Even the Sharpest Scent Hidden Perfectly Can be Sniffed Out

"Finally, after six months. We got her."

They had been observing Cecil ever since they found her. Rufh users rarely went outside and even if they did, they were heavily guarded 

Especially so for Cecil. She was guarded by two powerful merchants and her friends were no exception.

Although the woman had a Paladin. She was no idiot to fight 6 people. Even further, four people including Cecil had a beast on their own.

The woman was not afraid of these kids but the beast they had and the merchant protecting Cecil.

"It's a good call that we hired a bunch of people from that organization. I don't know why they are looking for beasts but this is in our favor. If not for you, we have no choice but to look for another target, thank you, Ernen."

Ernen fell silent for a short moment. It was as though he was surprised but he managed to hide it. His master was a terrifying person.

She would kill everyone to achieve her goal. Even if it meant killing her friends. All this time Ernen was together with her, she was not the type to thank someone for what they did yet she thanked him, which was quite surprising.

"Please, Master. I don't deserve such words. I merely follow your orders," Ernen said humbly as he slightly bowed his head.

The woman looked at him for a few seconds without uttering a sound, as though observing him.

"Master, is something wrong?" Ernen asked as he felt a bit uncomfortable.

"...nothing," she replied as she retracted her gaze to the street. Watching the goblins walk to and fro.

*We move out tonight. They are going to the Jade Sea City and we follow them from a safe distance," the woman said as she fished out a map from her spatial ring and put it on the table.

A spatial ring was a convenient tool to store your stuff without having additional weight. It was rather rare and hard to find.

Anyway, spreading the rolled map as it covered the table, a map of the Jade Empire appeared. It showed every crook and nook of the empire.

A map like this was quite expensive as it showed the geography of the empire, which was important in war. The war probably was not to their advantage should this map fall to the enemy's hand.

Luckily, it was the age of peace, and the World's Empire doing its best to prevent war.

Touching her finger on a brown, long path leading to the Jade Sea City. She said, "this is where we intercept them. I want you to separate the red scarf boy and the girl from Cecil. Leaving her with Chin Sha's subordinate. I'll handle him and Cecil. Is that clear?" The woman asked.

"Yes, Master," he replied as he understood.

"Still, I don't know why Chin Sha's subordinate is here," The woman said as she leaned her back against the chair.

"Is he going to disrupt our plan, Master?" Ernen asked.

"No, I worked together with Chin Sha before and have met this guy. He has nothing particular to note of. If he's in my way, I simply have to crush it. He is anything but a fly, waiting to be crushed." The woman smiled as she mocked Fred.

After a long silence, Ernen asked, "Master, I have an idea. Do you want to hear it?"

The woman nodded, "Go ahead."

…

They fell silent yet the woman's expression was solemn as though she listened attentively.

Indeed, Ernen was talking through qi telepathy. It was unknown what the plan Ernen suggested but it was, without a doubt, sinister and quite evil.

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They left the clinic as soon as possible, for the fact they were no longer safe. It was only a matter of time before the goblins found them.

"We should get our stuff back," Morgiana said as she halted her steps.

What she was talking about was Cecil's dead, white serpent. It was stored in a place not far away from the clinic and inside a traveling backpack.

Cecil would not be suspicious of this so it was safe to bring it with them. Though, the smell said otherwise.

If Cecil asked 'what's with the smell?' Xu An and Morgiana had prepared a perfect response.

However, things never went to plan.

"I'll help! You guys help me so much yet I barely could do anything in exchange. It feels unfair," Cecil suddenly said.

Morgiana and Xu An stared at each other for a few seconds. If it was any longer, Cecil would think something was wrong and so, they break eye contact.

"Do you know the place?" Morgiana smiled as she asked.

"It is not far from here, right? I can get it by myself. Just tell me where it is!" Cecil replied.

Morgiana retracted her gaze to Xu An. The latter simply nodded but Morgiana was not sure if she should have agreed to Cecil's request.

She pondered for a short moment before sighing silently.

"Sure but no matter what. You must not peek into the bag," Morgiana said.

"Why?" Cecil asked without hesitation as she slightly tilted her head to the side.

Morgiana paused for a second as she answered, "We killed a terrifying monster with an ugly look. It's not suitable for a child like you."

"I'm not a child! I've seen the worst!" Cecil refuted as she pouted angrily. It was quite cute as she had a babyface.

"Okay, okay. You're not a child. The bag is in a locker room not far from here. Go straight and you see a goblin running a bakery shop. Pass it and go left, there you will see a place with a giant key on top.  That's the place. 

"Here's the key," Morgiana explained as she gave a steel key to Cecil. The latter was delighted as her eyes were sparkling stars. 

She accepted the key with a beaming smile and her hand moved as fast as lightning, as she was afraid that Morgiana might change her mind. 

Morgiana giggled. It was beautiful as it eased one's heart to those who heard it. 

"What?" Cecil asked upon Morgiana's giggle. This may be her feeling but it sounded more like a mock to her more than anything. 

"Nothing, you don't have to worry." Morgiana shook her head as she continued,  "you should go now. It's a three hours journey from here to the city."

Cecil nodded her head. She then hastened her pace as she walked the opposite way. 

Shortly thereafter, Xu An went to Morgiana's side, "Is it okay for you to skip your shift?"

"It's okay, it is just one day," Morgiana casually replied.

Xu An grunted in acknowledgment before shifting his line of sight to Fred. 

"What?"

"I've been curious. Why do I feel qi circulation around you instead of mana?" Xu An could not help but ask. For your information, this question had been lingering in Xu An's mind for a rather long time. 

"I conceal it with sacred art," Fred replied as he did not bother to explain. He simply walked away after saying so. 

Xu An did not say anything any further. Everyone had one or two things to hide from others. 

With Fred walking ahead, Xu An followed while Morgiana stayed as she was waiting for Cecil.

Xu An wanted to stay but he was a wanted fugitive in the town. If he stayed any longer,  those goblins might find him.

Although he disguised himself,  that did not mean he was safe. There was probably a tool to track a criminal. 

Therefore, reducing the chance to zero, he had to run.

Despite the fact, Xu An saved their outpost from destruction. It was not a great achievement nevertheless.

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Two Gnome Goblins wore an outfit. It was tidy as there were no wrinkles and was free of dust. 

It was obvious from a glance they were from the government. The black and white outfit, black glasses, and a pointy hat… 

They were walking in sync with one having a stern expression while the other was smiling, however, after a close look, there was a tint of darkness. 

Walking in the hall of the clinic, they carried a certain vibe that made others not want to be close to them. 

"So who's the special guest?" The smiley guy asked. 

"They are humans who saved the border outpost from a monster that went wild," the stern guy answered. 

"Oh, I forgot. Isn't the one attracting the beast the one that our soldier catches? Don't you think they are planning this to get our favor?" The smiley guy asked with doubt. 

"No, they have no reason to get our favor. They are just passersby. Seeing that we're in trouble, they come to save us. When we asked for a reward, they did not want anything."

The smiley guy grunted in acknowledgment as he said, "I see. So that's the reason. Aren't they good people? Probably we could use their 'help'."

The smiley guy emphasized the word 'help' as his smile curved upward even further. This results in his smile becoming very sinister.

The stern guy noticed this as he averted his eyes from the road to the smiley guy from the edge of his eyes. 

This lasted for a few seconds. The smiley guy hurriedly turned his head to the Stern guy as he felt like someone was watching him. 

Though, when he did turn his head. The stern guy had already changed his line of sight to the road. 

"Did you just look at me?" The smiley guy asked with a straight face. 

"No," the stern guy replied. 

"You just did! My institution never lies!" The smiley guy insisted.

"Is there any proof?" The stern guy responded. 

"My institution is the best proof!" The smiley guy answered rightfully with a rather high tone. 

After he said it, they turned left as they entered the room. Expecting someone there, they were quite surprised and confused. 

"There's no one here." The stern guy frowned. 

"Yikes, looks like we are going to get a hard scolding from the higher-ups," the smiley guy rubbed the back of his hair.