When You've Been Through the Rain, You'll Hold an Umbrella for Others!

Shortly after the whistle sounded, Cheng Wanli and his three companions arrived with a cart.

They were overjoyed to see the dead Crocodile Dragon.

Luo Zhou had no further part in it.

The four of them loaded the Crocodile Dragon onto the cart but didn't rush to leave immediately.

Hunting grounds for Crocodile Dragon typically contained spiritual materials.

Everyone began to search...

Indeed, after a short while, they found seven lotus roots, called Purple Qi Lotus Root, a body-tempering spiritual medicine, each worth three hundred spirit fragments.

After searching, everyone pulled the cart together and left the area.

The Crocodile Dragon weighed over thirteen hundred jin. Luo Zhou also had to lend a hand, with all five of them putting in effort to drag it away.

Once they dragged it out of this marshy area, it would be easier outside.

Ten horses had been ridden here, and six were brought out to pull the cart.

The Crocodile Dragon was wrapped tightly in white cloth and deliberately covered with branches and other debris in a burlap sack brought along, piled on the cart to prevent anyone from discovering the Crocodile Dragon's tracks.

With everything ready, Cheng Yubo no longer rode a horse; he took the reins to drive the cart.

At this point, Zhang Chuan's usefulness became apparent; at a critical moment, his martial prowess would protect the cart.

However, everyone still hoped Zhang Chuan wouldn't have to act, as combat inevitably led to casualties.

Cheng Wanli and Lu Yue also remained on high alert, ready for battle at any moment.

One Crocodile Dragon was worth the lives of Luo Zhou and the others. Even a Qi Refining cultivator would be unable to resist making a move!

Fortunately, they were experienced and proceeded cautiously. By the afternoon, around the hour of Shen, they returned to the outskirts of Green Ridge City.

Without even needing to enter the city, someone was already waiting impatiently three li away.

The major restaurants in the city especially needed Crocodile Dragon meat and blood to enhance their reputation.

Ingredients were hard to find, and the price was generous!

Cheng Wanli went over to negotiate with the buyer. The deal was quickly struck, and the cart was handed over to them.

Then, Cheng Wanli returned to gather everyone and led them into the city.

They were treated to a feast at the Gong Family's Old Shop in the city, with good wine and good food.

Everyone drank and chatted, creating a lively atmosphere.

After each dragon hunt, the captain would treat everyone to a meal, strengthening their bonds.

Three rounds of drinks and five courses later, Cheng Wanli said:

"Everyone, this time we killed a Crocodile Dragon and found seven Purple Qi Lotus Root. We've all made a small profit!"

He began distributing the money. Luo Zhou received fifty percent, the organizer Cheng Wanli took twenty percent, and the others each received ten percent.

Red envelopes were used to distribute the money, so no one knew the exact amount others received, preventing disputes.

They were all seasoned veterans of the jianghu, with families and responsibilities. They all knew their place and wouldn't cause any trouble.

Luo Zhou received three thousand eight hundred and fifty spirit fragments!

This was just the income from one dragon hunt, so he didn't care about the small amount of spiritual grain porridge he'd treated his classmates to.

There were only spirit fragments, no spirit stones. In reality, one thousand spirit fragments couldn't buy a single spirit stone on the market; it required an additional seven or eighty spirit fragments. Therefore, the merchants settled their accounts using spirit fragments.

The banquet ended, and everyone dispersed.

Luo Zhou specifically packed up three dishes to save for a late-night snack.

As they were parting, Cheng Wanli said:

"Everyone, pay attention. Tomorrow night, the third night of the new moon, the The 13th of the Month Devil will be killing people and wiping out entire families.

Everyone must be careful. Either gather together with other families or stay in hotels and inns. This way, you won't be a single family targeted by the The 13th of the Month Devil's extermination ritual."

Cheng Yubo couldn't help but exclaim, "These useless government officials! The The 13th of the Month Devil has killed so many people, yet they can't do anything about him."

"The so-called curfew, arresting anyone they see, still can't catch this Devil."

Zhang Chuan shook his head and said, "This Devil must be a Qi Refining cultivator, possessing spiritual energy like Shadow Evasion, Dark Evasion, Flight Evasion, Transformation, etc., which is why he's so brazen and can't be caught!"

Cheng Wanli, however, shook his head and said:

"Some people also speculate that this The 13th of the Month Devil might even be someone within the government!

A thief crying 'stop thief,' which is why he can never be caught."

This statement startled everyone!

But it was logical. This was like the "darkness under the lamp," making it impossible to catch him.

"Perhaps it's someone from the inns or restaurants, using this to make money. This Devil never attacks wealthy households, influential families, or the powerful. He doesn't bother cultivators, only bullying commoners and small households. In fact, The 13th of the Month Devil might not be a single person, but a group!"

Everyone nodded.

Luo Zhou knew better than anyone that the 13th of the Month Devil was truly extraordinary.

Those killed by him turned into death spirits, completely uncommunicative and unable to pass on any messages. No one knew how he managed it.

"Nothing to report tonight. Everyone be careful tomorrow evening. Also, Lu Yue, hurry up and find the next Crocodile Dragon!"

"Don't worry, Guild Leader. I'll keep looking tomorrow. I'll definitely find it within three days."

"Brother Lu, don't rush. Let my divine sense recover first, otherwise it'll be hard to curse kill."

"Young man, what are you resting for? Hurry up and work hard to earn money, earn your dowry!"

After a brief chat, everyone dispersed.

Luo Zhou returned home. As he reached his doorstep, he found a child waiting for him.

It was the child from the Wang Family he had beaten yesterday.

Luo Zhou glanced at her. He hadn't paid much attention yesterday, but today he realized it was a girl.

She was quite pretty, especially her eyes, which were remarkably bright.

No wonder the monsters called her "girl." She was indeed a little lass.

The Wang Family girl had been waiting at the Luo family's doorstep. Seeing Luo Zhou return, she hurried over to bow.

"Thank you, big brother Luo, for saving me yesterday!"

"This is my mother's, the only doll she left me. I have nothing else, so I can only give it to big brother Luo to thank you for saving my life."

With that, she handed over a tattered little cloth doll, her mother's sole memento.

Luo Zhou scolded, "What are you doing, kid? Who wants your broken doll?"

At his scolding, Wang Xiaoya's eyes welled up with tears, but she held them back.

"Don't cry. Haven't you eaten? Come in and have something. This is the late-night snack I prepared."

He grabbed Wang Xiaoya and brought her into the house, serving her food.

Seeing the delicious food, Wang Xiaoya's eyes lit up, but she was very polite and didn't eat a bite.

"You kid, hurry up and eat. If you call me big brother, I'll feed you until you're full. Back when your mother was alive, I couldn't get enough to eat, and she gave me food too..."

Luo Zhou was lying. He had never met Wang Xiaoya's mother!

"Really? My mother was indeed a good person!"

Hearing Luo Zhou praise her mother, Wang Xiaoya's eyes sparkled with joy.

"Eat, hurry up and eat."

Wang Xiaoya began to eat. Braised pork, four-joy meatballs – they were so delicious, her mouth was glistening.

"Remember, if your father hits you, don't let him touch you. Run straight to me, and I'll help you. Your father won't hit you anymore, it should be fine now!"

Luo Zhou mumbled.

As Wang Xiaoya ate, she suddenly burst into tears, tears streaming down her face.

"I can't even remember what my mother looked like, but if she were alive, she would definitely treat me this well!"

Luo Zhou sighed and said, "I can barely remember what my parents looked like in this life either!"

He spoke only to himself, his voice audible only to him:

"I can't remember my parents from my previous life either!"

"But I know, in both past and present lives, they were good to me! I miss them so much!"

Only those who have experienced hardship can offer shelter to others.

After Wang Xiaoya finished eating, she bowed to Luo Zhou and left.

Luo Zhou said, "Little girl, come back tomorrow morning for breakfast!"

"If I have food, you'll definitely have food!"

"Remember, if your father hits you, run quickly to me, and I'll protect you!"

Wang Xiaoya hugged her cloth doll and left. Her name was indeed Wang Xiaoya, because her father had never given her a proper name!

After sending Wang Xiaoya off, Luo Zhou continued to cultivate!

Every moment, every second, he was cultivating!

Another day passed, and only thirty days remained!

Time ticked by, and it was nearing midnight. Killing the Crocodile Dragon would result in death spirits, which fit the "Crossing the Nether Reward Law," guaranteeing a reward.

Luo Zhou waited silently!

Suddenly, he seemed to hear: "Ah..."

Luo Zhou froze. Was that Wang Xiaoya's voice?

But it didn't sound like it. It wasn't a complete sound.

Late at night, had Old Baldy Wang gone crazy? Was he hitting his kid again?

He immediately headed towards the Wang Family.

It was almost midnight. It was very late, and they were all asleep. Not a single light was on.

Luo Zhou activated his Dharma Eye and examined carefully. He then used Listening and listened for a while. Within the entire neighborhood, there wasn't a single sound. It was peaceful and quiet, save for the distant sound of the night watchman's bell.

All was well!

It was almost midnight. Luo Zhou hurried home, sat down, and continued to wait for his reward!

During the new book period, I beg everyone to keep reading. "Keep reading" means to follow the latest updates. This data is crucial. Little Mountain begs you!

Also, thank you to Qi Yue, GHLGHL, Wu Wai Jiang Shan 001, and book friend 20200202001842400 for your rewards. Thank you, classmates and book friends!