Chen Shu asked casually, "Dad, Mom, isn't it New Year's Eve the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes, but it might not be as lively this year," his father replied, nodding. "Your sister Fang Si isn't here, and Da Li's parents aren't in Nanjiang City either."
"Have they all gone to other dimensions?" Chen Shu nodded, already having a premonition.
In fact, it wasn't just them; the entire country was in the same situation. All Beast Tamers were busy hunting, and seeing the situation abroad, they had no mind for celebrating the New Year.
"Sigh... last year was probably our last lively Spring Festival..." Chen Shu also had no mood to play.
"You're not going out during the New Year, are you, kid?"
"Probably not..."
Chen Shu turned and returned to his room, opening the system's miraculous potion compendium.
'Configuration materials: Any King-tier poison-type material*1 (or higher grade material) + Three thousand portions of basic poison-type material + One hundred potion catalyst points.'
This was the newly unlocked Death Potion recipe!
"One King-tier material..." Chen Shu rubbed his chin. It wasn't exactly expensive, but it certainly wasn't cheap either, as one hundred potion catalyst points alone was worth a billion.
"It can instantly kill Golden-tier creatures and has minor side effects on King-tier creatures..." Based on his past experience, Chen Shu had a rough understanding of the Death Potion.
"No need to configure this for now. I'll ask the old man later and see if he's interested in mass-producing it." With his combat power, he could already instantly kill Golden-tier creatures, so there was no need to use potions.
Two days passed in a flash, and Hua Guo smoothly entered the New Year. However, the country appeared unusually calm this year, with a significantly faded New Year atmosphere. Even the government hadn't organized any events.
"It's just the two of us for New Year this year..." Chen Shu and Da Li sat on the rooftop, feeling a bit emotional.
Zhang Da Li grinned, "Everyone will come back eventually, no need to rush."
"That's right." Chen Shu nodded. As long as the ferocious beast crisis was resolved, everyone could reunite at any time.
Just then, Chen Shu's phone rang. "Hello? Minister?"
"Chen Pi, there's a mission from above. Are you taking it?"
"A mission? Wait a moment. We just had the New Year, I need to rest. I'll come over when I have time."
"Then I'll give the mission to someone else. By the way, the reward is from the old man, and it seems to be for upgrading a divine skill..."
"Minister, the Dragon Guard Chen Shu is at your service!"
"..."
Shortly after, they hung up.
"Chen Pi, what's up?"
"The minister wants me to go to Kyoto for an urgent mission. I have to step up!"
"So enthusiastic?" Zhang Da Li raised an eyebrow and said, "I guess the mission reward isn't small!"
"What kind of talk is that!" Chen Shu said sternly, "For the people, for the country, that's the bandit's true nature!"
"..." Zhang Da Li's head was covered in black lines. Did you even listen to yourself when you put those two phrases together...
"Are you coming with me?"
"Of course!" Da Li nodded, "For the people, for the country, that's the God of Cookery's true nature!"
"..."
Five minutes later, at the Dragon Guard headquarters.
*Knock, knock, knock!*
"Minister, open the door! I'm here!"
"Huh?" Chen Qinghai, who was reviewing documents, was taken aback. He got up and opened the door.
"Whoa, you're that fast? Flashy!"
"If I'm a second late, someone might suffer. Of course, I have to come as fast as possible!"
"..." Chen Qinghai shook his head and said, "You two, have a seat first."
"This mission is from the old man; it doesn't belong to our Dragon Guard department. I'm just passing it on."
"It's like this, the old man wants you to configure Jin Ke La. He's specifically asked shady merchants abroad to acquire some Frenzied Star Leaves over the past six months."
"But unfortunately, the merchants were robbed in the Extreme Snow Sea!"
"What? Robbed?!" Chen Shu trembled slightly, surprise in his eyes. In these chaotic times, people who dared to do cross-border business were no trifling matter; just crossing the sea alone was beyond the capabilities of ordinary people.
"Yes, they were even robbed while being escorted by a King-tier Beast Tamer," Chen Qinghai sighed. "That batch of Frenzied Star Leaves is quite important. The old man hopes you can investigate and, preferably, bring it back."
Chen Shu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Um, did we pay the shady merchants?"
"Does the old man have a habit of paying first?"
"..." Chen Shu was stunned for a moment. How could this be the same habit as his...
"We actually haven't suffered any losses, the old man just wants me to try my luck?"
"There are still some losses, after all, without the materials, Jin Ke La can't be configured."
"Alright, I understand." Chen Shu nodded, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "To dare to dig a grave on a bandit's head, there's no justice!"
"..." Chen Qinghai shook his head and warned, "Be careful, a King-tier must be involved."
"A mere King-tier is no problem, maybe the other party is just a one-star like you, Minister."
"..." Chen Qinghai instantly felt a stab in his heart. Was he insulting him here?
"By the way, about that reward..." Chen Shu rubbed his hands, greediness in his eyes.
"The old man will give it to you afterwards," Chen Qinghai explained. "He said it's a treasure used to upgrade a divine skill, and he said you'll definitely be tempted."
"I trust the old man's words." Chen Shu smiled, then leaned closer to Chen Qinghai and asked in a low voice, "I have a question."
"Hm? What?"
"Um, it wouldn't be that the old man sent people to rob the shady merchants, would it..."
"???" Chen Qinghai was completely stunned. Couldn't his thoughts jump around any more?
"What do you think the old man is?!"
"Uh... I'm just guessing. If I didn't want to pay, I think this method would be the best."
"..." Chen Qinghai's head was covered in black lines. "The old man is not in the same line of work as you! Besides, if the old man really did it, why would he send you out?"
"To make the act complete..."
"..." Chen Qinghai rubbed his head and stopped talking, instead pointing a finger towards the office door.
"Alright, I'm leaving." Chen Shu shrugged and left with Da Li.
"Wait..." Chen Qinghai seemed to have thought of something and looked back at Chen Shu, saying earnestly, "Thank you for your Jin Ke La."