The Invincible Supreme Medical God
Chapter 441 - 295: Mercenary Badge_2

Chapter 441: Chapter 295: Mercenary Badge_2

Seeing his expression, Yan Xiaobao somewhat understood Xu Biao’s thoughts. Although the Guild Master hadn’t said a word, the white-haired boy quickly realized that the mission wasn’t as simple as he had anticipated.

Before Yan Xiaobao had a chance to ask any questions, Xu Biao fixated his gaze on him. He shook his head slightly, indicating this wasn’t the place for conversation. Seeing his gesture, Yan Xiaobao refrained from saying more. Instead, he broke into a bright smile when he heard his friends’ cheerful voices; everyone was excited about finally leaving Mercenary City.

Stepping aside, Yan Xiaobao gestured for Xu Biao to follow him, and the other man willingly complied.

"What do you think about this mission?" Yan Xiaobao asked in a very low voice, ensuring no one nearby could overhear their conversation.

Xu Biao scratched his head, giving a wry smile of helplessness as he replied, "What’s your relationship with Zhou Long? To entrust you with such an important mission, he must see you as someone he’s known for years and trusts unconditionally."

Hearing this, Yan Xiaobao nodded. Zhou Long treated him as if they were old friends, even though they hadn’t known each other before. Did it remind Yan Xiaobao of someone he once knew?

Xu Biao and Yan Xiaobao fell into silence, each pondering why Zhou Long held such trust in him, yet neither could find an answer.

"So, what’s your plan for now?" Xu Biao asked as he glanced at their friends drinking and feasting, playing around the bonfire in the middle of the courtyard. Smiling, Yan Xiaobao answered, "I don’t think Zhou Long has any malicious intentions toward me." His words made sense to Xu Biao.

"If he wanted me dead, I would’ve been long gone," Yan Xiaobao continued. "But instead of killing me, he keeps orchestrating situations that benefit me."

"I think this mission is no different. He wants to control the way and the route I travel, but at the same time, he knows if we traveled together, I’d refuse the proposal." Xu Biao nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

"Have you noticed if I’ve been marked all along?" Xu Biao suddenly asked, his expression slightly awkward as he scratched his chin. "Ever since I’ve been enjoying a leisurely life in the Demon Residence Cave, I’ve postponed going to the Dragon Cave. I’ve been receiving an influx of travel orders lately, but I haven’t gone. Maybe it would be more interesting if I could travel with you."

Before Xu Yue could respond, Xu Biao hastily clarified, and Yan Xiaobao couldn’t help but chuckle as he considered the situation.

In the cave they were now in, Yan Xiaobao was considered a strong man, and in the previous caves, he had been the strongest. Yet, he realized he wouldn’t be regarded as a powerhouse in the caves ahead. However, if his team included Yan Xiaobao’s friends and two King-level experts, it would be far safer.

Dealing with the Dragon Army made the mission extremely lucrative for everyone involved. Though the Dragon Army was considered the most formidable force within the tunnel and cave system, other factions also existed.

While those factions hadn’t directly clashed with the Dragon Army, they still had to spend enormous sums to obtain the information Yan Xiaobao carried, making the potentially profitable mission equally dangerous.

Currently, the only ones aware of the mission’s details were Yan Xiaobao, Xu Biao, and Zhou Long. Including Xu Biao would ensure he couldn’t sell the information. Although Xu Yue had a deep suspicion about what Xu Biao might do, the possibility still lingered.

Weighing all the pros and cons, Yan Xiaobao slowly nodded, saying, "Glad you can join us." He spoke in a low voice, his gaze falling on Deng Wu teasing Wang Julong at the campsite. As he thought about how Wang Julong had lost her cherished Little Poppy, whom she had spent so much time raising, a hint of sorrow appeared on his face.

Little Poppy had died a heroic death, inflicting significant damage on the Horned Snake’s face. Sadly, its retreat had been too slow, but it departed in a blaze of glory.

After Zhou Long left the battlefield, Yan Xiaobao and his friends stayed behind to create a grave for the flower.

Wang Julong struggled deeply with the loss of her Little Poppy. But after some time, Deng Wu and Yan Xiaobao managed to crack her emotionless exterior, once again eliciting an awkward yet beautiful smile from her.

Seeing Wang Julong smile like that lifted the heaviness in Yan Xiaobao’s heart, replacing it with a joyful feeling. It was as though his heart ached as much as Wang Julong’s, yet for another reason entirely.

Watching Deng Wu successfully coax a faint smile from the still slightly melancholic Wang Julong, Yan Xiaobao couldn’t resist smiling himself, his senses soothed as happiness shone in his eyes.

Xu Biao noticed the change in Yan Xiaobao’s expression and glanced in the direction Yan Xiaobao was staring, his smile holding a knowing satisfaction.

Throughout the courtyard, laughter echoed. Blushing, Xu Yue pretended as though nothing had happened.

Their secret meeting was interrupted by the laughter, but they all knew they were comrades now. Sharing a mutual understanding in their eyes, they agreed to meet again the next day and finalize the details of their journey.

With shared laughter, Yan Xiaobao and Xu Biao returned to the ongoing gathering in their courtyard. Although everyone knew the two had been discussing important matters, no one asked any questions, instead accepting that they wouldn’t be told until the time was right.

Walking to the bonfire in the center of the courtyard, Yan Xiaobao smiled as he grabbed a stick holding some roasting meat. Judging by its freshness, Yan Xiaobao instantly knew it wasn’t his dried wolf meat or dried Horned Snake meat. Taking a small bite of the freshly grilled food with a hint of hazelnut flavor, he was pleasantly surprised.

Yan Xiaobao liked to save money. He never knew when he might need it, so he preferred eating dried meat whenever possible. Yet, the moment the tender meat melted in his mouth, bursting with flavor, the white-haired boy was utterly shocked. A satisfied and relaxed expression spread across his face.

It wasn’t ordinary meat; it was magical beast meat, seasoned with medicinal herbs to relieve fatigue. Creating such a dish was something Wang Julong had longed to learn but had been unable to find a teacher for in Liluo City.

Seeing the meat before them, and with Xu Biao clearly not being the creator, Yan Xiaobao felt happier than ever. It meant Xie Lan, a cultivator with an affinity for wood, had likely prepared it, and she specialized in the very thing Wang Julong had hoped to study.

Xie Lan was a significant asset to Yan Xiaobao, and as he ate the delicious food, he couldn’t help but whistle in appreciation. Later, he approached Sha Yun, who was chatting with Xie Lan and Xu Biao.

...

"So we leave in three days," Xu Biao said, looking at Yan Xiaobao. Standing in Xu Biao’s office, the older of the two busied himself packing items into a storage stone for the upcoming journey.

Yan Xiaobao nodded. Three days was the perfect amount of time. It allowed them to purchase whatever supplies they needed while providing adequate rest to prepare for their departure from the Demon Residence Cave. After all, they had only left Mercenary City to kill the Horned Snake; they were unfamiliar with the terrain beyond.

Gazing at the horizon and looking up at the sky, it was hard to believe this was merely a cave. Everything looked like it belonged above ground rather than being subterranean. Only upon closer inspection could one see the stone ceiling above the "sun" and the far-off cave walls enclosing this world, locking everything in as though it were a prison.

Yan Xiaobao fully understood why Xu Biao had grown weary of this world. Perhaps if Xu Biao continued assisting him through trouble, Yan Xiaobao would be willing to help this old man leave the Underworld someday. After all, friends help each other.

Standing up, Yan Xiaobao nodded at Xu Biao and then walked step by step toward the courtyard where all his friends were waiting, eager to overhear what they had been discussing.

Although they trusted Yan Xiaobao’s judgment, their curiosity was hard to suppress. They had speculated about the conversation’s content earlier, all hoping that Yan Xiaobao would invite Xu Biao to join them.

...

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