102: Chapter 102 A Mad Dog Appears Out of the Way

Tang Long, Jiang Xiaolan, and the other two girls left the arena and walked for a while before stopping in a relatively secluded spot.

"Class Monitor Jiang, if there's something you want to say, say it here."

Seeing Tang Long's straightforwardness, Jiang Xiaolan didn't beat around the bush either.

"Tang Long, in about ten days, a delegation from the Sangyu Alliance will visit Song City for an educational exchange competition."

"Every grade in our school will send a representative team. Our grade's team will be selected from Class 9."

"Since you were able to fight Senior Qin to that extent, you should have a significant advantage in the first-year group. As the class monitor of Class 9, I hope you will participate and win glory for our class."

"The rewards for this competition are very generous. The first-year champion's prize money alone is 200,000, plus five spirit stones of any attribute. Besides the tournament rewards, the government and the school will definitely provide extra bonuses."

"If you agree to participate and win the championship, I personally promise to double all the rewards on top of what you've already received."

Tang Long's face remained calm, but he was inwardly surprised.

The rewards for an intercity exchange competition were actually this high?

200,000 plus five spirit stones with a choice of attributes—if he picked the three most expensive types, the total value would be over 1.8 million.

This money was indeed easy to come by.

And this girl Jiang Xiaolan, doubling the reward just like that; her tone was truly arrogant, carrying the air of a wealthy family.

However, would participating in such a high-profile event draw too much attention?

After hesitating for a moment, Tang Long did not flatly refuse.

"I'll consider it."

"What's there to consider? Aren't you short on money? Don't you want such a good opportunity?"

"It's not that I don't want it, it's just..."

"What do you want? My Jiang Enterprise is influential in Song City. My father is on the school board, and my grandfather's words carry weight with Governor Xu. As long as it's not too much, just say it, and I can apply for it on your behalf."

Hearing Jiang Xiaolan go as far as using the Jiang Enterprise as a guarantee, the two girls beside her were stunned.

"Sister Lan, what are you saying?"

"Xiao Lan, you shouldn't make such guarantees lightly."

Jiang Xiaolan waved them off, her eyes still fixed on Tang Long without blinking.

But she didn't expect that Tang Long still wouldn't agree.

"Give me some time."

The two continued to lock eyes for over ten seconds. Jiang Xiaolan felt she had exhausted all her efforts, yet Tang Long remained completely unmoved.

"Fine, then think it over carefully. I'll wait for your decision. Are you going to the hospital or home? I'll give you a ride."

"No need, I'll rest here for a bit."

Jiang Xiaolan didn't say anything more and immediately left with the two girls.

Only when their figures disappeared did Tang Long turn around, his gaze shifting toward a dark corner.

"Brother Dog, what's the meaning of this?"

From the darkness, Mad Dog walked out holding a bruised and swollen Lu Xiaohu, giving him a smile.

Walking closer, Mad Dog first pushed Lu Xiaohu over, then took out a cigarette and tossed one to him.

"Actually, you guys acted well today; you even fooled me at first. But this kid won three bets in a row, and he was acting so cocky. If I hadn't dragged him out, Fei Shan's men would have found him."

Tang Long frowned and glared fiercely at Lu Xiaohu.

In today's plan, Lu Xiaohu had only one task: to place bets for him.

Their entire 30,000 capital would become 60,000 after winning one round, 120,000 after two, and 240,000 after three.

Winning the first two rounds was fine, but winning the third as well was a bit suspicious.

That's why Tang Long had instructed Lu Xiaohu to be careful and keep a low profile, but he didn't expect someone to see through the flaw anyway.

However, considering Mad Dog's previous well-intentioned warning, he didn't think the other party was hostile.

"Brother Dog has a sharp eye. So, are you helping me, or are you threatening me?"

"Neither, I'm not that bored." Mad Dog exhaled a long stream of smoke and handed him the lighter again. "I have a favor to ask, and I happened to help you solve a bit of trouble along the way."

"What is it?"

"I heard you have a golden horn from a Thorn Snake King? Can you sell it to me?"

"So that's what it is." Tang Long finally took the lighter and lit his cigarette. "You're quite well-informed."

Mad Dog smiled. "I've been in the underworld of Song City since I was eight. I haven't made it big, but I have some connections."

Tang Long thought for a moment. "Can I ask what you want this thing for, Brother Dog?"

Mad Dog shrugged. "I have a little brother whose father died while fighting in the arena against Fei Shan. He wants revenge, but his strength is still lacking. He's a natural Golden Spirit Body and needs this kind of item for tempering."

"Golden Spirit Body?"

Tang Long thought to himself that it was a real coincidence.

I actually do have something for tempering a Golden Spirit Body, but it's not a Snake King's golden horn—it's a Golden Spirit Source Crystal.

Mad Dog continued, "I can see you're different from others, and I hope we can be friends. Do me this favor, and the price will definitely satisfy you. Besides that, I, Mad Dog, will owe you a personal favor."

Tang Long blew a smoke ring and pondered carefully.

Mad Dog's identity was certainly not simple; Lv Yang had hinted at this before. But the fact that he could casually produce a little brother with a Golden Spirit Body still surprised him a little.

A golden horn was nothing, but if he could get to know this Golden Spirit Body and observe the so-called 'tempering' process, it might be helpful to himself.

"What? Is there a problem, or do you not want to sell?"

"Oh, neither," Tang Long said with a smile. "Since Brother Dog talked about making friends, I think we shouldn't talk about money. I'd actually like to meet this brother of yours and observe the process of him tempering his spirit body. Is that convenient?"

Mad Dog was quite surprised. "Observing isn't a problem. But as for no money... don't blame me for being blunt, little brother, but I can see you're not wealthy."

"When true men bond, loyalty is what matters. Talking about money is vulgar."

Seeing his persistence, Mad Dog nodded and directly handed over a slip of paper.

"My phone number and address are on there. Whenever you're free tomorrow, just bring the item to the Jinyue Martial Arts Hall."

"Alright, I'll definitely be there tomorrow night!"

"Bring this kid along too."

Mad Dog pointed at Lu Xiaohu, then turned and quickly vanished into the darkness.

"Brother Tang, I..."

With Mad Dog gone, Lu Xiaohu finally had a chance to speak.

"I've never seen so much money before, so... I couldn't help but shout a couple of times."

Tang Long patted his head and sighed. "It's okay. Now that you've had this lesson, you'll remember next time."

"Brother Tang, that guy called Mad Dog is really powerful. I didn't have any room to fight back at all. I wonder when I'll have that kind of strength."

"Don't worry, you'll definitely be stronger than him in the future."

Lu Xiaohu nodded heavily. "Yeah! I'll definitely learn well from you."

When the two returned to their residence, Qin Bing had already been waiting anxiously for a long time. When he saw them return safely, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Tang Long! Success! We've struck it rich this time!"

"After subtracting my capital, we made a net profit of 1.2 million this time!"

"Come, come, come, just as we agreed—a fifty-fifty split. This is your share!"

"As for what you and Xiaohu won, I won't take a penny of it; keep it for your medical expenses. By the way, are your injuries okay?"

"It's nothing," Tang Long said with a smile, touching the several large stacks of money on the table.

"The money is in hand, but it was really risky. Someone still saw through our plan."

"What? What happened?"

Tang Long recounted the incident with Mad Dog, and Qin Bing broke out in a cold sweat from the shock.

"Will this Mad Dog talk about our business? That would be trouble."

Tang Long shook his head. "Probably not. He has a friend who has a blood feud with Fei Shan over his father's death. Don't worry about this, I'll find a way to settle it."

Tang Long spoke nonchalantly, but Lu Xiaohu added from the side.

"Easy for you to say, but aren't you just going to give away the Snake King's golden horn for nothing?"