Leaning against a large tree by the roadside with the adamantine heavy sword on his back, Linley quietly watched everyone else.
“Lord Ley.” Many of the caravan merchants ran over, expressing their gratitude towards Linley. Many of them even wanted to give gold coins to Linley as a gift, but Linley respectfully declined them all.
“Brothers, a good journey to you!” Malone roared loudly.
All of the mercenaries present were standing in front of the graves. In unison, they bowed deeply towards the graves. In the lives of these mercenaries, death was a common occurrence. After paying their respects, all of them returned to their normal positions.
The captain of this mercenary company, Big Beard Malone, headed towards Linley with Luther and Lowndes alongside him. Very gratefully, he said, “Lord Ley, thank you. If it wasn’t for you, our mercenary company…” Malone fell silent, shaking his head.
“Ley, thank you so much for saving our mercenary company,” The young Luther said gratefully.
Linley’s initial warning to them as well as his assistance at the end had both been utterly invaluable in saving the mercenary company.
“No need,” Linley said with a calm laugh.
“Lord Ley, here is ten thousand gold coins.” Malone withdrew a magicrystal card from his pockets. “This magicrystal card is an un-bound one, and has ten thousand gold coins within it. Lord Ley, you must accept it. If it wasn’t for you, not only would our mercenary company have failed our mission, we most likely would’ve all died as well.”
Linley shook his head with a laugh.
“Ley, please accept it,” Lowndes immediately urged. Mercenaries were usually quite magnanimous. These people who spent their lives living by the edges of their blades generally held in high regard the codes of valor, brotherhood, and friendship.
“Do I look like someone who needs money to you?” Linley looked at the three of them.
Within his interspatial ring, Linley had twenty-two magicrystal cards, each with one hundred million gold coins. 2.2 billion gold coins! Even the Dawson Conglomerate wouldn’t be easily persuaded to bring out such a vast fortune at once.
Some of the clans in the Four Great Empires were very powerful and very wealthy, but no matter how powerful they were, they couldn’t compare to the wealth of a royal clan.
After all, those extremely large and powerful clans in the Four Great Empires still had to pay an enormous amount of taxes each year to the Emperor.
By comparison, the ruler of the Kingdom of Fenlai, compared to those major clans, had much more power in his own domain. The wealth that had been built up over thousands of years was a frightening sum indeed.
After hearing Linley’s words, Malone was briefly startled, but then didn’t press it. He didn’t dare to keep squabbling with a powerful combatant such as Linley. And in addition, it truly wasn’t easy for his mercenary company to make a living either.
“Captain Malone, go take care of your mercenaries. I see that quite a number of them suffered serious injuries,” Linley said.
“Then Lord Ley, I leave you to your rest. I’ll take my leave now,” Malone said respectfully. Powerful combatants were treated with respect no matter where they were.
The campfires blazed. Many of the people in the caravan weren’t able to fall asleep. Many of them hunched over campfires. Aside from a minority who had managed to fall asleep, most were talking about what had just happened. Every so often, glances would be sneaked towards Linley. Clearly, the topic of their conversation was Linley.
Right now, Linley was seated cross-legged, attuning himself to the vast, boundless earth, as well as the wind which spanned the skies.
After having spent three years training in the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, Linley had learned quite a bit about the proper way of training. Both warriors and magi, in the end, had to learn how to understand and become attuned to nature.
For example, just now, both Linley and McKinley were warriors of the eighth rank.
But in terms of true understanding, McKinley was still on the most basic level of attack, while Linley had already reached the third level, and was able to ‘impose’ in battle. This ‘imposing power’ was the power to impose upon the heavens and the earth to constrain his enemies. When he struck out with his sword, he had disrupted the entire surrounding space.
The difference between the two of them was too great. For him to be killed in a single stroke wasn’t strange at all.
“If I had not trained within the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts and forgot about everything besides training for three years, no matter how long I stayed in Hess City, I probably wouldn’t have been able to rise to another level of understanding,” Linley mused to himself.
Many of the people in the caravan were discussing Linley, but Linley didn’t pay any attention to them as he quietly meditated.
“Ley, Lord Ley?” a nervous voice rang out next to Linley.
Hearing this voice, Linley turned around. It was that young nobleman, who was standing up as straight as a ramrod. Keane. A hint of a smile appeared on Linley’s face. “Keane. Right? What is it?”
Hearing Linley call him by his name, Keane felt very proud. He said quietly, “Lord Ley, I have a request.”
“Sit first, then talk.”
Linley’s attitude made Keane relax just a little, and he sat down next to Linley. His eyes filled with worship, he said to Linley, “Lord Ley, just then, your sword blow was so powerful. I’ve been bullied ever since I was a kid. I want to be a powerful warrior as well. Can you teach me?”
Linley was startled.
Warrior training wasn’t a matter of just a few days. It required many years of accumulated hard work, as well as good natural talent. It also required good instructors. Only when all three criteria were fulfilled could a powerful combatant be produced.
“That’s a bit difficult, and I don’t have enough time to train you.” Linley laughed.
Keane hurriedly nodded, waving his hands frantically. “No, Lord Ley, I don’t need to learn too much. I don’t need to be too powerful. I just want to learn that sword stroke you used just now. Just that one sword stroke.” As he spoke, Keane even pantomimed the actual sword blow.
“Just that one sword stroke?” Linley didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
Although that sword stroke of his had seemed easy, it had required over ten years of hard training as well as changes to both his mind and spirit. Only then was he able to understand this ‘impose’ level. Not even most warriors of the ninth rank were able to grasp any level of ‘impose’, much less those of the eighth rank.
According to the Baruch clan’s records, that ancestor who wielded the heavy warhammer, upon reaching the Saint level, was still only capable of reaching the level of ‘wielding something heavy as though it were light’. Only after being at the Saint level for more than ten years did the ancestor begin to understand how to ‘impose’.
Magi found it naturally easier than warriors to become one with nature.
For a pure warrior to truly understand and comprehend ‘impose’ was far more difficult than a dual-class combatant such as Linley, who was both magus and warrior.
“Is it very… very hard? I’m not afraid,” Keane said.
“Keane,” a gentle voice called out, and Jenne rushed over, dressed in light blue and holding some clothes in her hands. She said towards Keane with concern, “The night is growing cold. Bundle up.”
Keane pouted, shaking his head. “No.”
Jenne couldn’t help but frown, but there was nothing she could do.
Keane continued, “Big sis, look, Lord Ley is only wearing a thin shirt. I’m already wearing a lot, and you want me to wear even more?”
Linley couldn’t help but let out an unexpected laugh. This Keane was actually comparing himself to him? Even in the most freezing of winters, Linley wouldn’t feel cold, much less now.
“Keane, bundle up,” Linley said.
Linley’s words seemed to ha
ve more of an effect than Jenne’s. “Oh.” Keane accepted the clothes from Jenne, then put them on. Jenne gratefully looked at Linley. “Thank you, Lord Ley.”
Linley smiled and nodded.
As Jenne and Linley exchanged glances, Jenne immediately blushed red slightly.
But Linley, quite by accident, noticed Jenne’s hands. When he saw them, he was quite surprised. From what Linley could tell, Jenne was without question a young noble lady, but Jenne’s hands seemed rather coarse.
“Keane, don’t disturb Lord Ley for too long. Lord Ley needs to rest as well.” Jenne smiled apologetically towards Linley, and then she went back to her own carriage, face still slightly red.
Linley looked at Keane.
“Keane, does your sister often do chores at home?” Linley was very curious. Most noble ladies had hands that were extremely tender and soft. In terms of both bearing as well as clothing, Jenne was definitely a noble lady, but her hands…
Keane nodded. “Right. Lord Ley, you probably can’t tell from the way I’ve dressed, but I feel really awkward in these clothes. It’s been a long time since I’ve dressed this formally.” Keane tugged at his collar. “Actually, my sister and I were living in an ordinary mountain village. Only Grandpa Lambert was there to take care of us. Big sis usually had to do most of our family chores.”
“Oh?” Linley was beginning to grow curious. “But your sister’s demeanor doesn’t seem like that of an ordinary village girl.”
Keane nodded. “Of course. Our father was the governor of a prefecture-level city and had an exceedingly high social status. When we were young, we stayed in the governor’s mansion. But when I was six, my mother, my sister, and myself were forced out by our aunt. Thus, my mother took my sister and I back to her home. My big sis, when she was young, received all the education that a young noble lady should have, and when we left our father’s home, she was already ten. So she naturally continued to maintain the noble customs which had already become ingrained within her. But I was young, and my mother was never in good health. Grandpa Lambert couldn’t take care of both of us by himself, so big sis often had to do housework. Big sis can do anything!”
“I remember in the heart of winter, big sis’ hands had begun to split from the cold, but she’d still cook for me. I wanted to help, but she wouldn’t let me.” Keane bit his lips, eyes starting to turn red. “This time, when I take over the position of city governor, I definitely won’t let big sis do any more chores. I’m going to let a huge number of servants take care of sis.”
Hearing this story, Linley couldn’t help but admire this Jenne, who outwardly looked so fragile and so shy.
“You are going to take over the position of city governor? Didn’t your aunt expel you though?” Linley asked.
Keane didn’t hide anything. “At first, my aunt used every method available to her to make us leave, so as to guarantee that her son would be the next city governor. Unfortunately… that garbage son of hers did nothing but drink and fool around. Immediately after my father died, that piece of trash felt delighted as he had nothing to fear now, and became even more dissolute. From what I heard, not too long ago, he died in the arms of some woman. After he died, naturally the position of city governor falls to me.”
Keane looked at Linley with excitement. “Lord Ley, please teach me. Once I become city governor, I’ll definitely give you a really, really high position!”
101
Blackrock City
Right. A kid who had lived in a small village after the age of six would naturally be very innocent. Linley felt that Jenne was quite innocent as well.
Through that short conversation, Linley had already learned a great deal about this little fellow, Keane.
At the same time, Linley more or less also understood what was going on with him and his sister.
“Assume the position of city governor? I’m afraid it won’t be that easy,” Linley thought to himself. Compared to these two innocent siblings, Linley could see much more deeply.
The highest level of city in the O’Brien Empire was the imperial capital, followed by the provincial capitals of the seven provinces. Beneath the level of the provincial capitals were the prefectural cities, then ordinary cities, and then countryside villages.
The status of a governor of a prefectural city was actually quite high.
How could the position of governor of a prefectural city be so easily acquired by an innocent countryside-raised child?
After training the entire night, when Linley next opened his eyes, it was already dawn.
“Lord Ley, by nightfall tonight, we should be at the border cities of the empire.” Lowndes chortled. “Lord Ley, let’s eat breakfast together.”
“Alright.”
Linley and Bebe headed over to them. As for Haeru… the food there wasn’t nearly enough for him. Late last night, Haeru had entered the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts and only returned after having eaten a good, full meal.
Within a carriage not too far away from Linley.
“Sis, I’ll get off first.” Keane happily hopped off the carriage.
Lambert looked at Keane, who had not a care in the world. He shook his head mentally, and then looked at Jenne. Lambert knew very well how innocent and how kind Jenne was.
“Miss, don’t rush off just yet.” Lambert squeezed out a smile.
“Grandpa Lambert, what is it?” Jenne looked questioningly at Lambert with her big eyes.
Lambert said, “Miss, you saw as well how we met with bandits on the way. When we reach the border cities, we’ll have to separate from the caravan. By then, I, an old man, along with you and the young master will be all alone on the road. If we meet with any bandits on the way, I might not be able to overcome them.”
Jenne couldn’t help but to think back to that bloody scene of attacking bandits from the previous night.
“Right. Then what should we do?” Jenne was a bit nervous.
Lambert laughed. “Miss, didn’t you notice that Lord Ley? Even the leader of those bandits was killed by Lord Ley with a single sword stroke. As long as Lord Ley is willing to protect you, you definitely won’t be in any danger.”
Jenne was eighteen years old, after all. She wasn’t as irresponsible as Keane.
“Grandpa Lambert, if I try to invite a powerful combatant like that to assist us, do you think he will agree?” Jenne looked at Lambert.
Lambert laughed encouragingly. “Don’t worry. Just tell him that you and Keane are the children of the governor of the prefectural City of Cerre, and that this time you are returning for the purpose of Keane assuming the governorship. If he can guard you on your way back, once you arrive at Cerre, you will definitely thank and reward him heavily. Remember… don’t tell him too much. Don’t tell him that in the past, you were living in a small village. Just tell him what I told you now.”
Lambert knew very well that if Linley became aware of the details of their situation, he probably wouldn’t agree.
“Oh.”
Jenne didn’t even notice that there were some slight differences between the truth and what Lambert had just instructed her to say.
“Go, and remember what I told you. Act sincerely,” Lambert encouraged.
“Okay.” Jenne nodded. Taking a deep breath, she summoned her courage and descended from the carriage.
Watching Jenne leave the carriage, Lambert secretly sighed. “Alas. Madame, even on your death bed, you weren’t willing to swallow your anger. You insisted on having Jenne and Keane go assume the position of city governor. Lord Count Wade is already dead, but the senior madame probably won’t so easily allow Keane to assume the position of governor.”
“If we had a combatant of the ninth rank protecting us though, then we will have a good chance.” Late at night, Lambert had heard others whisper that McKinley had already reached the eighth rank as a warrior. But Linley had been able to easily kill him in one blow. As Lambert saw it, Linley should therefore be a warrior of the ninth rank.
&n
bsp; The wind was blowing. After eating to his content, Linley was relaxing comfortably for now, as they would depart again soon.
“The O’Brien Empire. Mm. We should be there tomorrow.” Linley was reclining on his cart, lazily awaiting their departure. But right at this moment, from the corner of his eyes, Linley suddenly saw someone approaching.
“Jenne?” Linley sat up curiously.
Somewhat cautiously, Jenne was walking over to him. Seeing Linley sit up and look at her, Jenne forced out a small smile. “Lord Ley, hello.”
“Miss Jenne, hello.” Linley was a bit confused. Why had this Miss Jenne come?
Jenne just stood there hesitantly for a moment, not knowing how to start.
“Miss Jenne, is there something I can help you with?” Linley asked preemptively.
Jenne’s face turned slightly red. Clearly, she was very nervous. “Lord Ley, it’s like this. My younger brother and I are journeying to my father’s prefectural city. My younger brother is going to assume the position of city governor. But we’re afraid that the journey to the city will be dangerous. Therefore, we were hoping… hoping to ask you, Lord Ley, to protect us.”
Getting this all out in one breath, Jenne began to stammer a bit.
Linley had a basic understanding of the general geography of the O’Brien Empire. His younger brother, Wharton, was in the southernmost administrative province of the O’Brien Empire, known as the O’Brien Administrative Province.
Linley himself currently was in the Northwest Administrative Province of the O’Brien Empire.
From the northwest province to the southernmost province was a journey that would most likely take a year and a half or so. But of course, if Linley hurried along the way by riding on the Blackcloud Panther, he could cross a thousand kilometers per day and arrive within ten days.
Dragonblood: Book 2 of the Coiling Dragon Saga Page 79
