After Shen Qingqiu left, Jiang Lan sat on the sofa for a while, bored out of his mind.
A little later, he stood up and changed his jacket.
Although he had promised his aunt he would stay home, he really couldn't stand being cooped up any longer.
He had only just arrived in this world. Of course he was curious.
His injuries weren't much of a hindrance anymore anyway, so he might as well take the opportunity to explore.
While he was at it, he could also check the going rate for blood essence.
He got up and headed downstairs. His aunt lived in a nice gated community, complete with ornamental rock gardens and pavilions. Every so often, he even spotted fully armed guards.
Outside the complex, the streets bustled with people. There wasn't much difference between this place and the city Jiang Lan had lived in during his previous life, except that here, besides vehicles that drove along the ground, a few flew through the sky.
Martial artists were also easy to distinguish from ordinary people.
They carried weapons at their waists and strode along with an imposing air.
Ordinary people would step aside for them, their eyes filled with awe.
Walking through the crowd, Jiang Lan surveyed the streets with mixed feelings.
In this world, martial artists reigned supreme.
Without the talent to become one, you were doomed to remain at the bottom.
Shops lined both sides of the street.
Jiang Lan glanced to the side and spotted a standard-issue saber over a meter long in a weapons shop window, with a price marked beneath it.
Eight hundred Credit Points.
Can't afford it. Not even close.
A little farther along, Jiang Lan passed a restaurant and glanced at the menu posted outside.
Braised beef noodles: 2 Credit Points.
Stir-fried pork with peppers: 3.8 Credit Points.
So only things meant for martial artists were particularly expensive.
The cost of living for ordinary people was comparable to that of a major city in his previous life.
After walking a little longer, Jiang Lan stopped outside a medicinal herb shop.
A sign hung by the entrance: "Buying ferocious beast materials at high prices. Pills and blood essence for sale."
Jiang Lan pushed the door open and went inside.
The shop wasn't large, but it was packed with merchandise.
All kinds of bottles and jars filled the shelves, and they all looked expensive.
A shrewd-looking middle-aged man sat behind the counter, his eyes carrying a mercenary gleam.
Hearing Jiang Lan enter, he looked up.
"What are you buying?"
Jiang Lan approached the counter. "Sir, I'd like to ask how much a bottle of tier-one ferocious beast blood essence costs."
The middle-aged man looked Jiang Lan up and down.
Seeing Jiang Lan's plain clothes and deciding he didn't look wealthy, the man replied casually:
"Two thousand five hundred Credit Points for a ten-milliliter bottle."
Jiang Lan's heart sank.
"Isn't the market price two thousand?"
"You think rent and utilities are free?" The middle-aged man sneered. "If you want it cheap, go outside the city and hunt ferocious beasts yourself. That won't cost you anything."
Jiang Lan was speechless.
"Don't ask if you can't afford it. You're wasting my time."
The middle-aged man waved impatiently, indicating that Jiang Lan could leave.
Jiang Lan wasn't angry. He simply turned and walked out.
Two thousand five hundred. That was even more expensive than the price he remembered.
It seemed buying Fierce Beast Blood Essence with Credit Points was completely out of the question.
Unless he borrowed money from Shen Qingqiu.
Shen Qingqiu would certainly lend it to him, but Jiang Lan didn't want to do that unless he had no other choice.
He was already living off her. It would be a bit much to keep squeezing her for more.
Just then, three figures approached from across the street and blocked Jiang Lan's path.
"Well, well. Isn't this Captain Shen's little burden?"
Jiang Lan looked up and saw three men wearing Salvage Team uniforms.
Their leader was a burly man with a vicious scar across his face, giving him a fearsome appearance.
Searching the original owner's memories, Jiang Lan recognized him.
Li Hu, captain of the Second Squad of the Third Scavenger Squad.
Early-stage Meridian Opening.
He held the same rank as Shen Qingqiu, but his strength fell far short of hers.
"Out wandering around? Your injuries healed?"
Li Hu walked up to Jiang Lan and looked down at him.
Jiang Lan answered expressionlessly, "More or less."
"Tsk, tsk... You're hard to kill."
Behind Li Hu, a tall, skinny Salvage Team member chimed in mockingly:
"You've got no talent for martial arts, yet you still want to stick around in the Salvage Team. If Captain Shen weren't protecting you, you'd have been kicked out ages ago."
Jiang Lan couldn't be bothered with him and turned to leave.
The tall, skinny man immediately took offense and reached out to stop him. "Hey, I'm talking to you. Are you deaf?"
Jiang Lan sidestepped his hand and gave him an indifferent glance.
"Move."
"Oh, you've got quite an attitude." The skinny man sneered. "Who do you think you are, daring to-"
"Enough," Li Hu cut him off.
He stared at Jiang Lan for a few seconds before speaking.
"Kid, here's some advice. The Salvage Team isn't where you belong. If you've got any conscience at all, get the hell out before it's too late."
With that, Li Hu left with his men.
Jiang Lan remained where he was, clenching his fists.
According to the original owner's memories, Li Hu and Shen Qingqiu had never gotten along.
That was why Li Hu would ridicule Jiang Lan from time to time as well.
Jiang Lan slowly drew a breath.
Once he leveled up, Li Hu would be the first person he settled scores with.
He had never been one to hold grudges.
Usually, he got even on the spot.
But he wasn't capable of that yet, so he would have to wait.
Still, with the system, Jiang Lan believed that day wasn't far off.
Jiang Lan looked up at the sky.
It was almost afternoon.
It was about time to head back.
He walked home, went upstairs, and opened the door, only to find Shen Qingqiu sitting on the sofa with a displeased expression.
"Where did you go?"
Jiang Lan froze.
"Out for a walk."
"Didn't I tell you to stay home?" Shen Qingqiu stood and walked over to Jiang Lan. "Your injuries haven't healed yet. Why are you running around?"
"It was a little stuffy at home... I only went for a stroll. I'm fine..."
Shen Qingqiu stared at Jiang Lan for a moment, then suddenly flicked his forehead with a slender, pale finger.
"Next time you go out, remember to tell me."
Jiang Lan clutched his forehead and grimaced.
"Got it."
Shen Qingqiu watched Jiang Lan a little longer, then turned toward the kitchen.
"We're having braised pork today. Go wash your hands."
Watching her retreating figure, a complicated expression flickered across Jiang Lan's face.
At dinner.
Shen Qingqiu suddenly spoke.
"Come report for duty with me tomorrow."
Jiang Lan blinked.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes." Shen Qingqiu placed a piece of braised pork in Jiang Lan's bowl. "Weren't you clamoring to go out? What's wrong?"
Jiang Lan was overjoyed.
He had thought he would have to beg, make a scene, and pull out every trick in the book to persuade Shen Qingqiu. He hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.
He immediately nodded.
"Okay!"
Seeing Jiang Lan's expression, Shen Qingqiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She reminded him:
"Remember, once we're outside the city, stay close to the team. No wandering off."