Brothers

Hearing Xiao Kun's request, Hai Bodong was somewhat surprised. He had never expected Xiao Kun to be involved with a young woman from the Mite'er Family.

But on further thought, this was a good thing. Xiao Kun was so young yet already possessed such formidable strength. If it worked out, it would benefit the Mite Family as well.

When he returned, he would have to carefully observe which extraordinary young woman it was. While he was at it, he could ask her about Xiao Kun too, so he would know what he was dealing with.

Though he was willing to help, Hai Bodong was not one to act without seeing the profit first. A thoughtful look appeared on his face, and he did not reply.

Seeing Hai Bodong's expression, Xiao Kun seemed to realize something. He took out a Gold Card containing ten million gold coins from the System Space and said with a light smile:

"There are ten million gold coins in here, to be used for purchasing medicinal ingredients. I'll come to the Imperial Capital in roughly half a year. If it isn't enough, I'll make up the difference then.

"Also, Elder Hai, your strength hasn't fully recovered yet, has it? You should only be a two-star Dou Emperor now, still quite far from the five-star Dou Emperor you once were!

"If you rely on cultivation alone to recover, it'll take quite a few more years, won't it?"

Hearing this, Hai Bodong put away Xiao Kun's Gold Card and asked in some confusion, "Young Master Xiao, what do you mean?"

"Nothing much. I just happen to have a Sixth-grade Medicinal Pill here: the Spirit Recovery Purple Pill.

"Its effect is to completely restore strength that has declined due to seals or internal injuries. It happens to be extremely suitable for you, Elder Hai."

Xiao Kun lightly flexed his slender fingers as he looked at the slightly bewildered Hai Bodong.

"Spirit Recovery Purple Pill!" Hai Bodong muttered the name several times, joy appearing on his face. He stared intently at Xiao Kun, licked his lips, and asked, "What are your conditions?"

"No conditions. Just handle the two matters I've entrusted to you. Half a year from now, when I arrive in the Imperial Capital, I'll naturally present the pill to you with both hands." Xiao Kun looked at Hai Bodong's eager expression as he spoke.

Hearing Xiao Kun say this, Hai Bodong's face lit up with delight. He had not expected Xiao Kun to be so generous. Two minor matters in exchange for a Sixth-grade Medicinal Pill.

He promptly promised with joy, "Don't worry. I'll handle both matters beautifully for you. When the time comes, just come to the Imperial Capital and collect the results."

"Mm, then I'm relieved." Xiao Kun smiled and nodded.

Xiao Kun had no choice but to ask Hai Bodong to use the Mite'er Family to gather medicinal ingredients this time. After all, ingredients capable of refining fifth- and sixth-grade medicinal pills were rather scarce in the Jia Ma Empire.

Under such circumstances, it was far too slow for Xiao Kun to gather ingredients alone. It had resulted in an alchemist whose Soul Power had touched the Spirit Realm never having refined even a Sixth-grade Medicinal Pill. It was truly absurd.

Of course, this was also somewhat related to the fact that he had cultivated for too short a time and had not gone all out in searching for them.

Thinking about how Hai Bodong would gather dozens of sets of ingredients for fifth- and sixth-grade medicinal pills for him in half a year, and how he could then refine them and trigger a critical hit, he would gain at least dozens more Sixth-grade and Seventh-grade Medicinal Pills.

He could familiarize himself with Alchemy Skill while making a fortune. This deal was not a loss.

As for asking Elder Hai to look after Ya Fei a little, she could be considered his first woman in this world. Since he could take care of her, he should.

Ah! I wonder how Ya Fei is doing now! Considering that Ya Fei was at least a Da Dou Shi now, she should be living far better than she had in the original story.

Now that he had explained nearly everything, Xiao Kun planned to leave as well.

"Elder Hai, since your matters here are mostly settled, I still have some things to do and must leave first. Could you give me a detailed map of the Tagor Desert?" Remembering that he had yet to buy a map, Xiao Kun decided to purchase one before leaving.

Hearing this, Hai Bodong took a map from his Storage Ring with some regret and said, "Since you have matters to attend to, I won't keep you any longer. See you in the Imperial Capital!"

"See you in the Imperial Capital!" Xiao Kun accepted the map, waved to Hai Bodong, then turned and walked toward the door.

He raised his head, allowing the scorching sunlight overhead to spill over his face like boiling water.

After stretching lazily, Xiao Kun decided to head next for Shimo City, where his eldest and second brothers were.

It had been several years since he had seen his eldest and second brothers. This was a good chance to visit them.

Two hours later, Xiao Kun arrived outside Shimo City.

Looking at the city before him, Xiao Kun noticed something.

Compared with the cities within the empire, cities in the desert carried an additional sense of simplicity and solidity.

Perhaps because it was close to the Tagor Desert, the defenses here were much stricter than those in the interior of the empire. Fully armed soldiers could be seen patrolling everywhere throughout the city.

After entering the city, Xiao Kun asked someone for the location of the Mo Iron Mercenary Group's headquarters.

He then headed toward the southern part of the city. After passing several streets, an estate nearly comparable in size to the Xiao Family compound in Wu Tan City from several years ago came into view.

Above the estate, a flag swayed in the wind, bearing the words "Mo Iron Mercenary Group." It faintly exuded an aura of iron-blooded toughness.

Outside the estate, several sturdy, imposing men stood rigidly at attention.

Xiao Kun stepped forward and politely asked, "Could you please inform your commanders that their third brother, Xiao Kun, has arrived?"

The burly man at the entrance was just about to stop Xiao Kun when he heard his words and froze.

He recalled hearing the commanders mention that they seemed to have a third brother named Xiao Kun. Not daring to delay, he hurried inside to report it.

Soon, two sets of somewhat hurried footsteps gradually sounded.

Xiao Kun looked through the gate and saw two figures somewhat resembling him striding quickly toward the entrance.

The man on the left wore a white robe and was smiling at Xiao Kun outside the gate. His eyes, brighter than those of ordinary people, carried traces of wisdom and a subtle, difficult-to-detect shrewdness.

The man on the right wore a mercenary outfit. His upright body was straight and powerful, while his dark eyes revealed both laziness and severity. Yet the moment he saw Xiao Kun, they turned into a sincere smile.

These two were Xiao Kun's eldest and second brothers.

Seeing them approach, Xiao Kun quickly stepped forward. "Big Brother, Second Brother."

"Third Brother." Xiao Ding and Xiao Li cried out in surprise when they saw Xiao Kun outside the gate.

"Third Brother, it's been years. You've really grown up." Xiao Ding, dressed in white, stared at the youth who was now nearly as tall as Xiao Li. A touch of doting warmth passed through his eyes as he patted Xiao Kun's right shoulder with a smile.

"Big Brother!" Xiao Kun took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions in his heart, and smiled. "Big Brother has become even more handsome and dashing."

Not to be outdone, Xiao Li patted Xiao Kun's left shoulder and said proudly, "I heard from Father's letter that you advanced to Dou Wang a year ago. Why do you have time to come here this time?"

"That's right. I have my powerful master to thank for that. I'm out gaining experience at his request now, so I happened to have the chance to come visit you two." Xiao Kun said with a smile.