n

n

nZhao Luo's announcement fell on the disciple's ears like thunder. Smiles started to merge on their exhausted faces.

nWu Yang and the others gathered around Zhao Luo.

nThe disciples were helping the dwarfs who had scattered around the battlefield and bringing them together as they slowly moved towards the middle.

nThat is where Zhao Luo was.

nAfter a while, the disciples were standing behind Zhao Luo in three rows.

n

"Are you all okay?

"

nZhao Luo asked the dwarves that were standing in front of him. There were around 300 or so dwarfs that Zhao Luo and the other disciples had saved from the monwolfs.

n'tap, tap.'

nInstead of hearing the answer, Zhao Luo could hear light stepping sounds moving towards him.

nTwo dwarves were coming to the front from among the 300 dwarfs.

n

"Paying respect to the savior.

"

nThe two dwarfs bowed to Zhao Luo.

nThe moment they bowed, the three hundred dwarfs behind him also bowed.

nThis showed that these two were the leaders of this group.

n

"I couldn't have done it alone without them.

"

nZhao Luo said while showing a sincere smile.

nThe dwarfs looked at Zhao Luo who was pointing his hands towards the disciples behind him.

n

"Still, you lead them here and we will never forget this day. Thank you.

"

nThe dwarfs insisted as they bowed again.

nAfter the little talk ended Zhao Luo was approached by one of the two dwarfs.

nJust like the female dwarf that he had saved before on the dragon road, this dwarf also brought out a thick leather pouch.

n

"This is just a little show of our gratitude. Please accept it, savior.

"

nThe dwarf insisted as it placed the pouch on Zhao Luo's palm while showing a mysterious smile.

n

"...

"

nZhao Luo wondered the meaning behind the dwarf's smile while thinking about what the dwarf had just said.

n'Why is he even talking like that? It's not like I don't want the reward.'

nZhao Lup thought while tightening his grip over the leather pouch.

nAfter handing the pouch to Zhao Luo, the two dwarfs at the front bowed one last time while bidding their farewell to Zhao Luo and the other disciple.

nZhao Luo looked at the dwarves as they started walking past him and the disciples as they disappeared behind the trees.

n

"They must be going back.

"

nZhao Luo mumbled as the scenario with the female dwarf repeated.

n

"Let's Go.

"

nZhao Luo said as he started walking towards the deeper parts of the forest.

nThe disciples followed behind him.

nMany were whispering something to each other.

nZhao Luo didn't know as he was in the front and his main priority was to leave the forest, that was where his focus lied too.

nHis companions also didn't notice the growing unrest as they were walking alongside Zhao Luo.

nFrom the third row, a statement was heard which was the reason for the current unrest among the two hundred or so disciples.

n

"If we all helped him then why is he keeping the reward for himself.

"

nA disciple whispered just loud enough so that his complaining voice could reach a few of the surrounding disciples.

n

"Hmm.

"

nThe others also picked up this complaint which continued from one disciple to another till it reached the disciple in the first row which was walking behind Zhao Luo.

nAmong the dissatisfied disciples, some had already gotten a coin for doing nothing previously.

nYet these kinds of people were always greedy for more.

nEven though the world had changed during the time Zhao Luo was sleeping, but the mind of humans remained the same.

nEven if they were given a mountain of gold, they would still look around for another mountain of gold.

nZhao Luo who was unaware of this walked around the trees while looking ahead.

nHe was trying to find the exit of the forest which was still not anywhere in his reach.

nThe unrest grew more and more as some of the disciples even went ahead to accuse Zhao Luo of hoarding all the rewards and being a miser when he was the one leading them on the dragon road.

nJust when these words reached a certain disciple he couldn't keep himself in check.

n'Boom.'

nHis fist landed on the face of the disciple who was just passing what he had heard.

nThis disciple was none other than Hong Ling who Zhao Luo had saved from a monwolf.

n

"How dare you accuse the person who is leading you? Bastards!

"

nHong Ling shouted in anger after he turned around to look at the disciples behind him.

nHong Ling was so loud that even Zhao Luo's focus was broken as he turned around to look at the situation.

n

"What's going on?

"

nZhao Luo questioned the others with a confused look.

n'How did a fight break out?'

nZhao Luo wondered as he looked at Hong Ling and the disciple that Ling had punched.

n

"Brother Zhao Luo they don't deserve to walk behind you.

"

nLing went close to Zhao Luo and said to him.

nAfter which he told him about the ruse that had been cooking for a while now.

n'...'

nZhao Luo was silent as he looked at the disciples.

nHis eyes showed nothing, not even an ounce of disappointment that he should be feeling because of them.

nThis triggered the disciples who believed in everything that they had been passing around, even more.

nThey were so mad that they had separated from Zhao Luo's group as stood on the left side.

nThese disciples who had left the group were all from the third row as they were only twenty or so.

nBut in a while, this group got bigger than the ones who were following Zhao Luo.

nMore and more people left Zhao Luo's side to stand with the new group on left.

nSoon there more than 120 disciples in the new group.

nOne of the disciples came forward showing that he represented the disciples behind him and walked up to Zhao Luo.

n

"Distribute the reward and we will go our own way. You don't have to lead us.

"

nThe disciple demanded with an arrogant voice.

n

"So this is indeed the case.

"

nZhao Luo had heard everything that Ling had to say but he still couldn't believe it. But now after watching this disciple's attitude and the ones who had declared their stand as they stood behind him, Zhao Luo finally realized that he had been too decent with them.

n

"Hahaha.

"

nZhao Luo couldn't help but laugh madly as he took out the leather pouch.

n'Fwoosh.'

nZhao Luo threw the pouch towards the disciple and looked at the ones behind him.

n

"Last time I fought for you all, I gave you the rewards. At the gate, I stood in front of you and the other disciples didn't even dare to bat an eye at you. But now for a reward which I would have given to you soon...no. I would have given it to you right after we had left the forest, you accused me of being a greedy miser. So take it and I hope you all have a good journey.

"

nZhao Luo was looking at the ones who were with him since the start. Those who were from the hundred disciples that he had led till here.

n'It's enough.'

nZhao Luo decided as he turned around.

n

"Those who want the reward can leave.

"

nZhao Luo announced as he started walking past the trees that were blocking his path up ahead.

nThe others who were still behind him exchanged glances between each other as they also started leaving towards the other group and walking towards the disciples who had the leather pouch which had the reward inside it.

n

"Open it.

"

n

"Yeah let's share it now.

"

n

"I hope there are many gold coins in it.

"

n

"But Brother Zhao Luo is leaving.

"

n

"Let him go. We can leave the forest after distributing the reward.

"

nThe disciples started gathering around for the reward from the leather pouch.

nZhao Luo didn't care about these disciples.

nHe knew he already had the best friends that he could hope for. Even though they haven't been together for a long time but they already shared a deep bond.

nHe was left with only those who had been with him from the start.

nZhao Luo looked at his sides and found Wu Yang and Feng Mei closes to him.

nSu Shi and Yan were next to Feng Mei while Wei Bin and Mo Lee were next to Wu Yang.

n

"Where is Mite?

"

nZhao Luo was stunned for a moment. He even stopped walking.

n'I thought that guy had already changed.'

nZhao Luo thought with a disappointed look on his face as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

n'Tap.'

n

"Are you looking for me?

"

nMite said with a grin. He was walking right behind Zhao Luo.

n

"Haha.

"

nZhao Luo laughed mildly.

nThere was another guy behind him who was walking behind Mite.

n

"Hong Ling, you didn't want the reward?

"

nZhao Luo asked Ling who was still with him.

n

"Who needs a reward when I can follow you, my brother.

"

nLing answered Zhao Luo with an intense gaze in his eyes and an expressionless face.

n

"We got another cheesy one here.

"

nWu Yang interrupted as Zhao Luo had said the same cheesy line before.

n

"Hahaha.

"

nThe others started laughing while Zhao Luo only smirked.

n

"This is better.

"

nZhao Luo mumbled as the ones who had remained with him were the real ones.

n