When Luo Shangyu asked, Qin Yu felt a little guilty deep down.
She gathered her thoughts and focused on the dessert in front of her.
The delicious dessert quickly eased Qin Yu’s hunger, and the time was nearly eight o’clock—almost the appointed time to meet Zhang Han.
The two of them stood up and left the dessert shop.
Night had fallen, and the autumn wind blew gently.
Qin Yu felt a chill on her bare legs.
They boarded a carriage and headed toward the agreed-upon bar.
The carriage passed through brightly lit streets and soon arrived at the bar’s entrance.
“Zhangji Bar…”
Qin Yu looked at the bar nearest to the Tie Xuan Headquarters.
“This must be the place.”
“Most likely,” Luo Shangyu confirmed Qin Yu’s judgment.
The two entered the bar, which was dimly lit.
Many men and women were drinking and reveling inside.
Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu found an empty table to sit at.
It was a long table, and fortunately, the entire table was unoccupied.
They sat waiting for Zhang Han’s arrival.
Qin Yu glanced toward the dance floor at the side of the bar, where scantily clad dancers were moving passionately, striking a sensory impression on her.
Just as Qin Yu was admiring the dance, Zhang Han and his mercenary group walked into the bar.
Led by Zhang Han, a dozen or so burly men wearing casual attire crowded in, startling everyone inside the bar, who mistook them for gangsters coming to cause trouble.
Zhang Han awkwardly waved his hands, explaining, “We’re just here to drink, don’t misunderstand.”
However, the others in the bar were still skeptical.
After a while, the noisy atmosphere gradually returned.
Zhang Han took a seat in front of Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu, while the others arranged themselves around the empty spots at the table, exuding an intimidating presence.
As soon as they sat down, Zhang Han called over the bartender and ordered a large bucket of beer for each person.
The beer was craft-brewed—an imported product localized for the Chengji Empire.
The brand was good, the quantity large, and the price naturally high.
Qin Yu imagined the bill and felt a little worried about Luo Shangyu’s wallet.
Luo Shangyu told the bartender, “I want a bottle of champagne, and she only wants a serving of ice cream.”
Qin Yu hurriedly added, “Strawberry flavor for the ice cream, please!”
“What would you two like to talk about?” Zhang Han was unusually attentive, as they say, “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”
“What rank do you hold in the Tie Xuan Mercenary Group?” Luo Shangyu asked calmly.
“I’m the Vice Commander. This mission is unprecedentedly important, so I’m leading the team personally,” Zhang Han lowered his voice, trying to sound mysterious.
“If Vice Commander Zhang is personally involved, this matter must be not only important but also tricky.”
“You’re right, Sister. This time, the Demon Waya Latmos, Count of the Demon Clan, is personally on the scene. It’s said this Count is incredibly powerful—a Seventh-Rank Pseudo-Divine Level Magic wielder. Her weapon, the sword called [Demonic World Aria], is an artifact-grade treasure with an extremely potent dark attribute bonus,” Zhang Han described Waya’s strength vividly.
In Zhang Han’s eyes, the two girls in front of him were stunning beauties, graceful and elegant in their demeanor, dressed plainly yet exuding nobility.
They looked like typical noble ladies, pampered and delicate, needing protection.
So, Zhang Han thought that by making the threat sound terrifying enough, Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu would tremble with fear.
After Zhang Han’s flowery boasting, he carefully observed the two, hoping to see fear in their eyes and gain a sense of achievement.
However…
Qin Yu looked thoughtful, while Luo Shangyu just shrugged.
“Please, tell us something we don’t know!” Qin Yu silently pleaded.
‘A Seventh-Rank Pseudo-Divine Level Magic wielder, and you’re scared? I’m the one who should be!’ Luo Shangyu thought proudly.
Qin Yu asked, “If they’re only Seventh-Rank, your mercenary group’s strength should be enough to win, right?”
This time Zhang Han pondered for a moment, then replied seriously, “I’m a Fifth-Rank Fire Attribute Mage. The team has warriors and several Fourth-Rank Mages, and with the help of large Magic Weaponry, we should be able to defeat them. But…”
“But what?” Qin Yu pressed.
“No comment.”
“…”
“Is your group the only aid from the Boermai Royal Family?” Luo Shangyu asked.
“No comment.”
“How much is the Boermai Empire paying you?”
“Thirty million copper coins each.”
‘In the Fantasy Realm, a common person’s annual income is only around a hundred thousand copper coins. Thirty million sounds like a lot, but it’s hardly worth risking your life for. There must be other factors,’ Qin Yu thought, then asked, “Are you only hired by the Boermai Empire for this, or are there other reasons?”
“No comment.”
Luo Shangyu grew impatient, “Why ‘no comment’ all the time?”
“We promised confidentiality. I won’t reveal a single more word,” Zhang Han defended.
Luo Shangyu didn’t press further.
Instead, she took a small pouch from her pocket and placed it on the table, pushing it toward Zhang Han.
Zhang Han weighed it in his hand: it was a small gold bar, seemingly worth ten million copper coins.
He pocketed it with a broad smile, “But to be fair…”
This time, Zhang Han didn’t wait for Luo Shangyu’s question and began voluntarily explaining, “Last month, an informant from the Boermai Royal Family discovered that Waya was very dissatisfied with the current king’s treatment. There were signs of a conspiracy to stage a rebellion, so the informant hurried to report it to the king. Knowing how strong the Demon Clan army is, the king sent envoys to other countries seeking aid.”
“But other nations, seeing the inevitable change of the Boermai throne, refused to intervene. The Chengji Empire and the Boermai Empire have always had good relations, so we planned to send reinforcements. But since no other countries sent troops, His Majesty the Emperor thought it would look bad if we alone intervened militarily, so he ordered our mercenary group to assist. This time, many of our supplies are reimbursed by the state, and our hire rate is even double what the Boermai Empire offered.”
“But Waya is extremely powerful—not only is she Seventh-Rank, but more importantly, her bloodline…”
“Bloodline?” Qin Yu was puzzled.
She knew that in this world, most Mages are First or Second Rank, Third and Fourth Rank are already excellent, Fifth and Sixth Rank are generally the upper limit for ordinary Mages.
Seventh and Eighth Rank Mages can roam the Fantasy Realm with impunity, and only a few are Ninth and Tenth Rank—perhaps twenty in the entire Fantasy Realm—the absolute pinnacle of power.
So Seventh-Rank Pseudo-Divine Level Magic was strong, but with the entire Boermai Empire’s forces against her, it shouldn’t be impossible to crush.
“Her bloodline is extremely noble and pure. According to Boermai intelligence, her family’s ancestors are manifestations of Old Ones—beings from ancient times who transformed into demons and then into humans. Their lineage is incredibly noble and powerful. Waya’s bloodline is said to be the purest in nearly ten thousand years, allowing her to briefly transform into an Old One-level demon.”
“And her weapon was forged from the remains of an Old One. The scariest part is her exceptionally high magical talent—her understanding of magic approaches the level of a Tenth-Rank True God!”
That was a wealth of information.
Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu gained new knowledge, satisfying their curiosity.
“Now, her forces number a hundred thousand, well-equipped, and with the people not supporting the royal family, even if she doesn’t personally take the field, the royal family probably won’t be able to withstand her!”
“The most terrifying part is the Demon Clan’s violent tendencies. If she successfully ascends the throne, she might take extreme measures, potentially causing chaos in the Fantasy Realm.”
Mentioning a world upheaval, the topic grew heavy.
“Ah…” Zhang Han sighed deeply and took a big gulp of his drink.
Time was getting late.
After chatting with Zhang Han a while longer, it was time to part.
“It’s already past ten o’clock,” Luo Shangyu glanced at the clock.
The two hired a carriage to return to the palace.
They climbed aboard and sat side by side on the spacious seat as it rushed toward the imperial palace.
‘So satisfying. I ate delicious food, bought clothes I liked, and even heard stories…’ Qin Yu thought happily.
Sitting on the bumpy carriage, Qin Yu began to feel drowsy.
Gradually, her eyelids grew heavy until finally, she closed her eyes and slipped into sleep…
Luo Shangyu looked at Qin Yu, who had fallen asleep resting on her shoulder, and smiled.
She gently laid Qin Yu’s upper body flat and rested her head on her own long legs.
Luo Shangyu bent down, carefully removed Qin Yu’s shoes to reveal her delicate “ice cream” feet, then placed Qin Yu’s legs on the seat so she could lie comfortably.
“Ugh—” Qin Yu murmured softly in her dream.
Luo Shangyu stroked Qin Yu’s white, silky hair and looked at her exquisite sleeping face, quietly chuckling, “Hehe~”