Chapter 564: Section 351: Bu Quan will never agree to recruit
“An important guest?”
“What kind of person is more important than me?”
Fishman Mage Zhongyong felt inevitable doubts upon hearing Zi Di’s explanation.
He focused his gaze on Zi Di in front of him while muttering, “Moreover, wasn’t it said that the only two mages of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had been assassinated and killed? How could there be another human female mage, and a Silver Level at that?”
“Since the squad leader went to welcome the VIP, I might as well wait too.” Zhongyong didn’t rush to the captain’s quarters but stayed where he was, curious.
Soon, the expected VIP arrived.
No grandiose display, just an ordinary carriage.
Very ordinary.
“No, that’s not right!” After scrutinizing it carefully, Zhongyong soon revealed a look of shock in his eyes.
As an Alchemy Mage, he gradually noticed that the arriving carriage, seemingly unremarkable, actually incorporated many alchemy techniques and was a high-specification alchemy creation.
Its ordinary appearance was deliberately crafted.
In fact, its defense was very high.
The moment the door opened, Zhongyong also caught a glimpse of the interior of the carriage, spotting one of the alchemy components.
“Teleportation Array, there’s even a miniature Teleportation Array inside the carriage!”
“This carriage must cost at least 2000 gold!”
At that moment, Bu Quan got off the carriage.
“A young Snow Elf girl?” Zhongyong wondered, “Too young, and just a Silver Level mage at that.”
“Just her alone on the carriage?”
“Is she the VIP that the Dragon-man youth leader was waiting for? Maybe she’s his lover, it’s possible…”
“Wait a minute.” Zhongyong’s expression changed, “She, she looks like Bu Quan?”
Zhongyong was greatly shocked.
He knew Bu Quan.
In fact, many Alchemy Mages knew Bu Quan, it’s just that she didn’t know them.
Bu Quan was famous in the alchemy circle of the Ice Sculpture Royal Capital.
She was a genius, one of the most dazzling new stars in alchemy in recent decades, and also a winner of the Warm Snow Cup Alchemy Competition.
Her bloodline and talent were exceptional, and the royal family’s Grand Mage had once commented on her, saying she had an extraordinary associative ability, and with further development, she would innovate much in the field of alchemy, creating results beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
Although the Grand Mage of the Royal Family was not an alchemist, he was recognized as the strongest mage throughout the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, making his praise for Bu Quan exceedingly high.
“Miss Bu Quan, welcome,” the Dragon-man youth said with a smile, walking up to greet her at the carriage door.
Bu Quan also smiled at the Dragon-man youth, “Dragon-man youth leader, I apologize for visiting so early.”
“Regarding last night’s matter, I have already thought through my answer.”
“May I come aboard to discuss it properly?”
“Of course, this way please.”
The Dragon-man youth welcomed both Bu Quan and Zhongyong into the captain’s quarters.
Zi Di also entered with them.
Once everyone was seated, the Dragon-man youth introduced Zi Di to Bu Quan and Zhongyong.
“This Mage Zi Di has just sought refuge and joined our Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.”
“She is trustworthy.”
Bu Quan glanced at Zi Di, a thoughtful look passing behind her glasses.
Zi Di smiled and said, “Just sought refuge is merely an official statement.”
“In fact, I am here on orders from the Family Head to support the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.”
“Thanks to the Dragon-man youth leader’s brave combat, we have opened a situation at Snowbird Port. Therefore, our family head will also increase its investment in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.”
The words of the Dragon-man youth made one think deep, easily connecting to the background of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps as arms dealers.
Zi Di spoke the “truth” directly, immediately conveying sincerity to both Bu Quan and Zhongyong.
Moreover, Zi Di also flaunted her status.
Bu Quan thought to herself, “Indeed.”
Zhongyong also thought, “No wonder.”
The Fishman Mage adjusted his posture on the seat.
He reminded himself to be cautious of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, realizing it was not an ordinary force. The support behind them could easily dispatch Silver Level reinforcements.
As for why they didn’t send a Gold Level?
The Fishman Mage already had the answer.
Because this was an understanding, or rather, an unspoken rule.
Silver Level was considered low-level among Transcendents, suitable for scouting.
Gold Level was already middle-level, and the individual strength was not to be underestimated, often equating to a city lord.
When a Gold Level entered, it would inevitably draw attention and wariness.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was here to explore markets, not to invade.
There were originally four Gold Levels among the city lords of Snowbird Port, occupying the top echelons of power. Only one outsider was among them, being the chairman of the local Guild branch.
This was because the Guild had a vast amount of business within the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, and the scale was enormous.
With a special permit from the royal family, the Guild stationed a Gold Level at the primary transportation port.
Local forces rarely allowed foreign Gold Levels to reside permanently.
A single Gold Level could equal an army, easily destabilizing local governance.
“This Fishman Mage…” the Dragon-man youth just started to introduce.
Zhongyong hastily stood up.
Not daring to presume, he introduced himself: “My name is Zhongyong, possessing the Blue Gold Fin Fishman Bloodline, and skilled in potion making. Most commonly, I create Tears Water, Anti-Motion Powder.”
Zhongyong’s manner immediately earned him smiles from the Dragon-man youth and Zi Di.
In fact, the survivors all knew of Zhongyong’s background.
The details of the few Alchemy Mages who had arrived, they all knew.
Zhongyong was being traded as a slave while still in his mother’s womb.
His mother died shortly after his birth.
It was considered Zhongyong’s fortune.
His aristocratic family had bought one of the legitimate granddaughters who was lacking in toys.
Zhongyong thus became a prop for playing house, mainly pretending to be a baby.
As the legitimate granddaughter grew older, he became a pet much like a cat or dog.
Therefore, in his childhood, Zhongyong received special treatment unimaginable to the average Fishman slave.
As he grew older, his Bloodline traits became increasingly apparent, and he was discovered to have Mage qualifications!
Among the Fishman, Mage Bloodlines are much smaller than those of the Human Race, let alone compared to the Snow Elf.
As the legitimate granddaughter also grew up, due to the emotions nurtured from infancy and potential benefits in her future, she bestowed the name Zhongyong upon him and invested resources to cultivate his talent.
When his education was complete, he worked continuously in the noble’s Alchemy Workshop, creating value.
Zhongyong’s personal history was quite straightforward.
What satisfied both the Dragon-man youth and Zi Di was that Zhongyong, raised from childhood by the Snow Elf, received servant education, which he maintained consistently and maturely.
He was good at obeying orders, a perfectly qualified subordinate.
This was evident from his recent performance.
“Alchemist Zhongyong, you’ve traveled tirelessly to get here, have some tea first,” the Dragon-man youth greeted Zhongyong first, gesturing for him to sit down again.
Then, the Dragon-man youth gently explained to him, “Although you arrived at the docks first this morning, the matter concerning Miss Bu Quan and I actually happened earlier.”
“Could you please wait a moment?”
“Of course, of course,” Zhongyong hurriedly replied. Deep down, he was very curious—what could a genius like Bu Quan have to do with the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps?
“Could it be that both parties are discussing a big deal?”
“Well, standing by now might reveal some of the strengths of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.”
Curious, Zhongyong looked forward to the negotiations between the Dragon-man youth and Bu Quan.
But the next moment, the Dragon-man youth cut directly to the chase, “Last night’s invitation to Miss Bu Quan gave me pause upon reflection—it was my uncontrollable emotions that led to such an abrupt proposal. I eagerly await your answer, have you considered it? Would you join us?”
Bu Quan opened her mouth, about to respond.
Pfft.
The tea Zhongyong had just drunk spurted out.
Fortunately, he bent down in time, spitting it onto the floor.
“Cough, cough, cough. I, I have been rude,” Zhongyong apologized while coughing, looking quite embarrassed.
At the same time, he was filled with shock.
“What in the world did I just hear?”
“Why would Bu Quan be recruited by someone like Long Fu? On what basis?!”
Zhongyong admitted that the Dragon-man youth was indeed extraordinary, capable of killing from Silver Level up to Gold. The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps also had powerful support behind it, being able to serve as arms dealers must mean they were formidable.
However, none of this warranted the recruitment of Bu Quan.
Laypeople might not qualify, but Zhongyong, being an insider, was very aware of Bu Quan’s status.
She was a prodigy, the subject of much attention since her emergence. Her mentor adored her and was willing to make sacrifices to cultivate her.
This cultivation was substantial, practically grooming Bu Quan as the next successor of the Mage Tower.
The Chairman of the Royal Capital Alchemy Guild also had high hopes for Bu Quan. Once at a banquet, he publicly rated the emergent alchemy talents of the kingdom over the past few decades.
Bu Quan was ranked fifth.
This position meant that as long as Bu Quan’s Bloodline potential was sufficiently high, as she grew, she would become a leading figure in the alchemy domain of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom’s future.
Such a figure, how could she possibly be recruited by a mercenary corps?
Even if the arms dealer behind the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps got involved, it would still be improper.
In Zhongyong’s mind, Bu Quan’s bright future should look like this:
She would be cultivated and grow continuously.
She would step by step reap accomplishments, her professional titles rising at a pace difficult for ordinary people to match.
When she became Gold Level, she would be entrusted with important responsibilities.
She would receive the kingdom’s attention and protection, unburdened by everyday trivial concerns, devoting all her energy to advancing the field of alchemy.
Perhaps in the distant future, an alchemy item she created would greatly enhance the military strength of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom. Perhaps a technique she improved could significantly enhance public welfare. Perhaps a principle of alchemy she discovered and validated would become a tool explored by alchemists worldwide, and her name would be remembered by posterity.
“That is the destiny a genius like Bu Quan should have.”
“This is the path she should take, the life that could fully exhibit her value.”
“But now, she is being recruited by an arms dealer?”
“Are the intentions of the arms dealer not obvious? Nothing more than wanting Bu Quan to engage in alchemy for the manufacture of arms!”
“Is this what Bu Quan should be doing?”
“Certainly not.”
“This is something I, as an Alchemy Mage, should be doing. A genius like Bu Quan should be allowed to create, to pioneer the frontiers of the kingdom in the field of alchemy!”
Zhongyong harbored the pride of an Alchemy Mage.
Although he had no choice but to join the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, he also valued the background of the Dragon-man youth and the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
But compared to Bu Quan, Zhongyong fundamentally looked down on the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps! He deeply felt that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, and even the arms dealer behind them, were unworthy of a genius like Bu Quan.
“Bu Quan will never accept such an offer!”
Yes, Mages lack money and chase various resources. But only to facilitate their pursuit of knowledge and exploration of mysteries.
Mere wealth cannot buy the dignity of a Mage!
Zhongyong, as a Mage, naturally also had his own dignity.
Especially since he was an Alchemy Mage, and he was in an environment like the Ice Sculpture Kingdom that treated Alchemy Mages with high standards.
He believed that his circumstances were compelled, a fate he could not resist.
But this was not what he wanted.
What he desired was a life owning his own Alchemy Workshop, using his own skills to create Alchemy Items, selling them for sustenance, and also funding various alchemy experiments, devoting his life to exploring the mysteries of the alchemy field.
This was the heart of a Mage.
Superior to the mundane, pursuing knowledge and truth!
Zhongyong considered himself to have the heart of a Mage, led merely by fate.
He further believed that Bu Quan also had the heart of a Mage.
How else could someone without the heart of a Mage display such prodigious talents, commanding high esteem from so many?
“Bu Quan will never agree to such recruitment!” Zhongyong roared in his heart.
He was absolutely certain.