Reborn One Week Before the Apocalypse

Chapter 171: Chapter 161: New Currency

In Xiao Tao’s heart, there was no doubt that Tang Mo was a formidable person, but she believed this power lay in her mind and medical skills.

Throughout their journey, Tang Mo had rarely fought mutant beasts herself, all to train Xiao Tao. This led Xiao Tao to believe she was merely a Spirit Attribute Superpower User who specialized in healing.

Xiao Tao’s face was a mask of righteous determination. ’Momo saved my life,’ she thought. ’I have to protect her, no matter what!’

”Okay, Xiao Tao. You got this.”

Hearing Xiao Tao’s declaration, half of Tang Mo’s anger instantly vanished. She stuck her hands in her pockets and stood behind Xiao Tao with a grin.

This small group was the perfect test of what Xiao Tao had learned this afternoon.

But before either side could make a move, a boisterous, rough voice echoed from the doorway.

”Quite a party. What’s all this, then?”

Hu Yong was third in command of the Qinling Team, earning him the name Lao San. Qin Ling hadn’t taken him on the current mission, instead leaving him to oversee the auction house and make sure no trouble broke out.

Hu Laosan, already disgruntled about being left behind, had just walked through the auction house doors when he saw the commotion. He couldn’t help but start cursing to himself.

”Lao San, what are you doing here?”

Tang Mo recognized the man’s face. ’What a coincidence,’ she thought. ’It’s someone I know.’

”Ma’am?!”

When he saw that the person surrounded by the crowd was the Leader’s Wife he admired so much, Hu Yong’s usually narrow eyes flew wide open.

’Oh, hell. If the Boss found out the Leader’s Wife was nearly attacked on his own turf... Forget about ever going on a mission with Qin Ling again. He, Hu Laosan, would probably become the mission target himself—and face death by a thousand cuts.’

”Get the hell out! All of you, scram!”

Snapping to his senses, Hu Yong immediately kicked the few people within his reach.

”Rong Rong, are you fucking crazy?”

”Lao San, even if she’s Number Two’s mistress, you can’t cover for her! She broke the rules. She started a fight on the premises, so I have to take her in. Even if you take this to the Leader, he won’t find any fault in my actions.”

Rong Rong had already gotten up from the ground and stood to the side. Hu Yong was Qin Ling’s confidant, not someone she could afford to provoke.

She had seen it all clearly. Hu Yong had called the short-haired woman ”Ma’am.” She must be the mistress of Number Two, Qin Ling’s second-in-command.

It never even occurred to Rong Rong to connect the woman with Qin Ling himself. ’Impossible.’

Number Two was the tall, thin man whose eye ailment Tang Mo had cured. He was married with two kids and was known to be deeply devoted to his wife.

At the thought that this woman was a shameless homewrecker, the disgust in Rong Rong’s eyes deepened.

”Don’t talk to me about rules. With the Leader’s Wife here, she IS the rules!”

If Rong Rong hadn’t been a woman, Hu Yong would have already laid her out on the floor. The only reason she was still standing was her gender.

”Ma’am, are you alright?”

Hu Yong carefully looked Tang Mo over from head to toe, terrified she might have even a scratch on her.

Everyone knew the Boss’s temper all too well. If the Leader’s Wife actually got hurt here, he would show absolutely no mercy.

A shiver ran down Hu Yong’s spine at the thought, and he shot another vicious glare at Rong Rong.

Hu Yong’s thinking was almost identical to Xiao Tao’s. Neither had ever truly seen Tang Mo in a fight, so they both saw her as an ordinary, fragile woman who needed protecting.

But they all seemed to have forgotten one thing...

Among everyone present, wasn’t Tang Mo the one who actually had a spot on the rankings?

The hatred in Rong Rong’s eyes intensified. ’Why does everyone favor that woman?’ she seethed. ’It’s not fair!’

’Just you wait. When the Leader arrives, he’ll surely see that justice is done for me.’

The last time Qin Ling visited the auction house, he’d even exchanged a few words with her. He wasn’t at all like the ruthless Yama of the rumors.

Rong Rong was convinced the Leader felt she was special. That was why she had dressed up and positioned herself at the entrance—she was gambling on the chance to see Qin Ling.

’Once I become the Leader’s Wife, I’d like to see how this Hu Yong dares to act so arrogant around me.’

Rong Rong lost herself in her own wishful fantasies...

”I’m fine. I just wanted to buy a few things and check out the auction.”

Tang Mo hadn’t been at a disadvantage in the slightest, so she naturally paid the trivial incident no mind.

”Then let me show you around, Ma’am.” Hu Yong was eager to get on better terms with the Leader’s Wife, the divine doctor. Who knew, maybe she’d be the one to save his life someday.

”What are you still standing here for? Scram! Stop blocking the way. Can’t you see you’re bothering the Leader’s Wife?”

Hu Yong snarled at Rong Rong, telling her to get lost.

Although he was one of Qin Ling’s men, he was technically the same rank as Rong Rong. With Qin Ling away, he couldn’t discipline her himself, so he could only tell her to get out of his sight for the time being.

’Wait until the Boss gets back,’ he thought. ’You’ll get what’s coming to you.’

Coincidentally, both Hu Laosan and Rong Rong were looking forward to Qin Ling’s return.

Rong Rong bit her lip, swallowing her resentment for the time being. She turned and strode clumsily out of the auction house in her high heels.

The guards had all tactfully retreated the moment Hu Laosan opened his mouth.

Are you kidding? Hu Yong was in charge of all security and guards in S Base. Everyone knew damn well who called the shots.

”Ma’am, what are you looking to buy? I know this place like the back of my hand!”

”Is there any wearable equipment with high attribute bonuses?”

Tang Mo disliked consuming abnormal treasures to directly boost her attributes, as it interfered with improving her physical constitution. Naturally, she didn’t want to artificially force Xiao Tao’s growth either.

Wearable Acquired Treasures were the most suitable for them.

Tang Mo had thought it through very clearly before coming. She only needed to buy an abnormal treasure that increased the Life Attribute.

She didn’t need a Space abnormal treasure. Her current Space was already sufficient for her use, and besides, it was unlikely she could just casually buy one.

Her own attribute values for spiritual power, speed, and Strength were already quite decent.

She preferred to train and improve on her own. Relying on external items for a temporary boost would make it difficult for her to accurately gauge her own abilities at any given moment.

Life Force, however, was nearly impossible to increase through training alone. When it came to survival out in the world—a matter of life and death—she had to arm herself properly, even if it cost a fortune.

”I doubt anything on the first floor would catch your eye, Ma’am. The auction doesn’t start for a little while. Why don’t you come with me to the second floor?”

Despite his hulking appearance, Hu Laosan was actually quite perceptive.

Tang Mo nodded, and with Xiao Tao, followed Hu Laosan up to the second floor.

The second floor was clearly much more high-end than the first. There weren’t many items, and every single one was something you couldn’t just find on the market.

All the items were displayed in glass cases, with detailed product descriptions posted in front.

Tang Mo even saw the unit of Crystal Coins on the price tags of a few items.

”Have Crystal Stones become the new circulating currency now?”

Tang Mo guessed that these Crystal Coins must have been made from the batch of Crystal Stones Qin Ling had brought back.