Chapter 398
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Chapter 398: There’s Always a Way
Perhaps Hachikuju and the others would never have imagined that the two boys they accidentally rescued would join the Red Flame Wolf Rider’s reserve army, eventually being selected as full members of the Red Flame Wolf Rider. They grew rapidly and played a crucial role in subsequent battles.
As for recent events, they were quite different from what Zhang Mu and the others had expected. After a long time, Ejin Horo Banner Sub-city remained calm, with no unusual changes due to Lian San’s death affecting any person or group.
However, the news brought by Hachikuju from the other several cities revealed that such incidents had occurred in nearly every sub-city, including Su Rui’s sub-city.
Although they had not caught any mastermind behind the scenes, mostly due to negligence, now they had all disappeared without a trace. This was because the Capital City Lord’s competition was approaching, so all Sub City Lords were focusing on that. They had not intentionally investigated these incidents. But Uncle Peng’s spies, placed in the major sub-cities, learned about the collective disappearance of teenagers aged fifteen or sixteen from the common areas.
Zhang Mu speculated that the person behind this had to be at least a second-rank evolver. With eight sub-cities and eight second-rank evolvers involved, it couldn’t be a coincidence. There must be someone orchestrating everything from behind the scenes.
Possessing the power of at least eight second-rank evolvers, none of the Sub City Lords could match it. This made Hachikuju and the others extremely vigilant.
The suspicion of the Caravan Alliance is getting bigger.
They still haven’t figured out why they are collecting the hearts and spines of young people, which is really strange.
Days are passing by, and there is only one day left until the competition with Capital City Lord.
“Brother Zhang Mu, it’s still hard to find the last spot. Most of the second-rank strong ones in my city are already here. The others either don’t fit well or are not fighters.”
Hachikuju, holding a jug of wine, looked a bit helpless as she complained with Zhang Mu in Zhang Feng’s tavern.
Zhang Mu, now dressed in a long robe, covered his left arm with his sleeve, as they didn’t mind, but showing it might scare children.
He laughed heartily and comforted him, saying, “Think of it this way, randomly choosing a low combat power could likely affect the whole team’s strength. Remember I have a second-rank mutant beast? It’s probably stronger than a regular second-rank evolver, so don’t worry. You know, most second-rank Beast Tamers wouldn’t let them join, and the other seven city teams won’t face our situation.”
“That’s true, Brother Zhang Mu, your own strength is enough to crush most of their team. Red Blood told me your little bug isn’t easy to mess with, but mounts don’t count, or we’d be over the limit already, which would be a loss.”
Hachikuju looked frustrated, clearly bothered by the vacant spot in her team.
Zhang Mu saw his brother’s worried expression and felt much happier. He teased him, saying, “Isn’t that lady Gesar a second-tier plant evolver? You can invite her to fill the vacancy, right?”
“Lady Gesar?”
Hachikuju’s eyes lit up, but then she shook her head and said, “No, no, it’s still not possible.”
“Why, Hachikuju, as the ruler of a city, do you also feel shy? Could it be because you like this Lady Gesar and are afraid to ask her for help?”
Hearing Zhang Mu’s teasing remarks, Hachikuju cleared her throat and quickly explained, “Why are you talking nonsense, my friend? It’s difficult dealing with a woman like her. She runs a small tavern because she wants a peaceful life and doesn’t want to be disturbed by others.
And this competition is not child’s play. If we have to fight against the powerful mutated beasts, any one of us among the ten could die. Lady Gesar probably sees me as just a customer at her tavern. Why would she come to help me in Ejin Horo Banner Sub-city?”
Zhang Mu watched as Hachikuju picked up a jug and started drinking heavily. He sighed and said, “I didn’t expect Brother Hachikuju, you are still a romantic at heart. You care so much for Lady Gesar even though nothing has happened yet. If anything does happen in the future, you might just betray us all.”
Hachikuju looked at Zhang Mu seriously and said, “Well, my friend Zhang Mu, we Mongolian people are straightforward. I do like Lady Gesar, but aside from personal feelings, her strength is not suitable.
I know the plants in your group are very strong, Zhang Mu, your plant is a good example. Gesar has a huge plant under her small tavern, it’s also very powerful. Sometimes I can sense its power when I’m half-asleep.
But the downside of having a mutant plant evolver, as you know, is that you can’t carry it with you. Not everyone’s mutant plants can be planted in their bodies like Zhang Mu’s. I don’t think Gesar can do it either.
What use can a second-rank plant evolver without mutant plants by their side have for our team? They might not even be as useful as a stronger ordinary evolver.
“Hey, Brother Hachikuju, if Gesar hears you say that, she probably won’t be happy with you. Just imagine if you could fight side by side, your revolutionary friendship would escalate in no time, right? Don’t act like you haven’t thought about it, we’re all men here, we understand.”
Zhang Mu smiled and glanced at Hachikuju, raising his eyebrows as he spoke to him.
“Well, what I’m saying is true. Without mutant plants by her side, it’s hard for her to protect herself. If I bring her in just because of me and then can’t spare the strength to protect her, it would harm my brothers.”
Hachikuju’s expression suddenly turned serious as he looked at Zhang Mu and said firmly.
“Zhang Mu, you’re like a mind reader. You’ve hit the nail on the head. I do think about it, because I never know when I might die. Having a girl I like by my side would be nice. But if loving her means risking the lives of her and my brothers, Hachikuju would never do that.”
But if my love for the girl means sacrificing the lives of so many brothers, Hachikuju would never agree.”
Seeing the seriousness on Hachikuju’s face, Zhang Mu knew he couldn’t tease him anymore, then he said.
“Who says that plant evolvers can’t move their mutated plants? They can, but it comes with a high cost that most people can’t afford or simply don’t know about.”
Hachikuju still held onto the idea of fighting alongside Gesar. Her eyes lit up instantly after hearing Zhang Mu’s words.
“Brother, do you have a solution?”
Zhang Mu squinted his eyes and looked at Hachikuju with a malicious intent.
“A solution? Of course there is, but remember, brothers need to settle their debts. The cost of chasing girls is on you, old buddy.”
