Chapter 39 New Type of Ixor Potion and Pent-Up Conflicts

Traveling day and night, Zhou Jing escorted Goatee and Gama smoothly to White Plains City.

Arriving at the lord's longhouse, he asked a guard to report his arrival. After waiting a short while, he was ushered inside and met Lord Lute in the reception room.

"Jason, the guard said you had something to report... is it about a monstrous beast threatening Frostwood Village?"

Lute, dressed in fine clothes, glanced at Goatee and Gama, then asked Zhou Jing.

"No, it's about the apothecary..."

Zhou Jing pushed the bound Goatee and Gama forward, letting Ross display several boxes of inferior potions as evidence, and explained their dealings.

The two dared not disobey, and confessed to their crimes.

After listening, Lute looked surprised, narrowed his eyes at the two, and said angrily: "Someone is doing this behind my back, exploiting their position to resell inventory for money, betraying my trust!"

The two looked at the lord tremblingly, not daring to answer.

Lute crouched down, rummaging through the potions, and when he saw the defective Hunter's Potions inside, he was furious and slapped Goatee across the face.

*Pa!*

Goatee was knocked to the ground, covering his face and not daring to look up.

"You're courting death! You dare to profit even from the hunters' supplies!"

Lute spoke sternly.

Then he turned to look at Zhou Jing and said in a deep voice: "Monster beast hunters protect the tribe, and the quality of all their supplies must be guaranteed first. This matter has crossed the line. Rest assured, I will never let them go! I will thoroughly investigate the apothecary and find out all the involved supervisors, as well as the village doctors who supply them!"

"That's good." Zhou Jing nodded.

Lute paused and instructed: "Don't spread this matter for the time being, lest these parasites hear the news, destroy the evidence, and cause chaos."

Worried about burning down the granary, are you... Zhou Jing nodded silently.

Lute looked at Goatee and Gama, his tone decisive: "Then I'll take these two people and this batch of inferior potions. I still have a lot to interrogate them about."

"Alright." Zhou Jing had no objections.

Baron had instructed him only to report the situation and bring the two here. The rest was up to the lord to worry about. After all, he was just an ordinary monster beast hunter, not a city enforcer.

Lute then forced a smile and said: "Jason, your report was timely and protected my interests, otherwise I would have been deceived by them for who knows how long... Are you really not considering accepting my invitation to become my guard?"

"No, I still prefer being a hunter."

"Alright." Lute looked regretful, then smiled: "You have done a great service this time. I am a generous man and never stingy with rewards."

As he said this, he called the butler over and whispered a few words, and the butler hurried away.

Before long, the butler returned, carrying a bulging money bag.

Lute took the money bag, handed it to Zhou Jing, and said in a deep voice: "Here are one thousand Terra silver coins, as my thanks."

"So much?" Zhou Jing raised an eyebrow.

"You deserve it." Lute's tone was firm: "The losses you saved me from far exceed this amount."

Hmm, if you confiscate this Goatee's property, you'll get far more than this...

Zhou Jing's thoughts turned, and he was not surprised. He nodded and accepted it, throwing the money bag to Ross to carry.

"I've told you everything I know. I have nothing else to do here, so I'll leave first."

Zhou Jing didn't plan to stay here any longer and took his leave.

Lute seemed busy interrogating the two and didn't try to keep him, only repeating his instructions not to leak the news.

...

Zhou Jing led Ross out of the lord's longhouse, greeted the guards beside him, then looked at the sky. It was still morning.

Having suddenly received a large sum of money, he didn't feel like going out much... He definitely couldn't go to the apothecary, and he didn't need to change his equipment for the time being. It seemed there was nowhere to spend money.

"It's still early, I'll go to the workshop."

Every time he came to White Plains City, the workshop was a must-visit place to see if there were any new products.

Zhou Jing went to the workshop and got a list from the workshop manager.

Compared to his last visit, the workshop had more new products... It seemed other hunters had been working hard recently.

"Steel Feather Eagle Beak Hammer, Boar Tooth Dragon Dagger..."

Zhou Jing glanced at the equipment, most of which he didn't need.

Then he looked at the Ixor Potion list, which was what he needed.

His main goal was Second Enhancement, which required early preparation, so he wanted to see if there were any suitable potions as backups.

Soon, Zhou Jing discovered that his trip was not in vain.

Currently, the workshop's inventory had three high-quality Ixor Potions: Snow Wing Bat Potion, Earth Rock Dragon Potion, and Wind Howl Tiger Potion. The first two were medium-risk monster beasts, and the last was a high-risk monster beast.

"Wind Howl Tiger... This type of monster beast is also known for its agility, and its strength is equally formidable, with amazing destructive power."

Zhou Jing was pleasantly surprised and took a fancy to it at a glance.

Generally speaking, subsequent Ixor Enhancements would conflict or resonate with the Ixor Potion previously taken, and if the Ixor Potion was taken from the same or similar types of monster beasts, the success rate of Ixor Enhancement would be higher and the effect would be better.

Therefore, most monster beast hunters established a route after the first Enhancement, and subsequent Enhancements would often only consider Ixor Potions of the same type of monster beast. Baron was like this.

And his Star Realm Apostle's first Enhancement used the Lightning Leopard Potion, which belonged to the leopard species, while the Wind Howl Tiger belonged to the tiger species. Although they were not the same species, they belonged to similar species, so the route was in line.

He had several hunting records and exchange quotas at the White Plains City workshop. Zhou Jing did not hesitate and immediately asked the workshop manager to exchange for the Wind Howl Tiger Potion.

However, the workshop manager showed a troubled expression.

"Jason, I'm sorry, this is a potion that someone else has reserved. They are ahead of you in line."

Zhou Jing was stunned.

That was just bad luck.

Hunters could reserve a certain type of Ixor Potion at the workshop, and once the workshop had a potion that met their needs, it would be given priority to the person who made the reservation.

He had also made a reservation, but after all, it hadn't been long, so his priority was not as high as hunters who had reserved earlier.

"Who reserved it?"

"It's Captain Magge."

"...Say his name again?"

"Magge."

The workshop manager repeated honestly.

Zhou Jing's mouth twitched, struggling to restrain the urge to complain about the name.

Taking a breath, he quickly returned to the topic and asked doubtfully:

"There doesn't seem to be such a person on the White Plains City hunter roster."

"Magge is not a monster beast hunter. He is Lord Lute's personal guard captain, and he is a First Enhanced Ixor Warrior." The workshop manager explained.

"So he's the lord's guard..."

Zhou Jing understood, then frowned:

"That's not right, he's not even a hunter, why can he make reservations at the workshop?"

The workshop's most important task was to ensure the supply of various products to hunters.

According to the regulations, only monster beast hunters could make reservations at the workshop. Others did not have the right to make reservations. Even if they bought with money, they could only buy from the existing stock, and their priority in line was lower than hunters.

"Uh, he is the lord's guard captain after all... The lord specifically told me to allow this person to enjoy the treatment of a hunter." The workshop manager's tone was euphemistic.

"I don't care, I want this potion anyway."

Zhou Jing stated decisively.

If the reservation had been made by a working monster beast hunter, he wouldn't have minded discussing it with them. If they weren't willing, then even if he felt it was a pity, he wouldn't force it.

But a lord's guard who didn't have to participate in hunting could go screw himself. They didn't know each other, and wouldn't fight side by side, so what was there to reason about.

The main function of the Hunter Workshop was to serve monster beast hunters. Ixor Warriors who were not hunters shouldn't have the privileges of hunters.

"This is against the rules..." The workshop manager was troubled.

Zhou Jing interrupted directly: "You're putting a non-hunter Ixor Warrior ahead of a hunter in the reservation rankings. That's also against the rules."

The workshop manager rubbed his forehead helplessly: "If you take this potion, I have to explain the reason to Magge when he asks."

"Why don't you just not tell him?"

"The problem is that I already notified him yesterday to come and get it..." The workshop manager smiled bitterly.

"Are you blaming me for coming at the right time?"

Zhou Jing raised an eyebrow.

Just then, a burly man with a face full of橫肉 walked into the workshop. This person was wearing a guard's armor, with a shield on his back and a longsword at his waist.

He looked around and quickly saw the workshop manager, immediately striding over.

Seeing this, the workshop manager's expression was subtle. He looked at Zhou Jing and said:

"It seems you really came at the right time. That guy is Magge. He's here to pick up the goods. You can talk to him yourself."

At this time, Magge walked up, glanced at Zhou Jing strangely, ignored him, and went straight to the workshop manager, saying:

"Where's the Wind Howl Tiger Potion I want? I'm here to pick it up."

"Ahem..." The workshop manager coughed, pointed at Zhou Jing, and said: "Something came up. Jason also took a fancy to the Wind Howl Tiger Potion. He wants it too."

Magge was stunned, then dissatisfied: "Didn't you say I was the first to reserve it? Why are you letting him cut in line?"

"I think you're the one cutting in line." Zhou Jing interjected.

"Are you joking with me?" Magge sneered: "Or did a monster beast damage your brain? You can't even tell who's first and who's last?"

Zhou Jing rolled his eyes and pointed to the ground: "Do you know what this place is?"

"Hunter Workshop, what nonsense are you talking about?" Magge frowned.

"Then are you a hunter? Are you qualified to make reservations at the workshop?"

"So what if I'm not? When the lord hired me, he allowed me to enjoy the same treatment as hunters at the workshop." Magge snorted: "That's the lord's order. You can shut up and get out of the way. Anyway, this potion is mine."

Zhou Jing was about to continue saying something when a solemn and cold voice sounded from the side.

"Someone who doesn't have to risk their life fighting monster beasts gets the same rights as monster beast hunters, and is still showing off in front of hunters..."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.

They saw Webber walking in from outside the door, slowly walking up to Magge, his forehead almost touching his, and said indifferently:

"You should get out."

Hearing this, Magge instantly showed an angry expression.

He suddenly pushed Webber in the chest, shouting: "Stop pretending in front of me. I'm the lord's guard captain. Stay away from me and get lost!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

*Tsk!*

The sound of a blade being drawn suddenly rang out.

The cold, gleaming blade instantly pressed against Magge's neck.

The biting cold made Magge freeze.

Magge glanced sideways, his gaze extending along the arm holding the knife, ending at Zhou Jing's face.

"I advise you not to lose your temper, and it's best to leave now." Zhou Jing shook his head.

Magge laughed angrily: "Stealing other people's things arrogantly and threatening them with a knife! Take a look, this is the behavior of a monster beast hunter!"

Webber patted the dust off his chest and said in a deep voice:

"Our rights are what we earned with our lives. You don't fight monster beasts to protect the town, and you still flaunt having the same rights as us. Do you have any reason?"

"It's that same 'I did meritorious service, so I'm superior' attitude again! Stealing is stealing, stop making excuses!"

Magge glared at the two and shouted loudly.

Then, he pointed at Zhou Jing's nose and said angrily:

"Come, come, come, I'm the lord's guard. If you have the guts, cut it off and let me see if the knife you use to cut monster beasts is also so sharp when dealing with people!"

"Let me correct you. That's just a potion you reserved in violation of the rules. It hasn't reached your hands yet, so strictly speaking, it's not your thing."

As Zhou Jing spoke, he slightly exerted force with his wrist, causing the blade to press a bloody line on Magge's neck, and continued:

"Besides... provoking someone who can threaten your life is not a wise choice."

Magge felt the stinging pain on his neck, his face twitching, seemingly wanting to be tough to the end.

But in the end, he chose to assess the situation, raised his hands, and stepped back.

Escaping the range of the blade, Magge wiped his neck and felt wet blood.

He suddenly looked up at Zhou Jing, and said hoarsely: "Alright, you're alright!"

After saying that, Magge turned around and left, not staying any longer.

Zhou Jing resisted the urge to chop people, sheathed his knife, clicked his tongue, and looked at the workshop manager: "You can give me the potion now."

"Ah, okay..."

The workshop manager sighed and went to the warehouse to get the potion.

Zhou Jing then looked at Webber and nodded: "Thanks."

Webber shook his head: "It's nothing. I came to see the workshop equipment and happened to run into it, so I took your side... Besides, I've always hated those lord's guards anyway."

Zhou Jing nodded, not surprised.

Monster beast hunters have been displeased with the lord's guards for a long time. The conflict has been building up for a long time.

When facing ordinary people, monster beast hunters were the same as usual.

But towards the lord's guards, the hunters were really so domineering.

-- They're too scared to fight monster beasts, and they expect them, these desperate hunters, to treat them kindly. They're dreaming.

Hunters could understand these people's choices, but they hoped that these lord's guards would have some self-awareness, and when they saw hunters, they would quickly make a detour, get out of their sight, not dirty their eyes, and not shamelessly share the rights that belonged to hunters.

Zhou Jing didn't have a good attitude towards the lord's guards either. If the Ixor Potion he wanted was reserved by a hunter, then he would give face and wait to run into other suitable Ixor Potions in the future.

But if the other party was a lord's guard, then he was too lazy to give way, without any psychological pressure... He just wanted it, no need to pretend.

Webber suddenly asked: "By the way, do you have time recently?"

"What, want to hunt together?"

"Yeah, it is said that a deadly monster beast is appearing on the edge of the White Plains City area. After a while, I plan to organize a hunting team to solve it, so as not to threaten the surrounding area of White Plains City. Are you coming?"

"I'll consider it. If I have time, I'll go."

Zhou Jing didn't immediately agree, not sure if he would be descending in person at that time, or in a state of being placed.

The two chatted for a while, and the workshop manager finally returned, handing the Wind Howl Tiger Potion to Zhou Jing.

Zhou Jing put away the potion, waved goodbye to Webber, and went to the Hunter Tavern.

The workshop manager watched Zhou Jing leave, shook his head, and hesitated:

"Magge is the guard captain, is it okay to offend him?"

"What could be the problem?" Webber turned his head to look at him and said lightly: "Which is more important, hunters who hunt monster beasts everywhere, or a group of useless guards?"

...

On the other side, a dungeon under the lord's longhouse.

Torches crackled and burned, the light dim.

Lute looked at Goatee and Gama kneeling in front of him, his face cold.

He stroked his ring and said coldly: "I said that Hunter's Potion was the bottom line, but you don't seem to take it seriously, and you still dare to do this business behind my back... What's wrong, not full?"

Goatee hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground, trembling.

Gama, regardless, knelt on the ground and moved towards Lute, begging in a trembling voice:

"Lord, I don't know anything about their business. I'm just reselling potions. I sell when they give me money. I don't know anything about what they do in private. My crime isn't that serious, can you let me go..."

*Swish!*

A flash of light.

Gama's face froze, staring fixedly at the gem dagger in Lute's hand, which was now resting on his neck, pressing out a trace of blood.

"Don't, don't kill..."

"Shut up."

Lute kicked Gama to the wall, then took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped the blood off the gem dagger, looking at Goatee who was lying on the ground, not daring to move, and said lightly:

"Now tell me again the information you told that hunter, with this apothecary as proof, tell me."

Goatee then trembled and said: "Brother, no one knows about our relationship, I definitely did not betray you!"

Gama was stunned.

"..." Lute narrowed his eyes and sneered inwardly.