Chapter 147: Meeting Levi

Malong City was as busy as ever, with merchants calling out their prices and people weaving between stalls.

Some carried baskets of fruit, carts filled with vegetables, while others hauled sacks of unrefined ore or bundles of animal hides.

Nox counted what they needed.

Tools for digging and mining, containers for storing herbs, and enough supplies to keep the workers going for several days.

As he walked, the familiar scent of medicinal herbs greeted him.

Nox stopped in front of the familiar apothecary stall.

The old man with the crooked nose was still behind the counter. When he saw the masked figure, he only glanced up once before looking down again.

Nox leaned on the counter and asked in a low voice,

"Is the young master in?"

The old man didn’t answer right away. He wiped his hands on a cloth, then spread his hands. "What goods do you have? Show me first."

"Tsk. So rigid. Your master made an appointment with us. Just say his guest has arrived." Nox said arrogantly.

The old man glared at him but still went inside the adjacent room.

A few moments later, Nox followed him inside.

The room was still the same—cramped and piled up with things.

From the outside, who would guess the Elysian heir was sitting inside?

As he entered, Levi looked up at him and smiled. "You actually showed up."

Nox pulled the chair out and sat down without formality. "Why do you sound surprised? You told us to come here."

Levi leaned back, smiling that same lazy smile. "You were surrounded by at least five hundred sentinels and guards outside the gorge. I wonder how you actually got out of the circle."

He laughed and added, "Not like I’m interested in this."

"Yet you said it aloud," Nox replied. "So why did you want to meet? Aren’t we done with the deal?"

"Tsk tsk. Don’t make it so rigid between us, Extra. We have been through life and death."

Levi laughed with relish. "I even dragged my elder. Don’t I need a small thank you?"

Nox didn’t smile. "You not only got a thank you, but you also walked out with mid-grade pills and Moon’s Tears. Don’t act like you lost something."

Levi’s smile widened a little.

He didn’t deny it.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

The playful look on Levi’s face faded slowly.

"So," he said seriously, "why did you still come? You have pills?"

Nox rested one arm on the table. "You got your share, but we didn’t get our payback."

Levi raised his brows in amusement. "Oh?"

"Don’t forget you said you would give us protection so we don’t have to run around and hide like some thief. Or do you want to go back on your word?" Nox smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes this time.

"Hmm. Never knew our Extra could even make this face." Levi teased, then slowly sat up straight.

He coughed twice.

"I never go back on my word. But the Moon’s Tears I got from the cave aren’t enough for me to drag my pack into this mess. My elder already took half for his payment, you know."

He shrugged and put on his monocle.

His chin rested on his hand as he twiddled his fingers.

Nox didn’t speak, giving this shrewd man time to think properly.

After a moment, Levi spoke again. "You’re not reacting to me calling you Extra again?"

Nox exhaled sharply. "Is this what you figured out after so much thinking?"

"Why not? I had been enjoying your reaction so much. Now it’s no fun." Levi tsked, leaning back in his chair leisurely.

"Whatever you call me, what does that matter?" Nox also leaned on the backrest.

"It matters. Of course it matters. We are partners bound by oath." Levi emphasized.

Then suddenly changed the topic. "So where are your other brothers?"

A flash of surprise crossed Nox’s eyes.

He had expected Levi to ask about Moon, but not his brother. And the brother he was talking about was probably Ugo, who had gone inside the cave with him. After all, only he and Ugo had been there in human form.

"Why do you ask?" Nox raised his brows.

"Nothing. Just thought if any of you were dead or alive." Levi said nonchalantly, tapping on the table.

He added, "Anyway, I will keep my word. But don’t expect too much. I will only announce that you are joining the Elysian Crown merchant guild as guest members. So the initial bounty on your heads will go down. No one will dare hunt you openly. But I can’t guarantee anything about secret assassinations."

"That’s enough. We’re going west to register for the academy trial soon. Registration can’t be done with a fake face. When we walk out openly, I don’t want Vaelis people blocking us on every road outside their territory."

Levi tapped the monocle once with his finger. "Well, you can go with me. I am also heading there with my pack’s younger generation."

"Thank you for your generosity." Nox gave a slight nod.

"Why are you acting so gentlemanly today? Did something happen?" Levi asked.

He had noticed Nox didn’t sound like his usual self. Though he had only met him twice, he knew this one was at least a funny one.

Nox was quiet for a longer moment, then shrugged. "Nothing. Just tired. So what do you want in return? Make it quick. I don’t have much time to waste here."

"What else could it be? I want your partner’s pill recipe. The Black Sea poison pill recipe."

Nox gave him a long look, then stood up.

"That I can’t guarantee. It’s for the alchemist who refined it. As for the protection..."

"I will arrange it, don’t worry. Even if you can’t sell the recipe, we can always alter the deal. I’m sure you have a way to make it up." Levi laughed slowly.

He also stood up. "Where is this Extra going? Let me show you around."

He didn’t wait for an answer. He put on his olive robe and hung his pouch on the side.

"Let’s go. Or do you mind going with me?"

"Don’t call me Extra," Nox grumbled at last.

"Oh! Now you’re talking normally?"

"I just don’t want you calling me Extra and spreading it all around Malong City." Nox rambled.

They both talked in a low voice and slipped out through the back door to the other side of the road.

"Where are we going?"

"Treasure Pavilion, jade pavilion, and the weaponry."

"So many places..."

"I want to buy jade, fine jade, and also some cinder ink, flags, bloodstone shreds, and..."

Their voices slowly faded as they walked toward the Treasures Pavilion.

.

.

.

On the other side, inside the cave dwelling, Axe was not having a good time. He had a high fever and was sweating again.

He was not well, and neither was Moon.

Moon had a faint pain deep in his soul.

[You have already drained so much, yet you wanted to make another bond. Moon, you can’t be so reckless. Patience. You need patience.]

The Moon Goddess pressed her hand on Moon’s forehead. Now that no one could see her, she had materialized in front of Moon, who was crumpled on the bed.

She sent a strand of her own power of faith and tried to soothe his soul.

But Moon was restless...

He suddenly felt a déjà vu.

In his daze, he saw Master RuYi’s face one moment, and then the next moment he saw another woman with cold eyes plucking a child’s nails hard.

That left him shivering all over.