“The champion of the qualifying competition for the Rhine Academy in the Minster region has been decided, and the final victor is number 66, Mo Li!” After a brief pause, the hook-nosed elder raised Mo Li’s hand high in front of the crowd and announced to the disheveled onlookers.
Back in the stands, Norma gave Mo Li a comforting look, while the other nobles who had been forced to participate earlier also cast congratulatory glances at Mo Li, though their expressions were anything but sincere.
Thus, in this square where only one victor emerged, under the witness of the goddess Sera, the sacred and inviolable competition results were born.
What was supposed to be a predetermined match turned into chaos, and in the end, the Minster family suffered a significant blow, as did their subordinate nobles, with their guards and soldiers scattered.
In summary, this battle set the Minster Viscount’s territory back fifty or sixty years, if not more.
The responsibility of continuing the family line fell on the second daughter, Martha, with the risk of hiring an outsider as a son-in-law and potentially losing control.
The future of this family seemed bleak.
“Hold on, Mr. Jero.”
Just as the hook-nosed elder thought today was a disaster and wanted to leave this unlucky place quickly, someone called out to him.
He quickened his pace, pretending not to hear.
Hurry up and leave, being stopped by that jinx is never a good thing! “Mr. Jero, didn’t you hear me calling you?” Mo Li grabbed the hook-nosed elder’s shoulder, stopping him from leaving.
“Ah, Mo Li, young master, you actually remember my name.
I’m truly honored…”
“Alright, enough with the flattery.” Mo Li said with a smile.
“You’ve worked hard as the referee, hosting so many matches.
It’s been tough.
I’d like to treat you to a meal.”
“Ha, haha… Mo Li, young master, the champion has been decided, and my task is over.
I should return to report.
As for the meal… next time, next time for sure!” Seeing Mo Li’s bright smile, the hook-nosed elder knew nothing good would come of it and wanted to leave quickly! “Hey, what’s this? Mr. Jero, are you not planning to give me this face?”
“No, no, it’s just that there’s something urgent, and I can’t delay!”
“What’s so urgent? Why don’t you tell me?” Mo Li raised an eyebrow.
“Well, it’s just that my third aunt’s second uncle’s seventh cousin’s sister is having a baby, and I need to be there to celebrate! I really can’t delay…”
“No rush, no rush.
Celebrating can wait a day.
After all, the later you go, the better.
If you go early, you might have to give a gift.” Mo Li laughed.
“Of course, it matters…”
“I said, it doesn’t matter.” Mo Li smiled, enunciating each word.
“…Yes, yes, if you say it doesn’t matter, then it doesn’t.” The hook-nosed elder was on the verge of tears.
Mo Li’s identity as the illegitimate son of the count was now confirmed, and even a fallen phoenix is still a phoenix.
How could he, a mere grass chicken, compare?
“Don’t look so glum, old man.
I, Mo Li, rarely invite people to meals.
If I invite you, you should go and thank Sera for this good fortune.”
“Yes, yes… But Mo Li, young master, the competition just ended.
Shouldn’t you go back and have a celebration party, invite some friends for a drink?”
“What friends are more important than you?” Mo Li patted the hook-nosed elder’s shoulder heavily.
“Don’t forget, you took good care of me during the competition.
How could I forget you?”
“I… I…” The hook-nosed elder was in despair, realizing that Mo Li was likely settling scores after the fact.
“Come on, come on, I know a restaurant in Fran City with great food! You’ve probably never tried it.
Let’s go.”
So, under Mo Li’s insistence, the hook-nosed elder was practically dragged to the restaurant.
“Mr. Jero, order whatever you like, don’t be shy.
After all, I’m not the one paying.” After sitting down, Mo Li tossed the menu to the hook-nosed elder, acting as if he was being generous.
The hook-nosed elder’s mouth twitched a few times.
What does he mean by order whatever you like since he’s not paying? If he’s not paying, then who is? Wasn’t it him who said he was treating? How did it become the elder’s responsibility to pay? Oh well… just consider it a disaster and pay to avoid further trouble.
“Mr. Jero, the weather is nice, and you seem to be getting younger as you age.
You must have taken good care of your health and exercised regularly.”
“Not at all, not at all.
My body is not what it used to be.” Not knowing what Mo Li was up to, the hook-nosed elder could only laugh it off.
“Don’t be so nervous, old man.
If I really wanted to harm you, wouldn’t it be easier to do it secretly? Inviting you to a meal openly would be too much trouble, wouldn’t it?” Seeing the elder still looking cautious, Mo Li propped his head on his hand and spoke slowly.
“Well… forgive my poor eyesight, but I can’t see what Mo Li, young master, wants from me?”
“Actually, it’s nothing.
I just think you’re quite young at heart for your age.” Mo Li’s tone carried a hint of teasing.
“Even at sixty, you have the spirit of a young man.
Truly a role model for us juniors.”
“You’re too kind… I’m just an old man trying to make a living.”
“Ah, you’re too modest, really too modest.” Mo Li’s tone gradually became more playful.
“A few days ago, I saw you in the northeast of the city, having a candlelit conversation with a fallen woman.
Old man, you really haven’t lost your vigor, still having the heart of a young man at sixty.
Impressive, impressive.”
“Uh… Mo Li, young master, you must be joking.” Hearing that Mo Li knew about his visit to the red-light district, the hook-nosed elder could only look embarrassed.
“Why the embarrassed look, old man? I’m praising you.
Everyone has needs, right?” Mo Li said, setting up for his next point.
“Unfortunately, even though you haven’t lost your spirit, time waits for no one.
In the end, you couldn’t withstand the passage of time and faltered on that eight-foot battlefield.” Mo Li sighed, getting to the point.
“Ahaha… no, no, it was just that my body wasn’t in the right state that day, haha.” The hook-nosed elder seemed unwilling to admit his shortcomings, blaming it on not feeling well.
“Was it really just not in the right state?” Mo Li continued to press.
“Really, really… ahaha, speaking of which, Mo Li, young master, you haven’t ordered yet.
You go ahead, I’ll follow.
Haha, don’t be shy with me, this meal is on me, to celebrate the champion!”
“…” Mo Li raised an eyebrow, realizing the elder was avoiding the topic, and changed the subject.
“Oh, I see.
I must have misunderstood.
You haven’t lost your vigor, but have you ever thought about breaking through your limitations in your lifetime?”
“What do you mean, Mo Li, young master?”
“Haha, I mean no harm.” With that, Mo Li took out an orange-yellow potion from his pocket.
“Is this an alchemical potion?”
“Shh… don’t make a sound, old man.
I’m giving this to you because I see you as a kindred spirit.” Mo Li acted mysteriously.
“So, this potion is?…”
“Hey, after all this talk, old man, if you keep playing dumb, it won’t make sense, will it?” Mo Li made a ‘you know what I mean’ expression.
“This… isn’t it inappropriate to give me such a precious gift, Mo Li, young master?” The hook-nosed elder was hesitant to accept, thinking there must be a catch.
“Old man, are you worried I tampered with the potion?” Mo Li chuckled, addressing the elder’s concern.
“Ahaha, no, no…” The elder, embarrassed at having his thoughts exposed, waved his hand.
“Old man, you know my identity, right?”
“Yes, yes…” Now, all the nobles in the Minster Viscount’s territory were talking about Mo Li being the illegitimate son of Norma.
What started as a suspicion was now confirmed.
“If I wanted to harm you, would I go to such lengths?” Mo Li stated directly.
“Yes, indeed, I was being narrow-minded.” The elder smiled awkwardly, but it made sense.
As the son of a count, Mo Li could easily get rid of a small fry like him without resorting to poison.
“This potion is my gift to you.
You can try it out, talk to those fallen women, and see how it works.” Mo Li pushed the potion towards the elder.
“…Mo Li, young master, what do you really want from me?” Although the elder accepted the potion, he was still uneasy.
In his view, Mo Li wouldn’t go to such lengths without wanting something in return.
“Hey, what kind of talk is that? I’m genuinely trying to be friends with you, Mr. Jero.
Do I have to want something from you?” Mo Li teased.
“Besides, what I want… do you think you can give it to me?”
“Yes, yes…”
“Take care, Mr. Jero.” After the meal, Mo Li sent off the drunken elder, revealing a satisfied smile.
The net had been cast, and now it was time to see if it would catch a big fish.
Returning to the Norma residence, Mo Li ran into Limdis, who was packing her bags.
“Leaving already?”
“What else?” Limdis snorted, then struck a ridiculously dramatic pose.
“Hmph~ My friend, are you already missing me? Hmph, that won’t do.
I am one favored by the Holy Maiden, unable to stay long in the mortal world.
The day of parting will come…”
“Alright, stop with the theatrics.” Mo Li knocked on the head of the dramatic catgirl with a blank expression.
“Ouch! You, disrespectful one!”
“If you want to leave, go ahead.
No one’s stopping you.
Do you remember what I told you that day?”
“That day?… Eating foie gras noodles at night?”
“Eat your ghost, is eating all you remember?” Mo Li crossed his arms coldly.
“If you really don’t want the qualification, it doesn’t matter.
Pack your bags and go home.”
“Hey, hey, hey! Stop, stop… do you really have a way?”
“What, don’t believe me?”
“Of course, I believe my friend… but how will you help me?”
“You don’t need to worry about that.
If you’re willing to wait, stay.
If not, leave.” Mo Li waved his hand.
Having cast the net, Mo Li waited quietly.
Things went even better than he expected.
The next day at noon, the old man visited Mo Li on his own.
“Isn’t this Mr. Jero? What brings you here today?” Mo Li feigned ignorance.
“Ah, ah, it’s just… ah, ah, Mo Li, young master, can we talk inside?” Jero hesitated for a long time, seemingly at a loss for words.
“Oh, of course.” Mo Li smiled and found a quiet room, closed the door, and sat down with Jero.
“Master Mo Li, yesterday, our delightful conversation over drinks left me so enchanted that I couldn’t sleep.
It was truly a meeting of kindred spirits.”
“Pfft, I think what enchanted you wasn’t the drinks, but something else entirely?”
“Haha, you see right through me, young master.” Jero chuckled awkwardly, then hesitated before speaking.
“Um, about that potion from yesterday, I wonder if you still have any…?”
“So that’s it… Seems like you’ve taken a liking to it?” Mo Li’s expression was full of mischievous delight.
“Well, the effect of young master Mo Li’s potion was indeed remarkable… You wouldn’t believe it, but after taking it last night, I felt as vigorous as a dragon!” Jero’s face lit up with excitement as he spoke.
“That feeling is truly unforgettable… So, ahem, I thought I’d come by today to see if I could get some more.
I won’t take it for free, I’ll trade something for it!”
“So that’s how it is.” Mo Li replied, feigning a troubled expression.
“Ah, sir, this potion was crafted by a master, beyond the reach of our family’s alchemists.
It’s really not easy to come by.”
“This…” Jero was visibly anxious upon hearing this.
“But it’s not impossible to make.
I do have the contact of that master, it’s just that… the cost is a bit high.
Even I can’t expect him to make it for free.”
“Cost is not an issue! I understand, I understand, a potion like this must be priceless.
Whatever the cost, I’ll pay!” Jero, like an addict, couldn’t forget the feeling of being forty years younger and was desperate to experience it again.
“Well, it’s not about the money, sir, it’s just that…”
“Then, what is the issue?” Jero was getting anxious.
“Well.” The prey had taken the bait, and while Mo Li maintained a calm exterior, inside he was already laughing with glee.
