Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Redstone Town Mine
Fang Zhen then saw the bronze emblem on his computer desktop light up with a faint, hazy white light.
’Looks like the key item is this emblem,’ Fang Zhen thought.
He looked at the dialogue box on the computer screen.
’Ten rit points for dungeon intel? I’ll take it.’ Fang Zhen didn’t hesitate, clicking "Confirm."
He had saved 10 rit points for exactly this purpose. The importance of intelligence in combat was self-evident. As the saying goes, "Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated." The more he knew about the dungeon, the better his chances of survival.
"You have obtained information regarding the ’Redstone Town Mine.’
Analyzing dungeon data...
Analyzing...
Dungeon data acquired. Information on Redstone Town is as follows."
Lines of text began to appear one after another below the dialogue box on the screen.
Fang Zhen watched the screen intently, his eyes following the text as it moved, not missing a single piece of information.
"Analyzing dungeon background...
Dungeon background confird:
Redstone Town is an ordinary small town in the Naless World, famous for its iron ore. Half of the town’s main inco cos from the iron ore trade.
Not long ago, a Dogman Tribe invaded the iron ore mine, forcibly occupying the Redstone Town Mine and taking over the ore business. The miners and the Town Mayor of Redstone Town are at their wits’ end and filled with anxiety. Their inability to mine ore has dealt a fatal blow to the town’s daily operations, and the miners cannot survive for long without an inco."
Generating information on threat units within the dungeon:
Kobold: Small, reptilian humanoids with dog-like or canine features.
Habit 1: Communal Living: Kobolds typically live in groups and have their own social structure and hierarchy.
Habit 2: Tunneling: Kobolds are skilled diggers and enjoy building complex tunnel and cavern systems underground.
Habit 3: Collecting Shiny Objects: They have a great interest in shiny things and often collect Gold Coins, gems, and other such items.
Habit 4: They are organized and thodically carry out evil activities.
Habit 5: Pathological Obsession with Candles: Candles are not only their source of light but also their source of security.
Kobolds constantly grapple with a fear of the dark, using candles to ward off the unknown terrors of the underground."
"Alert: The Redstone Town Mine dungeon is a limited-ti dungeon. It will exist for 12 days."
"Failure to clear the dungeon within 12 days will be considered a failure."
"Countdown: 11 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds..."
"Alert: You can enter the dungeon world by activating the external device."
Fang Zhen spent a few minutes carefully reading through the dungeon intel.
He stroked his chin.
’Redstone Town Mine? The dungeon info ntions Redstone Town. That’s probably the town I saw at the end of the Dark Path.’
’The info also ntioned a Town Mayor and miners, which ans there’s a high chance I’ll be able to interact with humans in the Naless World.’
’And since this dungeon is a mine, the lighting probably isn’t great. I might need a light source and other support equipnt,’ Fang Zhen thought.
As for the Kobolds ntioned in the dungeon, Fang Zhen was not entirely unfamiliar with them.
Creatures like that existed in many Fantasy Worlds.
Given the power level of the Naless World, Kobolds might be stronger than goblins, but not by much.
What was worth noting, however, was that this dungeon’s difficulty wasn’t "Easy," but "Normal."
’I should probably make so preparations,’ Fang Zhen thought.
The dungeon’s countdown had already begun, but Fang Zhen was in no hurry to enter.
He raised his left hand and glanced at the wristband on it. The ti displayed was 9:47.
’I have a eting with Tang Xiaojuan and a major client at 10:30 today. I’ll go et them first. If things go smoothly, I can sell the loot I have on hand. Once I get the money, my logistics will be secured,’ Fang Zhen thought.
He found a laptop backpack and placed the Golden Holy Chalice, the Holy Plate, and the Gold Coins inside.
Once everything was packed, Fang Zhen slung the backpack over his shoulder. After a final check, he picked up the bag, left his room, and took the elevator downstairs to head to the appointed eting place.
「Over 20 minutes later.」
North City District, Qingfengxiang Tea House.
Fang Zhen arrived at the tea house by car. It was a classic, old-fashioned establishnt with traditional Chinese decor. People often ca here to discuss business or other matters, and its private rooms offered excellent privacy.
As soon as Fang Zhen entered the first floor, he saw Tang Xiaojuan waiting in the hall.
"I’m so glad you’re here! I was worried you’d get stuck in traffic." Tang Xiaojuan seed to let out a sigh of relief when she saw Fang Zhen, walking up to greet him enthusiastically.
"Yeah, the traffic wasn’t bad," Fang Zhen said, nodding. He then glanced upstairs. "Has the major client you ntioned arrived?"
"He has. He arrived fifteen minutes early. He’s on the second floor in the Songzhu Residence, having so tea."
Fang Zhen nodded, and holding his backpack, he headed for the second floor.
Tang Xiaojuan hurried to follow.
Second floor of the Qingfengxiang Tea House.
The upstairs was divided into several private rooms, nad after things like pine, bamboo, plum, and chrysanthemum. Fang Zhen walked up to the door with the ’Songzhu Residence’ plaque. After a light knock to announce his presence, he pushed the door open and went inside.
The room wasn’t very large, about twenty-so square ters. In the center was a solid rosewood table set with a tea tray and bowls. Surrounding the table were bamboo chairs with soft cushions, which looked both vintage and comfortable.
An elderly gentleman was seated in the chair facing the door.
He looked to be about sixty, with a slender build. His hair was naturally salt-and-pepper and, for his age, still quite thick.
Although the gentleman was older, his forehead was free of wrinkles, and his expression was relaxed and gentle. He had a high-bridged nose, bright and spirited eyes, and thin, neat lips. He was wearing a black suit that fit him perfectly, as if it had been custom-tailored, with a dress shirt underneath but no tie or bow tie.
Behind him, a sharp-looking man in a suit, who appeared to be in his late thirties, stood respectfully by the gentleman’s side, pouring gongfu tea.
As Fang Zhen entered, the old man’s gaze fell upon him.
Fang Zhen felt the gaze was quite sharp, but after a mont, the old man’s eyes softened.
’Judging by his deanor, he seems like a scholar, but also like a businessman,’ Fang Zhen thought, forming a first impression. ’I’ve t a few people from academia who went into business before, and he has a similar air about him.’
Just then, Tang Xiaojuan also ca in.
"Young lady, this must be the person you ntioned who’s selling the Gold Pendant, yes?"
"Why don’t you introduce us?" the old man asked with a kind smile.
Tang Xiaojuan took a step forward to Fang Zhen’s side and said with a smile, "I was just about to."
"This is the seller of the Gold Pendant you were looking for. His na is..." Tang Xiaojuan trailed off, suddenly drawing a blank.
Fang Zhen couldn’t help but chuckle.
So, it turned out that Tang Xiaojuan only rembered to call him "bro" but never learned his actual na.
"Fang Zhen." He wasn’t bothered, offering a slight smile to the old man.
The old man smiled and nodded. "I’m older than both of you, so if you’ll indulge an old man, you can just call
Uncle Bao."
"Alright," Fang Zhen replied with a smiling nod.
The old man seed quite amiable. His tone and expression were as pleasant as a spring breeze, instantly putting Fang Zhen at ease. He made an excellent first impression.
"Co, sit down and let’s talk," Uncle Bao gestured.
Fang Zhen nodded, and he and the slightly embarrassed Tang Xiaojuan sat down.
Uncle Bao leaned closer to Fang Zhen and asked, "I happened to see that Gold Pendant at a gold shop earlier, and I was quite surprised."
"Young man, do you have any idea what it is you sold them?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)