Chapter 97: Rune Cave

Chapter 97: Rune Cave

Li City was divided into nine districts, Nanji, Changyan, Shanqing, Daxu, Feiyang, Xijing, Dongyu, Anliang, and Beiyong.

Gao Yang, Qing Ling, and Officer Huang lived in the Shanqing District, while the Millenium Tower, the headquarters of the Twelve Zodiac Signs, was located in the Daxu District.

And the five of them were currently rushing toward the Naji District in the south of the city.

War Tiger drove fast. His fingers tapped on the driving wheel rhythmically while he hummed an upbeat tune. Anyone could tell that he was in a good mood.

In the passenger seat, White Rabbit was talking into her phone, reporting to the headquarters. N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

In the back, Gao Yang, Officer Huang, and Qing Ling exchanged a look of befuddlement. None of them knew what was going on.

Gao Yang couldn’t take it any longer and raised his hand to ask, “Would you please explain what a Rune Cave is, Teacher?”

After a pause, War Tiger chuckled. “I was wondering why the three of you didn’t react at all. It turns out you didn’t even know what it was. You should’ve asked earlier.”

“We didn’t want to be a bother when you two seemed to be in such a rush,” Officer Huang said with a smile.

“Put simply,” War Tiger said, “A Rune Cave is a cave where Rune Circuits may be found.”

White Rabbit had just ended the call, and she added, “It isn’t always a cave. It’s just named that way since the very first Rune Circuit was found in a cave. Think of it as a special subspace of sorts.”

“Got it.” Gao Yang nodded. “So the Gu Family’s Village was a Rune Cave as well.”

“Correct.”

“Then why did the Hundred Rivers Union tell us about it?” Officer Huang asked. “Why would they share the pie?”

“Well, have you considered this possibility?” White Rabbit opened her eyes wide and put on an innocent look. “Maybe the Hundred Rivers Union doesn’t have the appetite to finish the pie on their own.”

“Right.” Officer Huang chuckled self-deprecatingly. “That was a stupid question.”

Gao Yang nodded.

According to Wu Dahai, the Hundred Rivers Union was a group of nobodies. A suspected Rune Cave didn’t guarantee a Rune Circuit. It was a safer choice to seek help from a more powerful faction, such as the Twelve Zodiac Signs.

“We’re here.” War Tiger pulled up by the road.

The five of them put on their masks and got out of the car. Then they opened the trunk and grabbed their respective weapons. Gao Yang didn’t forget to grab a mission pack too; inside were the regularly used medicines and supplies.

They found themselves on an old street in the Nanji District. Most of the residents had moved away, leaving the neighborhood empty and bleak.

Across the street was the entrance to a subway station, the Cattle Farm Station. It was said that this used to be an area for cattle husbandry, hence the name.

Chen Ying fell silent. It was obvious that the demand crossed the line she had in her mind.

“Take it or leave it.”

War Tiger smiled shrewdly. “Since you initiated the contact, you must have weighed the different options. Twelve Zodiac Signs are known for our strength and credibility. If you look to other organizations for help, they may agree to your condition first, but then they’ll surely go back on their word once it comes time to split the spoils.”

Chen Ying pursed her lips. War Tiger was spot on.

“A moment, please. I have to take this to our boss.” Chen Ying took out her phone and walked out of their earshot, talking in a low voice.

War Tiger was confident. “Just you see. They’ll say yes.”

“How are you so confident, Teacher?” Gao Yang was a little worried. “Won’t they turn to the Qilin Guild?”

“The Qilin Guild isn’t as friendly as you think they are.” White Rabbit snorted. “They may play nice, but they are adept at all the ways a mega group may exploit their clients. Doing business with them always puts you at a disadvantage, and you don’t even know who you should take the complaint to.”

“What a waste of time. Why don’t people just grab the Rune Circuits?” Qing Ling sounded impatient.

War Tiger sighed. “Girl, you’re too pretty to talk like a thug.”

Qing Ling said icily, “The strong eat the weak. That is the way of the world.”

“That is true,” said War Tiger. “But look at it in the long term. If you take someone’s Rune Circuit by force, do you think they’ll ask you for help the next time they find a Rune Cave?”

Qing Ling didn’t answer.

White Rabbit patted her on the shoulder. “Wu Dahai looks down on the Hundred Rivers Union and calls them useless, but they aren’t useless at all. For one, they have a lot more members. While their Talents may not be that strong, there is a great variety, which allows them to do all kinds of things. For example, they are the go-to experts in finding Rune Caves, making items, and collecting intel.”

“That’s right.” War Tiger nodded. “Every organization is built differently, and we differ in our strengths and means of survival.”

Gao Yang summarized in understanding, “They’re like the villagers in Werewolf. Just as important as those with special roles.”

“That’s a good analogy.” War Tiger smiled in approval.

“I understand,” Qing Ling said. “Grab the Rune Circuits after they’re all found.”

“Understand my ass!” War Tiger rolled his eyes and almost blacked out. “Teach her properly, Gao Yang. This girl has strayed too far from the right path!”

...And how am I supposed to do that? I don’t have a death wish.

Having finished her call, Chen Ying quickly walked up to them and cleared her throat. “I’ve talked to Boss. We’ll accept the conditions.”

War Tiger didn’t immediately speak up. He knew more was coming.

As expected, Chen Ying continued after a brief pause, “However, there’s an added condition: you have to save our members from the Rune Cave.”

War Tiger crossed his arms and said like he had expected it. “I knew things wouldn’t be that simple.”