60 Task

The old man left with his followers, throwing Little Joseph in the corner. They didn't care the slightest about such an unimportant character.

Sunier and the others slowly stepped into the hotel. Han Jin brought up the rear. At the gate, he cast a glance at the boy. Little Joseph's face was full of suspense and hesitation. He was a little taken aback at first when he saw the hint being given in Han Jin's eyes, and followed in silence.

"What the hell is going on?" Moxinke exclaimed.

"It's my fault. I was too careless," Han Jin softly said. "But... Isolated Cliff City is not as good as you had said."

"The seal is incomplete. They...why would they say it's authentic?" Miss Keeley asked in a shaking voice.

"There are lots of reasons. It's hard to predict, but one thing I am sure of: that old man carries no good intentions." Han Jin gave it a thought. "Perhaps he is related to this matter and doesn't want to stir up too much attention. At the very least, he doesn't want the Elders to be involved. Or maybe... he just likes your seal."

"Likes my seal? What does he want to do with it?" Miss Keeley was totally confused and felt her head was going to blow up.

Han Jin sighed. He didn't answer her, and changed the topic. "Do you know the old man, Little Joseph?"

"Yes. His name is Cromwell, a mad old dog!" Little Joseph gnashed.

"What's his position in the Mercenary Association?"

"A patrolling officer. He is very powerful," Moxinke said in a deep voice. "And, he is a ninth-grade professional."

"You haven't told me what he wants with my seal?" Miss Keeley screamed. She had never told anyone about the seal's secret before. They had all thought that it was just an ordinary jade pendant carried by her. She didn't tell them, not because she didn't trust them, but because the seal was too important.

"If he has the seal, he can find anyone to pretend to be the heir to the Morgan Commercial Corp, or obtain trust from the Elders."

"Is the seal really that important?" Cessacioun said. "Did you forget that when we were in the Eleventh Town, the members of Morgan Commercial Corp didn't even believe Keeley herself? What could a mere seal do?"

"At least, he now has a justified excuse for his slaughter and plunder. News in the Holy Crown City… must have spread," Han Jin said, smiling. "Who do you think killed those people?"

"You mean..." Cessacioun was startled.

Just then, the door was wrenched open from outside, knocking down Little Joseph who was standing right in front of the door unprepared. He fell down onto the ground with a scream. The door hit him precisely in his wounds, making him curl into a ball due to pain.

The next moment, an anxious figure dashed in. "Get ready, everybody… Eh! Are you okay, little thing?"

"I'm alright..." The boy climbed up with difficulty.

Sylner soon forgot this little accident. She excitedly shouted and gestured wildly with her hands. "Be quick and get yourselves ready. I will take you to great wealth!"

"What wealth?"

"I've just taken a task..."

"You're going to kill holy animals, aren't you?" Moxinke drastically changed his expression and interrupted her.

"Do you think I am a fool like you?" Sylner gave Moxinke a supercilious look and said complacently. "I've just taken a task to escort a trade caravan, which will carry fifteen carriages with armors and weapons to Holy Crown City. Ha ha... three hundred gold coins, just by walking. It's three hundred gold coins!!"

Hearing this, everyone's expression turned pale. Moxinke pounded the table and jumped to his feet. "Are you out of mind?! There is a war going on in Holy Crown City! How could you send carriages with armors and weapons there??"

"A... war?"

"You don't know??"

"How can I know that?" Sylner nearly bursted into tears.

"What do you mean! The war has been happening for half a year!"

Sylner rushed out in haste again. Moxinke threw himself into the chair, and deeply sighed. Sylver gave him a severe headache.

"If someone is spying on us, can you find him with your magic, Cessacioun?" Han Jin lightly asked.

"Yes, with my Perspective Vision, but it won't last for a long time."

"You mean... somebody's watching us?" Sunier asked.

"I am not sure, but if that old guy by the name of Cromwell really wants the seal, he will undoubtedly send someone here to spy on us." Hanjin stood up and walked over to Little Joseph. He patted him on the shoulder, took him aside, and whispered a few words. The boy raised his head with a jerk and looked dully at Han Jin.

Han Jin said a few more words. Little Joseph hesitated for a long time, and nodded heavily. Afterwards, Han Jin gave him ten more gold coins. Little Joseph left the hotel in a hurry.

"What is the kid going to do?" Cessacioun asked.

"To make some preparations in advance. If anything happens, we can leave as soon as possible." Han Jin gave a wry smile. "You really fooled me into thinking that this city is a paradise. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been so unprepared."

"Me too," Sunier laughed.

"You grew up here, Moxinke." Cessacioun continued, "Don't you know this city well?"

"I never said it's a paradise." Moxinke replied sulkily. "Otherwise, why would I run away?"

"Of course, as long as Sylner is here, it won't be a paradise for you." Cessacioun burst into laughter.

The heavy atmosphere eased. They started chatting and laughing in low voices. Some time later, Sylner returned frustratedly with her head lowered. She looked at Moxinke with glazed eyes. "What should we do… They refused to cancel the contract. I have mortgaged our house to the Mercenary Association. What should we do??"

"Your house, not ours," Moxinke snorted coldly. "A house? For fifteen carriages full of weapons and armor? That's never enough. What else did you mortgage?"

"You..." Sylner was pissed off when she heard Moxinke's words, but she became dejected again immediately. "The... Wand of Flame... I also mortgaged it to the Association."

"Ha..." Moxinke gave a hollow laugh and turned his head around.

"What's the departing date on the contract?" Han Jin suddenly asked.

"Tomorrow."

"We will help you," Han Jin said with a smile. "Rest assured! I've got a method to deliver the goods."

"Really?" Sylner yelled with both surprise and delight.

The others all stood there, dumbstruck. It was not an easy task that could be finished by some tricks. Three lords were fighting with each other, and countless armies were clashing with each other on the vast battlefield. It was suicide for a trade caravan to go there. Not to mention that Holy Crown City was in a disadvantaged position as it was surrounded by troops from Black Raven City and Depew City. There was no way to avoid them.

"Of course. You'd better go back and make some preparations." Han Jin smiled. "We will meet you this evening."

"Yes." Sylner's mood changed immediately. She easily believed Han Jin. Before leaving the hotel, she didn't forget to give Moxinke a complacent stare.

"You don't mean it, do you?" Moxinke exclaimed.

"Relax," Han Jin softly said. "Sunier, have a walk around the hotel to see if anyone is spying on us. You too, Cessacioun, use your Perspective Vision to take a look."