Chapter 79: Emergence from Seclusion


    A middle-aged, portly man approached the front desk; he was the unseen mastermind behind the Mercenary Auction House. With a demeanor of utmost respect, the man delivered a series of thank-you speeches and announced that everyone present would receive a commemorative gift. With that, the grand auction event came to a successful conclusion.


    Han Ming was led by the staff to a backroom of the auction house. There, he collected his Blood Pomegranate Stone and a third-tier fire-attribute magical beast core.


    The Blood Pomegranate Stone was encased in a special wooden box, said to best preserve its properties, while the fire-attribute magical beast core was housed in a specially made metal box.


    The auction house''s mastermind personally handed these items to Han Ming, patting his shoulder with emotion and repeatedly praising, "Such a promising young man! Friend, if you ever need anything in the future, feel free to come to the auction house. We will provide you with the most attentive service, ensuring your satisfaction. All mercenary auction houses worldwide will welcome you with open doors."


    He then presented Han Ming with a VIP card, granting him the highest level of treatment at any mercenary auction house. Additionally, he assured Han Ming that for the next month, the elderly auctioneer would personally protect him from the shadows.


    The middle-aged man, named Luo Ge, held a status far beyond Han Ming''s expectations. The Mercenary Auction House had numerous branches worldwide, and the one in the underground city was just one among many.


    Luo Ge, who happened to be inspecting the underground city''s branch, witnessed Han Ming''s lavish spending firsthand.


    Despite his high status, Luo Ge''s courtesy towards Han Ming was unusual. He had seen countless experts and influential figures, and his control over the mercenary auction houses across various continents gave him immense wealth and influence. Even kings treated him with respect.


    Most of the world''s treasures were in the hands of people like Luo Ge, who could even influence the outcome of wars between nations with a single word. His support could significantly boost a country''s military power, making his strength unfathomable.


    However, Luo Ge was also a keen judge of character. What truly interested him about Han Ming was the young man''s remarkable achievements at such a young age, indicating a limitless future. Befriending such a promising youth was beneficial for all.


    The tens of thousands of gold coins Han Ming spent on the magical beast core were insignificant to Luo Ge, a fact Han Ming was unaware of at the time.


    Luo Ge warmly expressed that Han Ming should feel free to ask for his help in the future, promising to do his utmost to assist.


    Han Ming, however, winced at the thought of spending twice the market price on the magical beast core, a whopping 200,000 gold coins, which he believed justified Luo Ge''s courtesy.


    But Han Ming was stunned when he saw Luo Ge''s departure from the underground city. Twenty massive flying magical beasts pulled a fortress of unknown material towards the city''s exit, drawing crowds who marveled at Luo Ge''s extravagance.


    These were third-tier flying magical beasts; killing one was easy, but taming one was a different story. These were no ordinary flying creatures.


    Han Ming still didn''t fully grasp the significance of Luo Ge''s goodwill towards him.


    After deducting a 10,000 gold coin service fee, Han Ming was left with 80,000 gold coins.


    Although Kulo suggested that the Blood Pomegranate Stone alone was sufficient and there was no need to buy more herbs, Han Ming insisted on purchasing all the herbs Kulo needed, totaling ten sets.


    "With the Blood Pomegranate Stone and these herbs, I might need to go into seclusion for a month. Can you guard me during this time to ensure I''m not disturbed?"


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    Kulo maintained her usual calm demeanor.


    Seeing Han Ming''s hesitation, Kulo asked, "Is there a problem?"


    Han Ming sighed, "I have many important tasks at hand, and time is tight. But since you''ve asked, I''ll see it through. By the way..." He paused, observing Kulo''s expression, "If I''m not mistaken, you have another prescription, don''t you?"


    Kulo nodded indifferently and handed Han Ming a prescription, "Yes, but you don''t need to buy the herbs listed here anymore. With the Blood Pomegranate Stone, this prescription is less important. But I''ll give it to you anyway. These three prescriptions are excellent for recovery, so keep them hidden to avoid trouble."


    Han Ming took the prescription and nodded slightly.


    With ample gold coins, Han Ming no longer needed to squeeze into the small inn with Kulo.


    They rented a large estate for a month at a cost of 1,000 gold coins.


    After paying the rent, Han Ming busied himself preparing a stone-walled basement within the estate, stocking it with all necessary items: food, herbs, thirty sets of clothes, and even some female products, which he blushingly purchased.


    Helping Kulo to the basement and lighting the wall lamps, Han Ming closed his eyes and placed his hands on Kulo''s forehead to check her injuries.


    "Your injuries are about 30% healed. You no longer need my healing spells. At this stage, all your wounds have healed, and what''s left is just the loss of vitality. Focus on your seclusion and cultivation. I''ll do my best to guard you for the month."


    After giving his instructions, Han Ming left.


    Kulo watched Han Ming''s departing figure with a complex expression.


    This young man had taken meticulous care of her, handling all her needs without ever asking for anything in return.


    "Is there really such a fool in this world who gives without seeking anything in return?" Kulo wondered.


    From a young age, almost everyone who saw her coveted her beauty, and no one approached her with pure intentions. She had learned to navigate the chaotic world, adept at the rules of survival. She didn''t believe in good people, and even if they existed, they wouldn''t give without expecting something in return.


    Han Ming was the only exception she had encountered. Now, far from beautiful, she was almost ugly. This contradicted her previous understanding.


    True to his word, Han Ming stayed close to the estate, guarding Kulo during her seclusion.


    With only six months left until the two-year agreement, Han Ming silently calculated that he still needed four fire-attribute magical beast cores and a Flame Grass to complete the materials for hunting the Xuantian Ice Silkworm. The daunting task weighed heavily on him.


    Twenty days later, a small area of the underground city became chaotic, filled with groups of mercenaries and private teams.


    Upon inquiry, Han Ming learned that a fourth-tier fire-attribute magical beast, Red Moon, had appeared in the wilderness forest above the underground city.


    This beast, with a human head, lion body, and wings, was a high-level fire-attribute creature usually found only in the Wilderness Fire Prison. Its appearance in the wilderness forest attracted much attention, as such creatures were rarely seen, and the Wilderness Fire Prison was deep within the forest''s most dangerous areas, inaccessible to most.


    The Wilderness Fire Prison bordered the mysterious Ghost Domain, a place even true experts dared not venture lightly.


    The chance of obtaining a core from a third-tier magical beast was slim, making the appearance of this fourth-tier beast in the outer parts of the wilderness forest particularly valuable.


    This news invigorated Han Ming.


    If he could kill the beast before others, he might obtain another fire-attribute core, and a fourth-tier one at that, which contained purer energy than a third-tier core. Moreover, the Red Moon''s beast soul was the most precious part.


    This creature had transcended the form of a normal beast, being more advanced than ordinary tigers, leopards, snakes, or rats. As mentioned, it had a human head, lion body, and wings, making it extremely rare. It also possessed a level of intelligence comparable to a ten-year-old human child.


    With only ten days left until Kulo''s seclusion ended, Han Ming couldn''t wait any longer.


    Leaving a note, Han Ming set off to join the vast army of hunters aiming to kill the fourth-tier magical beast.


    Ten days later, a clear cry echoed from the estate.


    A bright light burst from the stone-walled basement, and a naked figure emerged from the stone.


    Her skin was as white as snow, her eyes like clear water with a hint of allure, her eyebrows like willow leaves, her teeth like seashells, and her small mouth naturally red. She was as stunning as a peony blooming in the desert, as captivating as a phoenix rising from the flames.


    If Katarina''s beauty was a masterpiece of nature, perfect and hard to look at directly, this woman was like a work of demonic art, enchanting and soul-stirring.


    This woman was Kulo, emerging from seclusion.


    She moved gracefully, her slender arms waving as black and purple silk draped over her, accentuating her delicate waist and radiant charm.


    On the stone table outside the basement was a small basket made of wooden strips, with a note attached.


    "Had to leave on urgent business, please forgive me. We may not meet again, take care."


    Lifting the white cloth on the basket, she found exactly ten sets of the herbs listed on the third prescription, no more, no less.


    "These last ten sets of herbs must be worth 50,000 gold coins. Now he''s a pauper again."


    Thinking of Han Ming''s miserly ways, Kulo smiled faintly, a beauty that could outshine fish and geese, topple cities and states.


    Carefully folding the note and tucking it into her purple silk waistband, she lowered her head in deep thought, pondering something unknown.