“Mr. Flying Eagle, you don't seem to have much confidence in me!?”
A trace of displeasure appeared on Ada's face the moment Jack questioned her.
Lu Hao crossed his arms and watched the scene, not intending to intervene to ease the tension between the two, content to watch Jack eat crow.
“Jack, don't underestimate Ada. She has a deep understanding of the Sahara Desert. Professor Busi often praises Ms. Ada's professional skills, so I believe she can successfully lead you to retrieve this batch of gold.”
Seeing the friction between Jack and Ada, the Earl stepped in to smooth things over.
Jack shrugged and said, “Sorry, I always plan for the worst and hope for the best when doing anything.”
Ada's brow furrowed, and she retorted without hesitation, “With sufficient understanding, planning, and preparation for any undertaking, coupled with improvisation, there's no need for such helplessness.”
“That may be true, but my past experience has taught me that something called ‘unforeseen circumstances’ exists.”
“But I have already factored in unforeseen circumstances. Of course, some failures like to use them as excuses…”
“I…”
Watching the two continue their argument like daggers pointed at each other, Lu Hao softly clapped his hands. Excellent, truly excellent. It was rare to see Jack eat crow, it was truly enjoyable.
“Stop arguing, both of you. I expect you to cooperate fully and complete this mission together.”
The Earl’s words silenced the pointless bickering between Jack and Ada.
“It's an honor to work with someone as confident as Ms. Ada.”
“Likewise.”
The Earl watched the two, their words insincere, shook his head, and then turned to Colonel Bird. “Colonel Bird, please show Mr. Flying Eagle the keys to the base.”
After examining the keys, Jack asked some questions about the treasure base. Lu Hao listened attentively. This information included the location of the hidden gold and some related details, which would be very helpful for him to locate the treasure.
After getting his answers, Ada grabbed her laptop and prepared to leave, scheduling a meeting with Jack at the library the next morning at ten.
There was a small incident before she left. Ada gave everyone present a cheek kiss, except for Jack. Then she stormed off.
Watching Jack, who was dumbfounded as he stretched out his neck for a cheek kiss, Lu Hao chuckled and teased, "Jack, it's exciting to eat crow once in a while."
“The problem is this isn’t the first time I’ve eaten crow.”
Jack looked at Lu Hao helplessly. He had suffered many losses at Lu Hao's hands, to say nothing of the others.
“Say, is Ada your ideal type? I see you two heading toward becoming a love-hate couple.”
Lu Hao winked at Jack, his tone playful.
“Get lost!”
Jack's face turned black. He had no interest in a dominant woman like Ada.
Cooperation is one thing, but romance is taking things too far.
After spending some time at the castle, the two left the estate and checked into a nearby hotel.
【Ding, new mission being issued…】
【Golden Treasure: Venture into the Sahara Desert and retrieve the majority of the gold from the Golden Treasure.】
【Ding, does the host accept the mission!?】
As soon as they settled into their hotel room, a cold, mechanical system notification echoed in Lu Hao’s mind.
“Does it even need to be asked?”
He smiled slightly. Obtaining the Golden Treasure was already within his plans. Once he got his hands on that gold, he would basically be set for life.
Two hundred and forty tons of gold! That would be enough for him to live lavishly for three lifetimes.
“Accept the mission!”
With that thought, he accepted the mission without hesitation.
【Ding, mission accepted successfully. Congratulations, host, you have received a mission document – Desert Survival Guide X1!!】
As the system’s cold prompt sounded, a massive amount of knowledge about desert survival surged into Lu Hao's mind.
Detailed information about the Sahara Desert, water condensation techniques, desert flora and fauna encyclopedia, sandstorm protection guide…
In an instant, Lu Hao transformed from a novice to an expert in desert survival.
He felt terrifyingly powerful now. Desert survival seemed as simple as a walk in the park.
Knock knock!!
At that moment, a knock came at his door. Through the peephole, he saw that it was Jack.
“Jack, what’s up!?”
Lu Hao opened the door, invited Jack in, and poured him a glass of water.
“Lu Hao, the Sahara Desert is fraught with dangers, and this mission involves the machinations of various countries. It is very likely that mercenaries will be involved, and you could be killed at any time. So I hope you won’t participate.”
Jack put down the glass and explained the danger of the mission to Lu Hao with a serious expression.
“The Sahara Desert is dangerous!?”
Lu Hao’s expression was strange. “Jack, don’t you know I’m a desert survival expert?”
“Uh… uh!?”
Jack looked at Lu Hao with a face full of question marks. When did you become a desert survival expert?
“Jack, do you know how to get water in the desert? Do you know which scorpions are edible in the desert? Do you know how to avoid sandstorms? Do you know how to distinguish between different terrains in the desert? Do you know…”
Lu Hao bombarded him with a series of questions, completely throwing the true desert novice Jack for a loop.
“Tsk!!”
Lu Hao shrugged as he saw Jack, unable to react. “Jack, you know nothing about the desert. I’d say you’re more dangerous. Maybe you should just give up on this mission?”
This counter-question left Jack speechless.
You’re also a desert expert?
Doesn’t that mean I’m the only one in the team who knows nothing about the desert!?
Damn it!!
“That’s true, but the danger of this mission doesn’t just come from the desert, it comes from other places.”
Jack shook his head. Although Lu Hao had shown his strong knowledge of desert survival, he still didn’t plan to take him along.
There was no other reason for this; such a large amount of wealth would inevitably attract competition from all sides. Even if mercenaries appeared, it would be possible.
Desert survival expertise is useless in the face of bullets.
And, one desert survival expert is enough.
Ada, the desert expert, is a designated participant for this mission. Lu Hao joining would be unnecessary.
So it’s better to leave Lu Hao behind and avoid danger.
“Alright, Jack, if you still insist on not letting me join before you leave, I’ll respect your decision.”
Lu Hao smiled and didn’t argue further.
He had already devised a way to reach the gold-hiding base directly. Whether or not he followed Jack was not that important.
The only problem was that he lacked the key to the door.
Otherwise, he could even go solo.
“Don’t worry, even though you’re not letting me join this time, I’ll split the commission I get with you.”
Jack waved his hand, quite generous.
After all, it was he who broke the bet first, so he willingly compensated Lu Hao with part of his commission.
“Deal. I hope you don’t return empty-handed on this trip.”
Lu Hao offered a meaningful “blessing.”