50 Big City

Usually, men who looked rude and brutal with thick beards would look at least a few years younger than before when their beards are shaved off, but it was different for Moxinke. He had a square face and a pair of fierce eyes. Without his beard, the stiff lines on his face were all clearly shown as if they were carved by a knife, and the fierce-looking muscles became obvious. All of this made him look even more murderous and ferocious, enough to frighten kids at night.

"Perhaps it was a bad idea," Han Jin thought to himself. But what's done was done. The shaved beard couldn't grow back its fur right away, so they continued forward into the city first.

The field of wheat outside Isolated Cliff City had been reaped clean. It was near dusk and a few pedestrians were coming in and out of the city. There were no guards at the gate, and they easily entered the city.

The scenes on both sides of the street reminded Han Jin of something that Cessacioun had said before. The whole land was a unified empire hundreds of years ago, but it was torn apart after a sudden civil war. Since then, the land had been governed separately by leaders of each territory. The styles of architecture in Radon Town, the Eleventh Town of Beitman, and this city in front of them were similar to a great extent, which verified the words of Cessacioun.

Radon Town was just a small town, far behind Eleventh Town of Beitman, an important town of an acropolis. Now, in front of them was a big city incomparable to Eleventh Town. The street under their feet was more than twice the width of those in Eleventh Town, wide enough to allow eight or nine carriages to gallop along parallely, and stretching out into the distance with its end out of sight.

Han Jin was attracted to the magnificent scene. However, he had never been to any other cities before, thus he didn't know how big this city was when compared with the others.

Moxinke was quite familiar with this city. He led his friends through the lanes and came to a remote corner, where a shabby hotel stood right in front of them; a small and quiet hotel to stay in, just as Han Jin had mentioned finding. The furniture in it was even poorer than those in Michelle's hotel. The owner was an old man of at least sixty years in age. He had narrowed his eyes and was yawning all the time as if he'd never had enough sleep.

Of course, the price of the rooms was also acceptable. Thirty silver coins each day included the fees for their meals and booking the entire hotel.

It was considered cheap for Han Jin, but a huge business deal for the owner. The old man wore a big smile on his face and hurriedly prepared food and hot water for his guests. All of them were tired and lazily threw themselves onto chairs.

Just then, the door of the hotel was pushed open. Two big fellows walked in one after another. "Give us two rooms!" they shouted.

"I'm sorry, but the hotel has already been booked by us," Han Jin said smilingly.

"Booked? You mean no rooms for us?" One of the big fellows shouted with his eyes staring at Han Jin.

"There are no spare rooms available for you. But I remember that there is another hotel not far from here. You can go northward and stay there tonight."

"Cut the bullshit. Get out of here!" The big fellow pounded the table and yelled, a smell of alcohol emitting from his mouth. "Where is the owner??"

Hearing this, Moxinke was irritated. He was already in a bad mood today and now his mood was getting worse. He pounded on the table and jumped to his feet. "Are you deaf? This hotel has been booked by us! Can't you hear us? Get out!!" he shouted.

The big fellow was also getting pissed off. He rolled up his sleeves and was about to rush toward Moxinke, but was dragged back by the man beside him, who whispered something to his ear. The big fellow cast a glance at Moxinke and left the hotel despondently without saying anything more.

"Ugly is an advantage in times like this," Han Jin sighed. His smile toward the two big fellows didn't work at all; it only encouraged their arrogance. On the contrary, Moxinke's shouting was much more effective.

"Ugly? You said that I'm ugly?" Moxinke cried with his finger pointing to his nose.

"I just told the truth. Ask them." Han Jin snickered.

"Not ugly to be exact, but not really that good looking," Cessacioun said in a euphemistic way.

"Am I ugly, Steelberg?" Moxinke asked.

"No... no." Steelberg was startled. He shifted his eyeballs left and right. "You look quite awe-inspiring."

Moxinke gave Han Jin an angry stare. He didn't expect him to persuade all of them. It would be enough for him as long as any of them supported him.

"You said that it's safe in Isolated Cliff City." Han Jin frowned. "But… what about the two guys?"

"There are mercenaries everywhere. It's normal to stir up fights," Moxinke said in a muffled voice. "I grew up fighting. Just avoid killing."

"Are you sure there won't be another George?" Han Jin asked slowly. They were in a better condition now. Four months of hard work had given them a great harvest. They'd gotten four eighth-grade magic crystals, and hundreds of magic crystals with lower grades. If they were cheated again, the loss would be disastrous.

"No. If there is, we can file a lawsuit to the Chamber of Commerce. Or we can resort it to the Association of Mercenaries. Anyway, we will find a way for justice." Moxinke shook his head. "I've lived here for a long time and have never heard of such things."

"I hope so," Han Jin said hesitantly. But since they were already here, it was no use to question any more. He changed the subject, "How much can we get if we sell one eighth-grade magic crystal, Cessacioun?"

"It depends. The price of magic crystals is not only related to its grade and quality, but also to the element it contains," Cessacioun said slowly. "An eighth-grade magic crystal with a fire element can be sold for over ten thousand gold coins. If you want to sell it, there will definitely be someone to buy."

"How much? Over ten thousand gold coins?" Han Jin was shocked. He finally understood why they were so happy when they had gotten the eighth-grade magic crystals.

"Yes. That's only the lowest price." Cessacioun laughed. "It's also expensive for magic crystals with lightning element. But those with water, air or earth elements are not that worthy."

"How much are they?"

"If you can find a buyer, you may sell it for one or two thousand gold coins each, or maybe more."

"Such a difference!"

"Indeed. Think about it: what's the greatest use of magic crystals? To increase the power of magic!" Cessacioun sighed. "There are wars everywhere now. The most powerful magic in war is of the fire and lightning series, so magic crystals with fire or lightning elements are always in overdemand. Ho ho... Although the Power of Forbidden Spell of the earth series is very powerful, it can only be released by certain magicians."

Han Jin became quiet. A moment later, he laughed. "Anyway, it's hard to believe..."

"Is this so surprising?"Cessacioun was puzzled.

"If I want to exchange seven or eight magic crystals of the earth element with one of the fire element, of course of the same grade, will there be anyone willing to exchange them with me?" Han Jin asked.

"Sure there will."

A smile crept up on Han Jin's face again. For him, this world was as miraculous as heaven! What he needed was just energy. Whether it was fire element or earth element magic crystals did not make a difference to him; as long as they contained the same amount of energy. With such advantages, if he still couldn't cultivate himself into an immortal body, then he might as well die.