Chapter 255: Issuing a Commission to Adventurers

"You mean Mo Lei Nuo went to that haunted place just to look for the Resurrection Stele?" The silent female dwarf in the trio slammed her dagger onto the table, gritting her teeth.

"His damn sister not only killed your brother, but also put Mo Lei Nuo in danger?"

The female dwarf's eyes flashed with jealous hatred, and the face she had hidden beneath her hood was revealed.

A seemingly youthful and cute visage, yet two long scars marred it, the flesh‑colored, centipede‑like marks turning her entire demeanor fierce.

Facing the dwarf's accusation, the dwarf fell silent, then, lacking confidence, whispered, "Don't blame Ai Sha; she's a kind person, and what happened wasn't her intention."

The female dwarf stared at the dwarf with a "you're absurd" expression, feeling as nauseous as if she'd eaten excrement; she was clearly defending Chui Li Er, yet she ended up looking wrong.

Even the man arguing with the dwarf beside them frowned, "E Bi Si, that's enough. All of Ai Sha's people are dead; why do you keep speaking ill of her?"

The man's words were like a match igniting a gasoline can; the female dwarf E Bi Si instantly erupted, and the quarrel flared.

Naimi Xisi sipped the tart, appetizing black chestnut wine while watching their argument with high spirits.

This is a bad habit most dragons can't shake—an avid love of gossip.

"Me speaking ill of her? Kai De, is your brain filled with brain fluid? I think it's feces. Ever since Mo Lei Nuo's so‑called sister joined our squad, misfortune has stuck to us like a blood‑stained sanitary pad—impossible to shake off!"

E Bi Si, as if maddened, smashed her cup at the man's head, "Smack!"—creating a huge bruise.

The man howled, clutching his forehead as blood seeped from his fingers, and shouted angrily, "You lunatic! Why did you hit me!"

E Bi Si sneered, removed her hood, and pointed to the scars on her face, "These two scars were left when I was at Dagger Beach during a demon invasion, saving her."

She then pointed at the dwarf, "Chui Li Er's brother died in the Underdark, sacrificing himself to save her!"

E Bi Si sneered, "Did I say something wrong? Damn bitch, as long as she's around, the whole squad is plagued by misfortune."

Kai De clutched his sweaty forehead, feeling dizzy, and blurted, "Heh, I think you're just jealous of Ai Sha! Don't think I don't know—you've always liked Mo Lei Nuo, and ever since Ai Sha arrived, you've been targeting her at every turn!"

"Shut up!!" E Bi Si screamed, grappling with Kai De, and the tavern patrons cheered at their spectacle, making the scene extremely lively.

The dwarf known as Chui Li Er, his face flushed as he looked at the onlookers, shouted angrily, "Enough! What we need to discuss now is rescuing Mo Lei Nuo!"

Chui Li Er's prestige among the three seemed considerable; after the two fighters exchanged a hair‑pull and a "Monkey Steals the Peach" move, they halted.

Naimi Xisi pouted in disappointment, confirming that dwarves truly are the most humorless, most party‑spoiling race in the world.

After sitting down, Kai De took a deep breath, clutching his aching testicles and adjusting his breathing, "Even if I agree, how can you be sure that Mo Lei Nuo is still alive?"

The female dwarf beside him sneered, "Rest assured, he's only imprisoned in the Shadow Prison, that..."

Her voice softened toward the end, as if she didn't want the others to hear.

"As long as no other mechanisms are triggered in that tomb, Mo Lei Nuo will be fine. I'm more familiar with Shadow Power than you; I told you before that the place Mo Lei Nuo fell into is the Shadow Prison. Creatures trapped inside only lose their power; unless they starve or dehydrate, they won't face a life threat!"

The dwarf's voice was barely a whisper. Unbeknownst to her, a Juan Ce Long nearby had perked its ears, eavesdropping with its superb hearing. Naimi Xisi stroked his chin, deep in thought.

The Shadow Prison appears to be an artificial prison constructed with Shadow Arts.

It sounds like these second‑rate adventurers have been to a tomb where Shadow Power exists?

That made Naimi Xisi somewhat intrigued.

Having witnessed that monster's power in his memory, the Juan Ce Long became very interested in this shadow‑manipulating art.

Coincidentally, Shadow Arts, like spells, have Spell Models. As a rune guardian, he can transcribe any spell, so Shadow Arts naturally fall within his scope.

Since the day of Xia Nai's return is still unknown, he's been restless in the capital, so he might as well find something to do.

"Thank you for your service; that was an incredibly delicious fruit wine," Naimi Xisi smiled, thanking the half‑elf bartender, then strolled away from the tavern's ground floor.

Having long interacted with human society, he has now long mastered the human social etiquette. At least, he has become proficient in superficial disguise.

The next day, outside the tavern.

The three of Chui Li Er retrieved their horses by the tavern's stables; after last night's heated discussion, although Kai De staunchly opposed, he still couldn't outweigh the opinions of Chui Li Er and E Bi Si.

!

Though Kai De could back out, he still has unsettled profits in the warehouse the team jointly built.

The warehouse key is in Chui Li Er's hand; if he quits now, Chui Li Er would surely use that as an excuse to seize his assets.

So he reluctantly agreed, pinching his nose, and the three set out, preparing to return to that haunted place.

"Hello, may I ask if you are brave adventurers?"

Before they departed, a silver‑haired man blocked their path.

Chui Li Er cautiously sized up the stranger, whose exquisitely beautiful, effeminate appearance made him suspect the person might be his most despised elf or half‑elf.

Fortunately, after seeing the shape of the other's ears—no sharp, annoying points—he relaxed, realizing they were just a dwarf's friend.

"Anything I can help with?" Chui Li Er asked warmly; as an adventurer, he knew that such moments often meant a chance to receive a quest and earn shiny gold coins.

The man said with a sorrowful face, "My name is Naimi Xisi; last night I accidentally overheard your conversation. To be frank, my brother once went there and has been missing ever since."

"I've never dared to look for him, but hearing you say you're heading to that haunted place sparked my interest. I want to find my brother, even if only his corpse. For that, I'm willing to pay a bounty."

The three of Chui Li Er were somewhat surprised, exchanging glances. Kai De, with a distrustful expression, asked, "Is it really that coincidental? Why shouldn't I believe you? You say you've been there—fine, then tell me, what's the place called?"

Naimi Xisi curled his lips; Kai De's thoughts were laid bare before Mind Power.

He replied calmly, "Cloud Mist Mountains."

(End of Chapter)