Chapter 218: One for One

Yu Lin made some inquiries.

He learned that in the city there was a sage named Delai En who knew how to get to Asgard.

And then, at this moment.

He raised his head to look at the plain Wooden House in front of him and knocked on the Wooden Door.

Thump thump thump.

"Hello, is anyone there?"

Not long after, a slightly hoarse old voice sounded:

"Yes, please wait a moment, I'm opening the door now."

Accompanied by the sound of footsteps and the creaking of the Wooden Door turning, the Wooden Door was opened.

An old man wearing a coarse hemp robe appeared in Yu Lin's sight.

His face was aged, with wrinkles as deep as bark; his grayish-white beard hung down to his chest. The old man slowly opened his drooping eyelids, his cloudy blue eyes sizing up Yu Lin, showing a hint of surprise:

"Child, your appearance is rarely seen here."

Yu Lin gave a slight smile: "I come from a country in the southeast."

"I came here to ask you a question."

Delai En nodded: "Hmm, I understand."

"Please come in."

He stepped aside, letting Yu Lin in, and led him into the house.

The interior was simple, with animal hides and fishbone carvings hanging on the walls; the fireplace burned oak, its flickering flames dispelling the chill, and the air was filled with the scent of Pine Resin and smoke.

Yu Lin sat down on a chair covered with fur.

Delai En brought over a cup of steaming herbal tea and handed it to him:

"Child, what do you want to ask?"

Yu Lin took the Ceramic Cup, feeling the warmth through the wall: "I want to go to Asgard."

"I heard you know the way to Asgard, so I came specially to visit you."

Upon hearing this, Delai En's expression showed that he had expected this.

It seemed as if many people had already come to him asking this question before.

He raised a finger covered in old calluses: "I understand."

"But my rule here is: one task in exchange for one piece of knowledge."

"Are you willing to complete the task?"

Yu Lin immediately replied: "No problem, please tell me."

He had already heard about Delai En's rule before coming.

Otherwise, everyone would go to him for questions, and he'd probably never have a moment's rest all year.

Delai En slowly rose and walked toward the inner room.

After a moment he took out a half-finished fur coat, its stitching neat and fine: "In the northwestern snow plains there is a bear called Wa Er Mu."

"A fur garment made from its pelt is the warmest; I need you to bring back a complete pelt."

The old man paused, his eyes deep: "However, child, I need to make this clear first."

"The answer I give you will probably not satisfy you."

"Think about it again."

Yu Lin stood up, his smile unchanged: "This is not a problem for me."

"At this time tomorrow, I will visit again with the pelt."

"I'll go now; see you tomorrow."

He turned and left, his sleeves tracing an arc at the doorway.

"Why does he... give me a feeling of a great existence..." Delai En gazed at his back, his old eyes filling with contemplation, and muttered softly:

"He must be some kind of divine retinue."

The old man shook his head, returned to the rocking chair by the fireplace, picked up a leather-bound ancient book, and began to flip through it in the fire's flickering light.

The firelight cast his shadow on the wall, swaying gently as the pages turned.

In a mountain range.

It was deep winter, the entire mountain range covered in thick snow.

The pine forests were draped in silver, branches hung with sparkling icicles that glittered coldly in the sunlight.

The cold wind howled through the valley, stirring fine snow spray, and the air was filled with biting chill.

On a narrow path carved out by humans, two sturdy men dressed as hunters were walking, stepping deep then shallow.

They bore heavy game, their leather boots creaking on the snow.

"This haul isn't bad," the bearded hunter said, panting white vapor:

"These pelts are enough to trade for half a month's food."

The other hunter, scarred on his face, nodded: "Yeah, good thing we didn't run into the giant Wa Er Mu bear; we only heard its roar, otherwise we'd be in trouble!"

"Hey, say less of that, it's unlucky."

"Alright, let's not talk about that. When we get home, come to my place for a drink—I've recently brewed some mead..."

Before he finished speaking, the scarred hunter abruptly stopped, his face full of vigilance as he looked ahead:

"Who are you?!"

All that could be seen was a black-haired youth standing in the middle of the path, appearing out of nowhere.

He wore a thin robe, yet seemed utterly unafraid of the severe cold.

Snowflakes silently melted three feet away from him, as if blocked by an invisible barrier.

He gave a gentle smile: "Don't be afraid, I mean no harm."

You just said you heard Walm's cry?

I'm actually a hunter too.

Upon hearing that.

The two, however, did not lower their guard, merely pointing to the mountain range behind and to the left: "There."

But, partner, I advise you best not to go.

Walm is a terrifying existence capable of fighting giants!

Yu Lin gazed at the not‑far mountain range and nodded: "I understand."

Thanks for the warning.

At the moment his words fell.

His figure vanished, leaving only a silver ingot falling where he stood.

Seeing this, the two were both greatly startled:

What, what's going on?

What else could it be? We've encountered a Divine Favored!

Divine Favored... forget it, best not to dwell on such beings—let's go.

Hmm, we'll split this.

Fine.

Scarface the hunter picked up the silver ingot from the ground and left with his companion.

In the treetops.

Yu Lin stood, scanning the forest before him, and finally his gaze fell on a massive figure before a cave.

A giant bear with gray‑white fur dotted with black markings, standing at least ten meters tall.

At that moment it was carrying a tiger in its jaws as it walked toward the cave.

Deep in the cave, several fuzzy cubs curled up on a pile of grass, emitting weak whimpers.

Their breathing was rapid, their eyes unfocused—clearly they were gravely ill.

The giant bear gently set down its prey and nudged the cubs with its nose.

Seeing no response, a human‑like anxiety appeared on the bear's face.

It paced anxiously back and forth in the cave, sometimes bringing herbs to apply to the cubs, sometimes licking their fur with its rough tongue.

But all to no avail.

The cubs' condition worsened, even their whimpers growing fainter.

Just as the giant bear collapsed in exhaustion, a calm voice came from the cave mouth:

Let's make a deal.