novelzi Chapter 126: A Chance Encounter
Chapter 126: A Chance Encounter
Chapter 126: A Chance Encounter
“You brat. It hasn’t even been two days since I gave you that armor and protective equipment, and you turned out to be so talented that you even managed to bring them back as heaps of scrap metal! I really take my hat off to you.” The shirtless Lin Tuo felt a headache rising up as he looked at the completely deformed helmet, as well as the damaged exterior of the brigandine armor. He was completely clueless as to where to even begin.
“You can’t fix it?” Ji Bai tilted his head.
“I wouldn’t put it in such an absolute manner, but these deformations can still be fixed... Is something only a dwarven blacksmith could say, mhm.”
“So, you can’t fix it?”
“You’re valuing my skills too highly. Such a deformation is already enough to send it to a scrapyard. The only way to restore it is to melt it down and recast it again... What, kid, have you grown attached to wearing it?”
“Not really.” Ji Bai shook his head.
“I’m broke.”
“Hey, hey— This sentence is almost becoming your catchphrase, you know? Is it possible to switch it out for something else? While you’re at it, can’t you just convert the points you’ve received from the exploration into some cash?”
“...” Ji Bai didn’t respond.
“Fine, fine, fine... Consider it my loss, young master Ji. How about this, we’ll go find Huo Lei later and see if he has a solution. This should satisfy you, right?” Lin Tuo supported his forehead with his hand.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t. I’m unworthy of your gratitude.” Said Lin Tuo unhappily.
“That’s right... Did something extraordinary happen in the sewers?” Asked Lin Tuo casually as he picked up his forging hammer.
“I guess so.”
“Oh.” Lin Tuo didn’t follow up his question and single-mindedly resumed forging.
............
“Creak.” The firmly closed door opened.
“Isn’t it Ji Bai? Is something the matter?” Lan Yi sorted out the mountain of paperwork before her without raising her head.
“Patter, patter, patter.” The footsteps came to a halt before her.
“If you have anything to say, then say it. That is, if you really do not want to trouble me.
“The girl that had set off together with us.” Ji Bai pulled a chair over and sat down.
“It’s not considered a request, just some unimportant matter to pass time.”
“Haaaa(Yawn) ...God, I can’t hold on for much longer. Sorry, but I won’t be able to accompany you this time. I’m too tired and have to go back inside to catch up on sleep.” Huo Lei shrugged as he lowered his head and entered his house.
Without the slightest bit of hesitation, Ji Bai put on his brigandine armor and iron helmet. After placing the sheathed fang-shaped longsword onto his back, he left Huo Lei’s courtyard.
............
When compared to other districts of the Border Town, the South City seemed extremely bleak.
Desolate, cold winds that chilled one to their bones brushed past the wrinkle-filled cheeks of the pedestrians on the streets, who walked in groups of twos and threes. Around them, short tiled houses built from wood emitted a lifeless aura, making the contrast towards the bustling central zone particularly eye-catching.
The thick brigandine armor, as well as his crossed-shaped iron helmet, made Ji Bai look very conspicuous. Even so, the passersby merely shot a glance and moved along; As people who were busy earning their daily bread and butter, they didn’t have the luxury to stop and observe others.
The orphanage in South City wasn’t hard to find, and could even be said to be extremely eye-catching. Amidst the short buildings, a sharp, tall western-styled building towered over them like a crane in a flock of chicken.
There was absolutely no need for Ji Bai to conduct a thorough investigation on this trip, as he had already adopted the negative mindset that it was nothing more than a waste of time. As such, he planned to just circle a few rounds around the area where the orphanage was located, then leave the place. Missing people were the jurisdiction of the knights responsible for maintaining law and order and as such, it was completely unnecessary for him to intervene. Instead of lending them a hand, his assistance might even hinder their investigation.
The area occupied by the orphanage was small, roughly equivalent to the size of a courtyard. Across the street, one could hear the frolic sounds and laughter of small children from within.
Ji Bai stopped.
In the entrance to the orphanage’s courtyard, a golden-haired girl wearing a beautiful skirt was speaking with a staff member.
“Miss, what sort of illness does Xiao’an have? Is it serious??”
“It’s just the ordinary flu. You don’t have to worry about her, Miss Sha. I believe she’ll be up and running in a couple of days.” The staff member gave an amicable smile.
“Can I visit her?”
“Uhm...”
*Pat*.
“Gu-nyaa!?...” The golden-haired girl quivered as someone suddenly tapped her on the shoulder.
“What? Why are you here, obscene middle-aged man?? ...Don’t tell me you’ve been tailing me all along??”
The golden-haired girl was no other than Lil’ Sha, who was currently using a hairband to cover up her cat ears.
“No, not interested.” The head covered by an iron helmet shook from side to side.
“...So, what is someone like you doing around here? Also, why are you still covering up your head with this broken tin can? Do you think you’re still not conspicuous enough?? Remove it for me.” Lil’ Sha’s expression looked like an octopus as she clung onto Ji Bai and hit her small claws incessantly against his iron helmet.
“You are putting me in a very difficult position.”
“Uhm, the two of you...”
“What is going on?” Before those words could trail away, a benevolent looking elderly with a head full of white hair walked over.
“You’re here, director.”