Chapter 1131: Chapter 85: The Maid Reappears_2
"Grandfather Fagle, on behalf of my grandfather, I toast to you," said the grandson of Teirhaus, Tiro, dressed in white as he raised his glass with a smile, "wishing you good health and all the best."
Fagle drained the fine wine in his glass in one gulp, laughed heartily, and said, "My dear Tiro! Don’t be so formal, I’ve long heard of your early achievements, and seeing you today indeed lives up to your reputation! At such a young age, you’ve even won the favor of the Northern Sword Saint and became his named disciple. Your grandfather is truly blessed! Far better than my good-for-nothing grandsons who only know how to eat, drink, and be merry."
As soon as Tiro heard the words ’Northern Sword Saint,’ a look of admiration flashed in his eyes, and he humbly replied, "Grandfather Fagle, I am merely a named disciple of my mentor for now. If I am fortunate enough to be formally taken under his wing, that would be my true fortune! However, how can we younger generations compare to you? I’ve heard from my grandfather about how you quelled the entire rebellion in Duru Province with your own power, earning your position through sheer achievement. Compared to you, what is my modest accomplishment? My grandfather said that if it wasn’t for his initially inheriting a higher title than yours, he could never catch up to your present accomplishments."
Sitting beside Tiro, Tifya looked at her foster brother handling his exchange with Fagle with effortless grace, and a faint smile couldn’t help but appear on her pretty face. Their purpose for this visit was to let Tiro engage more with the Governor, to build up rapport. Young and promising, Tiro had already been internally designated as the direct heir of Teirhaus, and all these were challenges he must face. Up to now, all his responses had been impeccably appropriate.
Hearing Tiro’s words, a slightly tipsy Fagle immediately beamed with pride; who wouldn’t want their heroic past to be flattered? He laughed and said, "Did Teirhaus really say that? It’s surprising the old man still remembers the events from over twenty years ago. I’m getting old; time spares no one! The future is all yours, young man."
Just then, a servant approached Fagle and whispered, "Sir, there’s someone outside claiming to be a mercenary who says he’s been entrusted to deliver a gift to you."
Fagle, who was enjoying his conversation with Tiro, was naturally displeased by the interruption. He had always looked down on mercenaries, considering them nothing more than lowly commoners, and said impatiently, "Can’t you see I have guests? Just have him leave the gift behind. Do I need to personally deal with such matters?"
The servant, clearly frightened, said, "But he insists on seeing you, claiming that he must deliver the item to you personally. We tried to send him away several times to no avail. He possesses some skill; he managed to knock down several guards at the gate."
Fagle snorted and said, "To dare make trouble at my doorstep, he’s got quite the nerve! Very well, bring him in then but have him wait at the door. I want to see what this mercenary is capable of."
The servant left to carry out the order, and soon after, a tall young man with black hair and eyes was led to the outside of the hall. His simple clothes were tattered, making him look destitute, but there was a demeanor about him that commanded attention, his bright black eyes twinkling with a faint luster. Tiro and Tifya exchanged looks; wasn’t this the beggar they had given alms to not long ago? How did he turn into a mercenary, and how dare he provoke the City Lord’s Mansion?
Fagle was also sizing up the shabby young man. Holding his position as the Governor of Duru Province, he naturally had a keen eye for people. Despite the ordinary appearance, the young man’s aura indicated that he was no ordinary youth. A thought crossed his mind, Fagle gestured to the servant to bring the young man in.
Ah Dai had spent quite some time convincing the servants to announce him, and as he arrived at the entrance of the grand hall, he immediately recognized the girl who had given him alms before, the one who had left him with a familiar feeling. A jolt went through his heart, and as the servant led him into the hall, Ah Dai’s shabbiness contrasted sharply with the grandeur, earning disapproving looks from everyone except Fagle and the white-clad maiden Tifya.
Fagle put down his wine glass and scrutinized Ah Dai, asking, "Why do you insist on personally handing over the item to me?"
Ah Dai glanced at the Tiro siblings and said, "I am a mercenary, and the task I’ve taken up requires me to do so. Here is the gift, please accept it." He said this while handing over the wooden box.
The servant presented the wooden box before Fagle, who smiled slightly and said, "I must see what this gift is all about. Open it."
The servant complied, lifted the lid of the box, and pfft—a puff of pink smoke sprayed out, carrying a heavy, sweet scent. The servant opening the box had no time to react, inhaling the mist on reflex and instantly collapsing to the floor, feeling faint. Sensing danger, Fagle quickly held his breath and with a swift motion, a faint cyan True Qi burst from his palm, dissipating the pink smoke. Although his response was swift, he had inhaled a trace of the poison gas, and a wave of dizziness immediately alarmed him.
Startled by the scene, Ah Dai saw the dispersed poison mist drifting towards him; instantly, True Qi enveloped his entire body, keeping the pink smoke at bay.
