Chapter 437 - 3: The Five Saints and One Overlord, Qing Family
Yue Jinghua rubbed her brow, feeling a sense of helplessness rising. It was really an unfortunate start— this was only their first team mission, and they had already encountered such a difficult client.
The first of the three great taboos for mercenaries is dealing with a troublesome client.
The success or failure of a mission, aside from the mercenary’s own capabilities, is significantly influenced by the client.
Especially for missions requiring the protection of the client’s personal safety, a cooperative client can at least increase the success rate of the mission by half.
From the current situation, it seemed certain that Granny Qingyan, the lady in the black dress, had a difficult temperament.
Then, considering her overall appearance and the fact that she was using a walking stick, it was clear that her physical condition was not good. Yue Jinghua was already contemplating whether they should bring along the healer Weiwei for this mission, to prevent the possibility of the old lady collapsing on the way, even before any encounter with Dark Beasts.
"Captain, should we step in and mediate?" the relentless scolding of Lady Qingyan filled the air, criticizing everything from the inn’s food to the decor, and finally, even the clothing of the serving boy. She had nitpicked every detail that one could possibly notice.
Merely listening by the side was enough to make Yue Jinghua’s scalp tingle.
Finally, Chef Mi Xiu emerged from the kitchen and managed to calm Granny Qingyan’s mood by offering a free serving of "Gastrodia Wormwood Tea" and by preparing another dish suitable for the "elderly" palate.
Seeing the situation finally calming down, Yue Jinghua cleared her throat and forced out a universally polite smile, stepping forward to warmly ask, "Pardon me, old madam. Judging by your distinguished aura and elegant demeanor, I presume you must be our client for this mission, Old Madam Qingyan."
Before she could finish her sentence, a soup spoon, thick with droplets, flew across the air towards her.
Yue Jinghua immediately dodged, only to see Granny Qingyan take a sip of the hot soup, not even glancing at Yue Jinghua as she huffed and puffed angrily, "What is Luo Lin doing? Sending such a crude mercenary who lacks the very basic punctuality and manners."
"Late?" Yue Jinghua had seen enough of the old lady’s vexing and obstinate attitude. Holding her patience, she pointed at a nearby table set with tea items, "Madam Qingyan, you are mistaken. We have been here for quite some time. However, you had not arrived yet, so we decided to analyze the route for this mission and also..."
"Not only are you impolite but also very talkative. Talking too much equates to making excuses. Nevertheless, I am tolerant by nature and won’t hold it against someone of a younger generation like yourself. Don’t just stand there; go and settle the bill for this meal. Making an old person wait like this shows a lack of upbringing from your family elders." Lady Qingyan, after tasting just a bite of each dish, was unwilling to eat more and shooed Yue Jinghua away to quickly pay the bill with a wave of her hand.
"Pay the bill? I didn’t eat a single bite," Yue Jinghua was at a loss for words.
Seeing that the situation was not right, Feng Buhui quickly pulled Yue Jinghua to settle the bill, while repeatedly trying to calm her.
If they weren’t careful, this mission might fail and Yue Jinghua had the potential to become infamous in the Mercenary World as the first mercenary to accidentally kill a client out of anger.
"Fifty Dark Pills for a meal, fifty Dark Pills gone just like that," Yue Jinghua clutched her chest, feeling like she was about to develop heart disease from the frustration.
In contrast, Granny Qingyan was delicately picking her teeth with a Jade whale bone toothpick and sipping on the Cordyceps Tea provided by White Moon Pavilion as an apology.
"Patience. This old lady is not simple," Feng Buhui was evidently more adept at keeping his composure than Yue Jinghua.
This old lady’s identity was certainly not ordinary; she hailed from the Qing Family.
Speaking of the Qing Family, one cannot help but trace history back to the very beginnings of Five Saints Town’s development.
On the Canglong Continent, behind every burgeoning Mercenary Town lies a history difficult to speak of, filled with hardships and tears.
When the first batch of mercenaries settled in Five Saints Town, it was almost devoid of anything valuable. Relying solely on the mercenaries’ development efforts, Five Saints Town would never have achieved its current scale.
At that time, there was a merchant surnamed Qing who invested all of his wealth into Five Saints Town.
Through the relentless management of the Qing Family over five generations—developing hot spring resorts, old districts, roads, houses, and immigration—Five Saints Town finally rose on the ridges of Xuan Beast Mountain.
After the rise of Five Saints Town, the Qing Family, due to their early investments, came to own most of the town’s land.
From the fifteenth generation onwards, the Qing Family lineage was carried on through single inheritance, down to the thirty-sixth generation, Lady Qingyan, who was the sole heiress.
Lady Qingyan had been married once without having any children; she is also the current head of the Qing Family. Even the White Moon Pavilion where Yue Jinghua and others were located belonged to the Qing Family, which was why the owner and everyone else were so polite to her.
Tycoon, the villainous landlord.
The mentality of hating the rich instantly hit its peak, Yue Jinghua clenched her teeth in anger, as landlords have always been the greatest enemy of the working people irrespective of the era.
Though filled with rage, Yue Jinghua’s rationality overcame the impulse to kill.
Yue Jinghua put on a forced smile and initiated conversation with Lady Qingyan: "Lady, may I know what you plan to do by finding the secret passage that leads to Shuijiao Peak?"
"As an old woman, I’ve lived many years and visited numerous places, yet I’ve never been to the scenic spots near Shuijiao Peak. I just want to go and have a look," said Lady Qingyan, glancing at Feng Buhui who stood behind Yue Jinghua, "Just the two of you won’t do, you’re understaffed. I need three people."
"All our mercenaries are experienced veterans. Take a look, if you find them suitable, we can set a date to depart," said Yue Jinghua, anxious not to let the assignment slip away, as she unfolded the map.
"We’ll set off this afternoon. I don’t want that tall guy behind you; there’s too much malice in him. I can’t sleep peacefully with him around. I also need a female mercenary who can cook, to handle my diet and daily needs, and another who can treat minor ailments. Three people will be enough. I’m nervous and weak, can’t handle too many people around," Lady Qingyan hinted as she glanced at Yue Jinghua and Feng Buhui.
Too much malice? Feng Buhui’s face turned as he heard Lady Qingyan’s evaluation of himself.
A seemingly ordinary old woman could actually sense the aura of the Demon Crossbow carried by Feng Buhui?
Yue Jinghua also frowned, considering Lady Qingyan’s requirements. Among the three people needed, undoubtedly Weiwei and Chi Xi must be included. As for the remaining candidate, should it be her or Feng Buhui?
"You, Weiwei, and Chi Xi to travel together, while Feng Buhui and I follow and track from behind," Feng Buhui’s voice floated to Yue Jinghua’s ear.
"No, the two of you stay behind and keep an eye on the situation in town," Yue Jinghua said in a deep voice.
It had to be this way. Yue Jinghua then wrote the commission assignment with Lady Qingyan, and they signed their names on it.