Chapter 459: Chapter 212: Dispute—Can’t Hold It?

After two years in the Beehive, Luo Ming hadn’t attained elite status, but he was living quite comfortably. Not only did he have his own independent dwelling in the Hive Main Zone, but the eleven others who initially came with him also resided together with him.

Leaving the Hive Main Building, Luo Ming and Shang Ping walked home in silence.

“Father, Uncle Ping, you’re back!”

Seeing his younger son Luo Cheng, Luo Ming’s face immediately lit up with a smile.

Luo Cheng, at ten years old, was already as sturdy as a young calf. His thick, coarse clothes were even better than what Luo Ming and Shang Ping wore, and with the Ten Forged knife in his hand, it was clear that his life in the Beehive was quite comfortable.

“Father, Uncle Ping, my Basic Strength has reached 4800. I reckon it’ll only be a few days before I break through to the Logging Realm!”

Hearing Luo Cheng’s words, Luo Ming immediately darted forward, grabbed his arm, pinched it for a while, and his smile grew even wider.

“Good, good, good. The beast meat hasn’t been wasted on you. Keep it up and strive to break through to the Logging Realm before you turn eleven. That marriage arrangement with the Duan Family will be even more secure.”

Hearing about the marriage, Luo Cheng instinctively showed a hint of resistance, but seeing the excitement on his father’s face, he forced a smile and nodded.

Shang Ping, noticing Luo Cheng’s resistance, didn’t say much, but just stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, “Xiao Cheng, go play inside first. I need to discuss something with your father.”

Luo Cheng nodded and went inside. Luo Ming seemed to have a premonition and led Shang Ping to the main hall of the house, sat down, and directly said, “You want to ask why I didn’t include Hong Yu in our squad, right?”

Shang Ping first nodded, then sighed, “I know you’re wary of Cheng Ping, but Hong Yu is new here. If we don’t take him in, other squads will be even less likely to do so. Now he’s gone to the iron mine, and given Cheng Ping’s vengeful nature, he’s bound to find trouble in another way. Who knows what might happen then? Wouldn’t it be hard to explain if Yue Feng found out?”

Upon hearing the last sentence, Luo Ming’s brow furrowed, but he quickly regained his composure, saying, “That Hong Yu does have some ability, but he’s just a sickly person with a stubborn temper. Offending Cheng Ping upon arrival wasn’t a good move. Taking him in wouldn’t benefit us. When Yue Feng asked for our help, he said we just needed to bring him into the Beehive. Everything else was up to him, so even if Yue Feng found out, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”

Shang Ping recalled Yue Feng’s previous words and nodded slightly.

“Big brother, what about Hong Yu?”

Just as Luo Ming was about to speak, Li Baihe suddenly burst in excitedly from outside, asking about Hong Yu’s whereabouts.

Shang Ping immediately stepped forward and recounted the previous events, including the offense to Cheng Ping upon entering and how Luo Ming didn’t include him in the squad, leaving him to be assigned to the iron mine area……

The more Li Baihe listened, the uglier his face became. When Shang Ping finished, he immediately shouted at Luo Ming, “Big brother, how could you do this?”

Luo Ming’s brow furrowed as he looked up at Li Baihe, remaining silent for a long while.

Li Baihe’s reaction was something Luo Ming had anticipated.

Among the three Earth-digging Realm individuals brought to the Beehive, Li Baihe had the deepest attachment to Redwood Ridge, even suggesting several times to return there.

Upon learning that Jing Valley had become part of Great Xia, and that Great Xia had become strong enough to trade equally with the Beehive, Li Baihe was the happiest. He was also aware of Yue Feng’s request for Luo Ming’s help, so he was overjoyed when he brought Hong Yu back.

Upon learning that Luo Ming let Hong Yu be assigned to the iron mine to avoid offending Cheng Ping, Li Baihe’s anger was entirely understandable.

“Hong Yu is ill and terminally so. Who knows what crazy things he might do to survive? Offending Cheng Ping so thoroughly, taking him in wouldn’t benefit us. So, I can’t…”

“Benefits, benefits, must we always have benefits to do things?”

Li Baihe suddenly interrupted Luo Ming, continuing in a disappointed tone:

“Back at Redwood Ridge, during hunts, you always said we had to go all out to survive the Ice Abyss. Hesitation just meant no success. Did you forget?”

Luo Ming’s expression froze upon hearing those words.

“If you want to talk benefits, let’s talk benefits. Hong Yu was personally sent by Yue Feng. Someone who can get Yue Feng to help surely holds a high position in Great Xia. Can’t you see, big brother, that Hong Yu is our best opportunity to reconnect with Great Xia? Perhaps through him, we might return to Redwood Ridge one day.”

Li Baihe grew increasingly agitated, continuing, “Setting aside benefits and Yue Feng’s face, even considering that Hong Yu, like us, hails from Redwood Ridge, big brother, you shouldn’t let him be sent to the iron mine. If Yue Feng or people from Great Xia find out, how will we face going back to Redwood Ridge?”

Luo Ming’s face darkened, and he said solemnly, “Baihe, don’t act on impulse. We’re just one step away from ascending to elite status, firmly establishing ourselves in the Hive Camp. There’s no need to offend Cheng Ping at this time.”

“Elites, elites, can’t you see, big brother, that this so-called elite system in the Hive Camp is merely a method for the Chen family to keep domestic slaves?