"It seems that guy should not be a good person..." As early as when Lan said the first word "Get lost", Leorio was ready.
After staying on the ship for such a long time, he had never seen Lan so rude to anyone. So, seeing Lan's attitude towards Matthew made Leorio aware. This guy must have a problem.
"But even that guy is heading towards the direction of the Lone Pine Tree, which should be the right place." Kurapika, who had been silent, also started to analyze again.
"Well! I also plan to follow Lan's words." Gon naturally has no other questions: "Lan must have his reasons for saying so."
"Since you all said so..." Leorio saw that the attitudes of the two were so firm, and coupled with Matthew's action, his thoughts were also shaken. "Then let's go to the Lone Pine Tree first."
After making the decision, he exhaled: "But why does this map show such a route?"
Leorio still couldn't forget this map.
"When I came here last year, the place marked on the map here was not Zaban City, but Ralfa City."
Lan glanced at the map and couldn't help laughing: "But I know Ralfa city is not in that direction."
"Ralfa city?"
"Well, that's where I took the official exam last year."
Kurapika understood immediately: "So, the direction of this map is wrong?"
"Such a large map is wrong?!"
Leorio was a little unbelievable: "Despite being so blatantly placed in the harbor?"
"There is no Hunter Association logo on it."
Gon also looked carefully at the sign on the map after hearing this.
"On Whale Island, the map has the logo of our Whale Island, but there seems to be nothing on it…"
At this point, it is already obvious.
"Isn't this a blatant deception?!"
Leorio, who was relieved to know that he was almost deceived, was also quite unhappy: "Why is there such a map here?!"
"I think it should be for screening applicants?"
Kurapika thought: "Just like on the passenger ship, this is also a test for us."
"After all, except for applicants like us who take the Hunter Exam, no one will go to Zaban City."
"Another test…"
Leorio's eyes twitched, and he had understood it in his heart.
This test should be about not easily believing in all kinds of information, about learning to distinguish and find the right way out.
However, he still refused to admit defeat and said stubbornly: "Really, they always come up with some strange exam."
He seemed to have thought of something and looked at Lan puzzledly: "Since Zaban City is a big city, why do we have to go to that Lone Pine Tree?"
"Maybe it's the guide the captain mentioned just now?"
Kurapika was very smart to remember the key words just now: "According to the literal meaning, it means that we should go to that huge Lone Pine Tree and find the person who will lead us to the real venue?"
"That's right."
Lan praised Kurapika's wit.
"Applicants must rely on the little information they get to find the location of the venue, which is also a test for applicants."
Lan explained: "In order to reduce the number of applicants, the Hunter Association has set up various traps along the way."
"The venue is different every year and is set in a place that is difficult to be discovered."
"Without the help of a guide, it is difficult for applicants to reach the venue. Applicants must first find a guide and have them confirm their qualification before they can reach the venue."
"Is that so."
Gon nodded in understanding and immediately became full of energy: "Then let's go!!"
The group no longer had any objections and set foot on the journey.
"But what are the guides like?"
Walking on the road, Leorio had another crooked idea.
He came close to Lan, looked around, and made sure there was no one else. Then, he whispered, "Can you tell me what kind of guys they are and what the test is about?"
Kurapika also pricked up his ears when he heard this.
"Why? Do you want to cheat?"
Lan asked with interest.
"How can this be considered cheating? This is called collecting information in advance!"
Leorio found a reason and then cheered up: "So..."
"So if I tell you, what benefits can you give me?"
Lan rubbed two fingers: "This is related to passing the Hunter Exam, which is very important information."
Leorio: Well, he used to make others pay the price; now it's his turn.
"But I don't have much money on me..."
Leorio said, a little embarrassed.
"I support that!"
Gon raised his hand: "Leorio didn't even have money to eat, so he went to steal the fish from the shop."
"Well, I can testify to this."
Kurapika nodded in agreement: "I saw it too."
Leorio: "Thank you for explaining it so clearly!"
"It doesn't matter if you don't have money now."
Lan showed a meaningful smile.
"After you pass the Hunter Exam and get the hunter license, we can sit down and talk about this matter."
"Hunter license? No problem!!"
Leorio agreed decisively.
If he can really get the hunter's license, it will be a sure win, no matter what the price is.
"I accept it, too."
Gon also raised his hand. Kurapika thought for a moment and felt that intelligence was more important.
Especially what the captain said before leaving, that he should consult more experienced people.
He always felt that this sentence seemed to have some deep meaning.
Seeing that everyone agreed, Lan no longer concealed: "On the road ahead, we will pass a small town. The examiner in the town is an old woman with only two teeth."
"She will ask us questions, and as long as you answer correctly, she will let you go."
Leorio immediately asked impatiently: "What kind of questions did she ask you last year?"
"If your mother and father both fell into the water, and you can only save one…"
Lan said casually: "1, mother, 2, father, which one would you save?"
"? ? ? "
Leorio's face was full of black question marks: "What kind of question is this!?"
"There is no correct answer to this kind of question!!"
While Gon was still thinking, Kurapika asked: "Then how did you answer, Lan?"
"You arrived at the official Hunter Exam venue last year, so you should have passed the test by answering the questions correctly, right?
"Right."
Leorio, who was about to get angry, immediately reacted: "What's the correct answer?"
"I chose 1."
Lan said truthfully.
"1!"
Kurapika was stunned to think there might be other ways to answer such a question.
"Why?"
"Because I don't like the number 2, so I chose 1."
Lan said as a matter of course.
"So 1 is the correct answer?!"
Leorio couldn't believe it.
"Of course... Not."
Lan stretched out his tone a little, making Leorio hold back the words that were about to come out of his mouth.
"Since it's wrong, it can't be 2, right?"
He muttered.
"It shouldn't be right either..."
Kurapika frowned and thought for a while: "What did the examiner say?"
"She let me pass."
Leorio: "???"
============
If this fanfic reaches the top 30-39 in Power Ranking and maintains it till the next day I upload, I'll release 8 chapters (2 regular and 6 bonus chapters).
Current Rank: 200+