Yang Zuohe

The moment Tang Yue answered the phone, she hurried nonstop toward Inscription Girls' Middle School.

Lin Lan was in the cafeteria, speaking with the Magic Association personnel who had just arrived.

"So you're the one Xu Dahuan and the others mentioned, sent by the Arbitration Council?"

"Quite the promising young man~"

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Yang Zuohe from the Magic Association."

After speaking, Yang Zuohe extended his hand to Lin Lan. He greatly admired this young man's unflappable manner.

"Hello, my name is Lin Lan. I'm just an ordinary student."

"My teacher only arranged for me to do some odd jobs and investigate casually."

Lin Lan shook Yang Zuohe's hand as well, his attitude very humble.

Yang Zuohe was a dual-element Intermediate Mage from the Magic Association. He never appeared again later in the original story; perhaps he had disappeared from public view, or perhaps he had perished in the Bocheng disaster. Given his high position in Bocheng, the latter was more likely. To remain true to a mage's principles amid such a disaster was no small feat.

"Oh~ You're still a student? To be valued by the Arbitration Council at such an age is even more remarkable."

Yang Zuohe could tell from Lin Lan's face that he was still quite youthful, but the powerful magical aura around him was no fake. His calm composure made some veteran mages feel ashamed of themselves.

"Not at all. Mr. Yang, you should take a look at what's going on with this hole first."

Lin Lan reminded him.

"Alright, let's go in and have a look. Don't worry—even if there are servant-level demons inside the cave, they won't be able to hurt you."

Yang Zuohe spoke with great confidence and took the lead into the cave. The huge opening appeared to be three meters high and four meters wide. Below it was an even deeper passage, though there was no telling how it had been dug. It had probably only been opened today, or it would have been discovered long ago.

Lin Lan and Yang Zuohe headed into the cave. The ground was covered in dense footprints left by Giant-Eyed Stinky Rats crawling out from below.

"Wait~ There seems to be something ahead." Yang Zuohe stopped him. The two halted and began to sense their surroundings carefully.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak~"

The cave began to tremble, and the squeaking of rats came from ahead. Both of them immediately grew vigilant, magical energy gathering in their hands.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak~"

The sound drew closer and closer, and the trembling became increasingly distinct.

"It's here~"

A massive rat emerged fifty meters ahead. It had a white single eye, a long red tail, and sharp claws on all four paws.

It was clearly a servant-level demon: a Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat.

"Lightning Seal~ Frenzied Charge!" Lin Lan did not waste words, immediately giving the Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat a little electric treatment to paralyze its nerves.

"Violent Wave—"

A massive surge of water slammed into the Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat. Still paralyzed, it was instantly swallowed by Yang Zuohe's torrent and soon lay dead on the ground.

"Mr. Yang, your casting speed as an Intermediate Mage is so fast." Lin Lan could not help praising Yang Zuohe's Intermediate Level Magic.

"It's nothing much. I've been an Intermediate Mage for a long time. Your casting speed is fast too—better than that of some seasoned adult mages."

"You're a student at Tian Lan Magic High School?" A trace of delight flashed through Yang Zuohe's eyes as he praised him.

"I'm nothing special, just had a bit of good fortune. I'm a second-year student at Tian Lan Magic High School." Lin Lan answered leisurely.

"Only a second-year student... You young people truly are impressive. Bocheng first produced a Mu Ningxue, and now it has produced you. With young people like you in Bocheng, we can rest easy." Yang Zuohe was deeply gratified, light shining in his eyes as though he could see Bocheng flourishing in the future under the guidance of its younger generation.

They walked for a long time without finding anything else. The cave ran very deep, and investigating it was not something that could be done in a day or two, so they returned. As soon as they reached the entrance, they found Tang Yue already waiting there.

"Good evening, Teacher Tang Yue~" Lin Lan greeted Tang Yue with a grin. Tang Yue nodded in response.

"Did you find anything down there?" Tang Yue asked.

"Just one Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat, along with a lot of Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat tracks." Lin Lan answered calmly.

"So Lin Lan is your student. The Arbitration Council certainly picked a good prospect."

Yang Zuohe naturally knew Tang Yue. He narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile playing on his lips.

"More or less~ Lin Lan is indeed a smart kid." Tang Yue looked at Lin Lan, an unreadable smile flashing in her eyes.

Late that night, Lin Lan headed straight to Mo Fan's home. At Inscription Girls' Middle School, Tang Yue had told Lin Lan to find a demon-hunting squad to ensure his safety while investigating the wilderness, and she had also transferred five hundred thousand into his account.

However, after taking the money, Lin Lan immediately prepared to deliver some benefits to Mo Fan. This was not tricking Mo Fan—he was simply giving the protagonist an opportunity.

Knock, knock, knock~

Lin Lan arrived at Mo Fan's home and knocked on the door.

"Brother Mo Fan, someone's knocking."

Hearing Xin Xia call for him, Mo Fan eagerly ran over and opened the door, only to find Lin Lan standing outside.

"Lanzi, why did you come over today?"

Mo Fan even poked his head outside to see whether Lin Lan had brought anyone with him. What he feared most was Lin Lan bringing that monkey over for some nighttime gathering and tearing the house apart. Their home was rented now—they could not afford that kind of mess...

"Mo Fan, I have something important to tell you. Let's go to your room."

Lin Lan was extremely familiar with Mo Fan's house and directly dragged him into his room.

"What do you need to say in my room? I'm not into guys."

Mo Fan looked at Lin Lan with disgust. Besides, my good brother may be handsome, but he can't be like this~

"You became a demon hunter, didn't you? I've got a big job for you. Are you in?"

"We're hunting demons tomorrow. A One-Eyed Demon Wolf is worth three hundred thousand."

Lin Lan ignored Mo Fan's nonsense and spoke with a serious expression.

"Three hundred thousand!"

"How are we splitting it?"

Mo Fan immediately became excited, his face changing to one of eager anticipation.

"Like this: seventy-thirty, with me taking seventy." Lin Lan said in a low voice.

"How about I take seventy and you take thirty?"

"Like hell! That's the deal. Remember to come tomorrow." With that, Lin Lan left without looking back.

Mo Fan stood there with a dumbfounded expression. Lin Lan was still such a scammer! Just as much of a scammer as ever!

"Goodbye, Brother Lan."

"Goodbye, Xin Xia!"

As Lin Lan reached the door, Xin Xia came out and said goodbye to him.

The next day, the two headed into the wilderness outside Bocheng together.

"Mo Fan, I'm seriously impressed by you. Is it convenient carrying that huge bag around?"

"Cumin powder, chili powder—you really think we're here for a wilderness barbecue?"

Lin Lan rummaged through the bag and was truly speechless at Mo Fan...

"Hehehe... Didn't I see someone cook a Red-Eyed Rabbit online? It looked delicious."

"It never hurts to be prepared."

Mo Fan grinned foolishly. Lin Lan was so speechless that he actually laughed. Apparently, when people were truly at a loss for words, they laughed.

"You watch it at night, but once you see a demon during the day, you won't be thinking that way."