Chapter 136: Smoke Clears at the Fox Gate (Combined)

Dusk City, city square.

"My people, I apologize to you."

After Rosa spoke these words, not only were the citizens packed densely in the square stunned into silence, but even the shield-bearing guards stationed at the square's edge wore expressions of disbelief.

For since ancient times, lords have held absolute authority over their subjects; no lord had ever apologized to his people, let alone Rosa, a ruler whose nobility surpassed even that of the aristocracy.

Though inwardly shocked, the dense crowd below remained silent, honoring the lord's earlier order not to speak, and simply waited for Rosa's next words.

"The twilight tea you previously drank is, in fact, a strange slow-acting poison. Once consumed, it will almost certainly lead to addiction, and if you attempt to stop drinking it, you will suffer escalating agony each day until you descend into madness."

"I believe you have already felt this," Rosa said solemnly.

At these words, citizens already wracked by the itching and pain from the tea's banishment exchanged glances, their haggard faces flickering with fear.

Previously, without any warning, none had linked their suffering to the twilight tea; now, hearing their usually benevolent lord say this, they recognized the strange pattern.

"I believe the lord's words—after all, she has always shone like the sun over the entire Southern Region," someone murmured.

"I believe it too. Without Lady Rosa, my whole family would have starved to death."

"Hey, wait—does that mean we're all about to be tortured into madness?"

"Oh gods, if that's the case, I'd rather die from exhaustion in bed."

Panic spread like a tide through the crowd—few could remain calm upon learning they were moments away from such a horrific fate.

"Fortunately, through the tireless efforts of three sages, they have successfully discovered the correct method to neutralize the twilight tea's poison."

As the dense crowd on the square teetered on the brink of mass panic, Rosa changed tone.

"—Phew!"

Upon hearing this, countless people exhaled deeply, their expressions instantly calming; some even mocked those who had moments before shown fear as cowards.

"My people, it was my momentary negligence—I was deceived by that greedy merchant, allowing this vile poison into Dusk City. I am sorry."

Rosa placed her right hand on her left shoulder and bowed slightly toward the crowd below.

"To make amends, I, Rosa Marsha, pledge that all expenses incurred by you in purchasing twilight tea will be fully reimbursed by the Marsha family," she added.

What? You paid for the tea, now not only are you being cured, but you're getting your money back too!

"Lady Rosa, we adore you!"

"Lady Rosa, you are not to blame—it's that damned merchant Ekus who is too cunning!"

"We were fooled too—we called him a merchant of conscience! He's the greediest merchant in all of Sosia; others want your money, he wants your life!"

The dense crowd erupted—some praising Rosa's generosity, others screaming curses at Ekus's greed and madness.

As expected, after today, the reputation of the Simon Kelai merchants would suffer another major decline.

"My people, let us now meet the three sages who discovered the cure for twilight tea's poison and saved Dusk City," Rosa said.

She would not let the prince and his attendants be hidden away—this great deed of saving the entire city would undoubtedly greatly aid the prince's advancement.

Even if it could not directly elevate him to New Moon, it would surely propel him a great step forward on his Morning Star path.

Under the crowd's expectant gazes, the old steward of Crimson Fox Keep, Caelis, led three figures onto the stage.

The first to ascend was a tall, dark-haired young man.

He had eyes as beautiful as obsidian, a handsome face, and a faint smile on his sharply defined features beneath the sunlight—inviting instant closeness.

Dark hair, dark eyes, and such beauty—instantly, upon seeing him, the citizens guessed his identity.

He must be Xia Xia Mingyu, the Southern Region's sage who, through wisdom, convinced every viscount in the region to launch a sweeping purge of villains, renowned for his kindness, justice, and equal treatment of noble and commoner alike!

"Sage, we thank you!" countless voices cried in unison.

Next came a silver-haired, snow-eyed bard of unmatched beauty.

His poetic, painterly face and tear-shaped mole beneath his eye stirred hearts in many men, but soon those who knew him were told he was Dusk City's most beautiful man—"Silver Snow" Damien.

"O wise and beautiful bard, we love you!" many cried with affection—mostly women, but also many men.

This terrifying sight sent Damien trembling behind Xia Xia Mingyu, too frightened to show his face.

When the crowd's gaze turned to the third figure ascending the stage, their brows furrowed tightly; some even covered their mouths in shock.

For the man was hideous—so much so he barely seemed human.

He was short, with arms so long they nearly dragged on the ground; his narrow face sank inward, his cheekbones unnaturally high, and beneath sparse eyebrows, a pair of amber eyes darted restlessly.

He looked less like a man and more like an ugly monkey.

Standing beside the two stunningly beautiful youths, who seemed divine creations, his ugliness was amplified—like two paintings side by side: one realistic, one abstract.

"Isn't he the monkey alchemist from Morning Wind Street? I heard he likes to eat children."

"Oh no, so scary—could they have made a mistake?"

Unlike the previous two cheers, the crowd fell into long silence.

Ude sensed his unwelcome reception from the astonished faces below; he nervously stepped back, preparing to hide behind the sage like Damien had.

But as soon as he moved, Xia Xia Mingyu caught his shoulder.

What the hell—everyone's hiding behind me? Do I look like the senior disciple?

"Ude, explain to these people how to neutralize the twilight tea's poison," Xia Xia Mingyu said calmly.

This was a chance to let the people of Dusk City recognize and accept Ude.

"Wha—what? Sage, shouldn't such an important task be yours?" Ude exclaimed, as if hearing something horrifying.

"Now, I give it to you," Xia Xia Mingyu pushed him forward, placing him at the front, and had Caelis bring a device resembling a small horn and place it before Ude.

It was a magic amplification device—the Ear of Magic—since Ude was no Morning Star, lacking true magic, he could never be heard across the square even if he screamed himself hoarse.

City square, stage.

Ude stood before the Ear of Magic, staring at the countless silent faces below, his legs trembling with nerves.

He had never been stared at by so many at once—not even in his wildest dreams could he have imagined such a scene.

"Calm down, calm down—don't let the sage down."

He took several deep breaths, reminding himself this was also repayment for the sage's kindness, and forced down his panic.

Then, slowly, he spoke into the Ear of Magic:

"I am Ude, alchemist of Morning Wind Street. Under the sage's wise guidance, I have successfully discovered with him the method to neutralize the twilight tea's poison—those poisoned must endure a fever lasting roughly ten minutes, then cool down to fully recover."

"To achieve this, simply take two potions I developed, one after the other: a fever-inducing potion, then a cooling potion."

As he spoke, Ude pulled two differently colored vials from his medicine satchel and held them up as examples.

"The potions have already been arranged by the sage and the lord—every apothecary in the city is working at full speed, and enough for everyone will be delivered to the square soon. You will take them here, purge the tea's poison, and then may leave."

Ude added.

After speaking, he stared at the still-silent crowd below, convinced he had failed—his face burned with shame, wishing he could vanish into the ground.

But soon, the entire square was drowned in a roaring wave of cheers.

"Lord Ude, thank you for saving my family's lives—if not for you and the sage, we would have truly fallen into hell!"

"Lord Ude, I'm sorry I believed the rumors—you are undoubtedly a kind, good man. From now on, if anyone dares say you eat children, I'll punch them senseless!"

"Lord Ude, I'll spread the word about your apothecary—I live on Morning Wind Street too. If you're interested, come to my home; my wife will prepare the finest meal for you!"

People rushed to thank him.

Though the alchemist's appearance was slightly odd, he was unquestionably their savior—they naturally showed him their most sincere gratitude.

On the stage, Ude stared at the scene, his eyes slowly filling with warmth, tears swirling within.

Mama, I think I've made them accept me.

"You did well. I believe no one in Dusk City—or even the Southern Region—will fail to know there is an outstanding alchemist named Ude on Morning Wind Street," Xia Xia Mingyu said, walking over and patting Ude's shoulder softly.

Xia Xia Mingyu walked over, patted Lord Youde on the shoulder, and said softly.

Ude looked up at the young man's gentle smile. For the first time, he did not thank him as usual—instead, he silently swore within his heart—he would become the greatest alchemist under Xia Xia Mingyu's command, crafting every potion he needed.

This was not merely repayment—it was his lifelong dream!

This was not merely his repayment of a debt, but his lifelong dream to fulfill!

After the prince and his attendants had successfully forged their great deed, Rosa ordered.

Moments later, two heavily armored transcendent knights dragged Ekus, his hands bound in thick ropes, onto the stage.

The Simon Kelai merchant was in terrible shape—his deep blue silk robe was caked with mud, blood, and unidentifiable filth.

His left eye socket was swollen purple and nearly shut, blood seeping from a split corner; even his signature hawk-like nose had visibly tilted slightly to the right.

Clearly, during his time in Dusk City's dungeon, Ekus had endured a bit of private punishment.

But this was normal—even the knights guarding him had family or friends harmed by the twilight tea.

Upon learning the truth, they naturally wished to vent their anger first.

When the crowd below saw the wretched Ekus on the stage, they fell silent for a moment, then—

Below, the crowd, upon seeing the disheveled Ekus on the stage, fell silent for a moment, then

"You son of a whore, you Simon Kelai bastard—I told everyone you were the most honorable merchant in the Southern Region! Now they'd rather sew my mouth shut!"

"Ekus, I swear to the gods—I will beat you every time I see you!"

The crowd, moments before cheering and grateful, instantly turned—faces twisted, screaming curses.

Their words were so vile, even Xia Xia Mingyu was stunned—this world had such filthy language too?

Had he not wished to preserve the sage's dignity, he might have joined in with some of the gutter curses he'd honed in the Valley's ten-thousand-battles.

Ekus, cursed like this, turned crimson with rage, his facial muscles twitching.

These damned commoners dared curse him like this? Once he ascended to New Moon and unleashed the Plague of Deception, he would make them beg for death!

"Ekus Simon Kelai, you maliciously sold twilight tea—a strange slow-acting poison—causing countless people in Dusk City to be poisoned, nearly plunging them into an irreversible hell. Fortunately, the wise sage Xia Xia Mingyu and his attendants arrived in time to save Dusk City," Rosa said coldly.

"Ercus Klay, you maliciously sold Twilight Tea, a strange slow-acting poison, causing countless people in Dusk City to fall victim to its toxin and nearly plunge into an irrevocable hell; fortunately, the wise and enlightened Xia Xia Mingyu, accompanied by his attendants, arrived in time to save Dusk City."

Rosa said coldly.

"I, Rosa Marsha, in my capacity as Lord of Dusk City, sentence you to death."

Rosa declared loudly, her voice echoing across the entire square through the propagation of magic.

"My lord is wise! Die, Ekcus!"

"I'll pick up your corpse and feed it to the dogs!"

"You won't collect it all—I'll stuff his head into **."

Ekcus watched this scene with a dark expression; last time these commoners cheered for him, he thought them foolish, but now he felt a sharp sting of humiliation.

"Before the guillotine's blade severs your head and your soul plunges into hell, watch as all the twilight tea leaves you brought are utterly destroyed," Rosa said calmly.

Yet these words filled Ekcus with inner joy.

He had endured the prison's private tortures and been dragged to the execution platform solely to wait for this moment.

For Rafael and the others had learned that Rosa and her group planned to destroy all the twilight tea leaves collected from across the city here in the square.

These tea leaves were, in essence, transformed Pain Force; ordinary methods—fire, water, dissolution—could not destroy them, only cause them to release countless twilight tea aromas into the wind.

The aroma released by destroying such a vast quantity of tea leaves would likely afflict everyone in the square with severe tea addiction, including the thousands of guards here and the heavily armored transcendent knights.

At that moment, he would unleash the Plague of Temptation and make them all kill Rosa Marsha themselves!

Faced with such mass defection, Rosa, a mage unskilled in one-on-one combat, would surely die.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Chests of twilight tea leaves collected from across the city were dumped onto the high platform, quickly piling into a mound several people tall.

Under Ekcus's eagerly anticipatory gaze, Xia Xia Mingyu slowly approached the tea mound and raised his hand.

"Blackfire," Xia Xia Mingyu whispered.

The next instant, black flames ignited the tea mound.

"Hahahaha! So this so-called Sage is nothing but a fool—he thinks he can destroy twilight tea leaves with fire magic? Now the entire Dusk City is doomed!"

Seeing this, Ekcus rejoiced inwardly, feeling the position of Archpriest within his grasp—perhaps even equality with Lord Saimon was not beyond reach.

(End of Chapter)