He stood up, skillfully dismantled the Frozen Storage, removed the iron rod, assisted the onboard computer, and set off for the stream.
Drinking water, washing his face, and eating red berries.
Severe pain flared...
Damn.
The terminal lymphatic cancer had relapsed.
He expertly endured the wave of intense pain.
Ren Zhong was already an elderly combatant fighting cancer with his life.
Recovering, he took out his computer and used voice input to organize and ponder his previous insights.
Though he had only stayed a night in Starfire Town, he got to know some people, gathered some crucial information, and formed a preliminary understanding of the world, so it wasn't completely unproductive.
This time, he aimed to take a step further, at least thinking of becoming some type of combat-capable Professional and also preparing to guard against the Blade Mantis.
Thus, he needed to be more refined and efficient in details such as treating his illness, renting the Wrist watch, and the following day's outing for hunting with Zheng Tian's team.
This time, he decided not to seek out that young man for a chat at night; he'd have chances to meet him later.
...
"You're Zheng Tian from Starfire Town, right? You're Wen Lei, Chen Han, Bai Feng, and Ou Youning. Hmm, hello, nice to meet you all. I'm Ren Zhong."
With an air of mystique and the demeanor of a high-level expert, Ren Zhong wielded these three "weapons" confidently and warmly smiled as he spoke to the bewildered Zheng Tian and others.
An identical scene, the same people, only slightly refined lines, made the picture feel so familiar.
The air froze for a moment.
The wind seemed to freeze.
The atmosphere fell into an eerie silence.
The Zheng Tian and others, who came to pick up leftovers, were dumbfounded on the spot.
Who is this person!
What's going on!
How could he act like an old acquaintance right upon arrival and call everyone's names!
They knew their own situation.
They weren't any big figures from Starfire Town, and they had never met him.
Who is he really?
He knew everyone's names, even of someone like Bai Feng, a failed experiment of genetic modification who would never be a registered Citizen.
Could this person be... an official responsible for Pu Cha assessment, coming to Starfire Town incognito, perhaps secretly inspecting?
Gulp, Zheng Tian swallowed a large mouthful of saliva and approached cautiously, asking, "Sir? Who are you?"
Ren Zhong waved his hand, "No need for formalities. I'm a traveler with some business in Starfire Town, but unforeseen events led me to lose my Wrist watch, and now I have no self-defense abilities. Thus, I wish to offer the corpse of this Crystal Winged Dragonfly in exchange for hiring you and your team to accompany me to the town."
Zheng Tian responded with a nod, "Traveler? Uh... Mr. Ren Zhong, you're too kind. Helping those in trouble is only right; how could we accept your payment? Hanyu, quickly dismantle the Crystal Winged Dragonfly, and let's set off."
Ren Zhong clasped his hands, "Thank you."
He could feel that Zheng Tian's attitude was overly respectful, though he couldn't fathom what she was imagining.
This worked to his advantage.
...
The bluish twilight still descended.
The two moons slowly rose into the sky.
The panel van-hovering truck continued racing across the wilderness.
"Wait another five minutes, and we will encounter Hunter No. 11796. Since I don't have a Wrist watch, I might be mistaken for a wastelander. In that case, Chen Han, I'll need you to negotiate on my behalf and exchange the Crystal Winged Dragonfly's Crystal Chip for a temporary Wrist watch."
Inside the car, Ren Zhong unexpectedly said this to Chen Han beside him.
Chen Han was slightly stunned, her aloof image shattering, and she responded with slight surprise, "Okay."
"Thank you."
"Yes."
In the driver's seat ahead, Zheng Tian's mind was already roaring internally.
You big fraud!
Hunter patrol routes change periodically and randomly based on several days' cycles.
No one knows the adjustment patterns of the Hunters.
But you not only know the exact route, you even know their number.
Ren Zhong! Are you still claiming not to be a Pu Cha official?
Traveler?
Do you think I'm a three-year-old child!
You are definitely a high-ranking official!