Chapter 153

Baishanque Tavern, private room.

The light, sweet, and cool fragrance of mint intertwined with the hot fragrance of dishes, drifting leisurely in the air.

The dark, lightless floor reflected fine and irregular textures under the illumination of the glass crystal lamp on the ceiling, which was high-grade oak timber from the depths of the Mist Forest.

Delicate and soft velvet cushions were laid on every seat beside the table, and the flawless silver-white tableware reflected expensive luster.

If it weren't for the noise from the hall that only left a thin layer of white noise after being processed by heavy soundproofing from the depths of the door crack,

it would be difficult for you to connect this luxurious room that revealed extravagance everywhere with the big words "Baishanque Tavern."

The difference between inside and outside the room was like a high-end restaurant and a roadside food stall; once the wooden door was closed, it was completely two worlds.

Actually, there was nothing strange about it.

Located in a prime location next to the Association, although most of the guests in the Baishanque Tavern were bottom-tier adventurers, high-level Professionals with quite extraordinary strength also often came and went to consume.

For these senior adventurers, even a single piece of equipment was worth decades of income for ordinary people, even if many of them didn't mind finding a seat in the hall, ordering a few beers, and sitting down to chat casually with the drunk dwarf next door.

But after all, they were Professionals already walking on the path of transcendence. In many cases, sentences casually mentioned by team members when bragging might be useful information worth spending money to buy for ordinary adventurers in their daily lives.

When necessary, they also needed a quiet place without being disturbed to discuss some topics that were inconvenient to mention in public.

In this case, facing these "big clients" who were generous and had high net worth, the always shrewd and experienced tavern owner "Chaputun" naturally wouldn't let these bright gold coins flow through his fingers.

Different from the hall's "only" need for a few silver coins to eat a classic set meal with drinks.

For a private room at this level, just the room fee already needed to be settled in units of gold coins.

The menu inside was even specially supplied; the taste might only be improved by about 20%, but in terms of the fancy degree of the dish names and the price, it was almost more than ten times higher than those in the hall.

But even so, even if they knew the tricks, these few high-end private rooms located in the corner of the tavern hall still maintained a super high utilization rate.

It must be admitted that when a person's net worth expands to a certain extent (especially adventurers walking on a tightrope).

1 silver coin, and 1 gold coin.

Even 10 silver coins and 10 gold coins.

In their eyes, there was no difference anymore.

Having worked in the adventurer line for so many years, everyone knew that wanting to retire peacefully was actually very simple, but the condition was that you needed to give up everything you currently possessed.

And as long as you continue to work, who can guarantee that you can spend the savings you worked hard to accumulate before you die?

Cornell knew this truth well.

Therefore, during the rest interval of the task, he never stinted on the gold coins in his pocket.

"Ding-bang."

The metal plates with only fragmented food residues were stacked high, and the table was filled with all kinds of high-calorie food.

The human warrior with red short hair and a burly figure was still wearing his heavy armor, pressing the wooden chair under him until it creaked.

He didn't make a sound, just focused on clearing the plates of food in front of him.

Stewed beef, roast chicken, even half a fat lamb sprinkled with spices...

He didn't refuse anyone, swallowing all the food in front of him into his stomach.

Under that human skin, it was as if a giant ogre was hidden.

In contrast, on the dining table in front of Cornell, there was only a bowl of exquisitely plated roasted goose breast, with a few honey-soaked walnut-filled bread rolls stacked beside it, plus a small cup of tea he brought himself.

"Clang..."

The silver-white iron spoon stirred at a constant speed, colliding with the cup wall and making a subtle and crisp sound.

In the depths of the clear tea water rolling with a micro-vortex, one could vaguely see a few slender oval leaves the size of a fingernail, floating and sinking, making the hot air rising from the cup mouth carry a bit of natural fragrance.

Ningcui Leaf, a specialty from "Cui Lin" near the Elf Royal City Ivelius.

Famous for being able to accelerate the recovery of mental power.

It also had a bit of detoxification effect itself.

It's a pity that because of its harsh growth conditions, it is quite difficult for other regions to plant and cultivate it, and it can only be purchased from the local Wood Elf clan near Cui Lin.

"That kid lied to me before saying he drank it all, I knew there was stock."

"Tsk, look at this big bag."

"If I weren't careful, thinking about 'helping' him organize his backpack, I really wouldn't have found it."

Cornell picked up the teacup and took a sip with a comfortable expression.

A breeze emerged from thin air around him, which was the invisible magic particles surging gently.

"The corpse occupies such a large space in my ring, I collect a little 'room fee', it shouldn't be too much, right?"

Silence.

I don't know if the human warrior opposite the dining table was immersed in eating and didn't hear it, or heard it but didn't want to speak.

Responding to the Mage was only a burst of chewing and swallowing sounds.

Already accustomed to it, and not expecting what kind of reaction the other party could give, Cornell put down the teacup and said slowly:

"The cost of this task is too high, and the task reward is only so little, and it has to be divided by the three of us. If you count the cost of resurrecting that guy in two days, it's a loss that can't be more lost."

"I am still negotiating with the Association side, it should be delayed for a few days, I don't know if I can make up some gold coins, but..."

Cornell sighed, shook his head and said:

"Well, hope is not great."

Without a doubt, the danger level of the Goblin nest they had cleared before had far exceeded the hint information given by the Association before the task.

But after communicating with the relevant staff these days, the information given by the other party at that time was indeed a bit ambiguous. Even if they continued to make trouble, I am afraid that in the end, it could only end in failure, wasting their own time and energy in vain.

Moreover, their team was not an official team of the Adventurer Association. Including himself and the human warrior opposite, they were all free members not bound to the Association, and their own strength had not yet reached "Transcendent."

There would be no special preferential treatment.

Cornell could only swallow this muffled loss secretly.

"Fortunately, I have an acquaintance in Niumu, it should save some money."

"You also know that most resurrection spells, not to mention many restrictions, the longer the death time, the higher the cost."

"Arranging the ritual will take ten days or half a month. If I really wait until I return to Huan Cai Cheng to resurrect... I am afraid this kid will have to compensate me with the Elf Ancestral Tree in his hometown."

Taking advantage of the fact that the blonde Elf's corpse was still lying in the ring, Cornell teased the topic that could make the other party jump feet if mentioned only slightly in the past.

"By the way, do you want to go to Niumu with me, then you can..."

Halfway through the sentence, Cornell seemed to have suddenly thought of something, raised his hand and patted his forehead.

"Look at me, I forgot again."

"Melted Wood Land, right? You are indeed only one step away from 'Transcendent', but I heard that the trial there is not simple, you have to be careful."

"If you fail... you can't be resurrected."

The warrior remained silent, his head buried deep in the dining plate.

"Speaking of which, I still feel strange until now."

Cornell frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on the dining plate in front of him.

There, a translucent palm floating in the air like a ghost was holding a table knife, helping him cut the goose breast into thin slices and dipping it in seasoning.

"That nest, that Goblin Priest... are all not quite right, there is a strange feeling that can't be said."

"Oh, and that silver-white metal device."

"I have never seen this kind of special item that can trigger gravity without calling magic particles."

"Before, I thought whether it was high-level magic equipment they got from somewhere, but now thinking about it, it looks more like a product from the Gnomes."

"After returning to Huan Cai Cheng, I will ask the mentor in detail about this."

"If possible..." Speaking of this, Cornell rarely showed a hesitation on his face, "After you go back, please also mention the relevant situation to Master Yangci."

The brownish-red longsword leaned quietly against the table, the red-haired warrior in heavy armor didn't speak, still chewing and swallowing as before.

His head, however, nodded imperceptibly.

Seeing this, Cornell couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and a relaxed expression reappeared on his cheeks.

"Volga's death, his tribe should already know, if I go there again, I am afraid those old guys who are covered in totems below will find trouble with me."

"Do you have any suitable candidates on your side? It doesn't need to be too strong, professional level 5 or above, just enough to be a transition."

Silence.

"Well..."

Five days later.

Hegu Town, post station.

Adjacent to the Mist Forest, and the only town in the surrounding area stationed by the Adventurer Association.

The post station in Hegu Town has always been lively, bustling, and horse-drawn carriage caravans are endless.

Now the time is just a few days after the end of the Hunting Day, and there are extra many travelers coming and going in the post station.

And judging by their dress and appearance, the vast majority of them are adventurers.

Hunting Day, Goblins appear densely, and the bounty is raised to 5 silver coins each.

For many people, fighting for a while during this period is enough to earn a very good income.

Thereby attracting many adventurers from surrounding villages and towns to come to pan for gold.

Don't look at their fierce and murderous appearance now, in fact, many of them are in a semi-retired state. On weekdays, they might be the kind and amiable boss who smiles at everyone in the bakery by the street, or a safe employee who likes to doze off in front of a small bank.

Only during the Hunting Day period do they transform again, take off their uniforms, pick up weapons, and come to Hegu Town to earn some extra money.

Now that the Hunting Day is over, they have all left Hegu Town one after another and returned to their original lives.

"Brother, slow down, I can't keep up."

Jimi's face was full of sweat, holding his wallet with both hands, shuttling through the crowd.

Running, he poked his head forward to look, but only saw a little bit of his cousin's back.

"Quick, quick, quick! Don't waste time, if we don't catch the car, I won't wait for you."

Hearing his cousin say this, he could only forcibly drive his sore legs and quicken his pace.

But no matter how fast he was, he couldn't be fast enough.

After all, everyone around looked like a senior adventurer. If he accidentally bumped into someone and offended the other party, it would be troublesome.

Fortunately, the post station itself was not too big. Although they circled in the crowd for a long time, the two of them managed to arrive before the caravan set off.

Watching his cousin hand a few copper coins to the team leader with a flattering face, sweating profusely, Jimi, who had just caught his breath, couldn't help but complain in a low voice:

"Brother, it's just a ride, is it necessary?"

"What do you know!" Returning to his side, his cousin, who was originally flattering, immediately straightened his face and scolded, "Do you know how hard it is to find a caravan these past two days?"

"We are going to Niumu, if it weren't for your brother having some connections, you would only be able to stay in Hegu Town for another two months!"

Hearing the other party say this, Jimi couldn't help but curl his lips.

After getting along these past few days, he gradually became familiar with his cousin's personality.

Not to mention the work aspect, speaking... just listen to half of it.

Looking at the crowd coming and going in front of him, Jimi stood on the spot, waiting for the caravan to start.

His right hand subconsciously touched the single-handed sword he had just bought not long ago, which hadn't even chopped a Goblin.

He quietly turned his head, his gaze swept across his cousin's body, on the package that he was holding tightly in his arms.

In his mind, he couldn't help but recall the scene five days ago.

He remembered that the two of them had just finished lunch at the Baishanque, and his cousin said he was going to take him to a herbal shop called "Green Grass Crucible" to buy some cheap healing ointment.

Unexpectedly, they encountered adventurers making trouble.

For the specific process, he was blocked outside the crowd and couldn't see clearly.

When he reacted, the middle-aged adventurer was already lying on the ground motionless.

And his cousin, who had suddenly disappeared before, also returned to his side with an excited expression.

There was a blood-stained package in his hand.

It should have been stripped from the dead man during the chaos.

Jimi was taken by his cousin to see it, and there were not many things in the package.

A few changes of shirts, three silver coins, and a strange statue the size of a palm.

His cousin said he had seen the same style in "Fairy Wind," worth dozens of gold coins!

Worried that the things were not clean and afraid of being caught by others, he thought about taking them to Niumu and finding the "black shop" he knew to deal with them.

At that time, Jimi was actually a bit worried in his heart, feeling that it was not very good.

After all, the adventurer he imagined should be fighting to the death with magical beasts in the forest during the day, and drinking and bragging in the tavern at night, living a very dashing life.

And regarding his thoughts, his cousin just examined the statue in his hand and sneered:

"Adventurer, how noble do you think it is?"

"Just making money, it's the same in any line of work."

This was his original words.

After this, Jimi didn't say anything more, just followed the other party ignorantly, inquiring about information and finding connections all the way until now.

"Niumu... speaking of which, I haven't been there yet, I don't know..."

While pondering, Jimi couldn't help but be stunned.

He saw the caravan leader, who was still arrogant and obviously looked down on his cousin just now.

At this moment, he actually bent his back and took the initiative to step forward to greet him with a flattering smile.

Walking towards a fully armed black-haired young man with two longswords on his back...

"Grey Sword?"

Jimi remembered the other party's title, his cousin introduced it to him five days ago.

Right now, compared to the time he met in the tavern, the other party had one more silver coin in his hand.

It was rising and falling in his palm, being tossed up and down by him.

Suddenly feeling strange.

The speed of the silver coin rising and falling, it seems...

"Slap!"

The back of his head was suddenly patted, and his cousin's low drink came to his ear:

"How many times have I told you?"

"Don't look too much!"

(End of chapter)