Chapter 112 - 104: More Than Meets the Eye

Chapter 112: Chapter 104: More Than Meets the Eye

Tang Mo was simply too exhausted to extract the Crystal Core, so she handed the task over to Jingjing again.

Not just the Crystal Core, she also had Jingjing use its small dagger to carve out all the other valuable and precious parts from the bear’s body.

At first, Tang Mo hadn’t given Jingjing this task, fearing it wouldn’t be strong enough. After all, even she had found it difficult to pierce the bear’s hide.

But after seeing how incredibly smoothly Jingjing cut through flesh and skin, she tentatively let it try.

To her surprise, Jingjing was even more efficient than she was, which truly made Tang Mo feel a little ashamed of herself.

However, this also proved one thing: Jingjing’s Strength Value was not as weak as its size suggested. Moreover, it knew far better than Tang Mo what parts of a mutant beast were useful and what parts weren’t, ensuring minimal waste.

Tang Mo had also been observing it lately. The Crystal Cores Jingjing absorbed weren’t for nothing; its body was undergoing significant changes.

Although she couldn’t figure out the specific changes, Tang Mo knew it was definitely getting stronger.

Jingjing handed a blue Intermediate Crystal Core to Tang Mo, and Tang Mo gave it a Basic Crystal Core as a reward.

She couldn’t afford to give Jingjing an Intermediate Crystal Core right now. She could only exploit her cheap labor like this, making Jingjing put up with it for the time being.

But Jingjing wasn’t greedy. It was overjoyed just holding the one Basic Crystal Core.

Lin Wan and the other two were now lying on the ground, still bleeding from various wounds.

Tang Mo gave them a quick check. Fortunately, the black bear’s swipe hadn’t damaged their internal organs.

She took out medicine and bandages and had the few remaining women in the group whose minds weren’t completely scrambled with fear help with the bandaging.

They were all superficial wounds. A day’s rest should be enough for them to get back on the road.

Wiping his tears with the back of his hand, Mao Tou stumbled over to Lin Wan.

He knew his mother was hurt, so he didn’t dare rush into her arms. Instead, he just squatted there, watching the others apply medicine to her, tears welling in his eyes.

Among the injured, Lin Wan’s wounds were the most severe, as she had been the one to rush to the front and shield Tang Mo.

"Momo, could I trouble you to treat my wounds?"

To hide her real identity, Tang Mo had been telling everyone her name was Momo. The name was a bit girly, but it was usable.

Lin Wan then asked the woman who was treating her wounds to take Mao Tou aside.

Since Lin Wan’s severe injuries were partly her fault, and besides, she got along well with her, Tang Mo naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Tang Mo had treated many wounds in her past life, so she handled it with practiced ease.

Once everyone else had moved away, Tang Mo focused on applying the medicine. Lin Wan’s expression kept shifting, and she bit her lip repeatedly.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Lin Wan wasn’t the type to hide her feelings. Tang Mo had long since noticed her hesitant expression.

"I... I told you about Mao Tou’s father before, right?"

Tang Mo nodded.

"Mao Tou’s father is Zhou Jian."

Tang Mo’s hand froze, and Lin Wan sucked in a sharp breath of pain.

"You knew all along?"

"Yes, I recognized him the first time I saw him. But I didn’t tell anyone. He was the one who left without saying goodbye, so I didn’t know if he’d want to bring it up... Maybe he’s already married now."

"I’m so badly hurt now, I don’t even know if I’ll live to see tomorrow. I don’t mind if I die, but I’m afraid there will be no one to take care of Mao Tou."

"Tang Mo, can I ask you for a favor? If I die, could you please give Mao Tou to his father? I really don’t want to bother him, but for my son’s sake, I’ll be selfish just this once."

After speaking, Lin Wan closed her eyes as if she had just gotten a great weight off her chest.

Tang Mo’s hands moved,

"Ah!" Lin Wan cried out in pain. "Be gentle, I’m begging you, for heaven’s sake!"

"So you can still feel pain. You’re not going to die. Don’t say such unlucky things."

Tang Mo just listened, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Because the few superpower users were injured, the group decided to rest for another night before setting off.

Wang Er was dead, and the men under him had all fled. Tonight, Zhou Jian would have to stand guard again.

Uncle He found Tang Mo, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

"Tang Mo, we all survived this time thanks to you. Here are the five Crystal Cores you gave me. I’m returning them."

"Uncle He, this was our agreement. There’s no need to change it."

Tang Mo had given those five Crystal Cores as payment for the journey. Her gains from this trip were already immense, far exceeding the cost.

"No, you must take them!"

Uncle He was extremely insistent. Not wanting to undermine the principled nature of the people from Yunshui Town, Tang Mo accepted the Crystal Cores.

"There’s one more thing..."

Uncle He’s face showed some hesitation.

’Are Uncle He and Lin Wan related or something? Why do they both talk the same way...’ Tang Mo thought to herself.

"Uncle He, I am indeed heading to B City, so whether Wang Er and his men are here or not, I’m still going."

Tang Mo’s words were a roundabout guarantee.

"Good! Great! Thank you, Tang Mo! When the time comes, you must visit Yunshui Town. We’ll be sure to give you a warm welcome. Alright, you should get some rest. I won’t disturb you any longer."

After hearing Tang Mo’s words, Uncle He was so excited he could barely speak clearly. He thanked her profusely before hurrying away, as if afraid she would change her mind.

"These people are actually... kind of endearing."

Tang Mo found it a little funny. The fine tradition of being terrified to inconvenience others must have been passed down through the generations in Yunshui Town.

The extreme exertion during the day hadn’t left Tang Mo feeling tired. Instead, the after-effects of the adrenaline rush left her wide awake.

"You’ve been on watch for two days. Go back and rest."

Tang Mo said as she walked over to Zhou Jian, who was leaning against a rock and gazing at the moon.

"There’s no need. You should go back and sleep."

Tang Mo was the savior of everyone here today; how could Zhou Jian possibly let her stand guard?

Tang Mo didn’t say anything, nor did she leave. She sat down on a nearby tree stump.

"Are you also going to B City?"

Zhou Jian had no reason to travel so far for just two Crystal Cores. The only explanation was that it was on his way.

"Yeah, I have some business to take care of."

"What kind of business?"

Tang Mo wasn’t usually one to pry into others’ private affairs. On the contrary, she knew her boundaries. But this time, she made an exception.

"Looking for someone," Zhou Jian answered readily.

"A woman?"

"Yes."

"Did you meet her in the desert?"

The moment Tang Mo’s words left her mouth, Zhou Jian froze. He then immediately shot up and stood before her.

"You know her? Where is she? Is she doing okay?"

’Just as I thought.’ Tang Mo was right; Zhou Jian was going to B City for Lin Wan.

’That foolish girl. She thought her love was unrequited. If she hadn’t been so badly injured, she wouldn’t have dared to let Mao Tou meet his real father. The two of them, who clearly liked each other, almost missed their chance.’

"If you don’t mind, tell me what happened back then."