He stood, gazing through the spotless window at the crowded scene outside. “Old An, have you ever considered that we’ll all die?”
Caught off guard by this shift, Old An paused before responding. “When the apocalypse began, I thought daily about death. But as I evolved, gained and advanced my craftsman profession, earned respect, and no longer needed to hunt… I haven’t contemplated death in ages.”
“This may be our difference. You’re both the finest craftsman and the strongest evolved. I can sit indoors crafting gear, while you constantly face challenges. You confront death; I’ve forgotten it.”
He too rose, stepping beside Ye Zhongming.
“Though we’re both eight-star evolved, at first glance, I knew the gap between us was vast—not just in strength, but in perspective, understanding, and foresight.”
Perhaps meeting the region’s top figure prompted Old An to voice these reflections so soon.
“Since you mention death, something must have alarmed you. Whatever threatens the region’s strongest is beyond me.” Old An chuckled self-deprecatingly, without resentment—just acceptance.
“Then I won’t ask. I’m too old for such burdens.” He pointed outside. “I’ll handle negotiations for those unwilling to release the children.”
Ye Zhongming suddenly found this elder quite intriguing—measured, wise.
Old An nodded in understanding. “You’re taking them to the north. Many likely won’t return.”
“Hope can’t just be hope—it must be hope tempered by survival of the fittest.”
They returned to the table. Ye Zhongming asked what else there was.
“Two more matters where I’d ask your help.”
“Go ahead.”
Old An began with the first, which surprised Ye Zhongming.
This high-level craftsman was inviting him to craft a piece of equipment jointly.
“It’s like this: long ago, I had an adventure and obtained two blueprints—unique, single-use ones.”
Ye Zhongming indicated understanding. He’d encountered such items before, like the fixed-formula blueprint from Zhang Dalong in Tree Corpse City—the essence water that granted him a second life had been a one-time recipe.
“The first produced the energy-link foundation I used in the Four Dragon Heads. The second was delayed due to the lack of materials until recently, when I finally gathered everything.”
Old An looked both excited and wistful.
“But crafting this item requires five craftsmen, each completing separate components before assembling them for the final product.”
Ye Zhongming grew intrigued—he’d never heard of such a method.
Any blueprint requiring five craftsmen’s collaboration must be extraordinarily valuable, yielding something remarkable.
But Ye Zhongming didn’t inquire further. Having made this request, Old An would surely explain—just not necessarily now.
As Ye Zhongming had noted earlier, in the apocalypse, everyone trusted themselves first. Old An likely wouldn’t reveal everything prematurely, remaining guarded even toward the King of Cloud Peak. Had their conversation not gone so well, he might not have made this request at all.
Yet unexpectedly, while Old An didn’t disclose the item, he stated that upon completion, he wanted Ye Zhongming to purchase it.
“Hearing this, it must be exceptional. Why not keep it yourself?”
Ye Zhongming voiced his confusion.
Old An smiled wryly, touching his nose. “Of course, I’d prefer keeping it. But I can’t—possession breeds envy! Something this outstanding would tempt many. On the national rankings—this would be conspicuously top five, maybe top three—in my hands, I wouldn’t last two months.”
That remarkable? Ye Zhongming recognized Old An’s modesty—since top-ranking gear mostly belonged to him, the elder was being polite. But he inferred this equipment might rank second, surpassed only by the mysterious seven-colored-grade Gate of Sacrifice.
Second-place gear? Superior to Wind and Thunder?
Ye Zhongming’s interest deepened.
“But I have conditions. Agree, and I’ll craft it and then sell it to you. Refuse, and I’ll sell you the blueprint outright—cheaper—for you to craft yourself.”
This left Ye Zhongming exasperated. “Old An, just tell me what it is. The more you say, the more confused I get.”
Yet instead of clarifying, Old An pivoted to the third matter.
“Black Dragon City is my home—I’ve lived here my whole life. Now it faces a crisis from foreign forces. I beg your intervention. With your help, this threat would surely be resolved.”
This final request—to aid Black Dragon City—was expected. Their brief interaction had shown Ye Zhongming Old An’s decent character. Even Xiao Xuan waived fees for the city’s sake; surely this elder would contribute.
As Black Dragon City’s de facto top figure, Old An’s request came as no surprise.
“Of course, not for nothing. I’ve seen your intelligence requests to Yan Shuangfei’s group. I can fulfill those—in greater detail—plus provide guides and coordinate friendly northern factions to assist you.”
Ye Zhongming’s eyes lit up. For someone claiming to avoid hunting and prefer comfort, Old An’s influence extended beyond the region!
If true, this northern expedition might prove far smoother.
Already inclined to help, Ye Zhongming agreed immediately.
However, as they prepared to discuss the equipment and northern intelligence further, Ye Zhongming’s expression changed. He glanced northward, sensing something intently for two seconds before turning back. “Trouble’s coming!”