Chapter 306: Lilith’s Message
Yu Mei’s courage was commendable, but when she mentioned committing robbery in Silver Province, she could not possibly be suggesting that they actually stand in the way of caravans and rob them. Even though it was hard to track people down in such a chaotic place, it was not that difficult for the various forces to find him if they put a target on him and ruthlessly investigated the matter.
“We need to rob those bandit gangs. Because of Silver Province’s unique location, the bandit gangs are very fond of going about their activities there, so much so that they even set up a base there.”
“Won’t the academies’ forces annihilate them?”
“They did in the beginning, but even gra.s.s grows back in the prairie once the wind blows the fire away,” Yu Mei said helplessly. “Since the returns are too high and the transactions of starmetal often involve large sums of money, they haven’t been brave enough to grab the starmetal as of yet. They have no qualms when it comes to ordinary caravans, and even though the various forces have repeatedly suppressed them, they eventually reached a certain tacit understanding. ‘Don’t s.n.a.t.c.h any of my caravans in my domain’.”
Xiao Lin frowned. Yu Mei was clearly implying that the colonial academies—despite saying that they were allies—were actually still competing to some extent. They only protected the caravans belonging to their own academy, and the fate of caravans from other academies had nothing to do with them. Perhaps every academy had the same idea.
“But even if you plan to rob another bandit, it’s still going to be very difficult. You can’t seriously be thinking that a Black Iron-rank person like me can kill all the bandits at once?”
“I don’t intend to let you go by yourself. You can choose your own team members among those that can be deployed for a.s.signments. In fact, I have a lot of information on that group of bandits from my previous work. It’ll save you a lot of time.”
Yu Mei offered a tempting bargaining chip by proposing that part of the looted property could be set aside for Xiao Lin’s personal use, as well as hinting that his wealth might reach the tens of millions. However, Xiao Lin was prudent enough to request more time to think carefully.
Xiao Lin’s original intention was to refuse. Fundamentally speaking, he felt that he was not strong enough to move confidently there even though Yu Mei made it clear that the bandit gangs were very weak. They were only around Black Iron- or Bronze-rank at most, because those who were truly at Silver-rank would have been requisitioned by various forces and would not lower themselves to the level of bandits.
As a result, he was prepared to give Yu Mei the go-by for the time being and slowly delay things after that. The fact that an individual was left to obtain military expenses sufficed to show Xiao Lin that the so-called sixth regiment was very unreliable. If it were not for the dean’s appointment letter, he would have wanted to leave right away.
However, that line of thinking changed after three days. After bidding farewell to Yu Mei, Xiao Lin was originally going to stay in Dawn City for two more days and wander around casually. He was not short of money anyway, and everything in the New World was a novelty to him. Although the Sixth Regiment had practically nothing, Xiao Lin experienced the benefits of the privileged cla.s.s for the first time. In particular, his commander status gave him the privilege to stay in the central zone’s best hotel for free.
Dawn City was different from New Washington’s function-based regional segregation in that it adopted a ring-shaped structure. The ring closest to the center was the first to be built, and therefore had more complete functional facilities as well as a much better environment. It was an allusion to modernization back on Earth.
It was said that the first ring allowed only the privileged cla.s.s to enter and exit, and Xiao Lin’s initial plan was to enjoy a couple of days of life in luxury.
However, on the early morning of the third day, the still asleep Xiao Lin was awakened by Yu Mei. Before he could even express his dissatisfaction, his sleepy eyes noticed that Yu Mei was similarly angry after being disturbed in her sleep. Apparently, she had been woken up as well.
“Dawn Academy just transferred an urgent communication request. I originally wanted to wait for you to return before telling you, but the student union seems to take you very seriously. For that reason, the communication request was transferred to me at the last minute.”
“Urgent communication request? Who is it?”
“The president.”
Xiao Lin’s sleepy eyes opened wide in an instant as he had a rather good impression of the baby-faced president. Yu Mei came to the communication room, and the spatial communication technology had to be utilized in order to contact Dawn Academy. It went without saying that the high cost would naturally have to be borne by Xiao Lin, but he was fortunate not to lack money anymore.
He was initially rather puzzled as to what drove the president to contact him using the costly spatial communication instead of waiting for him to head back. Once the call was connected however, the president simply said calmly, “Lilith is looking for you.”
Xiao Lin was stunned for more than ten seconds and did not snap out of it until the president transferred the call to America and Lilith appeared on the virtual screen. He said half-teasingly, “Lilith? I’m surprised you actually initiated this communication request. You’re not chasing me to settle my debt, are you?”
Back then, he consulted Lilith on upgrading his talent and ended up owing her a lot of money because he requested her to help foot half the bill. Of course, money was no longer an issue for him.
“We found his trail here.” Lilith was not in the mood for jokes and had a serious look on her face.
“He?”
“Asabanor.”
Xiao Lin was not that surprised. Asabanor was the high priest’s soul from the Ancient Thunder Kingdom. It had escaped with them in The Final Land and left no traces after that. Xiao Lin believed that Judge Academy would have commenced an all-out search, though he did not expect that there would be news so soon.
“Where did he go?” Xiao Lin was very curious.
“Silver Province.”
Xiao Lin’s jaw dropped and he wanted to say, ‘It can’t be that coincidental’.
“Oh, you probably don’t know about Silver Province, it’s a short distance from Dawn Academy’s colony...”
“No, no, no, I do know about it,” Xiao Lin interrupted Lilith quickly and frowned. “I just find it a little strange. Why would the high priest go to Silver Province?”
“That’s also a question I’m trying to figure out.”
“Okay, then why are you looking for me?” Xiao Lin could more or less guess why Lilith requested to talk to him, but it was quite difficult for him to accept the fact.
“I’m hoping that you’re able to partic.i.p.ate in this investigation as well,” Lilith said straightforwardly.
Xiao Lin could understand her reasons. After all, he and Lilith were the only ones who had come into contact with the half-dead half-alive Asabanor. Furthermore, his and Lilith’s SS-level talents might prove useful when dealing with him.
Xiao Lin was still very reluctant because Judge Academy had tricked him before and it nearly cost him his personal freedom. He did not mind helping Lilith, but if she represented Judge Academy’s stand on the matter, then it might be better to discuss it further.
Having avoided a lot of troublesome issues in recent days with his ‘let me think about it’ rhetoric, he wanted to use the same delay tactic again when he heard the president’s mellifluous voice.
“I’ll agree to it on behalf of Xiao Lin, but I’m sure you of all people would understand the unique circ.u.mstances of Silver Province, Lilith. This can only be a private cooperation, and the official forces will not intervene. Lilith, our hope is that you’re the only person from Judge Academy who will enter Silver Province! If anyone else comes along, I’m afraid Dawn Academy would have to suspect Judge Academy’s true intentions!”