Chapter 74: Argument in the Grand Bazaar

Kuse La.

This is Dixiya's foster father's name.

The commander of the mercenary corps Ahmar's Beard.

He is also one of the few desert mercenaries who still retain some conscience.

Back then, it was he who picked up the abandoned Dixiya, who was crying for food in the desert, and persistently protected her from touching the dark side of the mercenary world.

Needless to say, what happened afterward.

After learning of the various heinous deeds committed by Ahmar's Beard, Dixiya and Kuse La had a huge argument, and in anger she left, venturing alone into the desert.

Although Kuse La, who seemed to have aged ten or more years overnight, did not resent Dixiya for this quarrel, he instead approached the well-reputed Blazing Light Beast Hunters, who took in Dixiya, who had nearly been scorched to death in the desert, and after Dixiya earned the title of Blazing Mane Lion, he approached Dina Zeda's father, asking him to hire Dixiya as Dina Zeda's personal bodyguard.

One could say he had completely arranged Dixiya's retreat, fulfilling his duty as a father to the fullest.

"Dixiya said she only started serving as Dina Zeda's bodyguard two years ago."

"If we calculate based on that time."

"Kuse La should still be alive now."

Luo De is very clear about Kuse La's fate.

To protect his old brothers from being controlled again by the God King's Legacy, the other major mercenary group that controlled Ahmar's Beard, he alone, dragging his broken body, rushed into the God King's Legacy's archives and burned all the evidence they held on his brothers, letting everyone regain their freedom.

And he ultimately could not escape from that fire that consumed everything.

"As long as he's not dead yet, there's still a chance."

After a moment's thought, Luo De came up with a plan.

He wanted to contact Kuse La.

Right now, there is someone nearby who can do that.

Dina Zeda's father.

Shazaman·Huma Yi.

Kuse La may not be a good person, but to Dixiya he is absolutely a good father.

Moreover.

Luo De has always believed that gratitude for upbringing outweighs the debt of raising.

Emotionally and rationally, Dixiya should not hold an irreconcilable misunderstanding with the father who raised her from childhood; otherwise she will regret it forever after his death.

"Hmm, find a chance to go see that Mister Shazaman."

Having made up his mind, Luo De devoured the meat patty on his plate in two or three bites, then called out to the still-eating Dixiya: "Hurry up and eat; once we're done, we'll go find Dina Zeda."

"?"

Hearing Luo De's urging, Dixiya blinked slightly, then said: "When did you become so proactive?"

She clearly remembers.

Yesterday, Luo De's attitude toward the Flower God's Birthday Celebration was still lukewarm—not dislike, at least he wasn't particularly enthusiastic.

"Ah—"

"Oh, isn't it that you said yesterday the arrangements at the Grand Bazaar would be very interesting?"

"Having been cooped up in A Ru Cun for so long, finally getting a chance, isn't this just to have a good time?"

Lost in thought, he almost slipped up by accident, and Luo De hastily found an excuse for his earlier words.

This matter cannot be told to Dixiya for now.

You know, back then they father and daughter had a huge fight.

After storming off in anger, Dixiya simply never contacted Kuse La again, not even knowing when he died.

And the reason it came to this is.

Actually, it all boils down to Kuse La's education of Dixiya.

Putting it that way.

Although Dixiya lived in a mercenary corps that could be called a vat of ink-black dye, she ultimately grew into a desert flower that rises from the mire unstained.

Such an upbringing and commitment to justice are utterly unlike those of the desert people.

One can imagine.

At the moment she realized that the father and uncles she had once regarded as great heroes were actually villains making a living through plunder, threats, violence, and fraud.

Dixiya's worldview, which had been carefully shaped, was absolutely on the verge of collapse.

Even if Kuse La was forced into it.

But he couldn't speak of those past events to defend himself, so Dixiya naturally found it hard to understand her father's actions, ultimately leading to their current state of eternal estrangement.

"Tsk, this is the trouble of knowing too much."

Luo De muttered to himself.

As a foreigner, moreover one from another world.

Many times, he cannot openly speak of what he knows.

Just like now.

If he were to say that Kuse La was also forced into it, that your father is a good father.

Dixiya's first reaction would certainly not be "Oh, I was wrong to blame my old man," then be moved to tears.

Quite the opposite.

If Luo De were to speak these facts.

Dixiya's first reaction would definitely be "How do you know these things?" and then she would keep asking, keep asking, until she got a satisfactory answer.

But the problem is Luo De simply cannot explain these matters.

For example, right now.

Regarding his lame answer just now, Dixiya asked in an obviously doubtful tone: "Really?"

Really.

That's how it is.

When have I ever lied to you!

Luo De's attitude was very sincere.

After explaining back and forth for half a day, he finally made Dixiya believe that he truly was eager to go to the Grand Bazaar to see the liveliness because he had been stifled in A Ru Cun.

With that said beforehand.

After finishing breakfast.

Dixiya didn't waste any time, immediately taking Luo De straight to Hu Ma Yi's house.

When they arrived at Hu Ma Yi's house, Dina Ze Dai was already waiting at the door.

Seeing the faint dark circles under her eyes, she probably hadn't slept all night.

By her side was a middle-aged man with an eight-character moustache, who kept reminding Dina Ze Dai to pay attention to safety and such.

One could tell from the similarity in their eyebrows and eyes.

This middle-aged man was Dina Ze Dai's father, and also the person Luo De wanted to connect with.

"Dixiya, this time Dina Ze Dai's safety is entirely up to you."

Sha Za Man was very warm toward Dixiya; as he spoke, his smile never faded, and his expression when looking at Dixiya was no different from when he looked at his own daughter, Dina Ze Dai.

In comparison.

Toward Luo De, however, he was somewhat lukewarm, his eyes even showing a hint of wariness.

"Father, Luo De is Dixiya's friend and also my friend, so don't always keep a stern face."

Although Dina Ze Dai said that, Sha Za Man only softened his expression a bit, still showing no particular emotion.

Luo De had no habit of trying to warm up a cold reception.

Sha Za Man was unwilling to pay attention to him, and he didn't bother saying any special pleasantries; he just gave a normal greeting and left it at that.

As for how to connect with Lord Hu Ma Yi to contact Ku Se La, he'd just figure it out.

After saying goodbye to Sha Za Man.

The three of them then walked side by side toward the Grand Bazaar.

He calculated the time.

There were less than ten days left until the Flower God Birth Festival.

All the necessary preparations had already begun.

Along the way.

Bustling stalls selling various snacks and gifts, flower lantern decorations prepared for the grand festival, various festive clothing adding to the holiday atmosphere, and the incessant sounds praising the Little Auspicious Grass King all vividly displayed these believers' sincere faith in the Little Auspicious Grass King.

It's livelier than yesterday.

Walking along, Luo De remarked on the lively atmosphere here.

It will get livelier day by day.

"It's rare to have a chance to celebrate the Little Auspicious Grass King's birthday, so everyone's putting in their all."

Since stepping into the Grand Bazaar, Dina Ze Dai's smile never faded, her weak body seeming full of energy as she browsed the eastern Seven Fresh stall and chatted at the western Yalda candy stall.

Soon.

They soon arrived before a somewhat worn-out stage.

Dina Ze Dai excitedly pointed at the big stage ahead and said, "This is the main stage of the Flower God Birth Festival; the most important Flower God Dance of the festival is performed here for everyone."

However.

When Luo De and the others arrived in front of the main stage, the first thing they saw was a middle-aged man with golden long hair arguing with an official wearing Academy robes.

Upon getting closer.

One could hear the Academy official repeatedly insisting that the Flower God Birth Festival violated the rule that "large-scale sacrificial activities to deities can only be organized by the Academy," using that to hassle the middle-aged man; only after collecting a large fine did he leave satisfied.

About to be uploaded, staying up late to stockpile chapters, preparing for a burst release.

(End of chapter)