Chapter 23: He Looks Down on This Old Woman From the Bottom of His Heart
2024-11-18 Author: Amnesty L
After entering E-Rantel.
The Rock Squad's escort Quest was considered complete. Next, they naturally needed to head to the Adventurer's Guild here to submit the Quest and receive their Reward.
However...
Under Tang Zheng's healing magic, a fully recovered Captain Dosali exchanged glances with the rest of his squad. With expressions of slight shame, they quickly approached the carriage.
"Lady Bareiare!"
"Thank you for your care throughout this journey. We didn't provide much assistance, so we will not claim the Reward for this Quest."
Captain Dosali bowed deeply to Grandma Lijie and spoke with gratitude.
Had you not dealt with those two ogres, given our situation at the time, the entire squad would very likely have perished there.
Grandma Lijie gave Captain Dosali a faint glance. For the first time, a smile appeared on her wrinkled face as she looked at the Rock Squad. "Good, I understand."
Clearly.
Saving a sum of money made Grandma Lijie happy.
Captain Dosali then thanked Nfirea Bale, who was sitting in the carriage, before returning to his squad.
"Tang, remember to find me."
As the carriage departed, Nfirea Bale waved in Tang Zheng's direction.
Tang Zheng's intentional interactions during this period had led Nfirea Bale to consider him a good friend.
"I will." Tang Zheng smiled and waved back, though his gaze remained perfectly calm.
To be honest.
Tang Zheng's heart was filled with gratitude toward Nfirea Bale.
Not only did he gain the general job class of 'Genius' from him, but he also acquired the life professions of 'Potion Master' and 'Alchemist'.
Precisely because of this.
The longer Tang Zheng interacted with Nfirea Bale, the greater the chance Nfirea Bale would unintentionally leak information about him in the future.
Should such a situation arise—
Tang Zheng's palm instinctively rested on the short sword hanging from his waist, lightly pressing the hilt.
Upon belated realization.
The cold touch of the short sword's hilt jolted Tang Zheng back to his senses.
Was he...
Under too much pressure?
"Phew."
Tang Zheng exhaled, turned to look at the Rock Squad beside him, and said, "Gentlemen, I should also take my leave."
"Hahahaha!"
"We owe you a lot for this journey, Tang. If you ever need anything, just say the word."
The twin brother, Rand, patted his chest and spoke heartily.
Tang Zheng quickly waved his hand, "It should be me saying thank you. I've learned quite a bit of experience from all of you."
Clink~ clink~
"This is for you." Captain Dosali suddenly took out a black cloth pouch from his bosom. As it swayed, a metallic clinking sound came from within.
Before Tang Zheng could react.
Captain Dosali had already thrust the black cloth pouch into Tang Zheng's hand.
Feeling the familiar sensation inside the cloth pouch, Tang Zheng knew it contained Gold Coins.
"This is..." Tang Zheng was a little puzzled, raising his hand to push the money back.
"I don't carry much money, so don't think it's too little, and there's no need to be polite."
"If it weren't for you, I'm afraid this leg of mine would have been crippled."
Captain Dosali spoke with a serious expression, at the same time lifting that leg and firmly stomping the ground.
Given the damage this leg sustained, having been completely crushed by an ogre, the recovery potions they carried would have been of little use against injuries of that level.
Out in the wilderness.
They didn't know how far the nearest city was. Even if they could rush back to a city in time to find a faith-type magic caster who could use healing magic.
By that time!
Even if his leg recovered, there would still be lingering after-effects.
Had it not been for Tang Zheng's timely treatment, Captain Dosali felt he truly would have bid farewell to his adventurer career.
Seeing Captain Dosali's unyielding attitude.
Tang Zheng remained silent for a moment, then no longer politely refused, "Alright, then I'll accept it."
With that said.
Tang Zheng nodded to the members of the Rock Squad and turned to leave.
Watching Tang Zheng's figure gradually blend into the crowd and disappear.
Captain Dosali's originally hearty expression turned to one of heartache and bitterness.
"What a shame, this Quest was a complete loss," the archer, Bask, complained.
Rand and Ler exchanged glances, both sighing at the same time.
They had maintained a friendly attitude toward Tang Zheng throughout the journey, precisely so they could invite him after completing the Quest.
However.
Just as they were nearing E-Rantel, that incident suddenly occurred. Not only were they almost wiped out, but they were also saved by Tang Zheng.
Under such circumstances, the members of the Rock Squad clearly felt too awkward to invite Tang Zheng again.
"Why the long faces?"
"Although we couldn't invite Tang, we've at least gotten to know him. There will always be opportunities in the future."
"Keep working hard and strive to quickly rise to a Gold-rank adventurer team!" Captain Dosali slapped his cheeks, a hearty smile reappearing on his face, and declared loudly.
"Yes, Captain!"
"Yes, Captain!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Rand and the other two also chimed in, grinning.
Another side.
The Bareiare grandmother and grandson drove the carriage away.
Grandma Lijie glanced out of the corner of her eye at Nfirea Bale, who seemed a little dejected after their farewell. She shook her head almost imperceptibly.
Due to Nfirea Bale's personality, her grandson had always had few friends.
That young man named Tang seemed only slightly older than her grandson, making them peers. Moreover, he was a faith-type magic caster with some talent.
It wouldn't be bad for the two of them to become friends.
However—
"Nfirea Bale," Grandma Lijie said indifferently, driving the carriage.
"Grandma?" Nfirea Bale looked up.
"In the future, if it's not necessary, try to minimize your contact with that young man named Tang," Grandma Lijie said.
Nfirea Bale froze, about to speak.
"I know what you want to say, but this old woman has some discernment when it comes to people. Grandma won't harm you."
Grandma Lijie continued, knowing that Nfirea Bale, at his age, tended to be stubborn once he made up his mind about something. She added, "That young man appears gentle and easy to get along with, but in reality, it's quite the opposite. What I mean is, from the bottom of his heart, that young man likely has a barrier between himself and outsiders."
"The friendly demeanor he shows you is likely a pretense."
"Combined with the wariness he reveals toward outsiders, such a person either has a complicated background or is involved in serious trouble."
Upon hearing this, Nfirea Bale straightened up, his face slightly flushed, and began to retort, "But, Grandma..."
"Sigh."
Grandma Lijie sighed, then swung the whip in her hand, cracking it against the horse with a sharp sound that interrupted Nfirea Bale.
"Nfirea Bale, did you notice the Rock Squad's attitude after this old woman dealt with those two ogres?"
Nfirea Bale paused.
He had naturally noticed—or rather, it was impossible not to. The Rock Squad's attitude toward his grandmother was extremely respectful.
Nfirea Bale was no fool; he knew his grandmother wasn't talking about the Rock Squad's attitude, but about Tang Zheng.
He involuntarily recalled Tang Zheng's attitude.
He had also been very respectful!
However—
Recalling it now, Nfirea Bale felt that Tang Zheng's respect was subtly different from that of the Rock Squad, but he couldn't quite pinpoint why at the moment.
"His acting is too poor."
"From the bottom of his heart, he looks down on this old woman," Grandma Lijie said indifferently.
Nfirea Bale opened his mouth, then remained silent.
(end of chapter)