Chapter 15

Chapter 15

After reading the elf's letter asking for help, Pelan's expression turned extremely serious.

Even though Sipo usually seemed busy with... things like watching snails look for food, he was indeed a powerful mage. For him to sense a deadly threat, the matter was probably pretty troublesome.

"Since Mr. Sipo knew he would be in danger, why did he still go to the tavern?" Lou Guanyue looked at Pelan, utterly puzzled, his face a mask of confusion.

"Perhaps, out of all his divination results, going to the tavern was the choice most likely to avoid danger."

"Fate isn't that easy to pin down. Prophetic results need to be interpreted, and they are also highly susceptible to interference, leading diviners down the wrong path. No one but the gods can know what tomorrow will bring." Pelan put away the crystal ball, his words part explanation, part lesson.

So, even if you can foresee danger, that doesn't mean you can avoid it?

After giving the living room another once-over and confirming there were no other clues, Pelan and Lou Guanyue left Sipo's home, each wrapped in their own thoughts as they walked out in silence.

To avoid trouble, after arriving via a dimensional gate at the outskirts of the Nightglow Forest, Pelan chose to enter the town on foot.

Compared to a few days ago, there were a lot more newcomers in the town. They'd almost popped up right in front of a group of outsiders earlier.

It wasn't until they reached the town that Pelan sensed something unusual.

The atmosphere in the town was no longer relaxed; compared to usual, there was a heavy, oppressive tension. In such an atmosphere, the looks people gave passersby were tinged with wariness and caution.

*What had happened?*

When they saw the blindfolded Lou Guanyue and the "frail" Pelan, most people discreetly looked away.

Well, being underestimated could also save you a lot of trouble.

Pelan pulled down his hat brim and, grasping Lou Guanyue's wrist, quickly headed towards the adventurers' tavern.

It was afternoon, but the tavern wasn't as lively as usual.

Only a few scattered drunks sat inside, still gesturing and boasting. There were also hurried adventurers who came to buy what they needed and left promptly.

The bartender, after seeing a customer out, yawned out of boredom.

Seeing new customers arrive, his eyes lit up: "Hello, what can I get for you?"

"Hello, have you seen a, um... very handsome, neatly dressed young man?" Pelan chose his words carefully, guessing what kind of disguise the elf might have used.

"Huh? Any other specific features?" The bartender looked troubled. Outsiders had been pouring into Seed Town; that description matched at least three in ten. It was hard to pinpoint the right individual.

Pelan thought for a moment but couldn't find a suitable adjective, almost blurting out that the person was a silver-haired elf.

He pushed the thought aside. Sipo wasn't supposed to leave the Nightglow Forest; he would definitely be in disguise if he came to the tavern.

As for occasionally stopping by for a drink... it was just a little hobby. He figured the elves would let it slide.

The bartender hesitated, then said, "Maybe you could ask others? They might have seen your friend."

Pelan nodded, deciding to search the tavern for any clues Sipo might have intentionally left.

Lou Guanyue asked casually, "Has anything major happened in the town these past few days?"

The bartender looked up from wiping a glass, surprised. "You don't know?"

Lou Guanyue turned and took a seat on a high stool at the bar, placing a silver coin on the wooden countertop. "A drink, please. Keep the change."

The bartender's eyes lit up. He took the coin and immediately lowered his voice. "Tomorrow night is the prophesied third blood moon. Austin's treasure will also appear in his former residence."

"Are all the outsiders in town here for the treasure?" Lou Guanyue lightly tapped the counter.

"Yes," the bartender confirmed.

"There are only three inns in town, nowhere near enough for so many people. Those who arrive late have to find a random campsite or stay in the neighboring city of Goro. High-ranking members of many organizations, great nobles from the Kingdom, have arrived. It's said even the royal family sent someone." The bartender spoke mysteriously.

Even people from the royal family came?

Lou Guanyue raised an eyebrow slightly. "They believe that prophecy so much?"

The bartender shrugged. "Maybe? I heard it was the result of divinations by many famous diviners together, even receiving divine revelation. Everyone is certain Austin's treasure will appear during the third blood moon."

The tavern was indeed a good place to gather information. In just a short while, Lou Guanyue had learned quite a bit.

He swirled the glass of red liquid, lost in thought. Almost everyone's attention was focused on this remote town. Important figures were gathering one after another. This was very unusual.

He keenly sensed something and turned to look at Pelan, wanting to know what his young teacher thought about the treasure matter.

But Pelan's attention was completely elsewhere. He drank a perception potion, trying to detect any unusual magical fluctuations within the tavern.

This could be considered an extended application of the perception potion.

However, there were too many customers coming and going in the tavern, their auras mixed and chaotic. He couldn't find any useful clues.

Seeing his tightly furrowed brows, Lou Guanyue comforted him, "Teacher, Mr. Sipo only said he would go to the tavern. We can try looking for clues nearby."

Pelan nodded somewhat disappointedly. Suddenly, a girl carrying a tray approached. Her eyes lit up when she saw Pelan. "Do you know Sipo?"

Pelan was taken aback for a moment, then nodded emphatically. "Yes, how did you know?"

"Guessed," the girl smiled at him. "Actually, Sipo mentioned a few times when he came for drinks that he and Pelan were good friends. I didn't believe him at the time and even made a bet with him... This is the first time I've seen you at the tavern, so I was just curious."

Pelan was stunned. It could be like that?

The girl sighed softly. "Looks like I not only lost ten copper coins but also owe him a drink."

She gave Pelan a bright smile. "You might not remember me. Last time my father collapsed unconscious in the forest, you helped bring him home."

Pelan thought carefully; he did seem to have rescued a man in the forest.

He asked with hidden anticipation, "Then have you seen Sipo at the tavern recently?"

The girl thought for a few seconds before answering. "Recently... three days ago, he was here."

Three days ago?

Pelan's eyes lit up. Three days ago was exactly when Sipo should have returned from Lake Vilya!

He quickly pressed further. "Did he say anything to you?"

"He didn't drink, and he didn't speak to me," the girl recalled while describing. "I remember he was in a hurry that day, but that wasn't particularly noteworthy. Many people coming to the shop recently have been like that."

"There's just one thing. Everyone was rushing to the town, but Mr. Sipo said he was leaving... Yes! He had two companions, two incredibly beautiful elves. They seemed to have an argument and left together not long after."

Elves?

Pelan was startled. Sipo had been exiled by the elven race. Why would elves seek him out at this time?

Could these two elves be the source of the life-threatening danger?

Did they come to Cedar Town to find Sipo so he could help them search for Austin's treasure?

No, that can't be it. If they were looking for the treasure, they wouldn't have chosen to leave at this time.

The good news is that the elves didn't seem to disguise themselves, which made it easier for Pelan to ask around.

At this thought, he quickly asked, "Do you know where they went?"

The girl shook her head. "I don't know, but it seemed like they headed south."

South?

Cedar Town is already the southernmost town in Hoplar. Further south lie the Melod Mountains—the Elven Forest!

Pelan thanked the girl and left the tavern. He looked at Lou Guanyue and said, "I'm heading for the Elven Forest now. Do you want to stay in town or go back to the forest?"

He hadn't forgotten that Yue seemed very interested in Austin's treasure. Tomorrow night is the foretold day, and he certainly wouldn't want to miss it.

If he wasn't interested in the treasure, Pelan could also take him back to the cabin first.

"Teacher, I want to go with you."

Lou Guanyue's answer took him by surprise.

"You want to come with me?" Pelan looked at him, puzzled.

"Yes." Lou Guanyue took out an ancient-looking compass. It appeared perfectly ordinary, not like a magical item at all.

"Teacher, do you have anything on you that Sipo often uses? I might be able to use it to find its owner."

From his dimensional pocket, Pelan pulled out the crystal ball that had been on the elf's table. "Will this work?"

"Yes." Lou Guanyue took the crystal ball, placed it on the compass, and infused a trace of spiritual energy. Instantly, a gray mist rose from the compass, drifting slowly in one direction.

With a serious expression, he said, "The gray mist indicates they went south."

Lou Guanyue paused for a moment before adding, "This is a secret, you know."

Hearing him call it a secret, Pelan immediately dismissed any thought of prying further.

The direction guided by the gray mist was toward Goro City, the closest city to Cedar Town.

The road to Goro City wasn't short, but given Cedar Town's complicated situation, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Pelan chose not to use magical tools or summon creatures to fly there. Instead, he hired a carriage.

Once the carriage left the town, he switched to wind magic to drive it and called Lou Guanyue, who was driving outside, into the carriage.

Lou Guanyue sat down beside him. "Teacher is really concerned about Sipo's safety."

Pelan was about to say something when he heard Lou Guanyue ask in a joking tone, "If I were ever in danger and went missing someday, would you come looking for me, Teacher?"

"Yes." Pelan nodded without hesitation.

Seemingly surprised by how quickly he agreed, Lou Guanyue paused. His eyes, hidden behind the white veil, were unreadable. "Because of the soul contract? Can Teacher appear by my side directly through the soul contract?"

That damned mark, one that even the sun's flames couldn't burn away.

Unaware of his thoughts, Pelan replied, "Yes, as long as the soul mark remains, I can cross space and come to your side."

Lou Guanyue chuckled softly. "That's great—much more convenient than looking for Sipo."

Like a curse, it followed him like a shadow.

Author's Note:

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No update on the 2nd, update on the 3rd. Mwah!