Man on the ark, forced to become king

On the eastern border of Kazdel, Old Carp lowered his hat and complained helplessly. His fish-tail-like tail seemed to have lost much of its luster due to lack of water.

Due to years of war, many places in Kazdel, especially the border areas, have extremely harsh environments, which can only be described as deserts. He personally dislikes such dry and scorching places, but unfortunately, he has to meet the client's requirements and fulfill the mission. He has no choice but to go, since that kid gave him a condition that he couldn't resolve.

Even he considered things that could prolong life to be rare and precious.

However... the theater troupe from Letania was suspected of harboring the remnants of the Witch King's poison, and even this limited information made him think of some unpleasant things.

Most of those madmen, who are still immersed in their past glory, are eccentric and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. The spells they use are more vicious than the last, making them even more notorious than the Sarkaz mercenaries. If they were to form a troupe, normal infiltration and disguise investigation methods would be completely useless, and even communication would be a problem.

"I hope things go smoothly. I only stayed at home for half a day this time. The children must miss me a lot. I need to get back soon."

Speaking in an old man's voice, Lao Li suddenly stopped walking. His gaze met that of the group of people wearing white cloaks, who were hundreds of meters away. Judging from the horns on their heads, they were most likely from Letania.

Kazdel is now so leaky, like a sieve, that anyone can come and go as they please. A hundred years ago, they probably wouldn't have been able to even cross the border.

Old Carp, of course, didn't care about Kazdel's current situation, but he sensed that he might be in trouble.

Anyone can easily guess the possible connection between the Letanian troupe and the team that also comes from Letanian... People who hang out with madmen are probably not good people either.

Sure enough, his idea was not wrong at all. After noticing his presence, the white-cloaked team turned around and walked towards him.

"Yan people?"

Caprini, the leader with large, jet-black horns, stood a few meters away, while the white-robed figures behind him all pulled out staffs from under their cloaks and held them in their hands.

This is a squad of sorcerers.

Having already guessed, Lao Li wasn't surprised that the other party could figure out his origins. After all, his attire had a strong Yan Kingdom style, which anyone familiar with the world's countries could easily recognize.

He didn't try to hide it and openly admitted it.

"I am but a humble merchant. Do you gentlemen have something to discuss with me?"

"Merchants, merchants from Longmen?"

Caprini pulled down his hood and mask, revealing an unusually pale face devoid of any color. His face was covered with wrinkles, giving him a terrifying, almost horrifying appearance. His eyes were completely white, with no pupils visible, making him look like a monster straight out of a horror movie.

There's a saying in Yan that goes, "Your appearance reflects your heart." While this isn't entirely true, it certainly holds some truth. At least, Lao Li, who spends many years mingling in the marketplace, deeply agrees with this. Judging from his appearance, this old man doesn't seem like a good person.

He became extremely vigilant, his hands, hidden in his sleeves, secretly gripping two talismans, ready to strike at any moment.

"I am indeed from Longmen. Do you gentlemen have business to discuss?"

"Hehe, business? There is a business opportunity, let's see if you dare to do it."

The old man Caprini narrowed his eyes, forcing a terrifying smile, his tone rather sinister.

"It just so happens that we were planning to make a trip to Longmen first. How about we borrow your identity for a moment?"

"Oh dear, I'm sorry, although I am nobody, I don't like others using my identity to do business. I can't do this deal."

Old Carp held the talisman in his fingers, answering with a smile, looking very amiable.

"That makes things difficult. If we can't borrow your identity, we can only borrow your head. Why bother?"

As the old man finished speaking, the spellcasters behind him simultaneously lit up with a purplish-black magical glow on their staffs, clearly about to make their move.

"When you're out and about, harmony brings wealth. Why are you all so irritable?"

"Hehe, we don't have much of a friendly relationship with the people of Lungmen."

The old man didn't rush to give the order to act. His gaze lingered briefly on the old carp's tail, and an arm as thin as a withered tree emerged from under the cloak, like a dried corpse that had been sitting for many years.

"We had no choice but to do it; we can only blame our bad luck."

"Why won't you listen to my kind advice?"

Old Carp still had a smiling expression, gently shaking his head, then suddenly his face darkened: "Gentlemen, think it over again—is there really no room for negotiation?"

"Do it!"

In an instant, a stream of light burst forth, and a dazzling magical radiance erupted, enveloping the entire area. A golden hue shone through the radiance, faintly forming mysterious rune patterns.

"With so many distinguished guests at the door, one should be executed..."

A moment later, the overflowing magic dissipated, and Old Carp emerged leisurely from the smoke and dust. Several charred talismans fell from his sleeves, and the Letanian sorcerers who had boasted of needing human heads were now lying on the ground.

Everyone, including the old man Caprini, had a bright yellow talisman stuck to their heads and lay motionless on the ground.

"It's always better to make money peacefully; I'm not good at fighting with others."

After the brief battle, Lao Li's clothes were still as clean as new. He took off his hat, shook off the dust, and put it back on, showing no signs of having been in a fight.

Suddenly, the old man lying on his back trembled, and dense black mist spread from his body, enveloping the surrounding sorcerers. Wherever the black smoke passed, the sorcerers' bodies melted rapidly, like ice and snow exposed to the sun, turning into viscous black liquid that flowed along the ground and eventually gathered into the old man's body. His withered arms swelled up little by little, and black veins were faintly visible under his skin.

"To ward off evil and bring good fortune."

Old Li, who had already turned his back, seemed to have been prepared. He quietly opened a crack in the wooden box he was carrying, and dozens of talismans flew out with a whoosh, piercing the ground around the old man like sharp arrows, igniting blazing golden flames that shot into the sky.

"Look at this, everyone says harmony brings wealth, but this is really going too far."

In the desert, the old carp's figure gradually receded into the distance. Thin wisps of black smoke drifted from the burned site, scattered and soon dissipating into the air, leaving only a few disheveled clothes and a twisted, charred skeleton, which crumbled into powder in the breeze.

Chapter 111 The Family Visit Plan of the Year

"That little brat Wei Yanwu is looking for you. Is it related to me?"

Leaving Wei Yanwu's residence, the two walked side by side on the road. Nian touched her slightly swollen belly and suddenly spoke, interrupting Lin Lu's thoughts.

"how do you know?"

"Tch, isn't it obvious? Normally I wouldn't even be allowed to get in the door, but now I'm being treated to good food and drinks in the courtyard. Isn't that just to get rid of me and prevent me from listening?"

He waved his hand dismissively, with an expression that said, "I've seen it all."

But... is this something that can be said out loud?

So you know you're a troublemaker and nobody likes you. The mighty God of Yan can't even get through the gate of a local official's residence, yet you speak so confidently and imposingly. Do you even think it's an honor?

Lin Lu was slightly speechless, but still nodded.

"You guessed right. He sent a batch of supplies, ostensibly as an ally to support the infrastructure development of the Golden Tree, but in reality, he wanted me to take you away from Lungmen for a while."

"That's why I hate dealing with people like that the most. They drag their feet and beat around the bush, as if doing it this way will make their shady business seem legitimate. Wei Yanwu is just like those people in the court. He's really boring."

Upon hearing this, Nian pursed her lips, not surprised at all.

She just didn't want to think about those things. It's not like she's brainless. She's lived for hundreds or thousands of years. Even a pig would have become a spirit by now, let alone a god.

Not wanting to pay attention doesn't mean she can't see things clearly; she's seen this kind of thing countless times, and it hasn't changed from ancient times to the present.

"You want me to take you away from Longmen? You must think that if I stay in Longmen any longer, I'll cause him trouble. I don't even need to think to know that those annoying guys from Si Suitai have come after me again. Fine, let's go. It's a good opportunity to go out and have some fun."

"Are you able to leave Yan Kingdom?"

Lin Lu was genuinely surprised this time. He thought that Nian couldn't leave Yan Kingdom easily. Wei Yanwu's veiled hints also implied that he should visit other cities in Yan Kingdom instead of going too far. He never expected that Nian could leave at will.

"What are you saying? My legs are my own, why should they tell me where I go?"

Nian rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively, saying, "There used to be such an agreement that we couldn't leave Yan Kingdom's territory or enter the capital, but so many years have passed. Times have changed. Who still clings to the old ways? Besides, they were the ones who broke the rules first. Now that they're gone, why should I care?"

"That makes sense, then I'm relieved."

Hearing her say that, Lin Lu also felt that it made a lot of sense.

This guy doesn't seem like someone who would be bound by rules and regulations, so it's understandable that he would say such things. In that case, his concerns are less.

According to the original plan, even if Wei Yanwu hadn't said anything, he wouldn't have been able to stay in Longmen for too long. Lani's health problems urgently needed to be addressed, and the theater troupe was a must-go destination. Since Old Wei was willing to provide money and supplies, why not take advantage of the opportunity? It would be a good opportunity to bring Nian along to see the situation of that theater troupe. With such a top-tier fighter by his side, he would feel much more at ease doing things.

If someone claims to be a god, then he can't possibly be a weakling in combat, right?

Not to mention her personality; she seems like a god of martial arts.

“Perfect timing. I’m going to the Kazdel border to look for the theater troupe that will be performing there soon. We can go together and take a look.”

"A theater troupe? Going to see plays? I quite like that."

With a quick glance around his eyes, he agreed without much thought.

Since she had nothing to do anyway, it didn't matter where she went or what she did. The most important thing was to stay by Lin Lu's side, and maybe she would have some unexpected gains.

This man was far too mysterious, with an unknown origin, magic completely different from the existing system, and the power to target gods. All of this deeply aroused her desire to explore.

However... she had one more thing to do before that.

I hadn't planned for it to be this quick, but now that my second brother has gotten involved, it's not good to keep dragging it out.

"When are we leaving? If we have enough time, I'd like to go out for a bit and bring someone back."

"There's plenty of time, so I'm definitely not in a hurry. It's Wei Yanwu who's in a hurry."

Lin Lu thought for a moment. According to the time given by the Emperor, it should still be more than a week before the troupe officially arrives at the Kazdel border. There is no need to rush. Wei Yanwu's purpose is just to get Nian to leave Lungmen temporarily. So as long as she is not in Lungmen, she can go anywhere without any problem.

Who do you want to bring back?

“My younger sister, the youngest in the family, is a shut-in and hasn’t been out and about for years. It’s time to let her get out and about.”

When Nian mentioned his younger sister, he seemed to be thinking of something extremely happy, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, making Lin Lu's eyelids twitch.

This feeling... it seems like the sisters don't have a very good relationship? What's with this feeling of thinking about fun toys?

Where is she? Is she far away from here?

"Yan Kingdom and Huiqi Mountain are not too far away, but we need your help, even just a little bit."

Nian picked up her fingers and gestured a tiny distance, a fleeting look of embarrassment crossing her face.