Chapter 8: Only after being caught in the rain yourself will you know how to hold an umbrella for others!

Not long after the whistle blew, Cheng Wanli and the other three arrived with a cart.

Seeing the dead crocodile dragon, they were all overjoyed.

There was nothing left for Luo Zhou to do.

The four of them loaded the crocodile dragon onto the cart, but they were in no hurry to leave.

Crocodile dragon hunting grounds almost always contained spiritual materials.

The group began to search...

Sure enough, after a short while, they found seven lotus roots. These were "Purple Qi Lotus Roots," a type of body-tempering spiritual medicine, each worth three hundred fragments of spirit stones.

Once the search was complete, the group pulled the cart together and left the area.

The crocodile dragon weighed over thirteen hundred catties, so Luo Zhou had to lend a hand as well. The five of them exerted their strength together to drag it away.

Once they dragged it out of the Baiyang Marsh, things became much easier.

They had ridden ten horses there; they brought out six to pull the cart.

The crocodile dragon was wrapped tightly in white cloth, and they specifically used the bags they had brought to pack tree branches and other debris, piling them onto the cart to avoid revealing the traces of the crocodile dragon.

Everything was ready, and Cheng Yunbo stopped riding his horse to take the reins.

This was where Zhang Chuan’s utility came in; at critical moments, he would use his martial prowess to protect the cart.

However, everyone hoped that Zhang Chuan wouldn't have to intervene, as battles always brought casualties.

Cheng Wanli and Lu Yue were also on high alert, ready for combat at any moment.

A single crocodile dragon was worth the lives of several people like Luo Zhou; even a Qi Refining cultivator would find it hard to resist making a move!

Fortunately, they were experienced and cautious throughout the journey, and by the time the afternoon Shen hour arrived, they were back outside Cuiling City.

They didn't even need to enter the city; three miles out, people were already waiting impatiently.

The major restaurants in the city had a special need for crocodile dragon meat and blood to boost their reputations.

Such ingredients were hard to find, and the prices were generous!

Cheng Wanli went over to conduct the transaction, quickly agreed on a price, and handed the cart directly to the other party.

Then, Cheng Wanli returned to gather the group and led everyone into the city.

At the Gong Family’s old shop in the city, they set up a table with good wine and food.

Everyone drank and chatted, making for a lively scene.

Every time a hunt was finished, the leader would treat the group to build rapport.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food, Cheng Wanli said

"Everyone, this time we killed a crocodile dragon and even found seven Purple Qi Lotus Roots. We’ve all made a small profit!"

He began to distribute the money: Luo Zhou took fifty percent, the organizer Cheng Wanli took twenty percent, and the others took ten percent each.

By distributing the money in red envelopes, no one knew the exact amount the others received, preventing disputes.

They were all veterans of the underworld, all had families, all knew their place, and all had a good idea of the situation, so there wouldn't be any messy business.

Luo Zhou received three thousand eight hundred and fifty fragments of spirit stones!

This was just the income from one hunt, so he didn't care at all about the little bit of spiritual grain porridge he had treated his classmates to.

There were only fragments of spirit stones, no whole spirit stones. In fact, one thousand fragments couldn't even buy a single spirit stone on the market; one had to add another seventy or eighty fragments, which was why the merchants always settled accounts using fragments.

The banquet ended, and the group dispersed.

Luo Zhou specifically packed three dishes to keep for a late-night snack.

As they were parting, Cheng Wanli said

"Everyone, take note: tomorrow night is the third night of the lunar month, and the 'Third Night Demon' is out killing families.

Everyone must be careful. Either gather a few families together or stay at a hotel or inn; that way, it’s not just one household, which breaks the Third Night Demon’s ritual of exterminating a family."

Cheng Yunbo couldn't help but say: "Those useless officials—the Third Night Demon has killed so many people, and they have no way to stop him."

"The so-called curfew, arresting anyone they see, is also useless against this demon."

Zhang Chuan shook his head and said: "This demon must be a Qi Refining cultivator who has mastered spiritual arts like Shadow Evasion, Dark Evasion, Flight Evasion, or shapeshifting; that’s why he’s so rampant and impossible to catch!"

Cheng Wanli, however, shook his head

"Some speculate that this Third Night Demon might actually be someone from the government!

A thief crying 'stop thief'—that’s why he can never be caught."

When this was said, everyone was shocked!

But it made perfect sense; this was the "darkness under the lamp," which was why he could never be caught.

"Perhaps it’s someone from the inns or restaurants, using this to do business and make money.

This demon never targets wealthy households, never targets powerful clans, never provokes the influential, and never touches cultivators; he only bullies the commoners and small families.

Perhaps, the Third Night Demon isn't even one person, but a group!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Luo Zhou felt the same. He knew better than anyone that this Third Night Demon was truly different.

Those killed by him turned into "Dead Underworld Spirits," completely unable to communicate, passing on no information, and he had no idea how it was done.

"Tonight is fine, everyone be careful tomorrow night. Also, Lu Yue, hurry and find the next crocodile dragon!"

"Don't worry, Leader. I'll continue searching tomorrow; I'll definitely find one within three days."

"Brother Lu, don't rush. Wait for my spiritual sense to recover, otherwise, it will be hard to perform the curse-kill."

"Young man, what rest? Hurry up and work hard to earn money for your bride price!"

The group chatted for a while longer before dispersing!

Luo Zhou walked home, but upon reaching his door, he found a child waiting there.

It was the Wang family child who had been beaten yesterday.

Luo Zhou took a look; he hadn't paid attention yesterday, but today he realized it was actually a girl.

She had delicate features, especially her eyes, which were exceptionally bright.

No wonder everyone called her "Ya-zi"—she really was a little girl.

The little girl from the Wang family had been waiting at the Luo family's door. Seeing Luo Zhou return, she hurriedly came over to bow.

"Thank you, big brother from the Luo family, for saving me yesterday!"

"This is the only doll my mother left me. I have nothing else, so I can only give it to you, Brother Luo, to thank you for saving my life."

After speaking, she handed over a tattered little cloth doll; it was her only memento of her mother.

Luo Zhou scolded: "What are you doing, kid? Who wants your broken doll?"

At this scolding, the little girl's eyes filled with tears, which she held back.

"Don't cry. You haven't eaten, have you?

Come in, have a bite. This is the late-night snack I prepared."

With that, he grabbed the little girl and brought her into the house, taking out food for her.

Seeing the delicious food, the little girl's eyes lit up, but she was very polite and didn't take a bite.

"You kid, hurry up and eat. If you call me 'big brother,' I'll make sure you're fed.

Back when your mother was alive, when I couldn't afford to eat, she gave me food too..."

Luo Zhou was lying; he had never met the little girl's mother!

"Really? My mother was truly a good person!"

Hearing Luo Zhou praise her mother, the little girl's eyes brightened, and she was very happy.

"Eat, hurry up and eat."

The little girl finally began to eat—braised pork, meatballs—it was so delicious that her mouth was covered in grease.

"Remember, if your dad hits you, don't just take it. Run to me; I'll help you.

Your dad won't hit you anymore; it should be fine now!"

Luo Zhou muttered.

As the little girl ate, she began to wail, tears falling.

"I can't even remember what my mother looked like anymore, but if she were alive, she would definitely have been this good to me!"

Luo Zhou sighed and said: "I'm almost forgetting what my parents from this life looked like, too!"

He whispered in a voice only he could hear

"And my mom and dad from my previous life, I can't remember them either!"

"But I know that in both my past and present lives, they were good to me!

I miss them so much!"

Only those who have been rained on themselves will hold an umbrella for others!

Once the little girl was full, she bowed to Luo Zhou and left.

Luo Zhou said: "Little girl, come back tomorrow morning to eat!"

"As long as I have a bite to eat, you'll have food too!"

"Remember, if your dad hits you, run! Come to me, and I'll protect you!"

The little girl left clutching her cloth doll. Her name really was just "Wang Xiaoya," because her father had never bothered to give her a proper name!

After sending her off, Luo Zhou continued his cultivation!

Every hour, every moment, he was cultivating!

Another day passed, and only thirty days remained!

Time ticked by, and it was almost midnight. Killing the crocodile dragon had yielded a Dead Underworld Spirit, which fit the "Crossing the Underworld Reward Law," so there would definitely be a reward.

Luo Zhou waited silently!

Suddenly, he seemed to hear: "Ah..."

Luo Zhou was stunned. It sounded like the little girl's voice?

But it didn't seem right; it wasn't a complete sound.

In the middle of the night, had the bald Old Wang gone crazy? Was he hitting the child again?

He immediately headed toward Old Wang's house.

It was almost midnight, very late, and the household was long asleep, without a single light.

Luo Zhou used his Dharma Eye to examine the area carefully, then used his "Listen-All" ability to listen for a while. The entire neighborhood was silent, peaceful, and serene, save for the sound of the night watchman in the distance.

All was well!

As it was almost the Zi hour, Luo Zhou hurried home, sat down, and continued to wait for his reward!