While Lu Xin was getting some grain to feed Little Grey and the Colorful Chicken, Ailya had already dressed and washed up.
“Hurry up and eat. We’ll go send off Audrey and the others soon.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll reluctantly go with you.” Ailya happily ate breakfast, having no objection to seeing Ruilin off.
At the square, all the knights were packing their gear. The extra horses needed another rope to be led away.
Ruilin looked toward Lu Xin’s住处, hoping to see the person she wanted.
Audrey glanced at Ruilin, then followed her gaze. She was genuinely happy that her little sister had found someone she liked.
Thinking further, Audrey recalled that Ruilin used to always call her “Master,” believing she was nothing more than a pitied servant.
But ever since they reunited in the forest, even when they were alone together, she never called her Master again.
That was naturally a good thing—it meant Ruilin was no longer so self-conscious. Audrey was sincerely glad for her sister’s growth.
At that moment, Lu Xin and Ailya appeared on the path, with the Colorful Chicken still perched atop Lu Xin’s head.
As soon as Ailya saw Ruilin, she hurried ahead and smiled.
“It’s nice to see you again. You’re Ruilin, right?”
Ruilin was a bit flustered by Ailya’s sudden warmth and replied softly, “Mm.”
She once again felt that unsettling pressure from Ailya, but perhaps because the latter deliberately restrained herself, it was far less terrifying than their first meeting.
“From now on, we’re all family. Please take care of me.” Ailya extended her hand and smiled at her.
Ruilin was stunned. She instinctively looked at Lu Xin. After he nodded, she reached out and took Ailya’s hand.
Watching the two of them get close, Audrey understood that Ailya had accepted Ruilin’s relationship with Lu Xin.
She looked at Lu Xin with some surprise, not expecting him to handle things so quickly.
For Audrey, she had indeed been a little worried about this. If Lu Xin were to toy with two girls’ hearts, she would never forgive him.
But now it seemed she hadn’t misjudged his character: honest with friends, ruthless with enemies.
Audrey stepped forward and parted her red lips to Lu Xin. “I’ll bring you news as soon as possible.”
“Yeah.”
“Then we’ll be going. The Wyatt Family will welcome you when the time comes.”
“Farewell.”
Audrey nodded, mounted her horse, and ordered the group to set off.
Ruilin stepped forward, hugged Lu Xin, and reluctantly waved goodbye.
But another unexpected person also came before Lu Xin.
Lu Xin looked at him and joked, “Do you want a hug too?”
“No.” Hai Er shook his head and refused. He looked seriously at Lu Xin. “I came to thank you for saving my life back then.”
“It was just a small favor.”
“No. As a knight, this is something I must do. If you ever have trouble in the Delk Capital, you can look for me.”
Hai Er understood that Lu Xin had Audrey to help if he encountered difficulties, but he still had to say it—this was his own stance.
As the Knight Order departed, the townspeople cleared a path.
Ailya looked at Lu Xin curiously. “Can we go back now?”
“You go ahead. I’m going to see the Mayor.”
“See the Mayor?”
“Yeah. I need to discuss something.”
Earlier, Lu Xin had given Ailya a bag of gold coins, but he didn’t take them back now. He just took a few gold coins and walked over to Field.
“Good morning, Mayor Field.”
Field saw Lu Xin coming to him and already had a big smile plastered on his face.
From the way the Knight Order treated Lu Xin just now, anyone with eyes could tell he was about to rise fast.
“Haha, just call me Mayor. No need to be so formal.” Field rubbed his hands together and invited Lu Xin inside to talk.
“No need. I’ll be straightforward—I want to buy a place to live in town.”
Lu Xin’s reasoning was simple: now that he had Ailya and two pets, living in that small, shabby cabin was too cramped.
Field naturally guessed Lu Xin’s intention. He waved his hand grandly. “That’s easy. There happen to be empty houses in town. Just move in.”
“And the cost?”
“No need, no need. Consider it repayment for all you’ve contributed to the town all this time.”
Field was an old fox. He knew Lu Xin would probably move to the capital soon.
Rather than take Lu Xin’s money, it was better to build a relationship.
But Lu Xin wasn’t short on money. As an upright young man, how could he accept a house for free?
So Field failed to forge that connection with Lu Xin.
—
On the way back, Lu Xin looked at the Sleeping Giant tavern and thought about going in to buy some wine and roasted meat to take home.
He walked into the tavern. Even though it was daytime, it was packed with people.
A sign on the right side of the bar listed the prices for roasted meat, beer, and the like.
‘Hmm, too cheap.’
The most expensive honey wine was only one silver coin. But Lu Xin was no longer what he used to be—his pockets were full of gold coins now.
“Boss, give me some honey wine and smoked meat. Whatever you think is fair.”
The tavern owner watched as Lu Xin placed two gold coins on the wooden table. His eyes went wide, and he immediately greeted Lu Xin enthusiastically.
“Honored guest, have a seat. The honey wine and smoked meat will be ready shortly.”
Just then, a considerable commotion came from the far end.
“I really don’t have any money. Can’t I use my talent to attract customers and pay off my tab?”
“Get out of here! Even beggars think they can drink now.”
A person in a gray robe was slumped drunkenly over a table, with a lute strapped to his back.
A tavern server was trying to drive him out.
Lu Xin didn’t want to meddle at first—there were too many people who drank themselves into poverty.
But the man’s words caught his attention. He staggered, turned to the others in the tavern, and announced loudly:
“Whoever’s willing to buy me another drink, I’ll play a tune for you, or trade it for all kinds of news.”
“Such as the Mad King of the North, Olaf, suddenly appearing in the Dragon Skeleton Mountains, the Elven race’s scheming against the capital, or the seven-colored bird in the Misty Forest…”
‘A seven-colored bird?’
Lu Xin was momentarily stunned. He did know about the Colorful Chicken in the Misty Forest.
But that wasn’t the point. Lu Xin spoke up to the man. “Can you come over and elaborate?”
Seeing that someone was paying attention, Robin staggered over to Lu Xin.
However, someone nearby warned Lu Xin: “Bro, don’t believe that guy. He’s just making stuff up.”
“Yeah, he’s been coming to the tavern for three days straight, trying to trick people into buying him drinks with those tall tales.”
Lu Xin glanced at the people around him, but in the end, he bought two bottles of honey wine for Robin.
Robin was delighted with the good wine in his hands and thanked Lu Xin: “Thanks a lot, friend. You can call me Robin Wuyin.”