Lin Wang, who was originally leading the team out of the town to start hunting, decisively turned back and met Ren Zhong at the gate of his estate.
Compared to before his "injury," Ren Zhong appeared slightly more gaunt.
Lin Wang glanced at the team command system, read Ren Zhong’s parameters, confirmed that his strength had not decreased but increased instead, with all three indices showing a significant increase by dozens of points, and he was reassured.
He laughed heartily, raised his hand, and patted Ren Zhong’s shoulder, "It’s good to see you recovered. In the future, you’ll be a top hunter who has killed a Level Four Ruined Beast at a Second Level standard."
Ren Zhong modestly said, "It’s all thanks to the equipment the captain gave me."
Lin Wang nodded, "This time, your recovery is largely thanks to Manager Ju, this Second Level Citizen who didn’t mind your origin and took great care of you. We owe her a big favor, and you must repay her well someday. To be honest, all the equipment I gave you is also her handiwork; Manager Ju is my benefactor too."
Ren Zhong nodded earnestly, "The captain is right. She said she indeed racked her brains for the armor I’m wearing."
"Indeed, when we succeed in the future, there will be plenty of opportunities to repay her. Alright, since you’ve regained your strength, let’s pick up the pace today and take down more Ruined Beasts."
Lin Wang called out and set off with the team once again.
Following behind, Ren Zhong watched Lin Wang’s back, contemplating.
In the previous timeline, he didn’t know that Ju Qingmeng took full responsibility for Lin Wang’s end-phase Third Level equipment.
Although Ju Qingmeng earned a lot from him, regardless, she played an important role in Lin Wang’s rise.
If it weren’t for Ju Qingmeng’s full-fledged technical support, Lin Wang, whose parameters had just upgraded from Third Level to Fourth Level, couldn’t possibly have completed the comprehensive upgrade of his equipment from Third Level to Fourth Level in just half a year.
The word "benefactor" from Lin Wang’s mouth wasn’t mere courtesy; it was a fact.
But when Lin Wang came into contact with the people of Chongyi County and touched the chance to climb the ladder to the heavens, he showed no hesitation in betrayal.
When he returned to the abandoned mine pit to corner him again and mentioned Ju Qingmeng’s situation, his words lacked even a trace of the tone one should have when referring to a "benefactor," only madness and bloodlust.
Ren Zhong thought that Lin Wang’s acting skills were probably not inferior to his own.
This was the highest praise.
At noon, four people, each carrying a large backpack, walked out of the abandoned mine pit, all looking refreshed and spirited.
Ren Zhong was in an excellent mood, and so was Lin Wang.
Since he had a fight with Tang Shuying and two other professional teams five days ago, his hunting state had returned to normal.
Due to further reduction in manpower, only Lin Wang and Bei Lihui were the combat personnel.
Bei Lihui also had to take care of protecting Si Mawan, so Lin Wang had to handle the Ruined Beasts mostly by himself, but at least he made some gains. In the afternoon, when begging, he increased the occasional encounter tax from fifty to seventy percent, barely restoring his income.
Moreover, Lin Wang’s deep suspicion towards Tang Shuying had completely turned into a definite conclusion.
I attacked you, and you’ve quieted down; if it wasn’t you, who else could it be?
Despite Tang Shuying’s repeated "denials" and numerous explanations, it was useless.
Seeing the persistent murderous intent in Lin Wang’s eyes, she even privately approached Lin Wang, willing to offer an additional thirty thousand points of interest-free loan as a gesture to calm the situation.
Lin Wang accepted Tang Shuying’s money and expressed reconciliation.
But including Yang Bingzhong, no one thought that this matter could just be let go.
Given Lin Wang’s extremely vindictive nature, this could only be a temporary measure under mutual compromise.
After all, Lin Wang had been made quite embarrassed these past few days, almost losing his honorable reputation.
Today was finally a good day, with luck as great as running into mining source stones; Ren Zhong really was a fortune-bringer.
With his joining, the probability of encountering targets at Ruined Beast refresh points today increased considerably.
And with Ren Zhong acting as Si Mawan’s guard, Lin Wang and Bei Lihui could give their all, significantly improving hunting efficiency, earning a total of forty thousand points by the end of the morning.
"Ren Zhong, we’ve changed the rules recently. In the afternoon, if you encounter people, the number you should start with is seventy percent, not half; remember that.
Before dispersing for action, Lin Wang instructed this way.
Ren Zhong frowned slightly, "Captain, isn’t this rate a bit too high? I’m afraid these people won’t agree."
Lin Wang smiled faintly, "Just kill all those who don’t agree, and the rest will become agreeable, won’t they? Anyway, when you’re in the wild, you can make up any reason you like; the dead aren’t in a position to complain."