by Zhuang Bifan
However, after saying that, Lin Li could not help but frown at the thought of the seemingly impregnable force behind Granger. Not to mention the numerous Adventurers above level-10, the fact that there were six Archmages and seven high-ranking Warriors was not a matter to be joked about. Furthermore, they did not know who was the mighty person Granger was meeting in that tent.
It seemed like Lin Li had made the right decision to let Ujfalusi cast the Haunted Spirit on Granger. Yet, if they were to visit the campsite now… Lin Li could really not imagine the consequences if they were to have a conflict with the people there.
"Stop the carriage," Lin Li ordered the driver when they were only ten kilometers away from the campsite. He exited the carriage with Ujfalusi and found Gerian, who was napping inside his carriage.
"What's up?" asked the old man groggily as he woke up when Lin Li entered his carriage. Gerian did not really feel like responding to the two men who had just entered his carriage.
"We're in trouble."
"What crap…" The old man pursed his lips prophetically. "From the start when you said you wanted to come to the Blackstone Mountains, I knew that you were going to face some kind of trouble—big trouble!"
"No." Lin Li shook his head. "This trouble might be larger than you expect…"
"Oh? Tell me more about it." Gerian was drawn to the topic.
"It's like that…" Lin Li told Gerian about Ujfalusi's concerns.
"F*ck!" Gerian exclaimed after hearing that there were six Archmages.
"It is indeed great trouble. Damn, the Breezy Plains is such a tricky place to thrive in. How can a force that popped out of nowhere be able to gather six Archmages? That is more than the total number of Archmages in the entire Jarrosus! Fella, what are your plans? Are you really thinking of fighting them just like that? You have to think carefully. There are six freaking Archmages and seven high-ranking Warriors. If there is going to be a battle, the men under you might not last…"
"I am not worried about fighting. Although the six Archmages and seven high-ranking Warriors are indeed powerful, my Tower of Dusk is not to be trifled with as well. It will be hard to determine the winner just like that. But, why should I fight them? There's no benefit to gain anyway. Why should I waste my energy on that…?"
"Yeah." Gerian nodded, and became more composed. This fella looks more and more like a guild's President now! "Then what do you plan to do?"
"We are going to sneak into their group. Aren't they hiring Adventurers? It sounds good, let's bring Ujfalusi and Norfeller in to earn extra cash. Since I don't know where the nest of the Crimson Python is, it will be easier for me to follow them around. As for the rest… " Lin Li hesitated.
"I used the Warlock's Eyes to take a look around this area. There is a small road nearby that leads to the top of the mountain. Why don't you do me a favor by bringing the men up the mountain to wait for me? But, you'd better find a safe place, and don't get noticed by any magical beasts…"
"I'm fine with that. However, please be careful yourself. Don't be recognized by anyone, or else we are going to be doomed…"
"Don't worry…" Lin Li said as he fished out something from his pocket. It was a piece yellowish parchment and a crystal clear crystal. "Hold onto these two things first. This is the map of the Blackstone Mountains which I used a huge sum of money to buy from Doland's Adventurers Guild. There are some markings on it that show you the areas where magical beasts usually roam. Although they are mostly low-level beasts, it is good to know that for safety reasons.
"Oh, yes. There's this too. I've inserted some of my mental strength into this crystal. Break the crystal if you were to face any problem as I will sense it instantly."
"Alright." Gerian received the two items from Lin Li and carefully put them away.
"Good, I will return to my carriage to make some preparations."
After discussing with Gerian, Lin Li returned to his carriage and took out a tattered robe from the Ring of Endless Storm. If Gerian was here, he would be able to recognize that it was the Robe of Wrath Lin Li had worn when he had just reached Jarrosus.
This robe was indeed the best outfit Lin Li could disguise himself with. It was old and tattered, and had a few big patches sewn on it to cover some torn areas after some intense battles. Now that Lin Li put it on again, he really looked like a down-and-out Adventurer.
After he wore the Robe of Wrath, Lin Li called Ujfalusi up the carriage again. Then, he threw a magic robe to him casually. "Change into this," he instructed.
"Yes, Master." Ujfalusi saw that Lin Li passed to him a common type of Arcane Robe sold in the market. Apart from its capacity to store two scrolls, it was no different from a normal robe. It was something an ordinary poor mage apprentice would get for himself. But, there seemed to have an additional mageweath on the Arcane Robe.
Since Ujfalusi was not well versed in Inscription, he put on the robe after glancing at it casually.
Then, he realized some transformation occurred on his body. The previously b.a.r.e skeleton became filled up instantaneously. Although his bones were still ash-white in color, it was not obvious that he was a skeleton now. To common folks, Ujfalusi would only appear like a man with paler skin. Furthermore, with the help from the long black robe, the former Lich looked like a true mage…
"This is a Shapeshift Mageweath; its concept is similar to the shapeshifting skills of Druids. As long as you put it on, it will be very hard for ordinary people to realize your true identity. But, be careful not to let any blood stain it. Once blood touches it, the Shapeshift Mageweath will lose its effect, and you will turn back into a Lich. Also, you must transfer mana into the mageweath every day. With your abilities, you should have no problem with it."
"Alright, noted."
After the Shapeshift Mageweath changed the appearance of Ujfalusi, Lin Li was going to inform Norfeller to get prepared. But, the moment they got down the carriage, they saw Paladin Rina waiting outside.
"What brings you here, Miss Rina?"
"I'm going with you."
"What are you going there for?" Lin Li asked in shock. Ever since the Crimson Python attacked Black Clouds Town, this Paladin became more and more absurd. She seemed to want to meddle in every single matter, just like this time—Lin Li did not invite her at all, but she insisted on accompanying him to the Blackstone Mountains. Now, she even wanted to disguise herself as an Adventurer and sneak into the mysterious force with Lin Li…!
It seems like I have to find some time to make Englos ask his dear disciple to return to the Brilliance Shrine…
"I am the Judge Paladin of the Brilliance Shrine. My duty is to purify all evil Undead creatures. Although till now, your two attendants haven't done anything worthy of my purifying them, no one can guarantee that they will not do any evil deeds when I'm not around. So, I have to go with you!"
"…"
"Don't forget, I'm not from the Tower of Dusk. I don't need anyone's permission to do what I want to. I'm here just to inform you about it."
"Forget it, if you want to, just come…" Lin Li could not think of any reason to stop Rina. Since her abilities were not bad, as a Paladin of the Brilliance Shrine, she should be above level-15. Being the one and only Judge Paladin, she should not be weaker than someone at level-15…
"But this time, we are going to disguise ourselves as Adventurers. You should change out of your armor. I've never heard of a rich Adventurer who can wear such an expensive set of armor to participate in battles."
"Give me 10 minutes."
Chapter 379 - Malfa Family
After 10 minutes, the lady who got down the carriage was a totally different person. Her heavy armor had been put away, and what replaced it was an ordinary black armor. This armor seemed to have been unworn for quite a few years, and its edge had become rather rough due to wear and tear.
However, it looked really good on Rina. Her slim figure that had been covered by her heavy metal armor was accentuated with the help of the black le
ather. Her golden hair that was hastily tied behind her head helped to reduce the menacing vibe she previously had, and gave her a kind of refreshing disposition young ladies like her should have. With her usual sword behind her, she really resembled a young and pretty female Adventurer.
"What's wrong?" Rina asked worriedly after coming down from the carriage. She found Felic staring at herself in a daze. At that moment, she thought there was some problem with her disguise.
"Very well, like a true Adventurer…" Lin Li stared at Rina with a look of a critic. He sized her up for a while, but could not find anything to nitpick about.
"It will be better if you can make your face tanner. Female Adventurers who are too pretty may get into trouble easily…"
Upon hearing this young mage complimenting her beauty, Rina flushed. She decided to ignore the part about Lin Li asking her to tan her skin. How could a young lady in her 20s be willing to make her face as dark as the base of a cooking wok?
Lin Li did not insist. He would feel really guilty if he were to let such an attractive face turn any darker…
The four people arrived at Blackstone Town in less than half an hour by carriage.
The campsite Ujfalusi was talking about was not far away. Lin Li could clearly see over a hundred tents set up ahead of him; the largest of them was the one in the center. From that distance, this campsite was livelier than the market place. There were people of different gender and age groups, Mages and Warriors, as well as a Priest…
The person was not just a Priest. From the robe he was wearing, he looked like a Bishop from the Brilliance Shrine. That was not a joking matter. Bishops from the Brilliance Shrine were at least level-15 and above. They had ultra strong belief, and would rarely be willing to follow anyone. In the Breezy Plains, only colossuses like the Glittergold Trade Union could hire a Bishop-level Priest…
"Seems like a big shot…" Lin Li rubbed his nose and jumped down from the carriage. He led Norfeller and the others towards the campsite slowly.
When they were outside, Lin Li found an Adventurer in his 30s. He asked, "Brother, can you let us know something…?"
"You are…?"
"I'm an Adventurer from Doland, and these are my teammates. We heard that a big shot has been hiring people, so we are thinking to try our luck here…"
"Oh, so that's why. Haha! Brother, let me tell you, you are in for a treat. Do you know who is hiring the Adventurers?"
Lin Li did not expect to meet such a chatty man. He only said a few words, and that dude continued the conversation so readily.
"I bet you don't! Let me tell you, it is the Malfa Family that is behind all this."
"Malfa Family?" Lin Li was stunned. "The Malfa Family from Aminya City?"
"That's right," said the middle-aged Adventurer proudly. "It is the Malfa Family from our Aminya City. I just found out two days ago too. The Malfa Family has been gathering Adventurers from Blackstone Town, and the reward they promised was huge too. As long as an Adventurer participates in a mission, they would earn 10,000 gold coins. Adventurers who performed well will even have the opportunity to join the mercenary corps under the Malfa Family. That's far better than being an Adventurer who battles magical beasts all day."
"That sounds good…" Lin Li replied smilingly, but he could not help but feel surprised. So it was the Malfa Family from Aminya City that wanted to battle the Crimson Python! The Malfa Family was really a big shot in the Breezy Plains, and they were not far behind the Glittergold Trade Union.
Although Lin Li had only been in the Breezy Plains for a few months, he had heard about the different families in the area. Among them, the Malfa Family was the most special one. The people in their family were not nobles, and the family had no long history. In fact, it did not even exist 200 years ago in the Breezy Plains. There was only a super Adventurer by the name of Leo Malfa back then. He was a true genius who had reached level-18 before the age of 30, and thus was the brightest newbie in the Breezy Plains.
At that time, all the forces in the Breezy Plains tried many different ways to persuade the talented level-18 Warrior to join them. The benefits all of them promised were so attractive that even Lin Li would waver if he were to hear them. Yet, Leo Malfa did not join any of the forces. Instead, he did something nobody could have imagined possible.
He used a period of two years to take over the underground forces of Aminya. Leo Malfa would appear in the compound of every dark business such as casinos and brothels. After gaining control of all of the underground businesses, Leo Malfa rewrote the rules, and reallocated the way the business reaped their profits. Finally, the chaotic Aminya transformed into the most orderly city in the entire Breezy Plains.
Under the support from all the businesses that had huge profits, the Malfa Family grew in power as days passed. In a short period of two years, the gangster family climbed to the position of a true ruler of Aminya City. Everyone knew that the political strength in Aminya did not lie in the hands of any castellan, but was hidden in the darkness, where the Malfa Family resided. As long as the leader of the Malfa Family opposed anything, the castellan of Aminya City sent by the country's ruler would be kicked back to Alanna.
"Oh, yes. Brother, you haven't signed up for it yet, right? Let me bring you to the registration room. The man in charge of registration is my relative. The process will definitely be easier if I help you talk to him."
"We will trouble you, then… By the way, brother, I haven't got your name. My name is Felic, a mage from Doland. These are my teammates: Norfeller, Ujfalusi, and Rina…"
When he was doing the introductions, Lin Li used his real name. Since they were a few hundred miles away from Doland, he was not afraid that people would recognize them.
"Cut the formalities. Brother, you can just call me Johnathan."
"Alright, Brother Johnathan."
Johnathan was very friendly. He brought the group for registration while he shared some gossip and hearsay with them. After arriving, they saw that the person in charge of hiring was a middle-aged man in his 40s. That man was short and skinny, and his sharp face made him resemble a monkey that could talk.
"Cousin Hahn, I've brought more people to you." Johnathan smiled brightly to a middle-aged man at the registration counter.
"Oh, it's you. Whom did you bring this time? Don't bring a number of trashy level-7 and level-8 who claimed to be experts to me. Although the Malfa Family is wealthy, we don't believe in feeding useless people. You'd better not find trouble for me again," sneered the middle-aged monkey disdainfully. Lin Li could tell that he did not think highly of his younger cousin 1 , Johnathan.
"How could they be…" Johnathan replied, and the smile on his face froze.
"So you are the people Johnathan was talking about, aren't you?" the middle-aged monkey asked. "This time, the Malfa Family is really hiring real Adventurers who can battle high-level magical beasts. After the completion of the mission, everyone will be able to get 10,000 gold coins as reward. Then, if your performance is good, you will have the chance to enter the Malfa mercenary corps. That being said, if you're not competent, please don't expect to earn the 10,000 gold coins when you could lose your life any moment…"
"Mr. Hahn, rest assured. If we didn't have that ability, we would not dare to risk our lives like this—"
"Cut the crap…" interrupted Hahn impatiently with a wave of his arm, and threw a few pieces of paper towards them. "I've heard so many Adventurers say so that I've calluses in my ears. We will know your true abilities when time comes.
"These are some forms for you to fill out. You can pass them to Johnathan upon completion, and he will arrange your accommodation."
"Alright, Mr. Hahn." Lin Li bent his back to pick up the paper from the ground. Instead of feeling angry, he could not help but feel curious at the strength of the Malfa Family. What could make the man who was just in charge of administration so arrogant?
"Brother Felic, the temper of my cousin is just like that. Please don't mind it…
Oh, yes. I will settle your accommodation after you get that filled out." Johnathan explained the situation to Lin Li awkwardly. No one knew if it was because of his elder cousin's bad attitude or for his bragging earlier on.
"It's alright," Lin Li replied in a friendly tone. It was just the usual form that required them to fill in things like their names, age, address, occupation, and level. Lin Li completed the form very quickly, but when he was about to submit it to Johnathan, he saw the door curtain open, and there was someone he knew among the people walking into the tent… In Chinese, there are different words for cousin depending on age, paternal/maternal branch, and gender too iirc.
Chapter 380 - Pervert
And the man who came into the tent was Jason…
Come to think of it, Lin Li's visit to the ruins of Syer was in fact a good journey. Apart from obtaining a large amount of grain for himself, he had also brought huge benefits to two groups of people.
The first group of people was the mercenary corps under Sienna. Being 'the hero' of the rescue of the castellan's children, Sienna earned Arathor's recognition very quickly. He and his mercenary corps naturally became newly appointed officials in Doland. They could easily participate in missions that could reap high rewards, and could also select retired soldiers to join their team of Adventurers. Not only that, the castellan also sent a few high-level Warriors to Sienna to help train his mercenary team.
Another group that gained a significant amount of benefits had to be Jason and his teammates. The news of the castellan's son being kidnapped was known in the entire Breezy Plains. When Cyndor returned, everyone took it for granted as they normally knew it had to be Jason's effort. It was expected too. They knew that although Sienna's mercenary corps received official positions in Doland City, the mercenary corps was actually an empty shell. Their ability was not worth mentioning, and it would only make sense for Jason and his friends to be the true heroes in the rescue of Cyndor from the Syer Bandits…
