Chapter 166: Reunion

Wood sat alone in the corner of the tavern hall.

On the table in front of him, there was a cup of half-drunk clear water and two or three simple dishes that were easy to eat.

It couldn't be called very sumptuous.

Of course, it wasn't because he was short of money and needed to save expenses on food.

In fact, as a personal guard cultivated by the "Wickliffe" family for many years, he almost watched the young master grow up, and the master and mistress never treated him badly in terms of money.

The savings he had accumulated over so many years were enough for him to enjoy his old age even if he frequented those high-end restaurants in Niumu Cheng and squandered them wantonly.

It's just that the hard years he spent in the slums when he was young had long since made him develop the habit of frugality.

Three meals a day, being able to fill his stomach.

He was already satisfied.

And besides that, Wood's greatest wish was to accompany the young master, guarding him until he grew old.

The kindness of the mistress who left many years ago and pulled him out of the mud of the slums to be reborn could not be repaid.

He could only turn all the gratitude in his heart into the responsibility that a guard identity should have, taking care of and protecting the only offspring left by the mistress in this world.

It's a pity that he was born inferior, and his talent was even more stupid, even with the pouring of the Wickliffe family's resources, he barely obtained a professional level and became a so-called professional.

Facing the high-level changes involving the City Lord's position, he was just a small fish in the vortex that couldn't even protect itself, not even being able to guard the young master at all times.

Forced to "take a vacation," he was kicked out of the Wickliffe family's castle.

Wood didn't have any extra hobbies.

On weekdays, besides honing his rogue skills that hadn't made any progress for many years, the most he did was hide in the shadows, constantly alerting for possible dangers for the young master.

Now, the sudden holiday made him feel somewhat at a loss for a while.

Just like the adventurers he had come into contact with before, sitting in the tavern to kill time.

Fortunately, the holiday was about to end, and in two more days, he would finally be able to return to his post.

"Patta..."

There was a sound of footsteps beside his ear, and it gradually approached.

Wood didn't care, and didn't even raise his head.

His eyes stared at the crystal clear liquid shaking slightly in the cup on the table in front of him.

For the convenience of guard work, he had been conducting targeted cultivation training since he just embarked on the adventurer's path.

After becoming a 【Rogue】, he naturally obtained the passive specialty in concealment.

Unless they are also professionals, or have specialties in perception, it is difficult to detect his existence.

For those ordinary people, even if they saw him with their own eyes, their attention would only slide off him like soap dipped in water.

Knowing that someone was sitting at this table, but subconsciously ignoring who was sitting beside the table.

And for the "peers" who truly realized his existence, seeing him perform like this, they often wouldn't choose to come and disturb him or look for trouble.

But unexpectedly.

The sound of footsteps that should have changed direction after approaching under the effect of his 【Rogue】 concealment specialty didn't seem to be affected at all.

Approached straight.

Then...

"Ding-dong."

A glass wine bottle refracting the gentle light of the tavern fell lightly on the table.

Looking up along the fair palm with distinct knuckles, it was exquisite chain mail, sword hilts of two swords that looked slightly familiar, and...

That face with distinctive features and sharp facial features.

"Xia Nan!?"

"Where is Haian, why are you out eating alone?"

Pinching the wine glass, filling it for himself, Xia Nan sat opposite Wood and asked with a smile.

He originally just wanted to see if he could find out some information about Ba Ke in "Iron Barrel Toad," but he didn't expect to have an unexpected harvest.

Wood, rogue, is also the first professional he had formally come into contact with after crossing over.

He remembered that he had just arrived in this world at that time, and didn't have any clear understanding of the "adventurer" profession.

In a transitional collection mission, he met the half-elf "Haian" and his guard "Wood," and under the attraction of the token with Eastern classical style from his previous life, he accepted the other party's invitation and temporarily joined the team.

It was also in this mission that he obtained information about "combat techniques," "professions," and other aspects from the two, and entered the secret realm snake cave at the end of the mission.

Thereby absorbing the drops, harvesting the 8-point constitution attribute on his left forearm, and the "snake scale arm shield."

Even the combat technique 【Tooth Hunt】, which has now become the most commonly used in his battles, came from the high-level professional "Fugang" introduced by the other party.

It can only be said that his ability to stand firm in this world is inseparable from the help of the two.

Xia Nan had thought about visiting after learning that his mission destination was in Niumu.

Not to mention whether he could help, just chatting and reminiscing about the past and maintaining the friendship would be good.

It's a pity that he didn't have the detailed addresses of the two, only knowing vaguely that the half-elf lived in Niumu and seemed to have a good family background.

He originally thought about finding someone to inquire about it after the mission ended, to see if there was anyone he knew.

He didn't expect to meet the other party in such a place right now.

Xia Nan's appearance also surprised Wood greatly.

"You..."

Opening his mouth, just wanting to say something.

His expression paused suddenly.

There was some strangeness on his face, and his gaze was examining him.

"Promoted?"

Without any intention of hiding, Xia Nan nodded slightly and shook the wine glass in his hand.

"Not long ago, just a few days ago."

Hearing this, the middle-aged man with a few more vicissitudes on his face couldn't help but feel somewhat emotional.

"I remember when I saw you last time, you were still two combat techniques away from obtaining a professional level?"

"How long has it been, half a year?"

"Just lucky."

"Without your channels, I couldn't have gathered the conditions for promotion so quickly."

Xia Nan still had some self-awareness about the whole process of his journey.

His own efforts and the correct decisions at critical moments were of course one of the reasons why he could obtain the professional level so quickly.

But the convenience provided by the attribute panel, the help of people like the halfling Alton and Green Blood Adeline along the way, plus "a little bit" of indispensable luck.

Were the keys to it.

Expansion leads to destruction, he knew this very well in his heart.

He didn't want to talk too much about this aspect.

Xia Nan looked around, seemingly looking for a silver-haired figure, and changed the topic:

"Why isn't Haian here, didn't he come out to eat with you?"

Wood looked at Xia Nan in front of him, seemingly wondering why he would ask such a question, and then suddenly realized that they seemed to have never explained their identities to the other party.

He shook his head, his gaze lowered, falling on the clear water in front of him.

"The young master's full name is 'Haian Wickliffe'."

Wickliffe?

Xia Nan felt inexplicably familiar, as if he had heard this name somewhere.

Suddenly stunned, he lowered his voice and asked tentatively:

"Wickliffe... Niumu Cheng Lord?"

Wood nodded silently.

Good guy!

Although he knew Haian had a good family background and was a rich brother, he really didn't expect that the background in his family would be so hard.

No wonder he could invite a transcendental powerhouse close to legend as a professional mentor at will.

Glancing at Xia Nan, as if noticing what he was thinking, Wood explained:

"Mr. Fugang and the mistress were teammates for a period of time. When we returned, he happened to be resting in Niumu. Hearing that he might pass through Hegu Town, we entrusted him."

Although the number of professionals in this world is not small, those who are "transcendental," or even "legendary," are only a small group at the top of the pyramid.

Even for the manager of a big city like Niumu, in terms of status, it is hard to say who is higher and who is lower.

Being able to move the barbarian Fugang, the other party passing through Hegu Town is one aspect, and his friendship with Haian's mother is the main factor.

It doesn't matter to teach a certain adventurer a suitable combat technique on the way; but if it involves the family affairs of Wickliffe, it is another matter.

Recalling the rumors he had heard from all aspects in the two days he came here.

Knowing that something seemed to have happened to the Wickliffe family.

Xia Nan used a tone that was polite enough not to be offensive and asked carefully:

"Haian... is his situation okay now, is there anything I can help with?"

Feeling comforted by the concern of the black-haired young man, Wood smiled, a thick helplessness appearing in his expression, and shook his head.

"Thanks for your concern, the young master is fine, at least in terms of personal safety... there won't be any problems."

He could hear the meaning of the other party's polite refusal, obviously such an event involving high-level changes was not something he could get involved in.

Xia Nan didn't mention it again.

"What about you?" Sensing that the atmosphere at the dining table had cooled down, Wood took the initiative to find a topic.

"Staying well in Hegu Town, why did you run to Niumu."

"Planning to retire and come here to enjoy your old age?"

Hearing the other party say this, a smile also appeared on Xia Nan's face, just wanting to use his humor and joke along with the topic.

His mind moved suddenly.

Thinking that as a native of Niumu, the other party must be much more familiar with this city than himself, and he himself is an experienced professional, knowing a lot about fields he is not familiar with.

Perhaps he could explain the dilemma he encountered to the other party, maybe he could gain something.

Thinking about it, Xia Nan told the other party about the target of his promotion mission and the difficulties he was currently encountering.

"Beastification Syndrome..." Fingertips tapped the table lightly, Wood frowned, "That's a bit troublesome."

"I don't know this adventurer named 'Ba Ke,' and I'm sorry I can't help you with anything."

"But if it's 'Iron Barrel Toad,' I am an old acquaintance with the tavern owner, and it's no problem to build a bridge for you."

Saying that, he stood up and brought Xia Nan back to the bar.

"Should have said so earlier, we are all friends, why be so polite?"

Compared to the expressionless look when Xia Nan ordered just now, after Wood's introduction, the tavern owner "Stubborn Donkey" was exceptionally enthusiastic.

Smiling, he handed a wine glass to Xia Nan and filled it for him.

"Ba Ke, that big guy, strong as a bear, I know him."

"When this kid just retired, he often brought a few fox friends to hang out here."

"After his children were born one by one, he came less often."

"Only occasionally came over at night to drink some sullen wine alone."

"I've heard about what happened a few days ago, adventurers... being able to live a comfortable life for a few years like him is already considered not bad."

"If you want to know anything, just ask! I, the old man, will definitely not hide it!"

Having already organized his language in his heart, seeing the other party say so, Xia Nan didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the topic:

"If... I mean if Ba Ke is still alive, where might he be?"

"Where to go..." Stubborn Donkey rubbed the gray beard on his chin, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his old but energetic face.

"He has come less in the past two years, and I really don't know about this."

"However, there is one person who might know."

"Who?"

"'Colander' Da Ben, the cook in our place before, and Ba Ke's teammate."

"Every year during the Hunting Day, these kids will form a team to go to Hegu Town together, and this year should be no exception."

"If you want to know what they encountered during the mission, or Ba Ke's possible hiding place, you might be able to probe him."

Hearing this, Xia Nan's eyes lit up suddenly.

"Where does he live, is it also Niumu, is there a detailed address?"

"This... I really don't know." Stubborn Donkey shrugged at Xia Nan and spread his hands, "This kid worked for me many years ago, and he has moved several times."

"I really don't know where he lives now."

"But I can help you pay attention, you also know, my tavern lacks everything, but adventurers who like to brag after getting drunk come every night."

"Maybe there are a few kids who have friendship with Da Ben."

Seeing that the other party was willing to help and the mission progress had made a substantial breakthrough, Xia Nan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He took out a silver coin from his waist bag and pushed it to the other party on the bar.

"Then I'll trouble you."

With a stretch of his right hand, the silver coin on the table disappeared without a trace, and Stubborn Donkey's eyes smiled almost into a line by the wrinkles.

And at this moment.

Since the bridge was built just now, Wood, who had been standing on the side without saying a word, suddenly reached out and patted Xia Nan on the shoulder.

"It's a coincidence, if you want to know Da Ben's address, now... maybe you don't have to wait."

"Hmm?"

With doubt, Xia Nan looked in the direction Wood was looking.

I saw a few little punks with tattoos on their bodies walking into the tavern swaggeringly with a smile.

The bald sturdy man at the head had a wild expression, grinning to reveal a mouthful of yellow teeth, seemingly bragging about something to the younger brothers behind him.

In his hand, he was carrying a black cloth package stained with some blood quite casually.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 167 =====