The First Order

Although the Battle of Sun City shocked the Kingdom of Sorcerers, only Ren Xiaosu seemed unsurprised by it.

The next morning, he led Melgor out to have fun together as though nothing had happened.

Qian Weining said the Battle of Sun City was due to Archmage Kayle ordering a hit on Winston City, so the House of Winston sought to kill Kayle as revenge.

When Ren Xiaosu heard this, he knew it was fake news, because he was the one behind the chaos in Winston City. He knew full well no one had instigated him to do so.

If there were really something that prompted Ren Xiaosu to cause that ruckus in Winston City, it would have to be the Eyes of True Sight owned by the House of Winston.

"Archmage Kayle died such a wrongful death." On their way out, Ren Xiaosu chuckled and said to Melgor, "I'll take a guess. That archmage was probably here to kill you, but he got attacked by the Winston family in the end. Don't you think his death was really unjust?"

Melgor said anxiously, "Can you keep your voice down?!"

A tense atmosphere was hanging over Winston City. Sorcerers could frequently be seen heading in and out of the Winston Cathedral's entrance, and it seemed like there was an important discussion going on inside.

Some of the residents had been temporarily conscripted and made to escort provisions, horses, and fodder gathered from the south, while others were sent to repair the city walls.

It looked like the House of Winston wanted to reinforce the walls before the enemy arrived.

While Ren Xiaosu was wandering around in the city, he was nearly recruited to join the troops as well. Fortunately, Melgor's special status as a sorcerer helped spare the walls of Winston City from any further damage.

That was right. The fact Ren Xiaosu didn't end up joining the troops was actually beneficial to the city walls. Although the House of Winston did not realize this, the logic was still sound.

"What's your intention for suddenly wanting to come out and shop? You planning something again?" Melgor asked in a low voice.

"It's just to shop, of course." Ren Xiaosu said, "Qian Weining probably won't be leading the caravan north anymore. Just look at how happy he is today. That's why we have to buy blankets, food, and other stuff. We can start preparing for a long-term stay at the relay station."

After rumors of the Knights of Tudor heading south started spreading in Winston City today, Qian Weining became the happiest person.

Without this incident, he would still have to continue leading the trade caravan north and risk his life with the Berkeley army to cause chaos in Ghent City. The oak barrels the trade caravan was transporting were all filled with combustible fuel.

Sending him on a mission with a lone army like that was as good as a death sentence. The Houses of Tudor and Norman would not let him off for sure.

But now that the battlefront had shifted southwards, it meant the trade caravan would not get to Ghent City!

Although Ren Xiaosu did not understand the military affairs and terrain of the Kingdom of Sorcerers, it would only be a matter of time before the Houses of Tudor and Norman fought their way to Winston City judging by the tension floating around.

"I'm really curious. What gives the Berkeley family the confidence to make a move against the Norman and the Tudor families?" Ren Xiaosu wondered. "You said the Berkeley family's patriarch is also considered a genius among the Magi and made a name for himself in childhood. Moreover, the Berkeley family is also relatively powerful and can stand on equal footing with the top sorcerer clans. But to face two top sorcerer clans at once, does he think he can defeat them two against one?"

Melgor thought for a moment and said, "Maybe he has some kind of ace up his sleeve? Like something that can deal a fatal blow to the enemy directly?"

"Are you referring to me?" Ren Xiaosu answered, "But I'm not on the Berkeleys' side."

Melgor wanted to tell Ren Xiaosu how shameless he was, but when he thought about how Ren Xiaosu had killed a few dozen of the Winston family's sorcerers in one night, he held back his sarcasm.

Ren Xiaosu sighed and said, "If only P5092 and Wang Yun were here. A simple analysis by them would be equivalent to half a month of my considerations."

"Who are P5092 and Wang Yun?" Melgor asked curiously.

Ren Xiaosu smiled. "They're two people who can turn something rotten into something magical. You'll get to know them in the future. We're all on the same side!"

Melgor felt extremely awkward when he heard the words "on the same side." It was like he had already defected to Fortress 178.

However, after much thought, he could only admit it helplessly.

Melgor asked in a low voice, "What exactly are your plans? A war is about to break out here…."

Ren Xiaosu looked at Melgor. "Do you think they'll panic if we wait until they start fighting here before heading straight to Ghent City?"

"I… guess so," Melgor answered after considering Ren Xiaosu's destructive power.

"Don't worry, I'll help you find your childhood sweetheart first. You don't have to be afraid of the Tudor family. Things are about to change in the Kingdom of Sorcerers," Ren Xiaosu said seriously.

…

At the same time, further south of York County, a burly figure emerged from a military tent. As he stretched, he shouted, "Zhou Qi! Wang Yun! P5092! Great Hoodwinker! Ji Zi'ang! Wake up, wake up!"

The Great Hoodwinker snapped at him inside his tent, "Fatty, why have you become so energetic after your training?"

"Since you've already received info about Ren Xiaosu's whereabouts, aren't you anxious to join up with him?" Luo Lan retorted.

Luo Lan and Zhou Qi had set off from the Qing Consortium. However, they met the Great Hoodwinker and company in the Gobi and joined up with them.

Although they were from different organizations, their current goal was the same: Find Ren Xiaosu, then follow him to destroy the Magi's base!

In the past, Luo Lan's figure was a bloated one. Therefore, when the Great Hoodwinker and the others encountered him this time, they nearly couldn't recognize him.

The Great Hoodwinker got out of his tent and started packing. "Future Commander hasn't arrived at the capital of the nation of sorcerers yet. Don't worry, we'll get there in time to meet him."

"Don't sound so confident." Nearby, Zhou Qi curled his lips and said, "Don't you know your future commander well enough? Wherever he goes, there'll be bodies strewn everywhere and trouble all around. You received intel yesterday he had appeared in Winston City. I wouldn't be surprised if he suddenly wiped out the entire House of Winston today!"

"Uh, it wouldn't be that ridiculous." The Great Hoodwinker said, "Our future commander still knows his limits."

Zhou Qi glanced at the Great Hoodwinker. "Ask those poor souls of the Zhou Consortium in the Central Plains and see what they think."

At this moment, P5092 came out of his tent and said calmly, "Actually, I agree with Luo Lan's suggestion. We should hasten our journey."

"What's the matter?" Ji Zi'ang looked at P5092. "Will anything happen to the future commander?"

"It's not that." P5092 shook his head and said, "The Great Hoodwinker has already infiltrated the sorcerer clans with his people. Based on the information relayed by the intelligence agents, Future Commander's combat strength still puts him at the top of the pyramid in the Kingdom of Sorcerers. Additionally, based on Future Commander's character, he probably won't die even if everyone in the Kingdom of Sorcerers has perished. But we still can't be careless. What Future Commander did to the Winston family is very likely to trigger a chain reaction. If we don't hurry, we might not be able to join in the fun…. I mean, we might not be able to give Future Commander support in time."

The Great Hoodwinker looked at P5092 in surprise. "An emotionless military commander such as yourself enjoys something like that too?"

P5092 thought for a moment and answered calmly, "Sometimes."