Inside Summer Crinkle's Dolphin bar, the group of Apostles kept pushing the drinks down the young Demon Hunter's throat—the denouement of the incident had truly surprised everyone. When Noah returned, he merely said one sentence, both Ye Qi and Glados were equally wrong so no further action would be taken against either… With just one sentence, the whole incident at the arena was wrapped up. Ye Qi and his group of Apostle friends naturally wouldn't challenge that decision. Even though the young Demon Hunter had suspicion regarding the headquarters' decision, it was not like he had someone to ask. He doubted the cold-faced man would give him an explanation so he just shrugged it off.
Fact was he wouldn't have gotten an explanation even if Noah was in the mood to tell because he was as confused as Ye Qi.
"Master, why did the headquarters let Ye Qi off the hook so easily?"
In a room littered with books, the cold-faced man voiced his question to another man in the room.
"Because rules are set by those who rule…"
The aged voice belied a youthful face that was revealed by the slanting moonlight—purplish-dark hair framed a face that was as fair as jade. A pair of eyes that seemed to sparkle looked into the sky. The most eye-catching feature on the individual's face was a faded blue mark that appeared to float above the forehead like an imprinted tattoo, giving him an air of mystery.
"The potential within Ye Qi is really that great?" Noah in his teacher's company seemed to lose his usual sense of frigidness and in its place was a sense of warmth, "But we have several Apostles with the same amount of talent every year…"
"It's not him that you have to watch for but the person behind him!" Pierce shook his head as he looked at his disciple. He added a reminder that sounded like a warning, "Noah, stay close to Ye Qi, it'll be good for you in the future!"
"Yes, master…"
"Linda, here! Here!" A group of weirdly-dressed students cheered standing outside Dolphin Bar, "Who would have thought there would really be a bar here! Linda, how did you know about this place?"
"Hmm.."
The girl didn't answer her friend's question because her mind was too flustered by the shadow she saw cross the corner just now.
How can he be here? Or was I mistaken?
The girl's heart was completely dominated by the dark shadow and her usual calm heart started to rock…
"Ye, don't worry!" The big bloke who was carrying a huge barrel of wine in his arms pointed at a shop not far away and consoled the young Demon Hunter, "Frank is the best blacksmith in all of Summer Crinkle, he can definitely fix your sword!"
"I hope so!"
The good cheer that the young Demon Hunter gained from completing the C+ quest dispersed immediately when he looked at the rusted sword in his hand. Noticing his constant glances at the sword, Darien gave the news that he believed would cheer Ye Qi up.
Even though the young Demon Hunter didn't think fixing the sword was possible, he was not going to give up on any hope. He bade the bar full of Apostles farewell and joined the big bloke as they headed for the shop.
Sacred Hammer Weapons Collection?
The young Demon Hunter glanced at the shop name before walking in behind Darien.
"Darien, the boss is at the back!"
"Thank you!"
From the way the shopkeeper greeted Darien, it was obvious that the big bloke was a familiar customer here. He led Ye Qi through the corridor to the back of the shop.
As he entered the backroom, Ye Qi was assaulted by the familiar sound of metal grinding on metal. The rhythmic sound attracted the young Demon Hunter's attention instantly—he saw a squat, dark middle-aged man that was several times more muscular than Titan prepping a long sword on top of a grindstone.
The single-handed sword looked simple and had no excessive decoration but the blade glinted chillingly in the light.
Such a sharp blade!
Even though it pained Ye Qi to admit it, the sword in the man's hands was definitely sharper and more lethal than his magical short sword even when his sword was not in its current rusted condition. Furthermore, as the young Demon Hunter looked around the backroom, he realized the weapons hanging on the wall were all plain-looking but extremely sharp killing instruments. The thing that grabbed Ye Qi's attention the most was an item that was kept under a tarp. Even through the shape alone, the young Demon Hunter could tell what it was!
Flame God!
The Flame God Gatling Cannon, the nightmare of infantry, the famed firearm that could fire 3600 bullets in one minute.
Is this something a blacksmith should own? Or he's dealing with firearms on the side?
The young Demon Hunter's lips curved involuntarily into a smile.
"Frank, I've brought you a present!" The big bloke slammed the wine barrel on the floor and pulled Ye Qi over to make an introduction, "This here is my friend, Ye Qi. His weapon was corroded by an Apostle's power during a match, can you help him fix it?"
The young Demon Hunter pulled out the sword and placed it before the blacksmith.
"When are you going to clear up the debt you owe me for fixing your armour last time?" The blacksmith hauled the barrel up from the floor and placed it on a counter behind the grindstone before extending his palm at Darien, "Clear your previous debt first before you talk to me about this one! You owed me 22 Gold Doubloons before and that combined with the interest totals up to 40 Gold Doubloons because as you know my time is very precious! Thank you for your business!"
Perhaps he had imagined it but the young Demon Hunter could have sworn he saw the smile of the cunning merchant on the blacksmith's face for a fleeting moment…
"Can't you delay it for a few more days…" The big bloke explained with his face burning with shame, "I've spent the last bit of money on me to treat my friends on drinks… I promise I will pay you next time…"
"Then, come back next time…" The blacksmith shrugged and was about to say some more when he saw the young Demon Hunter walk towards the counter that held the wine barrel. He roared instantly, "Hey, what are you doing?!"
"Take back the wine of course!" Ye Qi hugged the wine barrel and placed it in the big bloke's arms. Then he pulled Darien out of the backroom and said, "Sir, we will come back with this when we have enough money to pay you!"
"Wait, stand right there!"
The blacksmith growled.
"Yes, sir? How can we help you?" The young Demon Hunter smiled innocently before adding, "If there's nothing else, we have to leave because as you know, our time is very precious too… Of course, if you wish to conduct business then we'll glad stay!"
Compared to the honest Darien, Ye Qi who had dealt with Old Walter for years was obviously more proficient at handling people like the blacksmith—this was observable from the dazed expression on the blacksmith's face.