Chapter 245: Old Acquaintances

Kongming finished answering Tang Luo's question, then began to think.

This time, there are nine Shenmo Xingzou in total.

Seven men and two women; among them, one woman had a cold and beautiful appearance, her skin slightly pale, yet her lips carried a hint of bright red, causing Kongming's gaze to linger for a moment.

It was not that Kongming instinctively looked at beautiful women, but rather this woman, he knew.

The crowd appeared in a village, surrounded by some dilapidated huts.

Outside, a thin layer of light curtain still enveloped them, indicating they could not yet move freely, serving as an opportunity for the Shenmo Xingzou to get to know each other.

Tang Luo swept his gaze over; among these seven Shenmo Xingzou, he saw many acquaintances.

Besides Kongming by his side, there were two others whom Tang Luo also knew.

One was an extremely burly man, bald, his skin tanned to a bronze color, wearing only a vest, camouflage pants, and shoes similar to military boots.

Jin Gang, fifth time, Shenmo Xingzou encountered in the modified Gourd Baby mission.

"Master!"

When Tang Luo saw him, Jin Gang also swept his gaze over, saw Tang Luo, and his face lit up with surprise and joy.

The other was a youth, head slightly lowered, hair somewhat long—Tang Luo's companion from his first mission for approaching science—Ah Fei.

Real name unknown, the fate of the wuxia figure "Ah Fei," still holding a sword in hand.

However, this sword was completely different from the one seen before; though still sheathed, it already carried a faint sharp intent, likely a piece of equipment.

Their eyes met; Ah Fei said nothing, merely gave a subtle smile.

The remaining five—two women and three men—Tang Luo did not know.

Those who knew each other acknowledged each other; those who did not know remained silent, merely observing one another.

"Everyone."

Kongming spoke aloud, "Whether acquainted or not, will we always travel together on this mission? Now we are companions; perhaps we can get to know each other. I am Kong Xuan, skilled in swordsmanship."

We are all on the same mission, with no grudges between us.

Although this mission's "scope is vast," we may not necessarily continue cooperating after leaving.

But getting to know each other is only natural; Kongming saying this now, no one will refuse.

"Jin Gang, skilled in close combat! Strength and muscles are beauty!" Jin Gang struck a bodybuilder's pose and said, his gaze burning as he looked at Tang Luo.

"Do you see? Master, these are my muscles now, having followed your steps further."

This made others' gazes turn somewhat strange.

"……" Tang Luo covered his face, indicating he did not know this man.

"Ah Fei, skilled in swordsmanship." Ah Fei's self-introduction was very brief.

"Fu Fengxue, skilled in blade technique." Another man said; he looked ordinary, with a black blade hanging at his waist, emitting an aura that warned strangers not to approach.

This made Ah Fei unable to help but glance at him twice more.

One a cold swordsman, the other a cold blade wielder, standing together, they looked quite interesting.

"Zhang Xiuiping, skilled in spear, is to fire the spear." A man of stern bearing said, revealing a sunny smile.

The remaining three also introduced themselves separately, but only gave their names, without stating what they were skilled in.

The cold and beautiful woman whom Kongming had glanced at several times called herself "Yuhan."

Tang Luo spoke last, saying: "I am the monk Xuanzang, skilled in consecration and healing wounds, curing illness and saving people, and I also know secret arts—temporarily enhancing a target's strength, divine-level support. If anyone is near death or cannot win, come to me for consecration and treatment, for strengthening. If ineffective, no charge!"

Upon saying this, everyone looked at him.

The stern-looking Zhang Xiuiping smiled and said: "I have still heard a little of the name Xuanzang Dashi."

"No problem, no problem." Tang Luo said with a smile, "Unfortunately, I cannot bring my business card in."

Handing out business cards is Tang Luo's basic operation.

"Indeed, Xuanzang Dashi is as rumored……uh, broad-minded." Zhang Xiuiping thought of an adjective and said.

"Just now you said 'Da You'; could it be that you heard it in some mission?" Kongming asked.

The two were acquainted, as already shown earlier, with no intention of concealment.

"Yes." Tang Luo said, "I once had a mission completed in An City of Da You. I just don't know if they are the same. If so, this world is a xianxia world, with productivity similar to ancient feudal society. From the mission description, I think you can also feel it."

Gods and demons emerge, monsters swarm, subduing demons and eliminating evil—such a description would not be an ordinary Huaxia ancient-style society.

"We must protect the nation's fortune……" Kongming murmured, sinking into thought, "It's probably not a simple mission."

"What's the point of thinking about this?" Jin Gang said carelessly, "Aren't there various branch missions? We just walk around, encounter missions, complete them, then return—done."

"No."

Kongming shook his head and said, "The mission won't be that simple."

"Isn't it said that completing a branch mission allows one to choose to return?" Jin Gang asked, puzzled.

"If merely completing one branch mission allowed return, I certainly wouldn't say this mission isn't simple." Kongming said, "But if multiple, and if my guess is correct, only when we have completed enough branch missions—sufficiently 'many,' sufficiently 'effective'—to protect Da You's national fortune for a hundred years, can we return."

"You mean the so-called branch missions are actually dividing the great mission of protecting Da You's national fortune for a hundred years into various small goals for us to complete?" Zhang Xiuiping asked.

"Yes." Kongming nodded, "Let's assume we split up, each encountering different missions: one person faces defeating invading foreign tribes, another faces killing a Huang Daxian causing havoc in a village.

"The latter completing the mission could return, but in reality, it should be another Shenmo Xingzou's merit, allowing accumulation to reach the level of protecting a hundred years of national fortune."

"Then isn't there no such thing as early return?" someone asked.

"Perhaps that's exactly it……" Kongming said.

"Then if we complete the mission but do not choose to return, can we stay here forever?" Tang Luo's eyes brightened as he asked.

Kongming said meaningfully, "Possibly. Earlier was only my guess. It's also possible that each person completing a mission, protecting national fortune exceeding ten years, can choose to return; finally, when accumulation reaches a hundred years of national fortune, they will be forced to return."

"So, I think perhaps we can cooperate, jointly participating in completing more 'branch missions,' and the more we complete, the greater our final rewards will be."

Kongming concluded.

"Not necessarily; it surely also depends on each person's contribution. Don't forget the situation where missions are completed by others, yielding no reward." The cold and beautiful woman, Yuhan, said.

"Exactly, that's why we should work together." Kongming emphasized the two words "work together".

Yuhan stopped saying anything, but she didn't agree with Kongming either, giving the feeling of "we can work together, but she might leave at any moment".

In fact, many people think this way.

Let's see the situation; if cooperation goes smoothly, we can naturally cooperate, but if it's forced, why bother?

Those present aren't exactly weaklings—at least there are no weaklings who want to cling to a strong one.

Jin Gang doesn't count—he's Tang Luo's fanboy, not one of those weaklings who kneel without clinging to a strong one.

As they spoke, the outer light shield dispersed.

Gusts of cold wind blew in, chill permeating the air, indicating the current season is roughly winter.

"How much do you know about the Great You?" Kongming asked.

"Actually, I know nothing at all." Tang Luo showed a smile, looking quite proud.

"Then what are you proud of exactly!" Kongming held these words in his heart.

"But I know two immortal sects: one called the Boundless Sect, a very common name, and another called the Profound Discussion Sect, likely the Boundless Sect's rival. I was a guest in the Boundless Sect." Tang Luo said, "In this world, there have even been Golden Core cultivators, five hundred years ago."

"What realm is the Golden Core in this world?" someone asked, not unfamiliar with the concept of Golden Core.

But fantasy works are myriad, and Golden Cores vary greatly.

"I don't know, haven't seen one, but anyway it's pretty weak." Tang Luo laughed.

"Why say all this? Better to act." Yuhan said, heading first toward the nearby wooden hut, indeed a typical person of action.

Everyone also split up, routinely scouting the surroundings; if they could find a map or something, confirming their location would be ideal.

Tang Luo and Kongming walked together.

Kongming whispered: "That person Fufengxue is one of us; Fuhongxue's fate, his strength is not inferior to mine."

"Oh." Tang Luo nodded, "Afei is someone you should know, a person who leans toward science; that Jin Gang cooperated with him in a mission once, so he can be trusted."

With Tang Luo and Kongming as the link, plus Fufengxue, Afei, and Jin Gang, these are five people who can trust each other.

"That Yuhan, she counts as your clan, called Tang Yuhan." Kongming said, "A strong one who leans toward science; I see your appearance, you probably don't know her?"

Tang Luo shook his head.

"Afei should know her; she has a nickname, called the Blood Queen." Kongming said.

"Looking at her, she clearly looks anemic. I even wanted to give her an enlightenment." Tang Luo said.

Kongming gave Tang Luo a speechless look.

Want to give a female donor an enlightenment? Good thing you only thought it, didn't say it out loud, otherwise you might get into a fight on the spot.

The temper of that Blood Queen, it's not good.

Here Tang Luo and the two were talking about the Blood Queen.

On the other side, Afei also stood beside Tang Yuhan.

"Is that white-haired person Tang Xuanzang?" Tang Yuhan asked, her voice clear and cold.

"Yes." Afei said, "He is……well, a strong one." He could only describe him that way.

If speaking of reliability, recalling that day's situation, Afei not only wanted to mourn for Aotuo silently.

"I died and then lived again"—this kind of experience is not something just anyone can have.

"Can we cooperate?" Tang Yuhan asked.

Her position in leaning toward science is similar to a sect elder; usually she doesn't manage affairs, but her status is high, rather transcendent.

The gatherings of leaning toward science in Modu are actually all provided with venues by Tang Yuhan.

Yes, she is that very rich local tyrant, also good-looking.

Those who shout "I don't want to strive anymore, still being kept by a rich woman" in their minds picture such a "rich woman".