Chapter 127 -  The cost of taking action

Once he was gone, Aile and Hazel went together for a while. Then Aile remembered the ring he took from the old man. The only way to get connected to spatial storage treasures is if someone with a spiritual sense could link it to you. Therefore, only Hazel who was above the 6th stage of cultivation could allow Aile to form a link with it.

Aile gave the storage ring to her, and after a second she passed it to Aile.

Aile marked it with his blood, and now he was connected to another box-like thing that followed him everywhere. It was smaller than Hazels at around 3m x 3m x 2m around the size of two cars. One side was filled with gold. Aile estimated around 1500 gold coins. There were 5 scrolls, 2 were cultivations, and the other 3 were fighting techniques.

There were also 20 square-shaped rocks with many swirls of colours. These were energy crystals, they could be used to power formations, or the concentrated elements could be absorbed. There were some Jewlary and other treasures.

At the side were two small plants, they were giving off a lot of vitality. There were a few more things that Aile could not immediately identify with his initial observation.

Hazel was curious and finally said, "What is inside?"

Aile just gestured to her to connect with it. Hazel was delighted, seeing that Aile had not even hesitated before allowing her to peek inside the new treasure that he retrieved from the White Clan's old man. She placed a drop of blood on the ring and seeing everything inside, she was shocked.

"So much..." Hazel was surprised, "And... and... Those are life-extending flowers."

"What is that?"

"It is an extremely precious herb, it can extend someone's life by 10 years. It can get sold off at least for 1,000 Gold Coins each. But if you find and old person in need of it. You can probably get a high-level cultivation method or something that his much more valuable from them."

She then noticed the small heap of energy crystals and was shocked. Hazel said, "How are there so many energy crystals?"

"It is just 20," Aile had seen many of these through his inherited memories, in fact, they were low quality, so he never really cared too much about it. The energy in such a crystal is useful, but it is polluted. Therefore, not ideal for cultivation, but more effective at running formations.

"The energy crystals are very precious. When I was being groomed to become the strongest of Nala Clan, they promised me 2 of them if I reach the 7th stage. Even then, many people opposed it. Now you have 20. I was heartbroken when they did not give it to me."

Aile immediately replied, "You can have all of them if you want. However, do not use it until I find a purifying formation for it. I cannot allow you to absorb the impurities from them."

"No, no, no, that is too precious how can I waste them. Do you know that you can extend your business and connections with many influential people with them? Do not be wasteful. Plus, you might need them in the future, you can not buy them with gold coins."

"You should know by now that my priority is first those that are close to me than everything else."

"Thank you, but who knows what will happen to me, there is no reason for you to waste them." Seeing the dejected, sorrowful expression of Hazel, Aile held her closer.

After she found comfort in his hug, he said with an unwavering tone, "Do not worry, I will find a way for you and Sara. We already have the Soul Nether Flower, it should be helpful, and I will find another way if it does not."

Hazel knew the extent Aile would go for her, this made her even more worried. After taking in Aile's scent, she embraced him and said, "Can you promise to not leave either me or Sara alone, no matter what happens?"

Aile realized the implication of her words. She wanted Aile to promise that he will not take a drastic move endangering him or possibly killing him to find a solution to her and Sara. But what Aile focused on was for the first time he had heard her state the possibility of her surviving. Previously, she only brought Sara's survival in the future. This meant that she had subconsciously wanted to fight for a chance to survive.

This made Aile happy because it proved to him that he had a place in her heart, and more importantly, her mentality had changed. Now she was actively hoping to survive, and this will improve the chances of whatever method he finds. The intent of the individuals was the essence of most achievements.

"Do not worry, I have already promised to take care of both you and Sara. I do not intend to go back on my word."

With that statement, both of them became calmer.

They dashed for a while longer. When Hazel said, "Don't you think that it is weird that the old man had so much treasure. You do not think that it was all the budget for the war or to take over the town?"

"That is indeed what I thought, and this also makes it problematic for us. If an individual of his calibre dies, it will already be heavily investigated. Now that he, along with this much treasure, disappears, it will become a headache, and we need to be more careful."

"But you do not seem too worried?"

Sigh, "With everything going on and the intense situation we just created, a lot more eyes will focus on the town from now on. We probably cannot maintain power and rule without being noticed. We have to let go of some influence, and let some other people take the limelight. I am thinking if we make the situation tenser. It will reduce our footprints."

"What is it that you are planning?"

"Why not create the illusion of the Peona Kingdom's presence in Port Kiar? As the town seems to have some secrets, if the Peonaen's influence is detected, it will make the people keeping an eye change focus and lets us be at peace."

"Aile, if we lose power, what will happen to the people? I do not want the people we let go, to be used as cannon fodder."

"Do not worry, I do not intend your hard work to disappear. Having roots in Port Kiar will be profitable, but at our current level, we can not make it our home. I think it is time to slowly move a portion of our forces to the stronghold, to train them for our future."

Hazel said in a regretful tone, "Sorry, but my people have barely finished the stronghold, it is still not capable of taking in so many people yet."

After Hazel joined him, she mentioned her force, and over the years after finding out about everything Aile owned, Hazel wanted to bring her secret team to join Aile. However, Aile told her to send their force between Port Kiar and Fort Bot. He gave them the mission to create a hidden stronghold that is not under the royals, a hidden-place that they could retreat in the worst case.

The place they created the stronghold was also in a rich energy area that he marked. Allowing people to cultivate faster there. After 7 years, they have established a safe place, but it still cannot support a large number of people. This is also where most of Aile's money was spent.

"Do not worry, I know that too, just sending a few groups of trusted people will do. After all, that is our secret base, we can not just let all these people go there."

"But that will not make us look weaker what about the rest of our people."

"Well, we can not jeopardize our safety either, so we will just let a portion of the forces be absorbed by Moon Merchant Hall. That way, we look weaker without being vulnerable."

"Who is going to be in charge of Moon Merchant Hall's adventurers' team? My vice-captains are not yet ready for that. It will also look suspicious if they go there to lead. Emily is not here either."

"I will do it."

Hazel was surprised. She did not expect him to take the lead. But at the same time a little hurt, she thought, 'Why did he not consider helping me lead all this time? Or is there another reason?' She then wondered if Aile does not like spending time with her.

Aile noticed the change in her and said, "I just finished my seclusion, that is why I am willing."

"Are you serious, that is great" She joyfully said, her thought changed to, 'we can spend more time now...'

After asking a few questions, Hazel became happier understanding that Aile had much more time now and that he would be joining her on some missions. Soon it was time to leave each other, as their paths were diverted. With a quick hug, they separated.