420: Foolish Master Mike

Shang Wan Ning looked confused. "Act what?"

"Your ability to play dumb is also top-notch." Therese gave a soft scoff, though there wasn't much blame in her tone.

"I'm treating tonight." She changed the subject. "If it weren't for you, this mission couldn't have been completed."

"Great! Miss Therese."

The two walked through the bustling streets and arrived at a tavern named "Sculpted Wood."

It was much quieter than the Broken Axe Tavern; dried herbs hung on the wooden walls, and the scent of stewed meat drifted through the air.

Therese ordered two portions of stewed meat and ale, then sat down in a corner.

She rubbed her back, which was still throbbing with a dull pain.

"Are you sure your injury is alright?"

"I'm used to it."

Therese took a sip of ale. "In our line of work, who doesn't have a few old wounds?"

She set down her glass and looked directly at the young priestess. "There are no outsiders now, can you tell me the truth?"

"Who exactly are you?"

Shang Wan Ning held her glass, her eyes as pure as a newborn fawn's. "I'm just an ordinary first-rank priestess."

"An ordinary first-rank priestess would notice moonlight grass buried under turf in that situation?" Therese raised an eyebrow. "An ordinary first-rank priestess would be that calm?"

Shang Wan Ning lowered her head.

"My father was a naturalist, and he often took me into the wilderness when I was a child. He said that the more dangerous the situation, the more one needs to observe calmly."

This explanation was reasonable, and although Therese still had doubts, she couldn't press further.

"And what about you?"

Shang Wan Ning looked up, turning the tables. "A Half-Elf with archery talent rare even among pure-blooded Blood Elves, why would you be working as an adventurer in this small town?"

Therese's expression stiffened. After a long moment, she said in a muffled voice, "Everyone has a past they don't want to talk about."

"That's true." Shang Wan Ning smiled.

"So, isn't it better if we keep some secrets from each other?"

The two smiled at each other, and a certain tacit understanding flowed through the air.

"So, little Nicole, what are your plans for the future?"

Shang Wan Ning looked at the flow of people outside the window. "Continue traveling, I suppose. I want to see the world."

Therese swirled the clay cup in her hand, the ale foam sliding down the rim. "Do you need a partner?" she asked suddenly. "My archery is quite good, and I'm familiar with various parts of the continent."

Shang Wan Ning turned her head, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Didn't you think I was a burden?"

"That was before." Therese admitted frankly, her emerald eyes reflecting the candlelight. "But I've changed my mind now. Miss Priestess is much more useful than she looks."

"My honor, Miss Therese."

At that moment, the tavern's wooden door was pushed open with a "clang."

Mike swaggered in with Geton and two other lackeys, his velvet mage robe particularly eye-catching in the dim light.

"Yo, isn't this our 'half-baked' sharpshooter?" Mike walked straight to their table, his gaze sweeping over Therese; the look was so slimy it made one uncomfortable.

"Eating such meager food? It seems the reward for the moonlight grass mission wasn't enough to spend."

Therese gripped her glass tightly.

Shang Wan Ning looked up and spoke timidly. "Mr. Mike, we are currently eating..."

"Shut up, it's not your place to speak here." Mike interrupted her, his eyes still locked firmly on Therese. "I heard you completed the moonlight grass mission?"

"Lucky you. However..." He drew out the tone, pulled a piece of parchment from his robes, and slapped it onto the table.

"Do you recognize this?"

The parchment bore the Morris family crest, and its content was a grant of mining rights for the abandoned mine north of Chisong Town, with Mike as the holder.

"The mine is under my jurisdiction now." Mike lifted his chin triumphantly. "Without my permission, no one can enter. Your private plot for magical plants is ruined."

The tavern suddenly quieted down, and other guests pricked up their ears.

Therese stood up abruptly. "The mine is a public area of the town, on what grounds do you..."

"On these grounds." Mike flicked the parchment.

"My brother-in-law just approved it. What, you're not convinced?" He stepped forward and lowered his voice. "You know, Therese, as long as you beg me, everything can be worked out."

Geton let out a lewd laugh from the side.

Shang Wan Ning gently set down her wooden spoon.

She noticed some faint gray powder on the hem of Mike's robe; it was fluorescent mineral dust found only in the deepest parts of the mine.

"Mr. Mike," she said softly, "have you been to the mine today? Your robe is covered in dust."

Mike was stunned and instinctively patted the hem of his robe. "What nonsense are you spouting? How could I possibly go to such a place..."

He stopped mid-sentence, his expression turning ugly.

Shang Wan Ning continued in an innocent tone. "This kind of gray powder is only found in the fluorescent mineral veins at the very depths of the mine. If you haven't been there, how did it get on you?"

Whispers broke out in the tavern.

"Young Master Mike really went to the mine?"

"Isn't he the type who hates dirty places the most?"

Mike's face turned beet red. "You, what are you guessing blindly! This could have been picked up somewhere else..."

"That's not right." Shang Wan Ning tilted her head. "Fluorescent mineral dust glows when it encounters magic power. Look—"

She tapped her finger lightly, and the powder on the hem of Mike's robe suddenly shimmered with a faint light.

Even Geton was stunned. "Young Master, did you really go?"

Mike shoved Geton aside and pointed at Shang Wan Ning in a fit of rage. "What trick did you play?"

"I just used an Illumination spell." Shang Wan Ning shrank her neck, appearing terrified.

"The book said that fluorescent mineral dust glows when it encounters magic power... I, I just wanted to verify it."

Someone in the tavern couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Therese looked at Shang Wan Ning in surprise, a flash of deep thought in her emerald eyes.

Mike was trembling with rage, and an earthy-yellow light began to condense at the tip of his staff. "You two bitches, I'll have to teach you a lesson today..."

"Young Master Mike." The tavern owner walked over quickly, his face serious. "According to the kingdom's laws, blocking a public mine without authorization is subject to a fine. I'm afraid your mining rights document must be approved by the Town Hall first."

Mike's staff froze in mid-air.

The owner continued, "Would you like me to go invite the Mayor to verify it right now?"

Mike glared viciously at Shang Wan Ning, and the light on his staff gradually faded.

He turned his head and gave Therese a meaningful smile. "We will meet again, Half-Elf. When you have nowhere else to turn, remember to come find me."

He rushed out of the tavern with his lackeys, looking dejected, and the tavern erupted into boisterous laughter.