Chapter 316: Hand Injured, Posting a Chapter Early

Feinishike glanced at Yisang without expression, speaking in a flat tone.

"I just think doing this will expose our identity; the waiter just now had traces of long-term contact with extraordinary things, or rather this tavern is likely a place where the Storm Church gathers information."

Yisang leaned forward, resting his weight on the bar, and replied calmly.

"Our identity is already suspect; whatever we do makes no difference, so we might as well act casually."

"We're not ferocious beasts; recent events at sea have been nonstop, and the Storm Church doesn't have the resources to investigate us."

Feinishike rubbed the black ring set with an emerald on his thumb with his right index finger, then fell silent.

Yisang gave a quick glance around, finally settling his gaze on Leikdun, and spoke casually.

"How are your preparations for investing in the Southern Continent going?"

"Are you sure you want to discuss this here?"

Leikdun gave Yisang a sideways glance and asked in a flat tone.

"Isn't this fine? It's not some shady deal."

Although Yisang lowered his voice, he certainly couldn't hide it from the extraordinary ones in this tavern.

He deliberately brought this up here; normal business dealings, even smuggling, would at most draw a little attention from the Storm Church, and they wouldn't care much given his experience—he's a veteran at handling such things, no wonder Mr. Pulake sent the two of them over; this rather introverted Feinishike is mainly there to protect Yisang.

As thoughts flickered, Leikdun quickly made an analysis in his mind.

Afterwards he lowered his voice slightly and said:

"I've already sent a fleet to Feineibote; the goods will soon be shipped to the Southern Continent."

"Discussing business in a tavern isn't my style of hospitality; come on, let me treat you to the specialty cuisine of the Luosidedao Archipelago."

After speaking, he downed the remaining drink in his cup, stood up, and walked out of the tavern.

The usually quiet Feinishike also finished his glass of "golden lemon," got up, and followed Leikdun's steps.

Yisang looked helplessly at his nearly untouched drink, half-raised his cup, then put it down and turned to leave his seat.

After Yisang left, the waiter behind the bar came over to clear the two empty cups and the drink in Yisang's glass that had barely been touched.

His gaze met that of a middle-aged man dressed as a sailor in the tavern corner, then quickly shifted away.

On the street outside the Red Maple Leaf Bar, after Yisang caught up, Leikdun casually hailed a carriage and headed for the Old John Restaurant.

This was the well-known local restaurant that Leikdun had heard tourists discussing while at the bar earlier.

After getting into the carriage, Feinishike half-closed his eyes, leaned back in the cabin, and after a moment spoke in an icy tone:

"Someone's been following us since we left that tavern."

Yisang let out a light chuckle, showing no concern for those tailing them.

"Don't worry about it; we're just going to eat."

"If we really paid attention to them, it would only make us look suspicious; we just need to block them when necessary."

Feinishike nodded lightly, then leaned against the carriage wall to rest.

Yisang turned his head toward Leikdun, lowering his voice considerably so as not to disturb the resting Feinishike.

"His character is rather introverted; you don't need to worry about it."

Leikdun nodded slightly, restraining himself from using the Peeking Secret Eye to observe him; he felt that Feinishike's condition seemed not so good, and his supposed introversion could only be one factor.

Soon the three arrived at the Old John Restaurant by carriage.

It was the peak dining period, service was swift; after ordering grilled fish and drinks, less than fifteen minutes later the waiter brought out two grilled fish and a local specialty, Teiyana juice.

"This restaurant is famous for its spice-grilled comb-tooth fish; it's quite popular with travelers from all over in Baiyamu—you should give it a try."

As he spoke, Leikdun leaned back against the chair, waved his right hand, scattering starlight that quickly coalesced into a barrier shielding the inside from outside, then faded into concealment.

Yisang gazed at the starlight Leikdun had scattered, his eyes flickering slightly, and his tone of voice shifted a bit.

"An astrologer? Or an astronomer?"

Leikdun tilted his head slightly; purple light flowed in his eyes as his gaze swept over Feinishike and Yisang.

He saw the hidden issue on Feinishike's body; faint blackish-green scales appeared on his exposed skin, likely a residue from a demon potion, suggesting he might be a gatekeeper whose ascendant trait had a problem.

Behind Yisang lay a pair of eyes that Leikdun knew well—filled with countless glittering stars, cold and indifferent, without eyelashes.

Leikdun locked eyes with that pair, seeing some unexpected information—could they be attendants of the Hidden Sage, or of the Knowledge Wilderness? Perhaps they were His backup plan?

Leikdun's gaze lingered a moment, then he withdrew it expressionlessly and turned to Feinishike, saying:

"Is there a problem with the trait you used when you ascended?"

Feinishike shook his head slightly, his voice low:

"I have never ascended."

"Never ascended? Then it must be that the trait Mr. Pulake originally separated for him is flawed—indeed, using childbirth to solve a loss of control!"

As thoughts drifted, Leikdun eased his tone and said:

"You have fully mastered the trait within you; the lingering issue will be resolved once you ascend to become an undead."

Feinishike seemed unconcerned about the issue, casually retorting:

"Aren't you a member of the Knowledge Church? Why are you an astrologer then?"

Leikdun blinked, surprised—this was the first time anyone had asked him that; after a brief hesitation, he replied offhand:

"This path is closer to knowledge."

"Closer to knowledge? Then, Mr. Tains, what's your view on knowledge?"

Yisang followed up on Leikdun's words, asking:

The conversation kept drifting further off; muttering to himself, Leikdun said with a smile:

"In my personal understanding, knowledge is the result of all sentient beings grasping the world through practice."

Yisang's eyes lit up, apparently pleased with the answer, and the corner of his mouth curled up slightly.

"Cough~"

Fei Nikesi gave a light cough.

Yīsān this time restrained his expression, bringing the topic back on track:

"Mr. Tains, what is the Knowledge Church's attitude toward the Southern Continent?"

Hah~ Lèikèdūn let out a slight sigh of relief; just now Yīsān's state seemed like he was excited and wanted to sigh with him all night.

What a fine seedling of the Knowledge Church. He sighed inwardly; Lèikèdūn slightly adjusted his expression and spoke in a calm tone:

"The sole purpose of the Knowledge Church is to spread knowledge and wisdom; regarding faith, we believe it should be free and come from the heart."

"The Knowledge Church only wants smart people; those who fail the exam are weeded out, like that strongest hunter."

Yīsān continued to press on, his expression giving away no emotion.

"In other words, as long as knowledge can be spread smoothly, the Knowledge Church will not overly interfere in the Southern Continent's conflicts?"

"That can be understood that way."

Lèikèdūn nodded lightly; before Yīsān could continue his questioning, he spoke first:

"How is the situation in the Southern Continent lately?"

Yīsān's expression turned solemn for a moment, then he spoke with a sigh:

"Warlords carve out fiefdoms, and various powers colonize."

"The Seven Great Churches have long been spreading faith in the Southern Continent; locally there are many big and small sects and organizations, the most influential Spirit Sect now exists in name only, its interior completely split."

"It's even more chaotic than the strange concoctions brewed by those rural shamans."

Fei Nikesi nodded slightly, then added:

"Recently a new secret organization has been frequently active in Xībài lǎng, targeting the lower classes and already having some influence on the situation in the Southern Continent."

"Most of their members are of the Secret Prayer Human Path; I suspect they are related to the Aurora Society."

Yīsān glanced at Feilìkèsī with slight shock; in his impression, Fei Nikesi had always been introverted, not liking to go out and socialize, nor paying attention to surrounding matters. When did he start caring about these things?

Lèikèdūn noticed Yīsān's action and microexpression, but he didn't know the two well and didn't pay attention; his focus was on what Fei Nikesi said, which seemed to be a force related to the Aurora Society.

He showed a somewhat curious expression and asked:

"What does this new secret force mainly do?"

Fei Nikesi took a sip of Tèyànà juice, then leaned back in his chair and recalled:

"What has shown so far seems to be helping the lower classes master some life skills, helping them find work, and safeguarding their rights."

"In Xībài lǎng, they have already secretly gained the support of many people."

Lèikèdūn nodded slightly, no longer concerning himself with this issue, and said:

"When I was in Bèikèlándé, I once heard Mr. Pǔlākē say that he hoped to develop the Southern Continent and free it from the current state of being carved up and colonized by various powers."

"Based on this goal, are you interested in accepting some help that I personally provide?"

"Personally?"

(End of chapter)