Assistant Priest

Hammer had drunk himself half-soused at the Cripple's Shop, then caught a boat heading downstream on the Seine River and returned to Dunkirk.

At the welcome-home banquet for Hammer at the Cripple's Shop, Lin Qi told Enzo about some of Hammer's glorious exploits. As a big shot ranked among the top ten on the Berreley Garrison's wanted list, Hammer had a bounty of one thousand gold coins on his head, dead or alive. That was why he had spent all these years operating only around Dunkirk, rarely venturing anywhere near Berely.

Even when Hammer came to Berely this time, he had only dared show his face in the chaotic, crowded dock district. He absolutely wouldn't have dared set foot beyond it. The secret police under the Berreley Garrison, and the Dragon Cavalry, weren't just for show. If they set their sights on Hammer, it would spell big trouble.

The letter from Lin Qi's father had simply instructed him to come home during this year's winter break. It said nothing else. Hammer was his father's most trusted aide, and the fact that his father had risked sending him all the way to Berely with the letter made his stance clear: Lin Qi had to go home this time, or the consequences would be severe.

After burning the letter over a candle, the half-drunk Lin Qi glanced at the gray sky outside the tavern, where snow was drifting down. He rubbed his hands together, called goodbye to the Cripple, and hiccuped his way out. Enzo followed behind him, patting his round, bulging belly with satisfaction. The Cripple had laid on a lavish feast to welcome Hammer. Fine wine, delicious food, beautiful women—and no need to pay. Enzo had stuffed himself to his heart's content, and now he could barely breathe.

The two ambled down the main road toward University City. After walking slowly for quite a while, Enzo burped and asked, "Boss, I've always wondered why you haven't gone home in three years. With the Seine River route, it's only a two-day boat trip from Berely to Dunkirk, right?"

With his hands tucked into his sleeves, Lin Qi's darting eyes kept sneaking glances at the bulging belts of passersby. Judging by their clothes and getups, he was calculating how many glittering gold or silver trinkets they might have tucked away. He didn't answer Enzo's question, only muttered, "Have Vik keep a close watch on the Cripple's Shop. Be careful not to let those easterners catch on."

He smacked his lips and said meaningfully, "They tossed out a gold bar just like that. They're loaded, Enzo—rich enough to swim in it! The Cripple's no good. Is he trying to keep the whole feast for himself?"

Enzo cracked his knuckles. Lin Qi's words had distracted him, and he stopped dwelling on why Lin Qi hadn't gone home in three years. Grinning eagerly, he said, "That damned cripple, boss. We've got to find a way to get a piece of this windfall. Well, that fellow Jiang Yong, for instance—chop off his right hand, and those rings alone would keep the boys living well for a long time!"

Lin Qi waved a hand and said with a dark expression, "I know, I know. Of course I know. Have Vik keep a close eye on them. Don't let anyone notice us. They're a tough bunch—not easy to mess with. First find out what they're doing in Berely, then figure out where they came from. After that, well... if there's enough to be made, I don't mind letting my father's people have a share."

Enzo cried out in astonishment, "Boss, you said your father was 'just a miller'!"

Lin Qi shot him an impatient glance and gritted his teeth. "Of course he's just a miller. But who says a miller can't rob people?"

Enzo stared speechlessly at the sky. He made up his mind that when University City's winter break came and Lin Qi went home, he'd go along and visit Lin Qi's family. He was curious to see what kind of family Lin Qi came from.

By the time the two entered University City, they had nearly digested the feast. Lin Qi sneezed hard and felt much more refreshed. He cheerfully greeted students from all the various colleges as they passed. The female students dodged him as if he were a venomous snake, while the male students returned his greetings warily, like they were facing a savage beast. Only a handful of them had the courage to meet his gaze without flinching.

The students of the Imperial Military Academy, in particular, paid Lin Qi no mind. Dressed in tight uniforms with swords at their waists, they were all swagger and bravado. But when those future officers of the Empire saw Enzo beside him, their eyes filled with wariness.

Lin Qi swaggered down the avenue, drawing every eye as he went, though hardly anyone dared look him straight in the face.

"These honor students are so boring," Lin Qi sneered quietly to Enzo. "Every one of them's shivering like a quail that's frozen stiff. Is the Empire's future really going to depend on these cowards? I don't think the Empire has much of a future. These elite students of the Empire don't even dare look a bad student like me in the eye. And we're supposed to count on them to sacrifice themselves for the Empire's interests?"

Enzo only gave a haughty sneer, his chin tilted up at a forty-five-degree angle as he provoked the Military Academy students marching past in formation. His hand clamped tightly around the hilt at his waist. If even one student dared give him a challenging look, he'd immediately challenge him to a duel without hesitation.

Enzo, the Mad Swordsman—that name had been earned at the cost of nearly a hundred Military Academy students suffering serious injuries!

Seeing the students' fearful looks, Enzo couldn't help grinning broadly. This was his turf, and he enjoyed being feared.

The two arrived at the gates of the Fifth University, one behind the other. Turn right here and walk another two li, and you'd reach the side entrance of the Military Academy. Lin Qi and Enzo parted ways. Enzo was going to tell Vik to send more men to watch the Cripple's Shop, while Lin Qi had some everyday business to take care of.

Right in front of the school gates, a clear, lilting jingle rang out. A priest in a black cassock, carrying a small brass bell, called out to Lin Qi. "Hey, Mr. Lin Qi! Haven't seen you in days. You're looking quite well!"

Father Balin, assistant priest at the Berely Fifth University, guide to the students' faith, mentor of their souls, and Lin Qi's close friend. Father Balin was short and broad around the waist, with a round, fair face that looked like a peeled egg. His eyes gleamed with a sly, quick-witted liveliness.

Lin Qi smiled and walked over to Father Balin. He tossed the last twenty copper coins from his purse to him and received two Church-printed Atonement Talismans in return.

After carelessly stuffing the talismans into his sleeve, Father Balin nodded with satisfaction and smiled. "God will bless you, my dear young Mr. Lin Qi. Well, as it happens, I have some good news for you."

Father Balin glanced around and lowered his voice to murmur, "A Gissian troupe just arrived outside the city. The girl who leads the dancing is quite something. The esteemed dean of academic affairs, Mr. Grong, likes her very much. If you can introduce her to Mr. Grong, you'll have no trouble earning your credits this year, Mr. Lin Qi."

Lin Qi narrowed his eyes with a smile, patted Father Balin lightly on the shoulder, and strode through the school gates.