Chapter 46: Newcomer Joins the Group

  A cool breeze blew across the grassland, bringing with it a gentle rustling sound, as the sun rose once again from the horizon, heralding the arrival of a new day.

  "Uggghhh..."

  Lijie opened her eyes.

  The first thing that caught her eye was the dense, golden light spots. She blinked and only then did she see clearly that it was sunlight flashing out from the leaves of the trees by the window. The soft, fluffy bedspread carried a faint scent, the girl narrowed her eyes, hugging the pillow in her hands, and after a moment, she reluctantly got up from the bed.

  Finally have their own home.

  Looking at the simple yet cozy little room in front of her, Lijie's heart skipped a beat. She had never thought that she would have a fixed place to live, but now it had become a reality. This meant that from now on, she wouldn't have to stay in the shabby guest rooms of the Mercenary Association or the taverns when she came back, and she wouldn't have to worry about where to put her favorite things like before. Now, she had a room of her own, a home of her own.

  On the first night she entered this room, Lijie was excited to lie on the bed and toss about, not sleeping all night. In the following days, she became more and more fond of this place and began to devote herself wholeheartedly to it. The originally very clean room was swept by Lijie again and again, and she also brought a few small flowers in a vase for decoration.

  "Hmm..."

  The girl stretched her arms high and arched her back, finally changing out of her clothes. After a quick wash, she left the room. As the base's de facto housekeeper and maid, Liche had double the responsibilities. Having a home wasn't all good news; unlike in the tavern, food couldn't be waited for, but had to be made herself. Cleaning also had to be done by her own hands, although Rode had thought of hiring some servants to help with the chores, they were currently short on funds and could only make do.

  Maybe it was because of the joyous occasion, but Lijie felt refreshed and invigorated after waking up, even though she had been running around with Luo De all day yesterday, yet not feeling tired at all.

  What happened to Luo De then?

  Having tidied up her clothes, Lijie arrived at Rode's door and knocked gently.

  "Mr. Luo De?"

  No response.

  Isn't it?

  Lijie looked puzzled and tilted her head in thought for a moment. She knocked on the door again, but still didn't get any response.

  Just then, a bird cry suddenly came from outside the window.

  Following Rude for so many days, Liche naturally became very familiar with this, which was the cry of the Soul Bird. So the girl quickly walked to the window and looked out, soon she saw Rude.

  He stood quietly in the overgrown garden, his right hand raised, and in front of it, a green bird was spreading its wings and flying swiftly forward, with a strong gust of wind bursting from behind it, for a moment even the overgrown grass on the ground seemed to have an extra deep gully.

  Just as the green bird flew out, Rod suddenly made a gesture, and in the next instant, the originally violent whirlwind suddenly changed into a raging fire, surging forward with great momentum. The scattered flames quickly condensed and gathered, drawing a clear arc in the air before shooting towards Rod. Just as Rod was about to be engulfed by this turbulent wave of flames, the scarlet color suddenly receded, and a shining white longsword burst out from within.

  "Whoosh!!!"

  A sword aura swept across, cutting down the grass leaves one by one. Under the influence of the whirlwind, they danced in the air and burned under the scorching energy. When they turned into tiny ashes and fell to the ground, within three meters around Luo De, it had already become a barren wasteland.

  "Mr. Luo De."

  Until Rod raised his long sword, Liche finally opened her mouth and shouted.

  "Lily?"

  When he heard the girl's call, Luo De raised his head, looked in the direction of the sound, and then nodded slightly to her as a greeting.

  "Good morning."

  "Good morning, sir."

  At this point, Lijie felt a bit embarrassed. Although according to the rules, she should call him Captain, but since their ages were so close, she couldn't help feeling awkward about it. Moreover, in her heart, her captain was still Carter, and she hadn't been able to bring herself to call Rode "Captain" yet. Fortunately, Rode didn't seem to mind these small matters either. After Lijie apologized very sincerely to him, he also accepted this explanation.

  He is a perfect man.

  Looking at Rode in front of her, Lijie couldn't help but feel a heartbeat. Young and handsome (or beautiful), calm and steady, and unexpectedly serious and hardworking. A man like this is absolutely the best ideal in every woman's heart. Of course, it must be admitted that he can be quite arbitrary at times, but this only adds to his masculine charm.

  If I could...

  Lilith was suddenly startled at this thought, and then she hastily shook her head. She looked up to see Rode standing beside her and handed him a towel.

  "Mr. Lode, will that old man really come?"

  Perhaps to cover up her own embarrassment, Lijie quickly changed the subject. Although she had been here for a long time and had seen Old Woke many times, she didn't know that this old man actually had an unusual origin. However, it was clear that Rode seemed to be very aware of these things. And Lijie was also used to Rode's little secrets and did not ask questions.

  "I don't know either."

  He took a towel and wiped away the beads of sweat on his forehead, and Rod gave a vague answer.

  "I've done everything I can, now it's up to him. If he has just a bit of determination, I think he'll come. Of course, if he doesn't come, that's okay too - our plans won't change."

  Rod spoke as directly and calmly as ever, seeming entirely unwilling to be questioned, let alone contradicted.

  "I hope you're fully prepared, Lijia. Pavil's graveyard is a very dangerous place. If it's just the two of us going, the risk factor will increase greatly. At that time, things might be even more complicated than they were in Misty Town."

  "Yes, I understand, Mr. Rhodes. I will get ready."

  "Alright, I'll head back first then... breakfast... same as usual."

  "Alright."

  Since moving into the stronghold, Rude and Lila's lifestyle has also changed. Due to lack of funds, Rude didn't build a dining hall initially, so their three meals a day are basically solved in Rude's study room. They have already gotten used to this kind of life - it's really scary how habits can form.

  Lijie quickly went to make breakfast, while Luo De returned to his study on the second floor and began thinking about his next plan.

  Even if he was called a "walking library", Luo Ze couldn't possibly recall every detail of the task, what he's doing now is recording down all the possible dangers that might appear in Pavel Cemetery from his memory and making targeted arrangements, after all this time if he's lucky there will be three people, if not then only two to complete the task, many of the player era thoughts and tactics need to be changed.

  Being able to sit in the position of the first guild leader on Long Soul Continent, Luo De is not just relying on his own talent. Effort and meticulous observation, timely adjustments and predictions are also equally important. This is also why when many people face BOSS they are still at a loss, while Luo De has led his team to take down the first kill and achievement as easily as cutting vegetables.

  Details determine success or failure, this is Luo De's consistent guideline.

  Just as Rod was concentrating on recalling the details of the cemetery and the threat, a knock at the door suddenly rang out.

  Who is it?

  Although the other party was only knocking on the first floor, Rode's perception had already reached a very sensitive level, and he quickly sensed that someone had arrived. After thinking for a moment, Rode finally put down his pen and went out. Had Old Wolk really been moved by his own scolding and come to his senses? And was coming to his door so early? This was truly rare.

  Although he had such an idea, but when Luo De opened the door, he found that reality and his own imagination still had some differences.

  The one standing in front of Rhode right now isn't that washed-up old mercenary, but the Hank of the Mercenaries' Guild!

  What is he doing here?

  Rod gave a somewhat strange glance at Hank, who was smiling awkwardly, and then shifted his gaze to the person standing behind him, wrapped from head to toe in a poncho. Although he couldn't see her face, judging by her figure, she should be a woman.

  What's going on?

  "Uncle Hank, you're looking for me?"

  "Yes, Mr. Rodd, this... I don't know if we can go in and talk?"

  "Of course."

  Rod nodded and then ushered the two of them in.

  Can't help but say, the hall in front of him made Hank's eyes light up. In fact, before he came, he had imagined that the base of this mercenary group with only two people would be very shabby. However, looking at this clean and tidy, bright and spacious hall with a hint of majesty, Hank immediately overturned his previous imagination. And his gaze at Rode also had a hint of surprise, although old Hank had never been to this mansion before, but he also knew that an abandoned and terrifying old house where many people had died would absolutely not be like this.

  How did this young man manage to do it?

  Old Hanke finally developed a thick interest in Rode at this time. He had been in the mercenary association for so many years and had seen all kinds of people, but he had never seen anyone like Rode before. On the surface, he seemed to be no different from other young people, but now it seems... his own judgment was not correct.

  "Excuse me, Uncle Hank, what brings you here?"

  After inviting the two to sit down, Luo De asked, and at the same time he glanced at the woman beside him. He was certain that Hank's visit this time had something to do with this woman.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, facing Rod's inquiry, Hank revealed a hint of an embarrassed smile, and then he nodded his head and began to speak.

  "It's like this, Rode. This lady... wants to join your mercenary band."