In the end, Li Long put away the four Metal Pieces.
They were quite heavy, weighing solidly in his hand. Li Long felt they probably belonged to a set, but he could not read the writing on them and had no way to identify them.
The man took the thirty yuan, so happy that he even left the bag with Li Long. He said with a smile:
"Great, great, now I have my travel money. I've had more than enough of these mountains! I'm heading down today and going to Stone City tomorrow!"
"I think you'd better stay in the mountains and head down in daylight tomorrow," Li Long advised him kindly. "The sun's almost down now. By the time you get out of the mountains, it'll be dark, and there's still quite a stretch from there to Qingshui River. There really are wolves out there. I've run into them traveling at night. With your build, you wouldn't withstand a single pounce."
Hearing that, the man really did grow worried. He looked at Li Long's wooden cabin and suddenly asked:
"Then, boss, could I stay at your place for a night? I'll pay. How about two yuan? A spot on a communal kang bed in the County Seat only costs two yuan!"
"No." Li Long refused outright. "I suggest you go back to wherever you were staying before. It isn't safe here either, and we don't know each other. I'd be worried myself if I let you stay. Oh, right, since I've already paid you and you've gotten such a good deal, shouldn't you tell me exactly where you found these metal plates?"
The man smiled and said:
"You want to find more? I'm telling you, there's nothing left there. At most, you might find a few old copper coins,