Chapter 521 - 521: Raccoon Power Is Here

PS: A quick note. Old Wu previously mixed up the update order for chapters 519 and 520. This has now been corrected. If you've encountered reversed or repeated chapters, please long-press the chapter title on the table of contents page to re-download it, or just refresh a few times. My sincerest apologies!

****

Once they were on the yacht, Cheng Haoyu tossed a hiking backpack to each of them. The bags were stuffed full and heavy.

Cheng Haoyu explained, "These bags contain food, emergency medical supplies, as well as explosives and detonators. Don't worry, the last two are packed separately, so they're completely safe. I also have some weapons and tools ready on the yacht. See if there's anything that suits you and bring it along."

"Alright," Zhao Yuan and the other two agreed with a nod.

Although Cheng Haoyu's face was pale and he looked a bit drained, he was surprisingly strong. He effortlessly lifted the hiking backpack, which weighed over a hundred pounds, and slung it onto his back.

When he saw that Zhao Yuan's group hadn't moved, he was surprised. "What are you all spacing out for?" he urged. "Hurry up and put them on. Surely you can carry a hundred-odd pounds?"

"Why bother with the trouble of carrying it?" Hao Li chuckled, opening his Storage Ring Space and tossing the backpack inside.

Watching the backpack vanish mysteriously before his eyes, Cheng Haoyu finally remembered that all three of them had Storage Rings. He was overcome with envy. "Damn," he grumbled, "how could I forget you guys have Storage Rings? Fine, I'm not carrying mine either. You all can be responsible for bringing this stuff."

The three of them laughed. They opened their Storage Ring Spaces one by one and packed their hiking bags away. Zhao Yuan even helped Cheng Haoyu by storing his bag in his own Storage Ring Space.

Cheng Haoyu seized the opportunity to press him. "Brother Zhao, after this mission is over, you absolutely have to remember to make me a Storage Ring!"

"Alright, I'll remember," Zhao Yuan promised. He then turned to instruct the Bone Woman, "Go take a look at the weapons Fellow Daoist Cheng has prepared and see if there's anything that suits you."

"Yes!" the Bone Woman replied respectfully and went to select her weapons.

Cheng Haoyu couldn't help but ask, "Is she really a Bone Woman?" When Zhao Yuan nodded, he clicked his tongue in amazement. "Aren't Bone Women supposed to be skeletons? How is she such a beauty? That face, that figure... even by my standards, she's a solid 95 out of 100."

Zhao Yuan explained, "It's the effect of the Skin Painting Technique. But I suspect she looked more or less like this when she was alive."

"I see. She must have been famous when she was alive! And I'm not just talking about her good looks, but also that valiant, commanding aura—that's not something you see in an ordinary woman." Cheng Haoyu was a pretty sharp judge of character.

After a bit more conversation, Ying Ji suggested, "Shouldn't we go take a look at the weapons and tools, too?"

The other three agreed, and they all headed into the cabin together.

By this time, the Bone Woman had already selected her gear. A sharp Tang Blade was slung across her back, and she held a Compound Bow, making some adjustments. Though the bow was different from what she was used to, she adapted quickly, getting the feel for it after just a few moments. She then grabbed several quivers of arrows and, once fully equipped, stepped aside.

Even though the Bone Woman was dressed in modern attire, the moment she donned her equipment, the iron-willed aura of a Female Warrior became palpable.

Zhao Yuan looked her up and down and nodded in satisfaction before turning his gaze to the weapons and tools spread across the cabin floor.

The available weapons included bows, crossbows, blades, and swords, all of them exquisite pieces forged by master craftsmen. In addition to these traditional weapons, there were even several pistols and rifles.

Hao Li picked up a gun and looked it over. It was no shoddy piece from some underground workshop but a quality firearm from a legitimate military arsenal. He couldn't help but marvel, "You even got your hands on guns. You really are well-connected. Why not get some rocket launchers or mortars while you were at it? We could hit the Raccoon Power with a barrage of firepower first, then move in to finish it off. Wouldn't that be way easier?"

Cheng Haoyu retorted irritably, "It's a miracle I got guns at all, and you're asking for rocket launchers and mortars? If I actually tried to get my hands on that stuff, the cops would be kicking down my door in minutes! Besides, even if I got them for you, would you even know how to use them? You don't even know how to fire a gun, do you?"

Hao Li shot back, "No shit! I've never even touched a gun, so how would I know how to use one? I'm much more comfortable with a cleaver!"

With a flick of his hand, he retrieved a wooden box from his Storage Ring Space. He pressed a mechanism on top, and with a CLANG, the box unfolded into a knife rack, revealing rows upon rows of assorted cleavers.

Despite his words, he ended up taking a pistol, just in case.

Zhao Yuan already had his Wind and Thunder Whip, so he didn't need a close-quarters weapon. Besides, his role was to provide long-range harassment, so he selected a rifle. After a moment of thought, he picked up a Compound Bow as well.

Seeing him select a rifle and a bow, Cheng Haoyu quickly asked, "Do you know how to use those?" He wasn't being sarcastic; he was genuinely concerned that Zhao Yuan might have chosen the wrong weapons and could jeopardize the mission.

Zhao Yuan nodded. "I grew up hunting in the mountains with the adults. I've used a bow plenty, and I've handled my fair share of hunting rifles."

Cheng Haoyu was ecstatic. He hadn't expected Zhao Yuan to actually be capable of providing long-range fire support. Still, these weapons were different from a traditional hunting bow and rifle, so he quickly gave Zhao Yuan a brief rundown on how to use them.

Ying Ji made the same selections as Zhao Yuan, but Cheng Haoyu didn't offer her any instructions, apparently aware that she was already proficient with such weapons.

In addition to weapons, the group also grabbed some tools, like entrenching shovels, and stored everything in their Storage Rings. This way, they wouldn't have to worry about alarming the island's inhabitants and having the police called on them for carrying a bunch of gear.

「Two hours later, the speedboat arrived at Putuo Mountain.」

Putuo Mountain had relatively few tourists in the winter. The recent, intermittent "minor earthquakes" had also impacted visitor numbers, causing them to dwindle even further.

As far as the eye could see, there was only an azure sea under a blue sky, with green mountains and ancient temples... The entire island felt tranquil and serene.

After disembarking from the yacht, they followed Cheng Haoyu into a village.

The village was close to the scenic area and had a strong commercial feel. Many of the houses had been converted into guesthouses by their owners to accommodate tourists who came to sightsee or offer incense at the temples.

However, Cheng Haoyu hadn't brought Zhao Yuan and the others here to find lodging, but to lock onto the Raccoon Power's aura.

According to his intelligence, just the day before yesterday, the ground beneath a building in this very village had suddenly buckled, causing it to collapse. Two people were injured, but thankfully, no one had died.

It was clear the Raccoon Power's emergence now posed a serious threat to the lives of Putuo Mountain's residents and tourists. By hunting it, Zhao Yuan and his team would be performing a great service and ridding the people of a menace.

Just as they entered the village, they spotted the collapsed building. A few workers were inside, clearing the debris and dismantling what was left.

Just as Zhao Yuan's group was about to head over, they suddenly felt the ground shake beneath their feet. Before they could process what was happening, people began pouring out of the surrounding buildings, running for open ground and shouting, "Another fucking earthquake!"

'An earthquake? Is the Raccoon Power here?'

'It can't be this much of a coincidence, can it?'