Chapter 53: Money Doesn't Matter

Chen Meng picked up the two pistols and found they weren’t as heavy as he’d imagined.

Xiang Yan noticed his puzzlement and smiled, explaining, “I’ve engraved lightweight runes on them, so you feel they’re much lighter. Besides that, I added balance and toughness runes. In terms of firearm grading, these pistols would be classified as Grade C.”

Hearing this, Chen Meng was a little shocked.

He’d recently looked into the quality of pistols, learning that their grading was based on power, rate of fire, range, recoil, and accuracy. Currently, pistols are divided into five levels: S, A, B, C, and D. Protective gear follows the same classification.

Grade D pistols usually cost three to five thousand yuan; the pistols used for training at the shooting range are Grade D. Grade C pistols are generally priced around ten thousand yuan, typically used by Divine Body Lifeforms. Grade B pistols cost about thirty thousand yuan; even ordinary First Stage Divine Body Lifeforms often choose not to use Grade B pistols for accuracy’s sake. The higher the grade, the stronger the recoil. For example, if you handed Chen Meng a Grade A pistol, he wouldn’t be able to control even three consecutive shots.

“What grade is Han Hao’s service pistol?” Chen Meng asked after a moment’s thought.

“It’s issued by the Law Enforcement Bureau, so it’s Grade B,” Xiang Yan replied with a smile. “Han Hao’s marksmanship isn’t great. Otherwise, at his Third Stage Divine Body level, he could try using a Grade A pistol.”

“No wonder,” Chen Meng nodded. When he’d killed Wang Jie earlier, he managed seven consecutive shots, but with Han Hao’s pistol, he could only get about four. That must be the reason.

In fact, Chen Meng didn’t realize that, as someone not yet a Divine Body Lifeform, being able to fire four consecutive shots with a Grade B pistol was something unique to him in Jiangzhou City.

Aside from the system’s bonuses, he truly had a natural talent for firearms.

“Chen Meng, although there are many hot weapons—like submachine guns, sniper rifles, rockets, even portable missiles—when Divine Body Lifeforms fight, pistols are the most commonly used and primary weapon. As for the reason, I think you understand without me saying.”

Without waiting for Chen Meng’s reply, he continued, “Pistols are small and easy to conceal. In close combat, they can be surprisingly effective. Even facing a Fifth Stage Divine Body Lifeform, a Grade D pistol can pierce their eye and seriously injure them.”

Chen Meng nodded; this was the advantage of pistols.

If you carried a submachine gun, it might look impressive, but in a true one-on-one fight, its weight would slow you down, its size would hinder concealment and attack maneuvers, turning it into a liability.

“I’ll send you a website later. There are many videos of Divine Body Lifeforms using firearms in combat. Watch them when you have time,” Lv Guang mused.

“Alright, Coach,” Chen Meng replied.

Just then, a man walked over. Seeing him, Xiang Yan immediately snorted coldly.

“About what happened before, I sincerely apologize,” the man said awkwardly. “I didn’t mean to make things difficult for Coach Lv Guang, but honestly, his teaching methods were problematic. I know his marksmanship is excellent, but that’s not enough. This is a shooting range; we’re supposed to teach people how to shoot. If you can’t teach well and keep getting complaints, our reputation and profits suffer. As manager, I have to take responsibility.”

Lv Guang had been somewhat resentful toward the manager, but hearing this, he fell silent. He knew the real issue wasn’t the manager, but himself.

“It’s my fault. You don’t need to apologize.” He thought for a moment. “I’ve already completed my resignation. Starting tomorrow, I won’t be coming to the range.”

“I just found out that Captain Han Hao is your comrade. If you’re willing to stay, I can ask the board on your behalf. They’d likely give Captain Han Hao some consideration.” The manager hesitated. Han Hao’s recent call searching for Chen Meng had brought this connection to his attention.

“No need. We’ve already decided to head to the Wilderness,” Xiang Yan quickly answered, worried Lv Guang might reconsider.

The manager stared in shock at Lv Guang, never expecting him to risk adventuring in the Wilderness with only one hand.

After a moment’s contemplation, the manager said admiringly, “You’re much stronger than me; compared to you, I’m just a coward.”

Lv Guang chuckled at this. Who’s stronger? It’s just a matter of necessity.

“Did you come just to tell us this?” Xiang Yan frowned, still unfriendly toward the manager, having quarreled with him before.

“Actually, Chen Meng, I watched your shooting practice videos and learned from some sources that yesterday you used consecutive shots to kill a Second Stage Divine Body Lifeform cultist. Frankly, your marksmanship is good enough to be a coach at our range.” The manager turned to Chen Meng. “So, I have a job offer. Would you be interested?”

Chen Meng was stunned, and both Lv Guang and Xiang Yan were surprised.

The manager continued, “We’d like to invite you to be a part-time coach at our martial hall, teaching only on Saturdays and Sundays. The hourly pay is comparable to a formal coach’s rate. I know you’re a student, but you have no classes on weekends, so this won’t affect your studies.”

“Invite me to be a coach?”

“Yes. Actually, we’re short-staffed at the shooting range. Many coaches have to work weekends, which causes resentment. So, we want to hire part-time coaches like you to ease the workload.”

The manager gave another reason, but Chen Meng didn’t believe it. Still, he was surprised to see Lv Guang subtly nod his approval.

“Coach, what’s the hourly rate?” Chen Meng asked quietly. He needed money, and this sudden opportunity to earn was tempting.

“It’s not much. It depends on the number of students. One student earns you a hundred yuan per hour. For example, if you chose me as your coach for four hours, I’d earn four hundred yuan. I don’t have many students because of my teaching style, so my monthly income is less than twenty thousand yuan,” Han Hao said calmly. “But popular coaches can earn over two hundred thousand a month.”

Chen Meng did some quick math. If he taught five students at once, four hours each, his half-day pay would be two thousand yuan—almost like robbing a bank.

“What do you think?” the manager asked.

“Money isn’t the main thing. I just want to pass on Coach Lv Guang’s marksmanship to more students. So, when can I start?” Chen Meng replied righteously.

“Today’s Sunday, so you’ll have to wait until next week. We’ll make sure to promote you well,” the manager said after some thought. Chen Meng’s record and age were quite sensational, likely to attract attention. That was another reason for the invitation.

“Once you’re a coach, there are other hot weapons available at the range for you to try out, free of charge,” Lv Guang reminded him.

Other hot weapons?

Chen Meng’s eyes lit up—he’d been searching for a place to learn. But how was he supposed to earn knowledge points if it was free?

Finally, as Chen Meng was leaving the shooting range, the manager wanted to keep his photo for promotion. Chen Meng thought it over and declined; if cultists happened to show up, they might seek revenge.

He even asked the manager to conceal his name, using a code name instead—Silver Fox.