Chapter 836: The Place Where Dreams Begin

Chapter 836: The Place Where Dreams Begin

In these times, when one kneels, all you hear is, “Knight, spare me!”

I’m guessing you don’t have any other lines, huh? Just “Knight, spare me!”

Why not try “King, spare me!” for a change?

The boss got kicked out and turned into a thug, just here for some punching and kicking before robbing the place.

This is exactly how it should unfold; after all, it fits the villain’s role nicely.

Who brings money to buy things in a situation like this? What a mess!

“Tell me, what’s this price increase about? Are you bullying poor folks like me?”

Lin Nuo, all riled up, grabbed the Black Market Boss by the collar and let him have it.

“This, this isn’t what we wanted to do… Now the Dong Wei are taking over the Black Market, and they demand heavy taxes from us… and the Refining Demon Sect… We used to supply them low-priced goods, now they want us to provide thousands of pounds of magic stones for free every month… It’s getting harder to do business… If we don’t raise the prices, we can’t survive…”

“You Black Market scum have sunk so low as to let those two stinkers lead you around by the nose? You’ve become their lackeys?”

“We, we can’t help it… With the fall of the Magic Star, the Refining Demon Sect is stronger, and we can’t match them. As for Dong Wei, we used to have their protection, and we’d give them benefits. But now they’re insatiable, demanding more and more. We’ve worked our butts off to stock up, but we’re hardly making any money…”

“How the hell can you say you’re not making money when you’re raking in profits? You even dare to charge double! If someone robs you three times, you just go and rob the customers five times, huh? Whatever happened to the stable prices you used to spout?”

Lin Nuo’s knife was hovering dangerously close to the Black Market Boss, making him tremble in fear.

That knife could drop at any second! I’ve saved up so much money; I haven’t even spent it yet!

“Knight…”

“Shut it, I hate that nickname.”

“Alright, my good man… Please don’t be impulsive, I didn’t want this either… Just let me sell you what you want at a cheaper price…”

“You’re asking me for money in your current state? Do you think that’s reasonable?”

Lin Nuo’s knife moved again, ready to stab the boss, who quickly agreed.

“Fine, fine! Free, free, it’s all free for you!!!”

“See? Was that so hard?”

Lin Nuo finally sheathed his knife, realizing if he had known that would work, he would have skipped all this business talk.

Just take it! Way easier, long live free loot!

With that, Lin Nuo happily claimed the Black Market’s resources without spending a dime, and just ran off.

Of course, while he took the goods for free, he’d have to pay for information; you can’t just stab your way through that. He knew that. If you scrimp on payments, those who gather information might retaliate with false intel, and that wouldn’t be good for him.

He must spend what needs to be spent; you can’t save on everything.

Just as Lin Nuo ran off, the boss finally got up in a sorry state. He was a coward just a moment ago, but now that Lin Nuo was gone, he regained a bit of his bravado.

No one got killed, just a nice beating for everyone. Lin Nuo also understood he couldn’t kill these people; if he did, the Black Market would fall to chaos, and it would make buying things more complicated.

No, wait, more like getting things for free!

“Who is this person? We must find out. Also, hurry and tell Dong Wei and the Refining Demon Sect that we’re under threat from this kid, and we urgently need their help to eliminate him.”

“Understood!”

This crew just had their butts kicked by Lin Nuo and were now seething with resentment, eager to see him fall to clear their shame.

Even if they can’t take revenge directly, they would definitely drag the Refining Demon Sect and Dong Wei into this mess. If they’re going to take a beating, they might as well take a collective one.

…

At this moment, Luo Xiaoxue received an imperial edict from the court. She quickly opened it, skimming through the content.

It basically said her father and mother were gravely ill and might not recover. The court was also making preparations for a funeral, urging her to return and see them.

Upon receiving the edict, Luo Xiaoxue immediately panicked.

Her father and mother were seriously ill; regardless of whether it was true or not, she felt a pressing urgency.

“Princess, I believe this might be a trap. You’ve been away from the court for quite some time, and you’ve taken away many royal guards as well. The royal family is now powerless, reduced to puppets, and you, Princess, are their last hope. Dong Wei sees this as a threat; going back now could very well be a trap to capture and imprison you.”

Han Xiao analyzed, and Luo Xiaoxue understood the logic, but now she was stuck in a dilemma. If she didn’t go back, and it turned out to be true, wouldn’t that be disrespectful to her parents? But if she did go back, it was highly likely to be a trap, and her safety could be jeopardized.

The people of Dong Wei were cunning, capable of heinous acts, and returning could mean losing the power she had amassed, nullifying her past efforts.

“I thought of that too. But you’re not personally involved; you can’t understand. My father and mother are my biological parents. Being in the court as Dong Wei’s puppet, I’m increasingly worried. If they are indeed gravely ill, and I don’t return, it would be a failure in filial duty.”

“The hope of the Puhan royal family rests in your hands, Princess. If they truly are ill, they surely know the current situation and won’t let you return to harm.”

Han Xiao continued his analysis, but Luo Xiaoxue was still anxious and unsure of what to do.

But first, she had to respond to the messenger:

“I will return; please relay that to them.”

“Princess, the Emperor needs a more precise time from you so they can make arrangements over there.”

The messenger wasn’t foolish; with her intent to return, who knows if that’s true?

“We’ll be there within five days.”

“Princess, they can’t wait that long; please arrive within two days.”

“That’s too rushed.”

“No choice; it’s an urgent situation; please understand, Princess.”

The messenger said seriously; it wasn’t the Emperor who was anxious, but rather Dong Wei.

The less time available, the fewer chances Luo Xiaoxue would have.

“Alright, we’ll return within two days; please report that back.”

Luo Xiaoxue could only comply on the surface while still deliberating whether to actually go back or not.

“Good, we’ll make preparations to welcome you back, Princess.”

The messenger smiled a bit, relieved to finally deliver some news, then followed the group away from Luo Xiaoxue’s military camp.

Though Dong Wei knew where Luo Xiaoxue’s camp was, they didn’t dare attack; on one hand, they were stretched thin with troops, and on the other hand, Luo Xiaoxue’s side wasn’t easy pickings either.

Luring her back to the court was the key point.

“Princess, do you really want to go back?”

“Let me think.”

Luo Xiaoxue held her head, feeling quite torn.

Let’s think this through.

Seeing them getting closer to Huang City held significant meaning for Luo Xiaoxue.

After all, that was where she first met Lin Nuo, the place where dreams began.

“Huang City, where I met Knight Lin. It’s a shame the little house we stayed in was destroyed. Since we’re here, I should go take a look; it brings back memories.”

Luo Xiaoxue gazed at the distant Huang City, and amid her anxiety, a faint smile appeared on her face.