Strike the First Blow

by Tai Baiyang

  The mutated wolfdog seems to be somewhat uncomfortable being grabbed by the Obsidian Beetle as it whimpered sightly. But when the Obsidian Beetle lowered its head and glared at the mutated wolfdog, it did not dare to make any more sound.

  The matter just now was absolutely terrifying. It recalled back the scene where the dozens of chimpanzees had bit the golden python and truly felt that the Obsidian Beetle appeared right on time. Just like a brave soldier sent from heaven.

  After flying in the air for some time, the Obsidian Beetle slowly landed on the place that they had agreed to meet previously. What it saw, was four people with a gloomy face, and Yuan Rui who was in the dark. Meanwhile, Zhang Mu had an intriguing expression on his face.

  The moment the Obsidian Beetle landed, Lin Hua immediately rushed to them in quick small steps and pointed at the nose of the mutated wolfdog, “Where is my Little Gold? Why did it die? It told me that it had met you, so you must be the one who caused its death and then caused the entire Jin Zhong city to be in chaos, right? Everyone could not complete their task because of you. I am going to kill you, stupid dog, to avenge for my Little Gold.”

  Because the tamer evolver had a low rank, even if they could communicate with one another, information also required some time to deliver when they were far apart from each other. So when the golden python died, the news that it met the mutated wolfdog arrived late to Lin Hua.

  Therefore, the truth regarding the matter that the golden python had sent hastily to her was utterly severed when it died.

  As a result, Lin Hua did not know the truth about this matter currently. But one thing she knew for sure was that it was her golden python that accidentally got into trouble with the patrolling mutated animals and then met the mutated wolfdog later. As for the development of the matter, she was not aware of any of it.

  Hence, she rushed to pour all of the dirty water onto the mutated wolfdog. She even pulled out a long whip that was tied to her waist and struck at the head of the mutated wolfdog without mercy.

  However, she had forgotten about one crucial fact. The owner of the mutated wolfdog was Zhang Mu, and he was only right beside her. Zhang Mu did not waste his time to talk nonsense with her. He immediately grabbed the end of the long whip that struck out a moment ago and jerked it toward his direction. With his strength, Lin Hua had flown to him right away. The moment she realized that Zhang Mu had tugged her over, he had slapped her with his backhand on her face and shoved her entire being backward. Red and swollen palm mark immediately showed up on her face.

  “You......” Lin Hua did not expect that Zhang Mu would take action abruptly. She retreated a few steps back while holding her face, pointing shakingly at Zhang Mu who was wiping his hand on his sleeve.

  Zhang Mu glanced at her. Just like nothing had happened earlier, he said, “To hit the dog, you should look at the owner first right? Aren’t you hitting my face the moment you hit my mutated animal in front of me? Who gave you the courage? A tamer evolver who had lost her mutated animal, huh? Who gave you the courage to do that?”

  Only then did Lin Hua started to have reactions. She already lost her most significant reliance, but she still could not pull down her face as she glanced at Zhang Mu with a sullen look, “What is the matter? Are you going to kill me now? Also, everyone had seen the trouble that your mutated animal had caused.”

  “Stop, hold on right there.” Zhang Mu looked straight at the face that once looked fine but now, turned into a discolored ugly face as some of the makeup was wearing off, “Who told you that it was my mutated animal that caused the trouble? Why did I hear from my mutated animal that it was your golden python who had cause trouble and almost drag it down instead? If not for my friend’s mutated beetle, I’m afraid that it would not be able to escape from that place. I haven’t settled this debt with you, yet you pushed all the blame to me entirely?”

  “You’re lying!” Lin Hua could felt that the unfriendly gaze from the others, so she quickly denied.

  The mutated animals from the others had returned. However, the truth behind such a massive movement was between Zhang Mu’s mutated wolfdog and Lin Hua’s golden python. Right now, Lin Hua was behaving too irrational so they had to be suspicious of her, even though they had instilled with the perception that it was Zhang Mu’s wolfdog that caused the trouble.

  “Am I saying nonsense? Don’t get so exasperated. You don’t look good originally, and now that your makeup is gone, you become uglier.”

  Zhang Mu continued saying, “As for whether did I lie or not, I am not like you, making up things just like a shrew. Since you don’t want to speak the truth, then I will help you to say.”

  “Just now, my mutated wolfdog already told me everything regarding this matter. So let me explain the whole story. It was this Lin Hua's golden python, that had provoked dozens of mutated chimpanzees. Therefore, it was chased by dozens of them. My mutated wolfdog even helped and saved its life. However, the moment they were surrounded by them, her golden python caused trouble once again and injured a young white fox, who was the grandchild of the biggest BOSS in this Jin Zhong city. As a result, the entire city was in a frenzy.”

  Lin Hua continued to argue, “That’s right, my golden python was dead now, so there is no evidence. You can say whatever you want. Come on, pour all the dirty water on me then.”

  This Lin Hua was extremely good at accusing him. Zhang Mu was confident that she knew that it was her golden python that provoked the mutated animals. Despite that, she acted like Zhang Mu was befouling her now.

  Zhang Mu snorted coldly, “You want evidence, right? Of course, I can give it to you.” Lin Hua continued to run her mouth, “Oh, then I have to hear what evidence you have. Come on, say it for us to hear.” He turned his gaze to the other two men, “We did not meet before. Therefore, I shouldn't know what type of ability did your mutated animal have exactly, correct?” The two men nodded thoughtfully. Meanwhile, Lin Hua had a bad feeling in her heart.

  Zhang Mu continued saying, “But right now, I know what additional ability does Lin Hua’s golden python has. It could shot out two rays of corrosive venom from its poisonous fangs. As for the color, it was light blue.” He stared at Lin Hua with keen eyes until the latter did not dare to look directly at his face. He asked her slowly, “Am I correct?” Seeing that Lin Hua dodged his gaze, Gu Quan and Jiang Shu cast an unfriendly look at Lin Hua. It seems like the truth of the matter was close to what Zhang Mu had mentioned earlier.

  Today was the first time that Zhang Mu had met them yet, the power and color of the venom had matched perfectly. Furthermore, even though they had cooperated for a long time, they rarely saw the ability of Lin Hua’s golden python.

  Moreover, the most crucial fact was that they were informed previously, that unless there was an exceptional case, their mutated animals were not allowed to use their ability to provoke the mutated animal in the Jin Zhong city when they were discovered by them. Furthermore, it was impossible for them to use their ability the moment they were caught. In conclusion, the golden python must have done something outrageous.

  Like always, Jiang Shu remained silent. Meanwhile, Gu Quan looked at Lin Hua and said in an unfriendly tone, “I will report to the boss honestly, so be prepared to bear his anger. I’m not sure whether your action would affect the boss’s subsequent plan. But if there is, then you better prepare yourself.” Hearing Gu Quan’s words, the matter that Lin Hua had to face that man when she returned, finally occurred to her mind. Now that she had lost her mutated animal, her value came close to none. Furthermore, she even did something wrong. In an instant, her face turned deadly pale.

  Chapter 177: Bottle Gourd

  Zhang Mu was unclear about Lin Hua’s outcome. She was taken away by Gu Quan and was put on the back of General. As for herself, she had no response to the outside world anymore. Her mutated animal was her only asset to flaunt her prowess. Now that the golden python was gone, even though it did not cause her any direct damage, but it had turned her in
to a basic first-ranked evolver completely, with first-ranked strength and agility.

  That could be said as an earth-shattering blow to her. Even though she knew that there would not be much unfair treatment under the military camp system, but in this Cataclysm where the strong would dominate the world, once she lost her strength, it would be hard for her to climb back to her status again.

  However, that was not her biggest concern now, as she had to think about how to face Long Qi’s wrath when she returned.

  Right now, she had developed a deep hatred for her golden python instead. It was incredibly stupid to provoke so many mutated animals. Now that it was dead, it also dragged her into this situation. It truly deserved to die.

  Not sure how would her golden python think in its mind when it heard its owner saying such words.

  In the meantime, Jiang Shu was gone without a trace again. The four of them and three mutated animals rushed back together in the direction of Shan Xi city at a steady speed. They had no idea how Long Qi would react when they met him.

  Meanwhile, Zhang Mu was communicating with the Obsidian Beetle and the mutated wolfdog. On the surface, it looked like the mutated wolfdog was barking and reporting the situation to Zhang Mu. But the actual situation was that the mutated wolfdog was talking to the Obsidian Beetle and it would translate to Zhang Mu about the situation at that time.

  Zhang Mu understood most of the situation, and he was thoroughly impressed with the mutated wolfdog's courage for facing the dozens of the first-ranked mutated animals by itself. Furthermore, it even managed to stun the crowd. However, Zhang Mu could only say that it was lucky. If not, it would be torn into pieces by them already, and Zhang Mu would not see its insatiable look for asking the bottle of second-ranked evolving potion now.

  He patted the head of the mutated wolfdog. Because there were people beside them, he did not speak and let the Obsidian Beetle translated to the mutated wolfdog, “Of course, I will give you the bottle of second-ranked evolving potion that I promised you. However, who did you learn this habit from?”

  When the Obsidian Beetle translated until here, it paused for a while and added, “Not me. So don’t try to make oblique accusations and blame them on me.”

  The mutated wolfdog started to add colorful details again to complain to Zhang Mu about how dangerous Jin Zhong city was, and that it had risked its life to ensure the smooth progress of Zhang Mu’s plan. It also described in detail about how miserable that golden python was when it was getting ripped into pieces.

  Under the Obsidian Beetle’s complement, Zhang Mu could vaguely guess the defense strength of Jin Zhong city. A six-figure first-ranked walking dead was confirmed already. However, there was no walking dead inside the city. He was afraid that this was the agreement between the intellectual type of walking dead that command the herd and the mutated old white fox that the Obsidian Beetle had mentioned to him.

  Because even if they had a partnership, the mutated animals and the walking dead were each others’ prey. Therefore, to cooperate temporarily did not mean that they could live together in harmony.

  As a result, the enormous Jin Zhong city was empty instead. The Obsidian also mentioned that it counted in the air and there were about three thousands of mutated animals.

  Three thousands of mutated animal and a leader to command them, matched with the intellectual type of walking dead amidst the six-figure of walking dead, they were not outdone in the slightest. That should be the premise that enabled them to cooperate on an equal footing.

  Zhang Mu patted the mane of the mutated wolfdog and said, “Alright. This time I will add another benefit for you just this once.”

  The mutated wolfdog nodded its head excitedly. To reap benefit from Zhang Mu was undoubtedly much harder than climbing up the sky.

  After that, it was time for Zhang Mu and the Obsidian Beetle private conversation. He sat on the mutated wolfdog with bated breath as he received the shared memory from the Obsidian Beetle and viewed it bit by bit.

  Oh, so the streets and the building looked like this. It appears that all of the core interest was placed at that plaza.

  From that memory alone, Zhang Mu could feel the vigor radiated from that old white fox. Even the Obsidian Beetle had mentioned to him that the power from this mutated animal must be above itself.

  Even the high and mighty Obisidian Beetle had subdued? It seems like the plan for recovering Jin Zhong city was not easy this time. Later, he had to report this to Long Qi when he got back. Not sure what kind of plan would he produce then.

  After that, the memory transmission had stopped.

  Zhang Mu was confused and gawked at the Obsidian Beetle, “What are you doing? Where is the most important detail that I told you to see? You didn’t go in?”

  “I didn’t go in? How is that possible? You underestimated me too much.” The arrogant voice of the Obsidian Beetle rang in Zhang Mu’s mind. There was also a trace of a sly laugh. It seems like it was going to blackmail a sum out of Zhang Mu ruthlessly.

  “What are you talking about?” Zhang Mu controlled his temper to hear what was the Obsidian Beetle going to say. Just now, the mutated wolfdog had extorted from him already. But at least the mutated wolfdog had a reason to do so since it was only a first-ranked mutated animal. With so many mutated animals having the same rank as the mutated wolfdog, it was stuck between life and death. However, he knew the strength of the Obsidian Beetle patently. Was there anything for it to be afraid? Even if there were hundreds of first-ranked mutated animal attacking it, as long as they did not exceed the second rank, the Obsidian Beetle would not suffer any injuries.

  “Relax. Even though I don’t know what was that thing, but my innate instinct is telling me that I am longing for it too. Furthermore, that white fox who was more powerful than me had to send out almost all of the strongest first-ranked mutated in the entire Jin Zhong city to protect it. I’m positive that you will be interested in it.”

  “You guys learned how to bargain today, huh? Alright, I want to see that did you discovered exactly. Well, if the information was worthy, I will give you the reward that you wanted.”

  Zhang Mu did not become angry when his mutated animal started to bargain with him, their owner. Listening to the Obsidian Beetle’s tone, it should not be about the progress of the intellectual type of walking dead. It must be a treasure instead then.

  After receiving Zhang Mu’s word, the Obsidian Beetle’s memory slowly transmitted to Zhang Mu.

  It was a rainbow dome. When Zhang Mu inspect the item inside, he was shocked till the point where he almost fell from the mutated wolfdog’s back. Fortunately, the other two people were busy. One was communicating with his mutated animal to complete the map while the other had immersed in her thoughts. Hence, both of them did not notice Zhang Mu’s abnormality.

  Zhang Mu recovered back to normal after a while. However, there was an immense excitement in his heart.

  What the rainbow dome was protecting, was actually a set of gourd!

  Chapter 178: Coming Up With A Small Plan

  Two gourds were hanging on a small vine of a tree. One big and one small. One blue and one green. They were tightly attached to the vine.

  Even though that rainbow dome had sealed the presence of these two gourds, but fortunately, the Obsidian Beetle had good eyesight. Hence, he could examine their appearance through the Obsidian Beetle’s eye.

  They were connected tightly to each other as the joints were attached with no separation. Moreover, their color seems to be fading out slowly. The rainbow dome had isolated the wind, yet the two gourds had traces of movement on the surface.

  That feeling was as if they were still alive, and they were breathing.

  The reason why Zhang Mu was so astonished was that he remembered the origin of these gourds all of a sudden. He only heard of it from others, however it had left a deep impression in him.

  Because this set of gourd was actually the personal treasure of the Ice Queen, the most renowned le
ader of Shan Xi city in the past, and was somewhere between a vegetable and a weapon. The Ice Queen had used them to collect high-ranked mutated animal corpse and turn it into a kind of powerful evolving stock solution.

  This kind of evolving stock solution was one of the closing items in the trade fair in Shan Xi city. Because they were very precious, only the first sub-merchant of Shan Xi city, who worked closely with the Ice Queen, was qualified to use this resource to sell and hold his place at the trade fair. Furthermore, it required the Ice Queen to do the job personally.

  Everyone was envious. However, no one dared to steal the treasure in the hands of the Ice Queen. At most, when the trade fair was about to end, there would be a wave of crazy bidding.

  Even Zhang Mu was not qualified to enter this type of trade fair. Only the sub-merchant before number 20 had the power to buy such a treasure. Therefore, he heard this information from the followers of a great leader. To ensure that the evolving solution stock was not wasted, the Ice Queen had used that treasure on the spot. Although the process only lasted for a moment, everyone was deeply attracted to it.

  The big gourd was the first process to produce an initial evolving stock solution that was relatively hard to absorb for the human body. After that, the stock solution would be poured into the small gourd. The liquid obtained from the small green gourd would be the final evolving stock solution. This evolving stock solution could allow anyone from the third rank and above to absorb the whole blood and flesh essence from the same ranked mutated animal without waste. And the most remarkable thing was, it ignored any attribute.

  Because it could only be used once a month, so this evolving stock solution was generally used on a fifth-ranked or a fourth-ranked mutated animal at the minimum. However, this situation was still pretty uncommon.

  The condition to use these set of gourds was extremely harsh as it required at least a third-ranked mutated animal. The higher the rank, the gap between the mutated animal and human would be longer. Five fifth-ranked strong evolver might not be able to kill a fifth-ranked mutated animal. If they did not handle it well, the result might be reversed.