Chapter 069: Preparation

“Oh? What kind of task is it?” Tang Mubai straightened up, curiosity lighting his face.

“Gather fifty kilograms of iron peach blossoms,” Lin Huafeng replied. “Generally, these collection or gathering assignments aren’t too difficult. The approximate location is marked, so we just follow the map, reach the destination, and safely bring back what’s needed—that’s all it takes to succeed! This time is no different. We need to collect fifty kilos of iron peach blossoms, roughly ninety kilometers northeast beyond the Domain Wall, in a valley. The route doesn’t cross any forbidden zones, not even skirting them, so safety is all but guaranteed. It’s a perfect mission for you to get some hands-on experience, just to accumulate practice.”

“That’s fine,” Tang Mubai answered. “Uncle Lin, you can decide the rest. What time do we set out tomorrow?”

“Two in the afternoon,” Lin Huafeng replied. “If we leave then, we’ll reach a secure stronghold by nightfall, spend the night there, and arrive at the valley around nine in the morning. We’ll gather the iron peach blossoms, and if we hurry back, we should make it to the Domain Wall before dark.”

“Alright, let’s do that.” Tang Mubai thanked him and hung up.

There was no doubt this task was one Lin Huafeng had waited for specifically. After their parting at the martial artist selection, Lin Huafeng had probably been searching for a suitable mission for him all along. Missions like this—gathering and collecting—were only really attractive to small mercenary groups. The Martial Association and Military Command had set them up for such teams on purpose. Bring back the required items, and you’d get a reward. The reward was generous, exceeding several months’ profit of most shops or companies. But compared to the spoils a mercenary group could earn hunting fierce beasts or giant insects, it was nothing. With the strength of the “Madman Mercenaries,” they had long since dismissed this kind of mission. Taking it now was clearly for Tang Mubai’s sake. The warmth of being cared for filled his heart, an indescribably comforting feeling.

Of course, he accepted because the truck modifications were finally complete. Yang Kai was running final checks to ensure everything was perfect. Leaving aside the practical exam last time, tomorrow’s operation would be his first actual venture outside the Domain.

Within the Domain Wall, there was little to worry about. Whether it was orcs or giant insects, the chances of any making their way into the city were slim.

In the past, years might go by without a single incident. But outside the Domain Wall, danger was everywhere. Sleeping, walking, eating, drinking, even relieving oneself—any could bring an attack. For that, Tang Mubai once again opened the Martial Network, entering the online marketplace to see if there was anything suitable to enhance his overall strength.

He still had about a million federal credits, and there was no point in leaving them unused. Paging through the marketplace, he compared his options carefully, eventually buying two martial arts manuals and an alloy combat blade.

The martial arts were “Explosive Arrow Technique” and “Wind-Chasing Legs”; the blade was a C-grade alloy saber, the most expensive purchase. The two martial arts combined cost no more than the blade alone. The reason was that “Explosive Arrow Technique” and “Wind-Chasing Legs” both consumed an immense amount of vital energy.

The “Explosive Arrow Technique” was a first-tier archery art, notable for its consumption of vital energy to make arrows explode, unleashing chaotic, fierce force that destroyed its target. The more vital energy spent, the greater the explosion’s power. For most people, this wasn’t worth it. After all, recovery after such energy expenditure was slow, and the vital energy pills were prohibitively expensive. Few bought it, fewer still used it.

But for Tang Mubai, this wasn’t a problem at all. Consuming vital energy was nothing, so long as there were enough giant insects or fierce beasts for him to kill—he could replenish his energy endlessly! In fact, the “Explosive Arrow Technique” made up for the shortcomings of his “Nine Arrows Over the Mountain,” and with both, his arrows would be even deadlier. Just twenty units of vital energy per arrow could unleash power equivalent to a cannon shell.

That’s right—he bought the “Explosive Arrow Technique” to serve as his personal artillery.

As for the second-tier movement art “Wind-Chasing Legs,” it complemented “Light Steps over Grass.” The latter was ideal for scaling walls and skimming water but not for long-distance sprints. “Wind-Chasing Legs,” on the contrary, wasn’t suited for acrobatics but excelled at covering long distances, though the farther you ran, the more vital energy you burned. Thus, it was rarely bought or practiced.

Tang Mubai, however, liked it more the longer he examined it. It was a perfect escape technique. True, they would bring plenty of fuel when heading out, but who knew what might happen outside the Domain Wall?

A fuel leak, an explosion, running out of gas, a breakdown, getting stuck in a pit, or even total destruction of the vehicle—any of these could occur. If they did, running would be the only option.

The long-range advantages of the “Wind-Chasing Legs” fit these scenarios perfectly.

With these two martial arts and a C-grade alloy saber, he had spent all his money. For this venture, Tang Mubai had put everything he had on the line. He could only hope the reward would be worth it!

He logged off the Martial Network and headed to the garage to find Yang Kai. Since they were setting out tomorrow, he needed to let Yang Kai know and see if he would come along.

In the garage, Yang Kai was hunched over, running diagnostics on the truck. His hair was wilder than ever—a proper bird’s nest compared to the day before.

Tang Mubai stood to the side, explained the situation, and finally asked, “So, do you want to come? The mission isn’t difficult, if—”

“I’m in!” Yang Kai didn’t even look up. “Besides, I’m a pretty good driver. I can be your chauffeur, Captain.”

“No problem,” Tang Mubai laughed. “Speaking of cars, your skills are truly something. Compared to the modifications my dad and his friends used to do, you’re several times better.”

This wasn’t flattery; Yang Kai really was impressive. He had transformed the entire truck into a metal behemoth—whether from afar or up close, it looked like a steel monster.

The cab was equipped with a reinforced ram, the cargo bed encased in iron plates, the chassis lifted high, the frame roofed with steel—all standard, but what was really extraordinary was the windshield. In Yang Kai’s hands, the windshield was completely covered with alloy plates on the outside, and the surroundings were monitored by discreet, tiny cameras feeding to two massive screens inside.

Sitting in the cab was like being sealed inside an iron barrel, remote control in hand, gazing at the expansive screens—a bit like playing a very immersive game!