Chapter 759: The Handling Method for the Mad Weier

Jier was a bit confused, so he rode his warhorse and slowly approached.

Although the horse's speed had not picked up, Tianxuecao, now draped in armor, was much heavier than before; the slightly soft ground was pressed into deep hoofprints with every step.

Moreover, the armor on its body would emit unavoidable friction noises as it moved—even though the craftsmen had used various methods to eliminate these sounds.

Therefore, from a distance, everyone—including the Woodcarving Craftsman sitting not far from the open space gate, the guards from the town at the gate, and Jier's own Armed Civilian subordinates—noticed Knight Jier riding his armored warhorse.

The Woodcarving Craftsman was exceptionally panicked upon seeing the newcomer; he hurriedly sat up from the ground to wave and salute, not even caring that the things he had been fiddling with had scattered all over the ground.

The few guards sent by Dorn Town to monitor the situation, however, merely looked at the knight's warhorse with curiosity, then began to whisper about the new armor on Knight Jier's mount while preparing their dinner. The Armed Civilians guarding the gate of the open space were particularly excited; the few men watching the gate immediately shouted for their resting companions, telling everyone to come out and see the knight's new warhorse armor.

After all, this directly concerned everyone's personal interests. The logic was simple: the more powerful Knight Jier, who led them, was, the safer everyone would naturally be on the journey ahead.

None of them wanted to experience the brutal bandit attack from that night ever again.

Jier waved at his Armed Civilian subordinates, but only turned his face to speak to the Woodcarving Craftsman as he passed by: "You've come quite early, haven't you? Do you need to come over and sit for a while?"

Jier was just being polite; he didn't want many people to know about this matter, but this fellow sitting by the road outside the town was simply too conspicuous.

Furthermore, upon getting closer, Jier saw that the Woodcarving Craftsman had been sitting by the road working with his head down because he didn't want to waste any time, still holding several half-finished Wooden Carvings in his rough hands, seemingly wanting to earn a bit more money.

"My-my-my lord, Knight, no need, no need. This lowly one, this lowly one will just wait here, wait here is fine."

It seemed he was frightened by the warhorse's imposing armor, or perhaps he hadn't expected that the young man he had seen at the Merchant Guild yesterday, who claimed to be a knight, was truly a knight.

Jier rolled his eyes. He had wanted the man to come in the middle of the night specifically to avoid attracting attention, but he hadn't expected this guy to arrive early and just sit by the road carving. Hey, hey, hey, if something happens near the town later, won't everyone think of me first?

But he had no choice, so he said to the man: "Since that's the case, move your spot a bit further away from my gate."

"But, if I move further away, once it gets dark, I won't be able to see anything. These Wooden Carvings aren't finished yet..."

Looking at the half-finished Wooden Carvings tightly gripped in the man's hands, Jier was speechless; he waved his hand in dismissal and stopped talking to him.

Craftsman Kake watched the knight ride away, hesitated for a moment, then packed up, picked up the scattered Wooden Carvings and wood shavings from the ground, and dragged his heavy large sack a distance toward the town.

"Lord Jier, what is this? What is this?"

"Haha, it must be armor, right? Wow, your horse is truly majestic!"

Jier sat proudly on the horse's back, signaling for Tianxuecao to slow its pace, allowing everyone to touch and look at this newly acquired warhorse armor to their hearts' content.

People crowded around; some tapped the metal parts of the armor with a clanging sound, some were curious about the protective power of the Multi-layer Protective Cloth, and others lowered their heads to see what the underside of the hanging parts of the warhorse armor looked like.

Tianxuecao snorted impatiently, shook its head, and aggrievedly moved its hooves slowly while surrounded by the crowd. It was a bit hungry, and these annoying Humans kept blocking it from getting to its food.

Hmph.

Sensing the warhorse's impatience, Jier called out to everyone: "Call over the people responsible for taking care of the horses and livestock. I need to teach them how to put on and take off this warhorse armor as soon as possible. Otherwise, if we need to fight later, I'll have to armor the horse all by myself, and that won't do!"

So, someone immediately went to call them.

"Remember to have them bring some horse feed over!"

Slowly arriving at the center of the Yingdi, there were even more onlookers; many people who were eating dinner brought their Wooden Bowls over to watch curiously.

With over a hundred people watching, Jier taught the few civilians responsible for the horses how to remove the entire set of warhorse armor and how to put it back on in order. After teaching them twice, Jier stopped doing it himself and instead stood to the side to supervise, letting those few men do the work.

Meanwhile, Tianxuecao stood honestly in place; with its bit loosened, it didn't care what the Humans who were repeatedly putting the armor on and taking it off were going crazy about, only focusing on chewing the hay and a whole basin of mixed Beans.

A Wooden Bowl filled with water was also placed nearby; when Tianxuecao felt thirsty, it could simply stick its entire horse head in and drink deeply.

The Priest and Xueya Siter naturally came to watch the excitement as well. After watching for a while, Xueya Siter pulled Jier to the side and had someone bring over a thin, foolish-looking fellow.

"Oh, isn't this that Bandit who had some skill? He didn't die at the hands of the girls?"

Jier gave a wicked smile. He had forgotten there was such a person in the group. Previously, some girls in the group had asked Jier for the job of supervising this man, and Jier had thought the man wouldn't last a few days; he hadn't expected him to still be alive.

Hearing Jier's question, Xueya Siter was quite speechless: "Not only is he alive, but yesterday, when we were selling the captured Bandits, he almost caused trouble."

So, Xueya Siter told him about the matter he hadn't found a chance to tell Jier earlier.

After listening, Jier rubbed his chin with his hand, looked at the foolish fellow who was whispering something to himself, and said: "Perhaps there is quite a story behind this man; his background is likely not simple."

"You mean? Keep him? Or find someone to cure his foolishness?"

Hearing Xueya Siter's words, Jier snorted: "In your dreams. He ambushed and killed my men and acted as a thug for a notorious Bandit Group. Even if this man didn't directly participate in the looting, he was indirectly part of the Bandits' evil deeds. It's already his good fortune that he wasn't finished off by the girls who lost their companions; don't even think about me spending money to cure his madness."

Jier walked up to Weier, who was standing blankly while hugging his Long Sword, and circled him a few times: "Why is he still allowed to hold a weapon? Aren't you afraid he'll kill someone again when he goes crazy? Although his combat level is average, the ordinary civilians in the group are no match for him."

Xueya Siter, who had been responsible for many things Jier didn't have time to manage in the group, said helplessly: "This guy guards that sword of his more tightly than the thing between his own legs. If you don't touch his precious Long Sword, he's quite obedient. But Jier, we should still deal with this person; staying in the group has already caused some trouble. Last night, I heard that some women in the group had already started arguing and fighting over him."

Jier almost choked. He took a closer look at the thin fellow. Hmm, he was somewhat handsome, and perhaps because he was thin, his face seemed even more handsome than when they had fought before?

"Is it really that exaggerated? Although most of the civilians in the group are farmers from the Cunzi, I think everyone is quite good; sturdy legs, arms, they must be good hands at work, and their physical strength and energy are also quite robust. As for this guy, besides having a good face, I assume everything else is mediocre?"

Xueya Siter shrugged: "It's enough for the girls that he looks good. Ha, how about we sell him to the Red House in the town? When I went there to play—no, to gather information—a couple of days ago, I saw some guys there catering to wealthy female Merchants."

Jier pointed his finger at Xueya Siter: "Who was just bragging to me about their love story earlier?"

"That was a business story, not a love story. *Cough cough*, what do you think of my suggestion?"

Xueya Siter looked embarrassed, but soon, relying on the shameless thick skin he had learned from years of traveling the Shanglu, he forcibly brushed the matter aside.

Jier didn't reply directly to his companion, but instead grabbed the hilt of the Long Sword that Weier was holding in his arms.

When he held it, the thin fellow reacted slightly, but not much, still muttering some names. Jier's sensitive ears clearly heard every name the guy said, and after a little guessing, he deduced from the names and associated titles that this guy seemed to have studied at some kind of school.

And it was a place that also taught martial arts.

This was interesting. It seemed that place had a deep connection to this foolish fellow, and even in his mad state, he couldn't forget it.

Considering the other party's age wasn't much older than Jier's current body, it was clear that most of his youth and part of his young adulthood were related to that school-like place.

"Siter, have you ever heard of a place called 【Boer-ya Swordsman Academy】?"

Jier applied a little force and pulled Weier's Long Sword out of the Sword Sheath. As the weapon was drawn, the foolish, thin fellow seemed startled and began to tremble all over.

"Never heard of it. Although I've been a Caravan guard for many years, I've never left the Kingdom. Our country is actually quite large; compared to the surrounding countries, I've heard some Priests say it's five or six times larger than those small kingdoms. Of course, that doesn't include the Empire to the east."

He shrugged, then muttered some complaints, grumbling about the Noble lords of the Southern Province who couldn't even defeat a small kingdom adjacent to the south. You have to know, that small kingdom to the south was actually smaller in area and national strength than even one kingdom province of the Southern Province.

"Perhaps, if it's not in our country, that old Merchant you saved might have heard of this name."

Jier nodded. While pulling the Long Sword Weier was hugging to his chest, he observed the foolish man's reaction.

If he only held the hilt of the Long Sword, Weier reacted, but not much. But when he pulled the Long Sword out, the guy started trembling all over. At this moment, Jier pulled the Long Sword halfway out, and the mad fellow finally took action.

The thin young man let out a chaotic roar, then grabbed the Sword Sheath with one hand and suddenly reached for his own sword hilt with the other, wanting to fight Jier for control of the Long Sword.

But Jier remained unmoved; the young man thrashed and pulled at the hilt of the Long Sword in vain, unable to budge or knock away Jier's right hand in the slightest.

Likely realizing that his actions would not secure his Long Sword, this foolish fellow let out a roar like a wild dog, opened his mouth, and bit toward Jier's throat.

"Careful! He's going to bite!"

Xueya Site exclaimed, but before he could step forward to help, he was frozen in place by a chill radiating from Jier.

Not only him, but even the crazed young man facing Jier directly stiffened, maintaining his biting posture and forcibly halting all movement.

It was a soul-piercing killing intent, accompanied by an uncomfortable sensation that made one's whole body turn cold, as if a frigid metal weapon were pressed against one's throat, ready to take one's life the next moment. At the same time, Xueya Site even felt vague sounds of wailing and moaning ringing in his ears, which reminded him of that night from a few days ago.

As for Jier, he kept his eyes half-closed, looking coldly at the fellow who wanted to bite him; by merely releasing his killing intent and the will to attack, he had pinned the foolish fellow to the spot.

Then, without stopping his hand, he finally snatched the Long Sword away from the foolish Weier.

This was a well-crafted Steel Longsword, with flexibility and sharpness superior to ordinary weapons, though it perhaps lacked maintenance recently; at this moment, the blade of this otherwise beautiful Long Sword had some red spots of corrosion and rust from uncleared bloodstains.

Borrowing the light from the nearby Yingdi fire, Jier noticed this time that there was an intaglio pattern on the pommel at the end of the hilt that had been deliberately destroyed.

He pondered it, guessing it was the pattern used by this fellow's original family. It was a pity it had long since been intentionally ruined, making it impossible to identify.

After checking it, Jier sheathed the Long Sword back into the Sword Sheath, only then withdrawing his killing intent and the thought of attacking, allowing the fellow before him to 'come back to life'.

But like a frightened beast, the foolish young man squatted on the ground, wailing, not daring to lift his head again.

The madness that had previously driven him to risk his life to pounce and bite Jier was also gone.

Xueya Site shivered, patted his face hard, and then said to Jier with a wry smile: "Take it easy, Jier, you scared me just now too."

"Oh, is that so? Sorry, sorry."

After apologizing, Jier looked at the fellow squatting on the ground, trembling while clutching the Long Sword, and after hesitating, said: "Trouble yourself to call that old Merchant in the group over to see if he can identify this fellow's origin. Once we know his background, we can discuss how to deal with him. I'm a bit interested in that academy or whatever it is."

Jier considered whether he needed to find a place rich in knowledge to understand the situation of this other world comprehensively and systematically.

At the very least, he had to understand the specific situation of Human society, right? He couldn't just rely on the plays of folk troupes and the poems and legends of Bards in taverns to acquire knowledge, could he?

These things were full of exaggerated descriptions and obvious political metaphors, whether satirical or mocking; one could not, and could not objectively, understand the history and actual situation of various places through them.

Of course, excluding the situation of that unknown academy, there were likely organizations and buildings in large cities that preserved and transmitted knowledge. He had heard Knight Lanisha mention occasionally that when she was young, she studied at Fengqin Castle in the Province Capital of the Northwest Province, and she often went to some paid public libraries to learn knowledge she was interested in.

It was just that it seemed there were restrictions on the social status and income of visitors, and not everyone could enter to view those preserved books.

Jier prided himself that although he did not have a Noble appointment as a formal Knight, relying on his relationship with Knight Kela, as well as his own strength and financial ability, it would likely be feasible to head to the Province Capital of the Southern Province later and read books at the public library that might exist there.

This was a time-consuming and laborious task, and not strictly necessary, but Jier understood that, regardless, it was something he would eventually have to do.

It was unavoidable.

If he wanted to live like the vast majority of commoners, residing in a small area and living a muddled life for a lifetime, then of course he wouldn't need to understand what this world looked like.

He would only need a piece of land to support himself and his family, a house to shelter from the wind and rain, and to know some friends in the Cunzi and be familiar with the Priest of the local church; that way, he would likely live a peaceful life for a lifetime.

Eventually, after a few decades, he would truly experience the process of death that everyone in this other world goes through.

If he were pious enough and had made contributions to the church and the gods, he might be lucky enough to ascend to the Divine Kingdom, or be protected by Faith, pass through the Underworld, and be cast into the cycle of the world once again.

If he lived an ordinary life, perhaps he would have other twists and turns after death, such as wandering in the Underworld for a long time, eventually forgetting everything about himself in the long passage of time, turning into the Spirit dust sung about in poems, and being trampled by other dead souls.

Or perhaps, he would be unlucky enough to be preyed upon by the evil beasts in the Underworld, and his life's experiences would merely add a taste to the chewing of those fierce and mindless beasts.

Immediately, thinking of this, Jier shivered and slowly looked down at his own palms.

Vaguely, besides sensing the Life Energy existing within his palms, he could also perceive and detect the faint Divine Power of the God of Agriculture, which he had rarely sensed before, albeit somewhat blurrily.

These small amounts of Divine Power of the God of Agriculture were not motionless, but spontaneously formed a circulatory system, flowing and moving beneath the skin of his palms.

Jier understood that these Divine Powers would eventually converge at a virtual Divine Power Seed in his abdomen. And they were closely connected to the two blessing abilities he currently possessed.

Although the Divine Power of the God of Agriculture from the two did not merge or communicate, Jier could therefore clearly and conveniently use the two God of Agriculture Blessing abilities on his body.

After a while, the old Merchant was called over by Xueya Site.

The old man's health had been getting worse lately; when he was first rescued by Jier from the Bandit lair, his movements were no match for a young man's, but these past few days, his steps had slowed significantly, and his back was somewhat hunched.

"Your health doesn't look good, does it? Old Mr. Fentijia."

Facing the young Knight's polite inquiry, the old Merchant smiled slightly: "I have walked too far and too long in the wild doing business all my life; the way my body is now is already not bad."

"Knight, you called me here because you have something to entrust to me, right? Please feel free to hand it to me, as a repayment for your kindness in saving me."

Jier pointed to the foolish young man squatting and trembling nearby: "It's nothing, it's just that I'm a bit curious about the Bandit identity of this captive, and I want to know where this fellow, who has already gone mad, comes from."

The old Merchant nodded: "To be noticed by you, his origin must be extraordinary. Since the person is foolish, this is actually easier to handle. Hehe, after all, I am an old fellow; I am no match for a clear-minded and strong young man."

Jier said to Xueya Site: "In that case, leave this person to Old Mr. Fentijia to look after; the people previously responsible for watching him can be dismissed, to save the girls from arguing and fighting. Also, since this person is crazed, he has a weapon that cannot leave his side. Additionally, assign two well-equipped people from my subordinates to watch him specifically, so he doesn't hurt anyone else in the group."

Jier turned back to look at the old Merchant: "Mr. Fentijia, if you discover anything, or if this fellow becomes clear-headed, come directly to me."

"Very well, Knight."

"Just call me Jier, no need for honorifics."