Chapter 68

ps: Cough, cough, it's two o'clock. The platform is broadcasting the arrival notice. Please, comrades, hold onto your Sanjiang tickets and vote to enter the Sanjiang channel.

"Chu, what you're doing is wrong. We don't help them for the reward," Brom advised Chu Ci. As a former Dragon Knight, punishing evil and protecting the weak is the duty and virtue of Dragon Knights. They are not mercenaries who do things for money.

"This isn't a reward, it's a price." Chu Ci looked at Brom seriously, the coldness in his eyes making Brom shiver. He said, word by word, "If it was just helping them, I would do it without expecting anything in return. But my occasional kindness, which I showed when I was bored, has already disappeared because of their cowardice and fear. Now they have to pay the price, not for saving them, but for betraying me."

If you make a mistake, you must pay the price. This cannot be excused by innocence.

"Besides, I'm not a Dragon Knight. I don't need to follow your so-called principles and virtues." Chu Ci rolled his eyes, secretly instructing the medic to bandage Brom like a mummy, then walked towards the caravan.

The people in the caravan were Nanding people, one of the three major human races in Alajiria. The other two human races are the Warton people and the Ergou people. These are the human races that have migrated over the centuries. In addition, Alajiria has the native dragon race, the elf race that came from overseas a thousand years ago, and the dwarf race that supposedly dug their way to Alajiria eight hundred years ago. However, over time, the dragon race has been nearly exterminated and is now kept in a valley in the Spine Mountains, known as the Dragon Valley. The elf race has retreated to the Ellesmire Forest and established a kingdom to avoid Gabotris's tyranny. The dwarf race is everywhere, hiding deep underground.

Only the human race has become the master of this fertile land. The Nanding people are the largest race in Alajiria, including Brom, Eragon, and Gabotris, who are all Nanding people. The Bier Mountains, where Chu Ci is heading, are inhabited by the Warton people. The Ergou people, the smallest in number but all soldiers, are more like wild beasts, only knowing how to plunder and indulge in pleasure. Even Gabotris doesn't want the Ergou people to enter his capital when he has nothing to do.

The Nanding caravan in front of him is a large caravan traveling between major cities. At the moment, the caravan is reorganizing, repairing damaged vehicles, and bandaging the wounded. The fat caravan owner is counting the losses, fuming with anger. This is all white, shiny kronor, the currency of Alajiria.

"Fatso." Chu Ci gave the caravan owner an unflattering nickname.

"What do you want?" The caravan owner frowned, his face puffy and his expression very displeased.

"Protection money. Hand over all your valuables." Since the other party was not cooperative, Chu Ci didn't hold back. Originally, he only wanted half the reward, but now he demanded everything.

"What do you mean? Are you trying to rob us?" The caravan owner screamed, his five greasy fingers waving frantically. "We are a legitimate caravan. See? I have so many guards."

"Hand them over, or I'll kill you and take them myself." Chu Ci didn't bother with this bully who only picks on the weak. He raised his palm, and a ball of flame appeared in his palm. Being kind makes you a target for bullies. This fatso is a coward in front of the Ergou people. Does he think I'm a good person?

"Are you going to do something about this guy? He's extorting innocent civilians!" The caravan owner realized Chu Ci wasn't a simple, naive good person. He immediately shifted the blame to the other two, who seemed to still have a sense of chivalry, trying to use words to pressure them into taking action.

"Right, leave the horses too." Chu Ci sneered at the fatso, who was still hoping for a lucky break, and raised the stakes.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. Please, sir, be magnanimous and forgive this humble person." The fatso, who had the skill to read the situation, quickly changed his attitude, smiling and apologizing, and offered to compensate Chu Ci.

"Three." Chu Ci didn't even look at the fatso, his eyes half-closed as if he were dozing.

"..." The fatso was completely confused by this cryptic response and was about to ask what Chu Ci meant.

"Two."

The flame in Chu Ci's hand suddenly shot out, gradually forming a scorching flame sword.

Now the fatso understood completely. He scrambled to the caravan, begging for mercy as he ran: "I understand, I'll unload the goods right away. Please don't hurt us."

Stacks of precious specialties from various regions were piled in front of Chu Ci. Most of them he didn't recognize, but from the fatso's pained expression, he could tell these were valuable. Additionally, Chu Ci was pleasantly surprised to find a large batch of alchemical materials, dozens of magic beast skins, magic gems, rare minerals, and a large amount of magical herbs. This was an unexpected bonus.

After Brom couldn't bear to see it, he persuaded Chu Ci not to take all the horses. Instead, he allowed Chu Ci to pick six of the most robust and enduring horses for travel, letting the fatso take the rest.

The broken caravan began to leave. Eragon saw the guards, their armor broken and bandages soaked in fresh blood, limping and looking very pitiful and disheveled. He felt sorry for them and said to Chu Ci, "Is it necessary to be so ruthless? They are just innocent people."

Chu Ci gave Eragon a look of disdain. It was too late for him to speak up now.

"They are innocent, but am I not guilty enough to die? Stop talking nonsense and get on the horse."

Although the magic spiders are energy-efficient, they are too large to be suitable for travel. With six horses, they could constantly switch and travel at a good pace.

Two days later, the three of them reached the end of the plain, a village called Taret, nestled by the mountains and water.

Although the people here are also Nanding, the geographical environment has given them a unique culture and customs. Their villages are built on the water, with bamboo and ropes tied together to form houses. Bridges connect them, some made of bamboo and others just a few hanging ropes. This is the farthest reach of Gabotris's influence and the gateway for the Warton people to leave the mountains.

Brom knew that the Warton people had established a city in the Bier Mountains, but without a guide, no one could find them.

"You can wander around. I'll go find an old acquaintance." Brom explained his destination and left alone.

"I'll wander around too. I need to get rid of some dirty goods." Chu Ci said something similar and also left alone.

Eragon: "..."

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