Loa hadn't sat idle after returning from the Lucas Clan.
Wot had agreed to ask around about Black Fang and promised to keep an eye out for rare ores. But Loa was used to not putting all his eggs in one basket-experience he had paid for in blood in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
He went to see Old Dao.
Loa had known Old Dao for almost three years. They had first met at the Mercenary Guild's job board, when both had their eyes on the same exploration job. They had gotten to know each other over time. Though Old Dao was only a Rank 4 Warrior, he had connections among all sorts in Fenlai City.
Old Dao was no longer a mercenary. He had switched to trading information. In his own words, "Fighting and killing is a young man's game. At my age, why risk my life when I can make money just by flapping my lips?"
When Loa found him, Old Dao was sunning himself in the back courtyard of a little tavern in the south of the city. The May sun was already getting fierce. Old Dao lay in a rocking chair with an eye mask over his face and a pot of cool tea at his feet.
"Well, this is a rare visit." Old Dao lifted one edge of his eye mask, saw Loa, and slowly sat up. "Heard you're back from the Magical Beast Mountain Range? And pulled off something big?"
"You're well informed." Loa pulled over a small stool and sat down.
"It's how I make my living. I'd have starved long ago if I wasn't." Old Dao poured himself some tea, then poured Loa a cup. "Well, what brings you here? You wouldn't come all this way for something ordinary."
Loa got straight