63: Chapter 63 Nighttime Conversation

Looking at the black blood spilling from Lude's mouth, Nie Ning saw that it was caused by poisoning.

"Are people these days so stubborn? How can he just die like that?"

The corner of Nie Ning's mouth twitched slightly.

As the saying goes, a base life is better than a noble death.

As an upright knight, he really hadn't expected the other party to commit suicide.

But since the man was already dead, saying more was useless. This also made Nie Ning even more curious about who was so powerful that they could send out two High-Tier Knights.

Nie Ning searched Lude's body for a while, but apart from a handkerchief wrapped around some coins, there was nothing else to prove his identity.

The handkerchief had an embroidery of a bird resembling a Canary, which didn't look like anything special.

Seeing this, Nie Ning shook his head slightly and sighed to himself.

Without finding the culprit, things would be troublesome; perhaps other assassins would come to hunt down Lilith.

However, Nie Ning felt it was a bit strange.

Lilith was a kind person, and he had never heard of the Hervis Family having any negative news. Why would she provoke a group of such formidable guys for no reason?

And what were they looking for? It seemed it must be something very important.

Returning his gaze to the corpse, Nie Ning found a place to dig a hole and bury it, then left the abandoned building.

...

The next morning.

Just as he returned to the manor, Nie Ning saw many carriages parked nearby, and people from the Guard Hall were patrolling outside the gate.

Nie Ning was stopped by someone as he reached the entrance.

Furthermore, due to his persona as a deaf-mute, Nie Ning was completely unable to explain himself.

Just then, Norma passed by the entrance and saw Nie Ning being pulled back and forth by the Guard.

"Let him in. He is a servant of the manor and has been here for three years."

After Norma explained, she pulled Nie Ning into the manor.

Norma's expression was unpleasant throughout the walk.

No matter how Nie Ning inquired, Norma remained silent, completely unwilling to answer his questions.

However, seeing the tragic state of the manor, although he already knew the cause, he still hurried non-stop to the vicinity of Lilith's room.

At this time, Lilith was standing in the corridor being questioned by a Guard.

Her face was pale; she clearly hadn't recovered from yesterday's experience.

Nie Ning had seen that Guard before—it was the same one who had interrogated him at the hospital.

Although Nie Ning felt a bit guilty, he still put on an anxious expression and stepped forward to ask Lilith if she was injured.

Lilith just shook her head and signaled to Nie Ning with sign language not to worry.

Afterward, Nie Ning accompanied Lilith, intending to investigate what kind of treasure the Hervis Family actually possessed.

However, Lilith seemed to know nothing about it.

As for Matt, he had left Hervais Manor a month ago to conduct business.

...

Evening.

Just as Nie Ning was about to head out, he opened the door to see Norma standing outside.

Norma's eyes were dim, as if something was weighing on her mind.

Nie Ning looked at Norma with some confusion. Shouldn't Norma be accompanying Lilith at this time? What was she doing here at his place?

She couldn't possibly suspect that he was related to the events in the manor, could she?

Norma walked straight into the room, found a chair to sit on, and then asked Nie Ning about his blind date in sign language.

Only then did Nie Ning remember that in order to go deep into the Wantai Forest, he had asked Lilith for leave, and his excuse was naturally a blind date.

After all, he had stayed at the manor for three years, and almost everyone knew he was an orphan with no relatives.

He had already taken a long leave for the trip to Poyi Town last time, which was why he had changed his excuse this time.

Seeing this, Nie Ning could only tell Norma that his blind date failed, using the excuse that the other person didn't like him.

Norma nodded upon hearing this, a strange glint flashing in her eyes.

Norma seemed to just want someone to talk to, as she proceeded to ask about some trivial matters.

As an honest man, Nie Ning had nothing to hide and just went along with Norma's conversation.

But as they spoke, Nie Ning suddenly thought of something, and he brought out the two water cloud vines he had obtained from the Wantai Forest from the kitchen.

Nie Ning asked Norma if they were pretty, saying they were a gift for Lilith.

Norma had already reached the peak of the Mid-level, so she naturally knew about potion-making materials and recognized what they were at a glance.

Norma then began to ask about the source of the water cloud vines.

Nie Ning had already thought of an excuse, using sign language to explain that the water cloud vines were found while he was out on an excursion with his blind date.

As for the location, he claimed they were obtained near a small pond he discovered on the road when he went to Poyi Town.

The reason he brought them out was mainly due to his concern for Lilith's safety.

Lilith did not know the Way of the Knight; if Norma could become stronger, she would be better able to protect Lilith.

Seeing Norma staring at the water cloud vines, Nie Ning took the opportunity to say he would give one to her.

After receiving the water cloud vine, Norma stood up to leave impatiently, but she paused just as she reached the door.

"If only you were a knight too, then there would be someone to accompany me."

Perhaps because she thought Nie Ning couldn't hear, Norma's voice carried a hint of loneliness, and she left the room after speaking.

Looking at Norma's departing back, Nie Ning shook his head slightly.

Having hidden his identity for a long time, he had long since grown accustomed to his current persona and didn't know how to speak up about it.

...

After leaving Hervais Manor, Nie Ning went directly to find Borton at the Agency.

As soon as they met, Borton asked Nie Ning how the trip went and if he was injured.

As an old friend, Nie Ning naturally didn't mind Borton knowing his strength, so he immediately demonstrated the power of a High-Tier Knight to him.

Perhaps for rational reasons, Borton didn't ask Nie Ning why he had advanced to High-Tier, which relieved Nie Ning quite a bit, as it saved him from having to find an excuse to explain.

After all, the silver-colored hundred-flavor fruit was a true treasure; even if such things were rare, knowing about them would cause a lot of trouble.

"Your luck is really good; you became a High-Tier just by going out once."

Borton felt some emotion for a moment.

The fates of different people are truly different. To think he had worked his whole life just to reach Mid-level, yet Nie Ning had already reached High-Tier after returning from one trip.

Comparing oneself to others really is infuriating.

"I brought some local specialties back for you; maybe you'll have a use for them."

Nie Ning took out the remaining water cloud vine and handed it to Borton.

He had obtained five vines previously and used two when eating the silver-colored hundred-flavor fruit.

He had originally intended to give two to Borton, but who knew this matter with the Hervis Family would happen.

Following that, Nie Ning took out some useless beast materials; if sold, they could fetch a good price.

"That's great then."

Borton happily accepted the materials: "Don't worry, I'll definitely get a good price for you."

It had to be said that Nie Ning's increase in strength had benefits for him too; at least it allowed him to earn more than before.

Just like with the Frenzied Giant Bear last time, he took a one-third cut without doing anything, which gave him the chance to advance to Mid-level.

On the other hand, Nie Ning was a cultivation maniac; he rarely mentioned money except for things related to cultivation.

As long as the items were right, the price was negotiable.

...