Chapter 521: Seen Pigs Run (3k)
“Azber, our old nobility cannot produce drugs that enhance mental power, and even if we could… what relation does it have to you, a High-Rank Alchemist, or to a Ruble?”
After a scolding, it seemed that the Head of the Heber Family noticed Su Jiu’s arrival and paused slightly, looking over. However, since they were still in a standoff, he couldn’t say anything else, so he merely nodded to Su Jiu in greeting.
Su Jiu also smiled and nodded politely, saying nothing more. She simply put her hands in her pockets and stood about ten meters away, her gaze falling on the Young Man in Fine Clothes, feeling very curious.
Seeing that his strength was only just at the High-Rank Battle General level, and even the quality had not reached the Unrivaled level, how could he dare to speak so brainlessly.
The young man called Azber maintained a smile on his face, seemingly unbothered by the Head of the Heber Family’s reprimand. He simply said with a faint smile:
“The local Alchemist Guild is all my teacher’s people. What I just said is exactly his meaning. If the city defense formation is not supported by anyone, it is very easy to be invaded. Councilor, aren’t you afraid?”
Upon hearing the other party’s somewhat warning words, the Head of the Heber Family merely adjusted his glasses and replied indifferently: “You are the same. If monsters break in, you won’t be able to escape. We are grasshoppers on the same rope.”
“Different?”
Azber frowned. He hadn’t expected that the man before him wouldn’t be intimidated by him but would instead threaten him back. He couldn’t help but feel a bit amused by the situation.
He shook his head and pointed in the direction from which Su Jiu had come, saying with a playful tone:
“Councilor Heber, you need to understand the situation. We are not official personnel like you. To be precise, everyone in the association are ordinary people. As long as we want to leave, you have no right to forcibly detain anyone.”
Hearing Azber’s words, the Head of the Heber Family narrowed his eyes slightly, and a flicker of anger rose in his eyes. After a moment of silence, he said sternly: “You have accepted payment from the government. Are you trying to profit from war? If we were to spread this around, the higher-ups of the Alchemist Guild might not tolerate you.”
“For such a deadly disaster, the Guild did not require its members to perish with the city. Moreover…”
Waving his hand dismissively, Azber still maintained his nonchalant demeanor. He spoke halfway and then showed a smug smile, slowly adding:
“Not only the Alchemist Guild, but the Adventurer’s Association is also considering it. We can run to the neighboring city in advance. With our strength, as long as we unite and form a breakthrough circle, it’s not difficult… Moreover, there are also reports from the East Gate that the monsters have temporarily retreated.”
“Whether it’s the nobility or the government, if there are no spirit-based medicinal herbs, you won’t be able to achieve it even if you need them.”
Hearing Azber’s words, the Head of the Heber Family’s expression turned grim. The Mr. Secretary was injured, and the Demigods in the city each had their own agenda. If these people wanted to run away, there was no way to stop them.
“Since there are no herbs…”
Azber pretended to think for a moment, then rubbed his chin with his finger, and smiled thoughtfully.
“Then I remember that the archery techniques of the first Duke are displayed in the Hero Hall in the city. Most of us also use bow-type beast pets, and I am no exception. In addition to the archery skills, I also need one hundred Intermediate Magic Crystals as payment.”
This statement almost made his intentions clear.
“Magic Crystals, I cannot agree to. One hundred Intermediate Magic Crystals, isn’t that asking for the moon…” The Head of the Heber Family waved his hand, rejecting the additional condition, and then continued with the unique eloquence of a scholar, saying:
“The archery techniques need to be confirmed with Duchess Catherine. And as the archery techniques of the first Duke, ordinary beast pets transformed into bows cannot withstand such pressure. You won’t be able to use them even if you have them.”
In fact, the item displayed in the exhibition hall for everyone’s viewing, its value as an extreme-type skill, had practical value mainly for its commemorative significance.
However, if others were easily given such things through coercion or temptation, it would only fuel their greed.
Upon hearing this, Azber’s face darkened further. The other party’s evasive rhetoric was clearly treating them as fools. Displeasure welled up in his eyes, and he sneered:
“Then the use of the city defense cannon will be left to the Mr. Secretary and you useless councilors. We have reached our limit.”
“I think I can try.”
Just as the former finished speaking, a female voice with a hint of a smile sounded faintly from outside the door. Almost all eyes turned in the same direction, only to see a petite figure slowly walking in.
Azber also noticed Su Jiu’s arrival and looked over. Upon seeing that Su Jiu appeared young, a trace of disdain flashed in his coffee-colored pupils, and he said with a faint smile: “Little sister, do you understand what an alchemist is? It takes thousands of university students like you to produce a few.”
“Azber! Be respectful to Miss Su. Her strength is such that even your teacher, that Intermediate Alchemy Master, must respectfully address her as ‘Your Grace’!”
As the former spoke with such a condescending attitude, the Head of the Heber Family’s voice rang out again, but this time it was much harsher.
“She, who is not even as old as our shoe size, is called ‘Your Grace’? Hahaha!!”
“Councilor, it seems you’ve hired an actor, but chose the wrong appearance? Next time, hire someone more seasoned?”
“I can’t, I’m going to die laughing.”
Following the Head of the Heber Family’s words, the entire hall fell silent, and then erupted in a few spontaneous “classic” remarks. Almost everyone present showed disbelief, especially the alchemists who followed Azber, who even suppressed their laughter.
Su Jiu still looked relaxed as she looked at them, tilting her head, and asked Azber with amusement: “Then how do you know I’m not an alchemist? After all, you seem to be just an ordinary alchemist.”
Su Jiu emphasized the words “alchemist” quite heavily. Since the other party was being sarcastic, she naturally wouldn’t give them too much leeway.
Under the gaze of several people, Azber didn’t believe the Head of the Heber Family’s words at all. Instead, he sneered: “You’re an alchemist? I’ll eat all the bird droppings from Gu Gu She. A sensationalizing fraud…”
“Incompetent and useless, you dare make demands of me? Get lost!”
Before he could finish speaking, an enraged voice came from the council hall. Less than half a minute later, accompanied by the sound of heavy slaps on the table, a bald old man with a white beard walked out from the hall. He wore a white robe, but there were several scorch marks on the back of his clothes.
“Seeing this robe makes me angry! Was it you who aimed the cannon at my back?”
The old man looked furious, scanning Su Jiu and the others, and finally his gaze landed on the Young Man in Fine Clothes. He breathed like a rattlesnake, raising his plump hand high.
“I didn’t intentionally…”
Looking at the palm, Azber swallowed. He didn’t dare to say anything rash to this old man who possessed War God Level strength. As for attacking him intentionally, it wasn’t really so…
He had truly been trying his best to control the cannon’s muzzle.
But as Su Jiu said, he was just an ordinary alchemist, not an Alchemy Master.
“Mr. Secretary, please don’t make things difficult for my disciple. It’s already good that he could barely activate the city defense cannon.”
Just as the Mr. Secretary was about to scold him again, another old man, also dressed in black finery, slowly walked towards them, his face showing a disdainful expression.
“Teacher…”
Hearing this, Azber glanced at the old man who had just walked out and breathed a sigh of relief, slowly saying:
“Mr. Secretary, I didn’t intend to involve you. At that time, Master said there weren’t enough spirit-based medicinal herbs, and I couldn’t concentrate, so I could only help with the formation, which is why I, a mere High-Rank Alchemist, had to step in to replace him.”
Then he changed his tone, looking innocent and saying: “Moreover, if you really lay a hand on me, then Teacher might not help you activate the city defense formation and the cannon. And I heard that the monsters outside the eastern city area have dispersed.”
The Mr. Secretary stared intently at the unperturbed Azber before him, slowly lowering his hand. After a long silence, he finally said: “What do you want?”
“You can ask Councilor Heber. We’ve said the conditions we want to discuss.”
Azber exchanged a glance with his teacher, and a bright smile gradually appeared on both their faces. This meant they could now set the price.
The old Mr. Secretary looked at Councilor Heber, who understood and then recounted the situation to him.
The old Mr. Secretary first glared furiously at the members of the Alchemist Guild, then looked somewhat surprised, and finally his gaze suddenly fell on Su Jiu. He hesitated and confirmed something with Councilor Heber, and then, a look of entanglement suddenly emerged in his brows.
“Heh heh, Mr. Secretary, why are you still hesitating? It’s just some Magic Crystals and skills. Aren’t they worth more than those lives?”
The old Mr. Secretary’s actions were completely observed by Azber and his teacher. Azber’s teacher straightened his back and smiled calmly, seemingly having the upper hand.
The young people in Alchemist Guild attire could hardly suppress their excitement. Opportunities to profit from war like this were rare, and they were fortunate to have such a considerate leader.
But sadly, they failed to notice how others looked at them, the disgust revealed in their eyes.
Just as everyone thought that the old Mr. Secretary would agree to this unreasonable demand, he smiled and looked at Su Jiu, who had been exuding a comfortable smile all along, and asked softly: “Young friend, I heard you also have some knowledge of alchemy. Have you ever operated an alchemy cannon before?”
“Mr. Secretary, you should think carefully. Our local Alchemist Guild is very united. If we leave this city, at least seventy percent of our people will leave.”
Seeing the Mr. Secretary’s actions, Azber and his teacher’s expressions turned grim in unison. The old man in fine clothes casually “reminded” them.
Su Jiu thought for a moment, and her eyes showed a sincere response: “No.”
As the saying goes, all she was good at were bombs.
Hearing Su Jiu’s answer, the Mr. Secretary, Azber, and the others were all stunned. Everyone thought you had some big move, but suddenly you just said “no”…
They didn’t know how to respond to this.
“Mr. Secretary, what are you doing? Why are you asking a university student about something that requires at least an Alchemy Master to operate?”
And those alchemists were full of question marks. They felt that as long as the Mr. Secretary’s brain was working correctly, he shouldn’t be asking someone who was clearly a university student about alchemy.
Su Jiu glanced at these people and then looked up slightly at the Mr. Secretary, whose face showed a bit of disappointment. She then chuckled lightly and said: “I haven’t operated one before, but we have an old saying in Dragon Country.”
“Haven’t you seen pigs run, even if you haven’t eaten pork?”
