Chapter 298: An Interlude along the Way
Chen Rui’s infernal affairs in Crystal Valley was considered a great success as of now. The gain was bountiful as well.
The most important thing was the Demon Shield of Leviathan Royal Family’s artifact, Illusive Demon Shield. Together with the Illusive Shield in Delia’s hands, this artifact would be considered complete with all its parts. Similarly, the importance of the ancient runes slab was not small. If one could understand the profound secrets in it, it might be the key to unlocking Paglio’s seal. At the very least, it could also be used as a bargaining chip for Zola.
During this period, he “blackmailed” a lot of precious materials from Manu, crystal dragon and Sabrina. As long as he had a couple more materials which were missing, he could make “Thunderous Sound” again. However, he could not go back to the Mechanic Association for the time being. In addition, there was also the Fountain of Resurrection of unknown use and the massive high-purity magic crystals mined by the crystal dragon for the recovery magic circle. Although it was only a small part of the crystal mine veins, the superb gold crystal and blood crystal alone were worth a heap of fortune. Unfortunately, as a dragon who liked to gather wealth, the treasure of crystal dragon did not seem to be in Crystal Valley. The cautious crystal dragon also remained silent on this. (Crystal dragon yelled with sorrow and anger, You are really too much. You killed my people, took my things and even wanted to confiscate my family possessions?)
The base of Crystal Valley should be completely destroyed already. Manu would definitely die. Azgalor and the crystal dragon were severely injured, especially the crystal dragon. He lost the recovery magic circle, so his injury recovery would be very slow. One of the three bosses had been eliminated. However, it wasn’t sure if there was a stronger guy behind.
Old institutions die hard. Although this time was a serious blow to the organization, it had not reached the point of being uprooted yet. From the information disclosed by Sabrina, Isabella of Fallen Angel Empire should also be part of this force. He would most probably meet these old “friends” in the future.
The most depressing thing for Chen Rui was Freya and Lafar, especially Freya. He thought that he could let her go away safely, but unexpected changes happened. He didn’t know how to explain it to Kia.
Chen Rui sighed. Anyway, I’ll go back to Dark Moon first. If I go to Town Leia from the capital, it would be a longer route. The southeast side of the Bloody Vine Estate is Red Spirit Estate. I’ll go this way.
The regeneration and recovery of the heart was much slower than Chen Rui imagined. He used to “perish together” with Casillas and got his heart pierced in Paglio’s treasure of the Silent Night Wetland last time. However, it was only pierced, not shattered.
Repairing and regenerating were completely two tests. Now Chen Rui had to suffer from the intermittent pain of wound pain and itching growth every day. He secretly swore, I will never do this kind of silly thing in the future… Um… Unless it’s for my woman. Um… plus a few toxic friends as well.
Chen Rui camouflaged to become a lich potioneer. It was not because he wanted to be in the limelight, but because the potioneer’s identity was respected and feared. This business attire was prepared when he was still in the Dark Moon Estate. It was for the sole purpose of concealment when escaping.
Although potioneer was not as highly valued as mechanic, the use and popularity of pharmacy was no less than that of equipment. In case of anything, his knowledge of pharmacy was enough to get away with it.
Since the three major empires still maintained peace on the surface, Chen Rui passed the border and entered the Red Spirit Estate of the Fallen Angel Empire without much difficulty.
Red Spirit Estate was one of the Fallen Angel Empire’s several biggest estates. The area was slightly smaller than the Dark Moon. The estate was crescent shaped. It was adjacent to the northeast of Dark Moon. The northern part was directly connected to the Fallen Angel capital.
After several twists and turns, Chen Rui took a carriage in Town Sam, a border town of Red Spirit Estate. He headed towards Town Moling. When he was in Mountain Xilang previously, he learned from his puppet, Snowden, that the Red Spirit Estate was mainly divided into three major parts. Red Spirit Lord, Josh, controlled the most central and most important Red Spirit city. The remaining two parts were passed to his two sons to manage. It was just like a small kingdom that was divided into a capital and two estates.
Town Moling at the northwest was managed by the youngest son, Kanita. Town Mordo at the southeast, adjacent to Dark Moon, was under Joseph’s responsibility. However, the military power near the two borders was held by Josh himself, just in case.
Lord Josh wanted to train his two sons so that they could excel. On the other hand, he must also beware of the two sons being too good. Whether in the Human Realm or Demon Realm, the power struggle between father-son and between brothers was not a new thing.
Chen Rui was going to Town Moling where Kanita was located. Snowden should be in this town. He could provide some information and convenience.
Due to the small number of carriages available in Town Sam, Chen Rui couldn’t find any empty carriage when he arrived. Due to his potioneer identity, he managed to squeeze into a relatively empty carriage. There was only 1 minotaur and 1 dark elf in the carriage. Both of them looked like tennager around 13 to 14 years old.
The carriage was bumpy on the road, and Chen Rui grimaced in pain occasionally, but his face was covered in a cloak. The potioneer’s robe made the two on the opposite look revered. They only dared to whisper to each other.
With Chen Rui’s hearing ability, he could naturally hear what the two youths said. It was none other than, “this scary potioneer will catch you as an experiment subject and feed you poison” or something like that. He could only smile bitterly. The development trend of potioneer in Demon Realm had inclined toward the “poison potioneer” category. Ironically, countless potioneer masters wanted to become a grandmaster, but none of the black potions of grandmaster level were poison. All of them were buffing potions.
The speed of the carriage was not fast. The road conditions along the way were winding and steep. It was estimated to take 5 to 6 days to reach Town Moling. On the third day, an accident finally happened – Bandits.
The term bandits should be used to describe people who snatch and steal property. But in this world, bandits were all robberies without technical content. As for theft, they were called thieves or burglars.
Chen Rui once destroyed the largest bandits gang which was sent to Dark Moon by the Red Spirit Estate. But it was his first time to be blocked and robbed by bandits since rebirth.
For Chen Rui’s current strength, it was only a dozen thieves. The highest strength was an early Higher Demon. Judging from the broken equipment and the sparse assault in intercepting the carriage, a ‘noob’ could be added in the title of thieves.
Chen Rui saw them from the carriage’s curtains which were opened due to the violent bumping. Although the carriage was almost out of control, and the people inside were all tumbling, these did not hinder Chen Rui’s observation even if he only had a few seconds.
“The people in the carriage, come out with all your belongings immediately. Otherwise, we will kill all of you!”
Demon Realm’s bandits were generally fierce. If the victims didn’t hand over the property or have no money, they would usually be killed. Sometimes survival was not guaranteed even after handing over the property. They most probably couldn’t keep the horse as well.
The coachman shuddered with fright. Although there were bandits appearing on this section, the occurrence was very low. He didn’t know why he was so bloody unlucky to encounter these guys.
The two teenagers in the carriage were also very nervous.
“Tommy, what should we do? We have no money. We will be killed by the bandits. Let’s just fight with them!”
“Don’t be impulsive, Tonk. Even with that thing, you can only kill two people at most,” Dark elf Tommy shook his head anxiously. “They have a dozen people. We definitely couldn’t match them.”
With that said, Tommy looked at the potioneer on the opposite side, “Dear potioneer sir, only sir can help us all now. I believe sir’s poison deterrence should scare off those guys.”
However, “potioneer sir” seemed to be still sleeping like he didn’t know what happen. Tonk knew that it was a critical moment, so he disregarded Tommy’s dissuasion and went over to push this scary potioneer. Unexpectedly, this potioneer sir actually fainted in response. They didn’t know whether he fainted as a result of bumping or shock.
The voice of the bandits outside sounded again, “I’ll count to ten. If you don’t come out, you will be killed for sure!”
“We’re doomed!” Tonk gritted his teeth and took something out of his backpack. “We can only fight for life.”
Tommy panted, and his thin arm took a short dagger from his waist. When he glanced at the potioneer sir’s chest, his eyes suddenly lit up, “Wait!”
Tommy pressed Tonk with one hand which was shaking slightly, “I have a way. If it doesn’t work, then we fight for life!”
Tonk looked puzzled, but he knew that Tommy had always been smarter than himself. So he nodded immediately.
The Great Demon bandit, who was the leader, with the power of Higher Demon had already counted to eight. The bandits slowly surrounded the carriage. The coachman’s vest was soaked. At this moment, a figure finally came out from the carriage. It was a young dark elf.
“Who dares to attack?” The dark elf boy glanced coldly at the surrounding bandits, revealing a predominant attitude. “The great potioneer, Mr. Rolls-Royce is in there. If you don’t want to be poisoned until you are left with dried bones, leave quickly!”
The face of Chen Rui, who was pretending to be fainted, twitched a bit, Rolls-Royce? Are you sure it’s not Ferrari or Porsche?
However, Tonk who was in the car obviously didn’t notice this detail. The minotaur’s hand was holding a thing tightly. It was actually a crossbow. This crossbow seemed to be the foldable type. When it was unfolded, it would be huge.
Potioneer? The bandits looked at each other with fear in their eyes, and the leader frowned, “Little boy, are you planning to scare us away with just one sentence?”
Tommy took out a dark silver badge, “Look at what this is?”
Someone behind the Great Demon exclaimed, “Potioneer badge!”
Potioneer’s reputation as “evil and vicious” had been deeply rooted in the people’s hearts. The emergence of this badge changed the bandits’ facial expressions. The Great Demon leader was of no exception. However, this leader had a little more insight. After looking at the badge, his eyes fell on the dark elf boy. He rolled his eyes and sneered, “Are your hands shaking? Are you afraid? Or… this badge was actually stolen!”
The dark elf boy’s heart tightened, “No! There is indeed a potioneer sir in the carriage.”
Discovering Tommy’s nervousness, the Great Demon was even determined, “Then let this sir come out. We also want to meet this awesome potioneer.”
The cold sweat on Tommy’s forehead dripped. He argued, “You can ask the driver if there is…”
Before he finished his words, the Great Demon had teleported in front of him instantaneously. He grabbed Tommy’s neck, “Little scum, how dare you lie to me! I’ll tear you into pieces!”
Tonk panicked. As he was about to rush out to rescue Tommy, Tonk saw the Great Demon’s movements halted suddenly. His body started trembling, and he couldn’t hold Tommy anymore. With a cry, he started scratching his body frantically. One after another shocking blood marks appeared, yet he still didn’t stop. Soon, he rolled up in the ground, and his body muscles gradually withered. Finally, he turned into a pile of bones under the witness of the horrified bandits.
Such a powerful poison! There is really a potioneer in the car! The bandits who witnessed their leader turned into dead bones dared not stay. They fled in all directions with all their might, for the fear that they would get caught by this silent poison.
Tommy was shocked by the dead bones too. Fortunately, he finally reacted and hurried back to the carriage. He saw Tonk holding a huge crossbow and carefully aiming at the terrifying potioneer who had woken up.
“Keep your weapon, minotaur boy,” To align with the lich face, Chen Rui said old-fashionedly, “As for you, dark elf boy, with the cleverness you just showed, you should know that you would have become dead bones already just like the bandits outside if I intend to harm you. Also… return that badge to me.”
The dark elf boy abruptly hinted to his companion to put away the crossbow, “Sir Rolls-Royce…”
“Don’t call me with that kind of dumb name!” Chen Rui frowned, “My name is Richard. Lafar.”
The dark elf and minotaur looked even more astonished. A potioneer with a surname! Can’t believe that we are in the same carriage with this sir!
The carriage continued the journey with the driver’s relieved and joyful expression. After this incident, the dark elf boy seemed to be a lot bolder. He continued to call “Sir Richard” in a friendly manner. Along the way, he said one or two pharmaceutical terms from time to time. But Chen Rui could hear that these terms were copied and inflexible. If the pharmacy knowledge of “Sir Richard” was a half barrel of water, then Tommy could barely be regarded as a drop of water.
Although Tommy’s plan was exposed in front of the bandits, Chen Rui appreciated Tommy’s wit. This dark elf kid is so diligent to be close to me now. It must be more than just for a pleasing purpose. He must have an ulterior motive.
“Can I see that crossbow?” Chen Rui ignored Tommy and said to Tonk.
Tonk suddenly showed nervousness and clenched the bag in his hand. As Tommy was about to speak, he heard Chen Rui said, “That crossbow seems to be able to shoot three arrows successively?”
Demon Realm already had crossbows since earlier times. Although the shooting speed was fast, it was too slow to reload. Hence, it was rarely armed in a real army. The army was generally equipped with archers. Demon Realm also had many stories like Demon Arch Rangers spreading around, but there had never been a Demon Crossbowman.
Chen Rui clearly saw that Tonk’s crossbow should be a triple-shot crossbow. It should be the first time he saw it in the whole Demon Realm, so he asked.
Tonk hesitated for a while, then he suddenly knelt down with a thud, “Sir, please save my brother Tieke. I am willing to give this crossbow to Sir!”
Can’t Chen Rui just copy the blueprint of a gun from the Human Realm? Isn’t that more powerful🔫 💥
