Chapter: The Road Back
The three tasks in the main city were complete. Cheng Yu planned to return to Bailu Town today.
But before going back, he needed to buy a magic staff for Ivennie.
A magic staff was a common magic tool that helped mages quickly gather magic power and increase casting speed.
Just as the West couldn't be without Jerusalem, an excellent mage couldn't be without a magic staff.
On the street, Mina walked on Cheng Yu's left. Her long, smooth hair looked freshly washed, and a pair of upright white animal ears poked from her head. She stood about 1.75 meters tall—nearly as tall as Cheng Yu—with a thick black greatsword strapped to her back.
Ivennie walked on Cheng Yu's right. Her long green hair cascaded down her back. She was only about 1.65 meters tall—petite, like the girl next door.
When they arrived at the weapon shop where they'd bought the greatsword, the clerk smiled and greeted them enthusiastically. "What do you need today?"
"A magic staff."
"Please follow me."
The clerk led Cheng Yu and the others to the area where magic staffs were sold.
Some of the staffs on the shelves were long, some were short. Some were made of wood, others of metal.
Cheng Yu picked up a trident-style magic staff from the shelf. "Brother, is this also a magic staff? It looks like something a warrior would use."
"You don't understand. Even a cornered rabbit will bite. If you buy this trident magic staff, you can use it for close combat when you're in a desperate situation." The clerk introduced it with a smile.
"Impressive. How much is it?"
"Seventy gold coins."
"It's good, but the style is a bit rustic."
It had cost 700 gold coins to buy Ivennie. Cheng Yu only had about thirty gold coins left. He couldn't afford this trident magic staff.
"Would you like to try this magic staff? It's a new model just launched this year, specially designed for female mages. The handle has a retractable bronze mirror, allowing you to touch up your makeup at any time during battle and maintain the most beautiful fighting posture. It's quite popular among female mages."
"This magic staff is also nice, with an elegant design. No matter what style of magic robe or hat you wear, it's versatile."
"These two magic staffs are couple models. Using magic at the same time will trigger a pink love aura. If you and your girlfriend are both mages, you can show off your relationship while fighting."
The clerk introduced Cheng Yu to various fancy magic staffs.
These unscrupulous merchants had developed all kinds of weird features just to sell magic staffs.
"Ivennie, pick one yourself."
Ivennie blinked her beautiful green eyes as she looked at the dazzling array of magic staffs.
Not wanting to waste Cheng Yu's money, she chose the most ordinary wooden magic staff. "I want this one."
"How much is this staff?" Cheng Yu asked the clerk.
"Nine gold coins."
The clerk's face darkened. After all that sales effort, these three poor customers bought the cheapest one.
After paying, the three left the weapon shop.
Cheng Yu took Mina and Ivennie toward the city gate without buying a magic book.
Maxi and his teacher still lived at the manor. Maxi's teacher Austin was a fourth-tier mage—Cheng Yu would ask Ivennie to learn magic from Austin.
Not only could he earn their accommodation fees, but he could also save money on buying magic books.
Two birds, one stone.
The carriage rolled along the gravel road toward Bailu Town.
Mina sat next to Cheng Yu. A strange glow flickered in her beautiful eyes, clear as autumn water. She held Cheng Yu's right arm against her chest, rested her head on his shoulder, and stuck close to him.
Ever since their favorability reached 100, Mina had become more and more clingy. She stuck to him whenever she could.
Cheng Yu thought of the dog he'd raised before—it had also been very affectionate. Perhaps the Silver Wolf Clan and dogs had something in common.
Ivennie had lacked family care since childhood. Seeing Mina and Cheng Yu so close together, envy appeared on her pure, beautiful face.
"Do you want to sit next to me?"
Cheng Yu knew Ivennie was a bit introverted, so he took the initiative to invite her.
"I... can I?" Ivennie lowered her head, a little embarrassed.
"Of course." Cheng Yu smiled.
Ivennie sat on Cheng Yu's left side, a little stiff. She didn't dare get as close to Cheng Yu as Mina did, so she sat upright beside him.
Forest elves were born in forests. At such close distance, Cheng Yu caught the unique fragrance on Ivennie—it made him feel as if he were in the wilderness.
"Ivennie, what do you like to eat?"
Cheng Yu wanted to improve his favorability with Ivennie and obtain the elves' innate abilities.
Food was a bridge to build goodwill. He'd make something delicious for Ivennie.
Ivennie thought for a moment. "Sweets."
"I'll make some desserts for you when we get home."
Cheng Yu had max-level cooking skills. He could cook not only Chinese cuisine but also Western desserts—tiramisu, mousse cake, egg tarts, macarons, fruit salad, and more.
Ivennie's watery green eyes went wide with disbelief. "Master Cheng Yu is the master, and I'm a slave. You'd cook for me?"
"My profession is a chef. Cooking is my job."
Cheng Yu's tone was very gentle. Ivennie had never experienced gentleness before.
Thinking of her vicious stepmother, her indifferent father, and the cruel slave traders...
Compared to those people, Cheng Yu was like a saint, practically glowing with holy light.
Ivennie's heart filled with joy and emotion. She'd been bought by such a gentle master.
[Host has gained +15 Favorability from Ivennie]
Cheng Yu and Ivennie's favorability reached 20 points.
"Master Cheng Yu, can I hold your hand?" Ivennie asked timidly.
Feeling Cheng Yu's kindness, she became more proactive.
"Sure."
Such a lovely elf girl—Cheng Yu didn't refuse.
Ivennie reached out her delicate hand and held Cheng Yu's. A faint smile appeared on her face. A long-lost sense of steadiness and security filled her heart.
The carriage suddenly stopped. The driver's voice came from up front. "Sir, this is bad! There are bandits!"
Hearing this, Ivennie looked embarrassed. She hurriedly apologized to Cheng Yu. "I'm sorry, Master Cheng Yu. I've been unlucky since I was a child. I've caused you trouble."
"Unlucky? Where's the bad luck?"
The fastest ways to get rich are all written in the criminal code.
Running into bandits on the way to Snow City, and running into bandits on the way out of Snow City—what great luck!
Ivennie noticed that Cheng Yu's eyes weren't filled with fear but with enthusiasm and excitement.
Running into bandits and he's excited? What the hell?
The three got off the carriage.
Over a dozen masked men blocked the middle of the road. Most held swords. Only one held a magic staff—probably a mage.
"That person is a first-tier mage."
Ivennie sensed the strength of the magic power and judged the mage's level.
Damn it. If I'd known someone would deliver themselves to my door, I wouldn't have bought a magic staff.
Cheng Yu looked a bit annoyed.
Then, a golden kitchen knife appeared in his hand.
He tested the sharpness of the blade with his thumb.
This was Cheng Yu's habitual action before slaughtering a chicken.
One cut to bleed, send the bird to see Buddha. Efficient, fast. Same for people.
"My master originally planned to spend a few hundred gold coins to bid for the elf, but now it's perfect—he can get her without spending a penny."
The leader laughed.
If you couldn't win a bid, just rob directly. Snow City was truly simple and honest.
Cheng Yu could conclude these people had been sent by the wealthy merchant named Dewitt from last night.
"Your master has a good plan. But do you really think you can beat me?"
The smile on Cheng Yu's face was colder than a butcher's knife.
"You only have one orc guard, and among our dozen men, we have six first-tier warriors and a first-tier mage. The advantage is mine!"