Chapter 23: He Looks Down on This Old Woman From the Bottom of His Heart

After entering E-Rantel.

The escort mission of the "Rock" squad was considered complete, so naturally, they needed to head to the Adventurer's Guild here to submit the commission and collect their reward.

However...

Under the healing magic of Tang Zheng, the fully recovered Captain Peter looked at the others in the squad, a look of shame on his face, and walked quickly to the side of the carriage.

"Mr. Bareare!"

"Thank you for your care along the way. We didn't really help with anything, so we will not be accepting the payment for this commission."

Captain Peter bowed deeply to Grandmother Lizzie and spoke with gratitude.

If the other party hadn't dealt with those two ogres, given their situation at the time, the entire squad likely would have died there.

Grandmother Lizzie glanced indifferently at Captain Peter, and for the first time, a smile appeared on her wrinkled face toward the "Rock" squad, "Fine, I understand."

Clearly.

Saving a sum of money made Grandmother Lizzie feel happy.

Captain Peter thanked Enri, who was sitting on the carriage, once more before retreating back to his squad.

"Tang, remember to come find me."

As the carriage departed, Enri waved toward Tang Zheng.

Tang Zheng's intentional interactions during this time had led Enri to consider him a good friend.

"I will." Tang Zheng smiled and waved back, though his gaze remained very calm.

To be honest.

Tang Zheng felt full of gratitude toward Enri in his heart.

He had not only gained the "Genius" general class from him but also the two life classes of "Pharmacist" and "Alchemist."

Precisely because of this.

The longer Tang Zheng spent in contact with Enri, the more likely it was that Enri would leak information about him in the future.

If such a situation were to arise—

Tang Zheng's palm subconsciously rested on the short sword hanging at his waist, pressing lightly on the hilt.

In a moment of belated realization.

The cold touch of the short sword's hilt made Tang Zheng snap back to his senses.

Was he...

Under too much pressure?

"Hoo."

Tang Zheng exhaled and turned to look at the "Rock" squad beside him, "Everyone, it is time for me to take my leave."

"Hahaha!"

"We owe you for this journey too, Tang. If there is anything you need, just say the word."

The twin brother, Lander, patted his chest and spoke readily.

Tang Zheng quickly waved his hand: "I should be the one saying thank you. I have learned quite a bit of experience from all of you."

Clink~ Clink~

"Take this." Captain Peter suddenly took a black cloth bag from his bosom, and the sound of metal colliding could be heard as he shook it.

Before Tang Zheng could react.

Captain Peter had already shoved the black cloth bag into Tang Zheng's hand.

Feeling the familiar texture inside the bag, Tang Zheng knew it contained gold coins.

"This is..." Tang Zheng was somewhat puzzled and raised his hand, wanting to push the money back.

"I don't have much money on me, I hope you don't mind the small amount, and there is no need to be polite."

"If it weren't for you, I'm afraid this leg of mine would have been ruined."

Captain Peter spoke with a serious face, while simultaneously lifting that leg and stamping it hard on the ground.

Given the damage caused when the leg was completely crushed by the ogre, the recovery potions they carried would have had little effect on an injury of that level.

Being out in the wild.

It was unknown how far away the nearest city was, and even if they could have rushed back to the city in time to find a faith-based magic caster capable of using healing magic.

By that time!

Even if his leg recovered, there would have been lasting side effects.

If not for Tang Zheng's timely treatment, Captain Peter felt he would have truly had to bid farewell to his life as an adventurer.

Seeing Captain Peter's refusal to take no for an answer.

Tang Zheng was silent for a moment, then stopped being polite and evasive: "Fine, then I will accept it."

Having said that, Tang Zheng nodded to the members of the "Rock" squad and turned to leave.

Watching Tang Zheng's back as he gradually merged into the crowd and disappeared.

The previously cheerful look on Captain Peter's face gave way to heartache and bitterness.

"What a pity, this commission was a total loss." The archer, Bask, complained.

Lander and Luer looked at each other and sighed simultaneously.

They had maintained a close attitude toward Tang Zheng along the way precisely so they could extend an invitation to him after completing the commission.

As it turned out.

Just as they were about to reach E-Rantel, that incident suddenly occurred; not only were they nearly wiped out, but they were also saved by Tang Zheng.

Under these circumstances, the members of the "Rock" squad clearly felt too embarrassed to invite Tang Zheng again.

"Why are you hanging your heads?"

=9+Shu_Ba

"Although we didn't manage to invite Tang, we know each other now, so there will always be opportunities in the future."

"Keep working hard and strive to reach a 'Gold-ranked' adventurer squad as soon as possible!" Captain Peter reached out and patted his cheeks, revealing a hearty smile again as he spoke loudly.

"Yes, Captain!"

"Yes, Captain!"

"Yes, Captain!"

The three of them, including Lander, also chimed in with smiles.

On the other side.

The Bareare grandmother and grandson were driving the carriage away.

Grandmother Lizzie glanced out of the corner of her eye at Enri, who was somewhat dejected after parting ways, and shook her head imperceptibly.

Due to Enri's personality, her grandson had never had many friends.

That boy named Tang looked only slightly older than her grandson, so they could be considered peers, and since the other party was also a faith-based magic caster with some talent.

It wouldn't have been bad for the two of them to be friends.

However—

"Enri." Grandmother Lizzie drove the carriage and spoke indifferently.

"Grandmother?" Enri raised his head.

"In the future, if it is not necessary, try to have less contact with that boy named Tang." Grandmother Lizzie said.

Enri was startled and just about to speak.

"I know what you want to say, but this old woman still has some eye for people; Grandmother won't harm you."

Grandmother Lizzie continued, knowing that at Enri's age, once he made up his mind about something, he tended to be stubborn, and added:

"That boy looks gentle and easy to get along with, but in reality, it is quite the opposite. I mean, that boy likely keeps a barrier between himself and outsiders from the bottom of his heart."

"The friendly appearance he put on for you was likely faked."

"Coupled with the vigilance he shows toward outsiders, such a person either has a complicated background or is in some kind of incredible trouble."

Upon hearing this, Enri straightened his upper body, his face slightly flushed, and he spoke in rebuttal: "But, Grandmother..."

"Sigh."

Grandmother Lizzie sighed, flicked the whip in her hand, and struck the horse with a crisp sound, interrupting Enri's words.

"Enri, did you notice the attitude of the 'Rock' squad after this old woman dealt with those two ogres?"

Enri was startled.

He had naturally noticed it, or rather, it couldn't have been more obvious; the "Rock" squad's attitude toward his grandmother was extremely respectful.

Enri was not a fool; he knew his grandmother wasn't talking about the "Rock" squad's attitude, but about Tang Zheng.

He couldn't help but recall Tang Zheng's attitude in his mind.

The other party had been equally respectful!

It was just—

Recalling it now, Enri felt that Tang Zheng's respect was somehow different from that of the "Rock" squad, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"His acting was too poor."

"He looks down on this old woman from the bottom of his heart."

Grandmother Lizzie said indifferently.

Enri opened his mouth and remained silent.

(End of chapter)