Four Split Personalities

In sum, after a brief exchange with Ji Xiaoge, Motan sped up his pace, determined to arrive at the border city located at the far western end of the Spirit Monster Wilderness as quickly as possible. Since the Viper Chamber of Commerce hadn’t moved at all yesterday, if he pushed himself, he should be able to catch up with them in a few hours and meet up with Ji Xiaoge and the others in the city.

Even without a horse, Motan, who constantly used charge and Falcon Strike skills to move, was not slow. He successfully arrived at his destination, [Qiansu Castle], which is situated between the Spirit Monster Wilderness and Caselo Prairie, at Game Time AM12:18 after three hours.

This place was the largest population center within a hundred miles, and although it wasn’t very prosperous compared to the nearly northwestern trade hub of Anka Market, it still had a transient population of nearly ten thousand. Most were caravans carrying various goods, such as those coming from the Manyayuanye Wilderness to the north carrying furs, those selling warhorses from the south of Caselo, those importing luxury goods from the west of Anka Market, and those coming from the Wilderness High Ground to the east to buy and sell grains wholesale. A steady stream of merchants made this otherwise desolate place lively.

Perhaps finding the place profitable and somewhat turbulent, the Gold Coin Commerce Association, Adventurer’s Guild, and Mercenary Guild had all established small bases here to provide convenient services for the passing travelers. Many mercenaries and adventurers of not particularly strong capabilities eagerly marketed themselves, hoping to take on escort jobs and the like, adding even more vitality to the small town.

"Hey, half-dragon dude~"

In the central square, a Dwarf who seemed to emerge from nowhere suddenly grabbed Motan, pointing to the greatsword on his back, "There’s a small Harpy caravan over there that’s planning to sell goods down south. They are recruiting a medium-to-small sized escort, and with my eight brothers and you, we’ll have just enough. It’s a three-day-two-night round trip, the reward is ten Gold Coins with a twenty percent upfront payment. What do you think?"

Motan waved his hand politely declining, "I appreciate your offer, but it’s not something I’m interested in right now. Please find someone else."

"Ha ha, young man, don’t rush to conclusions."

The middle-aged Dwarf patted Motan’s back hard and with a chuckle, he gestured towards the distance, "It’s Harpies we are talking about. You, with your clean and handsome features, if one of them takes a fancy to you, and when the night comes, a bit of drinking, a little... uh?"

Motan’s expression remained smiley as ever, but his right hand gently caught the other’s paw that was stealthily reaching for his coin pouch, and he politely refused again, "Sorry, I’m not interested in being either an escort or an easy mark."

After speaking, he gently increased the pressure on his hand.

The Middle-aged Dwarf immediately broke into a sweat, forcing a smile as he patted the wrist Motan was holding onto, "Young brother, always keep a way open for future encounters."

"You make a good point."

Motan nodded emphatically, smiling, "Then please remember to leave a way open for the real marks too, give them enough for travel and food expenses. After all, it’s not easy for anyone out here."

The Dwarf’s face, once a bright red, was now turning slightly blue. He quickly nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, there are rules in our line of work. I wouldn’t push someone to death without you saying so."

"I hope so."

Motan released the Dwarf’s wrist and bowed slightly, "If you have nothing else, may I be on my way?"

"Take care, take care~"

The Dwarf man chuckled awkwardly a couple of times before turning his back and disappearing into the crowd without looking back.

Meanwhile, Motan noticed that the covert glances in this direction had lessened significantly, surmising that due to his difficult-to-con approach, he wasn’t a suitable target for deception.

"What do you think, aren’t the local customs here quite ’simple’?"

A baritone voice full of presence arose from behind Motan. Jadka came over, patted Motan’s shoulder, and revealed a somewhat forced smile, "Night Song said you were close by, so I volunteered to walk around in case I might bump into you."

Motan chuckled awkwardly, touching his nose in embarrassment, "I honestly didn’t expect you three to catch up."

"It was just a coincidence."

Jadka stroked his white beard, pointing towards a tavern not far away, "Let’s go, everyone’s waiting for you. Dabus and I have been asking Night Song for quite a while now, but that girl insisted on waiting until you were back before she’d talk."

...

Five minutes later

Qiansu Castle central square, second-floor room of the [Lil’ Bucktooth Tavern]

"Moo Wang!"

The moment Motan pushed the door open, the young girl who leaped towards him knocked him to the ground, and it wasn’t until she tried to move closer to lick his cheek that he reacted. He pushed the canine girl’s shoulder, keeping her half a meter away, "Hey, Ya Ya."

"Doesn’t Moo Wang want ’wang’ anymore?"

Ya Ya wrinkled her nose, looking pitiful as she blinked her large eyes, "Why did Moo Wang ’wang’ leave without saying hello?"

"There now, nobody said they didn’t want you." Ji Xiaoge came over, hugging Ya Ya by the waist and pulling her off Motan, and shrugging towards him, "So, what’ll it be? Are we being lenient or strict? Make a decision quickly."

The implication was, I haven’t spoken yet; it’s up to you to decide.

Getting up, Motan looked around the small room filled with several adventurer companions. Aside from the carefree... heartless Ya Ya, whether it was Jadka or Dabus (Anthony, who was drooling in his sleep), they all looked solemn, clearly not pleased with his and Ji Xiaoge’s unannounced departure.