

As expected of a fledgling from a greenhouse, he doesn't even understand this.

"Hahahaha!"

David let out a burst of hearty yet hypocritical laughter. Acting very familiar, he reached out and pointed toward an open space in the center of the camp, next to the task board.

Several peculiarly shaped Wooden Stake Robots made of special alloy stood there, covered in various sensors for testing.

"It's normal not to know the rules when it's your first time hanging around a place like this."

David began his deceptive performance, his tone appearing exceptionally sincere:

In our Adventurer Camp, besides taking tasks to earn a fixed salary, there's also a special promotion channel—the [Mercenary Rating]."

"Every new team that comes to the camp can go to those wooden stakes first for strength certification. After certification, the system will rate you with stars based on your performance."

At this point, David lowered his voice and threw out the bait that no Professional could refuse:

"Here's the key point—"

"As long as your rating is high, like reaching three stars, four stars, or even five stars! Then for all the tasks you take on next, you'll receive an extra bonus of military merit points upon settlement!"

"That's a solid extra income!"

"What?!"

Hearing the words "more military merit points," Chen Xi's eyes instantly lit up.

What was he lacking the most right now?

Wasn't it exactly military merit points!

Su Xiaoxiao's SS-grade advancement materials, which cost as much as 1,500 points, were weighing on his heart like a great mountain.

If there really was such a bonus buff, it would truly be a godsend!

"Is there really such a good thing?"

Seeing this, David was secretly delighted.

He's hooked!

But his face remained feignedly solemn as he sighed, saying in a play-hard-to-get manner:

"Of course it's true. However... there's no such thing as a free lunch."

"Conducting this kind of high-level certification consumes camp resources, so you need to pay a substantial [Certification Fee]."

David rubbed his fingers together, his greedy eyes sweeping over the smart bracelet on Chen Xi's wrist before glancing at the equipment in Li Murou's hands:

"This fee can either be paid directly with a large amount of military merit points."

"Or... if you don't have military merit points, you can also use equipment or materials of equivalent value as collateral."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xi's previously excited expression vanished instantly, and a trace of vigilance appeared in his eyes.

"You want money? And equipment too?"

Chen Xi took half a step back and said with a frown:

"Big brother, you wouldn't happen to be a scammer, would you? We might be students, but we're not fools. Since when do you pay before getting things done?"

Seeing Chen Xi's suspicion, David didn't panic at all.

This was all part of his script.

It would be boring if the other party didn't suspect anything at all. The highest level of deception is to make the other party slowly believe while doubting, and finally pay up willingly.

"Hey! Little brother, how can you talk like that?"

David feigned anger, pulled out a dirty red booklet stamped with the Military Department's seal from his pocket, and slapped it into his palm with a loud smack:

"Look closely! This is my Three-Star Mercenary Certificate!"

"There really is such a rule here! The Military Department set this threshold specifically to prevent any Tom, Dick, or Harry from wasting testing resources."

David opened the certificate, pointed to a line of small print, and confidently spouted nonsense:

"As long as you can achieve a star rating, after completing each task and bringing back the specified beast materials, you can increase your military merit points accordingly. This is an official benefit for the strong!"

"I, David, have been around this area for so many years; would I really cheat a few green recruits like you?"

Chen Xi took the booklet and looked at it pretentiously.

Chen Xi looked up and vigilantly glanced around.

As expected.

Although people were coming and going in the camp, the area around those Wooden Stake Robots was deserted, with absolutely no one going for the so-called certification.

The Professionals passing by looked at David's group with eyes full of mockery.

Chen Xi sneered in his heart.

They were exploiting the mentality of newcomers who were eager for success and wanted to earn more military merit to swindle them out of the so-called "Certification Fee."

Once the money or equipment was handed over, the certification would surely fail for all sorts of bizarre reasons, and the equipment would be gone for good.

This kind of routine was too low-level.

But...

Chen Xi's eyes rolled. Since the other party wanted to play, he might as well play along.

Anyway, he was currently worried about how to make some quick money.

Thus, Chen Xi asked half-doubtingly:

"Then... how does the certification work?"

Seeing Chen Xi relenting, David immediately beamed:

"It's very simple!"

He pointed at the Wooden Stake Robots:

"We will set the corresponding defense parameters and attack frequency according to your class."

"As long as you can destroy these Wooden Stake Robots within the rules, you can obtain the corresponding star rating! The higher the star rating, the higher the reward!"

Chen Xi rubbed his chin, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

But he didn't agree directly; instead, he shook his head:

"Forget it."

"I see no one queuing over there, so I guess this thing is hard to pass? Plus, you have to hand over equipment; wouldn't I lose big if I fail?"

"We'd better just honestly take on tasks."

After saying that, Chen Xi called out to his teammates:

"Let's go, let's find Wang Shan first."

"Eh?! Don't go!"

Seeing his cooked duck about to fly away, David suddenly grew anxious.

He hadn't expected this seemingly frail pretty boy to be so composed.

Usually, when a newcomer hears the temptation of doubling their military merit, they would have rushed in with a heated head.

David gave Michelle behind him a look.

That blonde woman with a hot figure immediately walked up, swaying her hips, and mocked in a sarcastic tone:

"Oh, David, stop making things difficult for these little kids."

"Look at that captain, so fair and tender, and only level 28."

"With a lineup like this, it's already a miracle they made it to the camp alive. You still expect them to pass the one-star certification?"

Michelle covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes full of disdain:

"I bet they can't even scratch the lowest-level wooden stake. If they lose their equipment, they'll probably go home crying to their mothers."

"Forget it, forget it, just pretend we didn't say anything. Let them go pick up trash."

This was the most typical use of reverse psychology.

For young and aggressive Professionals, this move often worked wonders.

David also cooperated by sighing and shaking his head:

"True, looks like I misjudged. I thought he was a pro, but it turns out he's just a bronze. Let's go, brothers, let's get a drink."

The two of them played off each other, performing quite realistically.

They waited expectantly for Chen Xi to fly into a rage, shout "Who says I can't do it," and then obediently pay up to join the game.

However.

Chen Xi stopped, turned around, and nodded with a serious face:

"Oh."

"This big sister is right."

Chen Xi pointed at himself, then at his teammates behind him, and admitted frankly:

"We are indeed frail, indeed afraid of losing, and indeed have no money."

"So... then just pretend you didn't say anything. Goodbye."

After saying that, he grabbed Li Murou's wrist, turned around, and left, his pace even faster than before.