Ironclad: How can hand-crafted knight belts not be considered genius?

Upon hearing that Jiang Ning was leaving, Clara's smile faded, a hint of reluctance appeared in her eyes, and she gently gripped Jiang Ning's sleeve with her small hand.

"Are you leaving...?"

The little girl lowered her eyes and murmured softly, full of longing.

These three days were a rare moment of warmth for her in the icy snowfield.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning gently squatted down to look Clara in the eye, his tone gentle and sincere:

"I'm only leaving temporarily, and besides, Iz will stay in the Mechanical Tribe with you."

"Once everything's settled, Iz and I will take you to the upper levels so you can have a blast and we'll introduce you to some new friends."

Iz stepped forward, gently patted Clara's head, and soothed her in a calming tone:

"President Jiang Ning always keeps his word, so don't worry, Clara."

Upon hearing this, Clara had no choice but to give up and obediently nodded.

"Alright... then Brother Jiang Ning, you must take good care of yourself! Don't take any risks!"

Jiang Ning stood up and looked up at Iz.

"Iz, I'm going first."

Regarding the crafting of the new enhancement item, I've already uploaded the data to "Zea." I'll have to trouble you with the rest now.

Iz smiled and nodded slightly.

"Understood. President Jiang Ning, have a safe journey."

Having said all he needed to say, Jiang Ning waved to the crowd and disappeared into the snowstorm.

…………

Inside Natasha's clinic in Panyan Town.

Natasha crossed her arms, frowned, and looked utterly speechless.

"Sambo? You've brought strangers again. Who are these people?"

In front of her, Sambo clasped his hands together and rubbed them back and forth, a signature business smile on his face.

"Oh, Natasha, don't be nervous! It's a long story! Let me tell you..."

"Fine, I'm not going to listen to your nonsense."

Natasha interrupted Sambo, giving him no chance to argue.

"What does what's going on with the higher-ups have to do with you? Why do you have to get involved in this mess?"

Do you think you're not conspicuous enough? Do you want to be the focus of "Earthfire's" attention?

"Don't say that! I, Sambo, have always been loyal to my friends, and these people are my friends."

Everyone in the underworld knows that I, Old Sambo, am a man of honor! How could I, Old Sambo, stand idly by when my friends need help?

Sambo patted his chest, looking righteous and awe-inspiring.

"Besides, nobody can predict what will happen next; they might be able to help the lower-level districts."

"Is this your reason for letting outsiders roam freely underground? Among them is a young girl from the Silvermane Iron Guard."

Thinking of that stubborn, silver-haired woman, Natasha couldn't help but recall the "secret" Jiang Ning had told her not long ago.

If everything is truly as Jiang Ning said, then overturning Bronya's "faith" and making her believe in Cocolia's actions will be quite difficult.

Seeing Natasha's brows furrowing deeper and deeper, Sambo, who was kept in the dark, quickly suppressed his frivolous smile and put on a serious expression.

"It was an accident, purely an accident! I'll go out right now and find the people who wandered off! We absolutely won't cause a riot!"

Natasha didn't say anything more after hearing this, and waved her hand at Sambo as if she was driving away something dirty.

"You must find and keep a close eye on that little girl with the silver mane."

For over a decade, the lower-class residents had been isolated from the upper classes, rarely seeing the Iron Guards. If word got out, the consequences would be dire.

"I understand! I understand everything!"

"Boss, I'm leaving these guests here in your care! I'll go look for them first!"

As soon as Sang Bo finished speaking, he pushed open the door and left, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

Natasha looked up in the direction Sambo had disappeared, then looked back at the three pioneers lying haphazardly behind her. Finally, she sighed resignedly and took out her phone from her pocket.

After hesitating for a moment, Natasha finally clicked on Jiang Ning's name in the "Contact Person" list and quickly tapped the screen.

How's the situation on your end? Your companions are now in my clinic. They were brought down from the upper district by Sambo and are currently wanted by Cocolia.

As you said, the Silvermane Guard officer was also brought down, but she didn't seem to want much interaction with us lower-level residents; she ran out shortly after waking up.

After a short wait, Jiang Ning's name changed to "typing..." and then a message popped up.

【all the best.

I have a general understanding of Bronya's situation. I wonder how well the information I need is prepared, Ms. Natasha?

"What do you plan to do with it in my hands? Can it really convince Bronya?"

[Specific plans are confidential. (Funny.jpg)]

I'm almost at the clinic; just wait and see what happens.

After sending the last message, Jiang Ning's previously lit-up avatar went dark, indicating that he had logged off.

The phone screen went dark, the dim light completely gone, and Natasha sighed softly, shaking her head helplessly as she gripped the phone.

This guy always looks so confident, and every single one of his predictions comes true in the end, leaving no room for doubt.

She put her phone away and turned her gaze back to the three people lying haphazardly in the clinic.

After an unknown amount of time, Xing's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.

His blank gaze swept over the unfamiliar, simple wooden house, the herbs hanging on the walls, and the medical instruments on the table, finally settling on Natasha, who was standing with her arms crossed, quietly watching him.

As consciousness returned, a hazy hangover swept over me, leaving me feeling weak and limp, with a slight, dull ache in my head.

"woke up?"

Natasha concealed the thoughts in her eyes, and her tone returned to the gentle calmness unique to a healer.

"How are you feeling? Is there anything wrong with your body?"

Xing propped herself up and sat up, shaking her heavy head, her voice hoarse from just waking up:

"I feel a little dizzy... Where am I?"

"This is the Lower District, Rocky Town. This is my clinic."

She stepped forward and handed her a glass of lukewarm water with concern.

"You've been unconscious for a whole day. The man who brought you here is named Sambo."

"Sambo?!"

The Trail Blazers instantly regained their senses, immediately recalling the strange cloud of smoke, and their expressions became somewhat complicated.

"Where are my companions? March 7th, Danheng, and Bronya... Are they alright?"

Natasha's gaze sharpened, and she slowly replied:

"Danheng woke up early, and soon after, he went out with Sangbo to look for people."

The girl named March 7th couldn't contain herself; as soon as she regained some strength, she wandered around the town alone.

At this point, she paused slightly, a complex and serious look flashing in her eyes, and deliberately slowed her speech:

"As for that Silvermane Iron Guard girl... she woke up the earliest."

She seemed to have a strong sense of wariness and alienation towards the lower levels and towards us underground residents.

Once he realized he was underground, he left without saying a word, and no one could stop him.

I saw you were sleeping soundly, so I didn't have the heart to wake you.

Xing scratched his head awkwardly, not expecting that he was the last one to wake up among the four.

Just as she was about to get up and go out to find her companions.

squeak-

The clinic's wooden door was pushed open by the wind and snow, and the biting cold wind, carrying fine snowflakes, rushed into the room, instantly dispersing the warm aroma of medicine inside.

A slender and upright figure, covered in a thin layer of snow, slowly walked into the house.

Jiang Ning raised his hand to brush the snowflakes off his shoulder, his gaze calmly sweeping across the clinic before finally settling precisely on the awakened Xing, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Hey, long time no see~"

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