One-Eyed Monster

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: How Could It Be You?

Lubin was particularly busy today.

Ever since his tavern had been reserved by a group of generous strangers, many days had passed since he last felt so fulfilled.

These days, he spent most of his time dozing in the tavern. His occasional attempts to relieve boredom or stretch his limbs involved snatching the task of washing dishes and cups from the waiter. He hadn’t touched his favorite pastime—counting copper coins one by one—recently, and it irked him considerably.

But today, he was so exhilarated that he went into the kitchen to cook, and it was his specialty: pumpkin pies with chicken rice.

He was deeply stirred because the County Lord had come to his tavern. The County Lord was the greatest benefactor of Guru Village. It was his decisive actions that had transformed the impoverished Guru Village, once having nothing but people, into the prosperous place it was today—full of taverns, music, and dance. Now, this very Lord was in his humble tavern! Regardless of how domineering or unpleasant the Lord’s entourage appeared, his visit was the greatest honor of Lubin’s life. This honor outshone even the gleam of gold bars! In the future, he could boast to his children and grandchildren that their old man not only knew how to make good money but had also once cooked for their great benefactor, the County Lord!

The secret to delicious pumpkin pies lay in a resilient dough and tender pumpkin. Lubin kneaded the dough repeatedly, striving for the perfect taste. Naturally, he didn’t forget to sprinkle some wine into the chicken rice—his own secret recipe.

The enticing aroma of food soon wafted through the tavern. It was noon, and everyone was famished. The stomachs of Bunan and Pifu, two young lads, had been rumbling for some time.

Goding’s long, tense horse-like face finally relaxed. He currently resembled a drenched old dog, dizzy with hunger, his skin seeming to sag. He dared not utter another word. He was well aware of the Imperial Alchemy Workshop’s reputation. Though the association wasn’t as prominent as it had been a few years prior, it remained an organization directly under the Empire. A mere League Guard like himself, from the Government Administrative Office, had no standing to speak. All he could do was pin his hopes on those two Politicians, hoping that those two who had always been perfunctory would show some results. After all, the answer was within reach...

Politicians, after all, were Politicians. The negotiation between Babasha and Rostellum deeply impressed the lame Aliusan. This ability to defuse crises was something Aliusan felt he could never learn. That expressionless face, a mixture of flattery, firmness, confidence, humility, fear, and compliments, might be an innate skill of Politicians.

Aliusan saw Rostellum and Babasha respectfully present their public service badges. Then, they stood tall and offered their ”chips”—essentially, the various ways they could serve the Alchemy Workshop—to the two short-haired figures in purple cloaks. Finally, they requested an audience with the Master Wizard. Throughout this process, the two Politicians remained expressionless, yet their every action was laden with meaning.

The Politicians’ maneuvers successfully gained them entry into Lubin Tavern, much to the disappointment of the onlookers craning their necks in anticipation.

Kuyi Tulan initially had no intention of meeting these local administrators. He was here on a personal matter and preferred not to involve too many people. However, when he discovered all leads pointed to the young guest lodging upstairs, his interest was piqued.

”So, the person upstairs should be the son of Governor Rostov of Luona?” After listening to Babasha’s account, Kuyi Tulan turned to look at Baharo, the burly Hunter.

Baharo merely chuckled and shrugged, offering neither confirmation nor denial. He would never divulge a client’s information.

”Is it the same Governor Rostov who presented the Thunder Army to His Majesty the King this year?”

”Ah, yes, that would be him...” Mayor Babasha’s heart clenched upon hearing this. He knew the Thunder Army was a grand gift from Governor Rostov to King Kayne and one of the Governor’s key assets in the King’s Council Hall. The emergence of the Thunder Army had, to some extent, diminished the Alchemy Workshop’s standing in the King’s Council Hall, a fact that irked some of its high-ranking members. Rumors about this were rampant among various civilian organizations. Some Crows even recklessly spread the terrifying news that the Alchemy Workshop considered Luona an enemy and was determined to destroy it.

If those rumors are true, then revealing the Young Master’s identity just now was an unwise choice... Mayor Babasha was sweating, carefully observing the other party’s next move.

”In that case, invite the young master downstairs for a drink. I will personally visit Governor Rostov another day,” Kuyi Tulan said coolly, his tone devoid of any emotion.

These words eased the tension for everyone present, including the burly Baharo. Goding even forgot his hunger and sagging skin, feeling an inexplicable surge of excitement.

Before long, Kuyi Tulan’s subordinates escorted the young man calling himself Igor downstairs. This ’Igor’ desperately tried to hide his face with his hat and sleeves.

The anxious crowd, led by Goding, all craned their necks, eagerly anticipating a surprise. Pifu even began to mutter ”Young Master, Young Master...” incessantly.

Waiting is both short and long. Short was the time it took to come downstairs, which, in total, wasn’t many Gudu Times. Long were the various emotional tides within everyone’s hearts, like waves—some large, some small, some deep, some shallow.

Mayor Babasha felt a huge sense of relief; he was finally rid of Guard Goding’s annoying face!

Elder Rostellum’s knotted unease seemed to unravel. Though the outcome was nothing like he had anticipated, the so-called stepping stone to political advancement was all a sham.

Guard Goding’s anxiety was palpable. He had finally fulfilled the Lord Governor’s instructions without a hitch; the Young Master was safe and sound!

Bunan and Pifu shared a thought: Finally, we can return home! These rustic adventures are too troublesome...

Witch Biggs, the lame Aliusan, and the other attendants collectively thought: It seems we can finally shake off this awkward ambiance...

However, reality is always full of surprises, and the outcome always exceeds anyone’s expectations...

”Qi Liu! Why is it you?” Bunan, the Young Master’s attendant who was most familiar with his master’s appearance, was the first to notice the anomaly. ”Why did you swap clothes with the Young Master? How can a servant like you wear the Young Master’s clothes!”

This accusation startled the others from their daze. Except for the Politicians, who could master their expressions, most people’s mouths hung open in astonishment.

”Didn’t you say your name was Igor?” Kuyi Tulan inquired coolly, his gaze, tinged with a hint of disappointment, fixed on Baharo.

The smile vanished from Baharo’s face, his expression souring. free.w e bn.ov(e)l(.)com

Meanwhile, Rostellum turned to Witch Biggs, who was standing in a corner, and whispered, ”Is this the one who came to your hovel for a Divination?”

Witch Biggs shook her head, continuing to maintain her awkward silence and demeanor in the uncomfortable situation.

The young man who had come downstairs was not intimidated by Bunan’s aggressive questioning. He puffed out his chest and retorted, ”The Young Master found you all too noisy, so he swapped clothes with me and went up the mountain alone. He told me to lead you away.”

”...” Goding and the others stared at each other, speechless.

”I only said my name was Igor because the Young Master insisted,” the young man named Qi Liu explained, turning to Kuyi Tulan and bowing. He seemed to recognize who held the most authority here and answered his question directly. ”He used the name Igor to go up the mountain and said that if I used it too, I could help draw some people away from him.”

Kuyi Tulan remained silent. He simply raised his wine cup in a gesture towards Qi Liu. He was, in fact, more interested in Baharo’s reaction.

”Do you have any idea how much risk this puts the Young Master in?” Goding, on the verge of collapse, managed to choke out. ”There are many unidentified assassins after him!”

”The Young Master has an Invisibility Cloak and many effective emergency measures. For instance, I am one such measure—a decoy!” Qi Liu retorted, his voice full of confidence. Each word made Goding shrink with shame. ”But who would have thought you lot would be so reckless as to expose the Young Master’s identity, making him a target in this crowd? You are completely unfit to be his guards! Do you have any idea how many enemies the Young Master encountered on this journey? If he hadn’t shaken you off, he probably wouldn’t have even made it here!”

Baharo’s face turned ashen. Without a word, he rose, offered a clasped-fist salute to Kuyi Tulan, and departed the tavern.

Kuyi Tulan again raised his wine cup, this time towards Baharo’s retreating back. From Baharo’s reaction and this young man’s words, Governor Rostov’s son is no ordinary person, and Governor Rostov himself is even less so. Evading the surveillance of a High Rank Hunter would be very difficult. The Invisibility Cloak mentioned by the young man was apparently another new toy of Governor Rostov’s. If it could hide from Hunters, it could naturally evade his subordinates’ Qing Shan Plan. My interest in Governor Rostov of Luona is growing...

Kuyi Tulan stood up and walked over to the young man called Qi Liu. ”What are your new plans?”

The young man named Qi Liu glanced around, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. ”Lend me an Alchemist and a Wizard,” he said. ”I will go up the mountain to find the Young Master.”