Chapter 550

Afraid readers wouldn't understand what this centaur countess is like, the Times even opened a special feature in the 【Sun-Moon Figures】 column to introduce her.

A fallen noble, drifting about in Sunlight City, returning as the chief of the Deep Forest mercenaries, he fought in the northern wars, wiped out his family's shame, and single-handedly let the Pearl surname return to the Deep Forest power arena……

No matter how you say it, he is a genuine battlefield hero who rose through sheer strength, so the author's introduction is actually quite objective, even carrying a hint of praise.

If Ji Ming hadn't investigated this person's background, he would have discovered that his other alias was actually a well-known artist specializing in centaur-themed artwork.

Where there is praise, there is also criticism; moreover, the Qixia Daily is an official mouthpiece, so even if its knowledge level isn't high, it certainly can't spout nonsense.

So when private newspapers like the Jingqi News uncovered that this centaur countess was related to the Holy Light's Chosen One JiMiYin, it was truly a treasure trove.

They not only reported extensively, but also devoted whole pages to introducing the love-hate entanglements between Ke Li Si Ting and JiMiYin, wishing they could wear out their pen nibs.

But all of the above can still be considered normal, after all, although there may be some exaggeration in details, they still respect objective facts.

Because in the mouths of such family-wide news media as the Onion Morning Post and the Blanket Magazine, the relationship between Ke Li Si Ting and JiMiYin has become almost indescribable and unspeakable.

"Hilarious, I'm not playing anymore!"

Ji Ming's heart suddenly welled up with an ominous premonition, that long-quiet strange qi was warning him that something was wrong.

So he didn't even wait for the coachman to turn around, taking the reins of the heavenly horse from the accompanying knight, and immediately prepared to flee.

However, as everyone knows, according to the usual classic trope, when a character only realizes after setting out, it's often already too late.

So when Ji Ming rode his swift horse to the nearby garrison knight platform, preparing to go through the legal procedures, just as he was about to take off.

Suddenly ahead on the road, firecrackers blasted and drums thundered, while the people on both sides lined the streets in welcome, as if something big was about to arrive!

Ji Ming really wanted to convince himself that this was the Sun King again going out of the palace to select concubines and expand the harem, after all, that old immortal used to love doing exactly that.

But unfortunately, from his perspective it's clear that every one of these so-called 'commoners' without exception are actually players acting as extras.

There's nothing to be done; the reputation of Deep Forest people in the eyes of the Radiant is simply too distorted.

Those who hate them wish they could turn into a little boy and start growing mushrooms to blast them on the spot.

Just hearing that word frightens those who fear it so much their legs shake uncontrollably.

So Old Anton also feared causing unnecessary trouble, and thus outsourced the reception and escort duties entirely to the Pioneers.

At this point someone might ask, what benefits did the players promise the old man to make him trust them so much?

After all, the players also have a grudge against Deep Forest; if someone goes crazy and makes a mistake, causing a major diplomatic incident, wouldn't that be disastrous?

... so the outsourced team is a professional one; Ji Ming even saw several old acquaintances he knew from the Foreign Affairs Bureau.

But running into an old acquaintance in a foreign land really isn't worth celebrating, because just then he noticed that behind him, salute cannons were starting to boom boom boom.

"Ah this."

Ji Ming couldn't help but recall watching Mr. Vampire as a child, when the junior disciple of Master Nine encountered an extremely ferocious red-white evil spirit in the wilderness.

Back then, I used to brag to other kids, saying there are no ghosts in this world and I would never encounter one in my lifetime.

——Turns out I'm being ambushed right here, old man!

And white… ah no, the one coming from behind happens to be an acquaintance as well.

Thus Ji Ming was just about to use the Suggestion Technique to lower his presence, sneakily leading the horse away, when someone called out to stop him.

"Chosen One, why are you also here?"

"Thanks a lot!"

Ji Ming cursed silently in his heart, but he could only dismount to greet the person, for it was none other than the Xiguang Duke.

Victory is the best calcium supplement; the old man has been doing well lately, spirited and energetic, his steps noticeably lighter than before.

Although he doesn't know what the Fourth Calamity Plan is, the players' ability to attain their current status in the Radiant is due to someone's contribution.

So as an actual beneficiary, Ji Ming also had to walk over, steeling himself to ask the question he already knew the answer to.

"Duke? What a coincidence, I never expected to see you here. By the way, what's happening in the city today? Why are there so many people?"

"Ah?"

The Xiguang Duke was dumbfounded by that question, but then quickly reacted.

"Well, the Deep Forest delegation is about to enter the city; as hosts, we should go welcome them."

"I see, then I won't disturb you."

Having said that, Ji Ming pulled up the reins and prepared to bolt.

But since he had already come, how could the Duke let him slip away so easily? He immediately shouted to stop him.

"Chosen One, wait!"

Ji Ming's heart immediately rang with the clatter of a steel pipe hitting the ground, yet he could only watch as the Xiguang Duke briskly stepped forward.

And his opening move was the ultimate classic 【Conscription Lament】.

"Sigh, actually today should have been Archbishop Lunson representing the Holy Light Church in charge of the reception, but he had something come up, so they swapped in another bishop."

"But the other side sent a flower-rank envoy; I feel this little bishop… his status is really not equal, making it easy to give them grounds to accuse us of slighting the envoy."

"Well then, since you're the Chosen One, sigh, you've come all this way—why not help out by filling in?"

Ji Ming: ……

"Scum!"

Thus, as the Deep Forest delegation entered Qixia City amidst the enthusiastic crowd of the Radiant populace, the reception personnel they saw were precisely the combination of the Xiguang Duke and the Holy Light's Chosen One.

This envoy to Deep Forest was still considered important, so the delegation numbered quite a few, and with their own guards, they were enough to form a large convoy.

And at the front of the convoy, just behind the two ceremonial knights, was a towering, monster-like centaur.

There's no helping it, just as only a sufficiently large model qualifies as a house guardian, the warhorse maiden, once fully barded and loaded with lots of decorations, this sparkling appearance is simply too eye‑catching.

As long as the Third Prince isn't a fool, he won't waste such a fine signboard; even if he has to pay out of pocket, today he must fiercely flaunt the image of 【Deep Forest】.

The results proved effective—at least the surrounding players were happily taking screenshots.

Funny enough, if you think back carefully, Ji Ming's first encounter with Ke Li Si Ting was pretty much the same kind of situation.

At that time, the warhorse maiden had just personally slain a level‑40 frenzied cyclops, and following orc tribal custom, began parading through the streets to show off.

As a result, she was having a blast, but the originally crowded commercial street suffered disaster; frightened civilians, fearing indiscriminate calamity, scrambled forward and backward to both sides of the road, leaving the scene in utter chaos.

But the difference was that back then Ji Ming was still a little 'exam king' who had just completed his class advancement, and beside him followed Daske, such an insignificant figure that if I didn't remind you, probably no one could recall.

【Note: Daske's first appearance was in chapter 16 of volume 1, as the captain of a large adventuring party, which earned Ji Ming his first pot of gold from the Peace Talisman】

Now Ji Ming not only no longer needs to timidly hide in a corner as a lackey, but he can even stand openly in the middle of the road as a member of the reception team alongside an actual-power duke.

And Ke Li Si Ting, who initially flaunted her might, looked down on everyone, and considered herself a hegemon, after performing two pieces on this grand stage of Deep Forest, seems to have restrained herself considerably.

At least now she walks with her head lowered, steps steady, gaze calm; although she still retains some vitality, she no longer has the former arrogance.

Precisely for this reason, she instantly spotted Ji Ming, who had already opened for business but was trying to pretend he didn't exist.

However, she didn't leave the team because of this; she merely smiled at him and then continued with her escort mission.

……

Ji Ming saw it, and the Xiguang Duke saw it too, but the old man said nothing; after a long silence, he sighed rather feelingly.

…… The God's Chosen, truly a man burdened with heavy sin.

At this moment, the Deep Forest delegation had already arrived at the designated spot, began to stop in order under the players' guidance, and handed over security duties.

And after the brief handover procedures were completed, envoys and representatives from all sectors of Deep Forest successively stepped out of the carriages.

——Naturally, this also included the third prince, who was leading the group.

Pretty much as Ji Ming had imagined, the young man named Yage Luo inherited the Little Lion's lineage, his appearance exquisite and his bearing excellent.

But he is somewhat older than Ji Ming, and his brows always carry a hint of inexplicable resentment, making him seem not easy to get along with from his appearance.

However, if he were truly a clueless playboy, it would be impossible for him to stand out among hundreds of siblings and become the third crown prince of this generation of Deep Forest.

Thus, upon seeing the Xiguang Duke, Yage Luo's face instantly broke into a standard, perfect business smile, and he even stepped forward to shake his hand.

The Xiguang Duke, however, showed no change because of this; instead, relying on his broad frame, he seized the initiative while firmly gripping the hand.

"Your Royal Highness Prince, I, on behalf of the Hui Guang Kingdom and His Majesty the Sun King Andong VI, welcome your arrival."

The third prince, however, ignored the other's mysterious grip and lofty gaze, smiled slightly, and remained composed and at ease.

"Hello, Duke, thank you very much for your warm hospitality; it is truly an honor to be able to come here today and meet you."

Since both sides are masters of rhetoric, it's naturally impossible to determine a winner so quickly, and there's no need to break decorum here.

So after exchanging a bunch of pleasantries and giving the reporters ample time to take photos, the two simply called a truce as if nothing had happened.

And while the Deep Forest merchant representative chuckled his way toward the Xiguang Duke, the third prince also approached the Hui Guang side's second-highest figure after the Duke, the Holy Light God's Chosen.

"Hello, I presume you are the Holy Light God's Chosen; I have long heard of your name."

Perhaps because Ji Ming is around his age, and they will have more dealings in the future, the third prince looks noticeably more enthusiastic than before.

Too bad, if he knew that the medic apprentice rumored to be staying in Sunshine City, who is actually a young lady named AdaiEr Fengxian, he wouldn't be smiling so happily.

And Ji Ming didn't show any coldness to the third prince because of this deep-seated grudge; on the contrary, he also shook his hand warmly.

First, he had promised the Xiguang Duke to help, and absolutely could not, over a personal grudge, undermine the old man in such an important occasion.

Second, AdaiEr has been working so hard to build her mecha, from Sunshine City to the Foreign Affairs Bureau, putting in overtime like crazy— isn't that all for revenge?

Some things are better done personally; as a teacher, I just need to pave the way.

Of course, this doesn't prevent him from, while shaking hands with the third prince, silently greeting him in his mind with 'Don't eat the sour radish.'

Although the Deep Forest delegation has many members, in fact only five people actually have a say.

Naturally, the royal representative is the third prince, who holds the greatest power and highest status in the delegation.

The merchant representative is a middle-aged man with a big belly, who smiles at everyone he sees.

Although there are other big bosses in the team, as Deep Forest's largest grain merchant, this Sima Dongxi's status and methods need no further explanation.

The noble representative is an old man wearing a long sword, a powerful Marquis from the northern border nobility circles, with the title 'River Jing'.

He seems to have crossed swords with the Duke before, and his tactics and strategies are not only impressive but also highly effective, so the two got along swimmingly.

The church representative is a man who looks utterly ordinary, dressed plainly, and speaks somewhat woodenly.

But he is the Flower-rank Envoy of the Forest Church, codename Dandelion; according to intelligence relayed by the Rose, his status is roughly equivalent to that of the Magic Star Orchid.

Lastly, the final person is the newly appointed Earl of the Shen Lin Wang Guo, Ke Li Si Ting Zhenzhu, who has earned great military merit in the northern border.

By rights she shouldn't be mentioned alongside those four, but who made Deep Forest, a nation founded on military might, the one that most values martial achievements?

Thus, even if she was only assigned a duty similar to that of a captain of the guard, she still came out to show her face.

But the warhorse maiden is simply too tall; neither letting her bend her knees to sit on the ground nor having the Xiguang Duke tiptoe to shake hands works well.

So they had to change the ritual: they produced a gold-plated, diamond-inlaid spear, with Ke Li Si Ting gripping the upper end and the Xiguang Duke the lower end.

This means 'co-wielding the spear'—since both have grasped the same weapon, it is equivalent to having fought side by side as comrades.

"Good, good, good, truly worthy of being a fierce general who can cut a path seven times in and seven times out on the northern battlefield!"

The Xiguang Duke, being a martial man, upon seeing such a large lump of protein full of muscular beauty, couldn't help but feel his blood surge, nearly wanting to challenge him to a duel on the spot.

But this thing is indeed contrary to propriety, so he could only look at the third prince beside him and loudly praise.

"You Deep Forest, you are blessed!"

The third prince laughed heartily.

"Duke, you're being modest; your valor is also known to everyone, even women and children, in our Deep Forest."