Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

The guards did not lead Lin Gui to the magnificent castle.

Instead, they led him through several streets to the Guardian Training Camp located in the east of the city.

Even before we got close, the deafening shouts of drills and the clanging of clashing weapons filled the air.

And then came the sporadic sounds of magical bombardment mixed in.

The air was thick with the smell of sweat and dust.

As Lin Gui entered the bustling martial arts arena, he immediately spotted the city lord sitting on the high platform in the stands.

A middle-aged man of plump build, dressed in a luxurious silk robe.

Standing beside him was a solemn-looking knight commander.

Beside her stood the city lord's daughter, dressed in an elaborate lace dress and with exquisite makeup.

He was idly playing with his nails.

His face was full of impatience and reluctance, showing no interest in the sweat and hard work off the field.

Lin Gui looked at the captain of the guards who was leading the way with a strange expression.

The captain of the guards gave an awkward laugh and explained in a low voice.

"The city lord says... he would like you to first... prove your strength. Prove that you are capable of accepting that lucrative commission."

Lin Gui looked completely bewildered.

"I have to prove it myself?? Prove what?? Didn't he beg me to take the mission?"

The captain of the guards was even more embarrassed. He leaned close to Lin Gui's ear and spoke quickly in a very low voice.

"Oh dear, Master Lin Gui, don't you understand the temperament of nobles?"

"He always puts on that arrogant attitude! Even though he's the one begging you for a favor, he insists on making it seem like you're the one begging him and he's the one finding fault."

"The city lord has always considered adventurers to be a lowly profession, not worthy of respect, but because of that person..."

He secretly glanced at the young lady.

"...That little rascal is indeed in a hurry to go to Karan City."

"And since we in New Testament City really can't find any other high-level mages, that's why we came to you."

"Actually, besides you, the city lord has already assembled a knight guard led by the captain."

"Now all we need is a high-level mage who can handle threats in the wild to keep things in check."

"In the entire New Testament City, you are the only one who meets the requirements."

Lin Gui then understood and asked another question out of curiosity.

"Why is the city lord in such a hurry to send his daughter to Karan City? It's not safe there right now."

The captain of the guard pursed his lips and lowered his voice.

"It's just an old custom set by our ancestors, that is, to form a family alliance with a powerful noble family in Kalan City through marriage for generations."

"The city lord's wife came from there."

"Now that this young lady has reached the appropriate age, she must be sent over there to marry a noble young man."

"We want to hold on to this relationship so that our whole family can move to a big city like Karan in the future."

"After all, the Kuroshio Current will arrive in less than six months."

"If you have the ability, you'd like to go to a bigger city, since it's safer."

"Oh~"

Lin Gui suddenly realized.

Recalling the rumors about this spoiled and domineering young lady in New Testament City, he said with a touch of melancholy.

"That's good, saves us from continuing to wreak havoc in New Testament City."

The captain of the guard nodded secretly, deeply agreeing.

He glanced at the city lord on the high platform, who seemed to be getting impatient, and quickly whispered to Lin Gui.

"Lord Lin Gui, if you really don't want to take on this troublesome task..."

"During the test later, secretly throw the game a little, so we lose. That way, everyone can explain themselves."

Lin Gui nodded, quite satisfied with the arrangement.

There's no need to waste words directly on the city lord; you can simply throw a match and lose.

This shows that he is indeed "unrefined" as the city lord thought.

That way, you can easily get rid of this troublesome task—perfect.

"Oh, by the way, this is the payment for the test, regardless of whether it succeeds or fails."

As the captain of the guards spoke, he stuffed five shiny gold coins into Lin Gui's hand.

Lin Gui's eyes lit up immediately, and he skillfully put away the gold coins.

The slander against the city lord that I had in my heart instantly turned into sincere praise.

"Our city lord... is actually quite nice!"

Although he knew that this amount of money might only be the price of an afternoon tea snack for a nobleman.

"The test is simple. Just spar with that martial artist over there who came to apply for the job, and stop when you've made a mistake."

The captain of the guards pointed to an empty circle in the center of the training ground.

Lin Gui nodded and walked into the arena.

His appearance has already attracted some attention.

Those adventurers and veterans who knew him, in particular, whispered among themselves.

"Isn't that the Ghost Monk Lin, the messenger?"

"Why is he here?"

As Lin Gui walked, he pondered how to lose in a more natural way.

It doesn't seem too fake, but it perfectly conveys the feeling of being "less skilled than others."

Just then, a noticeable commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance of the training ground.

The shouts and training sounds that had been filling the air seemed to be pinched by an invisible hand, and quickly subsided.

Almost all eyes were involuntarily drawn to it.

A guard was seen leading a figure into the training ground.

The first thing that catches the eye is a simple traveler's cloak.

But the hood wasn't fully pulled up, and a few strands of silver hair, like flowing moonlight, playfully peeked out.

As she approached, the shadow of the hood could no longer conceal her stunning beauty.

Her skin was as white as the finest mutton fat jade.

Against the rugged backdrop of the training ground, a breathtaking purity is all the more apparent.

Her emerald green eyes seemed to shimmer with light as she looked around.

Her features were so exquisite that they resembled the most perfect masterpiece of the gods.

Every line is just right; any more would be too bold, any less would be too faint.

She walked quietly, yet she seemed to radiate light, illuminating the drab surroundings.

"A goddess has descended to earth..."

A young guard stared wide-eyed, oblivious to the fact that the training shield in his hand clattered to the ground.

"A spirit! It's a spirit!"

Another veteran, who had seen more of the world, stammered a low exclamation, his eyes filled with amazement.

"My God... I've never seen such a... such a beautiful person in my entire life..."

An adventurer muttered to himself, forgetting to wipe the sweat from his brow.

"She seems to be looking this way... My heart is racing..."

The other soldier instinctively straightened his back, his face turning bright red.

Even the city lord's daughter on the high platform, who had been showing little interest.

She couldn't help but sit up straight and look over curiously, a hint of barely perceptible jealousy flashing in her eyes.

The city lord and the knight commander were also clearly drawn to the attention and whispered among themselves.

The entire training ground seemed to have been muted, with only heavy breathing and suppressed gasps remaining.

All eyes were focused on the elven girl.

It was filled with awe, admiration, and disbelief.

I listened to the undisguised praise and gasps of admiration all around me.

Lin Gui's brow twitched suddenly, and an extremely ominous premonition surged into his heart.

He looked up and saw the figure being led by a guard toward the other side of the training ground.

Suddenly, his lifeless eyes drooped listlessly.

Although the eye color has turned into the common emerald green.

But that stunning silhouette and the ethereal quality unique to elves—who else could it be but Shia?!

Xia also saw Lin Gui in the arena, and her face instantly showed surprise and a little bit of guilt for being caught.

She seemed to have never expected to encounter Lin Gui here.

"Shia!"

Lin Gui shouted speechlessly, his voice standing out clearly in the suddenly quiet training ground.

"Didn't you say you were going out for a walk? How did you end up here?"

Shea was under the watchful eyes of many.

A little embarrassed, he jogged over to Lin Gui and whispered.

"Um... I was just thinking of making some pocket money while I had some free time. I can't really be eating dirt on the way to the City of Equality, can I?"

"I heard they say you get 5 gold coins just for participating in the test! Isn't that like picking up free money?"

"Just let them win and you get 5 gold coins! That's a steal!"

The more she talked, the more she felt her plan was flawless, and her eyes sparkled.

"Hey Lin Gui, you don't mean... you're thinking of taking this commission??"

Lin Gui: "…………"

He looked at the man in front of him, who was extremely excited about discovering the "secret to wealth".

The elven girl was completely unaware that she had become the center of attention.

Then think of the city lord on the high platform, waiting to watch the duel between the "masters".

And the 5 gold coins he had just received as "hush money" in his pocket...

Today's events probably won't end as he envisioned in a simple way.