Chapter 66: Mercenary Emblem [Qilin]!
"By the way, Miss, regarding Jiang Lin's identity… shall I investigate further?" When Ling Ying said this, there was a rare trace of hesitation in his voice.
Jiang Lin's identity… As a shadow guard, there was no way Ling Ying had just now thought of investigating it. Clearly, he had already found something.
"Isn't he doing just fine right now?" Xiao Xun'er replied as she pulled the blacksmith encyclopedia from her storage ring, her gaze slightly complicated.
This book, compiled by the Gu Clan, included details on various blacksmith factions across the continent. It vaguely referenced an ancient race nearly forgotten by history. If there were no surprises, Jiang Lin was likely a descendant. There was no real need to dig deeper.
"Ling Ying, some things are best left unsaid. Pointing them out only becomes a burden. Regardless of whether he's from an ancient clan, as long as he's safe, we have no reason to expose him. It's like me—Jiang Lin may have already noticed I'm different, yet he's never pried."
Because of her own situation, Xiao Xun'er had come to believe that Jiang Lin, like her, was someone undertaking a "training mission" (read: vacation) with a great destiny behind him.
Under such circumstances, wouldn't it be better for both to smile knowingly and keep their mutual understanding unspoken?
If Ling Ying exposed Jiang Lin's identity, it could trigger a "mission failure." And if Jiang Lin in turn exposed Xiao Xun'er's identity out of frustration, she too would have to retreat to the Gu Realm. Once exposed, it would be too dangerous for her to stay outside.
"Besides, maybe we're on the same mission," she added with a soft chuckle.
"In that case, I'd better keep a closer eye on Brother Xiao Yan—wouldn't want the enemy to scoop up a massive bargain."
Ling Ying in the shadows: "…"
All in all, Xiao Xun'er had thoroughly convinced herself. Her logic was airtight. In her mind, Jiang Lin's deliberate proximity to the Xiao Clan likely meant he was targeting their Tuoshe Ancient Jade. Judging by his "disguise," he seemed to be following the rules of the game. Perhaps he was just some clan's young master seeking adventure.
…But Jiang Lin didn't actually know Xiao Xun'er's identity at all. His initial interest in Xiao Yan came solely from curiosity about what kind of "result" would emerge from the three years he had spent nurturing his "seed."
Ever since Jiang Lin discovered that shockingly high-grade storage ring, he had decided to keep tabs on Xiao Yan—at least until the outcome revealed itself.
—
In Wutan City, outside the Mercenary Guild, Jiang Lin—clad in black martial robes—stood with arms crossed in front of a notice board, curiously scanning the posted missions.
[Three-Star Mission: Seek a tier-four spirit herb in the Magical Beast Mountains. Inquire privately.]
[Reward: One tier-three Clarity Pill (Note: Regional Mission)]
[One-Star Mission: Collect ten tier-one fire-type magic cores within three months.]
[Reward: 5,000 gold coins]
[One-Star Mission: Find a missing child.]
[Reward: 500 gold coins]
[…]
The mission board was filled with all sorts of bizarre requests. What caught Jiang Lin's attention was that the top-tier mission, one that only Dou Grandmasters could accept, actually offered a tier-three pill as reward. However, since it was listed as a regional mission, it likely originated from outside Wutan and might be more troublesome than it seemed.
After some thought, Jiang Lin tore off a one-star mission slip and entered the Mercenary Guild's main hall.
A receptionist, likely a Dou Practitioner, greeted him immediately. "Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"
"I'd like to submit a mission report. There may be a critical clue related to your missing child case in the cellar behind the Yunlai Inn, west of the city," Jiang Lin said casually as he handed over the mission slip.
Don't ask how he knew what was in someone else's basement. If asked, he'd just say it was divine inspiration.
"Uh… right. Please wait a moment." The staff member looked confused but, seeing Jiang Lin's confidence, didn't argue. They quickly relayed the information to the back office, and a Dou Practitioner in gray uniform promptly left to investigate.
"No rush. Just register me for a mercenary emblem in the meantime," Jiang Lin said.
"Of course, sir. Please fill out this form." The clerk handed over a simple sheet with just two fields: name and strength.
Jiang Lin scribbled a few strokes and handed it back.
The receptionist's professional smile faded into surprise. "Sir, please wait a moment."
He retrieved a black emblem from behind the counter and handed it to Jiang Lin. "Please infuse it with a bit of your Dou Qi. We'll engrave your name afterward."
Jiang Lin glanced at the emblem—made from black flame stone—and was mildly impressed. Following instructions, he injected his Dou Qi. The receptionist then took it to the back.
Clink, clank, clink… Moments later, the finished mercenary emblem was returned to him—emblazoned with two glowing characters: [Qilin].
Jiang Lin channeled Dou Qi into it again, and the characters glowed faintly.
"Please, sir, do not allow others to use your emblem. Once it's bound to your Dou Qi, any foreign energy will cause it to malfunction permanently," the staffer explained patiently.
But all Jiang Lin wanted to ask was, "Can I buy this material from you?"
Without a doubt, the mercenary emblems were crafted by blacksmiths. Through special methods, the internal structure was tuned to match a specific Dou Qi type. Any other Dou Qi would disrupt that balance and trigger a chain reaction, turning the emblem into scrap.
If this principle was developed further… what if he applied this to weapon locking?
Imagine:
Enemy: "So what if you have more weapons? I'll just take them—"
Jiang Lin's Dou Weapon: "Incompatible Dou Qi detected. Self-destruct engaged."
And if Jiang Lin really wanted to be shameless about it, he could market "exclusive-use Dou Weapons."
Jiang Lin (righteously): "I don't want my sword to be picked up and used against my friends after I die!"
He was already tearing up from the beauty of this vision of the future!
"…Apologies, sir. These emblems are shipped from the capital. We don't sell the material here."
"Alright." Jiang Lin sighed, his dreams shattered.
"In that case—help me publish a mission."
(END CHAPTER)
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