Lord of the Myriad Worlds

Chapter 108: Drunken Guard

This effect was indeed much better.

Not long after passing the Farmstead, wild dogs began to fall behind. It wasn't necessarily because they lacked Stamina, but rather because with delicious food strewn all over outside Kakh City, they weren't nearly as resilient as wolf packs.

Just like that, once there was a first wild dog falling behind, there would definitely be a last one.

Li Wei shook them off without expending the slightest effort.

Competing with a pack of wild dogs was exceptionally unwise.

Next, Li Wei headed straight for the mountain pass area. Upon entering the mountain forest, he immediately felt his entire body relax—like a fish entering water—feeling exceedingly free and at ease.

Although that set of two-star Leather Armor was torn with several holes, it didn't affect the utilization of its characteristic traits.

Coupled with Li Wei's Woodcutter Card and the buffs brought by the Two-Star Hunter Card, this mountain forest was territory that truly belonged to him.

Afterward, he found his previous campsite. He boiled a pot of hot water using the marching stove, sliced the salted fish, and then gathered some wild greens nearby. He tossed the food he bought into the pot all at once, cooked it, and then enjoyed a delicious meal.

After eating and drinking his fill, he also boiled some water to fill his waterskin. He didn't dare to drink Kakh City's water—nor did he want to.Finally, Li Wei took out his tent, cut off a large piece, and wrapped up the Table Salt. Following this, he entered the mountain forest, found a concealed spot to bury it, memorized the location, and set up camouflage.

Once this was done, he wasn't in a hurry to leave. Instead, he made many circles around the area, gathered some strongly-scented weeds, and smeared them on his Leather Armor. It wasn't until around four or five in the afternoon that he unhurriedly left the mountainous area and returned to Kakh City.

Upon entering the active zone of Kakh City's wild dogs, those wild dogs seemed to have already forgotten Li Wei. Seeing him all alone, they bravely pounced up once more, their arrogance overbearing.

But it didn't matter.

Drawing the bow, nocking an arrow, and blowing up a head with a single shot.

Darlings, now you remember who I am, right!

Thus, a grand spectacle reappeared outside Kakh City: over a hundred wild dogs chased Li Wei as he ran, their barking shaking the heavens. This drew the gazes of many poor civilians, militiamen, and soldiers atop the city walls. Motherfucker, it had been a long time since they had seen such a joyous scene. Some even cheered and shouted encouragement for Li Wei.

Too abstract!

Li Wei ran very easily. Fed and hydrated, with his Stamina maxed out, he felt very comfortable. Within the pursuit of over a hundred wild dogs, he handled it with consummate ease.

Occasionally, he would turn his head to bare his teeth and make a funny face, startling the wild dogs. Sometimes he would pretend to trip and never get up again.

Waiting for the wild dogs to attempt to approach, he would blow up a head with an arrow, drawing a wave of cheers from over there. Unaware onlookers might have thought this was a knight flaunting his martial prowess in the arena.

However, Li Wei believed that this time, the dogs genuinely had a profound memory.

Yet, for Li Wei, wasn't this also a failure? Because grinding wild dogs to obtain Kakh City Reputation was basically something he no longer needed to think about.

For 50 Contribution points, he would have to kill five hundred wild dogs.

"Creak!"

Amidst the rising and falling barks of the dogs, Kakh City's city gates closed.

There probably wasn't a Curfew here, but it was estimated that not many people were strolling the streets either.

In the stone houses on the left, some lights could faintly still be seen. The wooden house cluster on the right, however, was very lonely, save for that caravan in the market.

Li Wei was very curious about how they managed to be so comfortable and pleased in such a foul-smelling environment. Did they seem completely unconcerned about the Plague, or was it because they were already survivors of the Plague?

The other stalls in the market had already closed. Li Wei walked over, wanting to see if he could buy anything else from this caravan. After all, it was a caravan of over thirty people—oh, after a whole day, the caravan had newly added five members.

After previously entertaining the thought of robbing the caravan, Li Wei had immediately observed and clearly memorized the features of all the caravan members.

Therefore, he felt he probably understood the personnel composition of this caravan better than some drunken caravan guards.

The newcomers were two emaciated boys of fifteen or sixteen, as well as three girls of roughly the same age, or perhaps slightly younger. The former were likely being trained as caravan workers, while the latter... one didn't need to guess to know what they were meant for.

This caravan felt like a miniature yet fully equipped small society. Traveling with them, as long as you had money, basically any normal person's needs could be met.

"Young man, good archery!"

When Li Wei approached, a drunken caravan guard suddenly praised him with a grin.

Interesting. These guys really were shrewd. Li Wei felt the caravan boss must have sent someone to tail him; otherwise, it was impossible to have seen the process of him shooting the wild dogs.

Of course, perhaps they obtained the information through other channels. After all, anyone who saw a hardwood arrow piercing an eye could guess.

There was also the possibility that they saw the wild dog chasing competition at dusk.

Li Wei didn't reply; he merely smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

At this time, that caravan boss walked over and smiled, "Little brother, we're going to Juniper Province next month. Are you interested in coming to the caravan as a short-distance guard? Room and board are free, you can pick a woman every day, and once we get there, we can pay you one gold coin as remuneration, plus a small bag of salt."

Good heavens, trying to recruit me?

Li Wei was actually a bit interested. Of course, it was limited purely to interest. What a joke—the family Camp was his foundation.

"Apologies, sir. I have other matters to attend to. Thank you for your kindness."

"Oh, that's truly a pity. Then, where do you plan to stay tonight? Our caravan's covered wagon also provides accommodation. You'll also be accompanied by beautiful, gentle, and hot girls, all for only one silver coin a night."

How cheap!

But Li Wei couldn't enjoy such a romantic fortune.

"I'm still sorry. I've checked into the Mare Inn. I came to see if there are any other goods I need to purchase."

Hearing Li Wei repeatedly decline, the caravan boss instantly lost interest, turned around, and walked away.

"Little brother, if you want to buy anything, why not come back tomorrow!"

Alright, it was his fault for not understanding the rules.

Li Wei immediately asked that drunken caravan guard for the location of the Mare Inn. After thanking him, he was just about to leave.

Unexpectedly, that drunken caravan guard followed him for four or five steps.

"Friend, is there something the matter?"

Li Wei turned around and asked somewhat curiously. This was Kakh City; it was impossible for this old drunkard to rob him.

He didn't expect this caravan guard to say something else entirely.

"Little brother, do you want to make a name for yourself in Kakh City?"

What the hell?

"I don't quite understand what you're saying."

Li Wei shook his head. As a result, this caravan guard lowered his voice and spoke again: "Young man, who doesn't want to soar to the heavens in a single bound? You wish to gain an audience with the Lord and take a shortcut to become a Squire of a Garrison Knight in Kakh City. Am I right? Otherwise, you wouldn't risk becoming an illicit salt peddler and spend such a high price to buy Table Salt at this time. I guess that you probably want to hunt that terrifying, legendary blood wolf once again."

Sheesh!

Your imagination is truly too rich. However, Li Wei's heart stirred, and he didn't speak. He merely looked meaningfully at this drunken caravan guard. Was he a sounding stone sent by that caravan boss?

At this time, the caravan guard smiled mysteriously, "Young man, don't be surprised. Noble second sons like you are a common sight anywhere. Leaving your hometown, going to a distant province, and relying on your own martial arts to win the Lord's appreciation—it's very normal."

"However, you need to find the right person. You require the guidance of a professional. At the very least, you haven't even obtained the Right of Permanent Residence in Kakh City yet. You aren't even qualified to purchase houses or land in Kakh City. This won't do."

Having said that, this caravan guard produced a hardwood arrow stained with black blood.

"See this? Young man, you possess exceptional archery skills, and you have an outstanding, high-quality bow. However, the iron arrows you brought from home have all been depleted. Without an identity, you can't even purchase fine feather arrows from the Blacksmith Shop in any city. How about this? I'll help you. Once you obtain the Right of Permanent Residence, Kakh City's Blacksmith Shop will open to you. Speaking of which, it seems Kakh City also has a fairly good master bow-maker."

Li Wei seemed to be swayed. Of course, he had no interest in the Right of Permanent Residence; he estimated it was probably a privilege granted only when Kakh City Reputation reached a certain level.

But Kakh City's Blacksmith Shop, some master bow-maker, and even the crop seeds he wanted to buy—money alone wasn't enough to obtain these. He also needed sufficient status.

"So, you can do this?"

"Yes, I can do it. I only need a deposit of one gold coin. After it's done, you'll need to pay me a final balance of two gold coins. If I can't do it, the deposit will be refunded."

"Why should I trust you? One gold coin is not a small amount. If you take it and run, do you think I look that stupid?"

"Hehe, the young man is quite experienced. Been scammed before? No matter; running into me is your luck. I have two feather arrows here. They are my privately hoarded goods, which I will offer to you as collateral. To tell you the truth, in Juniper Province, these two Eagle Feather Arrows specially crafted by a master could fetch a high price of one gold coin."

What kind of arrows could sell for one gold coin for just two?

Li Wei didn't believe it, but he still took them. These two arrows were wrapped in a wooden box paired with an oilcloth. Upon opening it, there was a herbal scent—incontestably proof against moisture, mold, and insects. With just one glance, he was certain: they were truly excellent arrows!

He didn't even touch them immediately. Instead, he rubbed his hands on his clothes a few times to make sure there was no oil or sweat before carefully extracting one.

Good heavens, One-Star Quality Eagle Feather Arrows!

+10% accuracy, +10% damage, +20% firing rate, +30% range. They were practically tailor-made for eagle shooters.

Li Wei even dared to guarantee that by using this Eagle Feather Arrow, he could accurately hit a target moving slowly at a constant speed from 100 meters away.

This was an essential good item for long-range sniping.

So, were two Eagle Feather Arrows worth one gold coin?

Li Wei's answer was that they were.

"Alright, I believe you."

With that said, Li Wei pretended to reach into his chest. In reality, with a mere thought, a Standard Gold Coin naturally materialized into a physical gold coin. This could be considered a dimensional strike against pickpockets.

"Straightforward! By noon tomorrow at the latest, I guarantee this matter will be handled!"

The drunken caravan guard accepted the gold coin and hastily returned.

As for Li Wei, he repacked those two Eagle Feather Arrows, placed them back in the oilcloth-wrapped box, left the market as well, and headed for the Mare Inn.