Chapter 145 - 109: Big News

Chapter 145: Chapter 109: Big NewsJing Ji immediately said, "I don’t need any compensation. Without you, I would have been dead." "Same here," Yuan Chongzhen declared. Alex placed Demon Sound in front of Ji Xinghuo. "You killed the Dagon people, avenging the deaths of my two teammates and saving my life. This sword rightfully belongs to you. As for the bounty, it will be divided equally among the four of us; do not refuse your share." "Forget about the bounty," Ji Xinghuo said unreservedly as he stored the Demon Sound into his Dimension Stomach. "I only want this sword." Seeing his resolute attitude, the others didn’t insist further. Ji Xinghuo handed the backpack to Jing Ji. "Our previous spoils of war, including the Dagon person’s head, are all in there." Jing Ji opened the backpack and took out the head of the Dagon person, releasing a stench of blood. Even though it was dead, the three of them still turned pale. Jing Ji looked at Alex and asked, "What about our bet?" "You won," Alex replied without hesitation. On the current points board, Jing Ji’s team was leading by a few dozen points. The Dagon person could be exchanged for 3000 points, to be shared equally among the four, leaving Jing Ji still in the lead. Furthermore, Jing Ji had spoils from a kill the day before, whereas Alex had come back empty-handed. "I will keep my promise, publicly acknowledge your victory, and then withdraw from Midpoint Fortress," Alex stated calmly, showing no annoyance at his loss. Jing Ji was not jubilant about his victory either. "We joined forces to kill a Legendary being. Even though you lost the bet, public opinion won’t trouble you," Yuan Chongzhen consoled. "I don’t care about public opinion, it’s just..." Alex’s face finally showed a trace of sorrow as both his teammates had died. The three men remained silent. In the Star Realm, whether hunting or combating enemies, the danger to life was substantial, and casualties among teammates were common; people got used to it after seeing it enough times. Alex usually acted alone, and the rare time he formed a team, he ended up as the only survivor. The anguish in his heart was imaginable. "Try to see it in perspective," Jing Ji sighed. "We bounty hunters are always prepared for the possibility of dying anytime, it’s not your fault." Alex’s expression was wooden, and he didn’t speak. The four casually ate something and then headed to the bounty office. It was only Star Night tonight. But there were still several hours until dawn, also the deadline for this month’s points tally. Most bounty hunters had not returned from the field; some were gathered in the bounty hall, having heard that Ji Xinghuo’s team was back, and came to witness the excitement. There were also a dozen reporters and self-media bloggers from Earth who were following the outcomes of the bet, so they had arrived early to wait in the bounty hall. Jing Ji came to the counter, dumped out the spoils, and lastly brought out the head of the Dagon person. The pattern on the scalp of the Dagon person clearly identified their rank. "Legendary!" "Legendary Dagon person..." The bounty hunters present gasped in shock, all stunned. The staff member, frightened by the head of a Legendary, retreated, still in shock, said they needed to consult their superiors, and then ran into the office at the back. "Is this really a Legendary?" one bounty hunter asked, skepticism emerging after the initial shock. Everyone knew just how terrifying the strength of a Legendary was. If ten Super Mutants teamed up against a Legendary, even if they were the top-tier Super Mutants and the opponent was the weakest Legendary, the odds would still be heavily against them. A true fight for their lives! How then could four Super Mutants kill a Legendary? No, actually six. Only then did the bounty hunters notice, two teams had merged, but there were only four people left; Alex’s two teammates were missing. Moreover, Jing Ji’s four-member team looked in bad shape, all injured and appearing very frail. "It must be true." "They did it, they killed a Legendary Dagon person." "But the cost was high." Some were puzzled about why Jing Ji and Alex would work together since they had a bet. The reporters and self-media bloggers’ eyes shone with excitement. Big news! A reporter stepped forward and asked, "Mr. Jing, I am a reporter with the Asia-Pacific Star News. Did you and your team kill a Legendary Dagon person?" "Yes," Jing Ji nodded. The reporter wanted to ask more, but Jing Ji interrupted, "I am not available for an interview right now, but I will clarify the situation to everyone later." The other reporters and bloggers had no choice but to move back, but not before snapping photos of the scene. The flashlights in the bounty hall kept flashing continuously. Ji Xinghuo was also photographed, but he didn’t mind; he had enabled "Image Protection" in his "Personal Network Privacy Security" settings, which automatically pixelated his face in photos uploaded online, preventing the disclosure of his appearance. Soon, Director Li of the bounty office came out and was also surprised to see the head of a Dagon person on the counter. He examined it closely and confirmed, "Indeed, it’s Legendary!" The bounty hunters and reporters all boiled over with excitement. Director Li said, "Mr. Jing Ji, Legendary strongmen are a major matter. I need to report this to General Wang, please wait a moment." After saying this, he hurriedly left. Jing Ji looked around at the people and said, "Now, you can ask any questions you have." The reporters swarmed up and surrounded him. Ji Xinghuo stepped aside, watching Jing Ji handle the reporters and self-media bloggers. Everyone was most concerned about how they killed the Legendary Dagon person. Jing Ji briefly described the encounter, including how they met Alex and what happened to Alex and his teammates—they fought a bloody battle against the enemy to survive, finally winning with great difficulty. Earlier, at the restaurant, it had been decided that Jing Ji would not highlight Ji Xinghuo’s role in the battle, describing it as a collective effort of the four. No one in the audience doubted this account. A few bounty hunters killing a Legendary strongman was a news story much more sensational than any bet, capable of attracting a hundredfold more traffic! Not much later, Director Li came back and said, "Gentlemen, General Wang wants to meet you." Ji Xinghuo and his companions followed Director Li out of the bounty hall and headed to a barracks in the Second Level urban area. They passed through several checkpoints and guards and entered a command room located at the center of the barracks, where they met a middle-aged man in military uniform, with several adjutants standing beside him. "General Wang," Jing Ji greeted him first. Aside from Ji Xinghuo, the three others had already met this Vice Admiral Wang Zhengwu, the Commander of the Ninth Group Army of the Star Realm Army stationed at Midpoint Fortress. This was Ji Xinghuo’s first time seeing him in person. However, over the past two months at the Midpoint Fortress, magnetic field sensing had made him aware of many Legendary strongmen, including the General Wang before him now. The magnetic field strength of Wang Zhengwu was second only to Zeus, many times stronger than the Legendary Dagon person he himself had killed. As expected, Wang Zhengwu was at the Legendary Second Dan. And there was a very high chance he was at the pinnacle of Legendaries, just a notch below a Heavenly King. Wang Zhengwu had a striking appearance, looking to be in his forties, but in reality, he was over ninety years old, showing no signs of aging, more energetic than any young person, sturdy in build, with bright eyes, and harboring tremendous strength within. "Please, take a seat," he said. Wang Zhengwu’s smile was gentle; he wasn’t in a rush to see the head of the Dagon person. His gaze fell on Ji Xinghuo. With a hint of curiosity, he asked, "Are you Ji Xinghuo?" Sёarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes, General," Ji Xinghuo nodded calmly. "Last month your points ranked first. I heard you were still an Intermediate Ranger, and I was somewhat skeptical. Now having seen you in person, I see that indeed a hero comes from youth," Wang Zhengwu commented meaningfully. Without waiting for Ji Xinghuo’s response, he turned to Jing Ji and said, "Let’s see the trophy." Jing Ji placed the Dagon person’s head on the table. "General, please look." Wang Zhengwu’s expression turned serious, and the faces of a few adjutants beside him showed slight changes. "Baiyin Gu." Wang Zhengwu mentioned a name clearly derived from transliteration, "I have seen this Dagon person before. He was transferred to the frontline of Beiluo Shimen a few years ago, having just advanced to Legendary not long ago. He had considerable strength; I didn’t expect him to die at your hands." "Well done!" Wang Zhengwu was pleased and then curiously asked, "How did you manage it?" Jing Ji repeated the process he had described to the reporters. Wang Zhengwu listened attentively. When Jing Ji narrated how the four had fought together and Ji Xinghuo had delivered the fatal blow to Baiyin Gu, his eyebrows slightly rose as he glanced at Ji Xinghuo but said nothing. "Li," Wang Zhengwu ordered after listening, "Proceed according to the regulations—give them one billion in rewards and 3000 points." Director Li immediately responded, "Yes, General." "The points for the month will be settled tomorrow. I will have a reward list drawn up for you to choose from," Wang Zhengwu said and then left with his adjutants. Ji Xinghuo and his companions watched him leave. However, what Ji Xinghuo didn’t know was that on his way back to the fortress headquarters, Wang Zhengwu said to an adjutant, "Go to that swamp now and bring back Baiyin Gu’s body." Within an hour. Wang Zhengwu was presented with Baiyin Gu’s body. He personally examined the headless corpse and soon noticed many details. There were more than twenty arrow wounds on Baiyin Gu’s body, very concentrated, along with extensive signs of electric shocks and burns. Most injuries were inflicted by the same person. Only a wound on the back was caused by a huge blade, likely by Blood Butcher’s Blood Blade. The final blow that killed Baiyin Gu was a war blade thrust into his heart, with high voltage almost completely destroying it, killing him instantly. Along with Baiyin Gu’s body, a broken Dragon Falcon Eagle Bow and several arrows were also brought back. An adjutant also made a trip to the hospital to inquire about the doctors who treated Jing Ji and others, and came back with a detailed report on their injuries. Wang Zhengwu learned that Ji Xinghuo had once had his hand severed, but nothing seemed amiss when he met him previously. He couldn’t help shaking his head repeatedly. "The young people of today really are something!" he exclaimed. After expressing his admiration, Wang Zhengwu instructed the adjutant beside him, "Now go back to Earth for a while, access Ji Xinghuo’s public records, but keep it low key. Just report back to me."