However, unlike Slan who came from the official Central Earth military forces to make extra money, Old Tang was a lone operator.

People like him usually call themselves 'Ranger Knights'.

To put it simply, they were the street urchins from the crowd, criminals on the run in the eyes of both Empire and Federation, belonging to the lowest tiers of the crowd's discrimination ladder.

When it comes to survival, whether or not you have unique skills is another matter, the main thing is to have dirty hands, a thick skin, a cold heart, and fast legs.

Old Tang claimed that his family had been followers of the crowd for generations, and that his ancestors used to be prosperous too, even having their own knight group; it was only in his generation that the family had fallen into decline, with a past too unbearable to recall.

"When my ancestors served as soldiers for the Eternal Dynasty, my great-great-grandfather held the rank of Great General, that's considered nobility and distinction, right?!"

Old Tang's bragging about his lineage was as flowery as could be, impressing the innocent Golden Hair who responded with awed sounds of admiration. Ji Jue didn't have the heart to correct him—The Eternal Empire operated under a cabinet system; there never was a position of Great General…

After they finished becoming acquainted, Old Lin came over again with an assistant and a small trolley.

"Here's what you asked for, do you think it's sufficient?"

The first thing presented to Old Tang was a set of heavy leather cases that, upon opening, revealed a collection of swords and blades, each gleaming coldly, with sharp edges and spiritual substance flowing through.

While not enhanced to the extravagant extent of having a blessing, the materials were solid and the craftsmanship meticulous; they were genuinely high-end alchemy works, and not low in completion.

Everyone else got something, too.

For Golden Hair, it was a necklace with a pigeon egg-sized ruby embedded inside, the spiritual fluctuations were furious and intense, apparently for power amplification. For A Yi, it was a pair of crystal prisms; when light refracted through them, they scattered a myriad of beautiful, broken lights.

For Little An, it was a whole case of alchemically-treated daggers, obviously custom-made for throwing and much higher quality than the random iron scraps one could normally purchase.

Only when it came to Ji Jue was there nothing.

Old Lin simply took him to the underground garage, opened a long-sealed door, and revealed the space behind it.

"As I understand it, the Embers lineage usually requires some assistance; do you find these sufficient?"

"Ah, this…"

Ji Jue was dumbstruck.

Beyond the door, all kinds of equipment had been set up, from the Melting Furnace to liquefaction reaction kettles, probes, engraving platforms, to the most common processing tools—everything was there.

All were maintained near-new, well-kept and fine-tuned; after adjustments, they were even better than the brand new ones.

Apart from missing the core of a workshop, like a spiritual Melting Furnace or other exaggerated equipment beyond the standard, it was almost equivalent to a basic workshop.

If it were Professor Ye or Qiu Ge here, perhaps they would sneer at the sight, disgusted by such refuse before their eyes.

But this place had Ji Jue.

For someone who had nothing, this was perfectly matched to his level; anyway, giving him any more high-end tools would be a waste, just these were already more than enough.

Not to mention all the materials stocked according to standard requirements.

"After this is over, these will all be unnecessary," Old Lin lowered his voice, whispering in his ear, "If it's convenient for you, feel free to deal with them."

"Ah, this…"

Ji Jue hadn't recovered from his shock, lost in bewilderment again.

Then, what was slipped into his pocket was a business card: "Besides, during this period, if you have any other needs, just call this number with your request, as long as it's commonly available on the market, there shouldn't be a problem."

"Ah, this… well then…"

Ji Jue reluctantly, halfheartedly stuffed it into his pocket.

"Do you have any other instructions?" Old Lin asked with a smile, "I'll try to get everything you guys need."

"Isn't this a bit too generous?"

Ji Jue turned back, looking at him, "I'm not any professional, just here as the boss's lucky charm. If I can't win, I'll run, so don't expect too much from me."

Old Lin shook his head decisively: "They are Mr. Chen's employees, but you're Yu Bo's friend, which is naturally different."

Ji Jue sighed.

He pushed the door shut, and behind that silence, he pondered for a while before he couldn't help but ask: "With such a comprehensive setup, shouldn't it be prioritized for Mr. Chen instead?"

Without hesitation, Old Lin replied: "Mr. Chen has other arrangements, and besides, his life is currently unknown, the future uncertain. According to his orders, priority is given to Yu Bo's safety."

Ji Jue shook his head, "For what reason?"

"Yu Bo is Mr. Chen's only family, his younger brother. What could there be to scheme about?"

"And what about you?"

Since he had already brought it up, Ji Jue didn't feel embarrassed to inquire further—especially with all he had seen today being so strange, seemingly reasonable, yet betraying an unusual sense of absurdity.

Whether it was the seemingly reassuring but actually dissolving meeting, or these overly generous preparations, it all made him begin to question Old Lin's intentions.

"With Chen Xingzhou lying in the hospital, his life hanging by a thread, Chen Yubo indecisive and lacking ambition, his mind only occupied with how he'll feed his cats if the money runs out, what about you, Old Lin?"

Ji Jue asked bluntly, "As an adherent of White Deer, don't you have other thoughts at this time?"

"..."

Finally, Old Lin's smile faded, or rather, the genial façade dissipated revealing his real face—indifferent and calm, unwavering, his dark eyes gazed at him. After a long while, the corners of his mouth seemed to curve upwards.

"Rest assured, Mr. Ji, Yu Bo is someone I've watched grow up. I've never married nor had children; he's like my nephew, I would never harm him."

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