God-Tier Get Rich System – CH169

Chapter 169: Mutated Rove Beetle

Zhang Xinshuo lowered his voice, making sure the Deng family couldn’t hear him.
“I’m worried the Blue faction will ambush us near the capital!”

Li Yangqiu and Ma Yueyue shivered in alarm.

That was entirely possible!

Think about it: after they suffered untold hardships escorting the Deng family to the Capital, just as the mission was about to succeed, if the Blue faction suddenly appeared and something happened to the Deng family at the crucial moment, the Red faction’s efforts would be completely wasted. That would feel worse than death!

“You’re right. What should we do?” Ma Yueyue asked. “Is there a way to sneak the Deng family into the base without anyone noticing?”

Zhang Xinshuo shook his head. “I haven’t figured that out yet. Let’s find a chance to discuss it with Mu Lantu and the others.”

After lunch, they rested a bit longer, then set out again.

Xu Huazhang took over as the SUV’s driver.

Mu Lantu sat in the passenger seat, on guard.

The Deng family dozed in the back.

Mu Lantu popped a pill into his own mouth and into Xu Huazhang’s, then lit an incense stick.

Xu Huazhang raised a brow.

“Sleep incense,” Mu Lantu mouthed.

Xu Huazhang’s mouth twitched. Trust him to come up with such a shady trick.

Mu Lantu had no other choice. It was too inconvenient with the Deng family awake—especially Deng Zhiqi.

But the incense was harmless, even restorative if used often. Let them rest well.

Once the Deng family was asleep, Xu Huazhang sped up.

“Baby, that fat guy’s group is probably waiting for us up ahead. When we reach the next city, should we take the highway?”

“Alright,” Mu Lantu nodded. “It’s still early—we’ve got room to test it out. If it doesn’t work, we can always turn back.”

“What about Zhang Xinshuo and the others?” Xu Huazhang asked.

“They can head to the Capital on their own. We’ll wait for them there,” Mu Lantu said. “Bringing them along only slows us down. I’ll explain it to them.”

Xu Huazhang stopped the car. Mu Lantu reached an arm out the window and signaled behind them.

The van caught up and pulled alongside.

“Classmate Mu, what is it?” Li Yangqiu asked.

Mu Lantu explained his idea.

Zhang Xinshuo, Li Yangqiu, and Ma Yueyue exchanged uneasy looks.

“This…”

“You’re sure the two of you alone can protect the Deng family?” Ma Yueyue asked softly. She knew it might offend Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang, but when lives were at stake, she couldn’t stay silent.

Mu Lantu replied, “We won’t gamble with our lives. The fact is, your van can’t keep up with our SUV.”

Zhang Xinshuo decided. “Then we’ll try to keep up with you. If we can’t, we’ll just go separately.”

Li Yangqiu and Ma Yueyue hesitated. Handing their lives over to others was risky. But if Mu Lantu was determined to leave them, they had no power to stop him.

“…Alright.”

“See you in the Capital.” Mu Lantu gestured to Xu Huazhang. “Let’s go.”

The three of them watched the SUV drive off, smiling bitterly.

They didn’t know if this decision was right or wrong.

“Let’s move too.”

The Deng family didn’t wake until sunset. None of them noticed anything strange. Only when they saw the supplies in the car had increased did Wen Yushu ask about it.

Mu Lantu told her that they had passed a supermarket in the afternoon and replenished.

Deng Tianyu and Wen Yushu believed him, quite pleased. They’d had a peaceful afternoon nap without worry.

Now the car stopped in the wilderness.

Deng Zhiqi looked around suspiciously. “Where are Zhang Xinshuo and the others? Don’t tell me you killed them?”

Everything for the mission. Everything for the mission…

Mu Lantu kept repeating it to himself, and said good-naturedly, “They had something come up. You’ll probably see them tomorrow.”

“Really?” Deng Zhiqi made no effort to hide his doubt. “With them not here, you can say whatever you want.”

When he saw Xu Huazhang walking over, his voice dropped and he quickly lowered his head.

Xu Huazhang was just as handsome as Mu Lantu, but Deng Zhiqi’s instincts told him Xu Huazhang was a hundred times more dangerous.

Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang set up two tents—one for themselves and one for the Deng family.

Mu Lantu sprinkled insect repellent powder around the tents and dropped a repellent pellet into the fire.

Deng Tianyu felt a warmth in his heart. They really didn’t have to care for them so attentively. He resolved that once they reached the Capital, he would make sure the leadership rewarded Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang properly.

“Dinner’s self-heating rice again?” Wen Yushu smiled after taking in some fresh air.

“Yes,” Mu Lantu nodded. “Plenty to go around. If you’d like noodles, we’ve got a portable stove too.”

“Let’s stick to self-heating rice. Easier.” Deng Tianyu said.

“Alright.” Wen Yushu bustled about.

“Mom, look! A huge bee!” Deng Zhixuan shouted from near the grass.

“Zhixuan, careful—it’ll sting!” Wen Yushu ran over.

“Teacher Wen, I’ll go!” Mu Lantu treated the Deng’s like fragile glass, terrified of any mishap that could ruin the mission.

Xu Huazhang frowned as he spotted the insect buzzing nearby. These bugs were mutated!

“Zhixuan, get behind me.” Mu Lantu pulled insecticide spray from his bag.

The “bee” dropped dazedly to the ground.

Mu Lantu glanced at it—and paled. Hugging Zhixuan, he retreated. “That’s no bee!”

“Baby! Get back! The bugs have mutated!” Xu Huazhang pulled out more repellent powder, handing half to Wen Yushu. “Teacher Wen, help us out.”

Wen Yushu was stunned by his use of “baby” for Mu Lantu, but quickly nodded. “O-okay! Old Deng, help too!”

“It’s a rove beetle,” Mu Lantu said, guarding Zhixuan back to camp.

Thanks to the repellent, hardly any insects came near.

“Brother Mu, what’s a rove beetle?” Zhixuan asked curiously.

Deng Zhiqi pricked up his ears.

Mu Lantu explained, “Rove beetles belong to the family Staphylinidae in the order Coleoptera. Most are slender, small-bodied, with short thick forewings and strong hind wings. When they take off, the hind wings unfold quickly, then fold back under the forewings with help from the abdomen and legs. The larvae are wingless but resemble adults.

Some large species are black and yellow like wasps. Because their wings are hidden, they’re also called ‘shadow bugs.’

Most rove beetles are carnivorous. Their bodies contain toxins—a corrosive fluid like strong acid. At night, they often fly indoors, land on skin, and bite. If you crush them, they release venom, causing dermatitis within 2–4 hours.”

Zhixuan gazed at him with admiration. “Brother Mu, you know so much!”

Xu Huazhang stood nearby, his expression gentle.

Mu Lantu went on, “I once had a neighbor bitten by one. He crushed it and suffered badly. Zhixuan, remember—if a rove beetle lands on you, don’t crush it. Blow it away, shake it off, or use something else to remove it.”

“But that one just now was huge!” Zhixuan said.

“Because it mutated.” Mu Lantu turned to Professor Deng. “Do you think it’s related to the zombie virus?”

“Possibly.” Deng Tianyu’s face was grim. “Like you said, rove beetles are mostly carnivorous. They might have fed on zombie flesh.”

Wen Yushu shivered at the bugs buzzing in the distance. “Let’s eat quickly, then get into the tents.”

“Why not sleep in the car?” Deng Zhiqi suggested.

“In the car you can’t rest properly,” Wen Yushu said. “Look, Little Mu’s powder works—the bugs won’t even come close.”

Deng Tianyu sighed heavily. Now it was only insects mutating. If larger animals started mutating, it would be a disaster for what survivors remained.

After dinner, they all went into their tents.

Still uneasy, Wen Yushu checked inside again and was surprised to find not a single bug.

“This repellent powder is amazing!”

“Sleep. Tomorrow we’ll reach the Capital.” Deng Tianyu’s thoughts were restless.

Wen Yushu, on the other hand, had enjoyed the journey, a good nap in the afternoon, and was in high spirits.

“I can’t sleep. Old Deng, did you hear what Xu Huazhang called Mu Lantu just now? Do you think those two are… you know?”

Deng Tianyu shot her a look. “And you call yourself a teacher, gossiping like this?”

“Why can’t teachers gossip?” Wen Yushu said lightly. “Well, did you hear or not?”

“That must be his nickname,” Deng Tianyu said. “The kids are here.”

Deng Zhiqi and Zhixuan were confused.

“Mom, what are you talking about?”

Thinking of her son’s hostility toward Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang, Wen Yushu patiently said, “Nothing. Zhiqi, you’ll be eighteen in two months. Time to grow up. Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang aren’t even our bodyguards, but they’ve taken care of us far beyond what real bodyguards would do. Honestly, Zhixuan, you, and I are only able to reach Beijing thanks to your father’s position. So tomorrow, don’t act like you did today toward them!”

“What did I do to them? I didn’t hit them, didn’t curse them,” Zhiqi muttered. “They’re the ones who refused to give my classmate a ride!”

He still didn’t know Duan Yafu had been taken away by the truck.

“You’ve got the nerve to say that?” Wen Yushu’s good mood was gone. “Don’t pretend you did it for your classmate. You know very well what was in your heart! I only spared you because your sister was here!”

The scene of him grabbing the steering wheel flashed in her mind, stoking her anger again. For the sake of a girl, he’d put the whole family in danger. What use was such a son?

“What was in my heart?” Zhiqi snapped, face flushed. “Say it, then!”

“Why are you yelling?” Deng Tianyu tugged Wen Yushu back. “The boy’s grown up—he has pride. Enough, both of you. It’s late. Sleep.”

“Dad, don’t stop me! Mom, tell me—what was I thinking?” Zhiqi puffed up his chest.

Deng Tianyu frowned. The boy should’ve taken the step down when offered.

“Deng Zhiqi! Do my words mean nothing to you anymore?”

Click here to download the advanced chapters. (EPUB & PDF)