Unexpected Event

"You can still laugh at a time like this. Perhaps I underestimated your shamelessness."

Black Snake even felt a bit of admiration for the poet's innate optimism.

"Either way, I have to go to Dragon Gold City. Getting arrested at least saves me the fare for the ride.

And judging by your mocking tone, you're not much better off yourself?"

Tang Qi hadn't expected to become reluctant comrades with Black Snake.

"I told you, pushing me out as a shield doesn't mean you can absolve yourself."

Black Snake retorted irritably, "But what if I didn't do anything?"

"What do you mean?"

He first glanced at Catherine behind Tang Qi.

Then he sighed and slumped onto a pile of hay:

"For the past two years, the merchant caravan would arrive at noon during the Harvest Festival and stay in town for three days.

But yesterday, they arrived ahead of schedule in the middle of the night.

And after immediately inspecting the star plums, they were to return to Dragon Gold City—

I wasn't prepared at all and got caught red-handed."

"And then you confessed everything?"

"Bringing two people down with me makes me look less incompetent, doesn't it?"

"What a shame, I was actually planning how to drag you down with me."

There was no contract between Tang Qi and Black Snake to begin with.

And one couldn't expect a mercenary infamous in the small town to have any sense of discretion with outsiders.

Tang Qi could only grumble internally; he couldn't really blame anyone.

Complaining would be the most time-consuming option, so he focused on the key point and asked:

"Immediate inspection... It wasn't this urgent in previous years, was it?"

"Nor this efficient. Otherwise, why would I have agreed to your ridiculous plan?"

"So, something must have happened to them on the way..."

Is the Twilight Forest really that cursed?

First, the kobolds inherited the entire spellcaster-equipped adventuring party's legacy.

Then, dozens of people in a merchant caravan rushed back and forth without stopping, as if afraid of encountering even the slightest trouble...

As Tang Qi was contemplating this, he suddenly heard Catherine's call.

He turned around and saw her bowing to a man in luxurious attire:

"Only the annual Harvest Festival accompanies you, Steward Hus."

Hus was a tall, slender man with a mustache. His nose bridge was slightly flattened, causing him to constantly adjust the gold-rimmed glasses that always slid down his nose on his shiny face.

He ignored Catherine's greeting.

Just breathing the air around these poor commoners made him want to sneeze.

He bypassed the stables and walked towards the star plums that the mercenaries had moved to the open space in the center of the courtyard.

Ordinary star plums were dark in color, only showing a purplish hue under direct light. He picked one and held it up to the sun, immediately noticing the difference:

"As expected, it's a substandard product—Catherine, you've disappointed me greatly."

Hus spoke in a high-pitched, affected, and arrogant tone.

"Originally, it was because of your mother's simplicity and your own hardships that Lord Mel leased the best land to the tavern at the lowest price every year—

And you, you chose to collude with these scoundrels and repay the Lord's kindness with deception?"

He should have known better than to involve Catherine.

Since he couldn't escape being taken for judgment anyway, Tang Qi said:

"My lord, I only told this lady to help transport a batch of star plums. She is innocent and knows nothing of the truth."

Hus snorted coldly:

"Even if this scoundrel deceived you, you should have maintained basic loyalty to the Lord—

You should have been alerted when you realized these star plums were being transported to the manor!"

Explaining to a self-important noble steward wouldn't earn him any understanding.

"Steward, your teachings are deafening, and I am ashamed."

Catherine understood that trying to be strong or explain at this moment would be of no use. She quickly bowed, appearing weak and remorseful.

This would allow Hus to feel a greater sense of superiority.

Hus wanted to say something more, but a younger voice interrupted him:

"Forget it. She's just a profit-driven merchant, after all. She has no loyalty or honor to begin with, so how can we demand the standards of nobles from her?

Father has always been kind; I'm sure he'll be too lazy to pursue her transgressions."

The owner of the voice was a youth whose clothes were just as luxurious, but his physique was even more stout and short.

He was actually quite handsome, if he could lose weight in the future.

But a broad physique had its advantages.

It allowed a bottled "eye" with two gear-like wings attached to stand steadily on his shoulder.

It seemed to be a miniature construct, also a product of spellcasting.

"Is he the young master of the lord's family?" Tang Qi asked quietly.

Black Snake merely snorted coldly:

"You can tell from his physique, which is exactly like his father's."

"Young Master Melard, it's probably been three years since we last met. But every time I see you, you remind me of your generosity and kindness."

To those she wasn't close to, Catherine's smile was always perfect.

Flawless in every way.

"If these words weren't coming from you, I'd definitely think you were mocking me. But Catherine, you know I'm never stingy with my tolerance for you."

Melard spread his arms, making a gesture of an embrace, "So, when are you willing to become my bride?"

Beauty is a gift, and also a curse--

Tang Qi had certainly been curious.

If in his own territory, such a peerless dawn-dusk flower appeared.

As the lord, he might not be able to resist the desire to pluck it, letting it bloom brilliantly in his secluded little town...

How could Lord Mel bear not to "cherish" this delicate girl?

But now he understood.

There was only one dawn-dusk flower, and father and son had to make a choice.

He glanced at Black Snake at the opportune moment.

Being publicly insulted felt unpleasant.

For the first time, Tang Qi saw a look of indignation on his usually decadent face.

"You know, young master. I won't abandon this tavern or my family."

"But my tolerance has limits."

Melard's round face was etched with worry, "I'll be an adult next year, and that's the final deadline you have left.

When the time comes, I will marry you no matter what and open a [Golden Oak] for you in Dragon Gold City.

You can still inherit your mother's business and do whatever you want."

"Then please allow me to postpone my decision until next year."

Seeing her stubbornness, Melard didn't want to say more and waved his hand:

"Alright, I know you must have been deceived by these scoundrels, so I won't hold you responsible--of course, you know I could have taken this opportunity to abduct you to Dragon Gold City, right?"

"Thank you for your kindness."

"So, go back to your tavern while I still don't want to make things difficult for you."

Melard beckoned Steward Hus forward and whispered a few words to him.

Then, Hus was seen stroking his mustache, reluctantly taking the key to the shackles from the mercenaries. As he unlocked them, he said, "You should remember Young Master Melard's kindness and offer him your loyalty."

"I will."

"Hmph, a merchant who speaks with their heart in their mouth."

Merchants are driven by profit and have no loyalty.

As the steward who had served Old Master Mel for decades, Hus was always a good judge of character.

And in Catherine's humble smile, he couldn't see a shred of sincerity.

While they were talking, Explosive Wolf, clad in plate armor, paced back and forth restlessly.

Seeing that things were finally coming to an end, and before Catherine could leave after hesitating, he quickly stepped forward and looked at Melard:

"Are you done talking? Then f***ing load the goods onto the cart and let's get going."

Hus frowned:

"Mercenary, mind your words. And don't try to sway the employer's decision!"

"Shut the hell up, mustache. I'm thinking about his safety--

You know as well as I do the unexpected things we've encountered on this journey.

The sooner we get back, the less risk there is!"

Tang Qi keenly caught the word "risk."

So something really did happen?