The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 110 Threat

Chapter 110 Threat
"Which one?"

Although it wasn't late at night, it certainly wasn't too early, and Tang Qi couldn't imagine who would come knocking on his door at this hour.

Fortunately, Chuck didn't give him too much time to think and responded directly:
"Your friend, that chubby young nobleman—"

And there was another one, well, an even more obese gentleman.

Long Jincheng will not be punished for 'slandering the nobility'.

The law protects the private property of nobles, but it does not favor serving the nobles.

But if you're targeted by nobles, especially those wealthy and vengeful gentlemen, it's like having a pile of dog poop stuck to you—they'll definitely trip you up where you least expect it.

For example, they could hire adventurers or thugs from the Red Scarf Gang to cause trouble at the shop.

These people are taken to the jail and released after ten minutes by paying for their release as nobles, and then they are released to cause trouble.

The status of 'noble' was equivalent to prestige, which was one of their few privileges.

So Chuck didn't dare to speak too loudly, and his voice gradually became softer and softer:

"I can't figure out what they're up to, but they've brought a scary group of mercenaries with them, and they specifically asked to see you—"

In short, why don't you go downstairs and take a look?

It turns out that it's not that we're afraid of someone being ugly, but that we're afraid of someone lacking distinctiveness.

Tang Qi almost instinctively realized that the one who could be even more bloated than the little white pig could only be the lord of Starplum Town, Mel Barry.

"So, we really couldn't avoid running into each other..."

Now that he had brought his people all the way to Longjin City, it was impossible for them to ignore him.

I just didn't expect him to arrive so quickly:

"How was he able to leave Longjin City? Was martial law lifted?"

"I heard that although they were unable to collect taxes from some resident adventurers, the council had other ways to collect them, so they simply let it go."

Considering that the orcs were heading towards Starplum Town, and that martial law was suddenly lifted the day after Merard arrived in Dragongold City, Tang Qi found it hard not to think about the connection between these events.

But his legs were still a little weak, and he didn't really want to go downstairs on his own initiative.

Having Chenxi help him over made him appear inferior in terms of presence.

After hesitating for a moment, he said to the door:

"Have him come up to me."

"Wouldn't that be inappropriate? After all, he is a nobleman."

"If he doesn't want to, then let him wait downstairs until I finish my meal before we talk about it."

Although the description of "Super Energy" is "accelerates the recovery efficiency of Sage Mode", it also feels like it has a certain effect on restoring stamina.

After all, no one wants to take a shower when they are 'tired'.

Eating something to ensure you're in a good state of mind is also a way to calmly deal with disagreements or conflicts that arise.

However, this move is bound to provoke Lord Mel's displeasure—

As Tang Qi and Chen Xi walked down the stairs together, they saw the bloated Mr. Mel, whose belly looked like he was pregnant with quintuplets. They also noticed his furrowed brows and irritable expression.

A wild boar, its head adorned with gold and silver, was panting impatiently, grunting loudly.

No wonder he didn't want to go upstairs.

Tang Qi even had some doubts about whether this wild boar, with his physique, would still have the strength to speak by the time he climbed to the second floor of the inn.

In comparison, Merard beside him is more adorable.

As for the six mercenaries, just by looking at their plate armor, you could tell they were paid a hefty commission...

"They look quite skilled."

Chenxi said this,
"But he's a bit worse than me."

This made Tang Qi feel somewhat at ease.

Mel had never met Donch, but he had heard about Melard's descriptions.

Black hair and black eyes are actually quite rare in this world.

At least most human hair is brownish-black, occasionally showing a light brown sheen in sunlight.

So much so that he recognized the bard at a glance.

He was snorting heavily through his nose; his patience had clearly reached its limit.
"I've never met anyone I've waited this long for!"

"So now you've encountered it."

"Is this the tone you use when speaking to nobles?!"

Mel slammed his hand on the dining table in the hall with a "bang" and shouted.

"No, of course not."

He thought Tang Qi was showing weakness and was satisfied with the authority he was displaying.

Until Tang Qi uttered his next sentence:
"That's the tone I use when I talk to wild boars."

"Son of the beach, how dare you insult a nobleman like this?!"

Tang Qi raised an eyebrow, feigning a sudden realization:

"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir."

Please forgive me for not recognizing you as a nobleman.

After all, in my mind, nobles are always refined people who speak politely, are knowledgeable, and know good manners, not those who roar like a wild boar the moment they open their mouths—well, a wild boar.”

"you--"

In a fit of anger, Mel stood up straight, but his large body made him lose his balance and he almost fell to the ground.

Fortunately, Merard stepped forward to help, using his broad back to steady his father's center of gravity, thus preventing the Barry family from losing face in front of so many outsiders.

But the little white pig was too shocked to speak—

He understood that Tang Qi would never agree to 'replace the protagonist,' which is why he chose to bring his father along to negotiate.

Who would have thought he wouldn't even give his father face!

Tang Qi was well aware of Mel's thoughts.

Making a nobleman wait too long could incur his anger.

However, the other party was more interested in making a preemptive strike to gain the upper hand in the subsequent conversation.

But the worst thing he could have done was to engage in banter with a bard.

Now that his aura had overwhelmed his opponent, there was no need to keep pressing the issue. Tang Qi quickly softened his tone:
“But I am willing to believe that you are a nobleman, after all, I am quite familiar with your young master. So I apologize for questioning your identity.”

Mel couldn't stand the sarcasm. He wanted to explode in anger and order the mercenaries behind him to draw their swords.

At least I should scare that damned poet a little, so that I don't look so pathetic.

But when he thought of what the other party had previously mentioned about the 'decency' that nobles should maintain, he had no choice but to swallow his anger.

He is a true aristocrat, not some country farmer who only sells plums!

He should certainly maintain his aristocratic demeanor and demonstrate his refinement!

So even if there's a feeling of frustration inside, like 'being stuffed with a lump of food but having to pretend to swallow it with relish'.

But Mel still forced a smile, trying to project an air of composure.

He gritted his teeth, practically forcing the words out from between them, and emphasized:

"Of course, as a 'well-mannered' nobleman, I forgive your rudeness."

Melard blinked.

How could this be?
Why wasn't the father angry?
Is this the same person he remembers as his father?
Or is it that only by communicating in this way can we get him to listen to our advice and express his thoughts on an equal footing?
So from a same-sex perspective—is the father actually the submissive one?
Tang Qi, too lazy to understand the thoughts of the father and son, simply asked:
"So, Lord Mel, there must be a reason why you came to the inn so late at night and specifically asked for me."

I have other things to do, so why don't we get straight to the point?

"of course."

Mel couldn't wait to settle things and return to his mansion.

It's better to stay here and get half-dead from a foul-mouthed poet.

He first winked at Chuck, who was watching.

The latter was not Tang Qi; they still needed Long Jincheng for food, so he quickly called his wife and daughter into the kitchen.

Several other fully armed mercenaries walked to the inn's entrance and stood guard to ensure that no outsiders would overhear their subsequent conversation:
“First of all, I am very grateful that you were able to escort my son back—you are clearly more capable than the useless mercenaries I hired.”

"If it's just about expressing some verbal thanks, I don't think it's worth wasting time."

"of course not."

Mel coughed twice, and the little white pig beside him quickly took out the prepared money bag and handed it to Tang Qi:

"Here are two hundred gold coins—that includes what I owe you!"

Tang Qi weighed the money pouch in his hand, and didn't think that a dignified tycoon like the [Star Plum Tycoon] would cheat on such a small amount of money.

"So, you think his life is only worth 200 gold coins? Is it more valuable than a case of your wine?"

“Without my son, you would never have been able to emerge from the Dawn Forest, would you?”

Mel wasn't short of money, but he couldn't let himself be blackmailed.
"If you're not satisfied with this reward, perhaps you could consider this deal—"

I heard you're trying to write a book about this trip, is that right?

"I have this idea."

"I hope you will change the protagonist of the story to my son, and preferably elaborate on his leadership to highlight his importance to the entire team."

I will use the entire Barry family's channels to promote your book and promise you 20% of the sales revenue.

Of course, all of this is on the premise that the content you write is worth promoting.

If you don't have the ability, I can pay 300 gold coins as a buyout fee, and then I'll hire other poets to write about this experience—and all you have to do is keep quiet.”

Tang Qi didn't even think about it:

"impossible."

"You can propose a price that satisfies both of us."

"There's no need for that. Even if you sold Merard to me, it wouldn't make a difference."

"Why? This is a sure-fire way to make money. My child gains fame from it, and you earn a commission."

With your own strength as an outsider, you can't possibly convince a publisher to promote your book.

No matter how wonderful your story is, it's worthless if no one can see it.

This is indeed the most reasonable thing Mel has said so far.

Tang Qi could even foresee that even if he convinced the publisher and published the book,

The feedback received is probably minimal.

At least in the short term, he is unlikely to see any gains.

But he still had to do it—

[Gain fame and more rewards.]

He needs fame.

It's not just about gaining fame among adventurers through taking on adventures and accepting quests.

These adventurers love to boast about their adventures, but rarely want to hear others boast about their adventures.

Unless they accomplish something as great as saving a city, very few adventure teams can achieve fame and fortune.

This made it necessary to try to 'use writings to spread stories and expand influence'.

Fame doesn't come to you on its own.

He is even less likely to relinquish the benefits of his reputation:
"If it's just for something so boring—I'm not interested."

If it weren't for the fear that Tang Qi might use his singing gig to spread rumors and damage the family's reputation, Mel wouldn't have wasted a single drop of his breath.

This was, after all, the thing that these bards were most passionate about and could most easily do.

So he had no choice but to do this:

Are you sure you want to reject this deal?

I advise you to think this through carefully.

Tang Qi understood his unspoken meaning and narrowed his eyes.

Meanwhile, Melard, who was huddled to the side, suddenly felt the atmosphere become increasingly heavy.

So much so that when he looked around, he caught a glimpse of the guards watching over the inn.

They had already quietly gripped the hilts of their swords and were slowly approaching Tang Qi inside the inn.

They had to wait for their employer's orders.

The air grew increasingly still.

Like a taut bowstring.

Tang Qi pondered for a moment and said:
"So, you're threatening me?"