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Chapter 273
Chapter 243: Converting "Reputation" into "Influence," Getting Someone Out
Standing at the edge of the crowd, the four members of the Rock Squad wore complex expressions.
"Captain, that genius alchemist… he's calling us, right?" the archer, Basark, asked in a small voice, his lips trembling.
Captain Dosali opened his mouth but no sound came out. No answer was needed, as Tang Zheng was already walking over with Enri.
"It really is Tang."
"You've got to be kidding me. I always thought it was just someone with the same name," the brothers Ler and Rand said, nudging each other's shoulders in excitement.
At this moment, Tang Zheng's temperament and appearance had changed drastically from when they had first met. Although his overall appearance was similar, seeing him in the crowd had still left them uncertain.
Currently, the name "Free Will" was incredibly famous in the Royal Capital. Even though he was a "Gold Rank" adventurer, no one believed that was his true level.
This was an adventurer team that had eliminated seven "Gold Rank" teams, five "Platinum Rank" teams, one "Mithril Rank" team, and the 70-man strong Death Spreading Sword Corps.
With such power, anyone who still treated him as an ordinary Gold Rank adventurer was a fool.
At this thought, the excitement that had just risen in the four members of the Rock Squad turned into a bit of awkwardness.
After more than half a year, they were still Silver Rank adventurers. Compared to the now-famous Tang Zheng, they were practically nobodies.
"It's been a while. I didn't expect to run into you all here," Tang Zheng said with a smile as he walked up to them. "It looks like a lot has happened."
The changes in the four of them were quite obvious.
Captain Dosali had a new scar on his face, Bask wore magic gauntlets on his bow-drawing arm, and the Rand brothers had become stronger and more weathered.
Captain Dosali was clearly a bit flustered. He raised a calloused hand as if to wave, then quickly lowered it, his face flushing red as he said humbly, "Long time no see, Tang."
Thinking back to how he had once planned to recruit Tang Zheng into his team, Captain Dosali wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
"Hm? Silver Rank adventurers," Tang Zheng said, looking at the silver badges on the four of them and teasing them good-naturedly. "I'm stronger than you now, seniors."
The familiar teasing tone washed over them.
It instantly reminded Captain Dosali and the others of the brief time they had spent together on the journey to E-Rantel.
The somewhat tense atmosphere dissipated, and the four of them realized that Tang Zheng didn't seem to have changed at all.
"He's making fun of us, Captain," said Bask the archer, his tense shoulders relaxing as he crossed his arms and looked at their captain.
"Hahaha," Captain Dosali said, scratching his head.
The Rand brothers also started laughing along with them.
"Right, this is Enri," Tang Zheng said, taking a step to the side to reveal Enri, who was standing behind him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, seniors."
Enri's eyes were full of curiosity. She had never seen her lord joke around with others like this. As she spoke, she bent over to bow.
However!
The moment Enri bowed, all four members of the Rock Squad dodged aside in unison, wry smiles appearing on their faces.
"Tang was just joking. Don't take him seriously," Captain Dosali said quickly.
Status and position among adventurers were based on reputation and power, not on some ethereal concept like "senior."
Adventurers never acknowledged such things.
When Tang Zheng had said "seniors," it was just friendly banter between acquaintances. If they were to actually accept that title, they would be overestimating themselves.
Even if Tang Zheng didn't care, they had to.
"Let's walk and talk," Tang Zheng said with a smile.
"Okay."
Captain Dosali nodded immediately. He had noticed that their conversation had already attracted a great deal of attention.
As Tang Zheng started walking, the four members of the Rock Squad hurried to follow. Under the gazes of the crowd, each of them puffed out their chests and straightened their backs.
Tang Zheng walked at the very front, with Captain Dosali a step behind. Enri followed, along with the other three members of the Rock Squad.
"Thank you for that," Captain Dosali said gratefully after they had walked some distance.
"For what?" Tang Zheng asked, puzzled.
"It's about that incident from before," Captain Dosali said with a wry smile.
They had accepted a Gold Rank task to escort Nfirea Bale and his grandmother, but it had ended in failure. It was one thing not to have earned any money.
The mission failure had also affected their team's rating, which was the reason they were still a Silver Rank adventurer team.
But just now, for someone with Tang Zheng's reputation to talk with them and even leave with them was enough to greatly boost their adventurer team's name.
"If you're thanking me for something like this, then don't consider me a friend," Tang Zheng said, bemused.
Hearing this, Captain Dosali's eyes reddened, and he nodded heavily. "Right!"
"You've been active in the Royal Capital's Adventurer's Guild for a while. You should know a bit about the Guild Master. What kind of person is he?" Tang Zheng asked.
Captain Dosali didn't hesitate, telling him everything he knew.
Listening to the information about the Royal Capital's Adventurer's Guild Master, Tang Zheng nodded thoughtfully.
His next move was to get the captured Green Leaf Witch out.
The noble captain of Blue Rose could get Tina out with a single word, but Tang Zheng had no such connections in the Royal Capital.
At least, not on the surface.
Getting the Green Leaf Witch out was actually simple. He could easily have Imina or Leinas help him.
But there was no need.
He had been in the Royal Capital for three days, and it was indeed time to pay a visit to the Adventurer's Guild Master here. This matter served as a good opportunity.
His current status couldn't be limited to mere rumors; it needed to become something more tangible.
Converting "reputation" into "influence" was part of his next plan.
Royal Capital, Adventurer's Guild.
Even before entering the area, one could see the lively flow of people and dense carriage traffic. No matter the city, the Adventurer's Guild was always the most bustling place.
The heavy oak doors were wide open.
A clamor of noise poured out from within the guild, mingled with the scent of ale and fruit wine. For most adventurers, wine was an indispensable beverage.
The guild provided food and drinks, but the prices were generally higher. Ordinary adventurers naturally couldn't afford it, but the adventurers in the Royal Capital were clearly wealthier than those in other places.
Stepping into the guild.
The tables in the spacious hall were already full. Some adventurers without seats simply leaned against the walls, talking and laughing.
The smell of alcohol was even stronger in the air.
Tang Zheng saw the dense crowd of adventurers, his gaze falling on the quest board. The number of adventurers there was, by contrast, the smallest.
"It's really lively. Why are there so many people?" Tang Zheng was a little surprised.
Captain Dosali, however, looked completely unfazed. "It's almost Prayer Day, after all. Most adventurers won't be taking on any more tasks for a while."
"Prayer Day?"
Tang Zheng was a bit confused; he didn't know much about the festivals of this world.
"The new year is almost here. Prayer Day is followed by the Celebration. It's the Royal Capital's grandest annual event," Captain Dosali said, getting excited on his own.
I see.
Tang Zheng understood. So it was a festival similar to a New Year's celebration.
*Bang!*
A large wooden mug slammed onto a table. A shirtless, brawny adventurer shouted at the front desk, "Another round!"
His slightly drunk voice wasn't very conspicuous in the noisy environment.
However, after putting down his mug, the brawny man quickly noticed the figures at the entrance. "Oh, is that you, Dosali? You guys from the Rock Squad, still planning to take on a task at a time like this?"
"If you ask me, you shouldn't try so hard. Just be content as Silver Rank adventurers, hahaha."
The taunting voice came, immediately causing those around him to laugh along.
Captain Dosali's face instantly turned beet red. He wanted to retort angrily, but after opening and closing his mouth, he managed to hold it in.
Clearly, the other party was not someone he could afford to offend.
"Sorry for the embarrassing display, Tang," Captain Dosali said, scratching his head in embarrassment.
Tang Zheng shook his head and was about to say something.
Suddenly.
A commotion, along with whistling, erupted from the adventurers in the hall.
A female adventurer with golden hair and a fiery figure walked down the stairs. Her tight, black leather armor covered her entire body.
Paradoxically, it only served to accentuate her slender waist and graceful figure. On each of her long legs, a dagger was strapped.
Her golden pupils were cold and her expression was stern, making her seem like a very serious person.
Although some of the adventurers below whistled and stared at her with heated gazes, no one dared to approach her or shout obscenities.
Clearly, this female adventurer was either very powerful or had a special status.
Dosali's expression changed, and he quickly lowered his voice to speak to Tang Zheng. "This is the female adventurer I mentioned before, the one who is always by the Guild Master's side. Her name is Samantha."
Under the curious gazes of the crowd, Samantha descended the stairs and walked straight toward Tang Zheng's group, who had just entered the guild.
Seeing this, everyone was a bit surprised. The adventurer who had just been taunting the Rock Squad looked particularly stunned.
"Samantha."
Stepping across the wooden floor, Samantha came to a stop in front of Tang Zheng. A smile broke through her stern expression, the corners of her eyes tilting up slightly as she extended her hand.
"Tang." Faced with this, Tang Zheng remained gentle and gave a shallow response, seemingly not noticing her outstretched hand.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Samantha's expression stiffened for a brief moment, then she lowered her arm as if it didn't bother her.
"Please introduce me to the Guild Master."
"Of course."
Samantha flashed a brilliant smile.
After Tang Zheng and Enri disappeared up the stairs, the briefly subdued atmosphere in the hall erupted into a clamor once more.
And the members of the Rock Squad found themselves completely surrounded.
Afterward, no one knew what Tang Zheng and the Adventurer's Guild Master discussed. They only knew that many adventurers had personally witnessed that when Tang, the leader of Free Will, came out again, the notoriously strict Guild Master was actually walking downstairs with him, a broad smile on his face.
By that evening, the Green Leaf Witch, whom Gazef had taken away, had returned to the inn.
(end of chapter)
Standing at the edge of the crowd, the four members of the Rock Squad wore complex expressions.
"Captain, that genius alchemist… he's calling us, right?" the archer, Basark, asked in a small voice, his lips trembling.
Captain Dosali opened his mouth but no sound came out. No answer was needed, as Tang Zheng was already walking over with Enri.
"It really is Tang."
"You've got to be kidding me. I always thought it was just someone with the same name," the brothers Ler and Rand said, nudging each other's shoulders in excitement.
At this moment, Tang Zheng's temperament and appearance had changed drastically from when they had first met. Although his overall appearance was similar, seeing him in the crowd had still left them uncertain.
Currently, the name "Free Will" was incredibly famous in the Royal Capital. Even though he was a "Gold Rank" adventurer, no one believed that was his true level.
This was an adventurer team that had eliminated seven "Gold Rank" teams, five "Platinum Rank" teams, one "Mithril Rank" team, and the 70-man strong Death Spreading Sword Corps.
With such power, anyone who still treated him as an ordinary Gold Rank adventurer was a fool.
At this thought, the excitement that had just risen in the four members of the Rock Squad turned into a bit of awkwardness.
After more than half a year, they were still Silver Rank adventurers. Compared to the now-famous Tang Zheng, they were practically nobodies.
"It's been a while. I didn't expect to run into you all here," Tang Zheng said with a smile as he walked up to them. "It looks like a lot has happened."
The changes in the four of them were quite obvious.
Captain Dosali had a new scar on his face, Bask wore magic gauntlets on his bow-drawing arm, and the Rand brothers had become stronger and more weathered.
Captain Dosali was clearly a bit flustered. He raised a calloused hand as if to wave, then quickly lowered it, his face flushing red as he said humbly, "Long time no see, Tang."
Thinking back to how he had once planned to recruit Tang Zheng into his team, Captain Dosali wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
"Hm? Silver Rank adventurers," Tang Zheng said, looking at the silver badges on the four of them and teasing them good-naturedly. "I'm stronger than you now, seniors."
The familiar teasing tone washed over them.
It instantly reminded Captain Dosali and the others of the brief time they had spent together on the journey to E-Rantel.
The somewhat tense atmosphere dissipated, and the four of them realized that Tang Zheng didn't seem to have changed at all.
"He's making fun of us, Captain," said Bask the archer, his tense shoulders relaxing as he crossed his arms and looked at their captain.
"Hahaha," Captain Dosali said, scratching his head.
The Rand brothers also started laughing along with them.
"Right, this is Enri," Tang Zheng said, taking a step to the side to reveal Enri, who was standing behind him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, seniors."
Enri's eyes were full of curiosity. She had never seen her lord joke around with others like this. As she spoke, she bent over to bow.
However!
The moment Enri bowed, all four members of the Rock Squad dodged aside in unison, wry smiles appearing on their faces.
"Tang was just joking. Don't take him seriously," Captain Dosali said quickly.
Status and position among adventurers were based on reputation and power, not on some ethereal concept like "senior."
Adventurers never acknowledged such things.
When Tang Zheng had said "seniors," it was just friendly banter between acquaintances. If they were to actually accept that title, they would be overestimating themselves.
Even if Tang Zheng didn't care, they had to.
"Let's walk and talk," Tang Zheng said with a smile.
"Okay."
Captain Dosali nodded immediately. He had noticed that their conversation had already attracted a great deal of attention.
As Tang Zheng started walking, the four members of the Rock Squad hurried to follow. Under the gazes of the crowd, each of them puffed out their chests and straightened their backs.
Tang Zheng walked at the very front, with Captain Dosali a step behind. Enri followed, along with the other three members of the Rock Squad.
"Thank you for that," Captain Dosali said gratefully after they had walked some distance.
"For what?" Tang Zheng asked, puzzled.
"It's about that incident from before," Captain Dosali said with a wry smile.
They had accepted a Gold Rank task to escort Nfirea Bale and his grandmother, but it had ended in failure. It was one thing not to have earned any money.
The mission failure had also affected their team's rating, which was the reason they were still a Silver Rank adventurer team.
But just now, for someone with Tang Zheng's reputation to talk with them and even leave with them was enough to greatly boost their adventurer team's name.
"If you're thanking me for something like this, then don't consider me a friend," Tang Zheng said, bemused.
Hearing this, Captain Dosali's eyes reddened, and he nodded heavily. "Right!"
"You've been active in the Royal Capital's Adventurer's Guild for a while. You should know a bit about the Guild Master. What kind of person is he?" Tang Zheng asked.
Captain Dosali didn't hesitate, telling him everything he knew.
Listening to the information about the Royal Capital's Adventurer's Guild Master, Tang Zheng nodded thoughtfully.
His next move was to get the captured Green Leaf Witch out.
The noble captain of Blue Rose could get Tina out with a single word, but Tang Zheng had no such connections in the Royal Capital.
At least, not on the surface.
Getting the Green Leaf Witch out was actually simple. He could easily have Imina or Leinas help him.
But there was no need.
He had been in the Royal Capital for three days, and it was indeed time to pay a visit to the Adventurer's Guild Master here. This matter served as a good opportunity.
His current status couldn't be limited to mere rumors; it needed to become something more tangible.
Converting "reputation" into "influence" was part of his next plan.
Royal Capital, Adventurer's Guild.
Even before entering the area, one could see the lively flow of people and dense carriage traffic. No matter the city, the Adventurer's Guild was always the most bustling place.
The heavy oak doors were wide open.
A clamor of noise poured out from within the guild, mingled with the scent of ale and fruit wine. For most adventurers, wine was an indispensable beverage.
The guild provided food and drinks, but the prices were generally higher. Ordinary adventurers naturally couldn't afford it, but the adventurers in the Royal Capital were clearly wealthier than those in other places.
Stepping into the guild.
The tables in the spacious hall were already full. Some adventurers without seats simply leaned against the walls, talking and laughing.
The smell of alcohol was even stronger in the air.
Tang Zheng saw the dense crowd of adventurers, his gaze falling on the quest board. The number of adventurers there was, by contrast, the smallest.
"It's really lively. Why are there so many people?" Tang Zheng was a little surprised.
Captain Dosali, however, looked completely unfazed. "It's almost Prayer Day, after all. Most adventurers won't be taking on any more tasks for a while."
"Prayer Day?"
Tang Zheng was a bit confused; he didn't know much about the festivals of this world.
"The new year is almost here. Prayer Day is followed by the Celebration. It's the Royal Capital's grandest annual event," Captain Dosali said, getting excited on his own.
I see.
Tang Zheng understood. So it was a festival similar to a New Year's celebration.
*Bang!*
A large wooden mug slammed onto a table. A shirtless, brawny adventurer shouted at the front desk, "Another round!"
His slightly drunk voice wasn't very conspicuous in the noisy environment.
However, after putting down his mug, the brawny man quickly noticed the figures at the entrance. "Oh, is that you, Dosali? You guys from the Rock Squad, still planning to take on a task at a time like this?"
"If you ask me, you shouldn't try so hard. Just be content as Silver Rank adventurers, hahaha."
The taunting voice came, immediately causing those around him to laugh along.
Captain Dosali's face instantly turned beet red. He wanted to retort angrily, but after opening and closing his mouth, he managed to hold it in.
Clearly, the other party was not someone he could afford to offend.
"Sorry for the embarrassing display, Tang," Captain Dosali said, scratching his head in embarrassment.
Tang Zheng shook his head and was about to say something.
Suddenly.
A commotion, along with whistling, erupted from the adventurers in the hall.
A female adventurer with golden hair and a fiery figure walked down the stairs. Her tight, black leather armor covered her entire body.
Paradoxically, it only served to accentuate her slender waist and graceful figure. On each of her long legs, a dagger was strapped.
Her golden pupils were cold and her expression was stern, making her seem like a very serious person.
Although some of the adventurers below whistled and stared at her with heated gazes, no one dared to approach her or shout obscenities.
Clearly, this female adventurer was either very powerful or had a special status.
Dosali's expression changed, and he quickly lowered his voice to speak to Tang Zheng. "This is the female adventurer I mentioned before, the one who is always by the Guild Master's side. Her name is Samantha."
Under the curious gazes of the crowd, Samantha descended the stairs and walked straight toward Tang Zheng's group, who had just entered the guild.
Seeing this, everyone was a bit surprised. The adventurer who had just been taunting the Rock Squad looked particularly stunned.
"Samantha."
Stepping across the wooden floor, Samantha came to a stop in front of Tang Zheng. A smile broke through her stern expression, the corners of her eyes tilting up slightly as she extended her hand.
"Tang." Faced with this, Tang Zheng remained gentle and gave a shallow response, seemingly not noticing her outstretched hand.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Samantha's expression stiffened for a brief moment, then she lowered her arm as if it didn't bother her.
"Please introduce me to the Guild Master."
"Of course."
Samantha flashed a brilliant smile.
After Tang Zheng and Enri disappeared up the stairs, the briefly subdued atmosphere in the hall erupted into a clamor once more.
And the members of the Rock Squad found themselves completely surrounded.
Afterward, no one knew what Tang Zheng and the Adventurer's Guild Master discussed. They only knew that many adventurers had personally witnessed that when Tang, the leader of Free Will, came out again, the notoriously strict Guild Master was actually walking downstairs with him, a broad smile on his face.
By that evening, the Green Leaf Witch, whom Gazef had taken away, had returned to the inn.
(end of chapter)
