Chapter 81: A Huge Sum of Money?
Two kilometers southwest of Song Family Fortress, several men peered through telescopes toward the main gate.
Behind them stood or crouched over twenty others, each carrying longbows with quivers on their backs and long knives hanging at their waists.
Further back, a large herd of antelopes grazed quietly.
"Look at those fat sheep! They bought so much stuff! Holy hell, is that a crate of wine?" One man involuntarily licked his lips as he spoke.
"Wine! Actual wine! My God!"
"Boss, let's just rob them. Kill them all and take everything."
"Have you all lost your minds?!"
A bald, scar-faced man nearby snapped irritably, "Open your eyes! Who are they?"
"Zhao Laosan? Wait... they're from Zhao Family Fortress!"
"Zhao Family Fortress!"
The group behind them gulped audibly.
Though bandits, they understood the principle of preying on the weak while avoiding the strong. Zhao Da was a flesh-refining realm martial artist who could draw a five-hundred-pound bow. If they killed his people, they'd be driven out of this territory.
Go elsewhere? Their profession operated under strict territorial divisions. Would other bandits welcome poachers?
"Let's wait for that other group to come out," someone suggested.
Another added, "We counted clearly - they carried four kills inside. Fifteen people total, only two archers. We could crush them without breaking sweat."
"Hmm."
The bald leader nodded. "Wait until they're two kilometers out before making a move. No rushing."
"Understood, boss."
"It's not like this is our first rodeo," others chuckled.
Though their antelope mounts granted wind-like speed, excessive boldness could get them wiped out in moments.
"Four horned antelopes must be worth three or four thousand dollars?"
"Enough to trade for good supplies."
"Tsk tsk. Hunting's all nerves - one slip and you're beast food. Much easier to get rich killing and looting."
"And faster."
"Right. Faster."
The group erupted in laughter again.
...
"Song Family Fortress Armory: Quality Weapons at Fair Prices. Purchasing All Beast Materials. Premium Rates for Intermediate-Grade Beasts. Advanced-Grade Negotiable."
Chen Fan studied the straightforward sign, appreciating its lack of pretension. Inside sprawled a hundred-square-meter space filled with cold steel, bustling with customers.
Surprisingly, no armed guards stood watch - though considering the location, only a fool would cause trouble here.
"Here to sell beast materials?" A sharp-featured woman in business attire approached warmly.
"Yes," Chen Guodong nodded.
"Please follow me."
They entered a courtyard alive with haggling voices. A burly man with rolled-up sleeves barked at them: "Selling all these horned antelopes?"
"Yes. May I ask the current rate?"
Chen Guodong smiled politely.
"Three dollars per pound. Low-grade beast meat - not premium, but decent."
"What?" Gao Yang blurted. "Last week it was three-fifty!"
The man glared. "That was last week. Market's changed. Selling or not?"
Exchanging resigned looks, the group relented. Where else could they sell in this fortress?
"We'll take it," Chen Guodong conceded.
"Should've agreed sooner. You lot - follow me."
As the handlers left, Gu Ze muttered, "What bullies."
"Indeed," Chen Fan sighed.
Commotion erupted at the entrance as men carried in a wild boar the size of a pickup truck. Its black bristles stood needle-straight, curved tusks gleaming. Two gaping bullet holes marred its skull.
"Careful with those tusks!" warned a muscular man in his twenties, smoking a cigarette while cradling a sniper rifle. "Break them and you'll pay with your lives!"
"Master Lu's here!"
"Master Lu actually bagged a giant porcupine-boar! Incredible!"
"Right this way, Master Lu! We'll give top price!"
As the entourage passed, bystanders whispered:
"Who's that?"
"Don't you know? He's the second disciple from Hurricane Dojo! Reached flesh-refining realm in his twenties! While we flee from mid-grade beasts, he charges in with his rifle - total badass!"
Gu Ze snorted. "Big deal. I could do that with a sniper too."
"Interesting," Chen Fan mused. While martial arts combined with firearms showed promise, guns remained prohibitively expensive and exclusive to fortress residents - part of Song Fortress' strategic advantage.
Chen Guodong approached, eyes crinkling. "Xiao Fan," he whispered, shielding them with his body, "Four kills totaled 1,020 pounds. At three dollars, that's 3,060 total. Your half is 1,530."
He produced a stack of colorful bills. The group instinctively formed a protective circle around the transaction.
Chen Fan stared at the money, momentarily stunned.
Special thanks to reader Lun Dao Youran for the 500 Qidian coin tip!!!
End of chapter.
