Chapter 612 Meeting Hao [Part 2]
Northern, after several twists and turns, eventually located the location he was supposed to meet Hao.
It was a low-profile bar nestled towards the eastern edge of the city that led to Berkinham Forest, the left wing of the dangerous dark forest that flanked South Drywall's rear and separated them from the main Drywall.
It was also one of the reasons why South Drywall was able to break away from its mother nation.
Northern slipped through the quiet streets, his steps light against the uneven cobblestones.
The city around him breathed a strange mix of tension and serenity, the shadows of the Berkinham Forest looming in the distance like an unspoken threat.
The bar came into view—its façade modest, almost nondescript.
'Somehow, it looks like a place that looks like Hao,' Northern thought as he glanced at the place.
It made him remember the Tower he and Ellis had gone to meet Hao at, and also the hidden vault of Hao in the forest.
Both places had that air of peasantry. He wasn't judging; after spending a few weeks with the Tharion Citadel people, it just became apparent.
And Northern was realizing perhaps Hao could be one of those guys that turn out to be too humble even though they have the greatest riches.
'Which is not a bad thing, I guess.'
The door creaked as Northern pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit interior shrouded in smoke and whispers despite the brightness of the afternoon.
The place had no windows; the air was thick with the scent of aged wood and cheap liquor, and the patrons, scattered sparsely across the room, paid him little mind.
They were the type who didn't ask questions, a perfect veil for those who needed anonymity.
Northern's gaze swept the room, his sharp and calm eyes taking in every detail—the crooked shelves behind the bar, the bartender polishing glasses with mechanical disinterest, and the flicker of movement from the farthest corner booth.
He adjusted his stance, rolling his shoulders subtly, and moved forward with a purpose that seemed to part the atmosphere around him.
He stopped at the table without hesitation. Hao sat there, a casual slouch disguising the coiled readiness beneath.
His long coat pooled around him like a shadow, and his sharp features were partly obscured by the brim of his hat.
A pair of narrow eyes met Northern's with a hint of amusement, though the man's fingers never strayed far from the hilt of a dagger resting on the table.
"Ya're late," Hao said, his voice as smooth as silk but carrying a subtle edge.
"Or you are early," Northern replied evenly, slipping into the opposite seat.
He leaned back, his arms resting on the edges of the chair, projecting a confidence that mirrored Hao's. Their gazes locked, a silent exchange of power and intent.
For a moment, neither spoke, the sounds of muted conversation and clinking glasses filling the space between them.
Finally, Hao broke the silence.
"It turned out, living in the Central Plains suits ya better than Stelia, huh."
Northern pointed to him, "I never thought I'd see you like this… you look more like an Assassin than a trader."
"It's just a guise; don't mind all of this."
Northern tilted his head, "A guise? Did you get in trouble?"
"It's a preventive measure…"
Northern narrowed his eyes, not understanding what Hao was getting at.
Hao sighed and opened his mouth.
"I'm trying to create a different persona from the usual Hao the trader. This persona is who will take your soul cores to trade them; Hao the trader will be the one managing your flow of income."
Northern raised a brow, scrunching one eye, "Is all that really necessary? For what could it be?"
Hao almost slammed the table but quickly caught himself, touched it slightly, and leaned forward, whispering.
"What do ya mean, is it necessary? There is nothing more necessary than this. We are in a nation where humans are not disciplined or held limited by dangers and disasters. Theft is the one greatest enemy to a trader. Even when there was so much disaster, it still struck me, by that damned Ellis and Green boy."
"I see you haven't still forgotten about that."
"I can forgive. But I can never forget. I hate theft!"
He and Northern went silent for a few seconds.
"This different persona will help me separate things from each other; this will make it harder for people to trace my work."
Northern folded his hands and leaned back on the chair, nodding his head slightly as he thought about what Hao said to him.
"I guess it makes sense… but instead of doing that, I can provide a better solution."
Hao's eyes staring at Northern intensified. "A better solution?"
"Yes. It will be like killing two birds with one stone…" Northern highlighted, but in his mind, '...three actually.'
"Okay then. Let me hear it, lad."
"As you might have known, I am capable of cloning. I will create a clone whom you will teach and use as your own. He will do all the things you need him to do, plus he would also be capable of combat. Hence, you can always count on his protection. More importantly, he would be the link between you accessing the resources and me accessing my profit."
Hao was silent for a second. Then he nodded slightly.
"I see ya've thought this thoroughly, huh… are ya intentionally not mentioning that ya want to be watching me through this clone of yours."
"Oh, bingo." Northern grinned, "But don't get offended. This is business, isn't it? Focus more on the use of this surveillance."
Hao exhaled heavily and raised one hand, looking towards the bartender. He dropped the hand, as his face shifted to Northern.
"It's fine, boy. It is worth it, and like ya said, it is business."
Northern's grin dissolved into a gentle smile; he consented with a nod, and a waiter reached their table and bowed slightly.
"What will you be having, sirs?" Her tone was almost like the singing of the morning bird.
Hao glanced at the menu etched onto the worn wooden plaque the waitress held.
His lips twitched into the faintest smirk as his fingers traced along the edge of the table.
"Bring me the Emberhorn Steak. Rare. And make sure it's seasoned with Ashroot spice—not the expensive kind."
The waitress bowed slightly, her gaze shifting toward Northern.
He leaned back, his eyes glinting faintly in the dim light as he studied the menu's offerings.
He began, his voice measured, "I'll have the Brimflame Skewers. Extra Pyre Pepper. Make sure the meat's fresh, not frozen from some vendor in the slums."
He was getting a hang of food in this place, and it felt nice. He now even had a favorite meal; isn't that amazing?!
The waitress straightened, her movements smooth and practiced. "Very well, sirs. Anything to drink?"
Northern was about to decline when Hao cut in, his tone almost playful.
"Two Draughts of Solstice Nectar. It's rare around here, but I'm certain ya establishment wouldn't dare serve anything less than authentic, would it?"
Her brows flicked up ever so slightly, but she nodded with a composed smile.
"Of course. It'll be brought shortly."
With a final bow, she disappeared into the haze of the bar, leaving Northern and Hao in silence once more.
Hao leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Do ya know that their waiters here are carefully selected. Sweet voice, beautiful face and magnifique shape. It looks boring from the outside but its a different level of establishment compared to what any would expect."
"And what am I supposed to do with that information?"
"Oi? Don't be boring, ya wouldn't say ya've never adored a woman before…"
Northern stared at him, eyes indifferent and cold. After a few seconds of the prolonged stare, Hao's eyes widened, slowly widened even more as his mouth parted and spoke.
"Ya… Ya've never? Ya have really never looked at a woman and adored her?"
Northern's gaze did not change.
Immediately, Hao narrowed his eyes and came closer again, "Is it men?"
"I do not have the luxury to nurture or even conceive such finite emotions."
Hao sighed and rolled his eyes. "Yes. Sure."
"Please, can we move on to why we are having this meeting."
Hao cleared his throat and repositioned himself to sit well.
He was about to start talking but paused. Less than two seconds later, the waitress returned, balancing a tray with practiced ease.
The smell hit first—rich, smoky, and layered with hints of charred sweetness and fiery spice.
She set the Emberhorn Steak before Hao, the meat still sizzling on the volcanic stone plate beneath it.
The cheap Ashroot spice danced along its surface like faint red embers.
Northern's dish followed—a row of skewers threaded with thick chunks of Brimflame beast—a popular field beast that had come to be as a result of adaptation caused by rift monsters mixing with the natural habitat of animals, each piece glistened with a crimson glaze.
Tiny motes of heat shimmered above the skewers, evidence of the Pyre Pepper's potency.
Finally, two golden chalices filled with Solstice Nectar were placed before them.
The drink seemed to pulse faintly, an illusion caused by the bioluminescent glow within the liquid. Northern raised a brow, impressed despite himself.
"Enjoy," the waitress said softly, bowing before vanishing once more into the bar's shadows.