Robert's kidnapping was only a minor interlude in a series of major events. Once his cousin was free, he immediately reported the incident to Aaron. Aaron found it strange too, but then something occurred to him. He actually took out a VIP ticket and gave it to Robert, telling him to deliver it to the black-robed Monk.
Ever since arriving in this world, Aaron had been deeply interested in the Flying Dragon Empire on the Kara-Tur Continent. According to the encyclopedia Elminster had given him, the Flying Dragon Empire was one of the few empires in the Realms that still maintained an interstellar fleet and trade with the Astral Plane. It had a highly independent pantheon, which supposedly included a supreme god called the Celestial Emperor.
Elminster's conjectures, however, suggested that this Celestial Emperor was another aspect of the Overgod Ao. When the Overgod cast the gods into the mortal world during the Time of Troubles, something similar had happened on the Kara-Tur Continent. The Celestial Emperor sent a mortal apostle called the Great Western King to personally "preach" his grand principles to the gods of the Kara-Tur Continent, throwing that continent into utter chaos as well.
Robert delivered the VIP ticket. This time, he did not meet the black-robed Monk himself, but the Monk's subordinates were delighted. Not only did they give him two thousand gold coins for his trouble, they also gave him a scroll teaching him how to cultivate Ki and strengthen his kidneys.
Unfortunately, Robert had little interest in it. Aaron's cousin knew his own limits perfectly well. His abilities amounted to just this much, and his talent would take him no further than becoming an ordinary scholar. All that remained was to enjoy a comfortable life of wealth and luxury.
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