“Oh, your wisdom leaves me in awe! Indeed, your sharp mind has perfectly analyzed the situation! May I express my admiration by kissing your toes, oh infinitely wise lord?”
Hari lavished flattery without hesitation, shamelessly fawning over Du Cheng, even though his flattery was revolting.
The Xuebi really were an obnoxious race—better burned at the stake!
Du Cheng found himself pleased by the thought; after all, this was the consensus in the world of warriors. The fact that he could think this way suggested he was truly beginning to integrate into this world.
“Hari, I warn you: if you dare try to kiss my toes again, I'll cut out your tongue and stuff it up your ass!” Du Cheng threatened viciously.
Hari shrank his neck, quickly pulling his large head into his body, looking just like a turtle.
“Haven't the Empire and the Holy Church discovered the cause?”
“Who knows? Noble young master, I'm merely a weak Xuebi, a lowly bandit—how could I be privileged to know what the government or church does?” Hari said pitifully.
At that moment, Steve returned, refreshed and relaxed, dragging two captives along.
“Francis, this is interesting—the roar earlier indicates an impending earthquake. Damn it, why didn't anyone mention this before we came?” Steve complained.
Du Cheng shrugged, "Who cares? We’re just here for disaster relief. We’ll hand out silver to victims—that’s our only concern!”
Despite his words, Du Cheng was privately thinking: the roar was the source of everything, causing countless victims to lose their homes. Could this be an opportunity to perform some "good deeds"?
He decided to use his authority within the Holy Church’s secret police to investigate the situation further.
Do what you can handle—don't overreach yourself!
Before he could finish his thought, Steve exclaimed, “A Xuebi! Aliza, why'd you grab such worthless trash as a captive? Just kill him!”
Panicking, Hari crawled desperately to Steve's feet, pleading tearfully, "Oh great lord, supremely handsome young master, please spare me! I'm merely a worthless, insignificant Xuebi! I’ll do anything—servant, slave, even your male lover!"
“Male lover, my ass!” Steve kicked him away.
Du Cheng glanced at Hari with disgust. No wonder people said the Xuebi were the scum of society. Their existence was pointless.
Du Cheng waved dismissively, unwilling to deal further with him.
Several mercenaries approached. Hari's face turned deathly pale as he screamed, “Don't kill me! I'm useful—very useful!”
Du Cheng signaled the mercenaries to pause, amused, “Useful? How?”
Hari slyly blinked, smiling awkwardly, “For example, I can tell you the roar could likely result from two powerful warrior gods battling!”
“What?” Du Cheng grabbed Hari's collar sharply, exchanging a questioning glance with Steve.
Steve nodded understandingly, “Quite possible. According to our family records, our ancestor Sigurd once melted a mountain with flames in anger, triggering volcanic eruptions and disasters.”
“Hehe, I'm not finished.” Hari continued smugly, “Xuebi have excellent noses. We often sniff out interesting information. Recently, a salty, fishy scent has frequently drifted from the ocean south of Antwerp Port, combined with the roar of powerful masters fighting. Noble and wise young masters, surely you can guess—a battle is occurring near Antwerp Port, possibly in the deep sea, causing earthquakes!”
Du Cheng smiled, intrigued, “Continue!”
“You've probably also guessed, young master, that south of Antwerp Port lies the Warrior Academy. That area is forbidden without Academy authorization. Thus...” Hari trailed off, leaving the two masters to showcase their intelligence.
“Thus, something intriguing must've occurred at the Warrior Academy!”
“Oh, I praise you, great and wise young—”
“Enough!” Du Cheng interrupted, turning to Steve. “Brother, what should we do about this?”
“We pretend we know nothing!” Steve decisively said, “Even a Xuebi suspects issues at the Warrior Academy, so imperial officials and the Church in Antwerp Port must know too. Our father, the imperial deputy chancellor, surely knows as well. But he hasn't told me, meaning it's top-secret—too sensitive even for his own son to know.”
Du Cheng smiled knowingly, “If we shouldn't know, then we won't. It's trouble otherwise. I understand!”
“Oh, my dear brother, you're so clever—I could kiss you!” Steve jokingly opened his arms, lunging at Du Cheng.
Du Cheng pushed him away, frowning at Hari, “What about this Xuebi? His nose might be useful!”
Steve shook his head disdainfully, “Don't tell me you're thinking of keeping him as a servant? Xuebi are traitorous, called the betrayers' clan. They'll sell their masters for a copper coin. Humans trust loyal dogs more than Xuebi!”
Du Cheng realized grimly that such a race was indeed dangerous.
“Fine, we'll—”
“Young master, don't kill me!” Hari hugged Du Cheng's leg, desperately shouting, “Please! I've proven I'm useful!”
“You're useful, but still a Xuebi!” Du Cheng coldly shouted, “Aliza, seize him!”
Steve suddenly smiled, “Let's hand him and the other captives over to Antwerp Port's officials as proof of defeating bandits. This might impress the ladies! Imagine entering the city heroically with captives and relief funds under countless admiring gazes—”
“Oh brother, can’t you ever stop thinking about women?”
…
Thirty-something more captives joined the caravan, tightly bound like salted pork hanging from wagons.
In contrast, Hari’s treatment was better, placed inside a carriage. Du Cheng wanted to learn more about other races, and speaking directly with one was the best method.
From Hari, Du Cheng and Steve learned that the flooded Niuyin River lay east of Antwerp Port, while their route was to the west, sparing them the disaster zone. It was fortunate because the empire had quarantined the flooded area to contain refugees and potential epidemics. Had they traveled that route, they'd have faced numerous checks.
After another day's journey, they reached Antwerp Port—the empire’s largest port and northern starting point of the Golden Triangle trade route.
Inside the carriage, still discussing Xuebi customs, Hari suddenly sniffed deeply, exclaiming eagerly, “Oh, such a sweet fragrance—the scent of women!”
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