Chapter 228: Rogue, Commission, and Cooking Skills

Compared to the slight sense of decadent powerlessness the other party had shown when they met in Niumu last time.

The Wood who appeared at the tavern entrance now made Xia Nan think of the scene when the two first met.

The extremely low presence under the professional characteristics made this middle-aged man's already ordinary face even more inconspicuous, and the neat figure under the tight black clothing seemed like it would merge into the shadows by the street in the next second;

His waist was bulging, and one could vaguely see two leather sheaths hanging on the sides of his legs, the sharp edge hidden within appearing and disappearing in his calm and firm eyes.

Perhaps ordinary people couldn't distinguish his current situation just by his attire, which hadn't changed much.

But for Xia Nan, whose perception was extremely keen, with just one glance, he noticed that the Wood before him was in an adventurer state, fully armed as a professional-level rogue.

His entire spirit and energy were completely different from when he was in Niumu.

He had a rough idea in his heart.

Raising his hand, just as he was about to greet the other party, that gaze whose presence had been reduced to the minimum had already swept over.

The originally expressionless, icy face instantly softened, and Wood walked straight toward Xia Nan with the smile of a familiar friend reuniting after a long time.

"This posture... did he come specifically to find me?"

Xia Nan speculated secretly.

"Green Blood" Adeline hadn't become a professional yet, and her perception ability was just ordinary.

She stared in the direction of Xia Nan's gaze for a while, and it wasn't until Wood walked to the table and deliberately released his aura that she could truly focus her attention on this man.

"Why so sudden? You didn't even write a letter to say something before coming."

Xia Nan greeted with a smile.

"In case I was out on a mission, I would have missed you."

"Haha, mainly because time was tight, and I really didn't have the energy to take care of those things." Wood sat down casually. "If it were really that coincidental, I could only blame my bad luck."

Seeing the two greeting each other, and sensing that there seemed to be something to discuss, Adeline showed great ability to read the room.

She only stayed at the table to chat for a few sentences before proactively saying goodbye and leaving.

Moving his gaze away from the other party's gradually receding sturdy back, Xia Nan looked straight at the middle-aged man across the table.

"Just say whatever you have; I'll definitely help if I can."

Knowing that Wood was the personal guard of the half-elf "Haian," the second son of the Niumu Cheng Lord Wickliffe, and his duty was to protect his young master's safety.

And right now, Niumu Cheng was in the midst of high-level turmoil, and the City Lord's position was tottering.

An important figure who should have been deep in the center of the storm was now appearing in Hegu Town, more than half a month's journey away from Niumu, in an inexplicable, fully prepared adventurer posture.

Even specifically coming to the White Tit Tavern, which he used as his mailing address, to find himself.

Even if the other party hadn't said anything yet, Xia Nan had a rough guess about the topic they were about to discuss.

After all, as early as a few months ago, when the two met last time, Wood had mentioned that there might be a commission in the future that needed his help.

After such a long time, it was indeed time.

And just as he had anticipated.

Facing Xia Nan's proposal to get straight to the point, Wood was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting him to be so direct.

Only then did he react, realizing that his personality was just like that.

He didn't speak, just nodded slowly.

At the same time, he took an envelope with wax seal from his bosom, placed it gently on the table, and pushed it toward Xia Nan with his fingertips.

"Read it yourself; I trust you. Remember to burn and destroy it after reading, or just return it to me when the time comes, if there's a chance..."

"Coming to Hegu Town this time, I do need your help, but the specific content of the commission might have some risks."

"Please consider it carefully."

Looking straight into Xia Nan's eyes, Wood's attitude was serious and sincere.

"Of course, regarding the mission reward, we definitely won't be stingy, you can rest assured about that."

"Because we can't provide exchange points like the association, it will be settled in gold coins, and the amount will definitely be much more than association missions of the same level."

"Three days." His thumb and index finger locked, Wood extended three fingers to Xia Nan. "We will stay in town for these three days."

"If you have the willingness to accept after considering the mission content in the letter, you can come to find us according to the address written on the back of the letter paper."

"Of course, if you have no interest, or have concerns about the mission content, refusing is also completely fine, and we will leave on our own after three days."

"As an adventurer, you have the power to choose your own missions, and I have no qualification to force you to accept the commission."

"Believe me." Wood's expression was serious, obviously not saying some polite words forced out for the sake of so-called "decency." "This won't affect the relationship between us."

Xia Nan naturally understood what the other party wanted to express.

It was nothing more than letting him consider clearly, and there was no need to force himself to accept a mission he had no intention of taking just because of his relationship with the other party.

He nodded to indicate he understood.

But he didn't open the envelope on the spot, just tucked it into his bosom.

He came in a hurry, and left even faster.

Having important business to attend to, after conveying the information to Xia Nan, Wood didn't even take a sip of wine before leaving in a hurry.

Appearing hurried and busy.

But in Xia Nan's view, the other party's entire state was countless times better than the gloomy and depressed look when he was in Niumu.

Like he had found a goal to strive for and work hard toward.

A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

Xia Nan wasn't in a hurry, sitting calmly in the corner of the tavern alone, finishing all the cream mushroom soup he had specially ordered to celebrate his first anniversary of transmigrating, and sweeping the food on the table clean.

Only then did he greet the tavern owner Chaputun, and swayed upstairs, returning to his room.

Sitting at the desk, he opened the envelope Wood had handed him and read it carefully.

In general, the commission itself was actually not complicated, and could even be called simple.

An escort mission that was extremely common among adventurer groups.

The destination was a territory called "Sticky Tree Domain" in Yuansha Province, located in the southwest direction of the Servia Kingdom.

As for the target of the escort, it was naturally the City Lord's second son—the half-elf "Haian"—whom Xia Nan had guessed he hadn't seen for a long time.

It was no wonder Wood let him consider carefully and told him he could refuse with peace of mind.

The mission might not have anything special, but the people and things involved were quite complicated.

At least according to the news he had heard in the tavern recently, the position of the Niumu Cheng Lord was far from settled.

The City Lord's Mansion, major nobles, churches... various forces collided and intertwined, and the upper echelons of the city were surging with undercurrents.

In this situation, Haian, as the City Lord's second son, was undoubtedly one of the focuses of attention for all parties. ===== CHAPTER 229 =====