novelraw Chapter 450: Hunted
Chapter 450: Hunted
"What is a Magical Construct?"
At this time, Li Wei subconsciously asked, but as a result his mouth was immediately covered by Hathaway.
"Shut up, let's go to the Mage Tower first!"
Next, the four people headed straight to Second Aunt's Mage Tower just like this. Arriving here, Second Aunt first got busy for a while, seemingly opening a Magic Array as well as various methods, and only then let out a slight breath of relief.
At this time, Li Yue had already taken out her Five-Star Enchanted Long Saber and stood at the Mage Tower entrance. Hathaway then slowly took out that Fire Crystal.
"No, is it really necessary? Or are you putting on a play for me to see?"
Li Wei was very puzzled. Even if it was a Magical Construct, there was no need to be On High Alert like this.
"Putting on a play? When a Fourth-Tier Mage comes to kill you at your door, you'll know whether this is putting on a play! Speak, how did you steal it!" Second Aunt was almost laughing out of anger.
"I truly didn't steal it. This matter... it's like this—"
Li Wei simply recounted it using the fastest speed. Hearing this, Second Aunt, Li Yue, and Hathaway all felt their hair stand on end. But after they carefully pondered it, they again felt it was too inconceivable."You're saying a Three-Star Mana Mine fully loaded with 500 units of pure Mana was exploded by a Samsara Traveler? And the terrifying magic shock triggered happened to turn into a reaction kettle under the special terrain of Gale Fortress? And the magical flames burning for over ten hours formed this kind of Magical Construct? Good heavens! Moreover, you could even survive, merely losing a 5-Star Enchanted Tower Shield? What Arabian Nights tale are you telling? Do you know the bugs in this little story of yours are as numerous as ox hair?"
Hathaway slapped Li Wei. "I don't believe it. The blast radius of a 500-unit Mana self-detonation would at least start at a three-kilometer radius! How big was the total area of that Gale Fortress of yours? But according to what you said, the Great Pit formed by the Mana self-detonation only had a radius of five or six hundred meters. Are you fooling a Ghost!"
"But could it be possible that the shockwave of the Mana self-detonation was blocked and sent back by the Gale Fortress's City Walls, conversely suppressing the core of the self-detonation?"
"Even if that's the case, it is absolutely impossible! Li Wei, do not despise the intelligence of two Casters. We are clearer than you regarding the state of a Mana Mine self-detonating."
"What if a Second-Tier Caster was added? What if the special means the Samsara Traveler used to detonate the Mana Mine triggered new variables? Anyway, this is the truth; believe it or not!"
Li Wei also grew irritable. Why are Spellcasters so nitpicky? Why wouldn't they believe it? Could his personal experience still be fake?
"Alright, stop arguing. Whether this matter is true or false, as long as it wasn't stolen from a Fourth-Tier Mage's Mage Tower, then this matter itself has no danger. Alert cancelled." Li Yue couldn't help but interject. She similarly didn't understand whatever bullshit magic, but she believed Li Wei; she believed whatever he said. Moreover, Li Wei wouldn't, and also disdained to, lie regarding this matter.
"Alright, stop there, then this matter will be like this. Lend me this Magical Construct to use first; I have some rare medicinal herbs that need it for cultivation. This kind of Magical Construct is most suitable for cultivating medicinal herbs; perhaps it can cultivate Four-Star medicinal herbs. Hm, Li Wei, how many pieces do you still have in your hands?"
"Five pieces in total. Originally I wanted to give one piece to each of you." Li Wei said casually. In the next second he took out four more pieces, as if this was some common rock found everywhere on the streets. But actually, he had picked up a total of 2500 pieces back then. Even after using 400 pieces later, there were still many left.
He originally hadn't wanted to hide anything on this matter, but Second Aunt and Hathaway's attitude of Making a Fuss still made him decisively choose a simpler and more effortless method.
Really, he was afraid they would explode. A Fourth-Tier Mage already made them so On High Alert. If he next took out Four-Star Wheat and that even more miraculously bizarre Five-Star Wheat, wouldn't they go crazy?
Those were resources strictly ordered by the Kingdom to be handed over!
Additionally, Hathaway's act last night had already made him slightly vigilant. People were complex and couldn't withstand testing. Hathaway indeed had deep feelings for him.
But this woman... she was like a clever yet extremely conceited gambling dog. This was not good, so right now Li Wei was already preparing to step in and pull her out at some point.
Which is to say, small skirmishes were fine, as he was there to cover the bottom line; otherwise, he could only let you free-fall.
Now, what came next was the once-in-a-millennium Empire Reconstruction Mission. This was a large piece of fat meat, and also represented countless opportunities and risks. A slight carelessness would result in crushed bones and a shattered body. In front of the three major Kingdoms, and in front of the Neanderthal Giant Crocodile Tribe, Night Owl was a tiny ant. Yet Hathaway actually dared to shamelessly boast about wanting to be the captain?
Completely ignorant of what true danger was.
"What 'one piece per person', I need at least three pieces to cultivate medicinal herbs. I'll give the remaining two pieces to you, Hathaway. This item can aid you in researching Sequence Three Fire Magic."
Second Aunt clamored, being even more Carefree and Thoughtless, or perhaps more innocent?
This was an old woman who was extreme and willful for a lifetime. But once she decided to be good to someone, she truly poured her heart and soul out. Back then, Night Owl didn't use her any less like this, right? But in the end she still didn't know to learn her lesson.
Li Wei soundlessly smiled. Even if his current Perception was only 9.5, the upper limit was placed right here. What matter could be hidden from him, this top-tier Scout?
"Alright! However, Li Wei, are you sure it's really just these five pieces?" Hathaway was slightly suspicious, but Li Wei only snorted disdainfully, too lazy to even explain.
"Alright, I was wrong hubby!" Hathaway happily offered a hug, then hurriedly returned to her own Mage Tower to go research. The normal value of these two Fire Crystals might be very high, but not to the point of being outrageous. In the hands of a Second-Tier Caster like Hathaway, however, they could comprehend very important Sequence Magic through researching the stable magical structure inside the Fire Crystal. As long as she comprehended it thoroughly, this thing would have no value to her anymore.
So actually, one piece was enough.
Next, Second Aunt also began to busy herself with her stall of matters. In the past year, she had accepted many orders for preparing Magic Potions from Night Owl. She was very busy now, but also earned very comfortably.
She once should have had a Five-Star Apothecary Card, but following her death and it dropping, she even lost her Apothecary Aptitude completely.
This time, she actually washed away a Five-Star Card Li Wei had previously given her, Binding Activated an Apothecary Card again, and within a year or so of time, re-farmed her Apothecary Aptitude back to 68! This was enough to prove she truly had talent in this area.
However, this was also absolutely inseparable from Night Owl's support.
There was also Hathaway's Magic Crest business.
In the past year, the gross domestic product within Li Wei's Territory increased by 300% compared to the previous year. The treasury's income increased massively. All of this was related to Night Owl ah! Economic binding—this was an Open Scheme.
So this Lady Night Owl truly thought highly of him. Was this hoping to pull him back in again, to assist her in seizing the position of Duchess of Thorns?
He could only say this kind of roundabout hunting was quite badass.
"However, does Night Owl herself know the specific information regarding this Three-Kingdom Hegemony Competition and Lord Hegemony Competition?"
A thought flashed through Li Wei's mind. Night Owl was very badass, but nowadays she was only an 88-year-old Fourth-Circle Legendary Mage.
But His Majesty the King, and even the three major Dukes, those were all Epic-tier existences who had lived for over a thousand years. Maybe His Majesty the King was already Immortal... stop, don't think blindly.
Of course Night Owl wouldn't target His Majesty the King; that was rebelling.
That His Majesty the King naturally also wouldn't deliberately target Night Owl; that was a Lord of his own Kingdom, the source of Taxes. Under this red line of basic Humanistic Care, at the very least appearances had to be maintained.
But, the King also had Princesses and Princes. The Dukes also had children, grandchildren, direct descendants, and trusted aides.
Was Night Owl considered Duke Will's trusted aide?
This was a question!
If she was, Li Wei truly wouldn't mind being Night Owl's underling once again. What was wrong with hugging her thigh? It wasn't shameful, nor did it lower his status.
His only fear was that the King and the Dukes had already reached a consensus, one radish for one pit. What if the position Duke Will left for Night Owl was merely a Marquis with actual power?
"Li Wei, what are you thinking?"
Within the Mage Tower, Li Yue's voice interrupted Li Wei's thoughts.
"I'm not thinking about anything. I just feel this place is especially safe."
Li Wei bared his teeth in a smile. Just now Li Yue had activated a 5-Star Heaven-Veiling Card, which was why he rapidly let his imagination run wild here. Otherwise, he wouldn't think about these things, not a single bit. He was afraid of his mind being read. Although it might not necessarily be that severe; he was just a Flame Viscount who had risen a bit quickly. Within the Locke Kingdom, he also wasn't very outstanding, and his foundation was even further from sufficient.
Hearing these words, Li Yue smiled slightly. Her gaze was like a calm lake, as if completely guessing Li Wei's thoughts.
"Li Wei, come out for a walk with me."
"Alright."
Li Wei also wasn't surprised. He saw it just now when Li Yue activated the 5-Star Heaven-Veiling Card; she did it deliberately. Was it really necessary for such a small matter?
But if Li Yue had something she wanted to say to him, then it made sense.
The two walked out of the Mage Tower shoulder to shoulder. Outside, the sunlight was bright and beautiful, with green mountains and clear waters. What a scene of peace and tranquility!
Neither of them spoke. Just like this, they strolled out for quite a distance. Only when they walked all the way to the southern riverbank did Li Yue leisurely say: "Li Wei, is being a Lord especially exhausting?"
"Why would you say that? You were a Lord in the past, and now you are also a Baron, yet you come to ask me?"
Li Wei deliberately joked.
Hearing this, Li Yue suddenly stopped her footsteps, turning around and looking up. Her gaze was reserved and calm, just like a deep lake reflecting everything. But for some reason, it seemed Li Wei was the center of all this, reflecting only for him alone...
Speaking of this kind of gaze, even though he styled himself as a wheel-general [experienced veteran], he found it a bit too much to bear. However, in the blink of an eye, Li Yue's gaze returned to normal, as if it was an illusion.
At this time, she took out an item and handed it to Li Wei. It was unexpectedly a Gold-quality Clearance Token!
"This is what I obtained from slaying the Neanderthal Chiliarch earlier, consider it a gift to you. Hasn't your Farmer Card already become a Life-Bound Card? Although theoretically you can also use Silver Tokens to Upgrade, it's best to use Gold Command Tokens. In the future, for your other Profession Cards going from four-star to five-star, it's best to use Gold Command Tokens. This helps to condense more Origin Particles. I think you should understand what I am saying."
Li Wei nodded. Indeed, this was an important reason why he temporarily halted upgrading the Five-Star Farmer Card previously.
So he also didn't stand on any ceremony, directly accepting it. Between him and Li Yue, there was no need for formalities.
But next, he asked a solemn question: "Aunt Yue, to tell the truth, three months ago if it weren't for Night Owl, could you have taken the head of a Neanderthal Chiliarch from amidst an army of ten thousand?"
Hearing these words, a ripple flashed in Li Yue's eyes. "You've guessed it all?"
Li Wei bared his teeth in a smile. "I'm not stupid either. I just returned, and Hathaway pulled that act. Furthermore, in the past year, the Blazing Territory's gross domestic product growth rate reached 300%. The economic and trade exchanges with Night Owl's territory involved multiple industries. Nowadays, Night Owl's territory has already become the Blazing Territory's largest economic and trade cooperative partner. These data are laid out right here!"
"Does that Lady Night Owl want to tie me onto her War Chariot?"
"Nowadays Hathaway has this thought, and Second Aunt also feels it's very good. Are you also coming to be this Negotiator now?"
Li Yue neither denied nor admitted it, only calmly speaking.
"Being in the game, one has to be convinced. Night Owl's grasp and manipulation of the human heart has always been this formidable. Her hunting of you actually started plotting and laying out several years ago. She has told me more than once before that giving up on you was the greatest mistake she ever committed. The past favors were used up; wanting to pull you back again would require paying a ten-fold or hundred-fold price. But she still thinks highly of you. She hopes you can assist her in seizing the position of Duchess of Thorns."
"However, if you are willing to give up all of this and go be a Mercenary, I will also follow you, as long as you don't disdain me."
"To tell the truth, being a Mercenary wouldn't have so many worries."
(End of Chapter)