both sides of this road, there are rows of phoenix trees, and one section of the road had been affected by some unfortunate events. After a period of recovery, it has now returned to its former state. Those who are unaware would never guess that severe accidents once occurred here.
As August draws to a close, the temperature, after rising, is gradually dropping. The leaves of the phoenix trees are also affected by the changing climate. The edges of the leaves have begun to turn red, and from a distance, they resemble a delicate blush.
Before long, the leaves here will be entirely crimson, like a living poem or painting, becoming one of the scenic features of this place.
Along the road, they encountered several people taking a leisurely stroll, each wearing a satisfied smile.
The two of them walked slowly, soaking in the tranquility. Occasionally, they would pick up a fallen leaf, admiring it and savoring its details.
Apart from the veins, size, and shape, these leaves are almost identical. As they drew closer, the vitality within each leaf became visible.
"It's hard to imagine that there's still such a peaceful place here."
The young lady, gazing at the serene scene before her, felt her heart calm, as if she had become one with the tranquil moment.
"In fact, after the road was repaired, many people have started to come here."
Walking along this path, one can inhale the refreshing air and enjoy the surrounding peace, which is why so many people are drawn to this place.
As they walked further, fewer people remained, and eventually, there was no one in sight. The quietness deepened.
At a distance from the road, one could still spot a few goblins moving about.
These creatures, knowing they were invisible to Muggles, behaved arrogantly, often making provocative gestures, and then, like proud generals celebrating victory, they screeched in delight.
"Are there many goblins here?"
The girl, clearly fond of this place and everything she saw, asked curiously.
"There are quite a few goblins here, and they aren't afraid of humans."
"However, they don't bother the outsiders..."
This date, though brief, was a pleasant start for Zhao Lun. Although it would end in just one day, it had brought them closer, fostering mutual affection—though it went no further than that.
That evening, the manor was eerily quiet, devoid of the usual laughter and joy. The stillness was oppressive, even the insects in the grass had fallen silent.
When Zhao Lun returned, he sensed something was amiss. He silently made his way inside.
Thankfully, the guards at the manor were unharmed, which eased his concerns. However, when he entered the old house, he saw a few women sitting on the sofa, their faces frozen in tense expressions.
Upon his arrival, they seemed to ignore him, continuing to sit motionless, their cold demeanor weighing heavily on him.
"Ahem! Good evening, ladies."
"Have you had dinner yet? I've prepared something delicious."
The women did not respond, maintaining their original posture.
Zhao Lun approached Monica, gave her a wink, and she responded with a wink of her own, then gestured towards Maria with a mischievous smile, clearly enjoying the moment.
Maria was jealous—he better be careful!
Zhao Lun sighed, Jealous already? She's so young!
Even though a friend had arrived, Maria refused to meet him. It seemed she was truly jealous.
Dinner was ready and waiting for him, but it had not yet been served. Zhao Lun glanced around and noticed something was missing. He lit the stove and prepared a fish that had already been set aside, beginning to cook.
The fish was the most memorable food from his time in this world. In the beginning, he had fished by the sea to make a living, collecting seafood to help them through difficult times.
Though those days had passed, his emotional connection with fish remained strong.
Not only did fish carry deep memories for Zhao Lun, but they also held significance for Maria.
In her memories, the most delicious food they had was fish, which had helped save them. Even now, with a more abundant diet, Maria's love for fish had not waned, and she enjoyed it almost every day.
Maria's favorite dish was the fish Zhao Lun cooked, especially when he prepared it himself.
After their living conditions had improved, Zhao Lun became too lazy to cook, and Maria rarely had his fish anymore.
Though he had grown somewhat lazy, his experience had not diminished. With the help of a light brain and the added touch of spring water, he could easily prepare a meal. Now that the little lady was jealous, Zhao Lun felt he needed to make things right.
He hadn't cooked in a while, and as he did now, a sense of nostalgia filled him. He put great care into this dish, and even when the ladies came into the kitchen to watch, he didn't notice until Maria, drawn by the aroma, couldn't resist sneaking a taste.
"Wash your hands! Then you can eat!"
Zhao Lun called out to her.
The little lady's jealousy was quick to appear and disappear. She hadn't had time to eat dinner and was too hungry to resist the food Zhao Lun had prepared. After the meal, she was no longer upset, only sitting quietly with her head lowered, eating like a little kitten.
Zhao Lun didn't blame her; after all, he was going to school soon, and their separation was inevitable. It was only natural for the little lady, eager to stay with her brother, to feel anxious.
Seeing them struggling to find the right words, Zhao Lun said, "If you want to know something, just ask. I will tell you as much as I can."
The ladies began to interrogate him.
After the date, Zhao Lun did not retreat into isolation but took on a more active role, staying at home with Maria for the holidays while personally supervising the manor's renovation.
In his spare time, he used satellites to monitor the planet, starting with Great Britain, scanning the land beneath them, recording unusual places for future reference.
At times, Zhao Lun would read books on unsolved mysteries, legends, and myths from around the world, noting anything useful as a way to pass the time.
Due to the recent monster attacks, the manor had successfully tracked down and eliminated the culprits. This had drawn many people to join the bounty hunter guild.
Among them, two individuals stood out: one was a former boxer who, after much deliberation, decided that becoming a hunter would be the safest option. After passing the trials, he became an E-level hunter, recently returning to missions with great determination.
He was now a well-known hunter.
The other was a noblewoman named Laura, who appeared to be a simple young lady but quickly stood out. While her personal strength was not remarkable, her wealth of experience allowed her to swiftly rise through the ranks and become a trending hunter.
She loved adventure, treating it as a way of life. In her free time, she wrote and published many related books. Her fame grew because she was one of the few female hunters, known for her intelligence, beauty, mystery, and her remarkable achievements, making her a star within the guild.
The final verdict: She was a genius!
Of course, there were others who performed well too—mountain climbers, extreme sports enthusiasts, chefs, mercenaries, and other clerical staff—each with their own reasons for joining, all contributing to the guild's growth.
These individuals were experts in their respective fields, and their inclusion strengthened the guild, allowing it to fill gaps and grow.
They too had their pride, and it was not easy to recruit them. Many were drawn in by the promise of earning money or the allure of treasures within the guild, and once they saw the treasures, they couldn't resist. They joined, working hard to complete missions, leveling up, and exchanging points for treasure.
Sometimes, Zhao Lun and his friends would also indulge in a bit of the bounty hunter life.
The attacks had also strengthened Zhao Lun's bond with his friends, and the owls had been flying more frequently.