Chapter 110: Covetous Desire
Another day passed. In the evening, Fan Bei called the Stubborn Stone Caravan in advance. The other party said their people had already gathered and were staying overnight at the guild hall, ready to depart promptly at 8 a.m.
Fan Bei didn’t waste any time and shouted into the living room, “Da Bai, pack your luggage and bring all the essentials. This time, we’re heading into the mountains for a long-term trip.”
Da Bai, who had been whispering with Orchid, dashed into its bedroom, panting.
“Xiao Bai, did you hear the master? Hurry up and pack,” Da Bai ordered firmly.
“You have a mouth and feet, yet you want this ball to help you?” Xiao Bai remained motionless.
“I don’t know what to pack. Last time, others prepared all the food and supplies for us,” Da Bai fretted. “I can’t expect the master to help, can I?”
“Then ask Steward Huo to prepare it for you. She’s experienced,” Xiao Bai dodged. “But how you carry it is another matter. Your physique makes moving through the forest easy, but if you bring too much, it’ll be cumbersome.”
“That’s not a problem. Brother Tong told me yesterday that because I’ve been performing well lately, he specially opened a space for me that can hold a lot,” Da Bai said casually.
“Damn, why didn’t you share that with me?” Xiao Bai exclaimed, suddenly flustered.
Despite his tone, he fully understood what this meant: having a storage space was a powerful ability possessed only by a few of their kind.
“Oh, Brother Tong said our brothers’ values have dropped too much recently, so sharing is temporarily unavailable. But I can put you inside it,” Da Bai said, running over to the iron ball. With a touch, the iron ball disappeared.
“Uh, Da Bai, I just remembered—The Grand Park should release its 2.0 version soon,” Xiao Bai’s voice echoed in his mind.
At that moment, Orchid suddenly spoke up: “Da Bai, since you’re going into the mountains tomorrow, take me along. I’m very familiar with the forest.”
“Alright, I’ll put you in too,” Da Bai agreed without hesitation.
...
At 7 a.m. the next day, Fan Bei appeared at the Stubborn Stone Guild lightly equipped, accompanied by only one dog.
In the small square in front of the guild, over thirty people had already gathered, lined up in three rows, with a pile of large hiking backpacks nearby.
They were not idle; three men in black suits each held a device resembling a thermometer with three metal rings attached. They took turns having individuals hold the device for about half a minute before switching to the next.
Their faces were serious and meticulous.
An old man was speaking quietly to Lin Zhongshi.
“Brother Lin, don’t take it personally. This is our first cooperation. Although we trust the strength of your guild, certain procedures must be followed. After all, when traveling far from home, everyone wants peace of mind.”
“Boss He, no need to be polite. We completely understand; it’s only right,” Lin Zhongshi smiled broadly, no longer the stubborn man he once was.
Seeing Fan Bei get out of the car and approach, Lin Zhongshi stepped forward to greet him and made introductions.
“Brother Fan, this is the Oil River Caravan we’re escorting. This is their boss, Mr. He Gui. Mr. He, this is the local landowner, Master Fan Gu.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. He,” Fan Bei bowed slightly.
“Mr. Fan, the pleasure is mine,” He Gui replied warmly, as if he had been expecting Fan Bei’s arrival.
The three quickly struck up a conversation. They learned that Mr. He came from Oil River City in the east, over seven hundred kilometers away, near Bohai Bay, famous for various refined fuels.
This was the fuel boss. In the apocalypse, fuel was second only to food—some even said where there was fuel, there was food. Fan Bei’s own refuge had survived to this day thanks to abundant fuel reserves.
They hadn’t come empty-handed; they had already sold more than a dozen truckloads of fuel in Silver City.
Electricity could come from nuclear power, but vehicles still relied on burning fuel. Fan Bei’s knowledge from his past life told him electric cars couldn’t run far due to battery limitations.
“What are they doing?” Fan Bei curiously watched the three men.
“Oh, Brother Fan, those are simple devices testing mental strength. The rings are made of bronze, silver, and gold. The mercury column inside must break through the barriers corresponding to each ring to determine one’s level. It’s not precise but quick for temporary testing,” Lin Zhongshi explained enthusiastically.
Upon hearing this, He Gui’s eyes showed a hint of disdain but he quickly masked it. This valley lord was clearly a bumpkin, ignorant even of such a device.
After a while, all thirty-plus people finished testing.
One of the men in suits approached.
“Boss, the tests are done. Including our own people, everyone scored above the bronze level, with four at silver.”
After reporting, He Gui gave him a subtle look.
The man then turned to Fan Bei and his dog.
“Sir, will you and your dog be joining us into the mountains?” he asked politely.
Fan Bei nodded. “Yes, I’ve already communicated with President Lin and the others.”
The man in the suit understood immediately, evidently assuming Fan Bei was hitching a ride.
“In that case, I’m sorry, but I need to test you and your pet as well. This journey into the mountains is extremely dangerous. Even as employers, we can’t afford to bring liabilities along.”
Hearing this, He Gui rebuked sharply, “What are you saying? He Xing, this Mr. Fan is a local landowner and a friend of President Lin. Don’t be rude.”
He Xing looked troubled. “Boss, I’m not only responsible for everyone’s safety but also for Mr. Fan’s life.”
Fan Bei smiled. “No problem, Mr. He. Please have this brother test my pet as well. I’ve never used this device before.”
He Gui nodded. “Then please forgive us, Mr. Fan. He Xing, please hand the testing tube to Mr. Fan.”
He Xing stepped forward, handing the metal ring tube to Fan Bei with both hands and giving a few pointers.
Fan Bei held it in his palm, staring at the tube.
The red mercury column was at the bottom.
Having cultivated the Mist Armor for many days, he was adept at manipulating physical substances.
With a thought, the mercury column rose sharply.
The others watched his performance intently.
When the mercury reached the bronze ring, Fan Bei noticed a thin copper mesh inside the tube at that point, strikingly similar to the refuge’s protective net.
He applied slight force, the mercury surpassed the copper mesh, and continued upward.
The next layer was a silver wire mesh, but sadly, the mercury only bounced below it, unable to pass.
“Mr. Fan’s cultivation isn’t bad — just shy of silver level. Not bad,” He Gui exhaled slightly.
If Fan Bei’s strength had been insufficient, conflict with Lin Zhongshi’s group might have erupted. Though he looked down on this valley lord’s ignorance, as a seasoned businessman, he didn’t want unnecessary trouble.
“Mr. Fan is fine, but how will you test your dog?” He Xing asked awkwardly.
“No problem. Da Bai, open your mouth and bite it,” Fan Bei instructed, lowering his head to the dog. When he loosened his mental control, the mercury column immediately fell below the bronze ring.
“I’m not opening my mouth. Too many people have touched that thing; I’d get sick if I bit it,” Da Bai shook his head fiercely, refusing to cooperate.
At this, He Gui’s eyes lit up. “No need to test. A talking dog can’t be weak. Mr. Fan is truly lucky. Rare indeed.”
Fan Bei furrowed his brow slightly, then released it. Although he sensed something was off, there was nothing he could do at the moment.
What followed was uneventful. They introduced themselves, and Lin Zhongshi reiterated many precautions about entering the mountain forest.
No acting alone, no falling behind, don’t be fascinated by strange objects, avoid provoking odd creatures...
Though they were supposed to leave at 8 a.m., Lin Zhongshi spoke until nearly 9.
No one grew impatient. Mr. He listened more attentively than anyone. If he hadn’t valued Lin Zhongshi’s experience, he wouldn’t have paid handsomely to hire his team instead of more powerful groups.