Chapter Fifty-Nine Midnight Banquet

  "Bang!"

  The vase was smashed heavily on the ground and shattered into pieces.

  "Why did you invite that bastard! Dad?!"

  Helen stood panting in the living room, glaring at Kailer with a gloomy face.

  "This is not the time for you to be arbitrary."

  Looking at his daughter's face, Kayler sighed, but then his attitude immediately hardened.

  "No matter what, someone saved your life, you should show some gratitude. Have you forgotten everything I taught you before?"

  At the sound of her father's roar, Helen involuntarily shrank back, but soon she felt ashamed of her cowardly behavior and jumped up again.

  "I don't care, anyway I hate that guy, I absolutely won't thank him! Not even if you kill me!"

  "You...! You bastard......!"

  Pointing at his daughter who dared to call him out, Keller's face turned iron-green. He couldn't understand why his usually obedient daughter was being so stubborn this time. Did she have no brains at all?

  "Get out! Get out of here! Tonight you stay in your own room and don't go anywhere!"

  "If you don't go, then just don't go!"

  Helen stomped her foot and turned to leave, while Kayler gazed at the back of his daughter as she disappeared from view. He let out a long sigh and sat back down in his chair. At this moment, an extremely weary expression appeared on his face, and his originally resolute countenance even seemed somewhat aged.

  He feels very tired.

  "Adult......"

  He approached cautiously from the side, bowed respectfully to Kayler, and hesitantly asked while observing the tribal leader's expression.

  "Miss, over there......"

  "Take care of her and don't let her leave the room tonight."

  Keller weakly waved his hand, then let out a long sigh, pressing his forehead with one hand and waving the other impatiently.

  "Go down, I'm tired and need a rest. Order it, when that gentleman arrives, notify me immediately, I want to greet him in person."

  "Yes."

  After receiving Keller's order, Ben immediately turned around and left, while Keller closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time. He was under great pressure now, not just from the annoying trivial matters at home, but also from the Merchant Association, which had tried to kidnap his daughter to threaten him. Keller had already decided to draw a clear line with the Merchant Association after that incident. He didn't know how those guys who only thought about money could suddenly become so bold, but he had made up his mind and would absolutely not participate in it. To be on the safe side, he even ordered Helen not to go out, at least until things were completely over, she had to stay at home all the time. Keller knew this made Helen very unhappy, but he had to do so, as a descendant's personal feelings could be completely ignored for the sake of the family's interests.

  Recently, Kayler has been feeling a little nervous, as if something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Although there had been no movement from the Golden City side, Kayler knew that this didn't mean there wasn't a problem. After all, Miss always planned carefully before acting, and when Golden City made a move, it would mean that his own neck was already close to the gallows.

  Keller thought for a moment, then shook his head impatiently. Since he couldn't figure it out, he might as well not think about it. At tonight's banquet, the president of the Deepstone City Mercenary Association and the city lord would both be attending, so he should probably have a good talk with them about this matter. After all, it was a big deal, and he couldn't just wait until the last minute to come up with a plan. Originally, Keller hadn't planned on explaining anything, since this was an internal problem among merchants, but ever since the kidnapping incident, he'd felt that things were developing strangely. If it were just an ordinary business dispute, they wouldn't have taken such extreme measures.

  No matter what the other party wants to do, one must make thorough preparations for all eventualities.

  Thinking of this, Kayler couldn't help but think of the young man who had saved his daughter again. Although Deep Stone City was not a small city, it wasn't easy to find someone. However, investigating intelligence about Rode was not difficult, for no other reason than that this young man was too high-profile.

  As soon as he arrived in Shishou Castle, he received the mercenary evaluation from Seric and even obtained victory. After that, he inherited a mercenary corps quota and became the leader of a two-man mercenary corps. He even spent money to buy the most famous Seriel mansion in Shishou Castle, and according to rumors, the young man was extremely handsome - it's hard not to say that if each of these things wasn't so difficult, it would be hard not to suspect that he was intentionally showing off to attract attention.

  What surprised Kayle even more was that this young man actually led his "mini" mercenary corps to victory, completing the four-star Pavlov's Cemetery, although many people doubted the authenticity of this rumor, but the skull and staff of the Lich received by the Mercenary Association were real, without any falsehood.

  Rode was unaware that many mercenaries were now eyeing his movements, after all, since he had the ability to lead so few people to complete such a dangerous task, he must have had something special about him. Mercenaries are also human, and naturally hope to be able to serve under a strong leader, to know that they are selling their lives, if it's the same as selling one's life, then becoming a member of a powerful mercenary group is much stronger than being under an unremarkable boss.

  I wonder what kind of person this young man is?

  Kayler closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

  As night fell, the originally quiet upper streets began to become lively.

  Beautiful lanterns shone brightly, one after another, luxurious carriages came and went, this was the best time for nobles to connect with each other and socialize. Whether it was a proper or improper banquet and party, they all unfolded under the cover of night, bringing wonderful enjoyment to everyone.

  Today's banquet is even more lively.

  "This godforsaken place is still crowded with people."

  Getting off the carriage, the old president glared at the nobles around him with an unpleasant gaze.

  "Every time I come here, it's like I've entered a marketplace and hear a thousand ducks quacking in my ears, it's so unbearable!"

  "Alright, old friend, Mr. Kayler has invited you, so don't look for excuses here."

  Compared to the somewhat casual attire of the guildmaster, Serrek's outfit was much more elegant and luxurious. This famous figure in Deepstone City today looked every inch a noble, except for the magic longsword at his waist that never left his side, no matter how you looked at this sword master he seemed like a middle-aged noble with good breeding and education.

  "That guy must have gotten into some kind of trouble."

  Ignoring the discontented glances cast by the attendants beside him, the old chairman walked into the bright great hall and then took out his pipe, knocking it forcefully.

  "Otherwise, how could he be so humble? Hmm? You see, even Krauser this old fox has come. It seems that something big must have happened."

  "Maybe, I heard from a friend that the Merchant Association seems to be in some turmoil lately, but... if it's just these problems, he shouldn't want us, the Mercenary Association and Lord Crowzer, to help solve them. What do you think... is going on?"

  "I'm not interested in these troublesome things. If someone dares to come and cause me trouble, it's best to just knock them dead with one hammer blow, don't you think?"

  "That's not right, after all..."

  Before Selek could finish speaking, the door opened once again.

  The people in the hall, who were originally noisy, also fell silent at this moment.

  For these nobles, it was rare for anything to move them, but now they had completely shifted their attention and fixed their gaze on the three new faces that walked in.

  Rod, walking in the front, was dressed in black clothes, with a pale complexion and a slightly thin figure that looked weak and fragile. His long black hair fell down his shoulders, setting off his striking face, which was paired with Rod's unique coldness and seriousness, producing an unusual charm.

  The two girls following behind him were equally dazzling.

  Marlin's attire hadn't changed much, she was still wearing that luxurious robe, with a faint magical glow flickering in sync with her movements, showcasing an enigmatic beauty. Paired with the red gemstone staff held in the girl's hand, it immediately gave off an aura of "do not approach".

  In comparison to the two eye-catching individuals, Lijie's attire was relatively low-key, her white dress looking neat and elegant, like a lily standing tall and slender, evoking feelings of affection.

  Although there were also many people with outstanding appearance in the crowd, the unique momentum of the three still attracted attention from many people. Soon, they began to whisper and ask about the origin of these three people.

  "Hmm... looks like a country bumpkin's banquet, seems to be slightly more refined than I imagined."

  Marlene completely ignored the crowd around her, only carefully scrutinizing the surroundings with a critical gaze, and then said with a hint of sarcasm.

  "Ma, Marlene, it's impolite to say that."

  Lijie reached out and gently pulled on Marlin's sleeve, whispering words of advice in her ear.

  "There's nothing to worry about, relax, Lijie."

  But Marlene apparently didn't take Lisha's advice to heart.

  "It's just to get out and have some fun, enjoy the pleasure, and besides, I'm willing to lower myself to attend this rustic noble banquet, it's already giving him enough face, people need to know how to be content and happy."

  Just as Marlene was speaking, a middle-aged man wearing magnificent clothes and with a resolute face appeared at the door. When he saw Rode and others, his eyes lit up, and he immediately walked over.

  "Hello, Mr. Rhodes... I'm Clayton Keller. Ever since little Sophie told me about you, I've been hoping to meet you, and now that wish has finally come true. On behalf of the Keller family, welcome to this dinner party."

  "Don't be polite, Mr. Clete, it's an honor for me to receive your invitation."

  Facing the middle-aged man in front of him, Rode gave a reply with neither arrogance nor humility. Although he was not a noble, he had participated in such events many times in the game. As the saying goes, "even if you haven't eaten pork, you've seen pigs run." The polite phrases exchanged between nobles were already familiar to Rode. When Rode finished speaking, Crait smiled slightly and then shifted his gaze to behind Rode's back.

  "Don't be polite, these two are......"

  "Hello."

  Marlene took a step forward, slightly lifting her skirt.

  "I am Marlene Sennia, delighted to meet you, esteemed Mr. Klaet Keller."

  Xenia?

  When Marlene replied, Klayt was slightly stunned and a hint of surprise flashed in his gaze at Rode.

  This young man actually still has dealings with people from the Xianya family?

  What is his identity after all?

  Transition chapters are tough to write but still necessary... sigh...