Chapter 179: Conflict at the City Gate

The Space Ring was marvellous, its weight not changing even after Yang Ling placed twenty thousand Arrow Bamboos into the space. Along the way, aside from cultivating his Wizard Power and tending to the forest of Arrow Bamboos in the space within the Wizard’s Pagoda, Yang Ling spent most of his time researching the secrets of the Space Ring.

Comparing the two, even though they had vast differences, Yang Ling still felt that there were several similarities between the Space Ring and the Wizard’s Pagoda. They had the same mysterious, flexible space, and they shared similar methods of activation. Perhaps he might one day be able to understand the mysteries surrounding the space of the Wizard’s Pagoda if he could gain a clear understanding of the Space Ring’s secrets.

The Space Ring was rare on the Tailun Continent. Most of the Spellcasters would be overjoyed if they had a Space Ring with even a few inches of storage area. Yang Ling’s alter ego normally wouldn’t own a Space Ring. But the group thought nothing of it after observing Yuna’s abilities, and understanding that they both must have hailed from a waning noble family. The Space Ring raised no suspicions.

As a Heavenly Fox adept at using Magical Illusory Spell Formations, Yuna had a unique understanding of fire element and space element magics. But no matter how hard he tried, Yang Ling couldn’t muster a tiny reaction, even after extensive explanation from Yuna. He recited the incantations perfectly, but nothing happened. He didn’t understand.

One day, as Yuna watched Yang Ling fail to conjure what he intended once again, Yuna approached him. “Brother Yang, you’re enunciating the incantations perfectly, but it’s much more important that you are sincere. You must thank the God of War for his protection and blessings from the bottom of your heart.”

Yang Ling remained silent, shaking his head, and smiling ruefully. He did not know how to thank the so-called God of War for his blessings and protection.

Almost every intelligent race on the Tailun Continent had their own gods, and the Beastmen were no exception. Throughout history, there had been many battles between tribes under the name of expelling evil cults. Even though he did not believe in the God of War, he did not wish to speak too much about these warrantless faiths.

Forget it, I might as well spend some time to learn the so-called Summoning Magic!

Yang Ling stored his Space Ring away again, he caught sight of Hans, who was predictably babbling away nearby. The others considered Hans a powerful Summoner. Rather than spending his limited time on the road to Monston researching the Space Ring, Yang Ling decided he might as well make Fatso useful and learn some basic Summoning Magic from him.

Hans was not evil by nature. He was only greedy for food, and he liked to inflate his achievements. He was not hard to deal with once one understood the characteristics of his personality. Yang Ling waved Hans over and said loudly, “Fatso, I heard there is a place in Montson that specializes in selling Green-skinned Condors. You have to help me choose a good one as a War Pet.”

Yuna couldn’t help but break into a fit of giggles when she heard Yang Ling shouting at Hans. But Hans, for his part, was not amused at all. He stormed over to Yang Ling, a frown darkening his face.

“Brother Yuri, who told you that? The Green-skinned Condor might be a little weaker than a Giant Dragon, but there is still no way that a place is selling them in large quantities!” Hans, feeling wronged, continued. “Back then, I had to follow my mentor to the Sunset Plains and I risked my life to summon a Green-skinned Condor. According to my mentor, this Green-skinned Condor is still young. In a few years, its battle ability will rival low to mid level Magical Beasts like the Gryphon.”

Yang Ling pretended disappointment. “Well, if that’s the case, what a bother! I’d hoped to purchase a Green-skinned Condor in Montson to act as my War Pet. It looks like hopes of that are slim!”

“If I can have more roast chicken every day, it might not be a hopeless situation. Perhaps I could help you find a way!” wheedled Hans, licking his lips in the way that he had.

Hans knew his mentor didn’t have much, but he did have a few Green-skinned Condors. If his mentor was unwilling to part with them, Hans knew he could find a way to steal one. He had more than enough excuses to cover his act.

As winter had come early that year, many of the poor who lacked rations to last through the days had fled into Montson to seek refuge, causing the security in the capital to decline by the day. Hans believed that a hungry pauper stealing a Green-skinned Condor to satisfy his hunger was a plausible cover story. Since there would be no evidence left behind, his mentor would not be able to do anything even if he sensed that something was off.

“Brother Yuri, did you get that news from Lia?” Hans asked, paranoid, observing the Spellcaster Lia and her faint smile not far away.

“Quiet down! It’s bad to talk ill of people behind their backs!” Yang Ling whispered tensely, thereby neither confirming or denying Hans’ suspicions. “You two look very familiar with each other, why are the both of you acting like you are enemies every time you meet?” he whispered, smiling coyly.

“Oh, it’s nothing much. I carelessly said something about Lia wetting the bed when she was little a few years ago. I also accidentally peeked at her showering a few times last month, and then told the person I had a bet with that Lia’s breasts were only the size of Snow Plums!”

Peeking at a lady taking a bath, and more than once? Even revealing the shape and size of the lass Lia’s breasts after peeking?

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It was no wonder that Lia became enraged every time she set eyes on the lecherous fat man. It was also no wonder why she pinched him mercilessly every chance she got.

“Actually, her breasts are not too much larger than that of a Siberian Snow Plum, there’s nothing to look at! Is there a need to pester me like a demon after I exposed it?” Fatso said, shaking his head in dumb frustration. It was clear he considered himself the victim in this situation, and thought he had suffered a great injustice. Yuna nearly cried from laughing, after learning what had really transpired. Even Yang Ling had a hard time collecting himself.

After pretending to be sympathetic and consoling him, Yang Ling lured Hans into teaching him the Summoning Magic he used. Hans did not have many abilities to begin with, and Yang Ling had managed to obtain all the information about his abilities in just a day’s time.

The group travelled fast, riding on the speedy Siberian Pegusi. They entered the sphere of influence of the Livenza Alliance just five days after leaving the valley of the Arrow Bamboos. As they traveled, they saw more and more merchants and commoners. They also encountered dilapidated villages and simple towns with increasing frequency.

Yang Ling made little progress with space element magic over those few days, but he nearly gained full mastery over the Summoning Magic. He outpaced Hans in less than a week. Then again, Hans spent all his time playing around, and made no effort at all to hone his own skills.

Now that he was in a long dark robe and holding a magic staff he had picked up in Taildon Valley, he looked just like a Magical Apprentice. If he had a War Pet along with him, no one would suspect his real identity.

After making their way past the small towns, the group gradually approached Montson. If there were no accidents, they would arrive at their destination in a little more than two days.

Halalei the knight conferred with Lia and the rest, incidentally out of earshot. They seemed to come to some kind of agreement, and then Halalei rode over to Yang Ling’s carriage. “Brother Yuri, the journey has been hard. Why don’t we rest for a night at Sitana City and continue on our journey tomorrow? It’s the next settlement we’ll encounter.”

The journey had been hard, but the group had been playing around throughout the entire journey. If they called that hard, the journey must have been brutal for Orlando — who had been responsible for all the hard work.

He saw Hans, slumping weakly on his horse, and then looked over at the long-haired Lia who seemed prepared to hurry to Sitana City, and Yang Ling knew that they had already made their decision. Yang Ling deliberated for a moment, and did not refuse the offer. He ordered Orlando off his horse and into the carriage, then instructed the horse to hurry.

Sitana City was the largest city in a hundred mile radius. There were still many people walking on the streets even though it was late in the evening. There were a row of guards dressed in yellow light armor standing sentry at the magnificent city gates, examining travellers that were coming in or going out of the city. The group reined in their horses and joined the long queue to enter the city.

“Oh Yiblis, it was normal yesterday, why are the checks so strict today?” someone in the crowd complained.

“I heard that expert killers appeared in the City Master’s mansion last night and injured him. They disappeared after killing some guards. The City Master has sent out an army to conduct strict checks…” came a reply.

Someone else cried, “Shhh, keep it down! Be careful with your words!”

…

A few troops in worn out armor were having a quiet discussion, but they shut their mouths when they saw Yang Ling and his group closing in on them. A bearded man wanted to say more, but knew to keep his mouth closed after an older soldier glared at him.

An attempt on the City Master’s life?

The group murmured in confusion. The City Master held immense authority. He was basically the lord of the city, and was able to impose taxes at will. He was protected by a team of personal guards at all times. Who would be so brazen?

A fierce looking guard approached their carriage as soon as the group reached the front of the line. “Get out and let us examine you, quickly!” he barked gruffly. This guard was cautious, unwilling to miss any details.

In order to avoid trouble, Yang Ling and Yuna got off the carriage. Unexpectedly, the leader of the guards’ eyes sparkled the instant he set eyes on Yuna’s fair skin. It seemed he was frozen in awe. Then he recovered himself and an evil grin spread across his face.

“We finally found a female assassin! Guards, tie these people up!”

Yang Ling and his group were surrounded. Though Yang Ling’s carriage and the Pegusi that accompanied them were both rare sights indeed, they were dirty and caked with dust. More importantly, their gear bore no noble family insignia. That seemed to indicate that Yang Ling and his group were not nobles going on a journey at all, but were mere merchants, hailing from afar.