Inside the Defense Agency, Liao Zihui looked at the report, his eyebrows tightly furrowed.
Recently, the Defense Agency had just established contact with Sage Peak, and the relationship between them had much room to grow. He didn’t expect such a significant incident to occur so suddenly.
Sage Peak was gone, the Saint’s fate was uncertain, and now Cheap Person Ridge was swarming with Knife Labor Ghosts. Liao Zihui couldn’t understand how so many problems had cropped up in just a few days.
His previous efforts had gone down the drain. As Liao Zihui was pondering how to explain this to his superiors, Deputy Envoy General Xia Shumin walked in. "Chief Envoy, there’s still no news of Light Bulb."
Liao Zihui sighed and stared at Xia Shumin for a long time.
He knew Xia Shumin had a complicated background and also knew that after his retirement, Xia Shumin was very likely to take over as Chief Envoy. He always restrained himself when speaking to Xia Shumin, but this time he couldn’t hold back.
"Xia, why did you insist on having Light Bulb monitor Li Qi? It was Light Bulb’s first time in Puluo State; why did you send him to find Li Qi? Are you trying to get him killed?"
Xia Shumin bowed his head and said, "I didn’t consider this thoroughly enough. But now that Light Bulb has met with misfortune, shouldn’t we get an explanation from Li Qi as well?"
"Who said he met with misfortune?" Liao Zihui said angrily. "Have you seen the corpse? If you haven’t seen the corpse, the person is still alive. Go out and find him—dig three feet into the ground if you have to, but bring him back to me!"
Xia Shumin left Liao Zihui’s office with a dejected expression. Amidst it, there was a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.
「...」
Light Bulb held a small knife and clumsily skinned a Fish-Faced Mantis, carefully hanging its skin in front of the tent and cheerfully saying, "Uncle Shen, the skin is all cleaned up."
Every year, the Dark Star Bureau would send people to Puluo State for training. Chuuni had applied but wasn’t selected, and Light Bulb, who didn’t want to come, was forced to.
After arriving, he received orders from the newly appointed Deputy Envoy General Xia Shumin to monitor Li Qi at Xiaoyao Lodge. However, Li Qi sent him to the New Land. There, he encountered a ferocious Strange Monster, and after a fierce battle, he was rescued by the veteran hunter Shen Xueyong.
These days, he lived with Shen Xueyong in the New Land, learning about it while assisting Shen Xueyong with tasks like skinning, which had become part of his daily work.
Shen Xueyong walked out of the tent, pinching the skin and glancing at it.
The skin had numerous cuts. Shen Xueyong frowned and said, "This was first-grade skin, but in your hands, it’s become third-grade. You’re really not cut out for this."
Light Bulb said shamefully, "There are still two more mantises. I’ll practice more carefully."
Shen Xueyong waved his hand. "Don’t practice anymore. You’ll ruin my entire haul. Go east for twenty li. Blue Poplar Village is there. Once you reach Blue Poplar Village, find a cart and head to Greenwater City as quickly as possible."
Rubbing his hands, Light Bulb said, "Don’t, Uncle Shen. Please take me with you. Twenty li is too far. What if something happens on the way...?"
Shen Xueyong spat disdainfully. "Twenty li, and you still need me to take you? Do I have to feed you your meals too?"
With a worried look, Light Bulb said, "This is the New Land. If I encounter Strange Monsters, I really won’t stand a chance."
"This place is very close to Proper Land. There aren’t any formidable Strange Monsters here."
"The Red Dragon we encountered before was quite powerful," Light Bulb protested. "That thing almost cost me my life."
"What Red Dragon?" Shen Xueyong said with disdain. "That was just an earthworm. I don’t even need a knife to deal with that!"
"Uncle Shen, you must be mistaken. How could that be an earthworm? Its movements caused mountains to collapse and the earth to split!" Light Bulb argued.
Shen Xueyong was at a loss for words. "I’m a Body Cultivator! My original form is an earthworm. How could I mistake that creature? You’re not a child anymore. If you dare to explore the New Land, you should at least have some real skills, right? Even if you don’t have skills, you should at least have some courage! There’s only one road to Blue Poplar Village. Any man worth his salt would walk it himself. If you really don’t have the guts, then kowtow and beg someone else to take you. I’m done with you!"
Shen Xueyong chased Light Bulb away. The old hunter had both courage and skill, with quite a reputation among hunters. Back when Li Banfeng went to the Orange Orchard, Shen Xueyong had been the one to guide him. Taking Light Bulb along would mean not only earning no money but also losing face.
With no other choice, Light Bulb followed the map given by Shen Xueyong and bravely headed towards Blue Poplar Village.
On the way, he encountered several Strange Monsters. Having spent time training with Shen Xueyong, Light Bulb wasn’t as scared anymore. Some Strange Monsters were timid and could be scared off; others were intelligent and could be reasoned with. As for those that were unreasonable and couldn’t be intimidated, Light Bulb would turn tail and run at the first opportunity.
Upon reaching Blue Poplar Village and seeing houses and villagers, he finally felt like he was in a place meant for people. Even though it was a bit run-down, it was far better than the New Land.
Light Bulb was in an excellent mood, brimming with confidence.
He had spent days in the New Land, surviving on dry rations with Shen Xueyong. The two cans of food Li Qi had given him were snatched away by that earthworm. Now, enticed by an appetizing aroma, Light Bulb entered a noodle shop. He pulled up a chair to a table and said to the waiter, "Bring me the menu."
When Light Bulb asked for a menu, the waiter immediately understood he was a first-timer. "Guest Master," the waiter said, "we don’t have a menu here. Just tell us what you’d like to eat. We may not have exotic delicacies, but our home-style cooking is sure to satisfy you."
Light Bulb nodded and asked, "What’s your house specialty?"