by Zhuang Bifan
Charles scanned his surroundings and saw the curious faces that were peeking through the windows facing the street, after which his handsome and tender face flushed. It was embarrassing and shameful enough for him to be thrown out of the inn like garbage. Besides, the people he perceived as lowly and despicable actually witnessed him being thrown out. That was a complete humiliation and disgrace for him. Had he not remembered that the Ashen Warlock was living there in seclusion, he would have rushed to kill them.
Of course, he definitely wouldn't let the culprit who caused him to feel that humiliation off easily! Charles looked at the door of the small inn bitterly, only to see the dirty and obnoxious chubby owner who was repairing the damaged doors and windows. He felt that it was a form of humiliation and a reminder for him to remember where he had been thrown out from.
At this moment, Charles felt that everyone within his field of vision was mocking him. However, he recalled the strength of the Vampire just now, and did not have the courage to enter the store again. After all, he was just a Level-19 Archmage, and he could of course tell that the Vampire was much stronger than him, and was definitely a Legendary powerhouse.
"You're still playing dead. Don't you think it's shameful enough? Raising dogs would be better than raising you two! You're just useless pieces of garbage!" Charles yelled while venting his anger on the two subordinates of his who were lying on the ground—he had no other outlet for his anger.
Master, he's a real Legendary powerhouse and a Vampire! We're just servants, not guards. We can play with you, but how can we defeat the Legendary powerhouse!? the two subordinates thought to themselves aggrievedly, but they dared not show any of their emotions on the surface. Even though they were overwhelmed with pain, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and get up from the ground.
Seeing that their master was about to get angry again, one of them frantically rushed forward in a bid to avoid getting into trouble. He said, "Young Master, there's a famous Legendary Vampire in the Breezy Plains who's one of the Undead servants of the President of the Tower of Dusk. Do you think…"
Vampires were natural assassins, and their powerful strength and agility had always made others jealous. However, it was not an easy task for a Vampire to enter the Legendary-realm, for it required more than just his own efforts. It also required luck and good opportunities. After he reached the peak of Level-19, his own efforts would hardly have any effect. In order to break through the limitations and enter another realm, he would have to obtain blood that contained a massive amount of power. Hence, in the entire history of Anril, there were probably less than five Vampires who had stepped into the Legendary-realm.
The most famous Legendary-level Vampire in the history of Anril was the legendary Assassin Holler, who assassinated the Sword Sage Ulysses of the Felan Kingdom more than 1,300 years ago. The Sword Sage Ulysses was one of the three Sword Sages of the Felan Kingdom at that time, and the army below him was even known as the one with the strongest combat power in the Felan Kingdom. However, no one expected him to die just three days after the Sword Sage Ulysses led his army to the Breezy Plains. He was silently assassinated in his military base by the Legendary-level Vampire Holler.
The royal family of the Felan Kingdom activated three major imperial guards to carry out a 10-year hunt in the Breezy Plains all because of that matter. It would be no exaggeration to say that they had reached out to all areas. However, the Assassin Holler seemed to have vanished from the world, and the matter was still unresolved in the Felan Kingdom.
There was also a famous Legendary-level Vampire who was one of the high priests of the Darkness Shrine. It was said that he had the oldest and purest bloodline of the Vampires, and was known as the ancestor of Vampires—Culostein. However, the Darkness Shrine did not have any influence or power in the Breezy Plains, and thus it was naturally impossible for the Vampire ancestor Culostein to appear there.
Everyone in the Breezy Plains knew that when it came to Legendary-level Vampires, there was none other than Lin Li's Undead servant, Norfeller. Hence, after recognizing that the one who threw him and his subordinates out of the inn was a Legendary-level Vampire, Charles' subordinate immediately thought of the Tower of Dusk.
"The Tower of Dusk!" Upon hearing his subordinates' words, Charles was stunned for a moment, but he instantly yelled at the inn with hatred and resentment in his vicious gaze, "So it's that small force called the Tower of Dusk. What right do they have to be here!?"
"Well, maybe they've also been invited by the Ashen Warlock," his servant answered ignorantly.
Although Gran Town was not isolated from the world, no ordinary people were welcome except the ones whom the Ashen Warlock invited, be it Warriors or mages. Of course, no one would be willing to visit Gran Town without the Ashen Warlock's invitation, for they were all afraid of accidentally provoking the fierce and menacing Ashen Warlock.
"Duh, of course I know that that's the reason!" Charles yelled before turning around to walk outside. While walking, he cursed in his heart, What Tower of Dusk? Don't think they can be compared to us just because they have received an invitation from the Ashen Warlock. How dare you intervene with my affairs? This time, I'll let you know that you are way too weak and incompetent compared to us, the established families!
"Young Master, you…" Upon hearing Charles' words, the subordinates could not help but speed up and chase after him.
Although the noises in the room on the first floor of the inn had already ceased, Lin Li could no longer be bothered to continue meditating. Instead, he took out a historical biography of Anril and began reading it casually. At this juncture, the sounds of people chatting could be heard coming from outside the door. It turned out to be the sounds of the chubby owner of the inn apologizing to Norfeller because of the matter that happened just now.
In fact, squabbles and arguments were common in inns of other places. However, the small Gran Town was a reclusive residential area for the Ashen Warlock who was menacing and fierce. Everyone was extremely cautious for fear that they would die if they were to be careless and commit unforgivable mistakes. Hence, Lin Li initially didn't bother to question what happened, but since the chubby owner of the inn had come upstairs, Lin Li, too, wanted to find out what was going on. Besides, Lin Li was also a little curious about how the residents of this small town felt about the Ashen Warlock. Thus, he instructed Norfeller who was standing by the door to allow the chubby owner to enter.
"Guest, I'm so sorry to have interrupted you while you were resting for just now," said the chubby owner, who was rather respectful and polite towards Lin Li perhaps because of the 1,000 gold coins, or because Norfeller had stepped in to give him an out.
Lin Li looked at the clear palm prints on the chubby owner's face, and was somewhat surprised. He thought it was just a trivial verbal conflict, yet the chubby owner had been assaulted. Hence, Lin Li asked, "Why did that happen just now? They actually hit you too?"
"That man said that I didn't use any honorifics when I greeted him, but I don't know any honorifics at all. My inn has been in business for so many years in this town, and I greet every guest in the same way. No one is as great of a troublemaker as he is," said the chubby owner. He looked aggrieved and stretched his finger to touch his face, only to realize that it still hurt badly.
Lin Li was amused by the grimace on the chubby owner's face, but he knew that the latter was indeed not to be blamed for the matter. The one who got thrown out deserved it too. Lin Li thought, Why won't he take a look at where we are? We're in a remote town. What's there to pretend for in such a place? He even wants others to greet him with honorifics. Does he think he's facing a butler of an aristocratic family who had been through prestigious and professional training?
"He's already been driven away, so I won't talk about this. What have you found out about the owner of that gray tower?" asked Lin Li. He didn't take this matter to heart, and instead turned to ask the chubby man about the Ashen Warlock. Of course, he didn'
t point out the identity of the Ashen Warlock, because he didn't know if the latter had any concerns.
"Oh, you are asking about that old man. He…" the chubby owner was a little confused. Don't all people come here because they were invited by the strange old man? Why are they asking me about it? he thought. However, he knew that the person who helped him just now was the young guest Lin Li's subordinate who was clearly much stronger and competent than Charles. Hence, he didn't hesitate.
However, the words of the chubby owner didn't make Lin Li feel too surprised, because what he knew about the Ashen Warlock was nothing more than his eccentric behavior and strange behavior. Nothing peculiar about the Ashen Warlock and his two old servants was mentioned.
Chapter 838 - Mithril Alliance
In the eyes of the chubby owner, the Ashen Warlock and his two old servants were simply ordinary old men from the countryside. He even felt a little sympathetic towards the Ashen Warlock for having no children to look after him at such an old age.
Lin Li wasn't disappointed, but he lost interest in listening. Hence, he decided to dismiss the chubby owner so that he could continue reading. However, at this moment, there were some other noises coming from outside the inn which were much louder than before. The chubby owner immediately blushed. After all, it was his inn, and he felt rather embarrassed about the fact that his guests were constantly disturbed.
The chubby owner smiled at Lin Li awkwardly, and quickly strode towards the window in a bid to berate the people who were kicking up a ruckus outside. However, when he looked outside through the window, he was so frightened that he immediately shut his mouth up and took a few steps back, almost falling onto the ground. He turned his head and looked at Lin Li who was seated, and his fat cheeks trembled together with his body. He said in a shaky voice, "Dear… Dear guest, that… that person is back and he brought a lot of people with him!"
Actually, Lin Li didn't need the chubby owner to inform him, because he had long heard the sounds of scoldings from outside. Hence, he was well aware of who had arrived. The matter was within his expectations. How could a person who hit someone else for failing to address him with honorifics possibly tolerate the humiliation of suffering a loss?
Charles, who had just left, stood proudly at the door outside the small inn with the same two subordinates beside him and a large group of uniformly dressed mages behind him. They were standing neatly in a single file, and one would be able to tell at first glance that they were all well-trained. Everyone looked in front with expressionless faces while raising their staffs high up in front of their c.h.e.s.ts, getting ready to cast magic any moment.
"The ones from the Tower of Dusk, come out now. I know you're hiding in there. Weren't you being really arrogant just now? You actually had the guts to hit me. Why have you become a coward now!? If I don't teach you a memorable lesson today, you guys will really get so complacent and think that you're too good for the Breezy Plains!" With the mages behind him, Charles was much more courageous and brave. He was confident that his mages would be able to protect him even if the Legendary-level Vampire were to step forth.
Charles's subordinate stood up with a smug expression, and asked him, "Young Master, are they trying to flee because they heard us?"
"Yeah, if they run away, who am I supposed to look for to settle the scores?" Charles said while looking a little dazed. He pointed his staff at the mages on both sides, and continued, "You guys, surround the small in and make sure nothing gets out, not even a single fly. Damn it, it's just a small and insignificant Tower of Dusk, yet he has the audacity to be rude to me. I'm going to make sure he regrets being born."
It was noisy outside, but it wasn't quiet inside, either. The chubby owner would have never expected for such a huge commotion to break out just because he had failed to address Charles with any honorifics. Actually, even till now, he still didn't understand why he was wrong, and what Charles was referring to by saying "honorifics". However, no matter what, he was the one who'd caused the issues to arise. Seeing the menacing bunch of people downstairs, the chubby owner was so frightened that he paced in circles in the room while muttering to himself and trying to figure out what he should do.
Amused by the sight of the chubby owner breaking out in a sweat, Lin Li asked, "Have you never encountered such an incident before?"
Those who thought that they were much more noble and prestigious than others would visit Gran Town once every three years. Whenever they visited, they would stay in the inn for two days. Yet, why did someone find fault with the chubby owner for failing to address him with honorifics this time?
"How would I know? It's my first time seeing that person. I used to greet those old men in the same way. Who knew he'd be so troublesome? Dear guest, why don't you guys hide? After all, there are so many of them," the chubby owner said to Lin Li in a bid to persuade him to hide. However, his expression clearly implied something else. He was just worried that Lin Li would abandon him and leave.
Lin Li shook his head slightly, stood up, and walked towards the window. He then pushed the window open and looked out. He calmly said, "They're just a bunch of Archmages. They're far from being able to scare me."
"What, what Archmages…?" asked the chubby owner who had never left the small town, and thus wasn't clear about mages and the likes. However, he was somewhat relieved when he heard that Lin Li didn't intend to escape. Still, he thought about it and realized that if the two parties got into a fight, they would definitely smash plenty of items. It seemed that he would still be doomed.
At the thought of this, the chubby owner's expression changed again, and he extended his fingers that were each as thick as a mallet, calculating the gains and losses of his business with a look of dismay. Although the handful of gold coins was not a small sum of money, and was enough for him to build a few more of such inns, he would be able to earn more money if he didn't make any losses. They had already damaged two windows and one door. If the people outside were to rush in again, the tables, chairs, and floor…
"Get out!" Lin Li barked sternly at the window, but his volume wasn't too loud, and it seemed like he was just talking to someone who was in front of him. In fact, it was a little softer than that.
The chubby owner who was calculating the gains and losses was suddenly frightened, and even began shivering. Thinking that Lin Li was speaking to him, he quickly put his hands behind him. However, when he looked up, he discovered that Lin Li was looking out the window, after which there was a sudden shriek coming from outside.
To ordinary people like the chubby owner, there was nothing too surprising about Lin Li's bark, but to the mages outside, it made them feel as if their souls were in a vortex full of lightning and thunder. The unparalleled power seemed to be tearing their souls. Although they didn't even hear Lin Li's voice, there was a terrible pain spreading from the depths of their souls. Everyone, including Charles, couldn't help but wail in agony as they immediately knelt to the ground with their hands on their heads.
In fact, it was just a very simple magical Roar of the Soul, which mages who practiced mental spells would be able to learn at level-5 or level-6. In the eyes of many mages, the effect of that spell was rather weak, and it would at most cause the opponent to lose consciousness for a moment. The success rate was rather low too.
However, there was a certain characteristic of Roar of the Soul—there was no upper limit in the demand for mental strength, which also meant that the stronger the user's mental strength, the greater the power of that magic spell.
If other Legendary-mages were to let out a Roar of the Soul at this moment, they might only cause those wizards to be stunned for a moment, but they would not be able to cause substantial damage. However, Lin Li was already at the peak of level-24, and his mental strength was already of the Sanctuary-level. He was actually already showing those mages some mercy by choosing not to make their souls dissipate with the Roar of the Soul.
The group of menacing mages were still clamoring abo
ut tearing down the inn just now, and yet they were all holding their heads with their hands and screaming loudly on the ground. The sight gave the chubby owner a great shock, and he looked at Lin Li like Lin Li was a ghost. However, he also secretly felt thankful for the fact that the young mage Lin Li did not care about honorifics and formalities. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to take a scolding from Lin Li at all, let alone a beating.
"Okay, it's alright. Go ahead and get busy." Lin Li turned his head smilingly as if he had just done a trivial thing.
"Ah, in that case, I'll go downstairs. If you need anything, feel free to call me," the chubby owner said before fleeing from Lin Li's room like he was escaping a disaster. Oh my God, who are the people who have come to stay in my inn all these years? Are they all so terrifying!? Seems like I should find a chance to sell this inn to someone else. This business may be profitable, but it's too dangerous.
After the chubby owner left, Lin Li still remained standing in front of the window. However, he was looking at the town in the distance instead of the people on the ground.
Soon, a figure flew from outside the town and landed directly among the mages outside the inn. He was a mage who seemed to be a middle-aged man. Although he had restrained some of his magical waves, he was still exuding the powerful aura of a Legendary-mage.
The Legendary-mage who had just arrived glanced at the people who were m.o.a.ning on the ground, and couldn't help but frown. He looked up at Lin Li who was standing in front of the window, and said in a deep voice, "You must be President Felic of the Tower of Dusk. They all say that the President of the Tower of Dusk is cruel and relentless. Now that I've seen you, the rumors are indeed true. Don't you think you have gone a little overboard?"
"I was already showing mercy to the ones who provoked me," Lin Li said indifferently.
