Amidst the commotion before the Tetsui Residence. A cold voice suddenly shouted, it strangely stood out among the crowd of voices that enveloped the area. "I am the one that they are looking for, you need not worry about going towards the City Hall!"
His voice pierced through the figures of the two families as they turned around and fiercely glared at Dan. Sandra and Jacob gripped Dan's clothing from behind. Hiding their faces from their families.
"So you're the kidnapper who took those poor children away from their families?" Galleon Tetsui, the Clan Chief of the Tetsui Clan lifted an eyebrow. His calm, yet terrifying composure made those who observed from the sides endlessly praise him in admiration,
"Woah, Master Galleon really is a good man, to think that a cultivator like him would still bother about us mortals!"
"Yeah, that's the reason why I came to this district, not only are the taxes lower, we're also governed by such a kind clan..."
All sorts of praises flew towards Galleon as Dan mumbled, "As an old man, you're still that pretentious?" He crossed his arms together, the aura of arrogance wafted out from her body. Since his disguise was a young master of a noble clan, he had to keep his appearance and attitude in check.
"What the hell did this young man just said?"
"Brat, say that again and we're gonna make you regret!"
Galleon waved his hand and the commotion from his supporters dissipated. A cold light flashed within his eyes, "Pretentious? Is it my fault that they love me?" Hearing his words, Dan couldn't help but chuckle, "Not only you're pretentious, you're also narcissistic?"
The two families who obviously supported the Clan Chief couldn't help it anymore but speak up, "Enough of this, young man! You better hand over my daughter or else I will report everything to the Town Mayor!"
They clamored around with the intent of reporting Dan's actions to the Town Mayor. Inside the Merchant Town of Kalur. The sole powerhouse, the Town Mayor held most of the authority and his words were the laws. Galleon thought that as a noble, the young man would definitely be intimidated.
However, when he lifted his head to stare at his countenance, all he could see was plain indifferent and disinterest. As if he didn't put the Town Mayor in his eyes. Those who had such eyes only means that either his backing enables him to disregard the Town Mayor's presence. Or he was just plain stupid that he dared to challenge the Town Mayor's authority.
"Young man, I do not know where your Clan is located inside this Empire but I suggest that you do not provoke the Town Mayor's authority. He's someone that the Emperor himself, designated and should not be challenged."
"I don't fucking care, let's go towards the Town Mayor's residence to settle this!" Dan shouted in a domineering manner. Swaying his clothes in the air. He looked like a proud and arrogant manner as both families, along with the Tetsui Clan marched towards the vicinity of the City Hall.
Their entourage gathered the curiosity of the crowd. The two families glanced at Jacob and Sandra, a vicious smile lifted on their faces as they realized that the children looked oppressed and scared, their figures were even trembling. Witnessing the emotions of the children, they would definitely win the case and could possibly obtain a huge sum of money as reparations from this stupid noble.
Jacob and Sandra lifted their heads, Dan instructed them earlier to act like trembling leaves. Though they didn't understand his intentions. They still obeyed and with the help of the acting skills that they obtained by surviving through the merciless slums region. The two families and the Tetsui Clan thoroughly believed that the children were forced by Dan.
The commotion attracted the attention of the guards which called upon the attention of the Town Mayor. Because the Clan Chief of the Tetsui Clan also joined the entourage. The Town Mayor couldn't be absent and soon, a white-bearded old man descended from the skies.
"Just what is going on here, Galleon Tetsui?" His presence terrifying and the aura that surrounded him almost suffocated everyone present. Galleon Tetsui went forward and clasped his hands together, "I am in here before your presence to present a case of both families whose two children were kidnapped by this young man with the noble surname, Ligma."
Galleon's voice echoed throughout the area. His righteous tone struck a chord with the crowd and almost everyone around him glared at Dan who still remained as nonchalant as ever. the Town Mayor glanced at Dan and said, "What is your defense?"
"My defense?" Dan chuckled, "This is my defense!" His figure flashed and suddenly reappeared before the two families, unsheathing his dagger. He moved like a ghost and stabbed everyone in that family to death, amidst the Town Mayor and the Tetsui Clan's presence.
It didn't even take the young man two seconds until all five members present from the two families died on the spot. The crowd hissed in shock and retreated. Their expressions pale in terror while the Tetsui Clan Chief's visage looked as dark as rain clouds.
"You actually dare to do such a thing in the presence of the Town Mayor and Me?!" Galleon's cultivation base wildly rotated, but Dan's figure was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his figure flew towards the skies and disappeared towards the horizon, "I'll make sure to repay this debt, Galleon!" He announced and Galleon's face looked unsightly and green.
Not only he failed in protecting his people, he also failed in capturing the perpetrator of this event. the Town Mayor stared at Dan's disappearing figure with a dumbfounded expression. But soon, he heaved a sigh and said, "Hear my orders! A detailed sketch of that young man should be posted in all gates of this Town! Put up a bounty of a thousand gold coins! Let's see where that bastard could hide!" The cold air that surrounded the Town Mayor indicated his anger as literally everyone in the City Hall got to work.
The Tetsui Clan Chief offered his thanks towards the Clan Chief and was about to bring the terrified children under his custody when the Town Mayor said, "Leave those children to me, I still need to take their accounts about that presumptuous young man..."
The Clan Chief nodded his head in response and he could only return empty-handed and humiliated.
Inside a certain room in the City Hall. The Town Mayor glanced at Jacob and Sandra who looked pale and fidgety as he said, "What is your master's plan?" Their expressions flickered, before they said, "I don't quite understand, Senior's question..." Sandra replied in a hushed tone,
The Town Mayor chuckled, "It's fine, you need not hide his identity from me. I felt the aura of the Authority Token that I bestowed upon him on his body so I am sure that he's the one that I collaborated with..."
His words lowered the guards of the children as the three of them started their conversation.
Somewhere inside the Merchant Town of Kalur. Dan's figure changed into a youngster whose skin looked fair and supple. His eyes as deep as the abyss and his eyebrows looked sharp like swords. Walking towards the direction of the Tetsui Clan, he casually bought some street foods and munched on it as he walked around and observed the area.
Inside the Tetsui Clan Residence, Leona Tetsui could be seen with a dark expression on her face. The incident that happened several days ago made a mark in her mind. After all, her close confidant Mike lost his life. Ever since then, she swore to find that bastard and even created an enormous sum of bounty, worth several thousands of gold coins just to find his traces. But unfortunately, nothing was found about him.
Even the Adventurer's Guild couldn't trace back his origins.
These findings made her indignant and annoyed as she madly trained inside her residence. Now, since it was noon. It was time for her to eat some lunch as she went outside and brought with her Claire, her loyal maidservant.
Claire possessed vast knowledge when it comes to the good food inside this Merchant Town. Leona craved for some street food so the former brought her towards the nearby stalls as they joyfully ate their breakfast. If one didn't know anything about Leona.
They would find it hard to believe that such a sweet looking young woman was a demonic cultivator. The smile on Leona's face became the spring breeze which soothed everyone's exhaustion. She was in the midst of a congee when she saw a young man whose appearance indicated his noble attitude.
Right now, that young man was haggling with a stall owner in an effort to reduce the price of his item.
"Boss, can I just take this fan for about ten copper coins?"
"No, we can't do that young man, I paid fourteen copper coins for that, My last price is twenty copper coins, at least give me some profits..." The stall owner realized from the young man's confused and bewildered expression as he toured the area that he was definitely a tourist and knew nothing about the prices in this Town.
Claire noticed Leona's line of sight as she said in a teasing tone, "Young Mistress, could it be that you took a fancy with that noble? His looks are top notch, but since we don't know much about him, I can't really judge," She pouted when she realized that Leona wasn't even listening to her. Instead, the latter stood up and said,
"Boss, the market price for that bamboo pan is just fifteen copper coins, don't take advantage of him just because he's a tourist," She said and the stall owner glanced at Dan with an awkward expression before saying, "Since the Young Mistress has revealed my modus, just take that for fifteen copper coins," He gave a dry chuckle as Dan clasped his hands together in respect and paid the fifteen copper coins.
Now, with the fan, he thoroughly looked like a cool and ethereal young master that descended from the heavens. His pure-white robe decorated with gold trimmings gave him a vibe of royalty which fluttered the young heart of Leona.
"Miss, it looks like you're quite knowledgeable in this area, mind if you guide this humble one, around?" Dan said and inwardly sneered, 'It seems like my skills as the hundred waifu conqueror is still applicable in this world,'
Leona shyly nodded her head and the two toured around the area. Since Claire felt like she may become a third-wheel, she made some excuses and escaped, Leona, stomped her foot on the ground in embarrassment. The cold and ruthless demonic cultivator known as Leona became like a young woman in the presence of Dan's coercion and manipulating words.
"So, Miss' family is one of the owners of this region? It seems like I'm quite lucky to meet you amidst my tour," Dan chuckled, his laugh, paired with his innate cold countenance created a rare picturesque scene which rocked the young woman's heart into full throttle.
At first, she felt quite suspicious about his origins, but after Dan flashed the token of the Paradyne Academy in the mainland, she thoroughly believed that Dan was a Disciple of that Academy that was on vacation in this small Merchant Town.
With the Paradyne Academy on his back, Leona wouldn't dare to do anything towards him and the two could talk towards each other in an equal stance.
Soon, the veil of the night arrived. Leona and Dan sat beside each other on a wooden bench near a famous establishment that sold delicious pastries. The former wanted to pay first, but after Dan said that he couldn't bear to have someone as beautiful as her pay what he was going to eat. The former obliged and the latter displayed his financial prowess, buying the most expensive and sophisticated dish for the two of them.
Leona's mood rocketed towards the ceiling. And her favorability towards Dan soared towards the skies. The so-called Rainbow Bread before her was something that she desperately wanted to eat. But because it was priced at five hundred gold coins per piece. She could only stare at it in desire.
But now, with Dan's help, she could take a bite and savor the flavors hidden within the Rainbow Bread. This fact alone made the young man beside her, closer in her heart. She was a young woman that valued strength, along with wealth greater than attitude or character.
As long as she could live without worrying for food or being looked down by someone. She was happy and she would do whatever she could so that she could attain such prowess. And with the young man beside her that not only possessed strength, but also wealth and status. Why would she let her go?
She emphasized her sex appeal and started to unbutton her clothes in an excuse that it was getting warm. Dan looked fidgety and turned his gaze away. Her display of embarrassment made Leona confident as she clung to his arms.
The two walked away from the crowd amidst the envious gazes of everyone in the scene. Before the gates of the Tetsui Residence, Leona reluctantly glanced at Dan. "Even though we just met today, I don't know why but I felt a sense of connection between us, Miss..." Dan raised both of his arms and mumbled in a small voice, "If possible, can I still meet you tomorrow?"
Leona's expression shook. Dan's hands on her shoulders transformed into a hot iron which melted her heart and her mind. Her expression turned somewhat glazed as she said, "We can do that, but my father is also here tomorrow, is that okay for you?"
Dan lightly chuckled and lovingly ruffled her hair, "It's fine, do you really think that I would be afraid of your father? Why would I be afraid of him when I have you to protect me?" Leona pinched his waist, "You jest," She gave a light laugh and before she said her temporary farewell, she pecked his cheeks and said, "You better come back tomorrow, okay?"
"I will, I will," Dan nodded his head and when he let go of her shoulders, his reluctant and disappointed expression made a sweet impression in Leona's heart.
Entering her residence, the maiden made a final wave in the air as Dan also turned around and walked towards the Inn that he rented,
"Really, It seems like the knowledge and wisdom that I gathered from playing those dating simulations still works in this world," He shook his head and a cold smile lifted on his lips, "With this, the second phase of my plan is considered as complete..."