Chapter 172: Other Rewards

In his slightly murky eyes, the 【Sheep-Deer Statue】 was reflected, its two horns covered with fine textures on the surface, as if hidden in the depths of the darkness.

Eight-Fingers was stunned at first, and then it was a visible surprise; even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes piled up together.

Realizing that his subordinate was still standing in front of him looking at him, the boss of the Grey Badger Gang hurriedly suppressed the joy in his heart, tightened his face, and coughed twice:

"Cough, cough, are you sure the source of this statue is clean?"

"Speak properly, don't lie to me!"

His tone suddenly became exceptionally serious.

"This thing is not simple... whether it's the two professionals just now or any other big shot, if you offend them, the entire Grey Badger Gang will have to wipe your ass!"

Hearing this, Tie Tou's expression, which had been somewhat giggling, also became serious.

Not daring to hide anything, he told the other party exactly about his encounter in the 【Iron Barrel Toad】.

"The drunkard is called 'Walker,' and he used to be a coolie at the post station."

"His wife died from drinking sewage, his son sold newspapers to support the family, and his little daughter was lying in bed sick."

"Even a few friends from when he used to work were borrowed money from until they ran away; he has no background at all."

Speaking of this, Tie Tou couldn't help but take two steps forward, leaning in and lowering his voice:

"Boss, don't worry, I did it very cleanly, there won't be any flaws. The brothers who followed me in the gang also talked to them one by one, and their mouths are tight."

"For a drunkard like this, a few die in the city every day; no one will care."

Hearing this, Eight-Fingers' expression relaxed a lot.

After pondering for a moment, he still felt uneasy, pulled Tie Tou over, and instructed carefully:

"Like this, tonight you find two brothers, catch a few stray grey-skinned rats and take them up."

"These rats have been craving a lot recently, they eat everything."

"Dispose of the corpse, do you understand?"

Being able to become a small leader, Tie Tou was naturally not a fool.

Before Eight-Fingers finished speaking, he had already understood the meaning of the other party.

He nodded in understanding.

"No problem, Boss, I will definitely clean it up for him!"

It wasn't that Eight-Fingers was overly cautious, but that the 【Sheep-Deer Statue】 in his hand was simply too hot to handle.

What he said just now was definitely not alarmist; with the dangerous situation of surging undercurrents among the high-level people in the city, if the statue really involved one of the big shots, the entire Grey Badger Gang would be buried with it.

If it weren't for his image being too obvious, fearing that he would be counterproductive, Eight-Fingers even wanted to go up and handle it himself.

He carefully untied the soft cloth strip wrapped outside and gently took the statue out of it.

His left hand supported it from below, and his right hand held it, not daring to use too much force.

Borrowing the bright flame light of the torches on both sides, he carefully examined the statue in his hand.

From top to bottom, he swept back and forth several times.

The expression on his face showed some strangeness.

Coming from an adventurer background, and later returning to Niumu by chance to establish the Grey Badger Gang, his subordinates were all thugs who hadn't read books.

He certainly couldn't appreciate this small, dark, and ordinary-looking statue.

In Eight-Fingers' view, it wasn't even as good-looking as those cheap decorations on the tavern wall.

If he didn't know its popularity among high-end people in the city right now, he wouldn't even want it if it were given to him for free.

But since he knew that statues of this style were being sought after by those noble lords and big shots who had obtained professional levels...

Eight-Fingers' mind also became active.

Coinciding with the annual "Moon Feast," the West District, where the Moon God Church of the 【Moon Maiden】 "Selene" was located, would also hold many high-end banquets in the name of celebrating the festival.

At that time, whether it was the clergy priests in the church, those noble lords wearing gold and silver, or the pot-bellied rich merchants, they would all appear at the banquet.

For this reason, he had spent I don't know how many gold coins through various channels and prepared for nearly half a year before he managed to get an admission ticket to one of the banquets by borrowing the light of a down-and-out noble.

He had originally thought about collecting some money from the brothers in the gang, plus the gift money he had specially prepared for this, to see if he could hug the thigh of one of the big shots.

Now, with the statue in hand, things seemed to have become much simpler.

If he could take this opportunity to offer the statue to a big shot and make good use of it, not to mention how much money he could earn, the influence of the Grey Badger Gang he founded could also expand a little further outward.

Perhaps, he could also snatch some profitable businesses like casinos.

By then, he wouldn't have to take the brothers in the gang and shrink in this dark, sunless sewer like rats.

Thinking of this, no matter how much he wanted to maintain the majesty of his gang leader, Eight-Fingers still couldn't stop a hint of joy from appearing on his face.

He smiled and reached out to pat Tie Tou on the shoulder beside him, praising:

"Well, you did a good job this time."

"Not to mention anything else, after the Moon Feast passes, I'll give you a few gold coins to take and have a good time for a few days."

Tie Tou, who didn't know the actual value of the wooden carving and only remembered it because the boss had mentioned it before, heard the usually strict Eight-Fingers say this and couldn't help but scratch his head, a silly smile appearing on his face.

"Hey, I'm still old, I can't even cut a few little rats."

Eight-Fingers rubbed his shoulders somewhat deliberately, pointing out:

"After I retire in the future, the Grey Badger Gang will still have to be handed over to young people like you for me to feel at ease."

Growing up in the slums since childhood and having never done a proper job, how could Tie Tou stand such words?

Immediately, he straightened his back, patted his chest, and made a full guarantee.

It was as if the Grey Badger Gang was about to be handed over to him tomorrow.

Regarding this, Eight-Fingers narrowed his eyes and encouraged him a few words, patted him intimately on the shoulder again, and let him go do his own things.

Although this kid said he had nothing to do with the two professionals just now and just happened to meet them.

But after such a long time on the road, who knew what they had chatted about and whether they had developed some friendship.

Being nice to him might just allow him to get in touch with those two.

Pondering this in his heart, Eight-Fingers withdrew his gaze.

His fingertips gently rubbed the texture on the surface of the statue, feeling the cold touch coming from his fingertips.

For some reason, the wooden carving, which he had previously thought was extremely ugly, had become pleasing to the eye after only being in his hands for such a short while.

That blurred outline, smooth and natural lines, simple and textured workmanship...

It actually made Eight-Fingers feel a kind of mysterious beauty he had never come into contact with before.

Roar—

The strange roar coming from the depths of the pipe gallery, low and distorted, interrupted his gradually immersed spirit.

Subconsciously, he looked up and glanced at the direction the sound came from, but only saw a piece of deep and long darkness.

Complaining in his mouth:

"This ghost place..."

When Xia Nan and Wood, following the little thug named "Wry Neck," wound their way out of the sewer and left the slums to return to the city,

the time had already reached evening.

The sky was dim, purple-red clouds drifted in the sky, and wisps of twilight flickered between the eaves of distant buildings.

Wood still had that stiff and serious expression, but his words revealed a hint of concern.

"I have to go back to the young master; be careful yourself tomorrow, don't be careless."

"Although the environment in the slums is not necessarily as dangerous as the sewer, there are often dangerous people wanted by the Association hiding inside."

"With your current strength... pay attention, and there shouldn't be any major problems."

Xia Nan nodded seriously, indicating he understood.

Actually, the other party didn't need to say much; he would also be doubly vigilant.

To some extent, since he came to Niumu City, even on the street where Jeff lived, where public security was still considered good,

whenever he went out, he was always fully armed, not even leaving behind the small dagger at his waist.

He didn't become careless because he had obtained a professional level; on the contrary, he became more careful because of the more sensitive perception ability after the promotion.

"If you really encounter any trouble that is difficult to solve, you can go to the Moon God Church to seek help."

The time spent together was short, and fearing that Xia Nan would suffer losses when completing the mission because he was unfamiliar with this city, Wood added to him during the last bit of leisure before saying goodbye.

"The believers of the Moon Goddess are not stingy in extending a helping hand to those trapped in the mud, and with the Moon Feast approaching and under the gaze of the Goddess, they also possess sufficiently reliable combat power."

As he spoke, a strange and interesting expression suddenly appeared on his serious face.

"In case of necessity, even if you don't know the detailed identity of the enemy, or the other party's purpose."

"When seeking help from the church, you can also guide and blur the enemy's identity and background in the direction of 'cultists' or 'plotting a conspiracy that may endanger the residents of the entire town'."

"This can make those wearing robes in the church pay more attention."

Xia Nan kept the key points mentioned by the other party firmly in his heart.

These were obviously experiences that could only be summarized by someone who had a certain understanding of the church and had dealt with them many times.

Whether he could use them or not, remembering them first was never wrong.

"If the trouble is really too big, or if it is related to the church itself..." Wood's expression became somewhat hesitant, and his speaking speed slowed down, as if he was considering whether what he was about to say was appropriate.

"You can come find me and the young master."

"At least life safety can be guaranteed."

"But... for your own sake, unless it is a last resort, at least at the current stage, it is better to have less contact with us."

Right now, the old master was seriously ill, and pairs of eyes were staring at the position of the next City Lord.

Under such circumstances, the City Lord's offspring suddenly meeting an unknown professional could easily lead to many unnecessary troubles.

"Understood, then I will visit again when I have the opportunity in the future."

Knowing roughly what was happening in Niumu City from newspapers and other people, and knowing that Wood's suggestion was also for his own safety, Xia Nan didn't mind.

And with his current strength, cutting a few goblins and slashing two grey-skinned rats was more than enough, but involving himself in this level of struggle made him appear somewhat stretched.

He also had no intention of getting involved in this kind of dispute.

Of course, although he thought so in his heart, after all, Hai'an and Wood had helped him too much.

Seeing that they shouldn't be able to meet again in the short term, he always had to express something, so he said:

"This time is fine, but no matter what, within my ability, if you need it, you can come to Hegu Town to find me in the future."

It was originally just a polite remark mixed with sincerity.

Xia Nan didn't feel that the City Lord's young master, who could invite a high-level professional like the Barbarian Fugang, would have any difficulties that needed him to solve.

He hadn't expected that after hearing his words, Wood actually hesitated for a moment and said slowly:

"Well... although I feel it might be a bit abrupt to say so, after a while, maybe there really will be a small favor that needs to trouble you a little."

If it were before, before Wood met Xia Nan in the tavern, he definitely wouldn't have had this idea.

After all, in his eyes, the other party was just a newcomer adventurer who had just mastered a combat technique.

But now, in just a few months, the other party had obtained a professional level at a speed that could be called exaggerated.

It far exceeded his expectations.

And if he continued to improve at the speed Xia Nan was showing now, in a few more months, maybe he would really have stood firm on the path of a professional and be moving toward "Transcendence."

After finishing speaking, fearing that Xia Nan would misunderstand something, Wood waved his hand and said:

"Of course, even if I really have to trouble you, it will definitely be after a period of time; you don't have to think so much now."

"And by then, we will definitely entrust it to the Association in the form of a mission; we won't take advantage of you."

As for entrusting missions, as an adventurer, he made a living by mission bounties, so Xia Nan didn't have too many concerns.

What really made him care, or rather confused, was the information the other party inadvertently revealed in his words.

"Take advantage?"

"If the mission is entrusted to the Association, they should charge a handling fee, right? If you really need my help, wouldn't it be cheaper to communicate privately?"

Hearing Xia Nan's confusion, Wood was stunned for a moment, and then revealed a look of realization.

"Almost forgot, this is your promotion mission; you have to complete it to go to the second floor, right?"

"I'm being a bit talkative; I should have let the Association tell you."

"It's okay, you'll know after you complete the mission and go back."

Hearing the other party say this, Xia Nan's expression became even more confused.

He just pondered in his heart.

According to what the other party revealed, for adventurers who had already obtained a professional level, besides the general mission bounty, the Association itself would also provide some other rewards.

Perhaps...

Xia Nan shook his head and threw the complicated thoughts behind him.

Thinking so much now made no sense; when he finished this mission and returned to Hegu Town, everything would be clear.

Walking side by side on the street, keeping the precautions Wood had instructed along the way in his heart, the two officially parted at a fork in the road.

Xia Nan also returned to Jeff's house, where he was temporarily staying, just waiting for tomorrow morning, when someone from the Grey Badger Gang would come to lead him to the residence of "Colander" Da Ben.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 173 =====