Assistant Priest

Iron Hammer got half drunk at The Cripple's Shop, then took a favorable wind ship down the Seine River back to Dunkirk.

At the welcome banquet Lin Qi and The Cripple held for Iron Hammer, Lin Qi roughly recounted Iron Hammer's glorious deeds to Enzo. As a major figure ranked in the top ten on Berreley Garrison's wanted list, Iron Hammer had a bounty of one thousand gold coins on his head, dead or alive. Therefore, Iron Hammer had only been active around Dunkirk all these years, rarely approaching Berreley.

Like this time Iron Hammer came to Berreley, he only dared to appear in the chaotic and mixed dock area; he absolutely wouldn't dare to step half a foot outside the dock area. Berreley Garrison's secret police and those Dragon Cavalry were not just for show. If Iron Hammer were targeted by them, it would surely lead to a lot of trouble.

Lin Qi's father's letter only instructed Lin Qi to return home during the upcoming New Year holiday, saying nothing else. Iron Hammer was Lin Qi's father's top confidant. Having Iron Hammer personally deliver the letter to Berreley, risking danger, also indicated Lin Qi's father's attitude: Lin Qi had to go home this time, or the consequences would be severe.

Burning the letter with the candle, the somewhat tipsy Lin Qi glanced at the gray, snow-falling sky outside the tavern, rubbed his hands, waved goodbye to The Cripple, and staggered out, burping. Enzo patted his bulging belly with satisfaction as he walked behind Lin Qi. The Cripple had spared no expense for Iron Hammer's welcome banquet. Fine wine, delicious food, beautiful women, and all without spending money, so Enzo ate his fill. Now, he felt it was a struggle to breathe.

The two ambled along the main road towards University City. After walking slowly for a long time, Enzo finally let out a burp and asked, "Boss, I've always been curious, why haven't you been home for three years? With the Seine River waterway, it's only a two-day trip from Berreley to Dunkirk, right?"

Lin Qi kept his hands in his sleeves, his eyes darting around, glancing at the bulging belts of the pedestrians. He calculated how much golden or silvery treasure they might be carrying based on their clothing and attire. He didn't answer Enzo's question, only muttering in a low voice, "Have Vik and his men keep a close watch on The Cripple's Shop. Be careful not to let those Easterners find out."

Clicking his tongue, Lin Qi said meaningfully, "A gold bar right off the bat, they're wealthy! Enzo, they're rolling in it! Uncle The Cripple isn't being honest, does he want to keep it all for himself?"

Enzo's fingers cracked as he spoke. Lin Qi's words diverted his attention, and he no longer dwelled on Lin Qi's three-year absence from home. He chuckled with interest and said, "That damned The Cripple. Boss, we need to find a way to get a piece of this windfall. Hmm, that guy named Jiang Yong, chop off his right hand, and those rings alone will be enough for the brothers to enjoy for a long time!"

Gently waving his hand, Lin Qi said with a dark expression, "I know, I know, of course I know that. Have Vik keep a close watch, don't let anyone find out. This is a tricky one, not so easy to handle. First, figure out what they're doing in Berreley, then investigate their background. Then, hmm, if the profit is rich enough, I wouldn't mind letting my father's people get a share."

Enzo exclaimed in surprise, "Boss, you said your father is 'just a miller'!"

Giving Enzo an impatient look, Lin Qi gritted his teeth, "Of course, he's just a miller. But who says a miller can't rob people?"

Enzo stared blankly at the sky. He made up his mind that when Lin Qi went home for the New Year holiday at University City, he would definitely tag along and visit his home. He was very curious about what Lin Qi's family situation was like.

By the time the two entered the University City area, the meal they had just eaten had been mostly digested. Lin Qi sneezed forcefully, feeling much more refreshed. He enthusiastically greeted the students from various academies they passed. The female students avoided him as if he were a venomous snake, while the male students cautiously returned his greetings as if they had encountered a ferocious beast. Only a very few male students had the courage to meet his gaze directly.

Especially the students from the Imperial Military Academy, who wore tight uniforms and carried swords at their waists, completely ignored Lin Qi. However, these spirited future officers of the empire couldn't help but show a look of apprehension when they saw Enzo beside Lin Qi.

Lin Qi swaggered along the main road, attracting everyone's attention wherever he went, yet few dared to look him directly in the eye.

"So boring, these good students!" Lin Qi sneered softly to Enzo, "They all tremble like frozen quails. Is the future of the empire going to rely on these timid fellows? I don't see a future for the empire. These elites of the empire don't even dare to look at a bad student like me. How can we expect them to bravely sacrifice for the empire's interests in the future?"

Enzo merely sneered arrogantly, his chin tilted at a forty-five-degree angle, defiantly looking at the Military Academy students marching in formation. His hand was tightly gripping the hilt of his sword; if any student dared to give him a provocative look, he would not hesitate to challenge them to a duel.

The name 'Mad Swordsman' Enzo, was earned at the cost of nearly a hundred Military Academy students' serious injuries!

Seeing the wary glances of those students, Enzo couldn't help but grin. This was his territory, and he enjoyed this feeling of being revered.

The two walked, one after the other, to the gate of Fifth University. Turning right from here and walking another mile would lead to the side gate of the Military Academy. Lin Qi and Enzo parted ways here. Enzo was going to inform Vik to send more men to monitor The Cripple's Shop, while Lin Qi had to attend to his daily affairs.

Right at the university gate, a clear and melodious bell sound was heard. A priest, dressed in black clerical robes and holding a bronze bell, stopped Lin Qi. "Hey, Mr. Lin Qi, haven't seen you for a few days. You look well!"

Father Balin, an assistant priest at Berely Fifth University, a spiritual guide for students, a mentor to souls, and a close friend of Lin Qi. Father Balin was not tall, his waist was not thin, and his fair face was round, like a peeled egg. His eyes sparkled with clever and cunning liveliness.

Lin Qi walked over to Father Balin with a smile, dropped the last twenty copper coins from his money pouch to him, and received two church-printed 'Atonement Talismans' in return.

Casually stuffing the Atonement Talismans into his sleeve, Father Balin nodded with satisfaction and smiled, "God will bless you, dear young master Lin Qi. Hmm, I happen to have some good news for you."

Glancing left and right, Father Balin lowered his voice and whispered, "A new Gissian troupe has arrived outside the city, and the lead dancer is quite good. The respected Dean Mr. Grong is very fond of her. If you can arrange for Mr. Grong to meet her, Mr. Lin Qi, your credits for this year will be secured."

Lin Qi narrowed his eyes and smiled. He gently patted Father Balin's shoulder and strode into the university gate.