Chapter 1186: Mountain path
Translator: Legge
After Ren Xiaosu’s attack on Winston City, Wang Wenyan disappeared somewhere.
He completely concealed his whereabouts instead of reappearing after Ren Xiaosu left.
Wang Wenyan did not tell Ren Xiaosu the truth. He said he had come alone, but he could not have driven dozens of trucks to the Kingdom of Sorcerers by himself.
Therefore, the Wang Consortium’s troops who came to the Kingdom of Sorcerers with him were still around. They would serve as instructors to the House of Berkeley and guide the Knights of the Inferno to complete their military modernization.
Another section of Winston City’s walls had collapsed, but the House of Berkeley’s reaction this time was very unusual. They did not go after the enemy and instead began a new round of internal reshuffling.
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The Berkeley family’s patriarch ordered that from today onwards, all sorcerers of the clan must put on their armor at all times and fight alongside the Knights of the Inferno.
Every six sorcerers would form a group and join the Knights of the Inferno.
This arrangement was not to increase the combat strength of the Knights of the Inferno. Its main purpose was to keep the sorcerers hidden among the knights to prevent anyone from carrying out a targeted strike on them.
Ren Xiaosu’s appearance had rung alarm bells for the Berkeley family’s patriarch and made him understand something. So there was really someone in the world who could take on sorcerers very easily.
The entire combat system of the Magi was simply too vulnerable in the face of the other party.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch also understood that the young man named Ren Xiaosu was trying to make use of the civil war in the Kingdom of Sorcerers to weaken the power of the Magi.
This humiliated him a little. It was one thing for him to initiate a war, but it was another thing for him to be forced to start one.
But what made him feel the most helpless was that he really could not stop.
Sure, the Berkeley family’s patriarch could send someone to approach the Houses of Norman and Tudor and tell them, “Stop fighting. A really terrifying enemy has arrived in the Kingdom of Sorcerers. If we continue fighting, we’ll only benefit outsiders. Look, our House of Berkeley was nearly wiped out overnight.”
But would those two clans believe him? Like hell they would!
Just like the Berkeley family’s patriarch himself, if he had not seen how ferocious Ren Xiaosu was, he wouldn’t have believed Wang Wenyan’s words either.
Moreover, the machinery of war had already been set in motion. The Knights of Tudor and Knights of Radiance had already set off for the south. Who knew if what the House of Berkeley claimed was just a conspiracy?
“Your House of Berkeley started the war and even killed Archmage Kayle of the Tudor family. And now, you’re saying that you want to stop fighting? Dream on!”
Therefore, all the Berkeley family’s patriarch could do now was to hurry up and prepare for battle. Then he prayed that things would really turn out as Wang Wenyan had hoped—that Ren Xiaosu would be the one to deal with the Houses of Tudor and Norman.
At dawn, Ren Xiaosu returned to where Mel and the others had set up camp.
Everyone had woken up early. When they saw Ren Xiaosu, they asked anxiously, “Why did you only just get back? Is everything alright?”
Ren Xiaosu shook his head and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, the Berkeley family’s fine. I held back.”
When Qian Weining and the others heard him say that, they were shocked. What kind of logic was that?
Nearby, Mel rebuked, “I’m asking if you’re alright.”
“All the more then.” Ren Xiaosu turned to look at Qian Weining. “According to the plan, are we going to look for the Norman family?”
“Yes, sir.” Qian Weining said respectfully, “According to intel, the Knights of Radiance and the Knights of Tudor have set off on separate routes. At this moment, the Tudors are heading south via the East Route while the Normans are heading south via the West Route. Should we head towards the House of Norman or take a detour?”
“Eh?” Ren Xiaosu looked at Qian Weining with a faint smile. “It looks like you learned something last night. You’re aware that I’m not from the Norman family?”
Qian Weining hurriedly lowered his head even lower. “Mhm, but I’ve already pledged my loyalty to you. To us knights, as long as you don’t betray us, we’ll serve you loyally for the rest of our lives.”
It was no secret that Ren Xiaosu was from the Central Plains. On top of that, Li Chengguo and Liu Ting, those two big-mouthed sheeple, were also traveling with the group, so Qian Weining did not even need to deliberately pry for more information.
Therefore, since Ren Xiaosu was from the Central Plains, he must have nothing to do with the Norman family.
When Qian Weining first found out about this, he felt that he had been deceived. However, Melgor told him last night, “There’s no need to dwell on it. Perhaps you’ll get a greater surprise following Ren Xiaosu than the House of Norman.”
Mel was already firmly committed to the Prosperous Northwest’s cause. He even helped Ren Xiaosu to assure others.
Ren Xiaosu looked at Qian Weining and said, “Have you already found out what my intentions are?”
“Sir, of course you’re thinking of sitting back and letting the tigers fight among themselves. That’s most in line with your situation.” Qian Weining said respectfully, “After this civil war, the Kingdom of Sorcerers should not be able to invade Fortress 178 for the next 20 years.”
“That’s not enough.” Ren Xiaosu shook his head and said, “20 years does not satisfy my requirement.”
“Then how long do you wish for?” Qian Weining was stunned. He felt it was already a very long-term advantage to gain 20 years on an opponent.
Ren Xiaosu answered, “I’m hoping it’ll be forever.”
This goal might be a little unrealistic, but he had to aim for it to be able to make any progress towards it.
“But I still have something else to do first.” Ren Xiaosu thought for a moment and said, “So I can’t be in a hurry and get involved in this war for the time being.”
“Sir, what are your plans?” Qian Weining asked.
“We’ll avoid the knights of the Norman and the Tudor families that are heading south.” Ren Xiaosu said, “Let them fight on the battlefield in the south for a while first. Meanwhile, we’ll head straight for Ghent City!”
The clue pointing to Russell’s descendants had already appeared. Ren Xiaosu was anxious to find out about his own background. Based on the quest progression given by the palace, he might be able to learn the truth with this quest in Ghent City.
“Is there a way to bypass their main forces and head north?” Ren Xiaosu asked Qian Weining.
“Yes.” Qian Weining thought for a moment and said, “There’s a mountain path the House of Berkeley discovered some years ago. Although it’s a little remote, it’s enough for the horses to pass through.”
“How did you discover that path?” Ren Xiaosu asked curiously.
Qian Weining said, “We caught some smugglers in the past and found out from them that they used that route to transport goods on their mules to avoid taxation. Later, after the House of Berkeley finished rounding up the smugglers, that path was left deserted.”
“Alright, we’ll take that path then.” Ren Xiaosu said with a smile, “Little Qian, I’ll add all of these to your list of contributions later. When the time comes, you’ll be rewarded accordingly.”
Qian Weining hurriedly lowered his head and thanked Ren Xiaosu. However, he was not in the mood to think about being rewarded right now. He only hoped to survive these chaotic times. Therefore, Ren Xiaosu’s claims of rewarding him did not particularly sound appealing.
At this moment, Ren Xiaosu took out five Eyes of True Sight from the palace. The Eyes of True Sight lay quietly in Ren Xiaosu’s hand and made Qian Weining stare blankly at them.
2
Ren Xiaosu said with a smile, “This is everyone’s future. Motivated now?”