Chapter 1227: Chapter 105: Parting Ways_4
Xuan Yue said with a wry smile, still somewhat terrified, "I’d rather not indulge in that kind of enjoyment; sweet, sweet juice is much better for drinking. I don’t need any alcohol tolerance."
The Ice Skeleton glanced at Xuan Yue, a strange expression flashing in his eyes.
Then the three mercenaries who came in later ordered several beers and started chatting while they drank. They were speaking so loudly that Ah Dai and the others could clearly hear them without even trying.
"The boss, let’s not take tasks from the Mage Guild anymore. It’s too much effort for little reward. We can’t afford to offend either side, so why bother for such little money?"
The mercenary known as the boss said, "Ah—, I know the money from the Mage Guild isn’t easy to earn. These days, the economy is bad, and those merchants are too shrewd, offering such difficult tasks. Yajin Clan’s money is hard to earn too! If we don’t take on some Mage Guild tasks, what are we brothers going to eat? We probably won’t even be able to afford our drinks."
"But, boss, both Mage Guilds have officially declared that no one is allowed to sell Ordinary Magic Stones to the other side. We’re caught in the middle, and it’s too difficult. If the Tian Jing Empire’s Mage Guild finds out we’re secretly helping the Continent Mage Guild transport Magic Stones, they probably won’t let us off. Even a slightly higher-ranked mage could easily deal with us."
Another mercenary who had been quiet spoke up, "Yeah, that makes sense, boss. I think we should stop helping the Continent Mage Guild transport Magic Stones for now. The conflict between these two Mage Guilds has gotten more and more intense recently. Last time, they even started fighting over an Intermediate Mage, and it was quite a spectacle with all those lights flying around, even though it damaged many civilians’ houses. If it weren’t for the Clan Leader of the Yajin Tribe stopping their conflict in time, half of Andis City might have been destroyed by them."
"Okay, since we’ve saved up a bit recently, let’s just rest for a few days and see after this storm blows over," said the boss.
Hearing their conversation, Xuan Yue stuck out her tongue and said to Ah Dai, "Big brother, you were right! These two Mage Guilds seem to have reached a point where they can’t coexist anymore."
Blood Skull was confused and asked, "Where are these two Mage Guilds coming from?" Xuan Yue whispered an explanation to him, and then the three skeletons got it.
Blood Skull said, "Brother Xuan Re, aren’t you a priest of the Church? What does this Mage Guild matter have to do with you? You seemed a bit tense just now."
Xuan Yue smiled faintly and whispered back, "It’s not me who’s tense; it’s Big Brother Ah Dai who’s tense. Although I am a priest, Big Brother is an Intermediate Mage from the Continent Mage Guild, and since both sides are mage organizations, he’s naturally in a difficult position. Right, big brother?" As she spoke, she nudged Ah Dai.
Ah Dai gave a bitter smile and said, "Indeed! By all rights, I should help the Continent Mage Guild, but mages are so rare these days. If the two sides conflict, casualties are inevitable, which could harm the development of the mage profession. This is the last thing I want to see."
The Ice Skeleton said, surprised, "You’re a mage too? With such high martial skills, why bother dividing your attention to learn magic?"
Xuan Yue giggled and answered for Ah Dai, "My big brother is not just a mage, he’s also somewhat of an alchemist. He learned magic and alchemy first, and only later did he learn martial arts. Of course, he’s stronger in martial arts now, but when he first started adventuring on the continent, he was receiving a monthly salary from the Mage Guild. He owes them for their kindness, so it might not be good for him to remain neutral at this time."
Blood Skull took a sip of tequila and smiled, "Brother Ah Dai, you never cease to surprise us! Since you have a relationship with the Mage Guild, are you going to get involved in their conflicts?"
Ah Dai shook his head and replied, "Even if I wanted to get involved, I’m powerless to do so! Besides, I don’t want to hurt anyone."
Xuan Yue changed the subject and asked, "Brother Blood Skull, I have a question for you guys. Since you are all descendants of the Northern Sword Saint, why don’t any of you use a sword?"
Blood Skull laughed and said, "Doesn’t Ah Dai not use a sword either?"
Ah Dai scratched his head and said, "I am too stupid, and I can’t remember complicated sword moves. Besides, my great master said that once one’s power reaches a certain level, moves are not important. Only profound power is the key to deciding victory, so the old man didn’t teach me any swordsmanship."
Blood Skull nodded and added, "Yes, your great master is right. None of us four siblings learned our master’s swordsmanship either, due to lack of power. My Flame Wrath Dou Qi is directly passed down from our master, and he said that he would teach me swordsmanship once I made a breakthrough in my power levels. Our master is extremely knowledgeable, and just any of his skills are enough for us to cultivate for a lifetime. Once we leave here, I am determined to return to the mountain and receive more of master’s teachings to see if I can make any breakthroughs; otherwise, continuing like this, I’m afraid the Skeleton Mercenary Group might just disappear."
Ice Skeleton said, "Big brother, I will return to the mountain with you. Ah Dai, although we are already considered friends, I will always remember you defeating me with a single move. Whenever I feel confident that I can defeat you, I will surely seek you out for another contest. I don’t believe my Extreme Ice True Qi is inferior to your Vitality True Qi."
With resignation, Ah Dai said, "Ice Skeleton big sister, why are you so persistent? Is victory really that important?"
Ice Skeleton lowered her head without speaking. Blood Skull patted his sister’s shoulder and said, "Bing Bing, you are grown up now. You can’t always waste time on martial arts. If you don’t find a partner soon, you might never get married."
Xuan Yue laughed, "Ice Skeleton sister is still very young! There’s no need to rush."
Blood Skull said, "She’s already twenty-three. Ordinary girls her age would already have children."
Suddenly, Ice Skeleton looked up at Ah Dai with a peculiar expression and said lightly, "Big brother, when I became master’s disciple, I vowed to marry only a Sword Saint."
Ah Dai was startled and said, "But, the current Sword Saints are all quite old, which seems hardly suitable."
Blood Skull glanced at Ice Skeleton, then at the somber-faced Iron Skull, and sighed, "The power of a Sword Saint is not easily attained! Among the younger generation, probably only brother Ah Dai has a chance to achieve it in a short time." Because of Iron Skull’s presence, he couldn’t speak more openly, but he subtly indicated his high regard for Ah Dai. If Ah Dai could become his brother-in-law, surpassing the Red Hurricane Mercenary Corps with the Skeleton Mercenary Group would become an easy task. Moreover, from what he had observed over these days, Blood Skull also had great trust in Ah Dai’s character, believing that marrying his precious sister to him might be the best choice.
Ah Dai didn’t catch the underlying meaning in Blood Skull’s words, but Xuan Yue did, and he became alert. He said, "Blood Skull brother, it’s getting late. I want to go with Ah Dai to the Mage Guild and check on the situation there. We can meet again if fate allows."
Blood Skull was taken aback and said, "Brother, why the hurry? The Mage Guild isn’t going anywhere."
Unaware of Xuan Yue’s urgency, Ah Dai asked, "Brother, do we really need to go to the Mage Guild?"
Xuan Yue said, "Of course, we do. Didn’t you hear what I told you earlier? We must face troubled times instead of running from them to enhance our abilities. I’m sorry, Blood Skull brother, but protecting the Stan Empire Alliance has already delayed us for too long; we must leave now. I’m sure we’ll have the chance to meet again in the future."
Seeing Xuan Yue’s firm intention to leave, Blood Skull no longer objected. He stood up and said, "Alright then, take care on your journey. If opportunity arises in the future, we shall exchange martial skills."
Iron Skull, eager for Ah Dai to leave and understanding Blood Skull’s intention to match Ah Dai with Ice Skeleton, saw it as a favorable outcome to rid himself of a rival. He stood up, downed his glass of tequila, and said, "Brothers, the mountains remain unchanged and the rivers everlasting, till we meet again. Take care."
With the conversation reaching this point, Ah Dai could no longer stay and stood up. After exchanging pleasantries, he left the tavern with Xuan Yue. Watching them depart, Blood Skull transmitted to Ice Skeleton, "Sister, you just gave up a good opportunity! Why didn’t you detain him? Although Ah Dai may not be much in appearance, he is certainly someone worthy of entrusting your life to, and with his martial prowess, attaining the title of Sword Saint wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Had you married him, big brother would have been completely at ease."
