Chapter 470 - 237: Treasure Hunt Squad, Activate

Chapter 470: Chapter 237: Treasure Hunt Squad, Activate

"This is impossible! It makes no sense at all!"

Team Leader Li crouched in front of the newly extracted soil samples, looking completely crestfallen. His earlier fighting spirit had been extinguished in an instant, and the sense of loss was hard for him to accept.

The collection of soil samples from the mountain was not going well. Team Leader Li and his team had used Luoyang shovels to dig at seventy or eighty different spots, but they had all come up empty. No traces of gold were found in any of the extracted samples.

"Team Leader, come look at this!" At that moment, a survey team member came running down the mountain, clutching a chunk of rock. His face was flushed with excitement.

Under the sunlight, the ore in the team member’s hands seemed to shimmer brilliantly. Team Leader Li, who had been looking dejected just a moment ago, immediately shot to his feet and took the rock from his subordinate’s hands.

After examining it carefully, Team Leader Li confirmed that what he was holding was indeed gold ore. He also noticed that there were other types of associated minerals on the ore, but their specific identities would require precise analysis.

"Where did you find this ore?" Team Leader Li asked, his gaze burning with intensity as he looked at the team member.

A proud expression appeared on the team member’s tanned face. "I noticed something when we were taking samples earlier. We kept hitting bedrock at a depth of only one or two meters. I thought it was strange that the topsoil was so shallow."

"After we finished sampling, I started to wonder if this mountain was different from the river basin—if the gold here wasn’t placer gold in the soil, but lode gold in the rock!"

"So, I randomly picked a spot and started digging. After about a meter and a half, I hit bedrock. When I saw gold particles on the surface of the rock, I knew I was right!"

"I used a Luoyang shovel and all the strength I had to dig this piece of ore out. I even broke one of the tools in the process."

"Well done! I’ll mark you down for a major contribution. When we get back to camp later, I’ll personally report this to Mr. Su and Mr. Xiao. You’ll definitely be getting a bonus!" Team Leader Li patted the team member heavily on the shoulder.

After speaking, he noticed the other team members looking at the one who found the ore with envious eyes. An idea struck him, and he said, "Don’t be discouraged. This is just one spot, and that’s definitely not enough. We need more ore samples to analyze the data."

At this, Team Leader Li clapped his hands to draw everyone’s attention and announced loudly, "Let’s try to collect ore from several more spots before dark! When we do, I’ll go to Mr. Su and request a reward for all of you. Are you with me?"

"Yes!" all the survey team members shouted back, raising their tools. Each and every one of them was now filled with fighting spirit.

"Move out!" With a wave of his hand, Team Leader Li sent them off in pairs toward the previously marked spots.

...

「Canyon Camp」

Su Chen and Xiao Chen were lounging leisurely in chairs in an open area, enjoying the warm sunlight and the comfort of afternoon tea.

"I wonder if Team Leader Li has gotten any results yet," Su Chen said, gazing at the distant mountain as if his eyes could see through it to the river on the other side.

Xiao Chen took a sip of the coffee on the table, the slightly bitter taste making him frown. "We just have to be patient. Team Leader Li and his men are professionals. We’ll find out what the results are when they get back."

Though he said that, a hint of anticipation was also visible in Xiao Chen’s eyes. He hoped it was just as Team Leader Li had said—a massive gold mine.

Just then, a commotion erupted from the outskirts of the camp. As they were wondering what had happened, they saw Xuan and Huang come running in from outside.

Seeing their anxious expressions, Su Chen and Xiao Chen shot up from their chairs. They exchanged a look, their hearts sinking. ’Could something have happened to Salman and Abdullah while they were hunting?’

At that thought, Su Chen immediately called Xuan and Huang over.

"What’s going on? Why are you back? Where are Salman and the others? Did something happen?" Su Chen asked, his voice tinged with anxiety. If something really had happened to the two brothers during their hunt, it wouldn’t be good for Su Chen and Xiao Chen. On the contrary, it could bring them a world of trouble, especially since Su Chen was the host here.

"Huh?" Xuan and Huang heard Su Chen’s questions but didn’t react right away.

It took a kick from Xiao Chen, who was standing nearby, to snap them out of it. "Mr. Su, Prince Salman and Abdullah are fine! We came back because Prince Salman shot two huge animals and sent us to get the patrol team to help!"

Hearing this, Su Chen couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief. Xiao Chen, on the other hand, was thoroughly exasperated. He shot them a glare and snapped, "Can’t you two use your heads next time? Didn’t you think to use the walkie-talkie? You came running back in such a panic, we thought something terrible had happened!"

"Uh... the walkie-talkie ran out of battery!" Xuan and Huang mumbled, shrinking back. Even they, slow on the uptake as they were, realized their panicked appearance had caused their two bosses a bit of a misunderstanding.

"Alright, go on and take some patrol members to bring the game back," Su Chen said. He didn’t ask what kind of big animals Salman had shot. It was better to leave a little suspense; finding out ahead of time would spoil the fun.