Epilogue

Jia Ruo and his group, along with Lady Lesthara, arrived at the small town of Urda.

Using the Hall of Tranquility's badge, Lyle summoned the guard Warrior Monks – he intended to lead them to retrieve the bandits.

Meanwhile, Neeko and Jia Ruo settled Lady Lesthara into the town's only inn.

They spent twelve silver coins to book the inn's best room for Lady Lesthara.

At this moment, Lady Lesthara, wrapped in a blanket, curled up on the bed, holding a cup of hot tea and sipping it gently.

Through the steam rising from the teacup, Jia Ruo, standing by the door, finally got a proper look at Lady Lesthara.

She was about forty years old, with somewhat messy brown hair, and a slightly gaunt face. Thin lips, large eyes.

Despite her clearly well-maintained appearance, the traces of time remained on her face.

But these fine wrinkles still couldn't hide the lingering beauty – she must have been a great beauty in her youth.

However, Lady Lesthara's daughter didn't seem to resemble her at all, neither in hair color nor in appearance.

Jia Ruo thought.

This was rather strange, but it wasn't convenient for him to ask too many questions about such matters.

As Jia Ruo was thinking, Lady Lesthara put down her teacup and looked over.

"Thank you for saving me."

"It's what we should do. Don't let my young age fool you, I'm already a Placidium Sheriff," Jia Ruo said.

"I know, but I still want to express our deepest gratitude on behalf of the Buvel Family. This is a personal invitation, please do honor us with your presence at our home in the future. I'd like to host you properly."

"Madam, you are too kind."

"Please don't refuse."

"It's our honor. But right now, Madam, you need rest more. We'll send you back to Placidium tomorrow. If you need anything, my companion and I are in the next room. Good night, Madam."

Jia Ruo bowed and led Neeko out.

Spending another twelve silver coins, Jia Ruo booked a room next to Lady Lesthara's for himself and Neeko.

The next morning, Lyle, with dark circles under his eyes, entered the inn with the Coachman.

"You've worked hard, Lyle."

Judging by his appearance, Lyle had clearly been busy all night, which made Jia Ruo, who was having breakfast with Lady Lesthara, feel a pang of guilt.

"It's nothing. The mission is completed, that's what matters. Let's head back to report."

Lyle waved his hand.

"You should eat something too, Lyle. Leave the rest to us," Neeko mumbled, her cheeks puffed out.

Lyle didn't refuse.

Before long, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill. At Lyle's request, they immediately returned to Placidium.

The horses pulling the carriage no longer had to run for their lives.

As noon approached, Master Percy personally received them in the main hall of the Hall of Tranquility.

"Lady Lesthara, I am pleased to see you return safely. Ionia has not been peaceful recently, and this is our dereliction of duty. However, you should also pay more attention to your own safety. Please bring guards with you on future outings."

"Thank you for your concern. I have lived in Ionia for a long time, and such a thing has never happened. I will be more careful in the future," Lady Lesthara said before leaving in a hurry. She wanted to go home to pray for her daughter's safety.

"You performed very well on your first mission," Percy turned to Jia Ruo and Neeko.

"I've read Lyle's report, and there are no issues. He did a beautiful job."

"They were just a few petty thieves. We could handle them easily, of course, thanks to Lyle's help," Jia Ruo said, feeling even more sympathetic towards his brother Lyle. He had initially thought Lyle would catch up on sleep in the carriage, but he hadn't expected him to complete the mission report while on the carriage. Brother Lyle was truly a model worker.

"Good. In that case, Lyle will accompany you on future missions until he believes you can handle them independently. Jia Ruo, the source of strength is not limited to martial prowess alone; experience and wisdom are essential."

"Yes, Master Percy. I know I still have much to learn from Lyle." Jia Ruo glanced at Lyle. It seemed he would have to deal with his brother Lyle a lot in the future.

"Very well, I look forward to your growth. Here, take this." Percy took out a booklet. "This is the Bounty List of the Hall of Tranquility. It records fugitives who have committed crimes. If there are no urgent matters to handle, your Investigator Group will also need to hunt down these criminals. You can discuss with Lyle and select targets from this list. The Bounty List is updated on the first of every month, and logistics personnel will deliver it to your residence. Furthermore, it is called the Bounty List because these fugitives have bounties on their heads. This is an additional reward from the Hall of Tranquility to the Marshals. Having said so much, do you understand?"

"I understand, Master Percy," Jia Ruo nodded. This system was somewhat similar to bounty hunters.

At night, Jia Ruo had just finished bathing and was comfortably lying on his bed. Instead of immediately cultivating, he opened the small booklet.

"Daler, a member of the Navoli Brotherhood, who can use a little Fire Magic.

Reason for wanted poster: During a clash with another faction, Daler burned down a village, causing the deaths of fourteen innocent civilians.

Bounty: 3,200 gold.

Portrait below..."

"Proda, an unusual mage skilled in Plant Magic.

Reason for wanted poster: This mage believes that sacrificing living people can enhance Mana. To date, eight victims have died by his hand, their bodies drained of blood by plants.

Bounty: 5,400 gold.

Portrait below...

Addendum: This individual is suspected of having a mental illness. Capture dead or alive."

Jia Ruo flipped through the wanted criminals one by one. Suddenly, he saw a familiar name.

"Yasuo, a disciple of the Gust Dojo, proficient in the elemental power of wind and mastering Wind Riding Swordplay (the legendary swordplay of the Gust Dojo).

Reason for wanted poster: During a past battle with Noxus, Yasuo killed the dojo elder he was supposed to protect. Given that his fellow disciples were all engaged in combat with the Noxian army at the time, we have reason to suspect Yasuo's allegiance.

Bounty: 15,000 gold.

His portrait is below...

Note: This individual killed dozens of his fellow disciples who pursued him, including his own brother.

Capture dead or alive."

Jia Ruo sat up and examined the wanted poster carefully.

The portrait depicted a stern man with long black hair cascading down, a stubble on his chin, sharp eyes, and a diagonal scar across his nose.

Yasuo was actually on the wanted list.

Jia Ruo knew the truth behind the incident: Yasuo was framed.

The elder, named Suma, was entrusted by Riven to destroy Riven's Rune Greatsword.

However, when Elder Suma used Wind Riding Swordplay to shatter the Rune Greatsword, a flying fragment accidentally struck and killed Elder Suma.

Consequently, Yasuo, the only one among his peers who had mastered Wind Riding Swordplay, was deemed the murderer.

The council would eventually uncover the truth of this matter.

Perhaps he could play a suitable role in this incident to get acquainted with the heroes Yasuo and Riven.