CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: 101 YOUTH CORPS

"Cough~~"

Lin Chen took the paper and pen, and the uncle just coughed lightly.

As Lin Chen started writing, the uncle began to cough violently.

"Uncle, are you unwell?" Lin Chen asked.

"No...no." The uncle was anxious in his heart, but didn’t dare to say much, because Jiang Dadong was watching from the side.

Although he wasn’t afraid of Jiang Dadong, he didn’t want to offend him.

Lin Chen quickly finished writing and handed it to Jiang Dadong.

"Brother Lin’s handwriting is truly excellent. I’ll go back and prepare it for you and send it over later."

"Sure." Lin Chen nodded.

Jiang Dadong clasped his hands towards the market uncle and left with his people, giving Lin Chen’s Spirit Beast two red envelopes before leaving.

As soon as they left, Xiaobai and Xiao Hong eagerly opened them. Although there were only fifty each inside, they were overjoyed.

The uncle, however, looked anxious and said:

"Lin Chen, you’re being foolish!"

This time, Lin Chen’s eyes weren’t as clear. He deceived the two Spirit Beasts, saying he would keep the red envelopes for them for now.

Looking back at the concerned market uncle, he smiled and said:

"Rest assured, I know what I’m doing."

The uncle immediately asked with surprise, "Did you give him a fake?"

"Added a few non-existent items and left out some that were there."

The uncle’s eyes widened, glancing at the Little Fox.

Xiao Hong was puzzled, wondering what it had to do with it.

The uncle then asked, "Will they be able to tell?"

"Precisely because they can tell, even if I were to tease them, it wouldn’t work. A good cook can distinguish hundreds of flavors. I guess in the days I was gone, he must have tried it already."

Only then did the uncle realize.

"Even if I don’t give it to him, if I buy materials from other stores, he can easily inquire. Instead of that, it’s better to let him give up, and I save on material costs."

"Haha, I worried for nothing just now."

The uncle felt at ease.

...

Monster Hunter Guild

An assistant pushed open the office door, and Lee Zhen looked up. Seeing it was the assistant, he asked, "Is there anything else today?"

"Nothing major." The assistant handed over a piece of paper and said, "The list for the relic expedition hosted jointly by the Inner Courtyard and the two major guilds has come out."

Lee Zhen took it and glanced over it, his expression suddenly became serious.

On that paper stamped with the Inner Courtyard’s seal were just a few words:

Youth Corps.

Holding that piece of paper, Lee Zhen’s thoughts began to wander...

In the Late Taichu, after the Heavenly Dao changed its rules, Demon Beasts began to hold a huge advantage, Jiuxing City, once a major route, was perilously located.

In the year 315, Demon Beasts launched a Beast Tide to attack Jiuxing City.

Commander Cheng Kui of the garrison at Jiuxing City predicted the city’s fall and abandoned the city along with all civilians.

All adults capable of combat left the city, leaving behind only the old, weak, sick, and women.

Amidst everyone’s panic, a youth named Su Yu ascended atop the city walls of Jiuxing City, with youthful blood, raised his arms and called out, rallying a hundred young Beastmasters, and thus formed the Youth Corps.

Su Yu led them, disguising as the garrison corps, luring the enemy westward and buying a significant amount of time.

Until reinforcements from the Cangling Ancient Country arrived to save Jiuxing City.

Unfortunately, none of the 101 youths returned.

That day, the entire city mourned, and poets praised them as:

"Sparks of Hope."

The word "star" in Jiuxing City was thusly derived.

In the subsequent Celestial Beast Era, the Cangling Ancient Country achieved peace, but they searched a thousand li to the west, unable to find any remains.

Now thinking about it, Lee Zhen still feels calm, saying, "It’s good to find them, finally, we can bring them home."

After pondering at the desk for a moment, Lee Zhen told the assistant, "Go find Lin Chen."

The assistant was about to leave, but Lee Zhen stopped him and said:

"No, first bring Qin Hao and the other two, don’t call Lin Chen yet."

"Alright."

...

The next day, Jiang Dadong delivered the materials and also included a VIP card for free food and drinks, along with a big red envelope for Niu Niu and the Little Fox, saying he hadn’t brought enough money previously.

Lin Chen understood that Jiang Dadong must have failed in his attempt; otherwise, he wouldn’t be acting so compliant.

Which was also good, saving them from future mind games.

Lin Chen also told the delivery shopkeeper that he wouldn’t frequent the place often, just to deliver a chicken wing each week to the market uncle.

In the evening, Lin Chen sat at the dinner table, having Xiao Hong prepare a sumptuous feast.

He wasn’t worried that Jiang Dadong wouldn’t be willing to do this; since the other party was willing to send a VIP card, sending a single one to the market uncle should be fine, as it’s truly not worth much.

Lin Chen also wanted to make one thing clear to Jiang Dadong: Lin Chen is a person who remembers kindness.

Lin Chen also knew that the days of him setting up a stall were probably over unless he was very tight on money, as many shopkeepers were now eyeing him.

This world is more dangerous than Earth, and it’s inevitable that people might kill for profit.

After their meals and daily training, the Little Fox seemed a bit depressed.

"What’s wrong?" Lin Chen inquired.

Beasts, like humans, also have mood swings.

"Grr~~"

The Little Fox didn’t hide it and told Lin Chen that it also wanted to become stronger soon.

Clearly, since it joined this family, seeing Xiaobai’s gradual growth made it envious.

It also wants to become stronger, like Xiaobai, to fight monsters for Lin Chen.

Lin Chen laughed heartily, patting its head, and comforted it kindly.

The next day, Qin Hao arrived.

"Have you eaten?" Lin Chen opened the door.

Qin Hao looked full of energy, as did the Panlin Python.

The latter looked at Lin Chen and Qin Hao, asking if it could go in to play with Xiaobai.

They nodded, and the Panlin Python happily slithered inside, the Three-Headed Spirit Beast playing who knows what, with each making its own noise.

Qin Hao, however, looked at Lin Chen and said:

"I’ve wronged you."

"How have you wronged me?" Lin Chen was puzzled.

"I took money and betrayed you."

Qin Hao’s expression was solemn, a look of guilt on his face.

Lin Chen squinted and then said, "Well, you really deserve to die."

"..."

Qin Hao felt aggrieved, thinking shouldn’t you ask clearly before scolding?

"But it’s okay, I forgive you; just split the money fifty-fifty with me," Lin Chen said.

"....."

Qin Hao rolled his eyes.

Lin Chen chuckled cheerfully.

"Aren’t you afraid?"

"Afraid of what?" Lin Chen said, "If you really did something to wrong me, would you still dare to come over?"

Qin Hao scratched his head, realizing suddenly.

In terms of scheming, he wasn’t even fit to polish Lin Chen’s shoes.

"Go on."

"Here’s what happened..."

Sitting in the living room, Lin Chen poured tea, and Qin Hao explained in detail.

It turned out that Lee Zhen had approached him, persuading him to sell the spot for the newcomer king.

Not just him, Sun Guang and Bai Jiajia had also been persuaded once.

"I was unwilling, but..."

"But the offer was just too generous?"

"Do you really see me, Qin Hao, as such a money-grubbing person?"

Qin Hao slammed the table, startling the three beasts playing in the distance.

Lin Chen straightened the teacup on the table and said, "Yes."

"...."

"They did offer a lot..."

Qin Hao admitted, "But mainly, I didn’t want to hold you back."

"Chairman Lee said the beneficiary of this newcomer king was likely going on a relic expedition, and the attendees were top experts from the Inner Courtyard."

"Then you indeed should have sold it." Lin Chen nodded.

"...Can’t you be a bit more tactful?"