Chapters 103 and 104 of "The Grandmaster's Verdict" by Sang Hongyun

  "It's still the same old saying, great kindness doesn't need to be thanked, I'll tell my master about it when I get back." Zhao Qing assured Xiao Hong.

  Xiao Hong's reaction was not strong, just a smile, and he didn't care about repaying kindness. Now that he had achieved all his goals and made a big profit, that was what he cared most about.

  "No need to thank me, just don't turn back and follow the rules. Hand over the materials I've obtained to the Xiaojiang Group, and I'll be satisfied." Xiao Hong said indifferently.

  "This is certain, didn't Master say so before? What you get, completely belongs to yourself." Zhao Qing guaranteed.

  So they chatted all the way, resting for a few hours along the way, until the next morning, Xiao Hong and others finally returned to the entrance of the Dark Fusion Cave.

  The area is still a mess, with 7 or 8 corpses of the Earth Dragons lying where they were initially attacked. The bodies have been dissected and the valuable parts removed. Judging from the freshness of the corpses, this happened less than two hours ago.

  It's obvious who did this, the eighth floor is another team, with meager gains, and running into a few of the remaining earth dragons that haven't retreated yet, no matter what, it's better than returning empty-handed.

  As for the scattered supplies from before, such as heavy machine guns, ammunition, and other precious materials, they were also swept clean by other teams.

  Strolling through the desolate land, Xiao Hong casually picked up a bottle of water, checked if the cap was tightly sealed, then twisted it open and gulped down several mouthfuls before pouring the rest over his face.

  Then picked up a bag of similarly sealed beef jerky and casually gnawed on it for a few bites.

  Others seeing Xiao Hong's actions also followed suit. Although the pace of their footsteps slowed down, they did not stop advancing forward.

  "Take all of your companions' bodies with you and bring them back to be buried." Xiao Hong instructed through the communication tattoo.

  "Got it." Along the way, it can be said that it was a joint command by Zhao Qing and Xiao Hong, so the crowd didn't think about resisting at the beginning, and many people had a good relationship with their deceased companions. They felt sorry for their sacrifice, and perhaps the only thing they could do was to give them a proper burial.

  Everything was settled, and since there were no other things to do, Zhao Qing led the team into the cave where they had previously arrived at the Dark Fusion Cave. However, perhaps due to Xiao Hong's suspiciousness, everyone's battle patterns were activated as soon as they entered the cave, with high vigilance, fearing a sneak attack from other forces or masked men.

  Fortunately, however, the other forces were greatly depleted and seemed to have lost interest. As for the masked man, he had completely disappeared without a trace, which was probably a wise move. After all, they only had thirty people, and it was unrealistic to directly confront a team of nearly eighty people.

  Out of the cave, onto the ground above, everyone couldn't help but take a few deep breaths of fresh air. Having arrived here, they had left behind the crisis-ridden dark cave and could finally let out a long sigh of relief.

  At the same time, they could also vaguely see that several kilometers away on the distant mountain slope, a team of dozens of people was slowly moving towards Taiwu City.

  They looked around again and found that the food they had left at the entrance of the cave for their return journey, as well as Xiao Jiang's ammunition, was either taken away or eaten up.

  Although it is marked with the words "Shaojiang Group", it still doesn't leave any impression of Shaojiang Group.

  Zhao Qing shook his head slightly as he watched the scene, this was what they called fellow travelers in Taowu City, but it was okay, at least they had eaten something earlier and wouldn't starve to death.

  "Everyone bear with it, return to Taiwu City, and we'll all get rich. One day of not eating won't kill us." Zhao Qing responded through the communication tattoo, confirming that there were no witnesses around, then ordered the team to take another route back to Taiwu City, without joining forces with other powers.

  Although the road is a bit detour, Zhao Qing still deeply understands the principle of "carrying a jade and being guilty". Other teams have poor harvests, they are full of returns, it's easy to be remembered by others, and along the way, if there are accomplices of masked men who meet with them, intercepting and killing them, the problem will become even more troublesome.

  All the way, no words were spoken, except for hastening their pace and advancing in the queue. Xiao Hong also blended into the crowd once again, but still didn't remove his mask. This time, he had too many enemies lurking in the dark, and he wouldn't bring this trouble to his own small medicine shop.

  In his heart, Xiao Hong had already thought it out, to hide this identity as much as possible. Fortunately, this layer of identity did not cause any deep-seated hatred from other forces, and was easily overlooked, except for that Chai Shuang, Xiao Hong must be vigilant.

  Originally planning to show off in the Dark Fusion Cave, Chai Feng ended up swallowing his anger and returning with a stomach full of grievances. Who knows if he'll take it out on himself later.

  Until dusk, Xiao Hong's team finally entered the city of Taiwu, and once again saw the bustling streets and familiar buildings. Xiao Hong and his companions also let out a sigh of relief.

  Once again returned to the civilized zone, with the constraints of the law, I suppose the various major powers and masked men will not come to make trouble.

  At the same time, Sang Hongyun also received a message from Zhao Qing requesting to meet up about ten minutes ago. At the designated location, Zhang Xinlei was already waiting with four large-scale magic pattern cars. Around the large-scale magic pattern cars were more than a dozen small-scale magic pattern cars, all of which were driven by Jiang Group's magic pattern drivers for escort purposes.

  After all, this time, the materials brought back by the Shao Jiang team are valuable enough to make any force drool with envy.

  Entering the large tattooed car, all team members had already shed their last persistence and collapsed on the floor. Xiao Hong, still wearing a mask, also entered the large tattooed car, preparing to go to Shang Hong's tattoo parlor first, then change into casual clothes, disguise himself as an ordinary customer, and blend in from inside, which would thoroughly wash away his current identity.

  After more than half an hour of driving, with the four large vans entering the back yard of Shang Hong's tattoo parlor, the entire backyard was put on high alert under Shang Hongyun's orders. Although he didn't know the specifics of this summer's capture, Shang Hongyun had already learned about some unexpected encounters from Zhao Qing.

  As soon as Xiao Hong got off the large magic carpet bus, he saw Sang Hongyun standing on the steps with a serious face, looking at the slightly disheveled team. At this time, Zhao Qing was respectfully standing in front of Sang Hongyun, although they had gained quite a bit this time, but so many people had died, and he couldn't avoid responsibility.

  As for Xiao Hong, he didn't bother to respond to Sang Hongyun, and carrying the little wolf on his back, he followed the crowd and entered the main building through the back door. At this time, it was still better to choose to hide as much as possible.

  "If there's anything, come to my office and say it." San Hongyun glanced around slightly, instructed Zhao Qing with a word, and also turned around and walked in.

  Along the elevator to the 11th floor, Xiao Hong didn't stop, showed his ID, came to the warehouse, took off his mask and outer purple robe, casually found a dark gray fabric armor in the warehouse, put the little wolf into a professional cage, covered it with gauze, said hello to the staff, and went down to the 10th floor, pretending to be an ordinary person, carrying his backpack, mixed into the crowd of customers.

  On his way down to the next floor, Xiao Hong didn't forget to purchase the materials needed for the Transformation Rune in the material area. The so-called Transformation Rune was a rune that could make Xiao Hong a Rider, causing his riding ability to undergo a qualitative change.

  The hardest-to-obtain variant spirit beast gall, Xiao Hong has already obtained. The rest of the precious materials, in the Dark Melt Cave, Xiao Hong also tried to gather, what's lacking are all ordinary materials, twenty gold coins will do.

  On the top floor of Shang Hong's textile mill, Sang Hongyun had just finished listening to Zhao Qing's report. In his calm expression, a hint of severity could be seen.

  Among them, two pieces of intelligence are particularly important. Firstly, the masked man is trying to eliminate the strong men in Ta Wu City, especially those from the three major forces. Secondly, Jiao Qi Shan, who was originally a mere pawn, has broken through and become a master, which can further disrupt the balance of power among the three major forces.

  A force with an additional driver as a helper, how much effect it has, no one knows better than Sang Hongyun.

  As for why he wanted to eliminate the three major forces as much as possible, Sang Hongyun already had a plan in mind.

  "Also, I strongly suggest that Xiao Hong join the Shao Jiang Group, or Master, you might as well accept him as a disciple." Zhao Qing said, seeing that his master didn't seem too surprised, and his courage grew slightly.

  When San Hongyun heard this, his originally slightly stern expression moved slightly. Zhao Qing suddenly came up with this remark, which made San Hongyun somewhat unexpected. It was undeniable that he had let Xiao Hong participate in the summer capture just to give him a ride, and it was personal affection. He hadn't expected that Zhao Qing seemed to have increased his favor towards Xiao Hong.

  "How did you suddenly think of saying this?" Sang Hongyun asked softly, fiddling with his injured white glove.

  "To be honest, this time, if it weren't for Xiao Hong, the Shao Jiang Group would not have gained so much, and might have even been completely defeated. And although Xiao Hong's abilities are average, his brain is absolutely exceptional." Zhao Qing continued to speak, recounting all of Xiao Hong's performances in detail.

  "If Master can guide him well, he will definitely become a reliable apprentice in the future." Zhao Qing added.

  "Your idea is too naive, what about in the future? Do you think Xiao Hong has a future?" San Hongyun glanced at Zhao Qing and said softly.

  "Th...". Zhao Qing's face suddenly changed color, and his next words were abruptly cut off. He seemed to have thought of something.

  "Time, if I haven't calculated wrongly, Xiao Hong's one-year deadline is almost up, with only a little more than half a year left. After half a year, the strange disease in his body will completely lose control. Even if he has a strong life force and can hold on for a while longer, he won't live past twenty." San Hongyun said, her words were heartless, but indeed true. Moreover, regarding Xiao Hong's strange disease, San Hongyun was also helpless and unable to do anything about it.

  Chapter 104: Mutation!

  Upon hearing this, Zhao Qing didn't say anything else and only slightly nodded his head. Indeed, someone with a lifespan of only half a year has no future prospects.

  "Moreover, Jiao Qi Shan's appearance has put a lot of pressure on us. Finding Quan Cang is an urgent matter, you must hurry up. This guy seems to have known that everyone is looking for him and hasn't appeared in a long time." Sang Hong Yun continued to instruct.

  "Got it, Master.", Zhao Qing replied softly.

  As soon as Zhao Qing walked out of Sang Hongyun's office, he went straight to the 11th floor. To be honest, Zhao Qing was in a low mood, and the reason was Xiao Hong. In his heart, this might be what they called "heavenly jealousy of talented people".

  Arriving at the 11th floor, those who participated in the summer capture, except for the tattoo artists who reserved a portion of materials, the pure tattooists have almost surrendered all their materials and exchanged them for contribution points to be used later to obtain better tattoos.

  Xu Yun from the Supervision Department, accompanied by several staff members, is taking stock of equipment in the warehouse. Most people who participated in the summer harvest have exchanged almost all the goods they received for contribution points.

  "Xiao Yun, how's work going?", Zhao Qing asked as he walked up to Xu Yun.

  "It's almost all accounted for, except for a guy named Xiao Hong who took away nearly 100 gold coins' worth of stuff from us, which hasn't been exchanged yet." Xu Yun said, looking at her notebook and speaking politely to Zhao Qing.

  "Never mind, let's just put Xiao Hong's account on my head," Zhao Qing said, and casually took out a 100-gold-coin savings pattern from his pocket and placed it on Xu Yun's notebook. It can be said that the goods in the warehouse now are almost seven layers without Xiao Hong, which is unattainable.

  He Nai Xiong, who had just arrived, couldn't help but change his expression when he heard Xiao Hong's name. He owed Xiao Hong a life-saving favor and still remembered it in his heart. Without saying much, He Nai Xiong also took out a hundred taels of silver from his pocket.

  "Zhao Ge, how can this be? Xiao Hong's bill is mine!", said He Nai Xiong.

  "No, it's still mine. Zhao Qing continued, don't mention the previous one he also received a bottle of variant blood scale wolf gall from Xiao Hong, several thousand gold, this is his total salary for several years."

  Xu Yun, who was standing aside, saw the two of them arguing over paying for Xiao Hong's bill and felt a bit dizzy. As for Xiao Hong, he still had some impression of him as the owner of a small pharmacy. In contrast, Zhao Qing and He Nai Xiong were basically high-ranking figures in the Shaojiang Group.

  Two dignified upper-class individuals, as if filled with flattery, gave a small boss the bill, this... is too fake, right? Xun Yun also found it hard to imagine what Xiao Hong had done to these two people.

  As for the book name guide Xiao Jie next to Xu Yun, the staff members looked at each other in confusion, somewhat unclear about the situation. They knew almost nothing about Xiao Hong, but being able to get Zhao Qing and He Nai Xiong to fight over paying the bill obviously meant he was no ordinary person.

  In the end, the matter was settled with each of them taking out fifty pieces of gold.

  At the same time, Xiao Hong, who was taking the magic bus, had also arrived at the street where Dahongmei was sitting. The most striking thing was that the sky bridge had been completed and pedestrians were already passing by continuously. The billboards on both sides of the sky bridge were empty.

  Once again seeing such a scene, Xiao Hong, who had gone through the dark cave of life and death nine times, felt particularly close to it.

  Getting off the taxi, it was already six o'clock in the evening. Walking into Da Hong Mei's shop, Xiao Hong saw Li Le and others entertaining the remaining female customers.

  It's clear that these few days have been quite good for Da Hongmei's trip despite her absence.

  Seeing Xiao Hong appear at the door, Li Le and others changed their expressions one after another, and then they all came forward.

  "Hong Ge, you're back! Coming to Xiao Hong's front, Li Le Xing said with excitement, it can be said that without Xiao Hong, these days have been like losing their soul."

  "Hmm." Xiao Hong nodded slightly and said, although his whole body looked weak, but in his expression, there was still a hint of excitement.

  "How was it? Was everything all right on the way?" Linzi asked further.

  "Not bad," Xiao Hong responded.

  "Oh, right.", Li Le suddenly thought of something and took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Hong: "This is a guy who claims to be the principal of Xijin Mofeng Academy, left behind, saying that if you come back, please contact him." Taking over the business card, Xiao Hong can clearly see the two characters "Han Chen", the principal of Xijin Mofeng Academy.

  With the Dark Fusion Cavern incident, Xiao Hong could say that her impression of Xijin Magic Academy was really not too good, especially that Chai Shuang, although she didn't lose anything and even gave her a Thorny Vine, but thinking about her reckless behavior, Xiao Hong felt annoyed.

  "How did you tell him?" Xiao Hong asked with a hint of vigilance.

  "As you instructed, I said you went to see a distant relative." Li Le responded.

  "Hmm." Xiao Hong then put the business card into his pocket and nodded.

  Hehe.

  Just then, while Xiao Hong was chatting, he looked at the cage in Xiao Hong's hand covered with a thin gauze, making such a sound, and his small paws were constantly scratching the gauze, apparently not liking something blocking its line of sight.

  Seeing the little guy's behavior, Xiao Hong smiled slightly and carefully took the little guy out from inside.

  "Hmm, what's this thing? Seeing Xiao Hong holding Little Wolf in his arms, Li Le blinked and asked. Nowadays, Little Wolf has gone through a series of struggles, compared to when he was first seen, he is even more disheveled, with a gray head and a dirty face, it's impossible to see the original color of his fur."

  "Little wolf, picked up along the way." Xiao Hong smiled and responded.

  "What does it look like, like a fat mouse or something? What are you going to do with this thing?" Li Le continued to ask.

  Xiao Hong didn't respond, just smiled and greeted the old customer before heading to the backyard.

  After locking all the precious materials in the safe in the bedroom, Xiao Hong turned around, fetched a basin of clear water, and gently cleaned the dust off Xiao Lang's body, carefully examining his injuries at the same time.

  Now calming down, Xiao Hongcai found that this abandoned little guy seemed to have been neglected for a long time. Under its fur, there were scratches all over, but it refused to die, which showed the tenacity of life.

  The sweltering summer day, looking at the small wolf in the water basin, it seems to be extremely enjoyable, with its round eyes narrowed.

  Unable to help himself, Xiao Hongliang gently rubbed its small head, as if seeing himself in it, still living strong in adversity.

  However, just as Xiao Hong carefully washed off all the dirt and stains on Xiao Qi's body, Xiao Hong's expression suddenly changed, and a look of surprise and astonishment flashed in his eyes.

  The hands that had been constantly cleaning the little wolf's fur suddenly stopped.

  Previously, Xiao Qi Lang's body was covered in mud, and Xiao Hong couldn't notice, but now, Xiao Hong finally saw clearly that the little guy's seemingly white fur was actually pale pink, very light, but indeed it was. More importantly, a golden hair ran from the top of his head all the way to his tail.

  "My god, don't tell me this is a joke! Xiao Hong couldn't help but exclaim, because all the characteristics indicated that this little wolf was mutated!"

  Found treasure, there's no doubt about it.

  At this time, Li Le and others who had been busy for a day also returned to the backyard, planning to prepare dinner, and as a result, they saw Xiao Hong staring at the little guy still playing in the water basin with a look of surprise.

  "Hong Ge, what's wrong with you? Are you tired?" Lin Zi asked tentatively.

  "It's okay, but...," Xiao Hong pointed to the small Qiu Wolf in the water basin and said, "It's mutated." "Huh?" Li Le, who heard this, immediately opened his mouth wide and ran over to Xiao Hong's side. He looked at the little guy in the water basin and said without hesitation, "Isn't that a gallbladder? We can sell it for thousands of gold! Wow, we're going to get rich!" As mentioned before, Qiu Wolves are extremely intelligent spiritual beasts. Upon hearing this sentence, the small Qiu Wolf seemed to understand or sensed Li Le's greedy tone and instantly gave him a hostile stare. It stretched out its two small claws, grabbed Xiao Hong's finger, and kept rubbing its little head against his hand, acting cute and endearing.

  After his initial shock, Xiao Hong regained his composure and saw Xiao Qi Lang's appearance, smiled slightly, and then tapped Xiao Qi Lang's head with his hand.

  Xiao Hong himself already has a variant beast gall, and for money, he killed the little wolf. Xiao Hong is not that cruel.

  Risking his life to bring it out of the dark cave, Xiao Hong still decided to give it to Mu Xi'er, fulfilling his promise. Mu Xi'er must be a very good master, at least compared to Xiao Hong. After all, Xiao Hong didn't seem to want to become a beastmaster, and he also didn't have that much patience.

  "Don't worry, nothing will happen to you." Xiao Hong said to the little wolf, then took it out of the water basin and used a blow dryer to dry its fur.

  The little wolf cub has become much neater, with the hair around its body fluffed up, looking like a small ball of fur, extremely cute. However, when looking at Li Le, its eyes are still filled with hostility and vigilance, and it will occasionally reveal its sharp little fangs.

  Li Le didn't bother with it anymore and instead turned to Xiao Qi Lang and stuck out her tongue before going to prepare dinner.

  It was late at night, after dinner, Xiao Hong took out a large piece of mutated blood scale wolf meat and shared it with everyone to taste the freshness. He then threw the small wolf cub to Lin Zi for care and returned to his bedroom.

  Start by carefully reviewing the gains from your trip to the Dark Fusion Cavern, then immediately begin meticulously studying books and designing transformation magic patterns.

  The entire transformation pattern, especially with the use of variant blood scale wolf's bile, can be said to be the most expensive magic pattern made by Xiao Hong in history. Similarly, Xiao Hong is also very clear that this is an opportunity he has exchanged for at the risk of his life, so in terms of design, it can be said to be cautious and careful, and he has already thought it through, preparing tonight and starting production tomorrow, then immediately putting it into his own cultivation.