Chapter 174: Everything Has Been Arranged

The greatest feature of the Earth Sacred Hammer is that it has been blessed—only those granted its approval can lift it; if Anthony had merely forged a random hammer without even this basic trait, it wouldn't be forgery at all.

The hammer was long ago inscribed with a magical array; once holy light is channeled into it, it generates immense suction, drawing power from the earth and creating the illusion that it cannot be lifted.

The denser the holy light infused, the stronger and longer-lasting the suction—this is precisely why Ang needs to operate it; in this world, who besides the Guangmingzhongshen has holy light more potent than his?

The pale-skinned clerk had already lost the ability to speak; after a moment of shock, she turned and ran. Soon after, the local head of the Mercenary Guild, senior officials, and armed forces commanders all arrived.

In addition, high-ranking members of major mercenary guilds and independent top-tier mercenaries had gathered to watch; many lower- and mid-level mercenaries had been pushed out of the circle.

To prevent anyone from seeing through his soul armor, Ang had already summoned holy light to envelop his body—not out of excessive nervousness, but because the mercenary profession attracts all kinds of people, many with bizarre abilities; seeing through soul armor isn't unusual.

But piercing both the soul armor and the holy light is far harder, since these are two nearly opposite elemental forces; few possess the ability to counter both.

As expected, soon after he summoned the holy light, he sensed several forces subtly probing him—only to recoil instantly when scorched by the holy light.

Ang followed the source of one such force and saw the dark elf, a mysterious figure wrapped in a cloak, and an elderly man with a weathered face but solemn expression.

When the dark elf noticed Ang looking his way, he flinched, pulled his neck in, and hastily vanished into the crowd, terrified.

The cloaked figure also shuddered violently and lowered his head.

Only the solemn old man placed a hand over his chest in a respectful bow, then turned and left.

Clearly, none of them had anticipated Ang's sharp awareness—his precise identification of their surveillance was like a thief reaching for your pocket, only to look up and find you've been watching him all along, caught red-handed.

Other experts sensed this silent shift and immediately withdrew their probing intentions; those who dared to investigate first in such a setting were confident in their abilities—but now all had been exposed.

Especially the old man—someone recognized him, the so-called Eye of the Gods, and he had been frightened away?

Someone whispered: "It's been years since anyone completed a Super Mission. The Earth Sacred Hammer should be the easiest one ever—its difficulty lies only in who can lift it. No one expected someone actually could."

"Not quite. Sword Saints can still lift it by brute force. The real issue is whether the Black Mountain Duchy's heir can lift it—if he can, it means the Earth Sacred Hammer recognizes him, automatically granting him the right of succession."

"Didn't the Black Mountain royal family die out?"

"Have you forgotten the illegitimate son? He's right here in our Lorlan City—maybe he's already heard about the Earth Sacred Hammer and is on his way."

No sooner had the words been spoken than the man himself arrived—a ragged young man shouted excitedly: "Sacred Hammer! My Earth Sacred Hammer! Our family's Sacred Hammer! Let me through, let me through!"

The crowd parted to make way. The young man rushed toward the hammer, but guild personnel blocked him: "We must still verify the hammer's authenticity. Please do not approach."

The young man cried out: "The Earth Sacred Hammer is our Black Mountain Duchy's sacred relic! If it's confirmed real, please return it to me!"

The guild's senior officials exchanged glances. After a long pause, the local head, Chairman Kaji, spoke: "Black Mountain—well, although you call yourself Black Mountain, your family's affairs are not the Guild's concern. After verifying authenticity, the item will be handed to the reward claimant. This mission was initiated by the interim regent of Black Mountain Duchy; the hammer will be given to him."

"Cousin! No, you cannot give the relic to him—he's not of the Black Mountain family! This is usurpation!" shouted the young man, Black Mountain.

Chairman Kaji smiled politely but said nothing.

After thorough examination, the guild's appraiser concluded: "Chairman, it's genuine."

Black Mountain immediately said: "No, you've never seen the Earth Sacred Hammer—your word means nothing. I've seen it—my father took me to see it many times. Let me see it!"

Chairman Kaji considered, then nodded to the crowd and stepped aside.

Black Mountain lunged toward the hammer, gripped the handle, and before anyone could react, lifted the Earth Sacred Hammer—its surface blazed with radiant light.

"Hahahaha! It's real! It's the true Earth Sacred Hammer! It recognizes me! It finally recognizes me! I am the heir of Black Mountain Duchy!" Black Mountain shouted. The onlookers erupted in uproar.

Watching silently, Negril finally sensed something amiss and murmured: "Could this illegitimate Black Mountain be Anthony's setup?"

Black Mountain set down the Earth Sacred Hammer. Others tried to lift it again—still impossible—confirming once more that the hammer had recognized him.

Of course, it wasn't impossible to lift—Sword Saints and above could still raise it by brute force, then immediately wrap it in a shroud.

"Come! Follow me to Black Mountain Duchy! I lifted the hammer—I am the duke's heir! Come with me and reclaim our lost title; you will all be heroes!"

Black Mountain turned and shouted urgently to the mercenaries behind him. Several immediately stepped forward: "We support you."

A swarm of supporters surged after Black Mountain as they left the guild hall.

Negril cursed: "Damn it—all planned. After this performance, Black Mountain has a legitimate excuse to reclaim his title. His supporters? Definitely arranged by Anthony. Once he seizes the title, he'll naturally gain control of the Earth Sacred Hammer—then whether it's real or fake won't matter anymore; no one will bother checking."

The depth of this thousand-year-old politician's scheming even startled Negril, a ten-thousand-year-old seer. The plague in Black Mountain Duchy was clearly sudden—yet within such a short time, Anthony had devised a plan to install his own man and plant a seed in the Western Diocese.

Black Mountain Duchy is nominally independent but lies within the Western Diocese's sphere of influence. If Anthony's man ascends to the ducal throne, he instantly gains a powerful ally within the Western Diocese.

Even the Anton Knight Corps, trapped in the city and needing Ang to deliver grain, was likely part of the plan.

Negril was shaken—but Ang wasn't, because he didn't understand. After the chaotic crowd dispersed, Chairman Kaji approached and bowed politely: "Friend, if you would follow me."

In a private reception room, Chairman Kaji personally brought forth several items and asked courteously: "Friend, may I know your name or codename?"

Ang sat still; Negril answered, for his halting speech pattern would drive many to despair.

Negril asked curiously: "You can choose a codename?" His voice emanated from Ang's body, sounding as if Ang himself spoke, due to the soul armor.

But it wasn't quite like normal speech—Chairman Kaji could tell, yet made no comment, saying instead: "Of course. The Mercenary Guild respects everyone's privacy—real names or codenames are both acceptable. But codenames cannot be tied to identity; if lost, they cannot be reissued."

"Oh, then codename: Vegetable Farmer."

"Vegetable Farmer? Are you certain?" Kaji asked, puzzled.

"Yes, that's it," Negril affirmed. No codename could be more fitting for Ang.

"Er, it's taken. How about adding one, two, three?"

"No. Change it to Vegetable Grower. Still taken? Vegetable Head? Head Veg? Bone Veg? Bone Veg is usable, right? Then that's it—no changes."

After struggling to settle on the codename, Chairman Kaji laid out each item on the tray: "This stack is one hundred anonymous mana-chip vouchers. This is your Super Mercenary Ring—granting you the Guild's highest support in intelligence, supplies, transport, personnel, and more. This is..."