24: The Axe Gang provoked, but Xiao Shen ignored them

“That’s right,” Wang Yi said with a smile. “Who knows what he wants with the Little Ice Fox? What if he follows the trail, finds that car, and tries to take our seats?”

Besides, that person looked fierce and didn't seem like a good guy. For a chance encounter, who says you have to tell the truth?

“Let’s go. We’ll keep looking for a car. If we really can’t find one, we’ll go back and come again tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

After the three of them walked away, the Little Ice Fox quietly poked its head out, its eyes filled with complex emotions.

Perhaps, not all humans are bad?

...Outside the Wall, at the guild.

Xiao Shen searched all day but couldn't find any trace of Liu Ling'er, so he had no choice but to return to the guild.

By now, he had advanced to Level Three by taking an Martial Enhancement Pill, becoming a true Level Three Martial Artist.

The mission list had been updated. Xiao Shen found a mission suitable for martial artists Level Three and above and was about to tear it off to register when he turned around and found his path blocked.

“Who are you?”

Xiao Shen frowned deeply. He had always been a lone wolf, and he had never seen these people before.

“So you’re the kid stealing our business, huh? You’ve got some nerve! State your name!”

The people standing in front of Xiao Shen were all very tall, and each carried a weapon. Some had axes, some had hoes, and one even had a wok spatula... Xiao Shen: ?

“Kid, don’t think we can’t do anything to you just because you’re not talking. I’ll tell you the truth, we’re all from the Axe Gang. Outside the guild, our word is law. I advise you to hand over that mission quickly, otherwise, hmph hmph...”

Axe Gang?

Oh, Xiao Shen remembered. When he first came to the guild, he had indeed heard of the Axe Gang. They used to chop wood and farm outside the guild, gradually forming an organization. Later, martial artists even emerged, and after so many years of development, they grew into their current size.

It was said that their leader was a Level Seven Martial Artist, and his strength was not to be underestimated.

Xiao Shen had no intention of arguing with them, so he said, “Since you want this mission, then take it. I’ll take another mission.”

After saying that, he placed the torn-off mission slip back on the table and went to choose another mission.

“Big Brother, he gave us the mission. What should we do?”

A subordinate asked the leader of the Axe Gang members.

“Yeah, Big Brother, this kid isn't playing by the rules. Are we still going to fight?”

“Go, go, go, what fight?” Big Brother said. “Quickly take the mission slip and register. Beating people doesn’t make money as fast as fighting Ferocious Beasts!”

“Oh, yes.”

A conflict was thus defused by Xiao Shen without incident.

Actually, Xiao Shen was not afraid of them. Although there were many of them, Xiao Shen’s strength was also considerable. When he was only Level Two, he could fight several rounds with a fourth-tier Ferocious Beast and retreat unharmed, let alone now that he was Level Three.

The highest-level martial artist among those people was at most Level Three; the others were just a disorganized mob, not worth fearing.

He was mainly afraid of wasting time.

Liu Ling'er was still missing, and he remained worried. But there wasn't a single clue right now, alas!

After registering for a mission available to martial artists Level Three and above, Xiao Shen once again came to the market.

This time, Old He was at his stall. Xiao Shen saw him and immediately took out a third-tier beast crystal: “I want to exchange for low-grade spirit stones.”

Old He was dozing off, but when he suddenly heard someone standing in front of him speaking, he woke up with a start.

“It’s you, ah, you scared me to death. What, are you short on low-grade spirit stones again?”

“Mm.” Xiao Shen nodded, asking eagerly, “How many low-grade spirit stones can this beast crystal be exchanged for?”

Old He took it and examined it, saying, “The quality of this one is average. I can only give you two hundred low-grade spirit stones at most, no more.”

“Two hundred it is, deal.” Xiao Shen had no intention of bargaining with him.

Old He, however, noticed that he seemed a bit off and casually asked, “Little friend, what’s wrong? You seem to be in a very bad mood. Could it be that you were robbed by those people from the Axe Gang?”

“You know the Axe Gang?” Xiao Shen looked up, gazing at Old He in confusion.

“Who Outside the Wall doesn’t know the great name of the Axe Gang? I just saw several members of the Axe Gang leave from here. I don’t know who was so unlucky to provoke them.”

Old He leaned closer to Xiao Shen and whispered.

It seemed the Axe Gang had a very bad reputation at the guild.

Xiao Shen asked again, “They rob others, and the guild doesn’t do anything about it?”

“How does the guild have time to bother with such trivial matters?” Old He waved his hand, saying, “If you’re an internal member of the guild, they might manage it, but for outsiders, to put it plainly, it’s just a temporary cooperative relationship with the guild. If you stop cooperating, there will be others, so the guild will just turn a blind eye to such things.”

Xiao Shen nodded, indicating he understood, but then he asked, “What if someone robs a member of the Axe Gang?”

Old He heard this and laughed, “Then the guild certainly won’t bother, but the Axe Gang members definitely will.”

“I see. By the way, Old Man, I’d like to inquire if there are any houses for rent nearby. I want to rent one to live in.”

After getting information about the Axe Gang from Old He, Xiao Shen didn't stay any longer and finally asked about renting a house.

Unexpectedly, Old He actually knew: “You want to rent a house? Coincidentally, there’s a vacant house near my home. It’s not big, has a small courtyard, and the door is wooden. Because the place is small, the rent isn’t high. If you’re interested, I can take you to see it.”

Xiao Shen was certainly interested: “Okay, then what about your stall?”

Old He waved his hand and said, “It’s fine, anyway, not many people come to sell beast crystals. If you live there in the future, it’ll be convenient for us to trade.”

Xiao Shen frowned slightly. There was nothing wrong with that statement, but why did it sound off?

Xiao Shen followed Old He towards his home. Before reaching the house they were going to see, they happened to pass Chu Feiyue’s house. It was already afternoon, and Chu Feiyue was about to leave. He saw Old He and greeted him.

“Old He, where are you off to?”

Chu Feiyue noticed a stranger following behind Old He and took a few extra glances.

As he looked at Xiao Shen, Xiao Shen was also sizing him up.

“Oh, I’m taking this little friend to see a house. He wants to rent a small house around here,” Old He said.

“Oh.” Chu Feiyue didn’t think much of it, waved his hand, and said, “I have something to do, so I’m leaving now.”

He was going to find Wang Dapeng and then arrange to go to the Ferocious Beast Forest together to catch a ride.

At Chu Feiyue’s house, Liu Ling'er was already able to get out of bed. She was watering the vegetables in the courtyard with Zheng Jinfeng.

“Your injury is almost healed. Are you still going to the forest then?” Zheng Jinfeng couldn't help but worry about Liu Ling'er.

“Mm.” Liu Ling'er nodded. Her purpose in coming here was to find Xiao Shen.