495: Chapter 498 Mountain Bandits

The old man said, looking utterly incredulous.

Lu Chen couldn't be bothered to waste words on him.

He directly took out ten thousand gold coins from his space ring.

"Take five thousand gold coins and exchange them for silver coins for me. The remaining five thousand gold coins will be the payment for the sword."

The old man stood frozen on the spot.

Like a chicken whose neck had been squeezed, he couldn't utter a single word.

Where did this poor kid get so much money?

"Boss, I heard you are the most honest blacksmith in town, which is why I specifically came to your shop. I advise you not to get any crooked ideas; it won't end well for you."

Lu Chen warned coldly.

It wasn't easy to maintain one's integrity when faced with ten thousand gold coins.

The old man dared not say anything more.

He obediently took out five hundred thousand silver coins, stuffed them into a space ring, and handed it to Lu Chen.

Seeing the space ring, Lu Chen remained unfazed, showing no trace of surprise.

The old man secretly observed his reaction and thought to himself,

"This kid definitely has a significant background."

Little did he know that Lu Chen's calm demeanor was an innate noble bearing.

"Oh, right. This low-grade space ring is a complimentary gift for you."

Lu Chen put the sword into the ring.

He thanked the old man.

Then he turned and walked out of the blacksmith shop.

Just as he stepped outside, he saw a small cat lying by the entrance.

The cat looked sickly, completely filthy, and seemed close to death.

Lu Chen walked over.

He carefully picked up the small cat and held it in his arms.

"Little one, you've suffered quite a bit, haven't you? Do you want me to heal your injuries?"

Lu Chen showed a gentle smile.

He activated his Healing Talent, enveloping the small cat.

After a short thirty seconds, the small cat recovered to its Peak state.

Its fur, which had been so sparse it was nearly bald, became glossy and smooth again.

Its body, previously emaciated as if poisoned, became plump and full.

This was a snow-white small cat.

Its eyes were as clear and bright as sapphires, and it was extremely adorable.

Lu Chen placed it on the ground.

"Little one, hurry up and go live well."

He turned to leave.

But he felt his coat being tugged by something.

When he looked back, it was the small cat he had just saved.

The small cat was following him closely on its short little legs.

Lu Chen stopped walking, and the small cat stopped too, tilting its little head to observe him curiously.

"You want to come with me?"

Lu Chen squatted down and picked the small cat up into his arms again.

The small cat affectionately licked his finger.

"Hahaha, alright. Starting today, you are my companion. I'll call you 'Lan Lan'."

The small cat meowed, as if responding to him.

It then curled up in his arms and fell into a deep sleep.

Lu Chen had finished his business in the town.

He walked to the town entrance and found a place to sit.

Waiting for the members of the caravan to finish their errands and return.

During this interval,

He circulated the "Boundless Divine Dragon Art" once more.

After finishing, the power within his body had reached forty Dragon-Elephant strength.

Not long after, Lan Lan woke up.

It meowed twice at him.

"Are you hungry? Coincidentally, I'm hungry too. Let's go, I'll take you to eat something good."

Lu Chen, holding Lan Lan, walked into a nearby restaurant.

He ordered a table full of meat dishes.

What surprised him was that this small cat actually had such a huge appetite.

The man and the cat quickly finished all the dishes on the table.

Lan Lan's little belly was round, as if it were pregnant.

Just as Lu Chen stepped out of the restaurant,

He saw Cologne and his group returning after finishing their errands.

"Lu Chen, did you gain anything in town?"

"Mhm, all the necessary business is done. What about you all?"

"We're done too. Have you eaten? If not, why don't you come eat with us at the restaurant?"

Lu Chen shook his head.

"I just ate. You guys go ahead; I'll wait for you in the carriage."

"Alright."

The group responded, turned, and walked into the restaurant.

After eating their fill, the caravan immediately set off back to the village.

They couldn't stay in the town for long.

Almost all the village elites had come; if bandits took advantage of the situation to raid the village, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Two hours later.

The sky gradually darkened.

Everyone had to light torches to see the path ahead clearly.

Lu Chen's strength had greatly increased, and his senses had become exceptionally sharp.

"Uncle Cologne, there's activity. Have everyone prepare for battle."

Cologne was slightly surprised.

"You noticed too? Kid, you are quite sharp. Aren't you afraid?"

Lu Chen smiled.

"What is there to be afraid of? My grandfather always said that a true man only needs to revere nature and his own heart; nothing else is worth fearing. There's no need to waste time being afraid of others."

"Your grandfather must have been an extraordinary person. Don't worry, with us here, nothing will happen."

As soon as the words fell,

The carriage suddenly stopped.

"Hey, Mars, what's wrong? Why the sudden stop?"

"The road is blocked, Cologne. It looks like we have to clash head-on with these bastards."

Mars shouted loudly, then jumped off the carriage.

"Come on, you scum! If you have the guts, come out and trade a few moves with your grandpa!"