Exploring Technology in a Wizard World
Chapter 317 - Chapter 317 Chapter 316 Visitors at the Door

Chapter 317: Chapter 316: Visitors at the Door Chapter 317: Chapter 316: Visitors at the Door Just like that, three days later.

Nighttime.

Richard appeared on a relatively deserted street in White Stone City.

This street was considered the headquarters of the Steel Brotherhood Gang, most of the shops were operated by the Steel Brotherhood, and there basically was no competition from others. Even if someone had the courage, they would be unceremoniously kicked out.

On the street, Richard took steps forward, making a “clack clack clack” sound with his footsteps, and walked toward a somewhat old-looking tavern. A crooked wooden sign hung at the entrance of the tavern with blurry handwriting, where one could barely make out the word “Frank.”

Frank Tavern!

It was said to be the place where the Steel Brotherhood originally started.

Decades ago, for reasons unknown, the then-owner of Frank Tavern founded the Steel Brotherhood. Within about a decade, he transformed it into a gang that no ordinary person could underestimate.

After Frank’s death, the Steel Brotherhood had gone through several leadership changes, each leader more remarkable than the last, which propelled the Brotherhood’s ambitions to soar, eventually making it an immovable giant.

And thus, “Frank Tavern” became a sacred place for the members of the Steel Brotherhood, excluding anyone other than Steel Brotherhood members and those who were invited. Richard was here to hand over the last book of the Black Spirit Empire to the Steel Brotherhood.

“Clack clack clack…”

Richard reached the door of the tavern and was about to push it open when suddenly his eyebrows rose.

At this moment, he could distinctly hear through the crack in the wooden door that inside the tavern, there was dead silence.

This was not normal!

Frank Tavern was indisputably a sacred place for the members of the Steel Brotherhood, but out of a certain respect, they never changed its purpose–it was still a tavern.

And in a tavern, noise and clamor were simply too common; the only thing that wasn’t common was a graveyard-like silence.

Richard took a deep breath, catching a whiff of a faint bloody scent drifting through the door crack.

In an instant, Richard’s eyebrows furrowed deeply, and a sense of caution arose, accompanied by an ominous premonition. Extending his hand, he placed it on the door and suddenly pushed hard, creating a “creak” as he swung the wooden door open.

Immediately, the stench of blood intensified!

…

Time moved backward.

Night at Frank Tavern.

Inside the tavern, members of the Steel Brotherhood were drinking and making noise, getting so excited that they stripped off their shirts, revealing muscles as hard as metal blocks.

Having a strong physique was a primary requirement to join the Steel Brotherhood.

The Steel Brotherhood was not short of members and thus had high standards for entry. Even if one wasn’t well-educated, they at least needed to have a robust body to live up to the word “steel”, so most of the members were burly men, bursting with muscles.

In a sense, it was also because of this that the Steel Brotherhood was aggressive and developed so rapidly.

As the drinkers continued to shed their shirts, the tavern was filled with half-naked, burly men loudly talking and laughing, sweat slowly trickling down their backs and rolling downwards. On this chilly night in Frost Month, the fiery heat of their bodies and the density of people turned the whole tavern steamy like a bathhouse.

In the midst of this steaminess, there was an indefinable sense of closeness and warmth. Anyone barging in would think they had entered some unspeakable, special place.

Compared to the many drinking members, a table in the deeper part of the tavern was somewhat special.

Four individuals sat at the table, discussing something, not touching a drop of liquor.

Drawing closer, one could see among these four, one was Baki and another was E Lai.

The third person was a man about 1.7 meters tall named Ji Luo, who appeared somewhat frail compared to others in the tavern. Despite this, no one in the tavern dared underestimate him, as the members of the Steel Brotherhood looked at him with respect and fear. He possessed a Bloodline Seed, making him one of the few within the Steel Brotherhood to have Extraordinary Power.

His position in the Steel Brotherhood was Chief Thug, usually tasked with resolving any troublesome matters. The reason they had come here today was to ensure the safety of a trade and to prevent any mishaps.

Sitting beside the table, the fourth person was named Fei’er, a man over forty years old. He seemed unremarkable at first, but upon interacting, one would find him incredibly composed. So composed, in fact, that he would not show any expression even in the most startling situations. It was precisely because of this calmness, political savvy, and thorough consideration that he ranked third in command within the Steel Brotherhood.

Although he was the third in command, with the leader retired and the second in command stepping back due to poor health, he was very likely to become the next leader. His actions had earned him the deep respect of Steel Brotherhood members.

There was a glass of water on the table. Fei’er picked it up and took a slight sip, then looked at Baki and asked, “Baki, tell me again about the person we are trading with today, what’s the situation?”

“Yes, big brother Fei’er,” the towering Baki nodded respectfully, quickly explaining, “He is a student at White Stone Tower Academy like me, probably a Low-level Talent and an Auditor. I initially got to know him over a minor issue, and although there was some conflict, it was later resolved.

His swordsmanship is very strong, much stronger than mine. Even though he isn’t very muscular, if it really came to a weapon fight, I doubt I could last under him for a minute.

Moreover…”

After Baki finished detailing, Fei’er thought for a moment and asked, “So, he doesn’t know any spells? Isn’t a qualified Wizard Apprentice? If that’s really the case, why does he have so much money? Just for this commission, he paid out ten top-grade crystal coins! That’s a substantial amount, even elite students from White Stone Tower Academy couldn’t easily do that.”

“Well…” Baki frowned, “Actually, I’m also curious. To be honest, I know very little about him, and not many at the academy know much either. He always lives outside the academy, hardly participates in any classes, and it’s not clear what he’s busy with. He gives off a very strange vibe.”

“Do you think,” Fei’er said, “he could be deliberately hiding his strength?”

“This…” Baki was unsure.

“I hope he is hiding his strength,” Fei’er squinted, “Our gang is in dire need of Extraordinary Powers. If he possesses such powers and is deliberately concealing them, then we might use this trade as an opportunity to try and recruit him. If we can bring him in, great; if not, no harm done.”

“Um…”

“Ji Luo!”

“Big brother Fei’er, what should I do?” Chief Thug Ji Luo looked to Fei’er.

“When that kid comes to trade later, find a way to test him a bit, not too harshly, just figure out some of his strength, but be careful not to get hurt. I’ll step in and smooth things over if necessary.”

“Understood.” Chief Thug Ji Luo nodded, agreeing.

“E Lai,” Fei’er then turned to the Steel Association member who had contacted Richard initially and asked, “What did that kid say originally?”

“He agreed to come today, didn’t say much else.”

“That’s good.” Fei’er nodded and looked towards the tavern door, saying slowly, “Then let’s just wait for him to arrive.”

No sooner had Fei’er finished speaking than the door opened with a “creak”.