CHAPTER 1146: SECTION 707: HOMETOWN (4)_2

If Malin truly wanted to purify them, all it would take is a look.

But considering that these souls rarely move from their spot, Malin recorded their locations, so he could later advise the people of New Hangzhou, ensuring they don’t set up camp in a haunted nest during desperate times.

At dawn, Malin noticed the channel was expanding, and Lady Haitang chirped, signaling that they had arrived at New Hangzhou.

She was somewhat apprehensive, but Malin comforted her, even catching several rounds of 90-caliber artillery fire by hand, before finally the foolish gunner was kicked down from the lookout tower to the open patrol ship’s fore artillery platform by the sailors.

When Malin approached with Lady Haitang, everyone aboard the patrol ship gathered at the window, several old sailors recognized Lady Haitang, and without hesitation brought out a zombie.

As for the gunner, he was tied naked at the bow, doing his best to retract a certain organ so that the small fish leaping from the water wouldn’t bite anything with their mouths.

As Lady Haitang’s current keeper, Malin stopped them from feeding her, then signaled for them to let go of the unfortunate gunner... ah, he was bitten.

"Really sorry, legendary Lord from Westland, for this embarrassment." As the sailors took down the crying gunner from the bow, the captain felt a bit awkward - after all, there’d been no precedent of hungry little fish biting his crew before.

Malin smiled, waved his hand indicating it was no problem, then decided to meet Sage Yu.

"Sage Yu returned yesterday; he should still be around. Let me guide you."

Considering safety, Malin had the patrol ship lead ahead while comforting the yet unfed Lady Haitang, emphasizing the sizes of wild game like wild boars, deer, and the heavenly beasts to keep her faith in Malin.

Lady Haitang felt the wishful painting Malin made with Spiritual Energy, calming down once more.

Arriving at the harbor area, Malin saw Sage Yu jumping off a flying boat, expressing some surprise at Malin returning aboard the renowned Lady Haitang of New Hangzhou.

In his words, he knew of Lady Haitang’s existence but wasn’t aware that the Giant Salamander was indeed Lady Haitang.

Malin jumped ashore and explained to Sage Yu about the zombies in his hometown - after a night’s thought, Malin felt these zombies must’ve been enlightened by the old dean, hence their human-like semblance.

After hearing Malin’s explanation, Sage Yu understood Malin’s stance of not feeding the zombies - indeed, Thainan Union had bio-humans who understood human speech, mostly in the North and West regions, not in the South yet, but who knows.

Malin’s seduction of Lady Haitang posed no problem for Sage Yu either - in New Hangzhou’s aquaculture industry, keeping a Giant Salamander wasn’t much. Sage Yu even thought if they could raise some Giant Salamanders as water spirits, it would be wonderful - see, Giant Salamanders had no natural enemies in this area’s waters, swam fairly fast, and most importantly, could hunt their own prey on land.

As for Giant Salamanders eating zombies, it was because humans always fed zombies to them, not that true Giant Salamanders couldn’t ambush beasts on the shore.

"I told her zombies aren’t tasty. If possible, let the adventurers know not to feed zombies. If they have the courage, they can visit this coordinate, my hometown, where perhaps even zombies might accept food trade." Malin added with some reluctance: "For initial transactions, I’d help oversee until trust is established, then I’ll handle their security. Any attack on them will trigger my retaliation, make sure all adventurers understand this clearly."

"That’s no problem, I’ll also inform adventurers and those outside the city that malicious intent from a Legendary rank would make them think thrice before wrongdoing."

With that assurance, Malin turned, first pulling out a deer from his semi-plane, one of the first stags he collected. Although the meat was slightly old, its size was an advantage. Malin helped Lady Haitang process the deer, skillfully cutting it open first with its organs fed, then the legs, and finally the skin - the deer’s head given as a small gift to the patrol ship’s captain.

The middle-aged man gratefully accepted the small gift.

Lady Haitang ate with great pleasure. She could spray strong acid; digestion was no problem. Her delight was because this was far tastier than zombies.

This also proved that, for her, trusting Malin and waiting was acceptable.

Though one deer wasn’t enough to fully satiate her, Sage Yu already arranged for several more sheep to be transported from the farm - these were given to Lady Haitang after being sheared.

After feeding the lady well, Malin arranged for her to stay at an exclusive berth in the harbor area where it was quiet, with a portable sunshade, perfect for Lady Haitang to rest.

After ensuring she was asleep, Malin followed Sage Yu to the hospital - Konen, the unlucky fellow, woke up early today. His last memory was the moment he removed his mask.

In Konen’s words, he regretted it greatly, but the deed was done. Thankfully, everyone brought him back.

"By the way, do you still recall the taste?" Malin asked as they prepared to leave.

Then he saw Konen start foaming at the mouth, the unfortunate boy’s entire body data alarming - according to Sage Yu, before today, only thirty-plus sets of data samples for a sane bio-human were obtained, meeting a Westland bio-human was unprecedented, so Konen resided in a special pre-catastrophic ward, and thus as the boy collapsed, doctors and nurses rushed in to perform emergency aid.

Malin cast a perplexed look at Sage Yu, who sighed: "You’ve wounded this child’s mind."

Malin pondered incessantly without finding reason, ultimately sighing deeply before being ushered out by the doctors like Sage Yu.

Since Konen temporarily couldn’t wake up, Malin followed Sage Yu to the commerce guild, finding a grain caravan from the Northern grain-producing area. They planned to head west; Sage Yu mentioned Malin’s hometown, intending business with zombies. The middle-aged caravan leader shook his head vigorously.

"This is the dual Legendary, Lord Malin from Westland. He has ties with the zombies there. I can accompany you on this matter." Sage Yu vouched passionately for Malin, with the Sage’s strong guarantee and Malin showcasing his prowess - notably using a World Tree Sapling cane to strike the lions statue from the commercial area skyward, never to be seen.

"Power conversion quantified at least 40 points," the leader’s aide approached, whispering.

The voice was soft, but Malin knew not only him, but Sage Yu also heard it.

With such strength, New Hangzhou might not find a second one, so the leader immediately expressed willingness - the caravan would stand firm alongside Sage and the legendary lord.

Need them? Friends, by my side you only hinder my fists.

Malin was still muttering when his aide respectfully handed over a business card.

Thainan Union Jiangnan District Yangtai City Seventeenth Street Spiral Boat Trading Company.

Malin confirmed twice, realizing the card was authentic.

Shaking hands with the eager aide, Malin still felt some doubt, handing the card to Sage Yu.

"Why does this business name feel so lengthy?"

"Jiangnan folks, they’re always like this." Sage Yu answered matter-of-factly.