Just as Jamberg was about to draw out Li Xi's anticipation and launch into a long discourse to reveal the answer, the mission board refreshed again. This time, it wasn't from somewhere else, but right here in Kado City, a rare occurrence indeed.
The gossip between the two had to be paused temporarily as they turned their attention to the mission.
"Escort a merchant caravan to Pabiti. Option to complete the mission in Pabiti, or to travel north by ship to the capital, Aisinger, after arriving in Pabiti. Commission negotiable. Address: No. 50 Gadolo Street."
Li Xi didn't quite grasp the significance, but Jamberg immediately snatched Li Xi's badge and accepted the mission for him. "Go quickly! The first half of this mission is not difficult; it's a rare good one. If you delay, C-rank mercenaries will be lining up at their door. Remember, just return after reaching Pabiti. You don't need to participate in the latter half..."
Jamberg practically pushed Li Xi out the door as he spoke. Li Xi vaguely understood that the first half of this mission was actually a C-rank difficulty. The reason it was posted in the B-rank mercenary hall was because the difficulty of the latter half was close to A-rank, thus after comprehensive consideration, it was posted here.
With such a simple task for the first half, if Li Xi didn't hurry, it would easily be snatched up by other C-rank mercenaries who heard about it. At this point, gossip was no longer as important.
Li Xi leaped onto the rooftop and, with a few Shunshin no Jutsu, arrived at No. 50 Gadolo Street. It used to be a private residence, but the owner had left, leaving a few old servants to rent out the property. It was likely that the mission issuer had temporarily rented the place.
"Sir, please come in." Before Li Xi could even knock, an old man opened the door and welcomed him in with a grateful smile. Because Li Xi had mentioned his identity to Xinis and the others once, everyone now knew that Li Xi was one of the behind-the-scenes bosses of the Konoha Merchant Group, and even more likely, a disciple of the hero of Kado City, Lord Mourinho. If Li Xi weren't so wealthy now, he could probably beg on the streets and eat for free.
As long as the wailing vampires from that day didn't perish, no one would forget the contributions of Mourinho and Li Xi. Some people were even proposing to rename Gadolo Street to Mourinho Street, while others wanted to name the streets of the slum where Li Xi used to live as Li Xi Street.
Li Xi entered the courtyard. Three carriages were already prepared for departure. A dozen or so warriors with extraordinary skills, clad in thick full plate armor and wielding long swords, stood guard. From the glint of their weapons, Li Xi could tell that their quality was excellent. Although not comparable to the weapons produced by the dwarves of Li Xi's Konoha Merchant Group, the difference wasn't too significant. Furthermore, the weakest of these warriors, just standing there, was a level three.
The three carriages themselves emitted magical fluctuations, indicating they were enchanted.
Li Xi also had an enchanted carriage at home, the one Avril had used to return from Aby City. It had made Li Xi so envious back then, and now it belonged to his own family. As a side note, Avril had found that carriage, and for someone with such incredible luck, anything could happen.
Summarizing this convoy that didn't look like a typical merchant caravan, Li Xi concluded: rich people, exceedingly rich people.
"My lords, this is Master Li Xi, disciple of Lord Mourinho, the hero of Kado City, and a C-rank mercenary. He is here to accept the mission. If you lords are unsure of this gentleman's strength, you only need to ask around. Even a baby who has just been weaned can tell you the story of him and Master Mourinho, his master, hunting down the vampire castle. With him here, I guarantee your journey will be smooth."
Perhaps in gratitude for everything Mourinho had done, the old servant of the original owner praised Li Xi to the skies, as if no one in the world was as powerful as Li Xi after Mourinho.
A tall warrior approached. He was easily thirty centimeters taller than Li Xi. Li Xi estimated the man to be about two meters twenty-six point three centimeters tall. It was hard to tell, his eyesight was good, like a ruler.
This warrior removed his helmet, revealing a stern, square face, a bald head, deep-set eyes, and a persistent ruddy complexion from the highlands. Coupled with an eye that he himself had gouged out, Li Xi exclaimed internally. This was a Berserker, a race as renowned as barbarians, capable of a one-rank power boost upon entering their berserk state. They were powerful cannon fodder.
Berserkers, upon reaching adulthood, would voluntarily blind one of their eyes. This was because their racial innate ability, 'Berserk,' made them lose all reason, which was why they were called cannon fodder.
It was out of necessity that Berserkers blinded themselves; when they entered their berserk state, the pain from their eyes would help them regain a sliver of sanity. And this Berserker in front of Li Xi, Li Xi could feel the potent aura of Battle Qi within him. This was actually a rare level five Berserker.
This made Li Xi even more interested in the caravan. The cost of raising a mature, calm Berserker who didn't easily go berserk would be enough to train three human warriors of the same level. Truly rich people.
"Greetings, Mr. Li Xi. I am the Berserker Norhan. We have heard your name since we entered the city gates. The vampire killing field outside the city is unique across the continent. You and your master, Lord Mourinho, are rare good people with knightly spirits. It is our honor that you have come to accept this mission."
Li Xi was surprised to receive a 'good person' card from a warlike race like the Berserkers. Did this mean he was also a warlike executioner?
"It's all just rumors from outside, not to be taken seriously. So, would you consider me accepting your mission?"
"Naturally, there is no problem. We ask for Mr. Li Xi's diligence on this journey." It wasn't Norhan who spoke, but rather two of the three carriages opened, revealing a young lady and a mage radiating magical energy. The speaker was the young lady.
Norhan saw the lady and the master and bowed with one hand on his chest, "Miss, Master."
"I am the owner of this caravan. I came to Kado City specifically upon hearing that the Konoha Merchant Group had dwarf weapons for sale, and I came to purchase them." Then, she looked at Li Xi and smiled faintly, revealing only a few teeth. Her voice was not loud but extremely crisp, each word spoken with force. Furthermore, each step she took as she alighted from the carriage seemed measured, clearly indicating that this young lady had received excellent noble etiquette training.
As for the mage, his hair was meticulously combed, and even his greying beard was as orderly as a troop of soldiers. Li Xi sensed a magical aura from him that was only slightly weaker than Demanga's. He was either a Magus or a newly initiated Archmage. The magic robe he wore was inscribed with numerous magic arrays, the intense fluctuations almost blinding Li Xi. This magic robe alone must have cost at least a hundred thousand gold coins.
Li Xi subconsciously took a deep breath. A level five Berserker, over a dozen level three or four warriors, and this mage whose strength was at least that of a Magus. Such a combination still needed to hire mercenaries; this clearly indicated the mission was not simple. If it were too troublesome, Li Xi would rather go home and figure out how to separate the two women.
"The weapons have all been purchased, and we have signed a long-term supply cooperation agreement with the Konoha Merchant Group. Once I return and report to my family, this business, with a minimum supply of five years, will be officially completed." The young lady then produced a contract for Li Xi to see. Indeed, as she said, it was a five-year supply contract with the Konoha Merchant Group, involving as much as sixty thousand gold coins per month. The signature was Avril's.
"So, Mr. Li Xi, are you still willing to accept this mission now?" The smiling young lady, in Li Xi's eyes, had an Avril-like aura. This was clearly a little vixen who had him by the short hairs using his own business. She had also stated that the cooperation would only officially begin upon their safe return. Therefore, if they didn't return safely, the cooperation would naturally be canceled. Li Xi didn't believe these people were unaware that he was one of the owners of the Konoha Merchant Group.
"You are truly thoughtful. For such a large business, my Konoha Merchant Group will naturally provide excellent after-sales service."
Sixty thousand a month, seventy-two thousand a year, and three hundred and sixty thousand in five years. This was an astronomical sum, enough to buy half of Kado City. It wasn't a big deal for him to make this trip for such a large amount. Money could move mountains, and it could certainly make him work. What was trouble? He liked trouble; he wouldn't be happy without it.
He had been worried about how to expand after the nearby cities were saturated with weapons from the Konoha Merchant Group. Now, it seemed, these fat sheep before him would allow the Konoha Merchant Group to eat its fill for five years.
"Thank you, Mr. Li Xi. My name is Philin. This is my magic tutor, Archmage Zuo Lin." - From Sudan Novel Network.
Archmage Zuo Lin nodded slightly, and Li Xi returned the bow. "Greetings, Master."
"Bang, bang, bang."
There was a knock on the door. Archmage Zuo Lin's eyes flashed, and he looked towards the entrance, as if he could see through the thick wooden panels to the outside. He then shook his head at Norhan. Norhan's strong physique opened the door and said to the mercenaries outside, "The mission personnel are full. We apologize, but you have come too late."
Li Xi looked at Philin curiously. Philin still wore her professional smile, revealing only a few teeth. "Mr. Li Xi, please don't misunderstand. It's just that their strength is not up to our standards and does not meet our requirements. Moreover, with Mr. Li Xi now, we don't need them."
Her words expressed her disdain for the people outside, who were mostly level four professionals, akin to a billionaire looking down on a millionaire.
"Your praise truly makes me feel ashamed." Li Xi began to look forward to this journey.
After informing Aisi and Avril, Li Xi set off with the caravan. With such strong escort power, even an adult dragon wouldn't dare to provoke them rashly. Furthermore, after only half a day's travel, Li Xi noticed that the warriors' movements were synchronized, their gazes were not darting around, and their bodies were held perfectly straight. It was nearing winter, and the weather was cool, yet they were only wearing thin undergarments beneath their heavy armor. Not a single complaint was heard. These were clearly elite warriors from an army.
At night, by the campfire, Li Xi sat at a long table, looking at the eight dishes and one soup on the table. Indeed, this was the life of the wealthy. Traveling outdoors was like a picnic. This simple meal, which Philin described as plain, cost fifty gold coins, the same price as the fist-sized dragon dung that Xinis had painstakingly saved up for. Li Xi offered three seconds of silent sympathy for ordinary mercenaries like Xinis.
"Mr. Li Xi, don't you have anything to ask?" Perhaps it was because Li Xi had behaved nothing like a mercenary throughout the journey, not inquiring about the route, nor protecting the caravan. When encountering any wild beasts or magical beasts, it was always those warriors who dealt with them. Li Xi, on the other hand, was lounging on the third carriage, gazing at the sky. Moreover, this caravan clearly had serious issues. Other mercenaries would have left long ago. Li Xi, however, ate and drank as usual. He had to admit, the food was truly excellent.
He stuffed the perfectly roasted, unidentified wild game into his mouth, not even spitting out the bones, and as he battled the next dish, he simply replied to Philin, "Master Zuo Lin and Brother Norhan are so powerful, who would dare to provoke us? I believe this will be the most relaxed mission of my mercenary career."