Shirley Yang and Professor Chen walked into the inner room together. After a brief discussion, they decided to recruit three people to join the archaeological team.
The cruelty of the desert is known to everyone. They must have been aware of it before they went. Xu Lang's previous words were unnecessary. The members of the archaeological team knew that many expeditions had died in the desert.
Therefore, the government had been delaying, not wanting to let Professor Chen and the others go into the desert, using the excuse of insufficient funds.
This time, Shirley Yang provided financial support, and the government had no reason to stop Professor Chen and the others.
Since they couldn't stop them, let them go.
Xu Lang was only making a suggestion. He couldn't decide not to let them find the ancient city of Jingjue. It was enough to just advise them.
After a while, Shirley Yang stretched out her hand and said, "Mr. Xu, welcome to the archaeological team."
Xu Lang looked at Shirley Yang's outstretched white fingers and said, "Since you are willing to hire us, then it's our turn to make demands. Since you are letting us be the leader, then everything must be done as we say."
Shirley Yang didn't feel embarrassed and retracted her hand, saying, "No problem. Anything else?"
Xu Lang said, "No, it's time to talk about payment."
Shirley Yang said, "Ten thousand US dollars per person. If we find the ancient city of Jingjue in the desert, the reward will be doubled."
When Fatty heard the price, he couldn't hold back. This guy's thinking hadn't changed yet.
However, the things they gained this time were all with Big Gold Tooth, and there was no time to sell them. Even if they sold them, there wouldn't be much left. How to use the money had already been decided.
As for money, Xu Lang didn't really care. This trip to the ancient city of Jingjue would surely bring great rewards. Since he had decided to take the Kunlun Divine Wood, he had already broken the rule of not taking anything, so he naturally didn't mind taking some treasures along the way.
Xu Lang took a step forward, wanting to block Fatty's body. Unfortunately, Fatty was too big and he could only block his face.
Xu Lang said, "Twenty thousand US dollars per person, no negotiation. The reward doubles if we find the ancient city of Jingjue. If you agree, let's set the departure time. If not, the cooperation ends here."
Shirley Yang didn't hesitate for a moment. She said, "Twenty thousand US dollars per person is fine. As Mr. Xu said, the reward doubles if we find the ancient city of Jingjue. Let's do it."
Xu Lang nodded, a smile appearing on his face. "Wise decision. Your pay is well worth it. You will see it later."
Shirley Yang smiled and then set the departure time. The three of them left the research team together.
Actually, Xu Lang didn't care about the extra ten thousand dollars. He cared about the attitude.
The real treasures were all in the ancient city of Jingjue. It's a pity he didn't have a storage bag, nor did he know how to make storage equipment. Otherwise, he could have emptied the ancient city of Jingjue.
On the way back, the three of them found a small stall to eat braised offal.
Xu Lang said, "Fatty, keep the jade your dad left you. It should be engraved with Ghost Cave script, which is the language of the Jingjue kingdom. I just don't know what it says. It might be useful later."
Fatty laughed, "That's great. If we find that ancient city, we'll get forty thousand dollars each. This is a great job."
Old Hu said, "It's the ancient city of Jingjue, but I've never heard of it before. That place must be hard to find. You didn't listen to what Xu kid said. The ancient city of Jingjue is deep in the Taklamakan Desert. Look at Professor Chen, he's so old, there's no way he can stay in the second largest mobile desert in the world."
"When they don't want to find it anymore, don't blame us. Just this bunch of intellectuals, I guess they'll run back as soon as they enter the desert."
"In short, the three of us will go for a trip to the desert, and each of us will get twenty thousand dollars. This money is so easy to get!"
Xu Lang looked at the two of them, their eyes full of excitement, but he didn't say anything. He needed Old Hu's geomancy. It wasn't too late to remind them before they reached the ancient city of Jingjue. He couldn't just watch his brothers be cursed.
A few days later, Big Gold Tooth sent over a sword, made entirely according to Xu Lang's design.
The hilt and blade were integrated, made of special steel, combining sharpness and hardness, and the material was better than a military dagger.
Xu Lang was naturally delighted with it. He had already tried it. The weapon was quite handy, both in style and material, which made him very satisfied.
The only drawback was that the weapon was a bit light. Xu Lang had strengthened his physique due to cultivation, and a sword weighing a few pounds was ultimately a little light.
Yingzi would go to Big Gold Tooth for anything. She was recently handling the purchase of a courtyard. This girl would have to return to the Gangzi Camp in a few days. She was busier than Xu Lang and the others, and she was handling many things.
Buy a courtyard first, at least give them a place to stay. As for who the owner is, it doesn't matter.
A few days later, they finally set off with the archaeological team.
Seeing Shirley Yang again, this girl was clearly much more polite. At least she wasn't as cold as the first time they met.
Actually, Shirley Yang has this personality. She's cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She's courageous and resourceful, knowledgeable, and skilled. The title of Yang Chief of Staff is not for nothing.
Of course, if you want, calling Shirley Yang "She-Wolf" is also fine!
The archaeological team was very determined. Even after Xu Lang's words a few days ago, no one backed out, which made him both admire and helpless.
On the train, Sadipeng and Chu Jian played cards to pass the time, Ye Yixin watched a book beside them, occasionally stealing a glance at Xu Lang.
Xu Lang continued to close his eyes and meditate, secretly accumulating spiritual energy, until Fatty came over to call him.
The three of them gathered together. Old Hu said, "Professor Chen said he wants to change course and let us go to the Kunlun Glacier with them first. What do you think, Xu kid?"
Xu Lang said, "I don't care. The main thing is, what do you think? I know you had an accident a few years ago. Even though Gema has recovered, you must have comrades who died there. You didn't tell me about it back then because of discipline. But I'm not a fool."
Old Hu said, "Back then, our army was reorganized, and we went to the Kunlun Mountains on a mission. There were many strange things happening at the time. There are many things I don't want to think about, or dare to think about, because those things can't be explained until today."
"One day, my comrades and I were on a mission and we encountered a kind of blue-glowing insect. The insects were covered in blue flames, and as soon as they touched a person, they would burn them to ashes. My comrades were burned to death by those insects."
"That mission was highly confidential. I couldn't tell you much about it back then."
At this time, Shirley Yang walked out from the aisle and said, "Mr. Hu, Mr. Xu, come sit with me. I have something to talk to you about."
The two looked at each other and followed her. Even though they didn't call Fatty, this guy followed along with a thick face.
Xu Lang said, "So back then you wouldn't let me go, and you said there was a very scary insect there that could burn a person to ashes in an instant. It was because you had seen that insect with your own eyes."
Old Hu remained silent, obviously agreeing.
Seeing your comrades being burned to death is indeed a very cruel thing. No one can accept this scene, no matter who they are.
When they arrived at Professor Chen's carriage, Shirley Yang took out a photo and asked, "Mr. Hu, was the insect you saw back then like this?"
Old Hu looked at the photo carefully and said after a while, "Yes, it's this kind of insect."
Shirley Yang said, "This insect is translated into Chinese as Fire Firefly. Currently, it can only be found in the diaries of some explorers. For many people, this Fire Firefly is just a legend. I have never seen this kind of insect before."
Xu Lang looked at the photo and said, "I know this kind of insect. Its name should be Dap Ghost Worm. In Tibetan, it is a ghost worm driven by demons. This firefly has two forms."
"The blue form can emit immeasurable karma fire, which can burn a person to ashes in an instant. This insect's weakness is that it is afraid of water."
"The other silver form can release Naiqiong Shen Ice. Once it touches a human body, it can instantly freeze the human body into ice and shatter into powder. Its weakness should be fire."
"But whether or not it is afraid of fire, this is still uncertain because I haven't tested it. However, Dap Ghost Worm has a characteristic. Before it attacks a person, it will circle in the air a few times."
Shirley Yang asked, "Mr. Xu has also seen this kind of insect? Does Mr. Xu know a lot about Dap Ghost Worm?"
Xu Lang replied, "Miss Yang, why do you think I know a lot when I say something? It was the same when I talked about the desert last time. Has anyone told you that you ask a lot of questions?"