Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

Liu Xingmo quickly invited his fourth uncle in.

The middle-aged man sat in the chair, looking somewhat uneasy. He had wanted to say something, but it remained unspoken, and he didn't know how to utter it.

Liu Xingmo casually said, "The matter of that spirit stone is not important. If the patrol team needs it urgently, then let them use it."

"It's definitely wrong to have borrowed this for so many years. But the situation is a bit complicated." Uncle Si's face darkened as he said this. "Alas! It's all my fault. I have a brother's son who was seriously injured in an accident and can only be kept alive by a special machine. That machine requires a spirit stone to operate. So I borrowed that spirit stone from your father, and I never expected that I would borrow it for so many years."

Upon hearing about the serious injuries and the machine, Liu Xingmo basically understood the situation. This kind of thing was so common, whether in his past or present life.

He reached out and patted his fourth uncle on the shoulder: "It's alright, as long as he's still alive. Use the spirit stones for now, I'm not short of money right now."

Hearing this, Fourth Uncle looked around the dimly lit and messy stone room, feeling even more ashamed: "You're such a sensible child, it makes me forget that you lost your parents when you were young. Xiao Mo, give me a little more time, and I will definitely get back everything I owe you."

"Is your friend's child alright?"

"He's about to break through to the second tier, and all his injuries will heal by then, allowing him to remove the machine. It should be around the middle of next year. Xiao Mo, don't worry, let me ask him for the spirit stone usage fees for the past nine years." After saying this, Fourth Uncle stood up abruptly.

Liu Xingmo also stood up: "Fourth Uncle! Don't have any unpleasantness with the team, take care of yourself first!"

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Despite attempts to persuade him to stay, Fourth Uncle left overnight.

The square-faced man, dressed in a rat-skin coat, rode a tabby cat and disappeared into the dim stone path between the cliffs.

Liu Xingmo couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

Money is the thing that hurts people's feelings the most.

He closed the door, brewed a pot of tea to refresh himself, and then pounced on his desk to dredge up the troublesome paperwork.

About half an hour later, the knocking sounded again.

Liu Xingmo got up in confusion and opened the door.

A gaunt middle-aged man stood outside the door, wearing a tattered linen robe with layers of patches on his cotton-padded jacket underneath.

The man asked, "Are you Liu Jingli's nephew?"

"Yes, who are you?"

"My name is Guo Qikai. I'm sorry I'm too late. I've come for your spirit stone."

The man unbuttoned his collar, revealing his neck. However, what supported his head was not a spine and flesh, but a dark, metallic component.

"As you can see, my spine was severely injured, and I should have been completely paralyzed. It is thanks to this imported pseudo-bone that I am able to survive..."

The man spoke calmly, without self-pity or trying to gain sympathy.

Liu Xingmo exclaimed in surprise, "Imported goods are so advanced? Where did they come from? I thought trains and ships were the most advanced machines..."

The man was taken aback by this strange brain circuit, then carefully explained: "It comes from a large trading guild that spans multiple countries, and it utilizes technologies from both the Yin and Li countries."

Liu Xingmo clicked his tongue in amazement: "Incredible! A machine, plus spirit stones that can automatically absorb and store spiritual energy, is almost like a semi-automatic perpetual motion machine!"

The man bowed his head solemnly: "I am so grateful to your parents for lending me this spirit stone, which prevented me from withering and rotting in bed. I have accepted their kindness for so many years, yet I have never inquired about your situation; I am truly sorry!"

"Uh..." Liu Xingmo rubbed his hair. "So, Guo Qikai, what do you need me for?"

"I'll sell everything I own to pay you back for all the rent I've paid over the years! Please give me another six months, and I'll return the spirit stones to you then!" Guo Qikai's tone was quite solemn, and he wasn't faking it at all.

Liu Xingmo was even more confused: "My fourth uncle just came by and he was talking about this..."

"What did he say?"

"Just like you said, return my spirit stones in six months, and first get me the usage fee."

"He didn't tell me anything!" Guo Qikai clenched his fists in frustration. "I only found out that the spirit stones belonged to your family by overhearing his conversation with the old constable. I secretly followed him today and that's how I found this place..."

"Hmm? Could it be that Fourth Uncle intends to take on everything alone?" Liu Xingmo asked, his mind racing. "By the way, how is my Fourth Uncle's friend, your father, doing?"

"He sacrificed himself in the line of duty a long time ago! That's why I was able to enter the government office with my meager strength. Over the years, thanks to the help of those old uncles, I've barely managed to climb to the first-level perfection position and have a chance to advance to the second level."

Guo Qikai closed his eyes, a complex expression on his thin face. He then murmured to himself:

"I understand now. Those old men are planning to secretly raise a sum of money as compensation without my knowledge... This can't be done, it shouldn't be like this, I owe them so much..."

The man suddenly opened his eyes, grabbed Liu Xingmo's shoulder, and said, "I'll make up for everything I owe you! Is two thousand yuan enough for the rental fee? I'll pay you back within ten days! I'll also return the spirit stones next July! Please help me refuse your fourth uncle and his family!"

"Okay, that's settled then," Liu Xingmo readily agreed.

"Okay, please!" The man put on his tattered cotton-padded coat and robe, then turned and walked into the darkness.

"Wait! How are you going to scrape together two thousand yuan?" Liu Xingmo asked.

"Heh..." Guo Qikai turned around, a bitter smile on his face. "I'm such a jinx, I've brought bad luck to my whole family, leaving me all alone. My grandmother just passed away this year, leaving behind an old house in Midtown..."

"A house in Midtown? Don't bother reselling it, I'll keep it."

"It's not a nice house. It's on the edge of the city, almost in the mountains. It was originally used as a warehouse, so it's not suitable for living."

"That would be even better! That's exactly what I'm looking for. Take me to see it sometime, and if you think two thousand is too little, I'll give you some more money."

"You..." Guo Qikai turned to face Liu Xingmo, bowing deeply once more. "I won't thank you enough. If you ever need my help again, please come to me!"

"It's just a matter of mutual benefit, don't take it to heart."

Guo Qikai arranged a time and place to meet the next day, then wrapped his clothes tightly and disappeared into the dim stone path between the cliffs.

Liu Xingmo sat back down at his desk, reflecting on the day's events.

He picked up a clean sheet of paper and began to write furiously.

The dim light illuminated the fountain pen, its silvery nib dancing across the paper, leaving behind beautiful characters.

Su Mali curiously leaned closer: "Xingmo, what are you writing?"