Chapter 193: Arguments and Solutions, Jier's Itchy Hands

The arguing grew louder. Although neither side dared to resort to violence because they were near the barracks stationed beside the checkpoint, the intensity of the quarrel was by no means small; each person was shouting until their throat was practically tearing.

Jier, who had just finished eating and was cleaning his weapons and equipment in his tent, was extremely annoyed by the noise. He yanked open the tent flap and walked out.

He asked the two subordinates guarding the entrance of his tent, "What's going on? Who is arguing so fiercely nearby? It's already dark; shouldn't those people be resting instead of being so energetic?"

"My Lord, it looks like some local merchants and some armed men are arguing. We don't know anything more than that."

One subordinate Warrior answered simply, while the other added, "Brother Xueya Site has already gone over to check, and Captain Aoni followed him."

Jier nodded, and just like that, wearing his comfortable casual clothes, he walked over with his Hunting Longsword, Dagger, and Short Staff at his waist.

Because he discovered that even though Xueya Site and Aoni had gone to check, the argument over there showed no signs of stopping, and it had even begun to involve their own side.

Earlier, when it got dark, Jier had specifically used his Short Staff, which could fire Lighting Orbs, to shoot bright white Lighting Orbs onto the tops of several tents in the camp. Therefore, even though the place where those people were arguing was over ten meters away from the camp, the surrounding lighting was actually quite decent.

"What's going on? What are these people doing, arguing so fiercely?" As soon as Jier arrived, he asked his partner Xueya Site and his subordinate Warrior Captain Aoni.

"Jier, it's the caravan guards waiting for hire at the checkpoint arguing with the local merchants. They say those merchants abandoned hiring them and turned to accept the protection of our convoy instead, violating the unspoken rules of conduct that have always existed at this checkpoint. Hmph, they insist that the merchants must hire a portion of guards to be in the caravan," Xueya Site said, turning his head.

Aoni stood beside Xueya Site, using his tall body clad in Plate Armor to help shield Xueya Site from the arguing crowd. He also turned his head to add, "My Lord, these guards are also complaining about us, saying that we didn't follow proper etiquette when we arrived. Furthermore, a Church Priest of the local God of Wealth is standing on the side of the caravan guards. He personally believes that we or those merchants should at least pay a sum of money to appease these caravan guards."

Jier was so angry he laughed. This is local protectionism, right? Or something like the American mafia unions from his previous life? Eating the employer above and the workers below. Now the merchants must satisfy the interests of these guards?

Seeing that the twenty or so people here were arguing in a mess, but no one really intended to make a move, Jier didn't bother with the furious caravan guards. He went straight to the God of Wealth Church Priest in the center of the crowd and said bluntly to him, "I am the leader of this group, Knight Qiao Jier from the Northwest Province."

Because Jier was too young and not wearing thick, tall, and recognizable armor, no one paid attention to him when he came over. It wasn't until Jier spoke his identity that these arguing people turned to look at him one after another.

When the caravan guards saw that Jier was a tender youth of seventeen or eighteen, although his physique was exceptionally tall and strong, his face was too soft and lacked the thick beard that displayed masculine spirit, they began to jeer and mock him loudly.

"Ha, how ridiculous. Didn't you see the other party with your own eyes before attaching yourselves to the group? Brothers, take a look, look at this 'Knight'. He looks even younger than my son!"

"Hahahaha, that's right! A brat of this age, has he even slept with a woman? Why don't we all chip in some money for him, gather a few dozen copper coins, and let this lad go find a girl at the Red House by our checkpoint?"

"He doesn't even have a beard on his face; who could believe this is a reliable person? Look, there isn't even a noticeable scar on his face or arms. Has he ever killed anyone? Heh, I bet he hasn't even killed a goblin at home, right? Haha..."

These caravan guards were all tall and strong, with dark and thick beards on their rough faces. Although many of them wore simple and sloppy clothes, one could tell at a glance that they were formidable characters who were experienced in guarding and had lived a life of licking blood from the blade.

At least the few who were standing in the front row and speaking seemed to have some ability.

Hearing them say this, the local caravan Stewards who intended to seek protection under Jier's convoy to travel through the Ke'er Shan Jun territory also became suspicious for a moment. However, the caravan Steward who had been with the team since Dorn Town secretly shook his head at these merchants, signaling them that it was best not to do anything at this moment.

Seeing this, the local merchants didn't say anything, intending to wait and see the situation before making a move.

As for Jier, he was originally quite angry at what these people said, but their judgment of his image and age actually made him feel a bit helpless. Curling his lips, Jier was left speechless by these ignorant people.

Didn't they see that the God of Wealth Church Priest was looking at the glowing sword hanging at Jier's waist, the gorgeous gem-encrusted Dagger on the right side of his belt, and the ancient Short Staff inlaid with Gems? Anyone with a little bit of knowledge would know that Jier's equipment was very good, even much better than the equipment of an average impoverished Knight Lord.

He had just wanted to open his mouth to persuade these caravan guards to apologize quickly; after all, even though Jier looked young, it didn't mean his combat strength was low. With excellent weapons and equipment on his body, he estimated that Jier could easily defeat or even kill these caravan guards.

But before he could speak, someone retorted.

Aoni couldn't stand Jier being slandered and teased. Xueya Site pulled him, but couldn't hold him back, so Aoni strode out, stood in the middle of the crowd, pointed at these caravan guards, and cursed: "You bunch of scoundrels and rascals, open your eyes wide now and look at the strength of me and my companions. One of us can take on two—no, three pieces of trash like you! And our powerful Knight Jier can defeat all of us by himself!"

The argument here also caused some of Jier's subordinate Warriors who were training in the camp to come over. After hearing Aoni's shout, they echoed him one after another. They were all Refining Qi Warriors clad in Metal Armor Plate. Although they were all young farmers fleeing from various places a month or two ago, the continuous combat experience during this period and the fierce battles with different terrifying enemies made it clear at a glance that they were not to be trifled with.

Among them, Aoni looked the most formidable in appearance. Since he said that Jier could defeat all his subordinates, although this was slightly exaggerated, it still made everyone present look at Jier with more respect. Those caravan guards who were spouting nonsense lowered the volume of their voices.

However, although their voices were lower, their mouths were still stubborn. After all, these people were Jier's subordinates, taking Jier's money. Who knew if they would intentionally lose to this exceptionally young Knight because they didn't dare to make a move against the young Knight who paid them?

After all, everyone had heard plenty of rumors about the level of many Knights in their Southern Province.

Jier saw that it was useless for both sides to just argue. The caravan guards thought they were amazing and thought he wasn't, so they might as well practice a bit.

Jier raised his hand to stop the verbal retaliation from his side, which immediately made his own Warriors, who had been paying attention to Jier's attitude, shut their mouths and go quiet. The caravan guards on the opposite side continued to say a few words, but seeing that the other side didn't talk back at all, and that it was only because Jier had raised his right hand, they felt the atmosphere was wrong and also shut their mouths.

The originally noisy scene suddenly became quiet.

The God of Wealth Church Priest thought everyone was about to start a brawl, so he immediately stood out, spread his arms to block the contact between the two sides, and made a gesture to stop them: "Regardless, don't make a move. There cannot be a large-scale brawl. Whoever dares to abuse violence in front of me, just wait to be kicked out of 【Libie Guanka】! No one is allowed to fight! Negotiate properly; there is always a solution to things."

At 【Libie Guanka】, everyone has to give face to the Church of the God of Wealth, not only because every aspect of trade cannot be separated from the guidance and control of the Church of the God of Wealth, but also because the Captain of the Soldiers in the barracks next door is a believer in the God of Wealth.

If you offend the Priest, you can still apologize and admit your mistake; if you offend the Soldier Captain, you can only be thrown out of 【Libie Guanka】 along with your people and goods by the Soldiers. Even because Captain Gulisiman himself is responsible for the defense of the entire eastern border of Cuikuang, after offending him, this kind of cross-county trade is obviously impossible to do.

Want to do business? Then get lost far away and take a detour to the Northern Border.

Jier snorted and said to the Priest: "This Priest, do you think you can convince anyone just by using your mouth? Can you convince those long-standing Bandit Group gangs in Ke'er Shan Jun with your mouth?"

He shook his head and answered his own question: "Obviously not. So these people think I am young and lack the ability to protect the convoy and the merchants who joined. Hmph, then let them experience my strength for themselves, shall I?"

The Priest wanted to say something else, but Jier continued: "Don't worry, I won't hurt these local hired guards. After all, if I hurt them, there won't be anyone for other caravans to hire later!"

When Jier said this, his subordinate Warriors laughed along with him, while those caravan guards turned gloomy and began to curse loudly.

Jier's subordinates couldn't stand their leader's reputation being slandered, so they also opened their mouths to retort.

However, to be honest, when it came to cursing, Jier and his subordinates were clearly no match for these seasoned guards.

The scene became noisy again. Jier ignored these useless arguments and just looked with burning eyes at the hesitant God of Wealth Church Priest.

He could see it now; these caravan guards could propose that merchants must pay even if they didn't hire them, all because they had the support of this God of Wealth Church Priest.

He didn't know what this person was thinking; how could he think such an outrageous thing was okay?

"What do you say?" Jier asked again. The Priest retorted: "Are you really going to make a move against these guards at our checkpoint? Using these swords and Short Staff?"

"These? Of course not!" Jier smiled confidently, unbuckled the metal belt from his waist, and turned to throw it to Aoni. He didn't let the more familiar Xueya Site take these weapons because these things were really heavy.

Aoni almost failed to catch it when he received it. If it had been the not-strong-enough Xueya Site, he definitely would have dropped Jier's things on the ground.

The caravan guards also saw Jier's arrogant actions, or at least that's what they thought.

"Young man, don't be too arrogant. Without your weapons and equipment, it's really hard to say whether a young Knight like you can handle two seasoned guards like us."

"That's right, but to be honest, since you are so confident, hehe, it's not impossible to give you a chance to get beaten up. Everyone here has seen and heard it! It was this young Knight himself who decided to practice with us empty-handed. It was his own decision."

"Don't cry for your mommy if you get beaten up later."

Jier didn't say anything; he waved his hand to let his subordinates step back, leaving enough open space for the fight.

The God of Wealth Church Priest glanced in the direction of the barracks and saw his familiar Captain Gulisiman standing on the barracks wall watching this side. There were also over a hundred Soldiers gathered in the barracks, so he felt that no matter how much trouble was made, it could be settled, so he also stepped aside.

However, he still said: "I have no choice if you insist on having a contest, but I will say this in advance: fighting is fine, but it cannot be too bloody or cruel, and absolutely no one can die—neither side!"

When he said this, he was still speaking to the caravan guards, obviously afraid that these rude guys would do something to Jier, this young and tender foreign Knight.

On one side were more than a dozen fully armed, rude, and strong caravan guards; on the other side was a foreign young Knight in casual clothes with empty hands.

In any case, in the eyes of all the locals, this was a wrong action made by Jier, this young man, because he was blinded by anger.

Jier stood where he was, merely moving his wrists and ankles casually, as relaxed and at ease as if he were in his own home.

The Caravan guards, having received the Priest's warning, did not swarm forward all at once; instead, they exchanged glances and three of them stepped out.

None of the three drew their weapons immediately; instead, they equipped their left hands with combat Hand Shields or Small Round Shields, clenched their empty right hands, and surrounded Jier from the left, center, and right with sinister smiles.

The locals did not think well of Jier, not only because of the disparity in numbers, but also because the Caravan guards were fully equipped, wearing Iron Helmets or leather caps on their heads and thick Leather Clothing and Leather Armor on their bodies.

In their view, even if Jier hit the guards with his fists, it would only make them sway slightly and would not cause any real damage.

But the opponents were different! The edge of a Hand Shield could break an arm if it struck, and a forceful swipe could tear the skin off wherever it grazed. Not to mention that with three people surrounding him and attacking simultaneously, Jier in the middle seemed destined to only take a beating, right?

Jier waved his hand casually: "Come on."

"Just a friendly spar, don't cause any injuries!" The Priest of the God of Wealth was still saying these words. This made the three Caravan guards on the field hesitate, fearing that if they struck too hard, they would anger the Priest.

Seeing that they would not make a move, Jier became displeased and took the initiative to step forward.

—

In the crowd of onlookers not far away, Aoni and the others looked at each other, and everyone felt helpless.

They understood Knight Jier's abilities all too well, especially after witnessing the terrifying sight of Jier truly going all out when he hunted the parasitic Monster, because the local Priest was willing to cover all the costs of him doing so.

So, as the group occasionally exchanged glances, they all felt that the situation turning out this way today was mostly the result of Lord Jier's hands itching for a fight.

Lord Jier's hands were itching for a satisfying battle, and since someone had stepped up and walked right into it, that was truly wonderful!

After all, if no one else caused trouble, the ones who would end up sparring with the itching-for-a-fight Lord Jier would only be them, the poor souls.

Although these rude local Caravan guards spoke unpleasant words and their demand that the Local Merchant must hire them was outrageous, they were truly good people who 'acted bravely for a just cause'!

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