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墨書 Inktalez
Everyone turned to look, seeing a figure parting the crowd, running towards the appraiser while holding a box.
Jia Jia watched in surprise as the newcomer approached; it was none other than Vice Captain Da Fu.
“Get this thing appraised and let it pass,” Da Fu said, adjusting his glasses and letting out a sigh of relief for arriving just in time.
The appraiser glanced at Da Fu, then turned to Qin Zhan, who silently approved. In such a public setting, having a way for both sides to save face was ideal.
The appraiser seriously instructed two Metal Balls to scan the box. Upon opening it, they discovered a dark root-like herb inside, exuding an ancient and bittersweet aroma!
“Teng She Ren Shen! A mid-level sacrificial item, Zhongmen!” the appraiser announced loudly.
Jia Jia was taken aback, and the crowd erupted into murmurs.
“Teng She Ren Shen? Isn’t that supposed to prolong life?”
“That’s a valuable item; it could fetch millions at an auction!”
“To use it for sacrifice is such a waste.” Some even cast envious glances at Da Fu, lamenting why such a treasure wasn’t theirs.
More eyes were filled with malicious intent. If this item were to leave the Lighthouse's jurisdiction, many unscrupulous individuals would likely have ill intentions. What might happen next was another story altogether.
Now that this Teng She Ren Shen was being sacrificed to the Lighthouse, it naturally became its property. Anyone daring to steal it would be opposing the Lighthouse Guard and the Lighthouse Council—a reckless act no one would dare commit, though history had seen such audacity before.
“Go ahead, Zhongmen,” Qin Zhan said to Jia Jia, his tone slightly softened.
Jia Jia looked at Da Fu, who casually raised two fingers in a salute, encouraging him to relax.
Jia Jia’s gaze drifted through the crowd to a vehicle on the outskirts, where a mounted team member nodded at him.
The young man, who had been filled with anger moments ago, suddenly thought of his mother. Without even glancing at Qin Zhan, he sheathed his dagger and silently walked towards Zhongmen.
Order at the sacrificial venue returned to normal as others continued to line up for appraisal. Jia Jia passed through the assessment of Zhongmen and headed towards the Neon Lighthouse.
The closer he got, the more Jia Jia realized that this lighthouse was much taller than he remembered. He distinctly recalled his first visit when it stood at just over a hundred meters; now it seemed to reach two hundred meters. The growth of this lighthouse was truly astonishing. Yes, growth. Every important human island in the Free Federation had a lighthouse, whether tall or short, serving as humanity's coastal defense against the giant beasts.
Lighthouses advanced and grew by collecting energy, which was common knowledge. There were many ways to gather energy, and attracting people to trade sacrificial offerings was one of them.
The structure of the Neon Lighthouse was made of an unknown metallic material, with its massive foundation deeply embedded in the ground, showcasing its towering body to the world. Its surface constantly shifted in vibrant colors, resembling a neon light, which is how it got its name.
Jia Jia ascended the platform stairs, climbing nearly a hundred steps before reaching the entrance of the lighthouse. At the entrance stood two guards clad in specialized tactical armor. They were solemn and imposing, scrutinizing Jia Jia with an unyielding gaze.
However, Jia Jia was not stopped and smoothly passed through the door into the interior of the lighthouse.
Inside, the lighthouse was as spacious as it appeared from the outside, resembling an expansive stadium that isolated all external sounds.
“Please proceed to the center,” an electronic voice commanded, gender indistinguishable.
Jia Jia complied and walked to a central circular platform in the hall. He surveyed his surroundings; vibrant energy flows danced around the lighthouse, moving up and down or spiraling clockwise, while some cascaded down like rain from above, making it hard to discern any pattern.
Before Jia Jia could fully process what was happening, an invisible force descended from the lighthouse, enveloping him in a light shield. Almost immediately, countless virtual screens appeared before him.
“Please select the sacrificial item you wish to exchange.”
The electronic voice echoed again.
Jia Jia stared at the dazzling array of virtual screens; each palm-sized screen represented a different sacrificial item. There were numerous mid-tier offerings listed on them or items slightly exceeding their value, such as a Kinetic Gun that could fire unlimited bullets but only lasted for two hours.
Or perhaps there was a Kinetic Flight Armor!
With this item, one could transform into an armored warrior while also gaining flight capabilities!
There were also techniques like Eternal Pulse Technique, intermediate gene liquids, five million in cash, a Maserati, and a Noma New Jet Aircraft…
The overwhelming choices often left people lost within this space. Many would return time and again seeking new sacrificial items, hoping to hear about higher-tier offerings where even more extraordinary items might appear. Yet those high-tier offerings were often unattainable for individuals of their level.
If there were no burdens to consider, Jia Jia would undoubtedly exchange for Fu Mai Xi Shu's techniques and some skill manuals; however… he could only choose one item.
"Trouble, I need the 'Radiation Purification Liquid,'" Jia Jia said, closing his eyes to express his needs.
The lighthouse unfolded a surrounding Light Screen that receded like a tide. In an instant, a brilliant light descended, and a metallic box floated into view before him.
Jia Jia opened his eyes and lifted the lid of the box, revealing four thumb-sized bottles of transparent Radiation Purification Liquid lying quietly inside. These four bottles were equivalent to a high-grade offering; if he were in a primary sacrifice area, he would only have received two.
He picked up the box, and a bright door opened within the lighthouse, guiding him outside.
Jia Jia did not linger. As he stepped out, he caught sight of the next person entering—a fierce-looking Mercenary or Fuser?
It was hard to tell; he just felt that this person was a seasoned warrior who had survived many battles and would not be easy to deal with. The other party didn’t spare him a glance—not because they hadn’t noticed him, but because he simply wasn’t worth their attention.
Holding the Radiation Purification Liquid he had obtained, Jia Jia passed through the exit and stepped outside. Da Fu and the horse team were waiting for him in an open-top vehicle. Without saying a word, Jia Jia climbed in silently.
The horse team drove him back to the district. When Jia Jia jumped out of the car, he glanced at his two Vice Captains, who were like brothers to him.
"Go on, say hi to Auntie for me," Da Fu waved his hand in farewell.
Jia Jia nodded as Da Fu pressed the accelerator and drove away.
There were no sentimental words, no expressions of gratitude, no formalities—this was family. Perhaps when they needed him, he would also charge forward without hesitation.
Jia Jia turned and headed upstairs. He opened the door to find the pungent smell of medicine still lingering in the room. His mother lay on the bed, coughing. Upon seeing her son return, she reached out her hand, murmuring something softly.
Jia Jia walked over, opened the box, found the sterilized injection equipment, took out a bottle of Radiation Purification Liquid, and drew it up before injecting it into his mother's arm.
After receiving the injection of Radiation Purification Liquid, her complexion became slightly more flushed. The exhaustion from her earlier coughing fit eased significantly, and her breathing steadied.
He wasn’t sure how long this bottle of Radiation Purification Liquid would last—whether it would be short or long—but four bottles would be enough for him to return from his next mission.
Jia Jia recalled a famous saying he had once seen: "We love this world; that is why we live in it."
In truth, he did not agree with this statement. He did not love this world; he only cherished certain warmths within it—like the bond of blood that ties family together, the love that feels like a grand feast for the spirit, and the precious friendships forged through shared hardships—all created by people themselves.
The world has always been cold and indifferent to humanity, showing no concern for fairness, and has even become an enemy of mankind.
Since the Great Catastrophe, strange mutated mists have become commonplace in this world. Among them, the Green Acid Rain in the southwestern seas of the Free Federation lasts for four to five months each year. To raise their child, parents work tirelessly in the Green Acid Rain area, donning rain gear to toil for heartless corporations, earning meager wages to survive. The father lost his life there, and the mother, whose health had deteriorated significantly, was laid off by the company and forced to leave. However, the long-term exposure to the working environment and the radiation from the Green Acid Rain had already seeped into her aging body, leading to her current state.
The lighthouse can purify, but it requires a top-tier sacrifice!
He could only offer items in exchange for Radiation Purification Liquid to delay the effects of radiation.
Watching his mother gradually calm her cough and fall into a peaceful sleep, Jia Jia packed up his things and went out to the balcony corridor. He looked at the empty outside world, where a bright moon hung in the sky. With a middle finger raised towards it, he bowed his head to light a cigarette and sat silently in the corridor, smoking.
Under the moonlight, the bustling city still shone brightly with its vibrant lights, as if celebrating a prosperous era. The beauty of Liuguang was overwhelming.
Da Fu drove through the colorful streets and finally stopped in front of a hospital. He slammed on the brakes and jumped out of the car, vacating the driver’s seat.
“Really anxious, aren’t you?” Ma Dui teased as he moved into the driver’s seat. “Alright, I’m going to be a godfather.”
“Sure, but you have to give a big red envelope,” Da Fu adjusted his glasses calmly.
“Have you thought about names yet?”
“If it’s a girl, she’ll be called Hui Yan; if it’s a boy, Life History,” Da Fu replied with a smile, looking quite confident.
Ma Dui nodded at these names and gave a thumbs up. “As expected from our team’s most knowledgeable mechanic. Once Jiang Yu brings those two ‘lives’ over here, we can celebrate properly.”
Da Fu Ge ignored him and turned away, heading straight towards the maternity ward on the third floor with familiar ease.
He arrived at a darkened delivery room and saw a pregnant woman getting up to pour water. Swiftly moving forward, he snatched the teapot from her hands and poured water for her himself.
The pregnant woman was momentarily stunned but then recognized her husband as he poured water for her. A bit sulkily, she leaned against her waist and returned to bed.
Da Fu grinned like a child as he held out the water, blowing on it continuously to cool it down.
Seeing his face made her unable to stay angry; she took the water and began blowing on it herself before commanding him, “My feet are cold; rub them for me.”
“Understood, my dear wife!” Da Fu Ge carefully helped her onto the bed, then found a stool to sit beside her. He gently cradled her feet in his lap, kneading them with just the right amount of pressure, looking quite pleased with himself.
“Look at you, acting all foolish. If the child turns out like you, I won’t let you off easily,” the pregnant woman complained.
“Not at all, not at all! The child will definitely take after their mother—smart and clever, with bright eyes and a lovely smile!” Da Fu Ge corrected her earnestly.
Instantly, the pregnant woman was amused to the point of being speechless. She playfully kicked him with her foot. “I’m not talking to you; I’m going to sleep. You can figure things out by yourself.”
“Hey, I’ll be waiting in the hallway. Call me if you need anything,” Da Fu Ge said respectfully, like a devoted servant, before scampering out to find a place to rest.
Several new mothers in the adjacent beds looked enviously at the pregnant woman being attended to by Da Fu Ge, shaking their heads and sighing. Without comparison, there is no harm.
Outside the hospital, the horse team watched as that foolish brother, brimming with excitement at becoming a father, turned into a devoted husband. They couldn’t help but laugh, genuinely happy for him. Perhaps for people like them, the best kind of love isn’t passionate and intense but rather a gradual transformation into familial affection.
After feeling a bit melancholic while finishing a cigarette, he started his car and pressed the gas pedal, heading home.
At the end of his journey, someone was waiting for him to return home.
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