Finally, at sunset.
Lin Gui forced the battered wooden door of the post office shut and hung up the "Closed" sign.
He shut out the noisy crowd.
Inside the shop, candlelight flickered.
Lin Gui sat tiredly beside a mountain-like pile of envelopes and began counting them.
Theia pinched her nose and disgustedly lifted the heavy, greasy cloth bag filled with copper coins using two fingers.
She began to estimate today’s "income."
"Over 1,600 letters..."
Lin Gui rubbed his throbbing brow; this number far exceeded his expectations.
"These filthy, sticky copper coins..."
Theia poured all the money from the bag onto the table.
Looking at the pile of copper coins that almost formed a small mountain, her face was filled with exasperation.
"All of this combined probably isn't even worth ten gold coins! Goodness, it’s not even a fraction of what I used to get for the simplest escort mission! Why don’t we just throw them away? Just looking at them makes me uncomfortable!"
She truly could not understand.
She wondered why Lin Gui would do something so thankless and exhausting for so little money.
With his strength, he could have lived a comfortable life by just taking a few high-priced commissions from nobles.
Lin Gui did not answer her directly; he only looked silently at the pile of copper coins that gave off a dull luster in the candlelight.
These rough coins, stained with sweat and grime, seemed to reflect faces filled with hope and humble pleas.
They also reminded him of himself many years ago, struggling to survive and scavenging for food in trash heaps.
In the dead of the night.
Lin Gui slung the heavy bag of copper coins over his shoulder.
After telling Theia, "I’m going out for a bit," he walked out of the post office alone.
He passed through the quiet streets and arrived at the dimly lit slums of New Covenant City.
Before he even drew close, he could see several thin figures from a distance.
They were carefully scavenging through trash heaps and corners by the faint moonlight.
They were looking for anything that might be exchanged for a bit of food.
Those street children saw him as well, instinctively shrinking back in caution at first.
Only after they clearly saw it was Lin Gui did their eyes show a hint of familiarity and relaxation.
Lin Gui walked over without a word.
He simply placed the heavy bag of copper coins from his shoulder gently before them.
The children froze, staring at the large bag of money.
Their eyes widened, and their breathing became rapid, yet no one dared to step forward.
Lin Gui squatted down, his voice calm.
"Take this money and split it among yourselves to buy some food and clothes."
He paused, looking at the children's unbelieving and longing eyes, then continued.
"Additionally, while I am away, I want to ask for your help; keep an eye on that newly opened post office on the main street for me."
"I don’t need you to do much, just help keep watch when you’re playing nearby."
His tone became a bit more serious.
"If anyone dares to cause trouble, like smashing windows or painting the walls, don’t go up to stop them; it’s too dangerous."
"You only need to quietly remember what they look like, how many of them there are, what they look like generally, and when they came."
"When I return, you can lead me to them. Is that alright?"
The children looked at one another, and eventually, the older boy nodded vigorously.
His eyes were filled with the excitement of being trusted and the gravity of a mission.
"Yes! Big Brother Lin Gui! We’ll remember! We promise to watch over the post office!"
Lin Gui smiled and patted his head.
He gave a few more instructions about staying safe before turning to leave.
When he returned to the post office, Theia was still wiping her elven longbow under the light.
She glanced at Lin Gui returning empty-handed and seemed to understand something.
She did not ask about the whereabouts of the bag of copper coins, only asking softly.
"Is it all arranged?"
"Yes." Lin Gui nodded. "We set out tomorrow morning."
At the same time, Lin Gui spoke to the system in his mind.
"System, end the retrieval early."
【Ding, Letter Retrieval has ended early.】
【Long-distance commission activated.】
【Long-distance itinerary: New Covenant City → Caran City → Withered Rift (Forbidden Zone) → Carter Royal Capital】
【Content: Escort 1,324 letters from home to Caran City; escort 348 letters from home to the Carter Royal Capital.】
【Weekly Commission updated.】
【Content: Escort 1,324 letters from home to Caran City.】
【Route: New Covenant City → Black Demon Forest → Audo Canyon → Caran City】
【Time Limit: 14 calendar days】
【Commission Completion Condition: Sign-off rate exceeding 70%.】
【Basic Reward: For every letter delivered, reward: random Novice Magic spell x1.】
【Extra Reward: Slight increase to magic control precision and mana capacity.】
【Risk Warning: Demon activity in the Black Demon Forest route is at 3%; demons are currently pitifully scarce, making it suitable for a direct crossing...】
...
The morning mist had not yet completely dispersed.
However, a small team had already gathered on the main street of New Covenant City, causing early-rising residents to stop and stare.
At the core of the team was a carriage that was decorated somewhat luxuriously but clearly had reinforced axles for a long journey.
The driver was a steady-looking veteran who was currently carefully checking the reins and wheels.
Surrounding the carriage were eight City Lord's manor guards on tall horses, fully armored and looking solemn.
Leading them was the Knight Commander, who scanned the surroundings with a sharp gaze, maintaining a high state of vigilance.
Lin Gui and Theia stood near the front of the team.
Lin Gui was still wearing his faded mage robe.
He carried his bulging backpack.
It was stuffed with the letters collected yesterday and necessary travel supplies.
Theia had changed into a set of leather armor that allowed for easy movement, with her elven longbow on her back and a full quiver.
Her silver hair was tied into a brisk ponytail, and her emerald eyes calmly observed the surroundings.
This combination looked somewhat peculiar.
A team of elite soldiers was escorting a carriage.
Yet, they were led by a seemingly penniless mage and a beautiful elven ranger.
"Hmph, dawdling around; just how much longer are you going to make me wait!"
The curtains of the carriage were pulled back by a hand wearing a silk glove.
The City Lord's daughter's face, filled with impatience, was revealed.
Her critical gaze swept over Lin Gui and Theia.
It lingered for a moment on Theia's exquisite face, flashing with a hint of unnoticeable jealousy.
"I really don’t know what Father was thinking, hiring these people of unknown origin..."
The Knight Commander frowned and spoke in a deep voice.
"My Lady, please remain calm."
"Mage Lin Gui and Lady Theia are guides and guards specifically hired by the City Lord; we need their professional expertise to cross the Black Demon Forest."
"Professional expertise?"
The young lady sneered, her voice low but clear enough to be heard.
"A mage who looks like a beggar and an elf who looks like a dancer? I think..."
Before she could finish, Theia’s gaze swept over indifferently.
That gaze was as calm as still water, yet it caused the young lady to feel a sudden, inexplicable chill.
She instinctively swallowed the rest of her sharp words and pulled the curtain down sullenly.
"Is everyone here? Let’s move out."
Seeing that there were no more issues, the Knight Commander gave the order.
The team slowly started, their horses' hooves and carriage wheels grinding against the bluestone road with crisp sounds.
They headed toward the city gate.
Passing pedestrians made way, looking at this team with complex gazes.
Some were envious, some were worried, and others whispered about the young lady's willfulness and the dangers of this journey.
Just as the team was about to pass through the city gate, several thin figures suddenly ran out from the roadside.
They were the street children from the slums from the previous night.
They stood timidly by the side of the road, not daring to approach the team, but they did their best to puff out their thin chests.
They waved their hands vigorously at Lin Gui, their eyes filled with a promise and a sense of "leave it to us."
Lin Gui gave them a slight nod.
Theia saw this too, and the corners of her mouth curled into a faint, nearly imperceptible smile.
Only the young lady inside the carriage pulled back a corner of the curtain again.
Seeing those children in rags, she knit her brows in disgust and muttered softly.
"How unlucky..."
Once they passed through the city gate, the scenery changed abruptly.
It was no longer the relatively safe territory of a city-state, but a wilderness filled with a faint sense of desolation and danger.
The Knight Commander rode his horse to Lin Gui and Theia’s side, his tone serious.
"Mage Lin Gui, Lady Theia, I will leave things in your hands from here. According to scout reports, the Black Demon Forest has been unusually quiet recently, but we must not be careless."
Lin Gui nodded, casting his gaze toward the dark forest in the distance that looked like a crouching giant beast, thinking to himself.
Silent? That’s because the "big guys" inside have all gone to blockade someone else’s door...
He took a deep breath and tightened his grip on his oak staff.
"Let's go."
The team officially stepped into the vast and peril-filled wilderness.
They advanced toward that unnaturally silent Black Demon Forest.
Rate on N.U.
