A Dispute in the Dead of Night

The next morning.

Linsey's Essence was mostly depleted.

Now he can synthesize simple items with negligible amounts of source Essence.

The losses are so exaggerated.

It's because he almost never stopped, putting all his energy into the Workbench.

In return.

Eleanor's merchant space was almost entirely filled with Linsey's various stockings.

That noon, Linsey said goodbye to Ailini as planned.

Carrying the Phoenix Grass he had just purchased, he left Nine Bends City, disguised himself, and joined a team heading deep into the forest.

Such swift action.

He had completely disappeared from the city before any force could react.

What Linsey didn't know was...

On the very night he left, Han Si Ke's convoy escorting Kuit had already completed the entry procedures at the entrance to Nine Bends City.

When Linsey went to the Messenger Hall to get the news, the heavy rain had just stopped.

The messenger's message came from yesterday and was based on the deduction of the escort team's journey due to the heavy rain blocking the roads.

But now the rain has stopped.

The time it took for the escort convoy to arrive at Nine Bends City was also shortened by one day.

Let's assume Linsey takes a little longer.

If we try to leave the next day, we're bound to encounter some unexpected troubles.

However, he was sitting on a boat at that moment.

Everything happening in the city was becoming increasingly distant from him.

The Merchant Kuit is a Sixth Stage awakener of the Riverbank Merchant Guild, whose status is second only to the guild master.

The escort team chose to rest for several days in Nine Bends City.

On the one hand, the two-month trek definitely required rest.

On the other hand, they were also negotiating with the Chamber of Commerce representative in Nine Bends City – Ya Li Kun.

After all, he was a big businessman from the Riverbank Merchant Guild.

As expected, the damage to the Forest Veins is related to the other party, and the related issues need to be addressed in the city.

Things went smoothly.

The Riverbank Merchant Guild did not react excessively, but it also did not provide any further details.

Han Si Ke was prepared to continue escorting Kuit as planned, but on the eve of the caravan's departure again...

An unexpected guest met with Han Si Ke alone late at night.

"Lord Mu En!"

The Law Knight looked at the man who had come to see him late at night with a somewhat surprised expression.

— Mu Le Na Hu En.

—The ruler of Nine Bends City, and the organizer of the Seventh Stage.

The other person was wearing a magnificent black robe.

Although he was definitely over a hundred years old, he looked only in his thirties at the moment. His deep black eyes revealed a majesty from the depths of his soul, making people want to kneel down at first glance.

Based on the identities of both parties.

It was also because of Mu Le Na Hu En's past support and recognition of legal work that Han Si Ke bowed his head in respect.

"You've come so late at night, is there anything you need?"

Mu Le Na Hu En smiled and replied in a gentle voice, a stark contrast to his stern gaze:

"I've already spoken with the Riverbank Merchant Guild about the Forest Veins. They're willing to pay the price, but in exchange, Kuit needs to be released."

Han Si Ke immediately frowned:

"How can a prisoner be released without trial?"

Seeing Han Si Ke's attitude, Mu Le Na Hu En reached up and rubbed his temples.

He was also quite helpless with guys like the Law Knight, and could only resort to his prepared explanation:

"The Riverbank Merchant Guild has promised that they will relinquish most of the profits from developing the world. In return, I promise you that these benefits will be distributed to all residents of the Courtyard in the Forest, and even overseen by Ke Saiwei Lait!"

Mu Le Na Hu En gave Han Si Ke a meaningful look. "Sending Kuit to the Remote Yue City for trial won't bring you this much. You should think more about the common people."

Han Si Ke, however, remained unyielding, raising questions about this persuasion:

"Lord Mu En, you have no reason to persuade me on behalf of a merchant."

Mu Le Na Hu En's eyes darkened:

"Han Si Ke, you need to understand that I'm injured."

"The Forest Veins are the key to my healing. And the crucial element lies in the hands of the Riverbank Merchant Guild; this is the condition they've set for me."

Speaking of which...

The organizer of the Seventh Stage also felt somewhat disappointed.

The series of strange occurrences in the forest made him feel that the Courtyard in the Forest was no longer suitable for him, so he encouraged the people of the whole city to enter the forest to find items for him.

Only a few days have passed.

The convoy that started from Lookout Point City has arrived.

They brought not only the prisoners being escorted, but also the true cause of the forest unrest—the existence of the Forest Veins.

If we had received the news earlier...

Mu Le Na Hu En would never have gone all in before by issuing such a call to action.

Unfortunately, it's all too late now.

Many people in the city have already begun to take action, and his frequent changes of orders will also diminish his prestige.

This is like an explorer embarking on a journey, Ravager waging war, or Righteous Walker practicing their own path.

Once an arrow is released from its bow, it cannot return.

Mu Le Na Hu En was deeply moved, but he genuinely lowered his posture and bowed to the Law Knight before him:

"Han Si Ke, this is my request to you."

"To protect this city and its people, I need to complete this deal."

"..."

It is unimaginable that Seventh Stage organizer would bow down to a Sixth Stage Law Knight.

However, Han Si Ke's resolve remained unwavering. "Lord Mu En, the criminals deserve a fair trial."

"The information the Riverbank Merchant Guild of Commerce gave you does not represent the truth. The more they do this and are willing to pay an exaggerated price to release Kuit, the more it shows that this man is hiding important facts."

Mu Le Na Hu En stood up, his eyes blazing with anger. "You bunch of stubborn fools! If everyone in the world were like you, wouldn't it be chaos?"

Han Si Ke corrected him sternly and firmly:

"Lord Mu En, the law brings order!"

Mu Le Na Hu En clenched his fists, his voice low and serious. "What if this is my order?"

Han Si Ke replied:

"This has nothing to do with orders or not—it's about Kuit being sent to Remote Yue City to receive the trial he deserves."

Mu Le Na Hu En laughed in anger:

"Oh--"

"So you're going against my will?"

Han Si Ke's attitude remains unchanged:

"I'm not targeting anyone; I'm just fulfilling my duty as Defender of the law."

Boom! In an instant, terrifying pressure erupted from Mu Le Na Hu En's body.

He stared intently at Han Si Ke before him, his gaze imbued with an aura of power and Source Material Skill. Each word he uttered seemed capable of shaking the entire world, even causing the surrounding space to tremble! "Han Si Ke, you must understand, I am a dictator!"

"As powerful as I am, I can rule and dominate all the weak, and you are weak in my presence!"

Snap—

The pressure emanating from Seventh Stage powerhouse nearly made Han Si Ke kneel on the ground.

But faced with the threat of death, he did not yield. Holding his longsword upright to support his body, he resolutely and slowly raised his head:

"Lord Mu En, you are a strongman."

"But before the law, everyone is vulnerable."

Mu Le Na Hu En questioned, "Han Si Ke, do you know what the City of Law is like now? Even so, you're willing to pay with your life for that pathetic thing?"

Han Si Ke's eyes were sharp:

"By dedicating oneself to this path, one must defend the reality created by countless lives and souls. Past tragedies will find the right path amidst the errors, and new laws will be written in due time."

The organizers did not want to discuss this issue with the Law Knight.

The anger in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a simple, cold question:

"No backing down?"

The Law Knight replied:

"No compromise!"