A Very Valuable Piece of News

After drinking the last of the oatmeal in his bowl, Zhang Yao raised his head and studied the man standing beside their table.

Graying hair, immaculate clothes, a ramrod-straight back, and a lively face. To be honest, he looked more like a nobleman's butler than the head of a Bounty Hunters' Guild branch.

"You don't mind if I sit down, do you? I'm terribly sorry to interrupt your meal!" The newcomer smiled apologetically, then gestured to Zhang Yao and Luo De.

"Hehe, of course not! Please, have a seat!" Luo De said politely.

"Thank you both for being so accommodating! Could you tell me more about the news you were discussing just now?" The man smiled faintly, pulled out a chair, and sat down before getting straight to the point.

Zhang Yao glanced at Luo De, his meaning plain: I'm leaving this all to you. Zhang Yao knew his own limitations. As a Chosen One from another world, he was unfamiliar with the local customs and ways of doing things. One careless slip could make him behave noticeably differently from everyone else. When dealing with the Bounty Hunters' Guild, an organization renowned for its secrecy, Zhang Yao was naturally even more cautious. He had no desire to invite unnecessary trouble through a moment's carelessness.

Zhang Yao clearly remembered the terrifying appearances of the Chosen Ones before their deaths in the Chosen Ones' Hall. Those countless faces, twisted with ferocity, defiance, and agony, had all taught him one lesson: to survive better in Rodos, he had to understand that too many words invited mistakes, and caution came first.

"Of course, that's no problem. It's just that..." Catching Zhang Yao's look, Luo De immediately began negotiating with the branch head. Like the man himself, Luo De went straight to the point of their visit to the branch: money.

Seeing Luo De extend his left hand and rub his thumb against his index and middle fingers, the branch head smiled faintly. He took two translucent purple coins from inside his clothes and set them on the table.

When Zhang Yao saw the two translucent purple coins on the table, he marveled inwardly, The Bounty Hunters' Guild really is in a different league. They hand out Purple Crystal Coins right off the bat! Along with his admiration for the guild's generosity, Zhang Yao was astonished that news of Lancelot, a Heaven Tier powerhouse, was worth so much money.

Rodos World had four kinds of currency. In ascending order of value, they were copper coins, silver coins, gold coins, and Purple Crystal Coins. The first three were the currencies in common circulation: 100 copper coins equaled one silver coin, and 100 silver coins equaled one gold coin. Purple Crystal Coins were different. Alchemists refined and processed them from purple crystal ore, making them extremely rare. Their exchange rate with gold coins was one to a thousand.

In other words, if those two tiny Purple Crystal Coins were exchanged for gold coins, the resulting stack would probably stand taller than Zhang Yao.

"You're very generous, sir, but I guarantee you'll get more than your money's worth!" Luo De swept his hand across the table, discreetly pocketing the two Purple Crystal Coins, then began recounting the news about Lancelot in a low voice.

"Lancelot, a naval captain of the Dora Merchant Alliance, is a Heaven Tier powerhouse. Sea Wolf, captain of the Sea Wolf Pirates, was killed, and Lancelot wiped out the entire pirate crew." Luo De told him everything he knew about Lancelot, leaving nothing out.

The branch head listened to Luo De's account with an impassive expression. However, Zhang Yao keenly noticed that the hands resting on the man's thighs suddenly clenched. Clearly, he was nowhere near as calm inside as he appeared.

"Yes, that was certainly worth more than I paid! Thank you both again for the information!" Once Luo De finished, the branch head nodded and rose to leave. Before he could take a step, he paused, reached inside his clothes, and placed two badges on the table. "If you don't mind, please accept these!" With that, he hurried away.

Zhang Yao understood that the branch head was probably in such a hurry because he wanted to verify the information they had given him. Although the man had generously handed over two Purple Crystal Coins without hesitation, he was actually very cautious. Earlier, Zhang Yao had sensed that, besides the branch head and the few attendants openly watching them, several hidden pairs of eyes had also been continually sizing them up. Their appearances were probably already etched deep into those people's minds. They might even have had portraits drawn by now.

Zhang Yao understood why the Bounty Hunters' Guild did this. Human greed was boundless, after all, and there was no telling what some people might do for money. An organization like the guild had to take precautions. Of course, judging by the guild's strength as described in the Overview of Rodos, Zhang Yao rather admired anyone who dared deceive it. He certainly would never dare do so himself. After all, no matter how good money was, you had to be alive to spend it!

"Hehe, these are good stuff! Bounty Hunter Badges, no less! Taking jobs or gathering information will be much easier for us from now on!" Luo De's eyes lit up at the sight of the badges on the table. He picked them up and examined them carefully.

"Catch!" Luo De tossed a badge and a Purple Crystal Coin to Zhang Yao. "Hehe, even brothers keep their accounts straight. Half each!"

Catching the badge and the money, Zhang Yao glanced at the black badge engraved with a money pouch and a dagger, then froze.

Bounty Hunter Badge (Black Iron Tier): Special item. 1% chance of obtaining additional equipment or money. Description: A credential issued by the Bounty Hunters' Guild. Grants the holder better access to the Bounty Hunters' Guild's available resources. No requirements. Cannot be exchanged.

Zhang Yao quickly recovered from his surprise. He said nothing, merely smiling and nodding. Then he put the Purple Crystal Coin into his Spatial Ring and equipped the badge directly. To be honest, he had never expected the Bounty Hunter Badge to be equipment. Although its attributes were not particularly useful, it had been given to him for free. It was better than nothing.

"Zhang Yao, what are your plans next?" Luo De and Zhang Yao left the guild branch and returned to the inn. As soon as they entered and Luo De sat down, he asked the question.

"I just want to spend some more time training properly. I've realized I'm still a little weak! As for anything else, I haven't decided yet." Zhang Yao answered honestly. Although he had only been in Rodos for a few days, he had already gained a profound understanding of its law that strength reigned supreme. Improving his strength was therefore particularly important if he wanted to stay alive and live better.

"I'm sorry. Actually, Amelia really is a good girl." Zhang Yao's words had clearly led Luo De to misunderstand something.

"Hehe, this has nothing to do with Amelia! I'm training so I can live better and more comfortably. It has nothing to do with anyone else! Anyway, Luo De, what are your plans?" Zhang Yao smiled and patted Luo De on the shoulder.