To the Nearest Kingdom

Yan Long used the most primitive way of igniting flames, by using sticks.

Everything was smooth till he got out of the other side of the waterfalls, as soon as he got out, it's all plains of greens.

"Haaaaaaaaaa..." He exhaled a massive breath like he had been holding it for a long time, tears couldn't help but build in his eyes but he shook his head.

His eyes filled with determination as he moved again, his food are almost out, but it's more than what he had before.

Oar had said to him two things to be able to start his life, either join a clan or a mercenary.

The benefits for the clan are resources, training, and riches, so long as one accomplishes a task, one is rewarded. But it still depends on which clan he chooses to go.

There are different kinds of clans, Oar said that he should join the best ones he can find, so long as he manages to pass their exams, he'll be set for life. But if he were to chose badly, it'll mean slavery or even death.

Joining a good clan will benefit greatly for his growth, but one's freedom will be limited.

For mercenaries though, it's quite good, all the freedom you can get, but you're all on your own, depending on yourself, you'll be able to be a successful man or a failure one.

Yan Long decided that he wants to go to a clan, but Oar simply offered one piece of advice, and that is, no matter where he goes, always use a different name.

He traveled continuously, only stopping either to rest or sleep. After one more week, his last ration was already used, he had passed by a few villages already, but afraid of being forcefully conscripted, he didn't go to any of them.

Luckily, he didn't need to starve so much as there are plenty of fruits and vegetables he could eat while traveling.

And another three more weeks had passed, he finally managed to arrive.

Massive walls blocking whatever is inside, towering towers erect on it as guards looking down at them from it. The gate is guarded by six soldiers while a long line of people can be seen.

Oar had given him two things, a nameplate with a name already written on it "Di Wu" and a class "Low-grade Warrior", and a few pieces of silver, 10 of them to be exact.

As soon as he arrived at the gate, he placed his name card and also a piece of silver on the table.

The guard frowned: "It's two silvers, not one."

"We're already the 2nd level Kingdom."

As soon as the guard said that, Yan Long didn't even argue and placed another silver, although he expressed hesitation and feeling of sadness, he still did.

Seeing this, the guard smirked, took the silvers and let him pass: "Go in."

Of course, all of this was an act, Oar had strictly warned him about it, be as lowkey as he can. If he showed no remorse for the silvers he had given, the guards may think that he's loaded with money, and an individual person like him is an easy target.

He may be targetted by greedy guards, and he may also be found dead in some alleys later on. Although it's only a slim chance, it's better to always remain safe.

And this is the last advice, or rather, guidance that Oar had said, whenever going to a kingdom's capital, he needs to at least go to a request or mission board, those were the only place where opportunities arise.

He asked around a few dozens of people, after all, he was ignored by almost 60 of those that he asked to.

Finally, when he asked the 69th person, she responded in kind.

"Lady, I hope you wouldn't mind, but, can you point me to the direction of the request or mission boards?" Yan Long asked politely.

The lady looked at him, and when she saw his face, she couldn't help but be confused for a bit, her expression kept changing multiple times, hatred, anger, loneliness, and for some reason, there is also affection.

The lady frowned, but then, Yan Long asked once more: "Lady, are you fine?"

The lady woke up from her state and sighed, she then glared at Yan Long before asking: "You, what's your name?"

"Yan-Di Wu!" Yan Long stuttered, he was about to say his name, but when he suddenly remembered that he's going with a fake name, he fixed it immediately.

"Yan Di Wu?" The lady asked with her brows slightly arched up.

Yan Long shook his head: "No, no, just Di Wu!"

"But you said Yan." The lady replied with an expression of confusion, but then, there's this slight hatred, rather, killing intent flashing in her eyes.

Yan Long wasn't aware of it, but he immediately felt something dangerous, like his instincts is telling him to just run away.

He pulled himself back quite a bit and held the old sickle that was with him.

Seeing this, the lady was quite surprised, she couldn't help but chuckle: "So I guess your name is Di Wu then?"

Yan Long seeing the change of her expression felt rather confused, but he nodded his head: "Yes, a low-grade warrior, Di Wu."

The lady smiled, she nodded her head: "I'll remember you then."

"If you're looking for the mission and request board, it's usually displayed in the town square, if I'm not mistaken, it's a little further north from here, just two hundred meters away." The lady spoke, she looked at Yan Long for a while before continuing: "My name is Zhi Ruo, remember it as well."

Yan Long nodded his head, he bowed slightly: "Thanks, I will." As he finished speaking, he immediately rushed towards where the lady, Zhi Ruo had pointed at.

But after walking for a while, he couldn't help but look back, but then, he saw that Zhi Ruo was still looking at him, with a smile that's not that much of a smile as well.

He felt shivers crawling up to his spines before continuing his path.

Meanwhile, Zhi Ruo couldn't help but smirk: "So... we've finally met..."

A smile crept on his lips as she chuckled softly: "Yan Long... this time, your life, it'll be forfeited!"