Chapter 124: Chance Encounter
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Two days later, Anfey and the group arrived at White Mountain City. Geographically, White Mountain City was as important as Blackwater City. However, the latter was much older, and much larger. Both cities, however, had tattered city walls. It seemed like none of the mercenary groups cared much about fixing the walls.
In order to get a better view of the city, Anfey decided to ride on a horse instead of staying inside the carriage.
The atmosphere around the city was tense. There were around thirty officers inspecting passing carriages and people. Tiger of Tawau mercenary group ruled Blackwater City, and that was where the group’s base was located. It was easy for them to control Blackwater City, but White Mountain City was another matter. Anfey knew that the inspectors would be a great advantage to whoever controlled them. He observed them carefully, trying to find something useful.
A black carriage came out of the gate. Suddenly Anfey felt someone’s gaze on him. He was very sensitive to people gazing at him. Even if someone was observing him in secret, he could still tell. Anfey looked around to find the source, but then the pressure suddenly disappeared, and he could only see the slight swaying of a carriage’s curtains. Anfey narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze towards the front. When the carriage was a few feet away from him, his horse suddenly whined loudly and dashed towards the carriage.
The driver reacted quickly. He called out loudly and pulled on his horses. Anfey’s horse ran into the carriage’s horses, causing a commotion among them. When his horse fell to the ground, he was already standing on the road, unharmed.
It took the driver a while to calm his horses down. He turned and yelled, "Do you even know how to ride? Did you want to die?"
"Do you know how to drive? Do you want to kill me?" Anfey called back. He took a step forward and grabbed the carriage driver’s shirt. It seemed like he was ready for a fight.
A blood vessel was pulsing violent on the driver’s neck. He had never met anyone as unreasonable as the man in front of him. If it wasn’t for Anfey’s horse, none of this would have happened. The driver raised his whip and was going to strike him.
The inspectors glanced their way but did not intervene. They were mercenaries, and conflicts like that were nothing new to them. They all had tempers. If they tried to resolve every conflict, there would be no time for anything else. As long as no one was hurt, they wouldn’t do anything about it.
"I apologize," a soft voice said. A pale, plump hand pulled the curtains open. A young woman in her mid-twenties stepped out of the carriage. "Sir, it is our fault."
The driver's hand fell to his side. He stared at the woman in shock. It seemed like he could not understand why his master was apologizing.
Anfey snorted and pushed the driver. The driver was staring, and almost fell over the other side of the carriage. He stared at Anfey angrily and was about to lunge at him.
The woman coughed softly.
The driver’s body froze, and he sat back into his seat. He was still staring at Anfey, enraged.
"Are you hurt?" the woman asked softly.
"No, but I am spooked!" Anfey said. "Didn't you see? I almost fell into the horses!"
"That is not the way a gentleman talks to a lady, sir."
Anfey hesitated. The woman was dressed lavishly. Her face was covered with makeup, but her eyes and lips were not made up. Her black dress showed half of her chest and a slight cleavage. Dresses like this left things to the imagination. If she showed more skin, she could be called immoral, and if she covered up more skin she could be called a prude.
Anfey’s eyes landed on her chest and darted away. "So-sorry," he said, blushing. "I was too loud."
"It is alright," the woman said. She fished out two silver coins and handed them to him. "Sir, why don’t you take this money and go buy a drink or two?"
"No, no," he said, "that’s won’t be necessary."
"Do please take it," the woman said. She took his hand and placed the coins on his palm. Her fingers purposely brushed against his palm.
Anfey blushed and took the coins.
Vonmerge was worried that something was wrong and ran over, calling Anfey’s name. The horse hobbled after Vonmerge.
"Sorry for the distraction, ma’am," Anfey said.
"Don't worry about it," the woman said. "I hope we meet again."
"Of course, of course," Anfey nodded.
Anfey smiled as he watched the carriage drive away. He walked to the carriage in which Black Eleven was riding. "What happened?" Black Eleven asked.
"Did you see that carriage?"
"Yes."
"You should have people in White Mountain City. Look for that carriage’s owner."
"Alright," Black Eleven said, nodding. "What happened?"
"Someone was watching me," Anfey said. "For people here, I am just a normal stranger. Plus, I’m not as handsome as Christian. There was no reason for anyone to be staring."
"Just that?" Black Eleven asked. "Are you a little too sensitive? You may not be as handsome as Christian, but you aren’t bad looking, either."
"I didn't know you know how to make a joke," Anfey said softly. "I caused a commotion on purpose just then. I was hoping whoever was in the carriage would come out and see what had happened."
"Didn’t you?"
"No. There was someone else in there," Anfey said. "Don’t you think it’s weird? I caused everything on purpose, but they were trying to resolve the matter without a huge conflict. She gave me two silver coins. If someone provoked me like that, I would beat them up for sure. I have nothing to hide. I am not afraid of anyone."
"When you put it like that, it does seems weird," Black Eleven admitted.
"There’s a saying where I come from: When you treat someone nicely when you don’t have to, you must have something you want. When you’re trying to stay low when you should not, you have a reason to do so," Anfey shrugged and told Black Eleven. "Your men had nothing better to do anyway. If it was because I was too suspicious, so be it. Better safe than sorry, eh?"
"I'm afraid even the lord general isn’t as paranoid as you," Black Eleven said, shaking his head.
In the carriage driving the other way, another conversation was taking place.
"Eddie, you're so careful lately. Did a village boy like that scare you?"
"Village boy?" the blond youth said coldly. "If you had forgotten, that was Anfey."
"So?"
"Don’t forget. He was the one who killed Black Ghost. Don’t underestimate him," Eddie said, frowning. "I think we might have made a mistake."
"What is it?" the woman asked.
Eddie frowned and thought about the encounter. "Our attitude," Eddie said, sighing. "A long time ago, I met him once. At Tumen Commercial Union. He was with Saul and Ernest then. There was no way he would have recognized me. I should have confronted him."
"You told me to keep him away."
"I know. It was my fault. I never thought he would be in White Mountain City. I subconsciously wanted to avoid conflict with him and raise alarms. I’ve made a mistake." Eddie shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"You’re saying he was provoking us?" The woman asked, smiling. "Eddie, you’re thinking too much. He’s not an easily embarrassed boy."
"You’re thinking too little," Eddie said. "Don’t forget, he had Niya with him, and Niya was famous for her beauty."
"Eddie, what are you trying to say?" The smile on the woman’s face disappeared. She looked at Eddie coldly. Eddie’s words were too blunt. Niya was famously beautiful, meaning that if Anfey were interested in women, he would choose Niya and not the woman.
"Sorry, sorry," Eddie said. He smiled bitterly. "I’m disturbed. If my words offend you, I apologize."
"Eddie, even if my lord had ordered me to work with you, you have to remember your place." The apology clearly did not satisfy the woman. Women hate being compared to other women, and Eddie’s words clearly injured the woman’s pride. She stared at Eddie coldly.