Chapter 308 âGat1her Togetherâ (part one)
Du Wei have always believed if a person were to be extremely talented in one area, then they are bound to have some certain peculiarities in their personality. Like this Mr. White for example. To call him a genius was saying it nicely because if Du Wei were to be blunt, heâs better deserved to be called a madman!
Riding westward all the way with Du Wei, this guy for some reason refuses to board a boat no matter where they were, only willing to travel on road. Even though he was strong, but Du Wei wasnât a warrior at the spiritual level or the physical level. Moreover, even for a knight that had gone through strict training would be like him after days of continuous journey.
How comfortable it would be to ride a boat⊠Du Wei can only sigh in his heart over this idea.
Seeing through his mind, White River coldly left him this statement: âPeople like you who only covet after comfort can never achieve anything great, even if you do, it will be limited! Who in history thatâs successful hasnât endured great difficulty to hone themselves?!â
Not replying or trying to defend himself, Du Wei can only stick his tongue out again after hearing the lecture.
Fortunately, after learning that set of taijutsu moves from the Snowy Mountain, his bodyâs been faring far better than before. Every day when they stop to rest, Du Wei would endure the aching fatigue on his body and force himself to practice several times before calling it a day. At first the aches and pains almost caused him to shed tears for this type of hardship wasnât something a common person can endure. Du Wei may have become accustomed to an extravagant lifestyle in recent years, but hidden underneath that lazy and scheming personality was the same hard working and determined temperament from his past life. Whatâs more, in front of White Riverâs contempt eyes and smirking mouth, Du Wei didnât want to be looked down upon even more.
Along the way Du Wei may have suffered immensely, but eventually those pains did pay off. For on the fourth day, he was delighted to find his body greatly improved than before!
Originally when they were journeying, the most painful time was the morning. He would be aching with pain like his entire body and bones were falling apart. However, this morning when he woke up again, his body felt light and relaxed without a bit of soreness running through it. Pleasantly surprised inside, Du Weiâs delight didnât go unnoticed though. White River who was beside him only shot him a glance before dragging him back down to reality: âThis is only the first stage where your body goes through some minor improvement. Fifteen days later it will usher in a period of fatigue, which will bring pains like you never felt before. After repeating this process twelve times, about a year or two later, then you can claim to have achieved some success. Right now, you are still a long way off.â
Since White River refuses to ride a boat along the Grand Canal, the two can only travel along the bank as they headed west. By noon of the fourth day, they eventually arrived at a small town along their path.
The settlement was more or less only a few miles away from the Grand Canal, making it a popular resting point for merchants that have moored their ships nearby. The town didnât have much of anything, but it did have a lot of taverns and brothels with a wide variety of prostitutes for the sailors to choose from. A heaven for those that spent months away on the water without returning.
Riding into town on their horses, Du Wei immediately raised a suggestion when he saw how bustling the place was: âI say Boss White, weâve endured many nights in the wilderness already, why donât we find a hostel and enjoy ourselves. My stomachâs been protesting nonstop during this period and we can also take the chance to clean ourselves. Even if you want to bring me back for severing or beheading, at least let me enjoy a full meal before dying!â
Getting a nod from White River, the two found a seemingly clean hostel and entered the place after handing their horses off to a waiter.
The town wasnât very big by any means, but this hostel did fairly well when it came to boarding. Picking out a spot furthest inside the dining hall with a window opening, Du Wei ordered a wide variety of dishes to cover the table. It seems it wasnât just Du Wei whoâs in a fine mood today because this Mr. White also shared a toast with him. Something that didnât happen often on this journey.
Taking advantage of the fact that the sunâs about to set in the west now, Du Wei took the opportunity to suggest that they lodge here for the night. Getting the agreement from White River easily, Du Wei was just about to call a waiter over to book their rooms when the sound of some footsteps caught their ears. Coming in from outside the dining hall: âWhat, you still not giving up? We fought six times and you lost all six times. Even if we continue to fight thereâs no meaning to it.â
The voice was calm and indifferent, but it was also vaguely familiar. A second later, Du Weiâs eye brightened for he knew who it was!
Immediately, from the front door first came in a middle-aged man. The person was of thin build, wearing an ordinary martial robe that looked plain and simple with his hair randomly bundled up with a rope. The man didnât come armed with a weapon and his right hand was always hidden inside the sleeve. Nevertheless, the person had a handsome face that looked peaceful at first glance. But then, once you look up to those eyes, it was deep with meaning like he could take on the world.
This man was the one and only one-handed Saint Class Knight, Rodriguez!!
Back when Du Wei was heading for the capital, he had sent Old Smoke back to Loulan City to get help. Back and forth, the help didnât even arrive yet and Du Wei was already snatched away by White River.
As fate would have it, the two parties wound up bumping into each other in this small little town like it was destined.
Seeing Rodriguez, Du Weiâs scheming characteristic instantly flared up. Looking through the entire world, the only possible candidates to rescue him from the grasp of this old monster would have to be a Saint Class warrior. Though barely, but Rodriguez should be passable for this task. Heâs not going to expect the knight to defeat this old monster, but saving himself and making a run for it should be enough.
Upon entering the hostel, Rodriguez was followed up with several more people from the back.
The first one to follow would naturally be Du Weiâs guard captain, Old Smoke. Then the second one to come inside was a lady with long silver hair and a tall stature. This girl had an extremely hot body with an enchanting face, but this was all marred by the fact that she carried a fierceness that would drive any man away. Aside from this, she didnât carry any weapons like Rodriguez, only a green flute tugged away on her waist.
Naturally, this person would be Green Hatâs disciple, Joanna, or better known as JoJo to her closest kin!
Finding JoJo here also, Du Wei was a little surprised by this.
So, what happened was that after Rodriguez received news about Du Wei needing aid in the capital, he immediately set off with Old Smoke. However, when he was passing through the capital of the Nuling Province, he accidentally met JoJo there.
Finding out it was Du Wei who gave Rodriguez the order, this violent sorceress took the opportunity and ditched the stuffy residence at Governor Bohanâs place. Itâs not like Bohan didnât treat Joanna and the magic apprentices at his place well, in fact, he worshipped them like deities. Catering to their every need, gathering every material they asked for, nothing was impossible.
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But the problem was, after the peace talk with the prairie natives, the Northwest Army, for some unknown reasons, became complacent again and didnât rouse up any trouble during this period. Without action or danger ahead, JoJo can only idly stand around doing nothing, leaving her extremely bored. Sure, she had the magic apprentices to torture, but even that sort of amusement would wear off eventually. It must be mentioned, JoJo may be rough and violent at times, but she did have her own style when it came to training people. Through her careful and brutal tutelage, the overall strength of the magic apprentices that went with her to Bohanâs place had soared like never before. Just as she was moping around after losing all interest in her surroundings, thatâs when she met Rodriguez. Guessing immediately at why Du Wei would summon a powerful knight like Rodriguez to the capital, JoJo knew thereâs bound to be some amusing things happening at wherever they are going. As such, she ditched everything at Bohanâs place and tagged along for the ride.
Rodriguezâs personality was calm and kind to begin with, vastly different from the violent and ruthless Hussein. Against the forceful and overbearing Joanna, he simply couldnât say no. Not to mention, who doesnât know in the Dukeâs residence that this Miss Joanna shared the same magic teacher as the Duke! Moreover, the future Duchess was this ladyâs younger sister. With that level of intimate relationship with the duke himself, how can Rodriguez refuse such a person?
Itâs definitely true that Du Wei wasnât expecting to find JoJo here today, but sheâs not the one that surprised him the most.
When Rodriguez first entered the hostel, the words he said werenât directed at JoJo, but someone else further behind!
Coming in after Joanna, another stalwart looking young man also came inside.
Wearing a standard warrior outfit with a cape fluttering in the back to match his long hair, this was the man that Rodriguez was referring to: âMr. Rodriguez, itâs not like we are competing against each other. To lose to you six times only means that your Ice Dou Qi is far superior to my own! The reasoning for my travel is to improve myself. Though you and I donât agree on many things, but as a warrior yourself, you should understand my heart of wanting to pursue the martial path!â
Once this young man came inside, he followed up to Rodriguez and said: âTo be able to meet a strong master like you is too rare of an opportunity to ignore. Unless you kill me, I wonât go anywhere.â
Just the demeanor and tone of this person was enough to startle Du Wei, but once he got a clearer picture of the manâs face, he can only think of one word: absurd!
Wearing a metal mask that only showed his mouth, if this wasnât the young general of the Northwest Army, Cybuster, then who else can it be?!
Rodriguez only frowned at that reasoning, but he didnât get angry or impatient. Instead, he replied with a mild tone: âYoung general, I would of course understand the heart of a warrior, but Iâm on business here, hardly the time to be teaching. If you are interested, then wait until Iâm finished with my task and Iâll personally make a visit to the Watt fortress.â
Still shaking his head: âHow can I just leave with such a good chance in front of me. I may have lost to you six times in a row, but I also gained more insight with every battle. I wonât cause any delay for you, just pretend Iâm a guest thatâs sending you guys off to the capital. Once we are there, Iâll take my leave and stop entwining myself.â
Rodriguez didnât even get a chance to speak when Joanna interjected due to impatience. Staring at the young general with a bit of gloom in her voice: âHow can a person like you be so annoying! Seriously, Iâve never seen anyone that likes to get beat up so much! You say you wonât delay us, but just the fact that you keep tangling with us have delayed us far longer than what we would like! If you continue to be so thick skinned and not leave, then donât blame me for not warning you. Mr. Rodriguez may be kind enough to not harm you, but Iâm not him! If I donât like you then watch and see if I wonât turn you into a popsicle. I donât care if you are a general or not, if I want to kill someone then they are dead meat, humph!!â
As she says this, JoJo was already folding up her sleeves with her chest puffed out: âDidnât you like to fight?! Come on then, letâs get on with it. Iâll send you flying with one finger. What Ice Dou Qi, Iâd like to see it!â She shouts with clear disdain in her voice.
Seeing the tyrannical Joanna, Cybuster smiled and took several steps backward. Slightly making a bow in the knightâs standard, he slowly spoke: âDear lady, I am a knight, how can I possibly face a lady like yourself. Moreover, your strength may be respectable, but my goal this time isnât with you. I only want to raise the level of my Ice Dou Qi⊠If I were to practice magic in the future then I will most certainly seek your advice.â At that, he stands there with his hands tucked to his sides, completely ignoring Joannaâs challenge.
JoJo immediately became furious, her eyes turning cold: âHumph, you ungrateful deadbeat. What escorting us to the capital, more like you are afraid of going into the city. Your Northwest Army is nothing but full of treasonous rebels. If you take one step inside the capital then you will definitely be arrested and hanged on the spot!â
As soon as her words came out, Rodriguez, Old Smoke, and Cybuster, all three of them looked somewhat unnatural at this point. Although its common knowledge now among the higher ups that the Northwest Army and court are on odd terms, but nominally they are still part of the imperial army. Everyone may be aware of this fact, but that paper between the window has never been pierced yet.
Hearing that accusation, Cybuster didnât dare delay and quickly rebuked this claim: âDear sorceress, what you say there is not right now. My father is faithful to the empire, even the regent himself gave my father a commendation. What rebel, thatâs utter nonsense!â