Chapter 60

"Bring me the list of alchemical items for this shipment to take a look."

"Sure, Mr. Merlin."

Remy quickly brought over a list, which was filled with dozens of alchemical items, the majority being alchemical potions. After asking Remy, Lin Yun realized that this was because the Silver Moon Mercenary Group's expedition to Blade Rift had not gone smoothly. There had been significant casualties even in the outer areas, so the recent orders were mostly for alchemical potions.

"Alchemical potions..." Lin Yun began to understand...

It seemed that this was likely due to the Hope Potion...

If that was the case, there was no need to rush, as Lin Yun believed that the people from the Viper's Nest would eventually come knocking.

Lin Yun put down the list in his hand and didn't ask Remy any more questions. He settled down to wait at the Gilded Rose. In fact, Lin Yun didn't have to wait long. Less than an hour later, Remy came to knock on the door.

"Mr. Merlin, Mr. Merlin..." Remy's voice sounded somewhat anxious.

Lin Yun, however, was not in a hurry. He opened the door and asked, "What is it, someone has come?"

"Yes... Yes, two people just arrived, a mage and a warrior. They said they are from the Viper's Nest and are looking for the owner of the Gilded Rose."

"Alright, I know. You can entertain them for a moment, I'll be there soon."

Lin Yun changed into a clean black robe and slowly walked to the first-floor reception room. As soon as he pushed open the door, he saw two guests already waiting there.

One of them looked to be in his forties, with red hair, medium build, and a long scar on his face, which made him look quite fierce. He was wearing a red leather armor, and the large sword by his right side emitted a faint magical aura, indicating it was a decent enchanted weapon.

Lin Yun glanced at him and knew this was likely a Great Swordsman.

And a newly promoted one at that.

Only newly promoted Great Swordsmen would be unable to fully control their battle aura, causing it to fluctuate constantly, allowing people to judge their true strength at a glance.

This was similar to a newly promoted High Mage who had just shattered their magic vortex...

But Lin Yun, in his current state, wouldn't have such an issue. Apart from the occasional runes flowing in his eyes, it was impossible for ordinary people to judge Lin Yun's true strength through magical fluctuations.

In addition to the newly promoted Great Swordsman, there was another person in the reception room, and it was someone familiar. This familiar person was the Level 9 Mage who had accompanied Fario and a group of Viper's Nest members to Lin Yun's house to catch a thief.

However, the thief wasn't caught, and the Level 9 Mage ended up being captured by Lin Yun and played a game of "I ask, you answer" for a while.

" Mage Lary, long time no see." Lin Yun entered the reception room and greeted politely.

The Level 9 Mage had been sitting comfortably, eyes closed, waiting for someone to receive him. But as soon as Lin Yun spoke, Lary instantly stiffened, first opening his eyes in disbelief, then jumping up suddenly.

"Me... Merlin Mage!"

"Hehe, Mage Lary, we meet again."

"He... he... hehe, yes, yes, what a coincidence." Lary smiled stiffly while desperately wanting to slap himself.

Damn it, I actually forgot that the Gilded Rose belongs to this guy, and I foolishly walked right in...

That's a monster who can take on over a dozen High Mages without breaking a sweat.

Thinking of the terrifying scene, the Level 9 Mage couldn't help but shift his chair, wanting to hide behind the Great Swordsman.

"What's wrong?" The Great Swordsman looked at his companion with some confusion, not understanding why the usually ruthless Mage Lary was acting so strangely today.

"Nothing... nothing." Lary looked up and saw Lin Yun watching him, immediately shrinking back and refusing to say another word.

Fortunately, the Great Swordsman didn't take it to heart. Unable to get an answer, he just stood up, hands on the long table in the reception room, his battle aura radiating, creating a sense of pressure.

"Are you Mafa Merlin?"

"Yes, I am Mafa Merlin." Lin Yun nodded and sat down opposite the Great Swordsman.

"Very well, Mafa Merlin, I only have one question for you today. Your Gilded Rose Caravan has trespassed into the Viper's Nest territory four times. Are you trying to challenge the Viper's Nest's tolerance?"

Admittedly, the Great Swordsman's domineering question and imposing stance were quite intimidating. A person with a weaker nerve would likely be scared right away.

Unfortunately, Lin Yun was never one to be easily intimidated...

"Excuse me, may I ask... " Lin Yun didn't even blink, just looking at the unknown Great Swordsman from a distance, "Who are you?"

"I... " The Great Swordsman almost choked on his own saliva. My question was so domineering, but yours is so low-level. Why ask who I am?

Calm down, calm down...

The Great Swordsman counted to ten in his head, forcing himself to calm down before answering with a proud look, "I am Rios."

"Oh, Rios, I've heard much about you, I've heard much about you..." Lin Yun yawned while saying this.

"..."

Rios, who had just calmed down, felt his forehead twitch.

"Mafa Merlin, don't change the subject. I'm here to ask you if your Gilded Rose Caravan's four intrusions into the Viper's Nest territory are a provocation."

"Absolutely not!"

"That's good..." Rios's expression relaxed slightly. At least this Mafa Merlin, though annoying, knew the power of the Viper's Nest. Rios cleared his throat and, with a proud look, placed his hands on the table again, "Now, the Viper's Nest needs an explanation."

"What kind of explanation?"

"Think about it yourself."

"Do you mean compensation?"

"Hmph!" Rios let out a cold snort but felt secretly pleased. It seemed he was indeed a negotiation genius. A little intimidation, and this Mafa Merlin became obedient. Once he got the formula for the Hope Potion, Boss Soss would surely reward him well.

Unfortunately, he would have to share some of the credit with the idiot Lary...

Speaking of Lary...

Rios suddenly found it strange. Ever since Mafa Merlin entered, Lary had been acting strangely, almost like a mouse seeing a cat.