The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 180 Racing Against Time (6k)

Exhausted, Tang Qi did not fall asleep this time.

Through the communication of the [Heart Ring], despite the great distance, the little dragon was summoned to his side.

To prevent Xiaolong from being forcibly taken away, Tang Qi kept it roaming freely in the wilderness, using the ring to confirm each other's safety.

Now Leon has given him time to think, allowing him to temporarily set aside these concerns.

But when Iu circled over the windowsill and landed by the bed, staring blankly at the two pale humans on the bed with its large amber eyes, it looked confused and strange:

"Ugh?"

Tang Qi still found it hard to accept that this little dragon's body carried the soul of a supreme spellcaster.

After all, the baby dragons don't really seem that smart.

Perhaps it will only be able to revive its original memories as it grows?
"Why does this look so familiar..."

Tang Qi scratched his head, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

His movement startled Catherine, who rubbed her eyes in a daze.

"Are you leaving now?"

Tang Qi asked:

"So even though you're urging me to leave, you're unwilling to mention Ambiya to me?"

Catherine paused slightly, then asked, "What is it?"

"Still pretending?"

"When the captain of the guard took Ambiya away, he wasn't very harsh. I visited her afterward, and perhaps because of you, the guards didn't mistreat her..."

Realizing that Tang Qi knew the truth, Catherine could only bury her head in the blankets.
"I thought about whether I should tell you, but Amby told me not to, because she was afraid of causing you trouble."

But does trouble simply disappear if you don't talk about it?
Tang Qi realized that neither Catherine nor Ambly thought it was a big deal.

The captain of the guard may have told them this:
"It's just that Longjin City encountered some unexpected circumstances and needs to check every beastman. If there are no problems, they will be sent back..."

In reality, they didn't know that this beast-like attack was just a pretext; their real purpose was to take Ambiya away and use her as leverage against them.

Therefore, leaving now might be the best time.

In fact, Tang Qi only had two choices.

Should we hand over Xiaolong?

But it's clear that the 'Eve' represented by Little Dragon seems to hold a secret about the entire Golden Kingdom, and keeping it and recording it in the log will surely bring the greatest rewards.

Once you choose Stella, all you need to do is pack your bags and take Dawn and Iu with you.

To leave quietly while everyone else is oblivious, thus avoiding any external guilt.

Perhaps he could travel around the Eastern Continent, then head west, board a passenger ship back to the Tyran Empire, and, with Stella's protection, make a name for himself at the Poets' Academy, living a life of fame and glory.

When he returns to Dragon Gold City decades later, Anbi will have been reborn with Stella's help, and everything he has now will remain unchanged.

Has nothing changed?
He felt something was missing:
"Sounds good, easy and pleasant."

"What's good?" Catherine asked, noticing Tang Qi's serious expression.

"My retirement life."

Tang Qi laughed,

“When the whole world sings my name, I should perhaps hold a grand banquet. I should have Merlin paint a picture, pointing to the golden oak tree in Starplum Town, and at the banquet tell every descendant who admires me, ‘Look, this is where I began.’”

"The banquet should be filled with my Star Plum Wine."

"of course."

"But we need to hide all the wine before the banquet starts, lest Mr. Stone drinks it all. However, Kuru probably won't be interested in the banquet, so we'll need to buy him more books to keep him entertained during that boring time."

Catherine joined in the daydreaming.
"I haven't seen them for a while. I thought Kuru came back with you, but I didn't see it when I knocked on its door yesterday."

"They are in the underground city."

Oh yes.

There are also gravel and kuru.

I almost forgot about those two guys.

While he savored the fine wine and indulged in tenderness, the two of them seemed to still be struggling in the dark, sunless underground city.

Having run out of supplies, will we be left with nothing but wild grass to survive?
Tang Qi was terrified.

He quickly took a bite of the pork chop bun on the bedside table; although it was cold, it would replenish his sugar and energy.

"Yes, they will definitely be at the banquet."

In the form of a tombstone.

He might deliberately build Kuru's tombstone higher than the rubble.

Let the dwarf's soul also start cursing.

However, Kuru's soul would probably beg him not to do it.

That kobold is incredibly cowardly; it died alongside the dwarf, and might even be afraid of being beaten with its own soul.

But it's best not to come looking for yourself.

You were the one who said, "It takes almost a hundred years from meeting someone to becoming friends."

We've only known each other for three months, we're not friends yet. You can't expect me to risk my life to go to the dungeon to see you one last time, can you?

And Kuru, I saved your 'ancestor'. You admire Iu so much, you should forgive my departure, right?
At worst, I'll burn a few more books for you to pass on to, so you won't be too bored after you die.

You can understand me, right? After all, I don't have that many underwater breathing agents to take you all with me on a three-day trip in the deep sea.

The only one to blame is that lion; it was the one who ordered the underground city sealed off.

But don't worry, I will carry on your legacy and continue the adventure.

When I meet other companions along the way, I'll tell them jokes about the dwarves and stories about the witty ones...

Do you know what your expression looks like right now?

Catherine poked Tang Qi's brow and couldn't help but laugh.

"like what?"

Tang Qi barely came to his senses, opened his mouth, and asked hesitantly.

"Like those drafts you write—you can't help but crumple them up like your face right now, and after hesitating for a long time, you throw them into the trash can with a 'thud'."

“Rejected drafts? No, they are not rejected drafts.”

Tang Qi felt the skin in his palm was smooth and soft; it seemed that [Superhuman Energy] was working again.
"My mind was a mess at the time, and I had a lot of good ideas, so I had to choose one. It was a painful choice."

"But you always manage to choose the right idea, which is what makes the Guide what it is today, isn't it?"

"But I can't guarantee that every idea will be correct."

"So you do care about this after all?"

Catherine exclaimed in surprise,

"I thought you always did whatever came to mind. You never had the concept of 'failure' in your mind."

For example, in Starplum Town, you clearly had an easier option, but you still risked leading the entire town to evacuate…

That's because I'm confident of success.

Tang Qi couldn't help but sigh.

This time, they will face a sworn enemy, a kingslayer, a legendary figure who wields immense power.

What's the difference between relying solely on your own resources and those of Chenxi and sending yourself to your death?
In this situation, it would be better to become the 'predetermined champion' planned by Stella...

"Pre-selected champion?"

Tang Qi blinked, then suddenly sat up.
"I still have a letter..."

Seeing his mind racing, Catherine knew he was plotting something again.

This means he has made a decision.

This also means that he is really about to leave.

But she doesn't want it to be now.

So she clung to his arm, her smooth fingertips hooking around his neck:

Can I think about it tomorrow?

Tang Qi pulled the covers over himself: "That will take a long time to think about."

He didn't lie.

Because he thought about it from late at night until dawn.

My thoughts drifted from the bedside to the bedroom door.

As the commotion and noise of the long night subsided, Tang Qi kicked open Merlin's door—

"How's the painting coming along?"

Merlin's room was located on the second floor, and it was a small, separate room.

The artist, who has been working on the artwork for "The Guide to Longjin City" lately, has been sporting dark circles under his eyes and looking quite listless the whole time.

Especially after catching a glimpse of Tang Qi, he felt even more resentful towards his employer who had caused him no peace all night:
"Too slow! I think next time you could go to the beach, that way you won't disturb my creative process!"

"no more chance."

Merlin realized what was happening: "You're planning to leave?"

“That’s right, but before that, I have to ask you a question—you must be very good at large-scale painting, right?”

"Of course, you probably haven't seen it. When I was painting [Radiant Star] in Starplum Town, the canvas was so big that it could cover the entire courtyard—'Only in this way can its brilliance be revealed,' these are Lord Mel's exact words."

“Great, then drawing hot air balloons shouldn’t be a problem for you.”

"A hot air balloon? You're going to leave in one of those things? It's romantic, but—isn't that a bit slow?"

"Just do as I ask."

As Tang Qi spoke, he slapped a stack of manuscripts onto Merlin's table.
"Also, when you go out later, please talk to Boss [Lame Pigeon] about the printing of the 'Dragon Gold City Guide' and write down the requirements."

"So you're trying to make a quick buck before you leave?"

Merlin scratched his afro, took Tang Qi's request, and hesitated before speaking.
"Hiss—but your request..."

"Isn't it okay?"

"It's not that it's impossible, but rather—it's very daring."

"If this is done, you should know better than me how well the guide will sell."

"Then my dividends should increase accordingly, since I have also taken on the risks."

"Discuss the money issue with Catherine."

"Hey, I might get tricked into losing money by her!"

"That's your problem."

As Tang Qi spoke, he climbed down from the attic, not forgetting to remind everyone before leaving.
Whether or not I can help you pay off your debts depends on this one vote.

"and many more!"

Merlin called out hastily,
Do we really have that much money?

……

"You want to borrow money from me?"

Merard stood outside his manor gate, sucking on a white pig-shaped popsicle, looking quite embarrassed.
"What's it for?"

"Printing, and also purchasing a hot air balloon."

"A hot air balloon? I've never been in one before, can I try it too?"

"Why don't you take a look at your own body shape?"

"Hey, I've already lost three pounds!" Tang Qi frowned as he looked at his protruding belly.
"Do you believe that you can lose another five pounds just by going to the toilet right now?"

Melard pouted, clearly dissatisfied with Tang Qi's attitude:

"You came to me to borrow money, can't you show me any respect?"

"Hasn't your old man given you the respect you want?" Tang Qi asked curiously.

"Oh, speaking of which—you would never guess how angry he was when he first discovered I was rummaging through his secret stash of money."

Merard rubbed his bottom, but couldn't help groaning twice.

A blush crept onto his fair face, making him appear just a touch shy of being roasted like a suckling pig.

"But when the nobles at his ball began to talk about the Guidebook, he started patting each of them on the shoulder—"

"My son sponsored the publication of 'The Guide,'" he would say proudly.

Only when truth is mixed with a certain amount of falsehood can it avoid being cursed by the world and recognized as 'history'.

Therefore, Tang Qi did not write extensively about the deeds of the nobility in the "Guide".

Otherwise, the old wild boar probably wouldn't have reacted this way—this guy is very concerned about his reputation, and after being scolded that time, he probably felt ashamed and never came to cause trouble again.

"Then I'll tell you some good news," Tang Qi said. "Your territory will be liberated soon."

You know about this kind of inside information?

“Catherine’s land is only enough for the Golden Oak to be self-sufficient. The price of Star Plum may drop later, but it will only mean you earn less, not lose money.”

Tang Qi looked at the little white pig in front of him, who already had the air of a 'acting head of the family', and thought that if he were to become the lord, he would probably be somewhat different from Mel.

Even if the difference isn't significant, it's still better than severing the Achilles tendons of the people—

Their family's reputation is already at rock bottom; any development they make will only lead to improvement.

"So money is still a problem for you? Don't let me down when it comes to funding."

Melard complained with a bitter face:
"But we haven't received our sales revenue from last month yet, and what we've earned will have to be reinvested in the promotion of our next book."

Although the "Guide" was a minor hit in Longjincheng for a while, it will take some time for the funds to return.

"If I received it, would I need to borrow it from you?"

Tang Qi slapped the list of plans onto his stomach in an annoyed manner.

"No promotion is needed for the next book."

Upon closer inspection, Merard saw the popsicle he was biting down on fall to the ground as his teeth loosened their grip.
"Are you really playing?"

Tang Qi said with certainty:
"Believe me, if this is done, even if you tell your father that you frequent the Brothers Club, he'll hand you a whip and say, 'Young Master, please come in.'"

"I still prefer someone else to be holding the whip."

Merard muttered,

"But you should know how much trouble this will cause, right?"
With the dragon cavalry there, our hot air balloon will be pierced and popped by their spears—"

……

"who are you?"

Orion Silver Shield, leading the defense forces of the upper city and stationed at the Deep Well mine, realized that his cavalry had been deceived.

Even he suddenly realized that his daughter had actually returned to the surface of the earth—

After all, the knight before them was wearing a full-body skirt of plate armor, and even his cloak was embroidered with the emblem of a silver shield.

This was a birthday gift he gave to his daughter.

Wearing such a set of plate armor, it's already difficult to tell his identity.

Not to mention, she also had a eloquent bard by her side:
“A bard with black hair and black eyes, that’s not a common sight.”

Orion snorted coldly and commanded his cavalry to surround the two men.
“I heard about you from Wendy; you dealt with the necromancer who put her in danger.”

But clearly, that's not a reason for you to impersonate her.

What makes people angry is not despair.

Instead, they watched helplessly as hope turned into despair the moment they realized it was coming.

Just like he thought his daughter had escaped from the underground city.

It's like discovering now that the other party is an imposter.

Before him stood a man clad in armor, sporting a striking head of blond hair and a goatee, sword in hand, ready to strike.

Tang Qi stepped forward, standing in front of Chen Xi, having no intention of further provoking the father:

"Forgive my recklessness and cunning, but this is the only way I can see you."

How did you get this armor?

"Getting the [Silver Medal] first and reaching the treasure vault is enough."

Orian never expected that the gift he had carefully prepared would not only fail to reach his daughter, but would instead become a pretext used by others to deceive him.

"A bunch of trash!"

He couldn't help but glare at his cavalry and demand an explanation.

How did you convince my soldiers?

"In order to save time and avoid ineffective conversations, some little tricks were used."

Tang Qi pointed to his eyes.

"【The Art of Making Friends】. You should be fairly familiar with that, right?"

Orion's gaze sharpened. He remained silent for a minute, realizing he hadn't yet been affected by the spell, before looking Tang Qi up and down:

"Do you know the consequences of using bewitching spells on others without authorization in Dragon Gold City?"

"I understand that committing the crime of unauthorized use of magic requires seeking compensation and serving time. In serious cases, one could be detained all the way to the Southern Wall. But as I said before, wouldn't it be better to skip these pleasantries to save time?"

"You want to meet me?"

Orion looked disgusted.

Perhaps it was the ban on visiting brothels for free that led to the Flying Dragon Cavalry being almost completely infiltrated by the Brothers Club, making him extremely sensitive.

Fortunately, Tang Qi quickly dispelled his thoughts:
"I've come for your daughter, Wendy."

Are you here to humiliate me?

"On the contrary, I know that the flames of worry have reached your eyebrows, so please give me a chance."

Tang Qi maintained a sincere attitude.

"Open the dungeon and let me bring her back."

Do you know what happened in the dungeon?

"Endless darkness, an endless stream of monsters, and a large number of living, dead adventurers."

"You're very brave, but what's your purpose in doing this?"

Orion's overly sincere attitude made him feel like a pig that was rooting up for cabbages.

"What's your relationship with her?"

“My friend—not just her, but two other companions—was also trapped in the underground city. I must rescue them.”

"remarkably brave."

Orion admired this kind of person, and he also ordered the soldiers surrounding Tang Qi to lower their guard.

"But I can't open the entrance to the deep well."

Even if your daughter is still alive?

Orion clenched his fists, almost forcing the words out from between his teeth:

"This sealed gate is filled with a large number of disordered and chaotic spores. It is my duty to prevent them from leaking out of the deep well."

“I have a way to suppress their activity and prevent them from leaking out.”

"Who can testify? Who can vouch for us?"

Orion shook his head.
"Go and tell that to the lord."

Please leave now.

Considering your past record, I can let you off the hook.

As a masked lord wielding real power, he must always clearly distinguish between favor and responsibility.

When faced with most choices, he can prioritize affection above all else.

However, when it comes to principles, he cannot afford to show even a shred of compassion.

Once the boundaries are crossed, the price will be the destruction of the city.

Realizing he couldn't reach the underground city through the official route, Tang Qi couldn't help but sigh.

After all, once he crosses this gate, he will have the chance to encounter adventurers, which will help him quickly find the trail of the rubble and Kuru.

If we take another side road, it will inevitably take longer.

But he had no other choice:
"What if I really did bring Miss Wendy back to the surface?"

"What do you mean?"

Tang Qi took a letter out of the package and handed it to Orion.

Those were letters that had been placed in the treasure chest along with the plate armor—

To my best daughter Wendy:

happy Birthday.

—The father who loves you most in the world.

"If I really bring her back, I hope you will remember this favor."

Orion hesitated as he watched Tang Qi's departing figure.

For a fleeting moment, he actually began to fantasize about that future.

He imagined his beloved daughter breaking down the sealed stone door, rushing to his side, and saying, "It's so dark down there."

But that bright future was so dazzling that he feared it was just a fragile illusion.

What is frightening is not despair.

It was the moment when he watched helplessly as hope was tainted by shadows, shrouding his heart.

Orion realized that he was so terrified that he didn't even dare to dream.

But Tang Qi dared:

"How can you call yourself an adventurer if you don't take risks?"

He pulled up the hood and veil of the [Manta Ray Cloak], revealing Dawn, whose body had been repaired with restorative glue, and the bewildered little dragon, and leaped into the water, splashing as they darted like nimble fish into the depths of the inner sea—

His expertise as a guide ensures he never gets lost on familiar roads.

The excellent sense of direction he gained made him much more agile when he was swimming than when he left the dungeon.

"We must get to the underground city as quickly as possible..."

There are only six days left until the bi-monthly feast.

Once this limit is crossed, Anbi will be executed the moment her beastly transformation becomes uncontrollable.

The Silver Medal, sealed in the dungeon, must also be facing a shortage of resources.

Tang Qi understood that he had to race against time.

He minimized his rest as much as possible.

When he saw the endless spores spreading into the deep water and obscuring Tang Qi's vision, he used the radiance of the Ring of Glory to dispel the darkness of magic.

While mentally counting down the seconds, I estimated the time that had elapsed:
"Damn it, there are only four days left."

(End of this chapter)