Chapter 56: Holy Fire Corps

The next morning.

When Luo De went downstairs for breakfast at the inn, he found Gaima sitting with a half-dragon, talking.

The moment she spotted Luo De, she gestured with the magic puppet beneath her.

“Mr. Luo De, over here!”

“Good morning, Gaima.”

“Our guide is found—look, this is Xia Li, the best outdoor labyrinth navigator in Blazing City; she could traverse it alone at five, and at eight she went without supplies. Getting her took me a lot of effort.”

Gaima introduced the half-dragon.

She was a female of the red dragon lineage, with curved dragon horns rising from her scalp, covered in red scales.

Xia Li waved her hand, as if dismissing the past.

Then, upon seeing Luo De, her eyes lit up.

She reached out to shake his hand.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Luo De—navigating the labyrinth is child’s play for me.”

Her palm was extremely hot—perhaps over forty degrees.

It was said half-dragons inherited the fiery heart of dragons, pumping blood saturated with high-temperature energy.

Sensing her subtly squeezing his palm, Luo De couldn’t help but smile bitterly, and pulled his hand away.

Xia Li licked her lips; her predatory intent was obvious.

“I heard you’re heading to Jade City—may I ask why?”

“I’m going for the domain.”

“Oh—the Jade Domain? That’s something only nobility can enjoy. Commoners get almost no slots, and even those require fierce competition. I’d advise you not to get your hopes up.”

“Heh, doesn’t matter if I can’t get in—just wandering around is fine.”

Luo De didn’t tell anyone he carried the Argyle family’s letter of recommendation—too much trouble.

“Jade City is indeed a fine place, close enough to the elves’ Verdant Court. With your looks, Mr. Luo De, you might even charm an elf lady living in exile.”

Gaima coughed lightly, cutting off the idle chatter.

“Xia Li, why don’t you tell us about the labyrinth’s taboos?”

“Simple: first, listen to me; second, never stray from my side. There are a certain number of native believers in the labyrinth, each with their own customs—impossible to summarize. Just follow whatever I say when we’re inside.”

“Understood.”

The group walked toward the commercial street.

They still needed to buy equipment.

Many adventurers who ventured into the outdoor labyrinth rested in Blazing City, so there was a production line here for gear that repelled labyrinth monsters.

Also, gear to deal with the labyrinth’s natives.

“They’re the Fufeng people—perhaps a branch of humanity.”

Xia Li said this while selecting towels from a stall.

“Two hundred years ago? Or maybe longer—I forget. Anyway, three villages once existed in that part of the outdoor labyrinth. When the labyrinth appeared, the land and its people both mutated into a new race.”

“Like witches?”

Another human-turned-race? Luo De couldn’t help thinking of Dimia, the witch of Shiying Town.

“Sort of—but at least witches still look human.”

“Then why do they stay in the labyrinth? Isn’t it worse than living outside?” Tally asked.

At that moment, she had transformed into a girl with dark skin, dressed like a local—wearing a veil and headscarf, and a cropped top that revealed a toned midriff and abdominal muscles.

“Their appearance and thoughts have changed. Blazing City once tried to accept them, but they refused outright.”

The half-dragon lifted a long towel and smiled:

“See? One of the Fufeng tribes likes to make loincloths from this style—will earn their favor.”

The group picked and chose, packing a large bundle.

Prices in Blazing City had skyrocketed recently—this single bundle cost two Jin Along.

Nearby.

Luo De saw again the group from last night, holding high torches.

They stood in a line, walking along the street, mechanically raising and lowering their torches with blank expressions.

“Who are those people?”

He asked.

Xia Li looked disgusted.

“The Holy Fire Corps—a group of humans who worship the Holy Fire. Isn’t that strange? The Holy Fire belongs to the fire lizards, yet these humans have twisted it into something bizarre.”

Luo De noticed their numbers had grown.

More of them kept emerging from side streets, joining the line—within moments, they filled the road densely.

All were emaciated, dressed in tattered clothes, more like beggars.

“Just lazy, useless humans,” spat Xia Li the half-dragon.

The group edged to the roadside, avoiding the Holy Fire Corps.

The Holy Fire Corps, the neighboring Kaoe tribe, soaring prices, declining Blueberry yields.

These problems were all unfolding quietly within the city.

Even if you insisted the city was safe, Luo De wouldn’t believe it.

He’d originally planned to rest here two days—now he wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Luo De was about to speak to Xia Li.

A small hand slipped into his.

This wasn’t Tally’s warmth.

He looked down.

A young girl at the end of the Holy Fire Corps held a high torch in one hand and gripped his palm with the other.

“?”

She looked pitiful, her face smeared with soot.

“Daddy.”

“What?” Luo De thought he’d misheard.

“Daddy!”

She screamed suddenly, drawing every eye on the street.

The Holy Fire Corps turned in unison, their blank pupils fixed on him.

Luo De’s expression hardened; he yanked his hand away.

At that moment, a man in red-and-white armor approached, carrying a steel spear—he was clearly a soldier of Blazing City.

“Are you her father?”

“No.”

The girl cried “Daddy!” again, trying to cling to him, but Luo De pushed her off.

The soldier’s face turned grim.

“Do you know abandoning a child is a grave crime in Blazing City?”

Luo De instantly understood—they were in cahoots.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the shopkeeper who’d taken two Jin Along sneering at them.

Had he flashed too much wealth?

“Hey Mashin! What the hell are you doing? This is my guest!”

The half-dragon stepped in front of Luo De, barking sharply.

“Get out of the way! This doesn’t concern you!”

“You—!”

As they spoke, the Holy Fire Corps raised their torches, surrounding them in three layers.

Tally stood beside Luo De, barely moving.

“You want to resist?!”

The armored soldier roared.

His face was inches from Luo De’s, spittle spraying onto his skin.

The girl crawled up, sobbing, “Don’t abandon me, Daddy!”

“What do you want?”

“It’s not what I want—it’s what the law demands! Scum!”

At that moment, another soldier, older, approached.

He wore a kind expression, gently scolding Mashin.

Then he played peacemaker, separating them and warmly clasping Luo De’s hand.

He said he understood, believed in his innocence, but someone had filed a complaint, so an investigation was required—he’d mediate, but cooperation was needed.

Plainly, black face, white face—just trying to extort Jin Along.

Luo De was direct.

“How much? Just say it.”

“Not much—five hundred Jin Along. Of course, I’ll give you time to raise the money; in the meantime, your companions will need to stay with us for a few days.”

The old soldier pleaded earnestly, his face full of concern for you.

Luo De immediately noticed that both the old and young soldiers kept glancing at Tally.

Not because they spotted the wealth?

Another purpose?

Without further words, Luo De punched the old soldier hard, sending him flying.

Ma Xin stared in shock, the word “bold” still unspoken when he too was flung into the crowd in the same manner.

“Fuck off, you two idiots, and you little bastard too.”

Luo De kicked the girl down; she immediately burst into loud sobs.

Then Tally grabbed his hand.

Along with Xia Li and Gai Ma, they vanished in a flash.

(End of Chapter)