Goblin Dependency
Chapter 323 - 170 Cash Box_2

Chapter 323: Chapter 170 Cash Box_2

He had already asked Iron Head about the two people’s intentions before he came and knew they were looking for him to inquire about "Colander" Ben’s whereabouts.

The reason for not bringing it up proactively and instead asking the two first was to give them the lead in the conversation.

Caution was one aspect of it.

The other was because of his own little stratagem.

This back and forth might have added just one or two more sentences.

But compared to informing them about Ben’s whereabouts on his own, waiting for these two professionals to request it, and then readily providing it without hiding anything,

it allowed himself, or rather the Gray Badger Gang, to establish an additional layer of connection with these two professionals.

Even if it doesn’t reach the level of "favor," the next time something happens, recalling today, their attitude is bound to change somewhat.

If luck is even better, helping them with a small favor, becoming friends is not impossible.

Xia Nan standing opposite naturally wouldn’t think this much like Eight Finger, but even if he knew about these little thoughts, he wouldn’t care much.

With an arm carrying a money box, concealing the task-related details, he directly asked the other party for information about Buck and Ben.

"Buck... I know this person, but we haven’t had much contact."

Eight Finger rubbed his messy stubble as he recalled.

"I’ve only seen him a few times at the Iron Bucket Toad, nothing much in terms of socializing."

"You should know that adventurers like him who are semi-retired and have returned to ordinary life don’t usually interact with people like us."

He spread his hands with a wry smile on his face.

"As for ’Colander’ Ben, I contacted him a while ago, and there shouldn’t be much change in his address."

"It’s already late today, and that place is winding and confusing. Without someone who knows the way, it’s really hard to find quickly. Nighttime is also quite dangerous, though perhaps only a minor hassle for you, but it would still delay things."

"If you’re in a hurry... tomorrow morning, have Iron Head guide you."

Originally, he thought he would have to negotiate with this gang leader for a while after arriving, using some persuasion and reasoning, maybe revealing Wood’s identity as a guard of the City Lord’s House.

Unexpectedly, this "Eight Finger" was quite sensible, making it unnecessary for them to waste much breath, and just with a few inquiries, he laid everything he knew on the table.

It didn’t sound like a lie.

He wasn’t concerned about the difference of a day or two; in fact, he had doubts about whether Buck was still in Neum.

Since the other party said it was unsafe and troublesome at night, it was perfectly reasonable to continue the task the next morning.

Xia Nan nodded, agreeing to Eight Finger’s plan, and arranged a meeting spot for tomorrow with Iron Head standing behind him.

After asking about some places to be cautious about, he planned to leave.

Before leaving, his gaze instinctively swept around the dim and damp environment of the sewer.

His eyes particularly scanned over the ground strewn with the corpses of Grey Skinned Rats, a few injured Gray Badger Gang members groaning, and the vague outlines and scarlet eyes flashing through the darkness of the pipe gallery.

Without much thought, driven purely by curiosity, he asked casually:

"Earlier, I heard from Iron Head that these rats went berserk because the ’Moon Feast’ is approaching."

"But there should be a ’Moon Feast’ every year..."

"So you experience this every year around this time?"

Inquiring, Xia Nan couldn’t help but feel a tinge of confusion.

According to the information he had previously obtained from the burly bald-headed man, the Gray Badger Gang had set their core base in the sewers for many years.

If, as the opposing party explained, the Grey Skinned Rats go berserk and become highly aggressive towards humans at each Moon Feast,

over the years, the Gray Badger Gang should have had some defenses in place.

Whether it was setting up defensive facilities in advance or temporarily withdrawing from the sewers during this period to avoid the rats, these would have been good countermeasures.

It shouldn’t have gotten to the point where even the gang leader was almost trapped in their base by the rat mob.

To this, Eight Finger also revealed a wry smile, puzzled as he shook his head.

"Actually, we’ve set up preparations around the base in advance."

"In previous years, while these large rats exhibited strong aggression during this period, they would still shy away from fire and light."

"No matter how many in number, as long as you don’t expose yourself to their line of sight, they would instinctively avoid well-lit areas."

Eight Finger casually picked up a relatively intact corpse of a Grey Skinned Rat from the ground, his gaze looking into the deep dark corridor ahead.

"However, this year, these rats seem to be under some sort of provocation, not even fearing torches or Burning Bombs, crazily swarming in groups."

"Looks like next year around this time, I’ll have to take the brothers and hide somewhere."

Provocation?

The other’s answer seemed to trigger something in Xia Nan’s mind.

But just when he sensed he had discovered something and wanted to catch the clue for deeper thought, the fleeting idea in his mind faded like a dream, unable to be recalled.

"It’s getting late, we should leave."

Beside him, Wood lifted his head, his focused stare seemed as if it could pierce through the thick stone overhead to see the dimming sky outside.

Shaking his head slightly, Xia Nan also temporarily put down his chaotic thoughts, nodding in agreement.

"You two are planning to leave?"

Eight Finger spoke at the right moment, reaching out to point to the bald-headed strapping man behind him.

"Iron Head, take these gentlemen..."

But halfway through his sentence, he noticed the man bending down and frantically winking at him, making him instinctively understand.

He paused his voice, shifted his hand to point at a slender young man with a tilted neck beside Iron Head.

"Ahem, Crooked Neck, go! Lead the way for these gentlemen!"

...

The thick stench of blood mixed with the sewer’s unique rancid smell permeated the air.

Members of the Gray Badger Gang dragged their weary bodies as they cleaned up the rat corpses on the ground.

With the special period of the approaching Moon Feast, the blood and decay emanating from the corpses could easily attract some dangerous troubles, requiring prompt handling.

Additionally, the hoodlums of the Gray Badger Gang who were injured in the fight against the rats were mutually complaining as they tended to their wounds.

They didn’t have any extensive medical knowledge, only knowing from word of mouth that the damp and filthy environment they were in easily led to wound deterioration.

But without money or conditions, it was naturally impossible for the hoodlums to receive proper treatment in the above-ground clinics.

Currently, under the guidance of a few older leaders within the gang, they were peeling the unique Iron Scab Moss from the Neum sewer walls, using simple tools to crush its dark red crystals and apply it to wounds to stop bleeding and accelerate healing.

As for possible side effects... they couldn’t worry about that now.

Watching the figures of the two professionals disappear around the corner of the pipe gallery, Eight Finger finally heaved a sigh of relief.

The cautious demeanor he maintained in front of Xia Nan and his companion immediately shifted, puffing out his chest and lifting his head, resuming the demeanor of a gang leader.

He turned around and waved at Iron Head, who was raring to go ahead, displaying a deliberately kind attitude:

"You brat, spill it, what’s the good news."

Iron Head hastily stepped forward, taking out a blood-stained package from his arms and handed it to him with both hands.

"Got it from a drunkard in the tavern."

"Boss, you’ll definitely like it!"

Seeing Eight Finger’s expression slightly freeze, he quickly added,

"Don’t worry, it’s got nothing to do with those two professionals."

"Just a nobody, a loafer without any background, who could die on the street without anyone caring."

"I’ve cleaned it all up!"

Hearing Iron Head, Eight Finger’s expression relaxed.

He untied the tightly wrapped cloth.

What came into view was a palm-sized figure resembling both a sheep and a deer standing upright.