Selling Materials

The members of the Warfire Squad strode through the Base City gates with their heads held high amid cries of amazement. The monster materials slung over their shoulders swayed back and forth, as though they feared no one would notice them.

Things became even more exaggerated after they entered the supply station. Every idle martial artist gathered around, surrounding the Warfire Squad as if they were stars encircling the moon.

Pairs of eyes gleamed as they stared at the monster materials on their backs.

"Those fangs! That's a Long-Tusked Green Ghost! My god!"

"Good heavens, are those Netherworld White Tiger fangs sticking out? You didn't just kill a Long-Tusked Green Ghost—you even took down an Advanced Beast General? Savage Blade, did you break through?" a burly martial artist cried out.

Zuo Xingyuan casually waved a hand and said modestly, "Luck, just luck. We nearly didn't make it back."

"That fur is so smooth, and those limbs have white markings like clouds... This Cloud Patterned Black Panther is an Advanced Beast General too, judging by the size of its claws. It's Dark Night's Hunter! It'll fetch at least a hundred million!" another martial artist said sourly.

Ma Yu gave a slight nod and said with reserved poise, "We happened to run into it. It gave us quite a bit of trouble."

Ning Ze looked strangely at the uncles ahead of him. How could he not understand why they had carried those backpacks over? They were putting on quite the show.

Before long, there would probably be rumors on the Limitless Martial Arts School forum about how the Warfire Squad had suddenly struck it rich.

He understood what his uncles were doing. A tree that stands above the forest will be toppled by the wind. They were covering for him.

"Everyone! We've just returned from the Wilderness Area, and we're exhausted in body and mind. We'll chat after we've had some rest," Zuo Xingyuan said spiritedly.

Very soon, a supply station attendant came over and arranged a temporary two-story residence for them.

Ning Ze had been holding back his laughter the entire way.

Once they reached their temporary residence,

everyone fell briefly silent and turned to look at Ning Ze.

What met their eyes was a face full of mischievous amusement.

Zuo Xingyuan coughed twice awkwardly and snapped, "What are you looking at me for? Hurry up and wash yourselves! Aren't you going to see your little girlfriend?"

Ning Ze smiled faintly. "All right, I'm going now." After taking two steps, he turned back and added, "Uncle Zuo, I won't be eating here later. I want to take Xiao Guai and sell the materials from the Beginner Beast Generals and below to the martial arts school."

"Fine, go ahead. Once we get them out, we'll have two people sort them out. Just come over and haul them away. After we sell the Advanced Beast General materials, I'll transfer the money to you."

Zuo Xingyuan waved a hand indifferently. Ning Ze had hunted the majority of the monsters, so he could sell them however he wanted.

Ning Ze nodded slightly, found a room at random, and went inside.

After spending half a month straight in the Wilderness Area, he would be too embarrassed to meet anyone if he did not wash up properly.

A little after nine in the morning,

Ning Ze arrived at a villa district. Near the artificial lake to the east, he stopped in front of a villa.

Just as Ning Ze was about to head inside, the villa door burst open with a bang. A lean middle-aged man hurried out in a panic.

His face was clouded with gloom, and he looked utterly miserable. He was unkempt, with stubble clearly visible on his chin, wrinkles all over his clothes, and bruises and injuries across his face. He looked utterly wretched.

As he approached, he kept his head lowered as though preoccupied with something, completely failing to notice Ning Ze.

"Uncle."

Ning Ze greeted him politely. He was Shu Yi's father, after all. It would be inappropriate not to greet him when they met.

Hearing the greeting, Shu Heng came back to his senses. He looked up and saw a very handsome face, then muttered inwardly, Pretty boy. He does look decent, but if it weren't for you, would there be so much trouble?

"Hmph!"

Shu Heng snorted through his nose in a half-hearted response, then turned away with a look of clear displeasure. He held his head high and puffed out his chest, instantly shedding his previous dejected appearance. Even with his bruised and swollen face, he looked exceptionally arrogant.

If it were not for the old man still at home, he would have driven this brat out long ago!

Ning Ze narrowed his eyes and watched him leave. Seeing how troubled the man looked put him at ease.

The company must have run into trouble. As long as Xiao Guai was fine, nothing else mattered.

A smile returned to his face as he walked into the villa.

At the door, Ning Ze sent Shu Yi a message: Baby, come outside and see who's here.

Less than twenty seconds later, the villa door suddenly opened.

"Ah! Ning Ze, you're back!"

Before she had even finished speaking, Shu Yi had already rushed forward.

Ning Ze caught her and held her in his arms. He took a light breath, catching a faint jasmine fragrance—the familiar scent.

"I was a little worried about you. After our call ended last night, I immediately hurried back with the team."

"You're so good to me."

Shu Yi lay against his solid chest, an affectionate smile on her face.

Ning Ze shrugged his shoulders forward and lightly bumped her adorable little face. "You still haven't told me what happened. I saw Uncle rushing out just now."

At the mention of her father, Shu Yi frowned.

Ning Ze saw it and stored it away in his mind. A dangerous glint flashed through his eyes, but the smile on his face remained as he waited patiently.

After hesitating for a while, Shu Yi said softly, "You can't get angry after I tell you." Her little face was full of expectation, as though she wanted him to promise.

"All right, I won't get angry."

Ning Ze spoke gently. He felt that his current strength was enough to solve certain problems and prevent some harm and trouble. As long as there had been no actual injury, oppression, humiliation, or the like, it remained within a controllable range. There was indeed no need to get too angry. He only needed to make the enemy repay it a hundredfold!

Shu Yi lowered her head and said quietly, "Flagship Group colluded with my uncle to set up a trap in our company's business. They replaced the finished goods with inferior products and refused to accept them. We borrowed a huge sum from the bank to take this order, and now the company is running a severe deficit. Flagship Group is still pressing us over the order. Not only do we have to compensate Flagship Group according to the contract, but because the problem happened on our side, we also have to repay those shareholders. My family's cash flow has been cut off, and most of our money is tied up in the goods... Our company is about to go bankrupt."

"Hmm..."

Ning Ze pondered slightly and began to think.

The entire world had been infected by the RR Virus. Humanity had evolved to the point of creating Laser Cannons, and even the knowledge tested in the college entrance exams was terrifyingly advanced.

Since he had gotten into Jiangnan University, one of the top universities, he possessed a broad range of knowledge. His family also did business, so he understood the field fairly well from what he had seen and heard growing up.

After sorting out his thoughts, Ning Ze said softly, "It sounds troublesome, but in the end, it should just be compensation for a major business deal."

"If one person has a problem, the entire company can't possibly have problems."

"Since you dared to take the order, the compensation amount should have been within a normal range, perhaps even slightly below the usual compensation ratio. The company would only dare take it if the risk was low."

"So the issue lies with that batch of goods! Your goods may be difficult to track down, but these counterfeit goods ended up completely intact in your hands."

"Your company handles the preliminary processing of Combat Suit materials. Daring to sell fake goods to martial artists is practically asking to die. As long as you trace where this batch came from, you can sue them hard. The compensation they owe you should far exceed the original value of the materials. It can also restore your reputation."

"Then the only burden you need to bear is the compensation owed to Flagship Group. That shouldn't be too much of a burden."

Shu Yi cautiously glanced at him and nodded. "That's true, but those counterfeit goods are still undergoing inspection and verification. The process will take a long time, and the company will go bankrupt before we can hold out that long."

"We also bought our materials from a supplier. Even if Flagship Group colludes with the supplier and gives us another batch, we can only recover part of the funds. We won't get substantial compensation. By then, if the company shuts down, the factory will need to be rebuilt, and our channels will be seized by others..."

Shu Yi did not continue. Many losses could not be recovered with money. Coupled with the compensation, even if the Shu Family got another batch of materials, they would suffer serious losses.

Ning Ze nodded slightly to show that he understood, then smiled faintly. "Since the inspection is slow, we'll find a way to speed it up. I'll ask around about this. As long as the company can stabilize, losing some money is acceptable."

"Now tell me, what does Flagship Group—or that bastard Zhai Yanko—want this time?"

Shu Yi did not speak. She merely pouted aggrievedly and buried her head against his neck.

Her meaning was obvious. It was not that they wanted something. They wanted someone.

Ning Ze reached out and stroked her silky hair. Cold light flickered in his eyes. Though he was fairly strong now, he could not act recklessly within the Base City.

Once he climbed higher in the Limitless Martial Arts School, or became a top expert and took up an important position there, he would make Flagship Group repay everything a hundredfold!

"Come on, go sell monster materials with me. I came to see you as soon as I got back this morning. I'll take you to see my spoils while we're at it!"

"Okay! You've always said how many monsters you hunted, but I've never seen them." Shu Yi was extremely curious, and her mood improved considerably.

Ning Ze shrugged. "They're dirty and ugly. There's nothing much to see. Do you need to get ready?"

Shu Yi hesitated slightly before saying, "How about you wait for me a little while?"

Ning Ze's lips twitched slightly. He could only nod.

Shu Yi settled Ning Ze in the living room, then happily ran upstairs.

That wait lasted over half an hour.

It was past ten by the time

Ning Ze brought Shu Yi by car to the supply station.

At that moment, Zhang Chen was waiting beside a covered heavy truck.

"Uncle Zhang, why are you the only one here?" Ning Ze asked as he walked over.

Zhang Chen turned to look at Shu Yi.

"Hello, Uncle Zhang," Shu Yi greeted obediently.

Zhang Chen nodded. "Hello."

Turning back, he said with slight helplessness, "They took the materials to the Underground Alliance in the Jiangnan Main Urban District. They said the stewards there have higher positions and greater authority, so the materials can fetch a better price."

Ning Ze's expression turned a little strange. They had probably gone there because there would be more people to show off to, right?

"Sorry to trouble you, Uncle Zhang. I'm going to the Limitless Martial Arts School to sell the materials now. Are you coming too?"

"I won't go. There's nothing to discuss about the prices there. I haven't been home in days, so I'll just go home and wait for the settlement." Zhang Chen shook his head in refusal.

"All right, we're leaving then," Ning Ze said.

Shu Yi also said politely, "Goodbye, Uncle Zhang."

The two got back into the car they had arrived in. Ning Ze waved to the truck driver and said, "Follow us!"

"Got it! Don't worry! My truck is sturdy, and the materials will definitely be fine." The plump driver gave a thumbs-up, looking full of confidence.

Ning Ze smiled with pursed lips and got into the taxi. "Driver, let's go. It's fine if we go slowly."

The driver knew his business. Ning Ze really was worried about the truck.

When they returned, they had carried twenty-four martial artist backpacks, weighing at least ten thousand kilograms—that was ten tons! Even after removing the Intermediate Beast General and Advanced Beast General materials, seventy percent remained, which still weighed seven or eight tons!

If a sudden brake caused the materials inside to shift, the sharp teeth and claws of Beginner Warlords could easily tear through the truck bed.

"How many monsters did you hunt that you need a truck to carry everything?" Shu Yi clung to Ning Ze's arm and curiously looked back.

"How many? I really don't know."

Thinking of the scene when the group returned, Ning Ze said uncertainly, "Anyway, there were a lot. There should be materials from over a thousand monsters, I guess?"

The driver's pupils abruptly contracted. He drove passengers often and had carried plenty of martial artists. Most people found it difficult to hunt even a hundred monsters, but this guy had over a thousand? Were they all H-class monsters?

Curious, he discreetly glanced at the rearview mirror, only to see a pair of eyes staring at him.

They were rather bright eyes, yet they gave him the feeling of being watched from above by a monster.

The taxi driver's heart tightened, and he could not help shivering. He forced a smile, shifted his gaze away, and did not dare look again.

"You killed that many monsters? Are monsters in the Wilderness Area really that easy to kill?"

Shu Yi tilted her head, her face full of confusion. She looked utterly adorable.

Ning Ze smiled faintly and said softly, "They're still quite dangerous for other people. It's different for me."

Shu Yi smiled brilliantly and lifted her chin in mock reproach. "Yes, yes, you're a genius. Killing monsters is like chopping vegetables for you, right?"

She clearly did not quite believe him.

Ning Ze shrugged, a teasing smile appearing on his lips.

"You're right. That description is very fitting."

"Stop bragging!" Shu Yi rolled her eyes and leaned against his shoulder. She began leisurely, "Grandpa said the Wilderness Area is dangerous, so you have to be careful and never let your guard down..."

Ning Ze nodded slightly and looked ahead. His girlfriend had started nagging again, so he would let her talk for a while.

Fifteen minutes later, the car stopped before the Limitless Martial Arts School building.

Ning Ze brought Shu Yi to the monster material purchasing department at the back of the first floor. There was no need to worry about the monster materials outside. The place was under nearly complete surveillance coverage. Losing something at the entrance to the Limitless building would be a joke.

The two entered the hall.

A young staff member in a black suit came forward. He wore a standard smile, though there was some confusion in his eyes. "Sir, are you here to sell materials?"

Ning Ze returned a polite smile and nodded. "Yes. My materials are outside, so I'll need you to arrange for them to be moved."

The young staff member sized him up, and the confusion in his eyes deepened. Bound by the Limitless Martial Arts School's service standards, he still smiled and said, "Sir, let's go outside and take a look first." He felt that someone as young as Ning Ze probably only had ordinary materials, so once their authenticity was confirmed, he could arrange transport.

"All right. The truck is parked outside."

Ning Ze answered casually, then looked around the hall. He had come here before, but always through the front entrance. He had not expected the back to be so spacious, bright, and clean.

"Sir, this way."

The young staff member gestured with one hand. Ning Ze nodded slightly and walked out first.

When they reached the truck, Ning Ze said to the driver, "Driver, open the cargo compartment. This gentleman needs to assess the monster materials."

"Sure!" The plump driver answered enthusiastically and happily went to open the cargo compartment. One trip like this would give him something to brag about for ten years!

The book's bookmarks are looking pretty bleak, so I revised it from the beginning. The changes are not major. Chapter 23 was newly added, so interested readers can take a look. Revised on September 7, 2022. Readers starting later can ignore this.

The timeline was pushed back by roughly half a month. At the editor's suggestion, I added some interactions with Luo Feng.

Because two chapters were added, the newly posted two chapters contain some repetition. Readers who have already read them can skip ahead two chapters.