Four Pillar of Black Iron City (Part 1)

"Sir. I am sorry to disturb but please follow us into the Governor's Manor." The red scarf didn't make any unnecessary talk as he was straight to the point. He was considered middle-aged man, but his body's posture was straight and strong. There was a trace of white hair on his sideburn, but his eyes were not different from any young man, spirited and clear.

He could be considered a handsome middle-aged man.

The black and heavy armoured people behind him were split into two rows, at the left and right of the red scarf. They didn't make any other movement as they faced each other.

Seeing the bad situation in front of them, Hao Bo took a step forward. "Mister, I am sorry but may we know what is the reason? I believe that our companion is not guilty. I believe there are some misunderstanding."

But Hao Bo's trembled legs showed her feeling. Nervous, insecurity.

It was the first time Hao Bo talked to a high-ranking person like the red scarf man in front of her.

The red scarf didn't even bother to spare a glance toward Fu Tao, but he still replied, "This is part of the rule. Please understand."

Hao Bo grimaced in her mind as she imagined the worst case of scenario.

[But, the City's Governor should be someone who loves talented warrior, hence Fu Tao should be fine. But this invitation along a row of Black Iron Army is not a good sign.]

Black Iron Army, along with City's Guard was the sword and the shield of the City's Governor. If City's Guard was well-known for protecting the residence's safety and enacting the rules of the city, then the Black Iron Army was the war-speciality unit in the Black Ion City. Hence, the Black Iron Army's appearance was akin to sign of a big battle, a war.

That was what she knew.

Looking at the unsightly expression of Hao Bo, Fu Tao could only scratch his cheek.

"Leader of the Turtle Shell Mercenary, Hao Bo, your escorting mission is done beautifully. Since smelly tofu has to go to the Governor's Manor, I think it is convenient for us to slit up here." Mingyue suddenly spoke from their behind.

Hao Bo jolted a little, but there was a feeling of relief deep inside her heart. Liang Chun and Qin Yi didn't have any say as it was the decision of the client, but Mo Hua was clearly unwilling. But he kept it inside.

"Indeed we have arrived. Thanks for your work. And even if you follow us, it will be inconvenient, won't it?" Fu Tao shrugged his shoulders as he returned his attention toward the red scarf.

The red scarf understood and didn't mate it hard for the Turtle Shell Mercenary.

"If you are ready, please follow me. Your group will be escorted until we arrive at the manor."

"We have a wagon along with an unconscious boy. Can we bring it along?"

"Please do."

…

Looking at the disappeared Mingyue's party, turbulence grew inside Hao Bo's heart. Not only her, but also the other member of Turtle Shell Mercenary.

They knew that they were weak, especially in a place like Grade 1 Mercenary City. Everything they experienced past these few days was much more important than their a few years worth of mercenary.

Being well-known as a defence-speciality mercenary group in small town made their pride flaunted unconsciously.

Sighing in her mind, Hao Bo took a deep breath. "Let's go."

". . . Will we not do anything?" Mo Hua's voice trembled as he clenched his fist. He still couldn't accept it.

Shaking her head, Hao Bo replied, "Then I will ask you. What can you do?"

". . ." Mo Hua didn't answer as he didn't know the answer. Mo Hua just wanted to do something rather than watching. It left a bad taste in his heart.

"If you want to help, the only thing we can do is by not being a burden for them." Looking at the Black Iron City's gate, Hao Bo made her decision. "We must not come inside this city, and we are also unable to return to the Grey Brick Town. We are stranded without any destination, but there is something we can do."

"Get stronger. Increase our combat ability within a short time, and there is only one thing we can do." Sweeping her glance toward the member of Turtle Shell Mercenary, Hao Bo declared, "We will not coming out of the Grey Brick Forest before we reached Battle Warrior."

As they saw Hao Bo's back, they could feel the determination in Hao Bo's sentence. They had to move forward if they want to make a change, and strength was an absolute necessity.

"It may be a suicide, but we will do what we can do."

Seeing the resolute expression on the other three members, Hao Bo felt her pride swelled in her chest. It was her mercenary group, Turtle Shell Mercenary.

"Let's go. I hope we will meet them someday in the future."

…

Mingyue, Liao Yun, Fu Tao, and their luggage were escorted all the way to the biggest place in the Black Iron City. And of course, they also became the talk of the city because the matter at the City's gate hadn't spread yet.

They had to go over a few gates before they reached the City Governor's manor.

"Please go inside. My job is finished here." The red scarf stopped himself in front of a wide door made of wood. The door was wide enough to let a carriage passed by.

"Er, that boy is-" Fu Tao wanted to ask about the wagon and the unconscious boy, but it was intercepted.

"The wagon will be taken care of by my subordinates along with everything in the wagon. Later you can ask anyone to find it."

The red scarf left Mingyue, Liao Yun and Fu Tao alone in front of the Governor's Manor.

It was like the first time they left the settlement, only the three of them.

"Hey, what do you think will happen to us?" Fu Tao was nervous as they didn't receive any warm welcome, but they didn't receive cold shoulder as well.

Even though the red scarf was a man of short word, he would answer any question. Of course, with the exception of the reason of why they were summoned to the Governor's Manor.

But it was not the prime reason for his nervousness, but Fu Tao's condition. His muscle at both of his hands was cramped and it was a little hard to move. Not only that, but the Elemental that he could manipulate was limited.

All because of Battle Technique: Fish Scale Armour, Full Burst.

But, Fu Tao didn't have time to brood over it as he believed that Liao Yun was able to protect herself. Only his pride would be wounded.

"Nothing, I guess? Maybe they invite us to have a breakfast?" Mingyue moved toward the door and touched the door's surface many times. The door's design was kind of similar to the door she always saw in the Xia family's domain, her house.

Unlike the usual time, Xiao Wu was not with her, thus Mingyue was standing and walking by herself. It was a rare view and if the Turtle Shell Mercenary group saw it, they would be very surprised.

"If they are planning something bad, just beat the crap out of them. Why do we have to fuss it over?" Liao Yun scoffed as she shot a disdained look toward Fu Tao.

Even though their wagon was brought to another place, their weapon was not confiscated. Fu Tao still had both of his tower-shaped shields and Liao Yun still wore her wrist guard, the Punisher.

The only concern Liao Yun had was Mingyue's safety because there was no Xiao Wu, Mingyue's personal mount.

"Knock, knock, knock. . ." A series of knocking's sound from the wide door in front of them.

Not long after the door was opened wide as there was a pair of maid appeared in front of Mingyue.

After giving a slight bow, one of them opened her mouth, "We have been waiting for you. Please follow us."

Mingyue just followed the pair of maid as she was skipping along the way. There was nothing Liao Yun and Fu Tao can do, they just followed along from behind.

The corridor was long and there were a lot of things on the wall on the left and the right. The exquisite statue, oil painting, and even some gems were embedded in the wall.

Even though they were something expensive-looking treasure, Liao Yun and Fu Tao didn't understand the worth of the things around them. And even if they understood, they didn't care about it as they were useless in the battle.

And on Mingyue's side, she didn't care about it as well because she had seen something more expensive back in her house in Xia family's domain. She kept humming along the way until they arrived in a wide room.

There were a few long couches and a low desk in the middle of it. Someone was sitting on the couch and there was a maid behind the man.

As the man realized Mingyue's party, he looked at three new faces and had a slight smile pasted on his face.

"Please come in." The pair of maid that escorted Mingyue and her company stood back at the left and right of the earlier corridor.

Mingyue stopped skipping, but she now strode toward the comfy couch. Liao Yun and Fu Tao wanted to touch their temple, but they resisted the urge as they gave a reproachful look at Mingyue. Unfortunately, Mingyue didn't even realize it.

"Ahaha, it is soft! Touch it and you can feel it! Haha. . ." Mingyue were having fun as if she had found a new toy. But her action was cute enough that Liao Yun forgot her annoyance.

The maids didn't have any change in their expression, but the man chuckled as he saw the interaction between three people in front of him.

"You can sit on the couch. It is more comfortable to talk this way." The man didn't turn his head as he made a command toward the maid behind him. "Prepare some refreshment for our guest."

The maid behind the man didn't answer, but she bowed and went to somewhere. When the maid returned, she brought along a serving cart filled with various refreshment along with a pot and a few empty cups.

The maid's movement was flawless as she didn't make any sound as she pushed the serving cart. First, she served various refreshments like fresh fruit and sweet on the low desk. After that, she served tea to each person.

The fresh smell of the tea filled the room, but Fu Tao and Liao Yun's attention were directed toward the refreshment in front of them.

It was not weird as it was the first time they saw some beautiful food. Even the served fruits were attractive.

"Er, is that really a food?"

Fu Tao was sceptical, but Liao Yun didn't wait for the answer as she swallowed a red-coloured fruit in one gulp. Liao Yun's eyes were brightened as she enjoyed the delicate texture of the fruit. Unlike the fruit she had in the Grey Brick Forest, the fruit she had was more like a cotton.

Not saying anything, Liao Yun continued to take one after another fruit on the desk until all of it was gone.

Of course, Fu Tao saw it and he couldn't help but twitched his eyebrows. He was interested, but he couldn't possibly offend his little ancestor.

The man in front of them saw every interaction between Mingyue, Liao Yun, and Fu Tao. He coughed a little to gain their focus and said, "Nice to meet you, young warrior. I am the City Governor's representative, Quan Jingyi."

…