Chapter 145 : Chapter 145
Chapter : 145
Skarn City.
This was the outermost border city of Bartovita. Due to years of war, the city walls looked extremely old and bore traces of repairs. Even so, compared to the royal city, it was still dilapidated and worn.
However, it was better than the Free City. At least the entrance and exit of the main city here were watched over by city guards.
The Free City, on the other hand, was a completely unguarded place. To put it nicely, it was called 'free'; to put it bluntly, it was called 'sinful'.
As Yan Yunqing approached Skarn City, he had already switched to his previous Edward persona. This persona's appearance was not outstanding.
As a wandering alchemist with no fixed abode, it was a very normal thing for him to come to Skarn City to seek inspiration and obtain materials.
At least the appearance of this persona in Skarn City wouldn't attract too much attention, as countless alchemists occasionally passed through Skarn City.
Yan Yunqing wore a very simple robe, which he had bought on his way to the Free City. Its origin was completely untraceable, it was loose and comfortable to wear, and also very low-key.
It suited Edward's character design very well.
“Who are you?” The guard at the city gate saw Yan Yunqing and blocked his path with the spear in his hand, looking him up and down, “What are you doing in Skarn City?”
“Edward, an alchemist.” Yan Yunqing's expression didn't change, “I am traveling around, and just happened to arrive here.”
“An alchemist?” the city guard muttered, “Why have so many strangers come to the city recently? Strange.”
Yan Yunqing's eyes flickered, “Why? Besides me, would anyone else run to such a dangerous and dilapidated place?”
The city guard wasn't annoyed upon hearing Yan Yunqing's words. After all, Yan Yunqing was speaking the truth.
He snorted, “Who knows. Some inexplicable mercenaries. They'd be better off going to a richer city than coming here. We don't have any noble lords here to commission quests for them.”
Mercenaries? Mercenaries wouldn't come to this godforsaken place. It was indeed very dangerous here, and there weren't many quests to take.
After all, the only noble family here was the Sawyer family, and they had long since mortgaged and sold off all the family property they could, turning it into military pay to support the Sawyer Army.
“Perhaps they came here after accepting some kind of quest?” Yan Yunqing asked probingly, “Didn't you say there's some noble here? Named Sawyer?”
“Are you kidding?” The city guard shook his head, “General Sawyer's family is indeed a noble family, that's correct, but Lord Sawyer is very frugal.
All their money is used to support the Sawyer Army, all for the sake of protecting Skarn City. They have no time to play house with those mercenaries. Can those mercenaries even go to the battlefield?”
Towards the end, the city guard's tone carried a hint of mockery, and his body exuded a murderous aura. It was obvious that the city guards of Skarn were all soldiers who had been on the battlefield.
Not to mention, looking at Skarn City's location, it was probably in a state where the entire city was composed of soldiers.
After all, the city was less than a hundred miles from the Skarn Front. If the demonic beasts really attacked, even the ordinary residents in the city could take up arms and become soldiers on the battlefield.
Yan Yunqing didn't continue the conversation. He casually registered his information, and the city guard let him pass.
Upon entering the city, the feeling of everyone being a soldier became even more obvious. Even the children on the roadside didn't look simple. The moment Yan Yunqing entered, he received gazes from all directions.
There was no helping it. Entering a city like this, one would face this kind of problem.
But it didn't matter. It shouldn't be long before those who wanted to figure out his identity would clarify his origins.
Knowing that he was just an ordinary wandering alchemist, they would temporarily relax their attention on him a little.
There were businesses open in Skarn City, just not many. As Yan Yunqing walked along, he only saw two restaurants and one inn.
That inn was also dilapidated, possessing a kind of beauty that had weathered the ages.
Yan Yunqing was very adaptable to his environment. If there was a luxurious hotel like the one run by the Augreer family, he could go in and enjoy himself. If there was really no place to sleep, he could find a beloved tree, climb up, and make do for a night in his clothes without any problem.
Counting the days, it had been half a year since he transmigrated into this other world. In these six months, he had indeed experienced a lot, and his adaptability had also grown much stronger.
Yan Yunqing walked into the inn. A proprietress with a cloth wrapped around her head looked up at him, “Staying?”
Yan Yunqing nodded, “I want the best room.”
The proprietress waved her hand, “All the rooms in our inn are the same. Are you alone? We only have one double room left, do you want it?”
Yan Yunqing: ……
What else could be said? Otherwise, should he sleep on the streets? Oh, that wasn't it. Maybe he would soon find out where Rowena and William had gone, so he wouldn't need to stay here.
“The double room then.”
“One silver coin a night.”
Yan Yunqing sighed in amazement. As expected of the border, the prices here were cheap. In a small city far from the royal city he had stayed in before, the inn cost six silver coins a night. The inn in Skarn City was actually only one silver coin a night.
“For a month. No need for change. Send a meal up for me with the rest.” Yan Yunqing took out a gold coin and placed it on the table.
Edward's character design was to travel around. He couldn't just stay for a day or two and then run off. What kind of traveling would that be?
No matter which persona Yan Yunqing used, he would meticulously maintain the character design. This way, those who were secretly wary of him would also lower their guard because of the side he showed.
The proprietress glanced at the gold coin, then at Yan Yunqing, her eyes filled with a look that said, 'Is this guy a fool with more money than sense?', “One meal won't cost this much. I can't make change for a gold coin here. Go to other stalls and buy something to get change. In Skarn City, transactions are basically done with silver and copper coins. Be careful not to flaunt your wealth too much and get targeted.”
Yan Yunqing didn't expect this proprietress to even refuse money that was basically free for the taking.
He was stunned for a moment, and sheepishly put away the gold coin. He fumbled in the inner pocket of his cloak and finally pulled out a worn-out money pouch.
When did he pick up this money pouch? Was it something he conveniently looted from a corpse when he annihilated the Black Snake Mercenary Group in the Free City before?
Ew, this money pouch was a bit too shabby.
Yan Yunqing reached out and pulled, almost tearing the drawstring of the money pouch. About twenty silver coins poured out from inside, piling up in front of the proprietress.
The proprietress smacked her lips, spat out the sunflower seed shells in her mouth, and began to count the silver coins Yan Yunqing had poured out.
“Twenty-eight coins. You're still short two coins for thirty days.” As the proprietress spoke, she pulled out a small notebook from a drawer under the table and started writing and drawing, “Forget it, since you're staying for twenty-eight days straight, I'll waive two days of room fees for you and send you one dinner. That's generous enough of me, right?”
Yan Yunqing maintained Edward's persona, nodding timidly, using the shadow of his hood to cover half of his face.
The proprietress didn't think Yan Yunqing was being rude for ignoring her. After finishing the registration, she took out a key and tossed it to Yan Yunqing, “Turn left and go upstairs. The room number is written on the key.”
Just as Yan Yunqing was about to take the key and go upstairs, the inn door was pushed open again.
The person who came in seemed to be in a bit of a hurry, using a lot of force. The door slammed against the wall with a loud bang, startling everyone present.
The proprietress sitting in front of the counter hadn't even seen the person clearly when she heard the sound and began to curse: “Are you trying to die?! Using so much force! Don't you know my this… huh?”
After the proprietress saw clearly what the person who pushed open the inn door looked like, she swallowed the curses right back down, almost choking. Her face even turned slightly red.
Her face twitched a couple of times, and she awkwardly continued what she was saying, “Why-why have you suddenly come?”
Yan Yunqing happened to turn his head and met a pair of deep, cold blue eyes.
In that instant, Yan Yunqing almost thought he had been targeted by some cold-blooded animal.
Goosebumps rose on his arms. When he came to his senses, he realized the person who had come was actually Adrien!
…Wait, why is it Adrien?
Yan Yunqing's calm expression, maintained for his persona, almost broke when he saw Adrien. What was going on?
Although he had a premonition that he would run into Adrien when he came to Skarn City, and had even specially used Edward's persona for this reason, he didn't think it would be so soon!
As a proper General Sawyer, did you have nothing to do all day but wander around Skarn City?
Not to mention, they actually ran into each other in an inn… an inn?
Yan Yunqing subconsciously turned his head back and looked at the proprietress in front of the counter. He saw a respectful expression on her face.
She wasn't the least bit afraid of the young master of the only noble family in Skarn City. She stood up and took a few large strides to meet him, “You've come to—”
Before the proprietress could finish her words, she was pushed aside by Adrien. His steps were even more urgent and faster than the proprietress's.
In almost a flash, he appeared in front of Yan Yunqing, and his eyes when looking at Yan Yunqing actually carried a hint of excitement.
Yan Yunqing: ?
Excitement? Wait, was this still the rumored cold and ruthless demon-slaying machine, General Sawyer?
“You're here!” Adrien grabbed Yan Yunqing's arm.
Yan Yunqing was completely bewildered, but he still responded to Adrien's words with a sound: “Yeah.”
Adrien: “I've been waiting for you for a long time!”
Yan Yunqing: Huh???
“You knew I was coming?” Yan Yunqing was confused. Before today, he himself didn't know he was coming to Skarn City. How could Adrien look so certain that he would come?
Adrien paused for a moment, then nodded again: “I knew.”
Yan Yunqing became even more bewildered. What was going on? Could it be that this Adrien had someone proficient in prophetic magic by his side?
Or was it that everything he had encountered was being manipulated by Adrien from behind the scenes? The disappearance of his companions, the disappearance of the Sigret students?
“You said, if you needed it, you would come find me.” Adrien's gaze on Yan Yunqing was extremely focused.
When his cold, deep blue eyes stared at someone, it gave people the feeling of being targeted by a pack of ferocious wolves.
Yan Yunqing tried his best to ignore the discomfort of being stared at by Adrien and tried hard to recall when he had said this before.
Ah… it seemed to be when they were parting ways. When Adrien stuffed a small note into his hand, asking him to write to him, he had casually said something like "if I need it".
Adrien was very certain: “I knew you would definitely come.”
Yan Yunqing: ……What does that even mean? Does he think I would definitely have something to ask for his help with? Isn't this person a bit too confident?
An ordinary-yet-overconfident man. Red flag noted.
…Oh, wait, Adrien was level 100. He did indeed have the capital to be this confident.
Yan Yunqing fell into a brief silence. Instead, it was the proprietress who looked at Yan Yunqing, then at Adrien, and said cautiously: “My lord, you know this guest?”
“Yes.” Adrien nodded with certainty, “He's here to find me.”
Yan Yunqing: “……If you say so.”
The corners of Adrien's mouth lifted by a few pixels, yet anyone could see his good mood at this moment.
The proprietress was stunned by this strange atmosphere. She hesitated for a moment, “Since he's a friend of my lord, then let's just waive the fee.”
Yan Yunqing frowned, “He is he, and I am I. No need to waive it for me.”
Adrien didn't speak, just focused on looking at Yan Yunqing.
The proprietress was a bit confused. She glanced at Adrien out of the corner of her eye, but received no hint from this lord.
She awkwardly retracted her gaze. Not to mention, this was the first time she had seen someone in Skarn City who was not short of money.
She had even offered to waive the bill for him, but the guest was unwilling. This was truly rare to see in a border city like Skarn, since Skarn was uniformly poor from top to bottom.
“Uh, o-okay?”
Yan Yunqing nodded at the proprietress. He was about to take the key and go upstairs, but his wrist was grabbed by Adrien.
Yan Yunqing looked at him in confusion. Adrien looked at the key in his hand, “You're going to stay here?”
“Yeah.” Yan Yunqing pretended not to see Adrien's expression, “I'm going upstairs to tidy up. Do you want to come along?”
“Oh, right, I do have something I want to ask you. Is it convenient for you?”
Adrien's deep blue, icy eyes lit up. He very naturally followed Yan Yunqing's steps, no longer纠結 on the matter of Yan Yunqing wanting to stay in an inn despite being in his territory.
Having found his room, Yan Yunqing opened the door and discovered the reason why this inn was so cheap.
Even the double room was extremely small. The room could only fit a double bed, a single desk, and a chair.
The aisle reserved in the middle was extremely narrow, making it impossible for even two people to walk side by side.
Fortunately, the room was cleaned quite well. There was no particular mess in the places visible to the naked eye.
Yan Yunqing casually took out his magic staff and cast a few cleaning spells. The entire room looked even tidier and cleaner on the surface.
Yan Yunqing put down the luggage he was carrying for others to see and pointed to the only single wooden chair, “Sit.”
Adrien actually sat down very obediently. It was just that this chair was obviously made a bit small, and Adrien's build was a bit too large, so he was cramped when sitting on it. He couldn't even stretch his legs and sat very formally.
It looked a bit comical.
Yan Yunqing took out a cup from his backpack, casually waved his magic wand, condensed a ball of water, and threw it into the cup, heating it up by the way.
Just as Adrien stretched out his hand, Yan Yunqing tilted his head back and took a sip of the hot water.
Adrien's hand paused for a moment, and he silently withdrew his hand.
Yan Yunqing took in Adrien's reaction and organized his thoughts in his mind, “It's good that you're here. I don't have to go looking for you specifically. There is indeed something I want to ask you.”
On his way here, he had thought about what excuse to use to get information from Adrien if he ran into him.
Based on the impression left from the few days he had spent with Adrien in the royal city of Bartovita, plus the evaluations of Adrien from various parties, Yan Yunqing felt that Adrien was probably not a member of the masked group.
After all, the attire of the masked people looked like that of some kind of evil cult. Adrien, whether from his background or his actions of defending the border, was very upright.
Even if he had ulterior motives, with the Sawyer family's current prestige in Bartovita, perhaps with a single order, all the Sawyer Army would rise up in rebellion on the spot, follow General Sawyer, and charge south directly into the royal city.
And there really weren't many checkpoints that could stop the Sawyer Army in this process.
This showed the prestige of the Sawyer family in Bartovita. It was no wonder that the old King of Barto was so wary of the Sawyer family, trying time and again to marry his twelve or thirteen-year-old daughter to Adrien to win over the Sawyer family.
Moreover, the reason the Sawyer family could have such prestige was also because generation after generation of the Sawyer family had defended the border, exchanging peace with blood and tears.
Of course, these were not the reasons why Yan Yunqing would just rashly approach him. The main reason was that his quest guide had updated the moment Adrien appeared.
-You can try to inquire for information from "Adrien".
Since the quest guide had given such a suggestion, Adrien was most likely not a member of the masked group.
Adrien nodded very seriously: “Speak.”
“I told you before, right? I'm traveling around to find my younger brother.”
Although he was sure that Adrien was not a member of the masked group, Yan Yunqing did not tell the whole truth. Instead, he took out the Edward backstory he had made up before and modified it.
“I have been searching for a long time. Some time ago, someone told me a piece of news. My brother may have been taken away by someone. I have been following the clues of those people all the way here…”
“The last place they appeared was in Skarn City, and it's very likely they are still nearby.” Yan Yunqing stared at Adrien, “I need to find them and ask about my brother's whereabouts.”
Adrien nodded thoughtfully. Seeing that he was listening very seriously, Yan Yunqing described the attire of the masked people he had seen before to Adrien, hoping that Adrien would provide some new clues.
Adrien paused for a moment and asked an unrelated question: “During this time, have you been following them all along?”
Yan Yunqing choked for a moment. Thinking of the reason he had just made up, he brazenly nodded, “Yes, I have been following them during this time.”
Adrien's eyes darkened, and he said very bluntly: “So that's why you didn't write to me?”
Yan Yunqing: “……Yes, so that's why I didn't write to you.”
That wasn't it at all, I just accidentally forgot about you.
No, wait, when he left Bartovita, he had already made up his mind not to contact Adrien again! How could he say he had forgotten?
Adrien suddenly asked another question: “So you have a grudge against the King of Barto? Or a grudge against that… uh… what prince?”
Yan Yunqing froze. In almost an instant, all the hairs on his body stood up. If he were still in his Little Black Cat or Kāmi beast state right now, one would be able to see at a glance that his fur had puffed up.
Yan Yunqing stiffly pulled at the corner of his mouth, “What do you mean? Why are you suddenly saying this? I don't quite understand.”
Adrien gave him a strange look and kindly reminded Yan Yunqing: “The mysterious person that night, red cloak? Blew up the royal palace.”
Yan Yunqing's scalp began to tingle. He was the one who did all these things. How could he not understand what Adrien was saying?
Wasn't he talking about the incident where he, under the guise of Joker, killed Feu, blew up the royal palace, and conveniently pushed the blame onto the Second Prince?
A little cold sweat seeped from Yan Yunqing's temple. He stared into Adrien's eyes, trying to find a hint of joking or probing intent in them, but there was none.
There was nothing. From Adrien's gaze, it could be seen that he was very certain that the Joker that night was him.
Wait, could it be that this person also had something similar to Alice's [Eye of Truth]? Or was it that upon reaching level 100, one could see through his roleplaying skill?
Yan Yunqing broke out in a cold sweat while his toes curled into the ground. He hadn't forgotten the big scene he had created in the royal palace back then—he had played the role of an arrogant criminal with the most exaggerated acting.
So, in Adrien's eyes, wasn't it: a gloomy alchemist who usually didn't talk much said he was leaving, but then transformed and stood on stage to perform some cringey, dramatic lines?
This was a bit too embarrassing!
“What exactly are you trying to say?” Yan Yunqing gritted his teeth and decided to probe one more time. What if Adrien was really just trying to bluff him?
Not everyone could have a bug-level talent skill like Alice, right?
Adrien shook his head, “I just want to say,”
He paused, “If you are going to kill the King of Barto again next, don't go anymore. It's very dangerous.”
At this point, Adrien stopped, as if organizing his words, or perhaps thinking about how to say the next words. He hesitated for a while before saying:
“After your assassination attempt failed last time, the royal family summoned many powerful experts to guard the King of Barto. It's very dangerous for you to go.”
He once again emphasized the three words "very dangerous". Yan Yunqing, on the other hand, was stunned.
What did he mean by assassination attempt failed? When did he try to assassinate the old King of Barto? Wasn't his target just Feu? Feu had already been taken care of by him!
Soon, Yan Yunqing reacted. Although he hadn't made a move on the old King of Barto, there was one person who was very likely to make a move.
Cornelia.
After he killed Feu, he had created such a big scene. The original purpose was to fulfill his agreement with Cornelia—to attract the attention of everyone present.
So, did Cornelia take the opportunity while he was attracting everyone's attention to make a move on the old King of Barto?
And then Adrien mistakenly thought that Cornelia was with him, and his target was also the old King of Barto.
He had indeed seen at the Bounty Hunter's Association that the King of Barto had been attacked and was now injured and in a coma, and was very likely not to live long. So the "attack" referred to the things he had caused?
“If you must kill him, I can help you.”
“I am very strong.”
Adrien spoke very sincerely, and his eyes revealed a sense of seriousness, “You shouldn't go. It's very dangerous.”
This was the third time he had emphasized that it was very dangerous.
These words also left Yan Yunqing stunned. He had thought that Adrien was here to probe him, and had also thought that Adrien was here to threaten him, but he just never thought that Adrien was here to hand in his resume.