"Of course, a researcher like you, being able to create so many things alone, is indeed rare," Li Runshan said with a smile.
"The great brilliance stone, more advanced new talismans, the talisman array boards, and turning Doctor Xie’s herbs into more effective anti-inflammatory pills. These are not something an ordinary person can come up with. I've thought about it, and if you were given enough time, you might be able to create even more effective solutions against the dark calamity."
Yu Hong was left speechless.
He couldn’t deny the logic in Li Runshan’s words.
If he were in the same position, he would have made the same choice.
"Since I’m such a valuable asset, doesn't the organization behind you want to recruit me?" he asked again.
"Of course we do," Li Runshan said cheerfully, "but the problem is I didn’t report you at all. After I confirmed that you didn’t want to leave this place, I didn’t mention anything about you. Otherwise, if you left, I would be left with nothing. Besides, do you think I just ended up here by chance? With a child in tow?"
"You offended someone?" Yu Hong quickly understood.
"Yes, one of the big shots in the postal bureau. Luckily, another big shot supported me, a former superior of mine. After some negotiations, that’s how I ended up here doing this relic investigation task," Li Runshan explained casually.
He looked at Yu Hong.
"So, do you want me to help you hire a small team for security? The price is negotiable."
Yu Hong felt that a long-term hiring wouldn’t work for him; he had too many secrets.
When he strengthened with the dark seal, his appearance changed drastically in an instant.
If someone stayed close, it would definitely raise suspicions.
A temporary hire, however, was a good idea—just like this time, temporarily hiring help to gather intel and seek revenge.
In exchange, he could offer them some unique enhancement items or weapons—resources that no one else could provide.
This would match his identity as a researcher.
"I can accept a temporary hiring to complete a task. How do we discuss the payment?" Yu Hong felt a surge of interest.
"I'll contact someone. This place is quite remote, so I need to confirm their location first," Li Runshan said, revealing a smile.
"As for the payment, there’s no fixed price right now. As long as you can offer a sum they cannot refuse, it’ll be fine."
"What price do you think I should offer?" Yu Hong asked.
He knew that Li Runshan could be tricky, but talking about money could sometimes engender trust.
Moreover, this was his exclusive business.
"That depends on what level of people you want to hire. Regular ones, stronger ones, elites, or skilled fighters similar to the one who attacked you—better fighters. The prices vary here, and ordinary offerings won’t appeal to them. You need to provide them with what they need," Li Runshan chuckled.
"Also, since this area is remote, you’ll have to give them a travel fee upfront."
"What’s the price for a retired postal worker?" Yu Hong asked directly.
"The travel fee is five silver coins. The fee for their help will depend on the opponent we’re facing. We’ll decide that after confirming the information," Li Runshan replied.
"Alright. I’ll wait for your good news."
Yu Hong didn’t waste time, getting up to leave.
"I’ll send the items to you shortly."
Twenty ordinary talisman arrays weren’t much for him, and the enhancement time for the medicine was short, so this payment was worthwhile.
As for how much Li Runshan would profit, he didn’t care.
As long as he could achieve his goal, everything else was unimportant.
*
*
*
In Baihe City.
In an abandoned factory basement, a network of pipelines was sprawling everywhere.
In a modified large underground cavern, everything from televisions to refrigerators and washing machines was present, with a large fan at the ventilation opening spinning and flickering with the bright light from outside.
Zhao Zhenghong lounged on a sofa, playing with a retractable, sharp dagger in his hand.
Beside him sat a curvy woman in a revealing purple dress with flowing red waves in her hair.
In another corner of the cavern, other team members held beautiful girls, getting a bit too friendly.
"Boss, we’ve been in Baihe City for quite some time. What does Xiao Bu really mean? We’ve already given our token of loyalty, but they are dragging this out without any response?" Xu Yang said, frowning while slowly puffing on a cigarette.
"The big shots above us are different. Their situations, thoughts, and goals do not align with ours," Zhao Zhenghong replied calmly.
"We’re outsiders, suddenly intruding into Baihe City. They must consider what position they’ll give us if we pledge loyalty."
"That may be so, but how long has it been?" Xu Yang expressed frustration.
"It’s only been a few months," Zhao Zhenghong said.
"Our resources are dwindling. We don’t have enough channels for income anymore. If we could just get some news from the White Python side, we should be able to get a significant boost," Xu Yang sighed.
"There's no rush; we still have time. Also, the Black Stone Research Institute has issued a price list. You need to send someone to grab it," Zhao Zhenghong said seriously.
"The Black Stone? Aren’t the prices for their localized enhancement technology very unstable? It sounds quite unreliable," a team member chimed in.
"That’s not a problem. Our current situation is that we don't have enough leverage for Xiao Bu. He has too many skilled people under him and doesn’t care about us outsiders," Zhao Zhenghong said, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes.
"With just our few numbers, we lack the funds and the manpower. We can only gamble here at Black Stone."
"Rumor has it that the Black Stone’s experimental enhancements are mimicking the brilliance pollution. Although it's just localized, it’s costly and might reduce one’s lifespan," Xu Yang frowned.
"I understand the consequences. But in this world, we might encounter a sudden calamity. Losing a bit of lifespan is nothing if we can live freely and well!" Zhao Zhenghong didn’t care about that.
Xu Yang was at a loss for words.
He recalled the hardened warriors he had seen whose personalities changed after localized enhancements, feeling that their group might face issues in the future.
"But..." he hesitated, wanting to say something more when suddenly, a team member with glasses rushed in.
"Captain, deputy captain, we have news! Information from the White Python side!"
As soon as those words were spoken, both Zhao Zhenghong and Xu Yang stood up immediately, their eyes fixed on the newcomer.
Their team was in a precarious position in Baihe City, where interests had already been divided and saturated.
They couldn’t break in, their income had significantly decreased, and their plea to rely on a big boss had gone unanswered.
Thus, the once ordinary great brilliance stone technology had become crucial to them now.
"Did we catch the person?" Zhao Zhenghong quickly inquired.
"... It’s not that—it’s the assistant of White Python going to meet them. They were supposed to deliver resources at a set location, but the person never arrived. Now the chip in his body is out of signal—it seems… the person is gone," the team member’s voice trailed off weaker and lower as he saw Zhao Zhenghong and Xu Yang’s increasingly grim expressions, sensing something was off.
"The person is gone?!" Zhao Zhenghong’s voice rose sharply, "Just saying that one person is gone is enough?! I’ve given so many rewards! Provided so many resources!? Just one person is gone?! That leaves us with nothing!?"
He looked extremely displeased.
He had heard of White Python’s strength; they were somewhat well-known fighters in the black market, and for such capable individuals to come back with the news that someone might be missing was hard to swallow.
"That guy must have issues!" Xu Yang said coldly.
"Bro, how many people have we sent in total? Think about it. White Python should be the third batch! With this much loss and no response at all, I suspect there’s either great danger over there or that the person himself has issues."
Zhao Zhenghong stood still, his eyes shifting beneath his glasses.
"This matter has gone beyond what we can handle. We can pass this information to Xiao Bu as a token of goodwill to establish our footing in Baihe City."
"Indeed, the demand for the great brilliance stone is always high. I heard that fellow even created a new talisman array. Some supplies traded by the last delivery team were said to be even more effective than the ordinary great brilliance stone and are quite popular in the market," Xu Yang nodded.
"However, this information is valuable. Captain, what do you plan to say?"
"In a few days, it's Xiao Bu’s birthday. I’ll bring the gift and mention it in person then," Zhao Zhenghong replied, frowning as he recalled the young man he had seen before.
He couldn’t imagine how that person had managed to escape three capture attempts.
But now he was truly at a loss.
"Captain, why don’t we all go on another trip together? Just handing this over means we've put in so much effort before, and that would be..." a chubby team member couldn’t help but speak up.
"If even a fighter like White Python could go missing, it’d be too dangerous for us to go as well!" Zhao Zhenghong shook his head.
"Perhaps they just happened to run into the malevolent shadow woman over there," Xu Yang suddenly said.
"I heard that her activity trail has shifted to the vicinity of Baiqiu Village. If it’s that case, even White Python wouldn’t stand a chance. But now, the shadow woman seems to have vanished entirely. She must have completed her activity cycle. What if… we went together? As long as we don’t go deep, we could scout around the outskirts."
He wasn’t ready to give up on this potential source of income, especially after investing so much.
Zhao Zhenghong felt the same way.
He stood in place, silent for a long while.
After about ten minutes, he finally spoke slowly.
"We can give it a try. Let’s head over and test the waters using red value detection. If it’s the malevolent shadow, we’ll retreat; if not, it’s just human interference."
He turned around to look at everyone.
"Then grab your gear, bring the new portable bombs as well; we’ll give it one last shot."
White Python was formidable, but he was confident he could defeat him one-on-one; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to lead so many people into independence.
In other words, if it were merely human trouble, he would have to take matters into his own hands this time.
"The entire team is going?" Xu Yang perked up with excitement.
"Everyone together. If this doesn’t work, we’ll go to Black Stone," Zhao Zhenghong said solemnly.
*
*
*
Two days later.
In front of the stone house of the Baiqiu Village postal office.
Li Runshan handed a handwritten note to Yu Hong.
"This is the detailed information regarding the person who attacked you and what’s behind it."
Yu Hong took the note and quickly scanned through it.
‘White Python Guo Xudong, former postal worker, has been active in the Baihe City black market for years, taking on contracted jobs.
The suspected employer behind this attack seems to be Zhao Zhenghong, captain of the third brigade of the combined forces from the former Baishi Town.’
‘Zhao Zhenghong: 31 years old, former member of the People’s Army of the combined forces, unmarried, commands a total of twenty-three team members, with Xu Yang as his second-in-command.
According to detailed investigation, Zhao Zhenghong has sent people to Baiqiu Village several times, attempting to search for something.’
"What do you think? Isn’t the information quite solid?" Li Runshan said with a grin.
(End of chapter)