Chapter 90: Finally Peace!
"Finally back!"
Darius sat behind the receptionist desk and stretched his arms, arching his entire body after the events of the day. He could not help but take a deep breath and slowly release it, feeling quite refreshed.
These past couple of days had been hell. A single mission had resulted in so many problems. He finally understood what the system meant when it said he needed power. Otherwise, his entire pavilion could cease to exist if he was unable to defend it. It was by no means a joke.
"Time to focus on the pavilion once more and spread its fame even further. With the recent events, it should be even easier."
He quickly formulated a few plans. While the recent events had all been related to his pavilion one way or another, he felt that he had not spent enough time inside it. Change was good, but so was stability.
Mind you, he would not stop taking missions, nor would he stop opposing evil forces. However, his business hours would not be interrupted again. If he wanted to do anything outside, he first needed to cater to his members, customers, and everything related to the pavilion before doing anything else.
Stability!
With a grin, Darius rubbed his hands together and was about to check the system rewards when he suddenly recalled something.
"Ehem, John, what decision did you make?"
He felt a little awkward as he gazed at the young man sitting at one of the tables. He had completely forgotten that he had left him inside the pavilion to ponder his decision.
Thankfully, the young man had fallen asleep and had not seen his embarrassing behavior just now. Otherwise, his entire image as the Pavilion Owner would have shattered instantly.
Quickly reverting to his expressionless face, Darius watched as John slowly opened his eyes and looked at him in a rather shy manner. His face was growing redder by the second.
’The hell?’
Darius cursed inwardly. The sight of this young man felt very wrong. Why did it seem as though he was asking him to do something inappropriate? What kind of reaction was this?
’Was he a sissy?’
The thought surfaced in his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. No matter what John was, it was none of his business. The most important thing was obtaining a guardian and completing another mission, effectively killing three birds with one stone.
John felt extremely embarrassed as he recalled his previous arrogant words toward Darius. Though he opened his mouth several times, he could not summon the courage to speak.
Helplessly, he stood up, turned his head to the side, and quickly fetched the contract he had signed. He placed it before the Pavilion Owner before hurriedly returning to his seat.
’Damn it, why did I say all that? If only I had been more patient and reasonable, I wouldn’t be in this situation.’
John felt utterly helpless. He truly wanted nothing more than to dig a hole and bury himself in it.
His arrogance had once reached the heavens, yet the moment he entered that room, everything had shattered. But he could hardly be blamed. Who would have thought that such a heavenly cultivation room could exist in this forsaken land? It was completely unrealistic.
Unlike his feelings, however, he knew full well that he had to seize this opportunity and become a guardian of the pavilion.
Nothing else mattered.
The possibility of enlightenment alone was enough to make him drool at the thought of experiencing it again.
It should be known that he had already seen the pavilion’s services and could indeed rent the room as a normal member. However, after reading the contract, he realized that the privileges granted to a guardian were leagues above those of an ordinary member. The pavilion would even nurture him personally.
As John continued convincing himself, trying to calm his mind, Darius examined the signed contract. A smile slowly appeared on his lips.
He had not expected misfortune to bring fortune.
From two assassins hiding inside his pavilion to selecting one of them as a guardian.
’These recent events have truly been wild.’
Recalling how he had later met the two princes of Dragon City, he could not help but marvel at how fate worked in mysterious ways. One moment he had been a nobody, and the next he had become someone that two princes were fighting to recruit.
Tsk! Tsk!
Darius placed the paper down, signed it himself, and stored it inside one of the drawers.
Then he gave a slight nod toward John.
"From now on, you are the official guardian of the pavilion. I’ll give you your badge shortly and allocate a room for you later. For now, tend to your duties and guard the pavilion."
He paused before continuing.
"Oh, and do not open the pavilion yet. I have some things to attend to, so wait for my order. Also, as the contract states, only those who attack first may be dealt with. Insults alone, unless excessively severe, do not warrant punishment."
He briefly explained the basic rules before waving his hand and dismissing John.
He was not the type to spend time trying to befriend someone merely because of their talent. If he acted like a child and fawned over talented individuals, he would lose all dignity, and no one would give him face in the future.
Darius was about to check his rewards when he suddenly recalled another matter.
"John, the Eldest Prince of Dragon City will be visiting in about an hour. Keep in mind that no matter the identity of the person, they must wait in line and may not skip it. All pavilion rules apply equally to him. Identity does not matter inside the Immortal Pavilion. Understood?"
A prince of Dragon City was by no means a small figure, and Darius was somewhat worried that John might act differently because of the prince’s status, damaging the pavilion’s reputation for treating all customers equally.
When John heard this, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and a chill ran down his spine.
’Even a prince has to wait in line? Huh?’
Although he thought this inwardly, he quickly nodded.
"Yes, Pavilion Owner."
’Let’s hope your choice is correct and that no calamity befalls this place,’ John prayed silently.
Even at his most arrogant, he would never dare belittle a prince, much less the Eldest Prince of Dragon City. That title carried genuine power and authority, yet the Pavilion Owner intended to treat him no differently than a common citizen.
Seeing John’s reaction, Darius could not help but smile inwardly.
’Just wait until the alchemists come begging at my doorstep.’
Shaking his head, he focused on what truly mattered.
’Anyway, it’s time.’
Darius smiled.
’System, rewards please. Two missions have been completed.’
/// Author’s thoughts: Guys, I’m dropping the first power stone target for this week. Today is Tuesday, and we have 9 PS ONLY. If we hit 50 by Saturday, I will release 4 (2 regular + 2 bonus) Chapters on Sunday. Let’s get it guys !!! ///
