330 A Set-up (1/2)
Zhan Kong was still occupied by the strange discovery at Dongting Lake after he went to bed, overwhelmed with fatigue.
He was dying to know if it the demonized Mo Fan was responsible for it. If so, it would mean that he was still alive, but how did he manage to retain rational thought? Why was he killing the Giant Lizards endlessly?
Failing to get any peaceful sleep, Zhan Kong woke up early in the morning and summoned his old comrade. He was planning to have him investigate Dongting Lake with a few men.
”Commander, Zhang Xiaohou left the army before daybreak. Judging from the things he has taken, it seems like he has planned to leave for quite a long time,” the old comrade said.
”That stupid kid!” Zhan Kong cursed.
”Should I send someone after him? He shouldn't be too far away. Leaving without permission is a serious offense,” his old friend said.
”Help him fill in the document saying that he's out on a mission, and take the chop in my room and sign it on my behalf. He might be dumb, but he's a good sapling,” Zhan Kong sighed.
”Yes, sir.”
”The demon wolves have been restless recently. I'll have to deal with them first. Send a letter to the headquarters in Biyi. Qiu Xin is my Senior Brother. He will know how to deal with the strange phenomenon at Dongting Lake. By the way, if you see that idiot Zhang Xiaohou along the way, have someone drag him back here. I don't want him to die in the wild,” Zhang Xiaohou said.
”Affirmative, I'll do it right away.”
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Biyi City, Zhang Xiaohou, who had dressed up like a hunter, stopped a passerby and asked about the location of the trading marketplace.
”Do you know if any place here is selling Soul Essence?” Zhang Xiaohou lifted his cap, revealing his eyes.
”Of course, where do you think this is? Biyi City, the closest fortress to Dongting Lake. You can even describe it as a city established right outside the demon beasts' den. Both the military and the hunters are always fighting against the demon beasts from Dongting Lake. The number of the Giant Lizard's corpses every month is enough to wrap around the Earth's perimeter twice. Soul Essence might be rare still, but there's definitely someone selling it, almost every day. Some of them are still fresh too,” the man explained.
”Alright, thanks for the tip.” Zhang Xiaohou nodded.
”Kid, I see that you're looking for Soul Essence? I do have a source here. If you're keen, I can give you a good discount. After all, once the Soul Essence is sold at the marketplace, the price will be marked up further,” the man said.
”Are you serious?” Zhang Xiaohou blurted out with joy. He was so lucky to grab someone selling Soul Essence right away, as expected of Biyi City. Normally, Soul Essence would only be found at auctions in smaller cities.
”Of course, but do you have the money?” the man asked.
”Yes, I definitely have enough. I have nine million here...”
”Nine… nine million?” The man was startled. He revalued the kid who seemed honest and upright with a first glance.
”That's right. I was planning to buy three, but I heard that even an ordinary Soul Essence would cost at least three to four million. Those that are slightly better are around five million each...I only have nine million, which is all I have after selling my equipment. Is it possible for you to sell me three for three million each?” Zhang Xiaohou asked.
It took the man some time to collect his thoughts. He did not expect an ordinary, humble looking man like Zhang Xiaohou to have so much money on him!
”Three...three it is then. It's not the best price, but since you seem to be in a hurry, I'll try contacting the seller for you,” the man said.
”Thank you. By the way, what should I call you?” Zhang Xiaohou said.
”I… err, calling me Da Jin is fine.”
”Alright, thanks, Brother Da Jin! You have quite some connections! I don't think three Soul Essences is easy to get.”
”No doubt about that, HAHAHA!” the man burst out laughing.