Chapter 37: The Virtue of Self-Knowledge

Lu Hao glanced at Yu Yan.

This woman, like him, hadn't participated in the pig-slaying “battle.” But unlike him, Yu Yan clearly wasn’t holding back because her abilities were lacking. If his guess was right, it was that she thought these howling pigs were far too weak—unworthy of her effort. A flicker of conflict passed through Lu Hao’s eyes.

Now was, without a doubt, the best opportunity for him to switch sides. Following Yu Yan would be far more rewarding than sticking with Zhang Quan. That much was obvious just by looking at the people around Yu Yan: Tang Yan, Yun Duo’er, and even Tang Yan’s daughter, Tang Siqi—each of them had already acquired powerful abilities. And what about those who’d stayed with Zhang Quan? After days together, all they’d gained was a slight physical boost, barely enough to withstand a couple of the howling pigs’ minor fireballs.

But… Yu Yan was a woman. And she looked delicate, not one of those tough, masculine types. The thought of trailing behind a woman, flattering her as “boss” like Tang Yan did, made Lu Hao’s words stick in his throat. If his old buddies ever found out, they’d laugh themselves silly.

Then he thought, the world had become a game instance now; who knew if he’d even see those guys again? And even if he did, they might be missing an arm or a leg. Why should he care what that bunch of losers thought? So what if he followed a woman? As long as it meant a leap in his own strength, he’d call her “boss”—he’d even call her kid “boss” if it came to that! Lu Hao’s expression clouded and cleared several times before he finally gritted his teeth.

He’d do it.

If he came across a stronger man in the future, he’d just find a way to swap bosses again.

“Do you want something?”

Yu Yan frowned, looking at Lu Hao as he walked over. She remembered he’d been running with Zhang Quan. Now he stood here, all hesitant, clearly wanting to cozy up to her but unable to let go of his pride—what was this? Was he trying to switch sides now that she seemed stronger and more resourceful?

But she wasn’t running a rubbish dump; she didn’t accept just anyone. Zhang Quan might see something in him, but Yu Yan certainly didn’t.

For Yu Yan, competence and intelligence were secondary—character was what mattered most. Zhang Quan might be a petty crook, but in her eyes, he was far more agreeable than Lu Hao. She disliked dealing with overly calculating types, especially two-faced ones like him.

Today he was ready to change sides because she was stronger than Zhang Quan. Who knew what he’d do tomorrow? Betray her, sell her out, trade her most crucial secrets for supplies and resources?

As for harming or killing her, Lu Hao simply didn’t have that kind of ability. Of this, Yu Yan was quite sure.

“N-no, nothing,” Lu Hao stammered, feeling humiliated at having to ingratiate himself with a woman. To make things worse, she showed not the slightest willingness to cooperate. He backed away a few steps—never mind, today just wasn’t the day. He’d wait for a better opportunity.

Yu Yan didn’t spare him another glance. She watched as Tang Yan finished off the last resistance among the howling pigs. Dozens of their corpses now lay in heaps on the ground. Though howling pigs were small and their meat sparse, there were enough here for a decent feast for her group.

“Tang Yan, that’s enough.” The moment the words left her lips, Tang Yan withdrew the pointed leaf of the featherleaf banyan that she’d just pressed to a pig’s neck, showing not a hint of regret for letting it go. “Understood,” she replied.

“@#￥%%&!” One howling pig that had managed to escape alive hurled a stream of curses and spat a tiny fireball at Tang Yan.

Oblivious to how narrowly it had escaped death, the pig watched the fireball strike Tang Yan without her yelping in pain like humans used to. Frustrated, it spat another, but when it felt its energy run dry, it retreated back among its fellows.

Yu Yan stepped forward, her invisible psychic strength sweeping outwards.

As soon as Tang Yan stopped, Yun Duo’er obediently led Jin Ling over to Yu Yan’s side.

A contented cry sounded as little Qing, having played to its heart’s content, flapped its dark teal wings and flew toward Yu Yan.

“Tang Yan, wait here for me.”

As soon as the words fell, Yu Yan and Yun Duo’er vanished from sight. Even little Qing, who was flying toward Yu Yan, disappeared the moment it drew near her.

A long while passed—

“Tang Yan, aren’t you curious what that woman’s doing with the child?”

“Not at all.” Tang Yan shot Lu Hao a glance. “Boss has her reasons for everything. As a follower, my job is just to carry out her orders. Anything else isn’t my place to worry about.”

Lu Hao could see the disdain in Tang Yan’s eyes.

It was as if Tang Yan were saying, “You’re really asking such a stupid question? Are you sure you’re not brain-damaged?”

Lu Hao took a deep breath and turned to Zhang Quan. “Quan, she’s clearly taken her daughter inside to search for valuables, leaving us out here on purpose. You’ve got the teleportation ability…”

But he couldn’t finish.

He realized Zhang Quan was looking at him as if he were an idiot. “Mouse, I always thought you were smart, but sometimes you’re even dumber than I am!”

Ever since hearing Tang Yan call Lu Hao “Mouse,” Zhang Quan felt like he’d discovered a whole new world.

Right—why hadn’t he thought of that? Lu Hao, Mouse, ha! Calling a pampered rich kid who used to look down on him “Mouse,” and the guy didn’t dare protest—it was the best feeling ever. From that moment, Zhang Quan joined those who called Lu Hao “Mouse.”

“If I could get into that thicket, I’d have done it ages ago. Why would I wait until now?”

Zhang Quan shook his head. “Those howling pigs can’t do anything to me, but I can’t do anything to them either. If there’s just one or two, they can’t track where I teleport. But once there are more than ten, they can spot me wherever I appear, and chase me all over the woods. If I get hit by one of their fireballs, it really hurts.”

“Besides, even if I could get in now, I’m no fool.”

“The boss left even Brother Yan outside. She’s making it clear: have some sense, don’t expect to snatch every benefit. Even if there is something good in there, what’s it got to do with me?”

“Getting two howling pigs today is already thanks to the boss’s generosity.”

He glanced happily at the two dead howling pigs on the ground—today’s luck was incredible!

He’d always known following the boss would pay off, and here was the proof. In the past, fighting tooth and nail might not even net him a single howling pig, but now he’d gotten two with ease. Zhang Quan beamed, “I’m not a good man, and I probably never will be, nor am I well-educated.”

“But at least I understand one thing: a man must know his own worth.”

Lu Hao was left speechless, feeling deeply stifled.

As if he didn’t know all that already? Did he need this fool to spell it out? He’d just wanted to trick Zhang Quan into sneaking in and spying on what Yu Yan and her daughter were doing. After all, if anyone got on Yu Yan’s bad side, it would be Zhang Quan, not Lu Hao.

He could have learned some of Yu Yan’s secrets—what was the harm in that?

But who could have guessed that for all his foolishness, when it came to Yu Yan, Zhang Quan turned stubborn and inflexible—utterly incapable of thinking outside the box.