Chapter 145: Retirement
Translator: Wuxia Dog Editor: Wuxia Dog
“That’s the situation. All of you can start giving your suggestions.” Han Jin ended his speech.
When he had started the road of cultivation for the first time, he had been so eager, and had felt so distressed by his inability. The materials provided by his teacher were placed right in front of him, but he couldn’t absorb the energy from them. Then, a few years later, when he had the ability to do so, he lacked the treasures that could provide him energy.
The situation was pretty much the same at present. The day he had come to this world, even a low grade magic crystal, which was only used as a decoration, could take away his life. After a year of hard work, he had finally acc.u.mulated hundreds of Jia’s energy, which was almost equivalent to Moxinke’s when they had first met. Now, he could absorb energy from dozens of third-grade magic crystals each day, but the consumption was too fast. This brought him both pressure and anxiety, but it was also the same experience that made him distressed and upset.
Fifth-grade or higher grade magic crystals were still beyond Han Jin’s absorbing ability, thus they could only be stored for now.
Cessacioun hesitated and asked in a low voice, “Well… are all the magic crystals running out? How did you use them? We had nearly eight or nine hundred magic crystals. Even if you directly ate them, it couldn’t have been consumed that quickly!”
Cessacioun was right, but this was a secret and a problem of Han Jin’s. Sunier cast a glance at Han Jin and immediately changed the topic. “He did this to make puppets for you! Forget about that. We’d better think about what we can do for now.”
“The Riptide Regiment captured so many treasures. I can talk with Reg and ask for some magic crystals. He won’t reject me, will he?” said Cessacioun.
“But this is not a long-term solution. He can give us some this time, but what about the next time?” Sunier shook her head.
“Then I have no other ways, unless… we go back to Isolated Cliff City and work as mercenaries.”
“I agree!” Moxinke suddenly interrupted. “It’s so boring staying here. I’d rather go to Isolated Cliff City.”
“But don’t forget that there are still some that are hostile to us,” Han Jin reminded them.
“Not to us, but to Keeley. The inheritance of Morgan Commercial Corp… is attractive to most people,” Cessacioun continued. “But if we leave Keeley here, they won’t make any trouble for us.”
“Why leave me here?” Keeley suddenly raised her head. She had been sitting quietly for a long time.
“You must stay here to rebuild the commercial corp!” Cessacioun said slowly. “I don’t believe that all those of Morgan Commercial Corp are ungrateful traitors! There must be many members wandering around. Maybe some have stayed in the corp, waiting for a chance. As long as you rebuild the corp, they will definitely come to help you, since you are the legitimate heir! Reg, Ronning, and Senior Guevara will all support you. A prosperous city like Holy Crown City can’t live without the support of large commercial groups like Morgan Commercial Corp. It is the same in Black Raven City as well. Without the support from a large commercial corporation, Black Raven City can never become a real prosperous city.”
“Yes, Keeley. You are needed here!” Moxinke also said.
They didn’t mention that Keeley would be a burden to them outside. In the past, they had no other choice but to take Keeley with them and take care of her. But now, Black Raven City has become their territory. It’s time for them to lay down the burden and have a good adventure.
“I…” Keeley bit her lips. She wanted to say something, but fell into deep silence.
Han Jin loudly gade a dry cough. “Who else wants to leave?”
“Me,” Sunier replied.
“Me too.” Moxinke and Cessacioun followed.
“Take me with you.” Of course Sylner wanted to go.
“Me!” Steelberg shouted.
Sunier cast a look at Steelberg. “Stay here, Steelberg! Keeley needs a helping hand, so you and little Joseph have to help her.”
Hearing this, Steelberg was immediately anxious. “Young Master!”
“Sunier is right. Do you want Keeley to run hither and thither alone?” Han Jin felt apologetic for Steelberg, but he really couldn’t take him.
“Young Master…” Steelberg pleaded. In his memory, he had never been separated from his young master, no matter what. Now that Han Jin wanted to leave him here, he nearly burst out crying.
“Don’t worry, it’s just for a few months. We will be back as soon as we get enough magic crystals,” Han Jin consoled.
“But… but… who will take care of you, Young Master?” Steelberg tried not to let his tears down.
“He has Sunier. Rest a.s.sured, she can take good care of your Young Master,” replied Moxinke without thinking.
He was obviously making trouble. How could he compare Sunier, an elf with a distinguished ident.i.ty, to a servant?
Sunier’s expression became very complicated. She could neither rebuke Moxinke nor pretend that she hadn’t heard anything, for the former indicated her unwillingness to take care of Han Jin and would hurt his feelings, while the latter would only hurt herself. It was all Moxinke’s fault!
Moxinke immediately realized his mistake, and said in a serious tone to divert their attention, “Sylner, stay here too.”
“Why?” Sylner suddenly jumped to her feet. She was not as easily persuaded as Steelberg.
“If all of us leave, who will protect Keeley? What if she is in danger?” Moxinke strongly insisted.
“You… you can ask someone else to stay! I want to go home!” Sylner shouted.
“Who else do you think is most suitable to stay? Raphael is a puppet manipulator and a priest, I am a fighter, Cessacioun is a magician, and Sunier is an archer. Who can you replace?” Moxinke said with perfect explanation.
Sylner was rendered speechless and reluctantly sat down. She did have many shortcomings, but she also had her merits. For example, when she knew that she was wrong, she would not show her bad temper. Actually, she was a reasonable woman with a sense of responsibility. Moxinke knew this very clearly, since they had grown up together.
“What about me?” Mich.e.l.le asked.
“You should stay too,” replied Han Jin.
“Ok.” Obviously, Mich.e.l.le was the easiest one to persuade among all of them.
“Can I go with you?” Following the voice, Reg walked in from outside.
“You?” Han Jin was stunned. “What about Black Raven City?”
“It’s enough that Senior and Ronning are here,” Reg lightly said. “Don’t you think it’s a bit redundant for me to be here?”
Han Jin quietly looked at Reg. Though he had talked with Ronning, it was in vain. Ronning was a stubborn man and would not cling to military power. If Reg wanted him to leave, he would leave immediately, but if Reg wanted him to stay, he would insist on his own way of doing things.
Undoubtedly, Reg was really annoyed. Still, in terms of military affairs, Ronning was an indispensable aide to him. Thus, he had to use Ronning no matter how annoyed he was. Reg had planned to seek help from Guevara, but Guevara had made it clear he supported Ronning, and had even criticized Reg’s idealism.
It had been over ten days since they had occupied Black Raven City, during which Han Jin and the others had nothing to do, while the quarrels between Reg and Ronning never ceased. Reg had contributed so much, but he still had no recognition or support. On the contrary, Ronning was more loved by the soldiers, for he strongly disapproved of punis.h.i.+ng the soldiers who were involved in the curse. As a man who hated military affairs and pursued freedom, Reg had the intention to quit. At least, he wanted to leave Black Raven City for the time being.
If the soldiers had not urged him to stay or if Han Jin hadn’t encouraged him to do so after he had gotten his father’s coffin back, Reg would not have stayed in the army in the first place.
“Do you really want to go with us?” Han Jin slowly asked.
“Yes.” Reg smiled. “If I am welcomed.”
“Of course you are very welcome. We are short of a thief,” Moxinke exclaimed.
“Since you have made the decision…” Han Jin smiled back. “Come with us!” What he was thinking was much more complicated than Reg’s thoughts. Han Jin was by no means someone selfless. He was used to considering everything from the perspective of his own interest. He wanted Reg to stay in the army at that time because he had needed a safe place to avoid running around. Now, he didn’t object to Reg’s decision of going with them because he thought it would be better for Ronning and Guevara to manage the army. Reg was extremely stubborn in terms of military affairs, and Han Jin could not persuade him.
“We shall leave tomorrow morning. Go back and prepare.” Sunier stood up.
“Cessacioun, please bid farewell to Ronning and Senior Guevara for us,” Han Jin said. “I still have something to sort out and will not visit them myself.”
“Reg,” Cessacioun turned around and said. “How about going with me?” He knew that Reg should not leave without informing them first due to his position, otherwise it would bring negative effects. Cessacioun had to act as a villain to remind him, no matter if he liked it or not.
Reg gave it a thought. “No, I will visit them this evening alone.”
Those who decided to leave had returned to their own rooms to prepare, while those who were staying were sitting quietly with gloomy faces, especially Steelberg. What Moxinke had said just now had not only embarra.s.sed Sunier, but had also hurt his feelings. If Young Master didn’t need him anymore, what was the meaning of his life? He didn’t know the answer.
“Steelberg, come here.” Han Jin beckoned.
He jumped up as if he had gotten an electric shock, and ran to Han Jin. Han Jin touched his wrist pulse, listened for a moment, and nodded in satisfaction. “You’ve worked hard these days, but don’t think you can be lazy during the days when I am not around. I will be back, at most, three months later. When I come back, you should have broken through the second level. You won’t disappoint me, will you?”
“The second level? What are you talking about?” Moxinke asked curiously.
Steelberg’s eyes lit up as he nodded. “No, I won’t. I will work hard, Young Master!”
No one noticed that on the other side, Keeley was staring at Han Jin before turning around and tiptoeing away with her weeping eyes, trying not to let anyone see her crying.