Chapter 70: Help Me Kill Two Lapdogs

Using the teleportation array, Han Shuo appeared directly in the secluded grave on the back hill of Babylon Magic and Martial Academy, in the hidden corner he had once excavated. After putting away the six magic rods, he moved the stone slab covering the grave entrance and stepped out. The sky was only just beginning to lighten; Han Shuo did not leave through the academy, but instead circled around according to the card left by Fabian and headed straight for North Street.

The northern district of Orson City was filled with grand, luxurious buildings where many of the empire’s nobles and notable figures resided. The city guard presence was the strongest here; even at dawn, many armored soldiers were already patrolling. Han Shuo straightened his clothes and brushed off the dust before proceeding toward North Street, guided by the directions on Fabian’s card.

After a while, Han Shuo stopped in front of a building. There was no guard at the door, and it looked no more remarkable than the neighboring structures. He paused at the entrance, carefully swept his gaze around to ensure no one was watching, then finally knocked.

Last time at the Boost Trading Firm, Phoebe had forcibly pinned the death of the “Shadow” assassin on him. The look on Grover’s face before he left had made it clear he bore a grudge. According to Phoebe, both the “Shadow” and Grover had experts capable of killing him, so Han Shuo had to be especially cautious on his return to the empire, lest he draw the attention of either.

After a moment, a mild-mannered butler opened the door, glanced at Han Shuo, and smiled with a bow. “Good morning, sir. May I ask whom you are looking for?”

“My name is Bryan, and I’m here to discuss a business matter with Fabian,” Han Shuo replied politely.

“Oh, Mr. Bryan! I’ve heard Mr. Fabian mention you before. Please, come in,” the butler said, stepping aside to let Han Shuo enter.

Once inside, the butler peeked cautiously out the door to ensure nobody had noticed, then quickly shut it and led Han Shuo deeper into the house, his manner full of caution.

The interior was quite ordinary compared to the opulence of the Boost Trading Firm, somewhat inconspicuous, and much smaller in scale.

After only a minute, the butler brought Han Shuo into a hall, summoned a plain-looking maid to serve tea and refreshments, and said, “Please wait here a moment, Mr. Bryan. I’ll go inform Mr. Fabian.”

The butler left, and after filling his tea, the maid also exited. Shortly after, the plump Fabian strode in, laughter booming, though his face looked haggard and weary, as if life had been unkind of late.

“Bryan! It’s so good to see you safe and sound,” Fabian called, pulling out a chair and sitting down with a hearty laugh.

“I’m glad to see you’re well too. After I left the Boost Trading Firm, I went into hiding—neither the ‘Shadow’ nor Grover’s people could have found me, so you needn’t worry about me. But you, on the other hand, seem to be having a rough time,” Han Shuo observed.

“Don’t mention it. Grover is becoming more and more arrogant these days; things have indeed been difficult for us lately. So, what brings you to me this time? What business do you have to discuss?” Fabian sighed helplessly.

The feud with Grover was not Han Shuo’s concern, and Fabian’s reluctance to elaborate suited him just fine. After a moment’s thought, Han Shuo said, “I’m not here to sell anything this time, but to buy some rare materials.”

“Oh? What sort of rare materials?”

“Take a look at this list. I need all the items on it. How much will it cost me?” Han Shuo handed over the list compiled by Calvin, the dwarf village chief.

Fabian studied the list carefully, then said, “Bryan, some of these items I’m not even familiar with myself. I don’t have the authority to decide on all of them. If you don’t mind, I’d like to have Miss Phoebe discuss it with you.”

Han Shuo was a bit surprised—were the materials on Calvin’s list truly that valuable? After a brief consideration, he nodded. “That’s fine. Miss Phoebe will do. I need these urgently—when can I see her?”

“She’s here right now. I’ll go inform her at once. Please wait a moment,” Fabian said, rising and leaving the hall.

Shortly after, Phoebe entered with Fabian. Though plainly dressed, her stunning beauty could not be concealed. She glanced at Han Shuo a few times, leaving him somewhat puzzled, then found a seat and examined the list. Her brows furrowed as she looked up at Han Shuo. “These materials are for forging weapons, aren’t they? Some are indeed extremely rare. You’ve come to the right place.”

Though delighted, Han Shuo’s face did not betray a hint of joy. He tapped his forefinger on the table, speaking coolly, “Name your price.”

Phoebe’s clever eyes flashed with mischief as she pursed her lips in a faint, beautiful smile. “Except for the Black Gold Ore, we can supply everything else. Since you helped us last time, I can even offer you a discount—three thousand five hundred gold coins in total. That’s a fair price.”

Three thousand five hundred gold coins! Han Shuo was startled. He hadn’t expected the ten or so rare materials on Calvin’s list to be so valuable, and from Phoebe’s tone, the price was already low. The Black Gold Ore, in particular, seemed troublesome.

Han Shuo frowned and pondered. “Three thousand five hundred gold coins is no problem, but you can’t get the Black Gold Ore?”

“Black Gold Ore, like Black Iron Ore, is the finest material for forging weapons. Its price is beyond imagination—a piece the size of a fingernail sells for five thousand gold coins on the black market. Normally, both Black Gold and Black Iron Ore are unobtainable at any price.

I do possess a piece the size of a thumb, but it took me great effort to acquire it. I’ve been saving it to have a sword forged for my mentor. So even though it could meet your needs, no matter how high an offer you make, I will not sell it to you.” Phoebe’s face was solemn and resolute.

Phoebe was already a Swordmaster. Han Shuo could easily imagine what level her mentor must be. Such a person’s sword would naturally be extraordinary. For Phoebe to reach the Swordmaster rank at such a young age, it was clear she was no ordinary product of a magic and martial academy; she was indeed as mysterious as she seemed.

But Han Shuo truly needed the Black Gold Ore. He wanted to make the Slaughter Demon Edge the best it could be, which required the rarest and most complete materials. Without this precious ore, the weapon’s quality would be greatly diminished—a result Han Shuo could not accept.

His brow furrowed deeply as he pondered. At last, he asked, “Besides you, who else might have such Black Gold Ore?”

“Don’t get your hopes up. Even if someone did, they’d treasure it and never sell it to you,” Phoebe replied, amused by Han Shuo’s anxious expression. A hint of a smile played at her lips, a touch of triumph in her voice.

Han Shuo, dejected, shook his head and sighed. Suddenly, he caught the fleeting smile at Phoebe’s lips. His mind worked quickly, and after a silent moment, he fixed her with a steady gaze and asked, “Miss Phoebe, as long as you’re willing to give me your Black Gold Ore, you can name any condition.”

Phoebe was taken aback, regarding Han Shuo for a few moments before frowning in feigned thought. At last, she spoke as if reluctantly, “Since you helped us last time, I suppose I could part with it, but only if you do me a favor in return.”

“What sort of favor?” Han Shuo thought to himself that Phoebe had clearly planned this from the start, but kept his face expressionless.

“Help me kill Grover’s two most loyal lackeys—Darnell and Yuna, that wretched couple who deserve a thousand deaths!” Phoebe’s face was frosty, her voice cold with hatred.

“What are their strengths?” Han Shuo asked calmly.

“Darnell is an advanced swordsman, close to breaking through to Swordmaster. Yuna is a high-level fire mage, also extremely formidable. The two are shameless lovers and rarely separate; they’re both currently staying at the Boost Trading Firm. With your help, I have a sixty percent chance of taking them out quietly,” Phoebe replied, her posture suddenly upright, her chest heaving with excitement.

“I agree,” Han Shuo said without hesitation.

[Calling for enthusiastic recommendations—I seem to be slipping off the list!]