Chapter 83: The Joyous Inn

Although Avra’s previous actions resembled those of a dragon knight, she had not actually summoned her dragon, so while the members of the Gale Mercenary Company suspected her identity, their doubts remained just that. Simply wielding a dragon lance was not enough for them to truly believe she was a dragon knight. But now the situation was different. With Avra summoning her “mount,” the Gale Mercenaries, observing her current display, became certain of her identity as a dragon knight. Under Avra’s steady gaze, Li Gale, who had just mustered the courage to resist, could only sigh and abandon his previous resolve.

Li Gale was not entirely clear on the true strength of a dragon knight, but as a seasoned mercenary, he had fought with many sub-dragons. He had been hunted down by such beasts more than once and knew well their ferocity. Compared to those creatures, a dragon knight was a hundred times more dangerous, and Li Gale dared not offend her in the slightest.

Whether eastern heroes or western mercenaries, those who challenged authority shared a common trait: a disregard for the law. Yet, their defiance stemmed mainly from the belief that the law held no real power over them. Thus, it was not uncommon for the words of high-ranking professionals to carry more weight among mercenaries than those of local officials.

Now Zhou Tian had become the lord of the border town, with a dragon knight by his side and the law as their weapon. There was no chance of winning a fight against them. Li Gale’s only choice was to submit. If he refused to pay, the mercenary company would be destroyed. Pressured by Zhou Tian, Li Gale finally gritted his teeth and handed over all the company’s savings.

“Captain, why did you let those people go?” Avra had refrained from questioning Zhou Tian at the Gale Mercenaries’ base, but now, having left the mercenaries behind, she could no longer contain her curiosity and asked him directly about his motives.

Zhou Tian understood Avra’s character better than anyone. He was not surprised by her question. Smiling at her, he replied, “According to the rules of the Holy City, the Gale Mercenaries do deserve death for what they did. But have you considered what would happen if we wiped out every group involved in that affair?”

Thinking of Li Gale’s earlier demeanor, Avra curled her lip dismissively. “What could possibly happen? With their pitiful strength, I could handle them all myself.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Tian gave her a half-smile and asked, “Are you sure that the dragon you can conjure with your beast talisman could really wipe out all the forces in this town?”

“Of course... Not really!” Avra wanted to boast, but she knew her own limits. She didn’t have the face to lie to someone as familiar as Zhou Tian. Somewhat awkwardly, she admitted her lack of ability, but still protested, “Even if I couldn’t deal with all of them, they’re too afraid to fight me anyway. When the time comes, I’ll just—”

“And if you truly meant to kill them all, do you think they would still hesitate to fight back?” Zhou Tian rolled his eyes at her. “The only reason the Gale Mercenaries did not resist is because they mistook you for a dragon knight and, more importantly, because we didn’t push them to desperation. If you really tried to kill them, do you think they would just stand there? Besides...” He paused, then sighed. “It’s not that we couldn’t deal with those forces, but we’re no longer mere fighters. As the bishop, I have much more to consider. Killing them would be easy, but the consequences are something I cannot allow.”

Avra, unconvinced, pressed the issue, “What consequences could there possibly be?”

“Do you think just anyone could steal from our church? Only a few groups were involved, but they represent nearly ninety percent of this town’s power. If we destroyed them all, we might as well destroy the town itself,” Zhou Tian explained, glancing at Avra with some resignation. “Moreover, these local forces have ties, however tenuous, to large organizations in the Yanhuang Empire and elsewhere. If we go too far, even if we’re in the right, we’ll still make powerful enemies. The Holy City might get away with it, but we don’t have that kind of backing. Killing those people would be easy, but afterward, with the town in ruins and so many offended powers, who knows what trouble we might face?”

Avra was not unreasonable. Hearing Zhou Tian’s logic, she no longer insisted on dealing with those forces her way. Still, remembering their crimes left her unsettled. She glanced at Zhou Tian and asked, “So you’re just going to let them off?”

“Of course not.” Waving the paper in his hand, Zhou Tian assured her, “We won’t go too far, but we’re not pushovers to be toyed with either. They didn’t go all the way in their actions; they just wanted money. I won’t take their lives—just as with the Gale Mercenaries, whatever they took from us, we’ll take back a hundredfold.”

Recalling Li Gale’s tearful face as he handed over their money, Avra couldn’t help but feel better. Indeed, as Zhou Tian said, wiping out all those forces might not be in their best interest. Dealing with them Zhou Tian’s way would vent their anger and serve as a lesson.

With Avra convinced, Zhou Tian wasted no more time and led her straight to another establishment.

“Yuelai Inn?” Avra read the sign with surprise and looked at Zhou Tian. “Isn’t that the biggest hotel chain in the Yanhuang Empire? Did they get involved too?”

“As long as there’s profit, there’s nothing these merchants won’t do,” Zhou Tian replied, shaking his head at the inn’s ostentatious name. He led Avra inside without hesitation.

“Welcome, guests!”

“Are you here for a meal or a room? We—”

“That’s enough. Call your manager. I have business with him.” Zhou Tian cut off the attendant, glanced around at the furnishings, and stated his intentions directly.

“Oh, I’m afraid our manager is out on business. Perhaps you could come back tomorrow?” The attendant’s expression changed when he realized Zhou Tian wasn’t a customer, but he replied with ‘polite’ refusal.

Zhou Tian regarded him coolly and asked again, “Are you sure your manager isn’t here?”

“Sir, do you think I’d lie to you? He truly isn’t here today!”

“Not here? Fine...” Zhou Tian responded blandly, then turned to Avra and commanded, “Smash the place.”

“Gladly!” Avra already had a bellyful of anger, and Zhou Tian’s command delighted her. Ignoring the attendant’s protests, she grabbed a chair and began to smash up the inn.

“Stop!” The attendant cried out in alarm. Realizing he couldn’t stop Avra, he dashed into the back of the inn.

It wasn’t long before the attendant reappeared, this time leading a group of swordsmen from the rear of the establishment.

“That’s them!” he said, pointing at Zhou Tian and Avra, then stepped back, letting the swordsmen surround them.