Chapter 1004: Chapter 58 The Down-and-Out Merchant_5
Yan Shi sighed and said, "Let’s just take it one step at a time; we’ve just arrived here and a guide wouldn’t hurt." He didn’t want to put Ah Dai in a difficult position, but he kept a watchful eye on this suddenly appeared Vatana. He thought to himself, the moment you show your true colors, any gesture against us, and I will make sure you’re ripped apart. Ever since entering the Dark Province, Yan Shi had been extremely cautious, for this place was known as the dark land of the entire continent, rumored to be filled with an evil atmosphere everywhere...
Early the next morning, led by Vatana, who was familiar with the terrain, the party set out for Dark City. Vatana hardly spoke along the way, other than to guide their path. He would occasionally look at Ah Dai with gratitude-filled eyes. As they approached Dark City, the worried expression on his face grew thicker.
Dark City, the capital of Dark Province, was vast in scale, seemingly surpassing even the City of Light, with bustling crowds moving back and forth through the wide city gates. On the surface, there was no hint that this was a city thriving with Dark Forces, almost indistinguishable from the City of Light. Reaching the city gate, Vatana stopped, his face showing a pained expression, as if what lay before him was not a gateway to a city, but the Gate of Hell itself.
"Uncle, don’t worry," Ah Dai comforted Vatana, while taking out the Elf Bracelet from his pocket. The bracelet grew warm and began to emit a faint green glow. Ah Dai looked at Yan Shi, and excitement and elation appeared on both of their faces—the bracelet had signaled to them that there were Elves within the City of Darkness.
Yan Shi whispered, "We’re really lucky, I didn’t expect us to find our target so easily at our first stop." Finding one member of the Elf Clan would make it much easier to inquire about the whereabouts of the other Elves. Yan Li noticed the change in the bracelet on Ah Dai’s wrist. Just as he was about to shout out in excitement, Yan Shi covered his mouth and glared at him, calming him down. Vatana appeared to not notice their reaction and continued to be lost in his own thoughts.
Ah Dai put the bracelet back into his chest and, looking confidently at the gates of Dark City, declared, "Let’s go." My suffering elf friends, you will be liberated soon. I will definitely rescue you from your plight. Hold on! With this thought, a determined light flashed in Ah Dai’s eyes.
Approaching the city gate, Vatana suddenly stopped, his body convulsing slightly as he whispered, "Little brother Ah Dai, I think I won’t go in. I... I’m afraid I’ll encounter debt collectors."
Ah Dai stopped Vatana, who was trying to back away. "Uncle, don’t be afraid. Didn’t I promise to help you repay the money? Once it’s paid, those people won’t trouble you anymore. Come on, let’s go in." With that, he pulled Vatana toward the city, and Vatana, unable to resisting Ah Dai’s strength, finally entered Dark City with the group.
The stream of people in Dark City was at least twice as large as in the City of Light, all hurrying by with none to spare, many wearing dejected expressions. Having entered the city, Vatana relaxed somewhat and whispered to Ah Dai, "You see, those with the dejected looks, all weary, they are the ones who have gambled away the night and lost money. Once, I was one of them..."
