C28 A Generous Neighbor

Zhang Ze had weighed his options carefully. Despite the high risk and illegality of the job, his sister's life was his priority.

Recently, Zhang Ze had collected numerous Devil Soul Spheres in the Devil Domain. He had absorbed many to enhance his strength, a necessity for admission into Qing University Martial Arts School.

Zhang Ze listed the remaining Devil Soul Spheres on a Trading Platform, but the hefty fees meant his profits were slim.

To Zhang Ze, three hundred thousand was a substantial sum. A regular job would pay him thirty yuan an hour at most. To amass three hundred thousand yuan, he'd have to work a thousand hours!

Time was a luxury Zhang Ze didn't have, and his sister couldn't afford to wait. He had already earned over seven hundred thousand yuan. With an additional three hundred thousand, he could cover his sister's kidney rental fees.

Without a second thought, Zhang Ze joined their ranks.

"Great! From now on, we'll make money together. I promise you'll earn at least a million yuan within a year!" Lu Kai said, clapping Zhang Ze on the shoulder, his regard for him evident.

The others approached to welcome Zhang Ze. Madman and Laoba remained stoic, but Tieh Gaang greeted him with warmth.

"From here on out, we're brothers. If you need anything, just say the word," Tieh Gaang offered with a grin.

Lu Kai then ushered them to the table to resume their discussion.

"The task our boss has set this time is tougher and riskier than any before, but the payout is also much higher," Lu Kai said, discarding his cigarette butt and gesturing to a map on the table.

"Danger doesn't scare me. If it means more money, I'm in!" Madman declared, his eyes alight with fervor.

Laoba scoffed, then added, "This mission is definitely more perilous. We're venturing dozens of kilometers into the Fallen District on foot—no vehicles allowed. If we run into a Devil Cave Monster, escaping might not even be an option!"

"Laoba, don't freak me out, okay? I get scared easily!" Tieh Gaang's face went ghostly pale, and his voice shook after hearing those words.

Zhang Ze, still unclear about the details, inquired, "What are we actually searching for this time?"

"A calligraphy painting from the Five Dynasties period. It was once housed in the Jiangdong Museum. After the Jiangdong region was invaded, it remained there indefinitely," Lu Kai clarified. "The boss has tasked us with retrieving this painting. Rumor has it, a wealthy tycoon has offered three million yuan for it!"

"Three million yuan! That guy must be loaded!" Tieh Gaang gasped, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Madman and Laoba's faces also lit up with anticipation.

The mission's payout was three million yuan. Divided among the five of us, that's six hundred thousand each—double our usual rate!

"Don't celebrate just yet. We need to run through our plan one more time to make sure our operation is flawless," Lu Kai insisted, tapping the map on the table. The room fell silent as everyone's attention zeroed in on the map.

"We move out at four in the morning. We'll exit Tianfeng City through the northeast gate and head east on the inter-city highway. Stay alert. At the first sign of trouble, everyone must take cover immediately!"

"The map shows the Jiangdong Museum is roughly 28 kilometers from Tianfeng City. We can't use vehicles, so we'll have to go on foot. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes."

"Once we reach the museum, we'll need a lookout. The rest will come with me to find the painting. As soon as we have it, we make a quick exit."

"We'll have to backtrack, so it's crucial we make it back to Tianfeng City before dark. If night falls, we might not make it back at all!"

After laying out the plan, Lu Kai surveyed the group. "Any questions?"

Heads shook in response. After a moment of thought, Zhang Ze asked, "Brother Lu Kai, are the Devil Cave Monsters really that formidable?"

Zhang Ze had only glimpsed the Devil Cave Monsters in blurred images on TV and online.

It's believed that such measures were taken to prevent public panic and physical discomfort.

Yet, they lacked a true understanding of the Devil Cave Monster due to the scarcity of information.

"Absolutely! If we came across a Rank 1 Devil Cave Monster, we might stand a chance at defeating it. But if we're up against a Level 2 or higher, our odds of winning are slim to none," Lu Kai said gravely. "All we can do is hope for a safe journey tomorrow."

Once the meeting concluded, everyone went their separate ways. Zhang Ze headed home.

As soon as Zhang Ze walked through the door, Zhang Feng bounded up to him, bursting with excitement. "Brother, we've got a neighbor!"

"I've known for a while. I noticed this morning that the note was gone from the door next door," Zhang Ze replied with a smile, then inquired, "Have you met our new neighbor?"

"Yes!" Zhang Feng beamed. "He's a really friendly uncle. He even gave me two big apples!"

Holding out two rosy apples, Zhang Feng offered one to Zhang Ze. "Here, brother, one for you."

Zhang Ze was taken aback. With the Devil Cave Monster running rampant, human resources were incredibly scarce, particularly fresh produce.

A single apple like this would fetch no less than a hundred yuan at the supermarket!

Yet their new neighbor had generously given Zhang Feng two apples.

Zhang Ze felt a surge of warmth towards the neighbor. He gently pushed the apple back, advising, "You eat it. I'm not fond of apples. But next time, be careful about accepting things from others."

"I didn't ask for the apples, but he insisted," Zhang Feng said, her lips curling slightly. "Next time, we should invite him over for dinner to show our gratitude."

Over dinner, Zhang Ze brought up Lu Panpan and her brother. "I recall you mentioned that Lu Panpan's family was struggling, which is why she joined you in working. But today, I ran into her brother, who apparently makes millions a year! How is that possible?"

"I've heard Panpan talk about it. Her brother indeed made a fortune, but he transferred all his earnings to an overseas account. It seems his wife and child live abroad," Zhang Feng replied nonchalantly as she continued to eat.

"I see," Zhang Ze nodded in understanding.

With the need to rise early the following day, Zhang Ze turned in for the night well before his usual bedtime. By three in the morning, he was up and about, dressing in silence before stealthily slipping out the door.

"Is our new neighbor an early riser too?"

He couldn't help but notice the light shining from the next-door window, a sight that piqued his curiosity. Nonetheless, Zhang Ze didn't dwell on it. He swiftly made his way out of the neighborhood, heading in the direction of the city's northeast gate.