Master Changsheng

Chapter 103, Section 101: Free Food and Takeaway? [Please Subscribe and Vote]

"Sigh! I hope they can return safely."

Ankai sat in the chair, as if worried about the safety of Hanks and his group, and slowly spoke.

In response to his actions, Malken's lips twitched slightly, but he remained silent, which was his reply.

As an accomplice in luring Hanks to the Seven Kingdoms to resume trade, Malken's perception of Ankai has changed once again.

Previously, when he clashed with Ankai in the desert, Malken thought he was a true desert barbarian.

He was later subdued by Ankai. When he saw Ankai teaching Prince Wayne magic, Malken thought Ankai was a learned old scholar and was forced to wander in the desert.

Later, on the way to Chaos City, Ankai suggested that Wayne drop the warrant for Hanks' arrest from their Shak Kingdom.

After hearing Ankai's explanation of his relationship with Hanks, Malken concluded that Ankai was a loyal and compassionate person.

At this moment, Malken stood in the hall and saw Ankai sighing and lamenting Hanks' journey to the Seven Kingdoms...

He suddenly realized that An Kai, from the very beginning, only cared about himself, and everything he did was for his own benefit.

In order to gain this fifth-tier [Assassin] professional as his subordinate, he could patiently accept Prince Wayne as his student.

They then lifted the warrant for Hanks' arrest, using the "life-saving grace" to force Hanks to travel to the Seven Kingdoms to resume trade.

Finally, he appears and tricks the fifth-tier [Assassin] into escorting Hanks to the Seven Kingdoms, thus making Hanks willingly go to the Seven Kingdoms.

Malken could foresee that even if the team were to return, it would suffer heavy losses.

But by then, they must have already made contact with some merchant caravans.

This achieved Ankai's goal.

Outside Chaos City, trade resumed, and Ankai could now comfortably act as the underground king, collecting exorbitant taxes.

Each part is interconnected, and the characters they portray are all different, which shows that An Kai is not only incredibly strong, but also... extremely meticulous!

Standing in the main hall, the fifth-tier [Assassin] Malken had seen countless people of all kinds throughout his life.

However, there are not many people like An Kai, who have clear goals and are willing to use any means to achieve them.

Ankai's exploitation and indifference towards others even reminded Malken of the young king of the Shak Kingdom...

He's just as cold-blooded, just as ruthless in his exploitation of those around him, yet he manages to claim the moral high ground and make those around him willingly work for him...

"That's terrifying!"

Malken kept imagining things, and the more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became.

Even when Ankai waved for him to leave, Malken still had a solemn expression, and when he saw Ankai, his eyes showed a hint of... caution.

actually…

While it's not fair to say that Malken's assumptions were entirely wrong, they were at least half wrong.

Wayne is the one Ankai truly wants; Malken is just a bonus.

Ankai sent Hanks to the Seven Kingdoms out of necessity, as his resource depletion was visibly increasing. After much thought, only Hanks, a former spy from the Seven Kingdoms, met the criteria for being sent to trade with the Seven Kingdoms.

In addition, Hanks is getting old and might pass away at any time, so Ankai urgently needs a new route for exchanging gold coins and magic stones.

Additionally, regarding getting Wayne to drop the warrant for Hanks' arrest.

When Ankai brought this up, he didn't have any other intentions. He just suddenly remembered that Hanks was wanted by the Kingdom of Shak, and coincidentally, his henchman was the eldest prince of the Kingdom of Shak.

It was just something I mentioned casually during a chat…

"What's wrong with this guy?"

Ankai frowned as he watched Malken leave. He could clearly see that the icy-faced man's expression was a little off as he left.

Ankai's [Lv23] [Meditation] ability makes him extremely sensitive to changes in the expressions of those around him.

He could see even the slightest changes in expression clearly.

How could Ankai possibly know that some of his actions had been interpreted by Malken as a meticulously planned scheme...

However, if An Kai knew about Malken's idea of ​​using those around him, he wouldn't deny it.

In this desert, Ankai has always believed in one principle: only mutual benefit can lead to long-term partnerships.

He had many people around him, but in the end, only the old man Hanks remained.

Ultimately, it is because Ankai and Hanks have enough common interests, and the two have already built enough trust through repeated cooperation and exchanges of benefits.

Including this trip to the Seven Kingdoms, Ankai offered 10% of the future tax revenue from the outer city of Chaos City in order to make Hanks go willingly.

One percent doesn't sound like much.

However, if it's 100,000 gold coins, or even 10% of a million gold coins, that profit would be quite considerable for Hanks.

Currently, the seven kingdoms surrounding the desert are embroiled in internal strife, while in the desert, orcs and the inner city of Chaos City are locked in fierce combat.

Another major power, the Town of the Dead, refuses to accept living people. Therefore, among the desert and the seven surrounding kingdoms, only the outer city of Chaos City, where Ankai is located, is a true "Shangri-La"!

There was no war, no internal strife, and no foreign tribes.

As long as food is secured and trade is restored, it is foreseeable that the situation will improve amidst the surrounding conflicts.

The outer city of Chaos City will become a "holy land" sought after by many...

At that time, Ankai will have complete control over how much tax he wants to collect.

This is what the outer city of Chaos City will look like in Ankai's plan.

Therefore, the fact that he was willing to give Hanks 10% of his tax revenue was already a huge concession considering their past relationship.

If it were Sally Buckerling or Will Buckerling, who had previously interacted with Ankai, Ankai would not have offered this amount.

An Kai remained skeptical about whether the two of them could establish trade between the outer city of Chaos City and the seven kingdoms.

Although they were princes and princesses of the Duchy of Buklin, they were not princes and princesses of the Seven Kingdoms, let alone princes and princesses who had been living abroad.

Another point is that Will Bucklin is somewhat better off because of the nature of his profession, and Ankai still has some trust in him.

Sally Bucklin was immediately eliminated from Ankai's mind; he would never cooperate with her on a deal worth millions or tens of millions of gold coins…

Therefore, the fact that Hanks was trusted by Ankai and given a promise to travel to the Seven Kingdoms shows his high level of trust in Ankai!

If other people's trust level is 0.1 in Ankai's eyes, then Hanks's trust level must be at least 1.something.

Of course, the maximum trust level might be 100...

After Malken left, Ankai took the 6000 low-grade magic stones that Hanks had given him before he left and exchanged 5000 of them for skill points.

In Hanks' words, there are still more than 5000 gold coins left, which will need to be collected after he returns.

This explanation further convinced Ankai of his determination to find a new way to exchange gold coins for magic stones…

[Skill Point +5000]

Skill Points: 5999

An Kai felt quite relieved that he was just one skill point away from reaching 6000.

Then, 200 low-grade magic stones were used to replenish the mage tower's energy.

[Lazar's Mage Tower Energy +20%]

[Lazar's Mage Tower Energy: 100% (80% + 20%)]

"Can 10 low-grade magic stones be exchanged for 1% energy...?"

"not bad…"

Ankai acknowledges the defensive effect of [Lazell's Mage Tower]. It consumes 20% of energy to withstand a fatal blow from Malken, a fifth-tier [Assassin]. Such equipment is rare.

Seated in the main hall, everything had been arranged.

Ankai also arranged for Wayne to study wind blade techniques in the room next to his own.

In Wayne's words, within a few days, he would be able to study the Wind Blade spell to the point that even novice mages could use it.

Ankai is quite looking forward to this.

A few days ago, when Ankai communicated with Wayne about spells, he realized that the spells he possessed were completely different from those of other mages.

He had thought about the reasons himself, and it was possible that they were related to his four-dimensional attributes.

Not only is it well-balanced, but it also surpasses its competitors by a significant margin.

In his memory, the mage class only gained 9 attribute points per level at the first tier.

Warriors, on the other hand, only gain 8 attribute points at the first tier.

In short, for some traditional professions, the attribute points they gain per level up in the first tier are relatively few compared to those in Ankai.

On the other hand, according to spell level, Ankai needs 40 attribute points to improve his spell level in the first tier!

After all, he has a balanced development across all four attributes...

Of course, besides the four-dimensional attributes, Ankai also estimated that his spellcasting did not need to request permission from that old god of magic.

Throughout the entire Eastern Continent and even the Divine Punishment Continent, An Kai is probably the only mage who can bypass the God of Magic when casting spells…

After listening intently for a while, Wayne was still muttering about wind blade techniques that Ankai couldn't understand, but from his speed and tone, it was clear that he was very excited.

Perhaps it's true, as he said, that he'll be able to develop the Wind Blade Technique in just a few days...

Looking at the sweltering courtyard outside, An Kai suddenly felt that everything was alright.

With a thought, he used [Summon] to summon [Withered Vine Treant: Lv23], then wielding the [Brute Force Staff], he charged straight into the core of the [Withered Vine Treant]...

After searching through the area, no magic core was found.

"unlucky!"

With a curse under his breath, a fireball appeared out of thin air, burning the [Withered Treant] to ashes...

This scene sent a chill down Nurnexus's spine as he glanced at Ankai from within the guarded courtyard. He shuddered violently and muttered, "Tomorrow...tomorrow, summon that guy to make the boss happy..."

Inside the main hall, Ankai heard Nurnexus's murmurs and casually tossed out ten low-grade magic stones...

It landed right in front of Nurnexus.

"Don't let your cultivation be delayed."

"Thank you, Boss! Thank you, Boss!"

Nurneseus immediately stood up and repeatedly shouted his thanks.

Even though it doesn't need these magic stones...

Inside the main hall, An Kai returned a gentle smile and casually cast a [Freeze] spell, sealing the hall doors.

Then, with a thought, [Lazell's Mage Tower] materialized from within him, enveloping Ankai's figure and disappearing underground.

The next day.

An Kai reappeared from inside the mage tower in the main hall of the Evergreen Gang's headquarters.

After a night's rest and meditation, he gained an attribute point.

Add it to your [Endurance].

[Endurance +1]

[Endurance: 525]

Then he took out the [Beast Meat Refining Table] with [Enhancement +5] and instructed Nurnexus to go to the Evergreen Gang's reserve point to retrieve two pieces of fresh monster hind leg meat.

He took out two low-grade magic stones and placed them on the [Beast Meat Refining Table]. In an instant, the magic stones turned into powder and melted into the hind leg meat.

Just for a moment.

The beast meat was then enhanced by the [Beast Meat Refining Table].

[Enhanced Hind Leg Meat +5: Lv1]

[Quality: Average]

[Note: Don't eat too much of the enhanced beast meat; you might overeat.]

The [Beast Meat Refining Table] was upgraded to [+5], and the beast meat that was upgraded by it also reached the [+5] quality.

This just happens to satisfy Ankai's current appetite.

Pick up the meat, one in each hand.

Ankai glanced at Nurnexus, who was staring at him expectantly: "Is there something you need?"

Nurnexius was taken aback. So you prepared both pieces of beast meat for yourself?

Nurneseus gave an awkward, sheepish smile on his dark face: "N-nothing...it's nothing..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Nurnexus walked out of the hall, turning back every few steps...

Just as it reached the door, Ankai's voice suddenly rang out behind it: "Wait a minute."

Nurneseus paused, knowing that Ankai cared about it…

As soon as I turned around, I saw Ankai throw two bone clubs at me…

"Go eat out, no need to thank me."

Looking at the two bone clubs in front of him, Nurnexus's feelings were hard to describe...

When did the mighty dragon race fall to such a state?

After glancing at Ankai's expression, Nurnexus hesitated for only a second before grabbing a bone club and biting into it.

He sobbed, "Thank you... Boss..."

Ankai was satisfied as he watched Nurnexus leave.

In his memory, this is how he raised pets in his previous life.

After the owner finishes eating meat, the pet is fed bones.

After stretching his body, Ankai listened for a moment to Wayne's progress in his spell research for the day, and then left the main hall.

Today, he plans to venture deep into the outer city of Chaos City to observe the integration of the original inhabitants with the newcomers.

After all, the living conditions of these people are related to his future interests.

If new residents cannot survive, Ankai will intervene and provide them with a more comfortable environment.

Then press down hard...

Thinking of this, An Kai smiled slightly.

In this chaotic world, it's reasonable for him to provide a stable place to live and then charge a small fee.

As it passed by Nurnexius, it was munching on a bone without even looking up.

"Indeed, the ancestors' method of raising animals was correct."

With a muttered word, An Kai left the Evergreen Gang's headquarters, his face bearing the very features of Hanks' father.

Walking along the street for about half an hour, a group of people gathered on the west side of the outer city of Chaos City.

Ankai walked there with his frail, aged steps.

Pushing through the crowd, I saw the scene inside.

Among them, the knight Polpi, who had no mount, accompanied by several henchmen, hurled insults at the five refugees who had fled from the Seven Kingdoms before him:

"You bastards, our city lord protects you, yet you refuse to pay even the cost of that protection? And you keep running away!!"

"Do they really think our city lord is a philanthropist?!"

Five townspeople, prostrate on the ground with their heads bowed, sobbed softly, "Sir... we really have no money left..."

"No money?!"

Polpi's eyes widened in anger as he continued to shout, "You've been allocated five houses in total. You can squeeze into one, and sell or rent out the remaining four. Isn't that money?!"

"I think you guys just don't want to give it!"

"You bastards, trying to freeload? I'll fucking kill you!"

(End of this chapter)