CHAPTER 326: CHAPTER 206: THE EERIE MANOR

Time flies, in the blink of an eye, the five people have stayed in the manor for half a year.

Now, it’s been two years since Qu Jianlei left Central City, and the buzz should have settled somewhat.

Because they robbed the spare warehouse, it’s not too tense at the moment, but the harvest from the trip to Zhou Six is basically exhausted.

Xiao Moshan and Bentley are not particularly good at being homebodies, and they are quite vigilant, often going out to gather news.

This manor, which suddenly appeared, has gradually caught the attention of some people in Taikoo.

When Qu Jianlei bought this large piece of land, he used a permit as identification.

With a permit to buy land, Taikoo dared not refuse, but this land certificate has no owner; whoever holds the certificate owns it.

That means whoever can snatch this land certificate can claim the land, including all buildings and crops on it.

Of course, no one is reckless enough to snatch this land without considering the consequences.

Those eyeing the place have basically found out that this land was bought with a permit; who dares to act directly?

So initially, some people used excuses like being neighbors to request a meeting, thinking that it’s not necessary to be enemies, being friends could work too?

However, the people in the manor appeared abnormally aloof and bluntly stated—No meeting!

This showed a bit of disregard, so next, sporadic people started passing by or wandering near the manor.

Some even came under the guise of seeking water, knocking on the manor’s door.

Initially, the manor was indifferent to such tactics, ignoring it was the best response.

Until one night, dozens of people suddenly died around Taikoo City, most had their throats slit.

For Taikoo, this was a major case, and the security team investigated for two days before identifying a common point.

These victims had appeared near the Half Mountain Manor at different times, the earliest one over a month ago.

Half Mountain Manor then became a key suspect, however... they possessed a Central City permit.

Such people aren’t easily investigated, but leaving it unresolved wasn’t an option; the case’s impact was too great, too serious!

The most critical point was that it involved multiple forces in Taikoo City, all exerting pressure on the security team.

Some forces felt genuinely innocent; they just wanted to interact, but the sent scouts got killed?

They didn’t consider that wanting to interact requires mutual willingness?

The security team recruited a few skilled lurkers, including a modified warrior.

To say a modified warrior has fallen to this point is truly sad, but Taikoo is ultimately Taikoo, far different from Houjing.

Houjing is always striving to catch up with Taikoo, but some downtrodden modified warriors would rather lurk in Taikoo than go to Houjing.

With orders, these people sneaked into the mountains at night, cautiously gathering the other’s information.

Social rogues were much more cautious than the security team, initially not even planning to enter the manor.

By dawn, the scouts quietly withdrew, planning to continue the next night.

However, by morning, the security team found that the nighttime manor scouts all had their throats slit.

Except for one—the modified warrior.

When discovered, he was hanging from a tree, having committed suicide, bleeding from all seven orifices.

Would this guy commit suicide? The security team absolutely didn’t believe it; someone even remarked, "I’d commit suicide sooner than he would!"

After more deaths, the security team was utterly stumped, unsure of how to proceed.

Someone stepped forward, saying they’d ask directly.

This individual not only had ties within the security team but also had backing.

Yet the manor people still refused to meet him, despite him emphasizing the importance of the case repeatedly, the insiders were indifferent.

In the end, the insiders were truly angry, "Get lost, or I’ll kill your entire family!"

The individual left in frustration, relayed the news outside, and disdainfully said, "Kill my family, as if they could!"

His family indeed remained safe, because he had left, but that night, he died from electrocution.

By then, even fools realized, the people in the manor acted recklessly.

Not only did they haughtily refuse communication, but they killed anyone daring to harass them without warning.

That said, as long as one didn’t covet their resources, they’d ignore these small fry.

Realizing this, no one dared to provoke further.

A month later, someone from the electrocution victim’s family came, aggressively demanding an explanation.

This person was a modified warrior, accompanied by an ultimate warrior.

At the foot of the mountain, the ultimate warrior halted, "I’m not going up; I can’t afford to provoke the people inside."

The modified warrior was surprised, "You’re just a step away from B-level; is there anyone you can’t afford to provoke in Taikoo City?"

The C-level warrior sincerely replied, "They’re really powerful inside; look how lush those trees are."

"Wood attribute warrior?" The modified warrior understood but was even more confused, "But you’re gold attribute."

Within the relationship of the Five Major Attributes, the Gold Attribute steadily suppresses the Wood Attribute.

The C-level Warrior turned and walked away, "You’re talking under equal conditions... Right now, it’s not at all equal conditions."

The Modified Warrior heard this, and quickly chased after him, "Are you saying the opponent is B-level?"

"I am not sure about that," the C-level Warrior replied seriously, "But I’m certain that I can’t beat the opponent’s Wood Attribute Warrior."

As he spoke, he glanced at the other, "Your family’s got some guts to provoke such people?"

The Modified Warrior didn’t care about the other’s ridicule, and asked earnestly, "Is it really B-level?"

"Whether it’s B-level or not, does it matter much to you?" The C-level Warrior quickened his pace, anyway, you can’t afford to provoke them, what are you thinking?

"Hey hey, this guy’s background isn’t ordinary," the Modified Warrior shouted, "His father is from the Thirty-Six Noble Families."

A noble family’s descendant occasionally playing below and leaving behind some bloodline, that’s quite normal.

The C-level Warrior sped up even more, "Now it’s Thirty-Five Noble Families, if you’re unwilling, go die yourself, don’t drag me down with you!"

"Smart boy!" A cold snort echoed beside his ear.

Upon hearing this, the C-level Warrior increased his speed to escape, lacking even the courage to look back.

Later, news came that the Modified Warrior died at the foot of the mountain, hung from a tree.

By this point, everyone realized the people in the manor were not to be trifled with, and naturally, no further probing occurred.

Qu Jianlei was handling matters crudely for the first time, yet the feeling... seemed to be effective?

Though the Wasteland people emphasize social interaction, they value strength more, so is this truly a haven for homebodies?

Of course, the premise is you must become a homebody with strength.

Half a year later, around now, any hostile force is repelled, and no one dares to mess around anymore.

As for whether there are any watchers in the shadows, it’s hard to say, but Qu Jianlei believes there shouldn’t be.

Truly strong individuals wouldn’t bother with tiny gains like chicken feathers or garlic skins.

Only when the manor shows signs of decline might some vultures take interest again.

So he thinks he can go out and move around, "Feeling a bit restless, wanting to go out for a walk."

"I’ll watch the house," Youyou promptly stated, "Bentley and Flower Scorpion need someone to take care of them."

The truth is, Qu Jianlei helped her calculate the cultivation method for absorbing an A-level Crystal.

Cultivating with an A-level Crystal is naturally much faster, when cultivating excessively, stabilize it with a B-level Crystal, isn’t that great?

"I’ll go with you," Xiao Moshan never hesitated with such matters, "We can look out for each other."

Qu Jianlei is an A-level Warrior now, but having cooperation makes a big difference.

Moreover, Xiao Moshan himself possesses the Wind Attribute, making escape hardly a concern.

Just then, Bentley spoke up too, "I’ll take a trip with you, leaving the two of them to guard is enough."

His progress was rapid, almost unlike an elderly person, but... he was still an elderly person.

Because of Qu Jianlei’s tailored guidance, he had reached the peak of C-level, though breakthrough to B-level was still somewhat challenging.

Qu Jianlei contemplated, expressing difficulty, "We’re going out to cause trouble, if we can’t win, we’ll have to run."

"I’m going to pay respects to my family," Bentley took out a pouch.

Inside was the preserved head of the Bunker Clan leader, he had been through hard times and never lost it.

"I’ve yet to honor their graves, and as for running... Jianlei, do we need to run? Better to fight to the death!"

He had a broken arm, unaffected in escape, except for lacking the Wind Attribute’s speed.

But in his opinion, it’s time to consider fighting a hard battle, focusing solely on escape is too shameful.

Qu Jianlei thought about it, the old man’s approach was typical of strong offense but weak defense, his attack power definitely crushed Xiao Moshan.

Then let’s go together, how could he block someone from visiting their grave?

This trip to Central City has three objectives.

The first is to transfer the unexpended assets to the Celestial District.

The second is to inquire how to acquire a Nutrition Pod—after all, he still had many old injuries.

The third task... he wants to steal a backup stash in the Gorge, because the feeling of idly consuming resources isn’t pleasant.

Traveling to Central City with the trio was easy, despite anyone covertly monitoring Jian Lei’s group, which was just two men and one woman.

The Flying Device descended outside Central City, and the trio went directly to a safe house.

Before entering the safe house, Qu Jianlei especially used his perception: in two years, no one had actually entered.

However, within half a day of entering the safe house, an ear-piercing alarm rang out, "Enemy invasion, enemy invasion!"

Bentley first froze, then couldn’t help but mutter, "To make the alarm system this exaggerated... must cost a lot, right?"

Qu Jianlei exchanged a heavy look with Xiao Moshan, their expression exceptionally grave.