@A Cool Secret Agent: Jier and Feng Wu got paid by the shop owner because they were the reason “whatever her name is” bought so much jewelry. It was a part of Jier’s plan in taking advantage of the sillier rich people in the city. That’s why they were scouting out the area earlier.
[Translator/Editor: otwentyfirst]
[Host: justreads.net]
[Feb. 21st, 2019]
After everyone paid, the conductor inserted a crystal into a port, creating a flash of light. By the time the light died down, all ten had already landed at their destination. They felt the biting cold as soon as they landed.
The array brought them to Rime-Frost, a border town just on the outskirts of Frosted Hills and Knolls. It was a cold place where people bundled up in heavy layers to stay warm. The streets were lined with snow, piled high and fluffy, creating a majestic winter scene. It was the kind of place ice magicians loved. Indeed, many chose to reside here for the cold. The city also hosted many tourists as well.
The pa.s.sengers went their respective ways without exchanging any pleasantries. Since Clara was imprisoned and they wouldn’t be able to meet with her, Jier told Feng Wu their first step would be to find the person who made the request on her behalf.
The name listed as a contact was Pierre. Just Pierre, no surname. Who was he exactly? In a world where her own father condemned her for her mother’s murder, he was the only one willing to stand by her.
Jier reached for Feng Wu’s hand and held it in a firm grip as they walked. He did so partly because he didn’t want her to fall, but mostly because he didn’t want her to get cold. The change in temperature was very sudden and he didn’t want her to get sick because of it. The easiest way to keep her warm was to impart some of his fire energy to her through her hand.
Jier was a fire elemental magician so the cold didn’t bother him. Although Feng Wu was weaker than she was in her original body, she wasn’t entirely helpless; her strength was improving. She faithfully did the exercises her Master taught her for healing internal injuries. She wasn’t sure if it was because there was a relationship between her old world and this one, but whatever it was, it converted the energy from her martial aura into qi, which was the internal energy form in the current world. The two different types of energy were compatible enough to be interchangeable, allowing her to use her converted martial aura to shield her from the cold.
Jier didn’t know this since he had never asked Feng Wu’s rank. Combined this with Feng Wu’s reticent to talk meant Jier remained in the dark.
Hand in hand the two of them walked until they reached the address on the request. They stood in front of what appeared to be a family-run inn located in the middle of the residential area of the city.
Jier and Feng Wu walked inside together. The interior looked worn and slightly dilapidated from years of service.
“Welcome! Are you here for lodgings or a meal?” cried an enthusiastic plump older woman as soon as she noticed them.
“We’re from the Adventurers’ Guild and we’re here to see Pierre.” Although Jier was normally short-tempered, he always managed to present the image of a courteous well-bred young man to those who saw him for the first time.
This stunned the older woman. Though she was worried, she maintained a professional smile. She got up as she said, “Please wait a moment. I’ll call Young Master Pierre down.”
The sound of hurried footsteps sounded down the hall. Almost immediately following the sound, a teenager dressed in blue appeared before them. It was obvious he ran over as fast as he could, yet he was breathing normally, not panting at all. Clearly he was a swordmaster who practiced control of internal force. However considering his youth, his rank as a swordmaster was probably low.
Pierre had been excited when he heard about the visiting adventurers. However, the expression in his eyes quickly changed from hopefulness to disappointment when he caught sight of Jier and Feng Wu. The two of them couldn’t be more than fifteen, so young and inexperienced. How could they be capable of finding Mrs. Malin’s murderer?
Pierre sighed. “This mission is too difficult for adventures as new as you to take on. You should look for an easier mission OK?” After saying so he proceeded to ignore them. They were just inexperienced adventurers who let greed distract them from the dangers of a mission.
What? Jier was the one who criticized others, not the other way around. “Don’t you know the saying: don’t judge a book based on its cover? We aren’t the first adventurers to come here. Just because those before us failed doesn’t mean we will as well.” A strong oppressive force pervaded the air immediately after he finished speaking.
The pressure was so intense Pierre lost his breath, fortunately it only lasted a few seconds. The short moment was enough to convince him though.
“You…” Pierre was shocked that someone so young could release so much pressure. He instantly revised his opinion of the young man in front of him. He faced the two of them and properly apologized. The girl next to the boy had not demonstrated her strength, but Pierre was sure she wasn’t weak, otherwise how could the two of them team up?
“Apology accepted. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jier and I’m the adventurer working on your request. This is my friend Feng Wu. She is here working on a separate request.” Jier succinctly explained who they were and why they were there.
Pierre was an interesting fellow. He didn’t nurse any hard feelings against Jier for oppressing him despite their age difference. This satisfied Jier. Had the other man behaved differently, Jier would have given him a rude awakening.
“I’m glad you’re both here. My name is Pierre. I’m Miss Clara Wenda’s good friend. She is the one who issued the request; but, because she is currently imprisoned, she asked that I post it on her behalf,” explained an embarra.s.sed Pierre.
“Master Pierre, why don’t you take our guests inside while I get something from the kitchen?” said the Matron La, the cherubic faced woman from earlier.
“Ah! I’ve troubled you Matron La!” Pierre smote his forehead as he spoke. Here he was blabbing away and he hadn’t even offered his guests a seat.
Matron La left for the kitchen as the three of them walked farther inside. Jier and Feng Wu sat down on a sofa and Pierre personally poured them each a cup of black tea before explaining.
“Both my mother and Miss Clara Wenda’s mother were good friends, close even before their respective marriages. After marriage they maintained their friendship. In fact their husbands, my father and her father, are related to each other. Our family ties remained strong even when my family faced a financial crisis.