The qualification competition for the Lan Yin Academy in the Minster Territory has concluded, along with the complete decline of the Minster family and the annulment of their marriage contract with the Norma family.
As the saying goes, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.
The Minster family, now lacking support, faced wave after wave of challenges.
The hidden problems and accumulated issues that had not been apparent before erupted all at once, almost costing the life of Viscount Minster.
To resolve the crisis, Viscount Minster had no choice but to humiliate himself by marrying off his daughter to a noble family he once looked down upon, in exchange for support for the Minster family.
Even the issue of succession was problematic, as the family only had Martha, a female heir, and marrying her off would mean handing over the entire Minster family.
A family with a history of several hundred years was about to be annexed and breathe its last.
However, these matters had nothing to do with Mo Li, who had never been particularly interested in noble affairs unless they involved people related to him.
At this moment, in the Norma residence in the Minster Viscount’s territory.
“Have the location and time been confirmed?”
“Yes, Saisi City.
As for the time, it’s in three days,” Mo Li replied.
“Good, very good,” Norma said, patting Mo Li’s shoulder with satisfaction.
“Then you should set off tomorrow.
I’ll arrange a coachman for you.”
“Uncle Norma,” Mo Li called out to Norma, and when he turned around, Mo Li knelt down and bowed deeply.
“Hey, what are you doing…” Norma was taken aback and then became a bit flustered.
“Don’t do this, get up! How can you give me such a salute?”
“Uncle, even though I’ve been helped by you in a muddled way until now, Mo Li swears that wherever I go in the future, I will never forget your kindness.
If you ever need help, Mo Li will be there for you.” Mo Li didn’t know how to thank people, or rather, words of thanks seemed insignificant compared to the care and help Norma had given him these days.
He would only prove with his actions that he would never forget the kindness of these days.
“Alright, alright, get up.
Didn’t I say that this is my duty, even… calling it a mission wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
You don’t need to be grateful for this,” Norma said with a sigh, helping Mo Li up.
“If you ever have any orders in the future, I will be there for you, no matter the danger.” Unlike those cold and insincere words, Norma’s feelings were genuine and sincere.
Even a cold stone would have melted, and Mo Li, who was used to the warmth and coldness of the world, could especially feel how much Norma expected from him.
“I don’t need you to risk your life for me, nor should you…” Norma looked at Mo Li with a complex expression and sighed deeply.
“Mo Li, since you’ve decided on this path, there’s no room for regret.
You must think it through.
Once you start, there’s no turning back.”
“It’s been too long, and I should return to the Norma Count’s territory.
They can’t do without my management, and you’re about to head to Lan Yin Academy.
With such a distance between us, I won’t be able to help you…”
“Uncle Norma, don’t worry.
I’m not a child anymore, am I?” Mo Li chuckled.
“A fledgling that stays under protection will never grow, and the same goes for people.”
“In three years, no, five years, I will definitely return triumphant… By then, when I have enough strength, Uncle Norma, you won’t hide anything from me, right?”
“When the time is right, of course.
But by then, you won’t need to ask me anything.
Everything will come naturally… Oh, right, this is a gift for you.”
Norma had someone hand three scrolls to Mo Li.
“These are message scrolls.
Once used, you can leave me a message, but there’s a delay.
I can’t receive it immediately, but once I do, I’ll do my best to help you.”
“I understand.”
“I just hope you won’t need to use these three message scrolls,” Norma said with a helpless smile.
“But there shouldn’t be any major issues.
After all, you’re now considered a prospective student of Lan Yin Academy.
With Lan Yin Academy as your protection, no trouble would dare to find you.”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, by the way, Mo Li…” As if he remembered something, Norma leaned in, his expression becoming less serious.
“Lan Yin Academy gathers all the exceptionally talented descendants of noble families, girls with both lineage and strength… you know what I mean, right?”
“Uh, yeah, what’s up?” Seeing Norma’s expression, Mo Li knew this old uncle was about to say something inappropriate again.
“So… go there and find yourself a wife, got it? Oh, and there’s no limit on the number.
You can find as many as you want, as long as you have the ability…”
“Stop, stop, why is the topic turning to this again?” Mo Li was speechless, not understanding why Norma was so keen on setting him up with a partner.
“Oh, oh, don’t like wives? That’s fine, husbands are okay too.
Same thing, find as many as you want, as long as you can handle them…”
“Stop it, stop it!”
What is this all about? How did the topic jump to this? And what’s with the husband thing? No matter what, he would never like men, let alone several…
“Ahem, I’m just joking.
Love is something you have to seriously consider to know what’s suitable.
My point is, don’t take your studies too seriously.
It shouldn’t be your whole life,” Norma said, clearing his throat and changing the subject.
“If you really meet someone you like, don’t hesitate.
Go for it, even if things progress too quickly and you end up with a child, it’s okay.
You have me…”
“Uncle Norma, if you keep saying these things, I really won’t talk to you anymore,” Mo Li said, lowering his head with a hint of grievance.
“Alright, alright, no more jokes… I’ve already prepared your luggage.
I’ve packed everything you might need.
If there’s anything else you need, feel free to add it.”
Pointing to the pile of luggage that was as tall as a mountain, Norma spoke to Mo Li, who was filled with black lines.
“This is more exaggerated than moving house.”
“Don’t you have a space cloak? Taking these with you shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“That’s true, but it will take up a lot of space…”
“Don’t complain.
Most of the things I’ve prepared for you will come in handy.
For example, these loaves of bread.
Don’t underestimate these miscellaneous foods.
They’re compressed food, one piece is worth dozens, very useful,” Norma began to introduce the items he had prepared for Mo Li.
“But they look so unappetizing,” Mo Li said with a face full of regret.
“They don’t look appetizing at all.”
“The appearance is indeed lacking, but they’re very useful.
You can’t always have a maid with you to cook and do laundry when you’re out, and you can’t eat stone slabs and bark.
That wouldn’t be nutritious.
You have a big appetite, and these loaves can fully meet your needs.
If you find the bread too bland, I’ve also prepared bacon, pickled meat, pickled vegetables, and seasonings for you… Hey, hey? Don’t go, I haven’t finished talking yet, you kid.”
Today, Mo Li, who had lived two lives, finally experienced the nagging love of a parent.
Norma seemed to have transformed into a mother, and Mo Li felt that he could even introduce a flower in the way he dressed, full of nonsense like “add clothes when it’s cold, take them off when it’s hot, don’t drink cold water when it’s cold,” just like a mother worried sick about her son before he leaves.
I have to say, when a man nags, women have nothing on them.
Norma’s nagging went on for half an hour, even making Rocco, who was listening nearby, twitch at the corners of his mouth, unable to bear it any longer.
Enduring Norma’s nagging in “mom mode” for half an hour, Mo Li, physically and mentally exhausted, looked at the building gradually submerged in the night.
The orphanage on the outskirts of Fran City, where Mo Li grew up.
Every blade of grass and tree here was so familiar.
Ever since the old drunkard sent him here, until he left after causing trouble, this place had always been his home.
Now, once again, he was leaving this place that could barely be called “home” in his memory, feeling a bit reluctant.
“Brat, standing at the door for so long, are you planning not to come back or what?” A familiar and rough voice came from inside, as the old man from the orphanage grumbled and pushed the door open.
“Old man.”
“If you’re coming in, come in quickly.
If not, get lost,” the old man grunted.
“Forget it, do what you want.
You’re leaving tomorrow anyway, so I won’t lock the door tonight.
Come in if you want!”
“Eh?”
“Don’t look at me with that ‘how do you know’ expression.
Don’t you think what you’ve done is big enough? Now your name is known all over Minster, isn’t it, young master of the count’s illegitimate son?” the old man teased.
“No, I…”
“Alright, it is what it is.
That’s your own business, nothing to do with this half-buried old man, and I’m not interested,” the old man said, going back inside, not forgetting to add, “I’ve already prepared what you need to take with you.
It’s at the door.
Whether you sleep here tonight is up to you.”
“Old man… thank you for taking care of me all these years.”
The old man stopped in his tracks.
“Thank you, my ass.
I should be thanking you for finally getting rid of a troublemaker, freeing me from worrying about you causing trouble every day and getting me involved!”
“You’ve been worried for so many years, but you never kicked me out.”
“…You brat, get lost! I don’t want to see you.” With that, the old man went back inside.
This old man is still so sharp-tongued but soft-hearted…
Returning to his simple little wooden house, everything was so familiar.
Most of the orphans who grew up with him had gone out to find work or do what they could to benefit the orphanage.
Tomorrow morning, he would also leave, leaving Fran City, leaving the Minster Viscount’s territory.
With a heart full of memories, he fell asleep.
The next morning, Mo Li didn’t see the old man.
The carriage to Saisi City was already prepared, waiting at the orphanage’s entrance.
The coachman and a few guards responsible for security were all Norma’s trusted people, absolutely reliable.
“Brother Mo Li, are you leaving?”
“Yes, I’m leaving.” Ruffling the heads of the little brothers and sisters at the orphanage, Mo Li said softly.
“Where’s the old man?”
“The old gentleman went out early this morning, saying he had an appointment…” Little Anna tilted her head, thinking.
“Alright, if he’s not here, he’s not here.” He had planned to say goodbye, but it seemed he wouldn’t have the chance.
“Brother Mo Li, will you come back?”
“Well, of course.
I’m just leaving temporarily.”
“Alright, alright! Mo Li brother, you have to bring us gifts when you come back.”
“Yes, definitely.” After formally saying goodbye to the younger siblings at the orphanage, Mo Li walked to the carriage.
“Master Mo Li, is everything ready?”
“Yes, let’s go, it’s time to set off.” Draping a pure white cloak over himself, Mo Li got into the carriage and looked up at the blazing sun rising in the sky.
The illusions of the past have faded away, and with the new sun, it will be a brand new beginning for him.
In the early morning, a dust-raising carriage departed from the Viscount Minster’s territory, passing by a working farmland.
“I never thought you’d take the initiative to invite me for tea.” Norma sat in the fields, smiling as she held a white porcelain teacup, with the guard Rocco by her side.
“Hmph, it’s nothing, just came to see if you’re dead or not.” Sitting next to him, drinking tea with a displeased face, was the old man from the orphanage.
“I thought you’d never come looking for me in your lifetime…” Norma smiled and took a sip of tea.
“By the way, he’s gone.”
“I knew it long ago.” The old man rolled his eyes at Norma.
“This couldn’t have happened without your ‘help’, Mr. Audley.”
“Ha, you still remember my original surname.” Norma squinted her eyes.
“It’s really nostalgic.”
“…Are you planning to let that kid enter Lan Yin Academy, exposing him under everyone’s eyes?” The old man frowned.
“It’s not me, but he should be like this… Don’t forget Mo Li’s true identity.” Norma put down the teacup.
“Hmph… Then you have a different opinion from that old guy Charles, that old guy originally planned to… eh, forget it, I don’t want to get involved in your matters, I’m retired now, just an old man with nothing but the orphanage to care about! You guys handle Mo Li’s matters yourselves!”
“You’re still the same as before.” Norma smiled.
“What do you mean by the same as before?”
“Just like before, always saying one thing and meaning another.
In this regard, Mo Li is quite like you, no wonder you raised him.”
“Cut it out!” The peaceful countryside was accompanied by a few moments of noise, the greetings of old friends and countless reflections on the passage of time.
Meanwhile, in the capital city of the Papal State, Saint Roland City, the final match had concluded.
“The winner, Her Highness Princess Emilia Arelinde!”
“Congratulations, Your Highness!”
“Long live the Princess!”
Bathed in the envious gazes of the crowd, the cherry-haired princess, dressed in splendid attire, received the championship certificate, the Lan Yin Gold Card, from the referee.
The beautiful cherry-haired princess glanced at the projection displayed on the card, her brows slightly furrowed.
“Lan Yin Academy mentor meeting point: Sesi City?”
Sesi City is located in the heart of the Jones Earl’s territory, a direct city under the Jones Earl, and also the main city of the entire Jones Earl’s territory.
Unlike the ‘country nobles’ of the remote Viscount Minster’s territory, the Jones family is a truly prestigious family, with a certain reputation among the noble classes of the entire Papal State and even many human kingdoms, an upper-class noble family.
Although there is still a certain gap compared to those grand nobles with duke and marquis titles, it barely counts as a relatively mainstream noble.
In contrast, the lord’s direct city Sesi City is naturally much more prosperous than Fran City.
Additionally, the entire Earl’s territory is located in the central heartland of the Papal State, a necessary route for many merchant caravans, economically developed, and the tariffs alone make its lord wealthy, naturally reducing some oppression on the people, making the overall appearance of Sesi City quite decent.
The distance between Viscount Minster’s territory and Jones Earl’s territory is neither too close nor too far, a three-day journey passes in the blink of an eye.
Looking at the city walls rising from the horizon, the closer he got, the more he was shocked by this prosperous town.
In both his past and present life, Mo Li had never been to such a pillar city of the Papal State.
The towering city walls, with a fully armed sentinel inserted every ten meters or so, stood as upright as spears on the city head, making the loose mercenaries of Viscount Minster’s territory pale in comparison.
Having spent his life in the caves of the mountains and forests, never seeing the light of day, his knowledge in this area was relatively short, feeling like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden, everything seemed fresh and full of curiosity.
“Master Mo Li, ahead is the main city of Jones Earl’s territory, Sesi City.
I can only take you this far.
I wish you a safe journey, we should also return to report.”
“The law and order in Jones Earl’s territory is quite good, but Lord Norma still advises you to be cautious and proceed carefully.”
“Yes, thank you all for your escort along the way, please convey my regards to Uncle Norma, tell him everything is going smoothly.”
“Take care, Master Mo Li.” The silent guards bid farewell to Mo Li, and the carriage from Norma Earl’s territory gradually disappeared from Mo Li’s sight.
“Sir, please stop, show your pass.” The guards at the city gate crossed their long spears, blocking Mo Li’s path.
Seeing this, Mo Li took out the pass that Norma had prepared for him from his cloak, a black card with golden patterns.
“My apologies, it turns out you are a distinguished guest from Norma Earl’s territory, please come in.” The two soldiers recognized the extraordinary nature of the pass, slightly bowed, showing respect to Mo Li, and made way for him.
“So this is Sesi City?”
Not only the area of the city, the bustling market, the vibrant streets and alleys, and the citizens’ good spirits, these are all things that Viscount Minster’s territory lacks.
You can tell from the clothing that Sesi City’s economic level is quite good, at least it doesn’t lower the average standard of the Papal State, although most people still have a bit of worry on their faces, muttering complaints about stagnant wages and high prices.
Additionally, the city’s cleaning work is done very well, the tidy streets and orderly facilities give a pleasing feeling.
The most eye-catching are the buildings of Sesi City, large windmills and artificial rivers are everywhere, decorating the city very delicately.
Unlike the shabby old church of Viscount Minster’s territory, the church in Sesi City is built even higher than the lord’s mansion, with a statue of Sera as tall as the church in front, seemingly to show the Jones lord’s piety to the goddess, a huge investment in faith.
However, even if a thatched house becomes a golden brick house, the things living inside won’t change, still the same bunch of charlatans, oh no, clergy.
Perhaps due to past experiences with cultists, Mo Li has no interest in the goddess Sera or anything related to the source religion.
Whether knights, clergy, or the pope, he considers those who constantly talk about the goddess, regardless of their sincerity, to be charlatans, and this won’t change.
Yes, rather than believing in an illusory faith, Mo Li prefers to believe in himself.
“Hey, hey, young man, over here, over here…” Just as Mo Li was considering whether to find an inn to rest, he was called by a man with a sharp face.
“? Sir, are you calling me?” Mo Li pointed to himself.
“Hey! What do you mean sir, I’m only in my thirties! Just look a bit old.”
“Oh, do you need something from me?” Mo Li glanced at him, waiting for his next words.
“Young man, you’re from out of town, right?”
“Oh? How did you know?”
“Hey, I can tell just by looking at you, you’re not a local.
Hey, where are you from? … It’s okay if you don’t want to say, by the way, are you here in Sesi City for tourism?”
“What does that have to do with you?” Mo Li stood with his arms crossed.
“Hey, young brother, that’s not right.
Honestly, you’re lucky to run into me.
If you met someone else, you’d be scammed badly… By the way, where did you get this white cloak? It’s quite nice.”
“Please don’t touch.” Seeing the man reaching out to touch his cloak, Mo Li stepped back slightly, frowning.
This man looked like a monkey, and although you shouldn’t judge by appearances, Mo Li was really afraid this guy would swipe his wallet without him noticing.
“Haha… sorry, sorry.” Seeing his actions had caused Mo Li’s displeasure, the man laughed awkwardly.
“Young man, you’re really lucky to meet me.”
“Why?”
“Hey, you clearly don’t know the market.
Aren’t there plenty of unscrupulous merchants in Sesi City making money off outsiders? You’re lucky to meet me.
If you met those unscrupulous merchants, selling you a fake map at a high price, where would you cry in this unfamiliar place?”
“So, you’re selling maps?”
“Hehe, that’s right, but I’m different from those selling fake maps or deliberately inflating prices.
My maps are from legitimate and reliable sources, absolutely accurate! I have maps of Sesi City and the surrounding areas, absolutely convenient and reliable!” The man patted his chest in assurance.
“But, I’m wondering why I should buy a street vendor’s map when there are legitimate ones available?”
“Hey, hey, young man, you don’t know.
Those legitimate map shop owners are shrewd.
Legitimate maps are usually attached to the ‘Sesi City Travel Guidebook’.
You say, buying a thick and useless book just for a map, isn’t that uneconomical?”
“Yes, that’s true.
How much is your complete map?”
“Affordable! Only four copper coins.” Seeing Mo Li’s interest in buying, the man’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Oh, I see, alright, I bought it.” Mo Li took out his wallet.
“Eh, eh, thank you for your patronage!” The man’s smile froze as he looked at the lone copper coin in his hand.
“Young man, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to buy a map on credit??”
“Huh? Did I give the wrong amount?” Mo Li tilted his head.
“Of course it’s wrong, didn’t we agree on four copper coins??”
“Yes, four copper coins, so a quarter of the map is one copper coin, right? What’s wrong with that?” Mo Li smiled at the man.
“What are you talking about, what do you mean by a quarter of a map?…”
“If not a quarter, then maybe an eighth, or even smaller?” Mo Li shrugged.
“When I come back with your useless partial map, you’ll say, ‘We never agreed that four copper coins would buy a complete map, did we? If you want the full map, it’ll cost extra.’ Isn’t that right?”
“As for what you said about unscrupulous merchants selling fake maps, I don’t think they exist in this city.
Selling fake maps to travelers doesn’t benefit the merchants and constitutes fraud, risking arrest.
Compared to selling fake maps, this legal gray area is more profitable… You said that to make me ignore the map’s completeness and to badmouth your competitors, right?”
“Uh, uh… this…”
The man was speechless, a bit of sweat forming on his forehead.
Did he encounter a fellow merchant??
“So, when I asked to buy a map, I deliberately added, ‘How much for a complete map,’ and you said four copper coins… Sir, you won’t deny that, will you?”
“…These are complete maps, take them.” The man was helpless, encountering a traveler more skilled in deception than a con artist.
Fortunately, such people are rare, and when he meets one, he just accepts it.
“Thanks a lot.” After confirming the map’s completeness, Mo Li added the remaining three copper coins, smiled brightly, and continued towards the city.
This monkey man really came at the right time; he needed a map.
Based on the departure time, today was the day to meet with the mentor.
The mentor from Lan Yin Academy had been waiting at the agreed location for the students.
Last night, Mo Li received the specific meeting place notification.
Saisi City, Central District, south side of Linluo Square, in the Dusty Grand Hotel.
As an assassin skilled in planning escape routes, Mo Li had a strong sense of direction.
He established his coordinates on the map and locked onto his destination.
Saisi City was indeed large; even within the same city, it took Mo Li nearly half an hour to walk quickly to a place not far away.
In Linluo Cross Square stood a statue holding a book.
Mo Li didn’t know who the statue depicted, as he wasn’t interested in theology.
Walking towards the southern street, he soon saw a luxurious hotel, five stories high, made of refined brick and tile.
The hotel was cylindrical, with expensive carpets and wall pads inside, a standard architectural style of the Source Religion country.
Besides, it was astonishingly large, not at all like a hotel.
Maybe this place was built specifically for the enjoyment of noble children.
After repeatedly confirming that this was the meeting place, the Dusty Grand Hotel, Mo Li stepped through the hotel’s door.
“Wait, wait, wait, you, what are you doing? Don’t you know this place is booked today?” Just as Mo Li was about to enter, a waiter dressed as a servant came over to stop him, looking down his nose.
“Oh? I really didn’t know.” Mo Li calmly took out his gold card.
“This card brought me here.”
“Oh, oh! So you’re the champion young master of the regional competition, sorry, I didn’t recognize you, please come in, please come in!” Seeing the gold card in Mo Li’s hand, the waiter’s face instantly changed from cloudy to sunny, a complete 180-degree change.
“Didn’t you just say this hotel was booked today?”
“Yes, yes, according to the young lady who booked it, this is the meeting place for your academy’s freshmen.
Except for mentors and students with gold cards, no one else is allowed in.” The waiter nodded and bowed, looking like a fawning lapdog, probably mistaking Mo Li for a noble.
“Is this officially booked by Lan Yin Academy?”
“Seems not, our boss said it was a young lady.” The waiter didn’t seem to know much about it.
A young lady? Probably one of the classmates, tsk tsk, booking a whole big hotel and barring outsiders, that requires not only wealth but also a kind of leisure from status.
“Alright, I understand, you can go back to work, I won’t disturb you.”
“Eh, young master, please come in, if you need anything, just ask me!” The waiter nodded quickly.
Mo Li began to examine the structure of the hotel’s first floor.
Gilded stairs, red carpet, light yellow silk wall pads, the counter filled with porcelain artworks and lifelike sculptures, the walls covered with oil paintings Mo Li couldn’t name, the hotel decorated like a palace, exuding an upper-class atmosphere that made Mo Li uncomfortable.
“Oh, right, young master, I almost forgot to tell you, most guests are now concentrated on the top and fourth floors.
The first floor is the lobby, the second, third, and fourth floors are guest rooms, and the fifth floor is for banquets.
Most young masters and ladies are having a banquet on the top floor now.” The waiter ran back to add.
“Alright, I understand.”
A banquet? Those young masters and ladies really have a refined interest.
Mo Li had no interest in the playhouse banquets of those rich kids, but since people were concentrated on the fourth and fifth floors, it meant the mentor could only be there.
He glanced at the number on the gold card: written in the language of the Papal State, eighteen.
He was in the eighteenth group, looking for the mentor of the eighteenth group, but he didn’t know who the mentor was.
No choice but to ask around.
Arriving at the top floor, he heard the clinking of glasses and cheerful chatter before he even got there.
Tsk, a decadent atmosphere of revelry.
Mo Li frowned slightly, even though he was reluctant to deal with these nobles, he had no choice but to brace himself.
At the banquet, the most eye-catching was naturally the beautiful girl in the luxurious princess dress at the center of the party, like the moon surrounded by stars.
Mo Li’s first glance upon entering the banquet was indeed at that girl, and like everyone else’s reaction, his heart skipped a beat, but not from being amazed, rather from being scared.
Whoa, why is it her?!
