“A curfew? Why a curfew?”
The news was somewhat sudden, and Li Yuan found it hard to understand.
“Isn't it just a few common robberies?”
While closing the shop wouldn't have a huge impact on the teahouse's business, it still felt restrictive, and he was psychologically reluctant to accept it.
“That’s only the surface information.”
Napa’s expression turned slightly solemn. He stared blankly at the teacup in his hand, his finger tracing the rim back and forth as he spoke in a low, narrative voice.
“So far, at least seventeen people have been killed... including the second son of Duke Basal’s family.”
“Hmm? That’s quite different from the rumors I’ve heard.”
“The news for the public has been suppressed and modified; otherwise, it would easily cause a panic.”
Li Yuan nodded in understanding. Once panic set in among the populace, it could easily lead to urban unrest. This was the royal capital, and there were bound to be many people with ulterior motives hiding in the shadows, so special measures were necessary.
Napa drained his tea in one gulp, set the cup down, and continued.
“The shadow of the Blood Moon Cult is behind this, so the people at the top are being very careful. They sent me.”
The Blood Moon Cult—Li Yuan had heard the name a few times. It was said to be a cult-like organization operating in the dark underbelly of this country. They favored human sacrifices and engaged in the kind of filthy deeds that even demonic cultivators would look down upon. Their style was identical to that of evil cultivators.
“Is this cult very strong?”
“Heh.”
Napa’s expression was full of disdain and contempt.
“Just a pack of rats hiding in the gutters. They can’t stand the light of day.”
But then his tone shifted.
“That said, a few Rank 7 mages have actually mixed in with these rats. They’re really putting in the effort this time. Honestly, I’m quite curious now about what they’re actually trying to do.”
A Rank 7 mage, based on Li Yuan’s understanding, was roughly equivalent to someone at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Not strong, but for the people here, they were already considered rare masters.
“Right, the Royal Martial Arts Academy will have its anniversary celebration in a few days. Since you have to close the shop anyway, why not go and check it out?”
As he spoke, he pulled an unregistered invitation, identical to the one Setis had, from his gray robe and placed it on the bar.
Seeing this invitation, Li Yuan looked at him strangely.
“How do you have one of these?”
“Is it strange for a Legend mage to have an invitation? Also, I happen to be the honorary dean of the First Magic Division.”
Rather than an explanation, the sentence sounded more like he was showing off his status, especially with the smug expression on his face that he didn't even try to hide.
The usually taciturn Napa only displayed so many words and expressions when he was with this man.
Even Napa himself found this a bit incredible, but regardless, it wasn't a bad thing.
However, his expression instantly stiffened when he saw Li Yuan pull out an identical invitation.
“I already have an invitation, thank you.”
“...Who gave it to you?”
“That information is confidential.”
“Is that so...”
Napa looked at the invitation in Li Yuan’s hand and slowly furrowed his brows as if thinking about something. A few seconds later, he let out a sigh, exhaling all the irritation in his heart.
“Ha... keep it then. If you have a friend you want to invite to the anniversary, you can give it to them.”
“Is that so? Then thank you.”
Li Yuan generally chose to accept such well-meaning gifts. Learning to accept the kindness of others had once been an important skill for survival in the world of Kyushu.
“Remember to go early. The academy is quite far from here. It’s best to find a place to stay nearby a day or two in advance; otherwise, you’ll end up sleeping on the street.”
“Is it really that exaggerated?”
Li Yuan expressed his disbelief, but the other man didn't explain further. He finished his tea in one gulp, left a dozen or so gold coins, and turned to wave goodbye as he left.
“I’ll be back once this period has passed.”
“Alright. Thank you for your patronage.”
Watching Napa’s back disappear, Li Yuan was once again alone in the small shop. Having two guests today was truly unexpected, and the income of over a dozen gold coins was even more delightful. However, it was foreseeable that there would likely be no more business for the next few days.
And with the upcoming curfew...
“Sigh... I hope it gets resolved quickly.”
He quickly put away the teacup and the gold coins. Holding the two invitations in his hand, he thought seriously for a moment and suddenly realized that he didn't seem to have anyone to invite. And he couldn't just turn around and sell it...
If it didn't get used, wouldn't that be the equivalent of wasting over a hundred gold coins? It was a bit hard to accept... Back in the day, Li Yuan was the kind of person who would do the butterfly stroke in a latrine for ten spirit stones. During the early days when he desperately lacked cultivation resources, he had developed an overly frugal personality. Although it had improved later on, the words “waste is shameful” were etched into his bones and couldn't be discarded.
“What should I do with this extra one?”
It was a bit of a headache... He shouldn't have accepted it if he had known.
“How about giving it to me?”
An unfamiliar voice rang out unexpectedly from above Li Yuan’s head. In the next instant, his pupils constricted and his entire aura suddenly exploded. As he looked up, he locked onto the direction of the voice and shouted sharply,
“Come out!”
A soundproofing barrier instantly expanded.
Simultaneously with his voice, a spell cast from his fingers like a sword art shot out like a golden spear at an incredible speed toward the source of the sound. This was only a probing attack, but it still carried enough power—a circular hole nearly two meters wide was pierced through the roof, and rain immediately came pouring in.
The pitter-patter of the rain at this moment was just like the heartbeat of Angela Balzac, who was clinging to the edge of the large hole: chaotic and irregular.
At this moment, she felt undoubtedly lucky.
Because the moment the young man’s aura exploded, she had already lost the ability to move. She was pinned firmly against the wall by an invisible force, and her hair stood on end as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
If she had been hit by that attack just now, even if it had only grazed her, she definitely wouldn't have survived. The destructive power contained within it far surpassed any magic she had ever seen.
The truth was that it was just a casual strike born of Li Yuan’s stress response, but fortunately, he had seen the silhouette on the roof at the last moment and slightly adjusted the direction, intentionally missing.
Before she could even regain her senses, she watched helplessly as the supposedly harmless teahouse owner flew up to her, grabbed her by the back of the neck, and tossed her down onto the ground after carrying her back down.
Li Yuan rested his chin on one hand and carefully sized up this uninvited guest on the ground, who was already scared out of her wits. Although she looked petite, her figure was a bit... exaggerated. Perhaps it was because of the tight suit?
But that wasn't the point. He was curious how she had managed to sneak into the house without his knowledge. Although part of the reason was that he had turned off his Divine Sense... but he really hadn't expected to be approached by a little thing at the early Golden Core stage when he was a quasi-immortal.
It seemed he had truly become lax over these years...
After a silent sigh in his heart, he glanced at the startled little girl and asked,
“Speak. How did you get in?”
“Yes! I snuck in just now by hiding in Jesuska Napa’s shadow!”
Angela, dressed in black night-ops gear, now had an attitude of “I will absolutely cooperate with the investigation.” She was kneeling upright, and her voice was very loud.
“The shadow? No wonder...”
It must be a concealment technique similar to an earth tunneling art. Without having his Divine Sense active, it was easy for his perception to miss it.
“So, why did you go out of your way to come in?”
“If I said it was because of curiosity... would you believe me?”
Angela carefully observed the expression of the young man before her, her eyes darting around uncertainly... If the other party showed any intention of making a move against her, she would have no choice but to run. Though she didn't know if she could actually get away...
Rate on N.U.
