With the whispers of Garrison's Guard, Cole Garrison ordered his men to use the Recording Scroll to take samples of the surrounding environment. This magical tool functioned similar to a camera as it could capture snapshots, video recordings, and previews by activating its magic circuitry.
He carefully collected samples of tree trunks and ground soil with the intention of conducting detailed analysis upon his return.
Connor found this item amusing and asked for one himself.
"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. We don't have sufficient evidence, so let's not make any noise. If it turns out to be a misunderstanding, then everyone wins and I will do my best to clear Gates' family name. But if there is indeed something wrong," Connor snorted, "the military won't let anyone get away with conspiring with the Demon King and overthrowing the authority of the kingdom!"
They traveled through the night without incident.
As they neared Wind Nation's capital city, Changfeng City came into view - its towering walls, magnificent buildings, bustling crowd all meeting Connor's expectations of a metropolitan world in another dimension.
After delivering their horses and ten boxes of bulk goods at the city gate, Cole Garrison bid farewell as he had completed his escort duties while Connor went on to register his order completion at the Logistics Center located in Changfeng City.
The Logistics Center here was no different from Harbor City except for having a larger scale. Upon entering its doors, three major express companies' advertising signs were prominently displayed:
Double Dragon Logistics - responsible for transporting large bulk goods known for their safety;
Corner Eagle Express - responsible for same-day delivery within city limits known for their speed;
Maple Leaf Postal Services - responsible for international transit deliveries known for their long-distance capabilities.
Dragging the ten large boxes through the hall, they arrived at the bulk goods settlement area in an open space. Delivering such bulk goods was different from ordinary shipments; it was not possible to directly deliver them to their destination. Therefore, they were temporarily entrusted to the logistics center where inspectors would verify and certify that the quantity and quality met the requirements of the consignor. Once completed, this shipment order would be considered fulfilled. Within three working days, payment would be transferred to either the carrier or individual courier's account opened at the merchant association.
Releasing his skill Follow The Wind, Connor set down the boxes on the ground as an inspector greeted them and offered two cups of salt soda while they rested on a nearby bench. The inspector then began examining for any damages among their goods.
As they were about to sit down, a figure slowly approached from across Double Dragon Logistics' settlement office. His face seemed vaguely familiar and upon closer inspection, it turned out to be none other than Aaron Gates with slightly swollen features that went unnoticed without careful scrutiny.
His voice sharp and piercing with distinctive recognition: "What's going on here? What is this mess? Double Dragon Logistics' objective is what? Zero incorrect parts, zero missing parts, zero damaged parts! Even if our couriers encounter dangerous situations themselves, we guarantee absolute safety for all goods transported by us! So what's happening now? Outer packaging is broken beyond repair with four or five out of ten pieces cracked open! What happens if anything inside gets bumped around or damaged? How will you explain this to your clients?"
Due to having dismantled one of their boxes containing celestial silk armor and magic cannons during transport along with using temporary outer packaging acquired from borrowing from warehouse facilities under city defense forces which made it appear somewhat dirty and chaotic in comparison.
Approaching closer towards Connor and Lilith as if recognizing who he had mistaken them for earlier then continued speaking: "Oh, I see now! It's not from our Double Dragon Logistics' team, but rather an independent courier. Without standardized process control requirements, this is probably the best that can be delivered. It's understandable, it's understandable. If you need to deliver large items, you still have to come to Double Dragon Logistics."
Aaron Gates laughed heartily.
The inspector secretly cast a glance towards them and whispered: "Don't worry about him. That's just how Double Dragon Logistics is. To establish their safety reputation and monopolize bulk business in the capital city, they like to nitpick and criticize other couriers all the time. So although they have a good reputation among consignors, we find them quite annoying."
"Oh, are you from Double Dragon Logistics?" Connor asked.
"That's right. And may I ask who you are, sir? We've never met before," Aaron Gates pretended to be confused but could not hide the burning hatred in his eyes.
"I'm an outsider who just came from Lingshang City. I heard that Aaron Gates, the young master of Double Dragon Logistics, was beaten up there after harassing women. Is it true?" Connor continued.
"Ah, that's strange. I am Aaron Gates. I have been practicing in the capital city these days and have never been to Lingshang City. It must be some petty person impersonating me and causing trouble," Aaron Gates found an opportunity to defend himself and naturally seized it.
"Haha!" Lilith burst out laughing and sprayed salt soda all over Aaron Gates' face.
The salt soda in Changfeng City was like a slushie.
Aaron Gates had already been slapped several times before and his face was swollen. After finally recovering for a few days, his injuries were now soaked with salt and ice, making them even more excruciating.
His whole face began to contort: "What's so funny?"
"Gates family descendants need someone else to impersonate them for bad deeds?" Lilith clapped her hands joyfully like a child.
"You—" As Connor walked over, Aaron Gates kept retreating until he reached the sink in the corner.
"My sister doesn't know any better. Please forgive her, young master. There's cold water here; why don't you wash your face quickly," Connor said.
Aaron Gates looked at the sink with a fearful expression and did not dare to splash water on his face.
"My skin has been sensitive lately. I can't wash my face," he said.
"Okay then. Why don't you sit here for a rest," Connor nodded suddenly pressing down on Aaron Gate's shoulder causing him to fall onto a hard bench.
The most severe injury he had sustained from the beating was to his buttocks. Aaron Gates checked and found that his skin was split open. He could only sleep on his stomach at night, and he couldn't walk naturally during the day.
As Connor pressed him onto the bench, Aaron Gates cried out in pain and got up quickly.
"Oh my, young master, what happened?" Connor looked concerned.
"I... I've been training hard lately and strained my injury. I need to rest now," Aaron Gates said limping towards his own counter while glaring at both of them.
"Okay, inspection is completed. The loss rate of goods is less than five percent," the inspector said, unaware of what had happened but her tone sounded much lighter after seeing Double Dragon Logistics lose face. As she spoke, Connor's wristband also alerted him.
[Delivery order completed: Transporting Military Supplies (2/2).]
[Earned 500 experience points.]
[Delivery talent upgraded.]
[Expansion rate of personal space increased by 200 percent.]
[Contraction rate of personal space increased by 100 percent.]
[Unlocked skill: Space Connection (active).]
[Personal space is now connected to part of Nexus Citadel's space.]
This new skill seemed quite powerful, but it was not a good time to test it out yet.
He took Lilith back to the hall and headed towards the inquiry desk.