An Unexpected Obstacle

How easy is it for a person to fall into depravity?

Mina proved with her actions that it didn't even take fifteen seconds—one moment she was a serious and upright priest, meticulous, kind, and respectful of etiquette. The next, she had transformed into a raging inferno, the notions of fairness and justice long since forgotten. Completely powerless against Angela's tyranny and helpless against Li Lin, Mina ultimately vented her anger on the innocent mercenaries. While taking out one's anger on others is certainly reprehensible, it doesn't mean it's entirely unacceptable.

Of course, the mercenaries who had been inexplicably hit with a cup were definitely not going to hold back. However, most of them were just trying to teach this woman a lesson, so they didn't go all out. Although Mina's combat experience was far inferior to these mercenaries, her Vampire Species reaction speed and agility allowed her to maintain an undefeated position. Gradually, the situation began to turn around. Although the mercenaries outnumbered her, their strength was far inferior to that of the Vampire Species. Soon, several of them had their longswords knocked away by Mina and then kicked to the ground. This sudden turn of events made the remaining mercenaries more cautious. They stopped rushing to attack and instead distanced themselves from Mina, probing her to waste her energy. After all, in the eyes of these mercenaries, Mina was a young woman and certainly wouldn't have the stamina to last long.

However, as Vampire Species, Mina naturally possessed superhuman strength. But she lacked experience and was at a loss for what to do against the mercenaries' hit-and-run tactics.

"Silly little girl."

Angela stood to the side, looking at the overturned tables and chairs and the bottles of liquor scattered all over the floor, and idly sighed.

"To think it would take so long to deal with these humans, it's a disgrace to the Vampire Species."

"Then, I'll lend a hand."

Li Lin smiled slightly, then looked at the mercenaries, his fingers flicked, and magical runes once again moved across the back of Li Lin hand, forming new incantations.

The mercenaries' bodies instantly hardened, as if someone had bound their hands and feet with sacks weighing hundreds of pounds. The immense force pulled and suppressed their movements, quickly slowing their once agile figures to slower than tortoises. Sensing the change, the mercenaries opened their mouths to shout, but the energy of the spell immediately robbed them of their voices. And so, what happened next was no longer in doubt.

After Mina punched and kicked the unfortunate men out of the tavern, the fight, which should never have started, came to an end. Having thoroughly beaten the mercenaries, Mina's anger and her pent-up frustrations seemed to have subsided. She no longer complained about how revealing her leather armor was, but stood quietly to the side, behaving like a true warrior. Of course, this could also be seen as a sign of self-abandonment, much like a child who, when things don't go their way, rolls on the ground and gets dirty to express their dissatisfaction.

Li Lin naturally didn't care what Mina thought; that was Angela's job, and he wasn't responsible for disciplining the sisters. So, he walked out of the tavern, which was now a mess, with a magnificent spellbook in one hand. Although the owner had intended to complain, Angela's clearly murderous gaze and the two fine gems made him swallow his words before they could even leave his mouth.

After leaving the tavern, Li Lin and his companions quickly arrived at the carriage and horse market. They didn't intend to stay in this city for long. Although Beacon City could be considered one of the leading cities in the border region, precisely because of this, all sorts of troubles could arise at any time. Therefore, leaving as soon as possible and staying away from trouble was Li Lin's idea. Angela, on the other hand, had an indifferent attitude towards this. After all, killing one on sight and two on sight was her motto.

"Since these foolish humans are eager to die, I have no qualms about fulfilling their wishes in the way they least desire."

This is Angela's favorite saying, whether here or on Earth.

Perhaps it was due to Goddess of Fortune's favor, but along the way, although a few unsuspecting thieves tried to "take" things that didn't belong to them from Angela's dress or Li Lin's pockets, they were forced to abandon their original plans due to various unexpected events. Although they cursed their bad luck today, they never considered that this was still much better than having their brains splattered on the ground and creating a beautiful avant-garde artwork on the blue brick pavement with blood and white or other colored viscous substances.

Although everyone had been lucky along the way, their good fortune seemed to leave them as soon as they arrived at the carriage shop—it seemed that even Goddess of Fortune followed a 46-hour workday. The carriage they had originally hired had left the City of a Thousand Towers day earlier, and now the drivers at the carriage shop were all extremely unwilling to go, no matter how high the price Li Lin offered.

Since that's the case, we'll have to try a different approach.

"I hope you can understand our situation, sir."

Li Lin smiled gently and quietly at the elderly coachman before him. Angela, meanwhile, tugged at Li Lin's sleeve, perfectly embodying the image of a soft-spoken, delicate, and easily pushed little girl.

"My sister and I went to the City of a Thousand Towers to find someone who is very important to us. Only he can help us get out of our current predicament..." As he spoke, he gestured, and the old man bit his tobacco, followed his gaze to Angela beside Li Lin, and then did not look away.

"Would you be willing to help us with this? I promise, I'll pay you a very generous reward."

"Oh... this..."

The old man stared intently at Angela, a faint red light already appearing in his eyes.

"This... but..."

"Or is there some difficulty?"

Li Lin unconsciously wiggled his fingers.

"If you have any difficulties, please feel free to tell us. Perhaps we can help you solve the problem."

"Actually... it's not really a difficult problem..."

The light in the old man's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a red glow. As if hypnotized, the old man slowly spoke, answering Li Lin's question.

"However, recently there have been rumors of many terrifying demons appearing on the road to the City of a Thousand Towers. Several coachmen who were promised large sums of money have gone out, but have never returned. Therefore, we have decided to temporarily refrain from going to that dangerous place, at least... not right now."

"Isn't anyone going to step in and do anything about this?"

Upon hearing this, Li Lin's expression darkened slightly.

"Oh... the mayor doesn't acknowledge that such a thing happened, and the officials are equally dismissive... Although we've appealed several times, we've always been kicked out on the grounds of 'making trouble'."

The officials naturally didn't take the drivers' words too seriously; after all, it was just a few drivers who hadn't returned. Who knew if they'd taken women outside or encountered bandits—either way, it wasn't worth the border city diverting manpower to investigate the road rumored to be haunted by demons. So, the drivers seemed to have no better option than refusing to take them.

I understand your concerns.

Li Lin reached out and placed his hand on the old driver's shoulder.

"But our matter is indeed urgent and cannot be delayed. I will pay you double the reward, and we also have a highly skilled mercenary with us who will help us eliminate those dangers. You are already so old, why don't you consider giving up this life of hardship and buying a piece of land to live a quiet life?"

A gemstone, reflecting the sun's brilliance, appeared before the old man.

"If you agree, you won't need to do this kind of hard work anymore."

Li Lin's gentle tone made him sound like a benevolent person who worries about the world before others.

"Why not give it a try? After all, it's just a rumor. You haven't seen any demons with your own eyes, have you? Are you willing to give up this deal for this ridiculous rumor? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Oh... that's true..."

The old man was dazed; to a large extent, he wasn't even thinking about what Li Lin was saying. His hands trembled as he reached out to Li Lin, took the gem, and clutched it tightly in his hand. Angela laughed lightly and then clapped her hands.

The crisp sound startled the old man, but he quickly regained his senses.

"Oh, very well, distinguished guests, I will immediately prepare the carriage and everything else needed for your departure. Is there anything else you require?"

"It would be best if it were more comfortable."

Soon, the old man turned and walked into the carriage shop to begin preparations for departure. After Li Lin finished "persuading" Angela, he took her small hand and considered whether they should go to a nearby bookstore to buy some books to pass the time on the road. Unfortunately, they had only just reached the entrance of the carriage shop when they were stopped by two young men dressed in mage robes.

"In the name of the Beacon City Mages' Association, I demand that you immediately hand over the book you are carrying, stranger."

Pointing to the ornately decorated "Eternal Library" beside Li Lin, one of the men spoke smugly.

"If you refuse, we will arrest you for disobeying the orders of the Mages' Association."

It seems Goddess of Fortune has indeed clocked out.