It was Liu's turn, but he decided to quit. He did not want to get hit like Luke.
"You are a coward," Luke said.
"Say what you want. Okay, now that we finished training, we must go back to work and explore the forest."
"Wait!" Lucian stopped Liu. He had a serious look on his face.
"What now?"
Lucian pretended to be unsure, like he didn't want to say, but he had to.
"Actually..."
"Hey man, we don't have all day."
"Okay, okay, but promise me you two will not tell anyone?"
"Why? Is it very serious?"
"Yes, I need a true promise from you."
"Okay, I swear. Unless this is a betrayal of the Ten Families, I won't take the risk."
"No! It is not betrayal. It has nothing to do with them. But your promise is not enough. Swear you won't tell anyone even if you don't like it."
"What is wrong with you?"
"Just do it!"
"Okay, okay, I swear."
Liu swore and looked at Luke, waiting for his reaction.
Luke sighed.
"I swear too."
Lucian calmed down and breathed with relief. He looked left and right, then came closer and said:
"There are old ruins near here."
Luke and Liu froze.
Liu took his hand out from behind his back and put two fingers together.
"Okay, I lied," he said with a blank face.
"Ah, you lied? That's not fair! Why is he quitting and I'm not? I lied too!" Luke followed his good friend; he would not leave him.
"You guys—" Lucian started but Liu cut him off.
"You guys??!! What is wrong with you, crazy man? How can you keep a secret like this? Why tell us? Do you want the Ten Families to kill us so this news doesn't spread? Damn it! I will die like the people in that idiot's conspiracy theory!"
"You! Get me out of this!"
"Shut up!"
"Guys, guys, guys... guys."
"We will get a lot of money and many skills. Think about it, Liu, you will live in your own house with your harem of women."
Liu froze. 'Why did this idiot give me the idea of being a pervert? I mean… is it that obvious?'
"And you, Luke," Lucian looked at Luke who was picking his nose with his finger.
"Well, maybe we find proof that the planet is flat or proof of a civilization outside the danger zone."
"Oh, I'm with you!"
"Wait, Luke, are you crazy? That can get us killed if we are discovered!"
"Well, rewards don't come without risks. You have to sacrifice to get high ranks."
"I knew you are smart and you will agree!"
"Of course, I will!"
"Now Liu—"
"No! Impossible! Don't think about it!"
Liu, Luke, and Lucian put their hands on Luke's shoulders.
"Don't you want a harem of women?"
"Today I will feed Liu-chan~"
"What? No~ Liu-sama wants a shoulder massage."
"Liu-chan is mine~"
"Get away, you bitch!"
"Kyaa~ Liu-chan save me!"
Liu's face turned red from embarrassment. How can two grown men make female voices so well right next to his ears?
...
After a few minutes, Liu walked with Luke and Lucian.
Of course, not because he wanted a harem— ahem.
The real reason was professional exploration.
Yes, professional.
"We need to walk about ten kilometers, so we will run. Try to follow me. I know places with dangerous monsters and places without."
"Really? Then give us the details so we can report and save time going to the ruins."
"Okay."
"Lucian, how did you know about these ruins?"
"I stepped on traces on the hackf. But they turned to dust when I touched them. It looks like time destroyed them. It's good I saved the traces before touching."
"So, did the paper say anything about the ruins we will find?"
"Not exactly, but I know it is the place of a strong sect."
Lucian was not lying. He did not know much about what was inside because it was secret information of the Ten Families.
"I hope it is not dangerous," Liu said.
"I won't lie and say don't worry. In the end, we have to take risks like this. Let's just hope there is nothing much stronger than us."
"Before we reach, should we share details about our strength to coordinate better?" Luke suggested.
"Then I start. My cultivation is medium level in the Foundation Establishment world. I have no affinity. No martial arts. I have a talent that strengthens my five senses. That is all."
"That is very low for the skill you showed in fighting," Liu said, surprised how weak Lucian was. The world is really unfair sometimes.
"I am fully in Foundation Establishment cultivation. My affinity is fire. My martial arts are three-star movement skill, two-star fist skill, and three-star sword skill. Also, some one-star skills not worth mentioning. Talents don't help in fighting, so no need to share."
"Wow, as expected from a mercenary. You beat Lucian completely in power. Too bad he won against you despite all this, haha."
"Okay, stop joking. It is your turn."
"I have super level cultivation in Foundation Establishment. My affinity is water. My martial arts are three-star movement skill, two-star fist skill, and four-star sword skill. Others are one-star. My talent is healing."
"Four-star sword skill? How did you get it?"
"Some luck," Liu said proudly.
"But being a healer is useful. Now the mission is less dangerous," Lucian praised Liu, since Liu liked praise.
"Count on me. I will do my best."
Now the three were on their way to the old ruins. It was just a matter of time before they arrived.