Chapter 60 (1/2)
Chapter 60: Motivated by Personal Interests
”Why?” Han Nanzu asked doubtfully, taken aback.
However, Lu Chen did not answer him immediately. Instead, he lifted his head and shouted toward Yi Xin and He Gang, who were climbing the stone wall nearby, ”You two, come down first.”
He Gang and Yi Xin turned their heads to look in his direction. They were somewhat surprised but quickly descended the stone wall anyway.
Walking toward Lu Chen, Yi Xin asked hurriedly, ”Brother Lu, we were in the midst of picking Dusk Mist Flower. Why did you call us down?”
Lu Chen replied, ”Put that aside first. We have to leave now.”
”Ah?” Hearing his words, He Gang and Yi Xin were astonished, confusion showing obviously on their faces.
Han Nanzu, who was standing by the side, looked firmly at Lu Chen with a frown and asked, ”Brother Lu, what's wrong?”
Lu Chen answered, ”I sense something amiss with our surroundings. There might be a pack of Black Jackals coming.”
He Gang sneered immediately, thinking nothing of Lu Chen's words, ”It's just a pack of inferior demonic beasts, what's there to fear?”
Lu Chen's eyebrows knitted together tightly and he stared at He Gang with deep eyes. Under his fixed look, He Gang suddenly recalled his dismal performance earlier, barely coping with the few Black Jackals. Immediately, he was unable to maintain his nonchalant expression anymore, and embarra.s.sment and anger surged onto his face. ”What are you looking at! Back then, when we met the pack of Black Jackals, I was just unprepared. Who would fear those beasts? I will show you how I can easily send them fleeing with their tails tucked between their legs!”
”Enough!” A hushed but authoritative voice sounded. Han Nanzu stopped He Gang from speaking any further, but there was a look of displeasure on his face. ”Brother Lu, these Dusk Mist Flowers are important to us. Furthermore, you should have seen us dealing with the Black Jackals earlier on. They're of no problems at all.”
Lu Chen sighed. ”In this jungle, there are varying sizes to the packs of Black Jackals. They could range from just a few up to several hundred. If that happens to be a larger pack and they mob up against you, it could be quite dangerous.”
Han Nanzu was silent for a moment, and indecision was apparent on his face. At this moment, Yi Xin turned to look at the wet stone wall and spoke, ”Senior Uncle, we have only picked a few Dusk Mist Flowers. There are still a lot of them on top.”
Han Nanzu turned around and saw that, indeed, most of the Dusk Mist Flowers had yet to be picked. Swaying ever so slightly in the moist wind, they looked exceptionally alluring. He hesitated for a moment, and thoughts about the uses of Dusk Mist Flowers flashed through his mind. After which, he decisively announced, ”Let's continue picking but hurry up. Once we're done picking the Dusk Mist Flowers, we will leave instantly.”
”Alright!” He Gang and Yi Xin replied in harmony.
Yi Xin turned around immediately to head toward the stone wall. On the other hand, He Gang glared at Lu Chen in disdain before proceeding as well.
Looking at He Gang's back, Lu Chen shook his head lightly. Then, he turned to Han Nanzu and stated, ”Since that's the case, I will be leaving first then. I have fulfilled my end of the promise and brought the three of you to the 2-mark Dusk Mist Flower, so I won't be staying here any longer.”
Lu Chen clasped his hands toward Han Nanzu before leaving.
Han Nanzu stared at Lu Chen's back as he left. He opened his mouth hesitantly, only to close it without saying a word. He took a deep breath before turning to the stone wall to a.s.sist He Gang and Yi Xin.
※※※
Lu Chen left the lake with widened strides. He walked to the cliff's edge where they stood earlier and surveyed the environment below. A chilling atmosphere had set onto the dense forests of Black Armored Mountain. Further in the distance, amidst the forest, Lu Chen could vaguely discern figures moving under the shadows. Nonetheless, it was hard to determine the numbers that were hidden under the guise of the forest, and they were traveling at rapid speed in his direction.
Lu Chen's expression changed. His gaze s.h.i.+fted toward the mountainous stream below him, then he snorted gently, ”Hmph”. After which, he turned around immediately and left with large strides.