"Haha!"
Just as both sides were pulling and pushing each other, a hearty voice echoed from behind. A burly man with short black hair, wielding a large hoop blade, strolled slowly down the dirt road.
Embedded in the hilt of his blade was a conspicuous Fire Elemental Vision.
A Vision bearer... Nolan instinctively used his golden Eye of Judgment:
[Level: 47]
Seeing the level above the man's head, Nolan couldn't help but be surprised that he was much higher level than himself.
Of course, that wouldn't matter if they ended up fighting, he wouldn't be afraid at all.
"Ah, Dad!" Zhao Bing looked at the newcomer and hurried over with excitement.
"Ah Bing, I've already heard. Falling for a con by mere swindlers is truly embarrassing!"
The brawny man ruffled Zhao Bing's hair, laughing as he spoke.
"But he claimed to be the disciple of the Lord Emperor, and he could use talismans without a Vision, so I believed him." Zhao Bing explained sheepishly.
"Alright, let's not dwell on it for now."
The square-faced man with short black hair walked up to Nolan and the others, clasping his fists with a loud "clap":
"I am Zhao Kuo, the master of the 'Five Blades Gate.' Thank you all for saving my son!
"I, Zhao Kuo, am not one to leave debts unpaid. If you have any requests, just ask, and as long as it's within our capabilities, we will fulfill them."
"No need for formalities. We act chivalrously and... uh, righteously. Doing good deeds doesn't require repayment. You don't have to worry about it. If you feel bad, just give us some Mora, hehe." Paimon placed her hands behind her back, mimicking a stance.
Lumine sighed, shaking her head. Asking for Mora after saving someone was just too impolite.
Well done, little Paimon, Nolan thought to himself.
Listening to those kidnappers talk about how wealthy the 'Five Blades Gate' was, it was clear they weren't entirely selfless. However, he couldn't bring himself to ask directly. Thankfully, Paimon, with her thick-skinned nature, could say what he couldn't.
"Haha, asking for Mora, huh? This flying little friend is quite straightforward!"
The square-faced Zhao Kuo wasn't offended by Paimon's bluntness. Settling a lifesaving debt with Mora was a worthwhile trade.
Zhao Kuo pondered for a moment, scratching the stubble on his chin:
"Earlier, a fat man, one of their accomplices, came to our 'Five Blades Gate' demanding Mora. I've never been one to yield to threats, so I captured him on the spot.
"After extracting the location of my son from him, I came here myself, intending to show these scoundrels the might of Zhao Kuo.
"But I didn't expect you noble individuals to save my son first, so giving you Mora as thanks is fitting.
"However, I don't typically carry Mora with me... Ah, I have it! This Thunder Jade, nurtured in the 'Land of Extreme Thunder,' should suffice as a token of my gratitude."
The square-faced Zhao Kuo took out a purple round jade from his Vision and handed it to Paimon.
"Wow, it's so beautiful!"
Paimon took it without hesitation and examined it under the sunlight, noticing flickers of lightning within.
"It's a rare Electro Element material. If sold, it could fetch around a million Mora. Satisfied?" Zhao Kuo explained.
"Mm-hmm, very satisfied." Paimon nodded enthusiastically, her starry eyes gleaming with a hint of a smile.
"In that case, my son and I will take our leave." Zhao Kuo nodded, glancing at the two unconscious kidnappers on the ground. "By the way, leave these two to me. Kidnapping my son can't be forgiven easily!"
"Punish them!"
Paimon seemed to imagine some bloody scene, her eyes widening in fear as she took a step back.
"Haha, don't worry. As a law-abiding citizen of Liyue, I wouldn't take their lives lightly. After teaching them a lesson, I'll hand them over to the Millelith. Besides, daring to use the Geo Archon's name to deceive people—they must be tired of living!" Zhao Kuo chuckled, reassuringly.
"Phew, that's a relief. You scared me for a moment." Paimon patted her chest, sighing in relief.
"By the way, Mr. Zhao Kuo, what is this 'Land of Extreme Thunder' you mentioned? Does it produce these Thunder Jades?" Nolan asked, recalling his promise to help Little Amy find Thunder Element materials for her breakthrough.
Zhao Kuo looked at Nolan, a bit surprised by the question, but he explained briefly:
"It's not a secret.
"In the eastern part of the underground mines of 'The Chasm,' there is an area full of Thunder Element ore.
"But because the Thunder Element there is unexpectedly dense and volatile, the ore is extremely difficult to mine. If you're planning to collect Thunder Element materials, I wouldn't recommend it—it's too dangerous."
He observed the black-haired young man's slim build, seemingly not very strong, and offered a warning.
"Alright, I'll be careful."
Nolan nodded.
"The Chasm," he knew, was an enormous mine, supposedly created by a meteorite impact.
However, that area was currently sealed off due to some incident, and there was no way to get in. Nolan couldn't quite remember the exact reason.
Oh well, I'll think of another way. If all else fails, I can earn more Mora and buy the materials, he thought.
After Zhao Kuo left with the two kidnappers and his son, Nolan and the others continued their journey towards Liyue Harbor.
"Walking is so tiring. If we come across a passing caravan, let's ask them for a ride," Paimon suggested, even though she was flying in the air with her arms drooping as if she were exhausted.
"Alright," Lumine nodded gently. Merchants hauling goods usually don't mind taking on passengers if there's space, and it wouldn't cost much Mora.
"If you're tired, you can ask Lumine to carry you," Nolan teased, smiling.
"Hey, you!" Lumine's white high-heeled boots, which came up to her knees, exposed her pale thighs that moved rhythmically as she walked. She puffed out her cheeks in displeasure and glared at him.
"Hehe, Lumine, Paimon think Nolan has a point," Paimon said, twisting her body in the air, her starry eyes filled with anticipation as she looked at Lumine.
"Sigh~" Lumine sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation. "Alright, it seems like you've been eating too much lately, Paimon. You've gained weight and now feel tired. We need to find time for some physical training, or else how will you outrun slimes and be my guide?"
"Physical training!" Paimon's eyes widened in horror, and she waved her hands frantically. "N-no, Paimon did rather not be carried. Forget about the training. Paimon promises Paimon will be a good guide!"
Paimon detested any activities that required physical exertion, like carrying things while shopping.
(End of Chapter)
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