No Electricity Needed

Two small boats pulled up on the water, carrying three people. Before his boat had even steadied, the lead man, a burly fellow, leaped ashore. Under the dim lights, his dark skin and stubbled face stood out, while his eyes gleamed brightly—especially when he saw the little boy, Bo Luo, dangling from Ronan's hand.

"Bo Luo, are you all right?" the burly, stubbled man asked with deep concern.

Judging from Bo Luo's earlier reaction, Ronan had thought the boy would spit at him, or at least struggle more fiercely. Yet after the stubbled man came ashore, the little fellow merely hung his head without speaking.

Only then did the stubbled man examine Ronan. Seeing how he was dressed, he paused briefly in surprise. Of course, cloaked figures like him were not uncommon in U-Cave Market. After all, this was the Vagrant Exchange. Aside from the native-born permission hounds, there were also wanted vagrant felons hunted by the Star Alliance Committee. More importantly, too many people came here specifically to swindle others, so concealing one's appearance was naturally for the best.

The stubbled man quickly reacted, baring a mouthful of white teeth as he gave Ronan a fist-and-palm salute. It was rarely seen outside but fairly common here, meant to avoid the awkwardness of greeting and shaking hands with cloaked people. "My friend, thank you so much. This kid Bo Luo has really put us through the wringer. You..."

"My boat sank at the bottom over there. It collided with the little guy's submarine."

"Is that so? Then I'm truly sorry."

Clearly, the stubbled man also knew exactly how Bo Luo had "run away from home," and his smile turned somewhat awkward. The little boy still did not look up, merely greeting him coldly, "Uncle Liu An."

The stubbled man gave