Naming Technique of the Night

Chapter 113: 113, Meeting gift

The vehicles headed south, and occasionally small stone monuments with inscriptions like “18, 223,” “18, 224,” appeared along the roadside.

They were like boundary markers.

Uncle Li Dong explained to Qing Chen that they were still within the territory of City 18, and the subsequent “223” marking was a landmark for easy recognition of the location.

As the sun began to set in the west, Qin Cheng suddenly said over the walkie-talkie, “It’s getting late. We will soon reach the iron net entrance, get ready to camp.”

In the back of the truck, Qin Yiyi and Qin Tong started packing things up.

The pickup trucks pulled off the highway, and Qing Chen turned off his reader, looking up to ask his teacher, “Why were these characters’ personalities deleted?”

At this point, he had memorized all the known plants and had started to read through the character profiles provided to him by Lin Xiaoxiao.

The information was painstakingly collected by Lin Xiaoxiao and was mostly about relatively important figures within the Inner World’s system.

From the current President of the Federation to the mayor of City 18 and the chief of staff of the mayor’s office, all were included.

Qing Chen noticed that the mayor seemed more like a governor from across the ocean in the Outer World, elected by the people, and not directly subordinate to the President, with immense power.

Uncle Li Dong explained softly, “Remember what we’ve talked about before? The outcome of a battle is decided by the ‘future,’ never calculate using ‘past’ information. Everything in this world changes, especially human hearts, which change the quickest, so what kind of people they are is for you to find out. We will not provide you with any reference.”

“Okay,” Qing Chen nodded, “so view issues with a perspective of development.”

Uncle Li Dong thought for a moment and then said, “That’s well put.”

As he finished speaking, Uncle Li Dong calmly scanned the surroundings as if he noticed something.

But just then, over a dozen people in camouflage uniforms suddenly emerged from the fallen leaves beside the dirt road.

They were draped in nets made of hemp rope, with the mesh tied up with dense branches and leaves, offering strong camouflage.

Upon seeing these people, Qin Yiyi and Qin Tong immediately reached for their weapons, but it was definitely too late; they were already within the enemy’s firing range.

However, Qing Chen suddenly reached out to pull Qin Yiyi over to him and squatted behind Uncle Li Dong together.

Uncle Li Dong glanced at the several dark gun muzzles outside, then turned to Qing Chen behind him and asked, “Shouldn’t you make a move at this time, like standing in front of me or something?”

Qing Chen calmly replied, “Wouldn’t that mean I’m looking down on you?”

“It seems there’s some truth to that,” Uncle Li Dong seated on a low stool nodded his head, “but I still feel something’s off. Xiao Xiao would stand in front of me.”

“I’m not as pretentious as he is,” Qing Chen said with a scoff.

Qing Chen was very clear about this in his heart; there was an essential difference between enduring hardship and taking a bullet. If there was danger that he couldn’t handle, it was time for his S-Class teacher to step up. Showing off was pointless.

What if a stray bullet hit him?

To tell the truth, Qing Chen was curious to see how a Demigod in this world would fare against firearms.

So far, Uncle Li Dong seemed not to be afraid of guns at all.

At this moment, Qin Yiyi was silently squatting next to Qing Chen, feeling the boy’s hand grip her own like a vice, preventing her from moving arbitrarily.

The girl looked at Qing Chen’s profile and seemed unconcerned about those who laid in ambush outside.

She didn’t even consider whether the man in front of her could protect them, nor did she think about the dangers that lay ahead.

She was just earnestly pondering why the boy would save her.

Outside the vehicle, someone shouted, “Hands up! The driver, turn off the engine and get out. Keep your hands where I can see them, and if you have a mechanical limb on your arm, roll up your sleeve!”

Old man Qin Cheng slowly got out of the car: “Is Lao Zhang there? Is that you, Lao Zhang? It’s me, Qin Cheng!”

“Damn, it’s you, old kid,” A middle-aged man with a utility suit slowly emerged with a gun: “Why did you come early? Didn’t we agree to wait a few more days? Alright, everyone lower your guns.”

Qing Chen was startled by this exchange and looked at Qin Yiyi beside him, “Who are these people?”

The girl, usually like a wildcat, blushed at the boy’s gaze: “Ah? What?”

“Who are these people?” Qing Chen repeated the question.

Qin Yiyi came back to her senses: “Zhang Tongdan, they’re the Wild people, my dad’s old acquaintances, but they’re ruthless and can’t be fully trusted.”

At that moment, Qin Cheng expertly took out a bottle of antibiotics and handed it to Zhang Tongdan: “We’re heading south this time. This is the road fee. Give the brothers in the Wilds a heads-up to let me pass, and we’ll discuss our trade separately.”

Zhang Tongdan slung the automatic rifle over his shoulder and took the antibiotics from Qin Cheng’s hand: “Fine, we’re not strangers to dealing with each other. The boss said there’s a big catch at Zhizi Lake today, but not sure if it’s possible to get it. You must have encountered them on the road, didn’t you? How were they?”

“We’ve come across two groups of people. Which one are you referring to, Lao Zhang?” asked Qin Cheng.

“The one with over thirty vehicles, and the fleet that also has a first mate controlling over a dozen drones,” Zhang Tongdan said.

“That’s the Autumn Hunting Fleet,” Qin Cheng said in a low voice: “You’d better be careful, there are definitely experts in that fleet.”

“Bad luck, another tough nut we can’t touch. If the boss himself made a move, it would be viable, but the cost is too high,” Zhang Tongdan said as he looked toward the bed of the pickup truck.

Seeing the empty cage, he asked, “What are you planning to catch this time?”

“We’re trying to catch a falcon and a monkey. The price offered is very high,” Qin Cheng replied. “But we’ve had lousy luck this time and caught nothing.”

Zhang Tongdan patted Qin Cheng on the shoulder with a sense of commiseration: “You guys also have it tough.”

With that, he turned to walk toward the woods: “Come on, fellows, let’s…”

However, after just two steps, Zhang Tongdan turned back, pointing his gun at Uncle Li Dong: “Who’s this old kid? And the boy next to him? Their attire looks like they’re from the city. We can’t have outsiders know about our dealings, and what if they go back and report our whereabouts?”

Sweat broke out on Qin Cheng’s forehead, but he saw Qin Yiyi suddenly hug Qing Chen’s arm: “Uncle Zhang, he’s my man, and the one next to him is his dad. They’re going to be part of the family soon. They’ve never been to the Wilds before; I’m just taking them out for some fun.”

The Wild people around started whistling, and Zhang Tongdan cursed with laughter: “Well, look at you, little girl, all grown up. Qin Cheng, your in-law looks wealthy. Your family’s hit the jackpot with these city folks, eh?”

Uncle Li Dong thought for a moment, then took out Thor from Qing Chen’s backpack and tossed it through the air to Zhang Tongdan: “A meeting gift. If my in-law ever faces danger in the Wilds, please look after him.”

Zhang Tongdan looked at Thor in his hand, stunned for two seconds before giving a thumbs up: “Generous of you, boss. To give Thor just like that! I, Lao Zhang, am also a straightforward person. I decide now, for the next five years, the Qin family will be exempt from the road fee!”