Novel Lived
Chapter 12
C12 – Mountain Bandit of Azure Tomb Mountain
Choo Qin’s visit to the surrounding villages was purely out of politeness and a desire to express his affection for his subjects, following Chai Jiu’s advice. Yet, to his surprise, the first village he visited didn’t take him seriously in the slightest. As his frustration mounted, Hua Jie emerged with a calm demeanor. A flicker of scorn crossed Hua Jie’s eyes upon laying eyes on Choo Qin.
The villagers were oblivious to the fact that Hua Jie had spent a considerable amount of time in Long Song City and was well aware of the gossip. The news of the Loser Royal Highness’s arrival at Thundery Castle had spread like wildfire through Long Song City. The Loser Royal Highness was deemed less than a loser, relegated to this desolate place. To the nobles and mages of Long Song City, the Loser Royal Highness was nothing but a laughingstock.
Having been mocked at school for being a subject of the Loser Royal Highness, Hua Jie was not in the best of moods. “Beginner Level Mage Hua Jie greets Your Highness,” he said with a respectful bow. “I apologize for my prolonged meditation; I had some insights. Please forgive my tardiness.”
“Should Your Highness ever have the fortune of delving into the world of mages, you will surely come to appreciate the joy of meditation,” Hua Jie added.
Choo Qin, who had prepared a speech to praise talent, found himself at a loss for words. Hua Jie’s declaration of his status as a Beginner Level Mage carried an unmistakable challenge. What did he mean by ‘entering the world of mages in the future’? If only he knew my true strength, he might be terrified.
“No worries. It seems you do have some potential. Just make sure you practice diligently in the future; don’t bring shame upon your father or Thundery Castle,” Choo Qin responded. “I’ve heard you’re a fire mage? As it happens, the kitchens at Thundery Castle could use a few more hands for lighting fires. If you’re interested, you could apply for the position. In consideration of your father, I might just pull some strings for you.”
Choo Qin’s tone grew increasingly chilly as he countered with the authority of an elder.
As the lord of this place, it was unthinkable that Hua Jie, a mere Beginner Level Mage, would dare to look down on him. The conversation that followed took on a different tone, as the air became thick with tension.
Chai Jiu let out a sigh. His purpose in coming here today was to see if he could recruit this Beginner Level Mage to his side. To his surprise, the mage seemed to have little respect for his master. Had it been an enemy, Choo Qin would have already dealt a swift blow. However, his intention was merely to conduct a friendly inspection, not to stir up trouble.
“Mountains! Mountain Bandits are coming!”
“This is bad, it’s the Azure Tomb Stronghold’s men! How dare they!”
“Head to Master Fang’s house! Hua Jie is there, and so is the new prince!”
As Choo Qin was preparing to make a swift exit, cries of alarm rang through the village. Although he had no previous encounters with Mountain Bandits, his instincts as a mage told him they were targeting him specifically. True to his senses, the bandits didn’t engage in their usual looting but instead headed straight for him. When he stepped outside, he found himself encircled by a horde of thirty to forty bandits.
Chai Jiu positioned himself protectively in front of Choo Qin, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events. He inwardly cursed their luck. He had only heard of Mountain Bandits through Butler Zhen Yin’s tales and now faced them at his doorstep.