Chapter 23 Bi Da'er
p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chp
He turned his head, his gaze meeting Amon's, who hadn't yet looked away.
Seeing Amon, who possessed the air of a scholar, he nodded in greeting.
The bartender on the second floor was a little surprised; it was the first time he had seen him take the initiative to greet someone.
Amon shifted his gaze and quickly spotted the conspicuous quest board.
He walked over and said, "I want to post a reward."
The bartender on the second floor was a handsome middle-aged man with neatly combed hair and gold-rimmed glasses. He introduced:
"Our tavern has a total of three branches in Iron Heart City, located in different parts of the city, all places where mercenaries are active."
"There are two price points for posting information. One is to post in a single tavern, which costs two silver soul coins per week."
"The other is to post in all three taverns simultaneously, which costs five silver soul coins per week."
"In addition, we regularly compile and gather the commission information and send it to major mercenary groups. Regardless of whether you choose the first or second option, you can enjoy this service."
Amon chuckled softly. "Not bad. Help me post a reward, then. Hmm, choose the second price point."
"The first target is a 'Eyeless Snake' with an age of two thousand to five thousand years. They should exist in the Iron Heart Mountains, but they are relatively rare."
"Providing a general location will be rewarded with one hundred gold soul coins after I successfully hunt it. Leading me to it, whether the hunt is successful or not, will be rewarded with five hundred gold soul coins."
"The second target is a 'Three-Eyed Fox,' also with an age of two thousand to five thousand years. These are not uncommon in the Iron Heart Mountains. Leading me to it will be rewarded with two hundred gold soul coins."
"Also, I will not accept the second target within two weeks. If there is no news of the first target after two weeks, then I will settle for the second best."
Amon could actually absorb soul rings with higher age, but the problem was that even if he found soul beasts with higher age, he might not be able to defeat them, and even if he defeated them, he might not be able to kill them.
The strength of high-level mercenaries in Iron Heart City is basically Soul Reverends. Five-thousand-year soul beasts are pretty much their hunting limit.
So, although this isn't the best, it's the most suitable.
After hearing Amon's conditions, the bartender said to him:
"There's one thing you need to know: our tavern is just an information exchange point. We are not responsible for verifying the authenticity of the information, nor are we responsible for restraining either party. Everything depends on yourselves."
Amon nodded. "I understand."
After paying the fee to post the message on the quest board for two weeks, he turned his attention to another board with the contact addresses of various mercenary groups.
He noted down the top few, as well as a few powerful lone wolves.
Just then, a familiar voice came.
"Give me a sweet plum wine, and also, this, this, this… Except for these few, bring me one of everything else on the menu!" Yan Jin walked into the tavern, shouting boisterously.
Lei Yin asked from the side: "Sister, order a little less, we can't eat that much, can we?"
"I can eat it. Don't doubt my capacity."
The bartender on the first floor's expression changed, and he whispered a reminder: "This guest, please be quieter. Loud noises will disturb the other guests."
"Ah? Isn't this a tavern?" Yan Jin was a little puzzled. "I was just saying that something felt wrong. You guys are too quiet. Taverns should be lively!"
Sitting on the second floor, in the best-positioned seat with the best view, the young man had already put down his glass after Yan Jin entered, a look of impatience on his face.
Hearing her disregard the bartender's advice and continue to be noisy, he couldn't help but stand up.
Half of the second floor's area retained the original building's height, allowing a direct view of the scene below.
The richly dressed young man walked to the edge of the second-floor railing, looking down at Yan Jin.
He said, "Where did this child come from? Didn't your parents teach you not to bother others? Throw them out for me."
"Ah? Young Master Bi Da'er, this…" The bartender looked embarrassed. Kicking customers out would damage the tavern's reputation.
"Who are you? This is a tavern! What's a tavern for if not boasting, drinking, and fighting? I don't see anywhere that says we have to be quiet," Yan Jin said unhappily. "Also, what are you acting so high and mighty for? Do you own this place?"
"Young Master Bi Da'er is the city lord's son, a level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster. Also, the tavern is indeed a property under the city lord's name," the bartender said, seeing Yan Jin's confrontational stance, kindly reminding her of Bi Da'er's identity, hoping she would back down.
"Oh? It really is your place…" Yan Jin was stunned. "Hmph, just a fool relying on his power to bully others. Since it's your place, and you hate the noise, you could just make a soundproof booth."
"A very good suggestion."
Bi Da'er turned his head and faintly instructed the bartender on the second floor, "Arrange that for me."
"Yes, I will contact a craftsman to carry out the modification in a while."
"Considering your suggestion was good, I forgive your offense."
Bi Da'er spoke in a condescending tone, as if this was a kind of bestowal.
Yan Jin raised her eyebrows. "It's not like I need your forgiveness, Golden Boy!"
"Don't challenge my tolerance again and again."
Bi Da'er's expression turned gloomy.
"Want to fight?" Yan Jin didn't humor him, glaring back.
Soul power surged, accompanied by brilliant light. Two yellow soul rings rose from Bi Da'er's body. His martial soul was the Jewel Cat, a soul beast with heterochromatic eyes and an elegant posture.
A calm, cold, yet somewhat domineering voice echoed in the tavern, "You have angered me."
The other guests in the tavern were not panicked by this conflict, each watching the scene with great interest.
They were also somewhat dissatisfied with Bi Da'er, but due to his identity as the city lord's son and his strength as a Soul Grandmaster, no one dared to show it.
Now, seeing two seemingly confident youngsters challenging him, they all had the mentality of watching a good show.
"How about we go outside to fight? I'm worried I'll break something and you'll try to extort me."
Yan Jin raised her arm and pointed to the street behind her with her thumb.
"Heh, how much could breaking you two little brats cost? Don't worry, you don't have to pay. I'll just beat you until you kneel down, apologize, and beg for mercy," Bi Da'er sneered.
"No need to pay… You said that."
Sizzle… Boom… The flames burned and then extinguished, thick smoke drifting from Yan Jin's body. Her arm emitted bursts of red light, the magma constantly increasing, radiating an astonishing heat. Two yellow soul rings lit up, the soft halo not dazzling, but solid and unwavering.
Looking at her arm, completely covered in magma and several times thicker, and the heat waves coming through the air, Bi Da'er suddenly had an ominous premonition.
"Wait…"
Before he could finish his sentence, a ball of magma shot like a cannonball made him swallow the rest of his words.
Yan Jin's second soul ring skill is "Soul Power Ejection," the effect of which is to propel objects at high speed through directional bursts of soul power.
She could use this to launch magma, creating an effect similar to a volcanic bomb.
"Soul Power Ejection" consumes a variable amount, which can be changed according to her will. The more that is consumed, the faster the velocity.