Gourmet Hunter - Chapter 380 (Patreon)

Chapter 380: William

After obtaining the information, Luo left the tavern and walked towards the street.

Elba viewed the desert forbidden zone as taboo, unwilling to discuss it, and no detailed map could be found.

When Salin wanted to go to the forbidden zone, Elba hadn't been this secretive. The change must have occurred after experiencing some incident.

Regarding Salin's matters, asking Sago would be the simplest and most direct approach, but Luo couldn't ask since it involved a deceased relative.

"The Golo Oasis, huh..."

Walking through the bustling street, Luo murmured to himself.

After returning to Sago's house, he first visited the bedridden Linne, then went up to the roof. Lying on the scorching surface, he squinted at the blue sky and white clouds, thinking about the so-called millennial imperial capital.

Three days later, after completing his daily training, Luo ran to Vulture Street again.

It was said that other cities in two different countries also had antique markets similar to Vulture Street, equally large in scale.

Luo handled sixty to seventy nen-carrying antiques in Vulture Street, increasing his value by less than 1%, equivalent to a year's hard practice. If he ran another trip to Wot and Goro, he might increase it by about 2%.

However, if he truly planned to go, the main purpose would still be to check out the forbidden zone and then incidentally search for nen on antiques.

Luo wandered around the many stalls on Vulture Street. The familiar vendors greeted him, and he responded with smiles.

After a round of browsing, he found nothing.

There were many stalls here, and new antiques were updated daily. Still, there weren't many nen-carrying antiques, and Luo hadn't found any targets for several consecutive days. Coupled with already picking up enough genuine articles, he lost interest in continuing to browse.

Turning away from Vulture Street, he ducked into a narrow alley, avoiding most of the gazes.

The dense buildings left few sunlit spots in the alley, but it was still stiflingly hot, offering no shade.

After walking a short distance, Luo suddenly stopped, his eyes slightly moving, observing the alley's situation.

This alley was one he often walked through. Normally, many people sat scattered on both sides to avoid the scorching sun, but today there was no one, and it was eerily quiet.

"No sign of an ambush."

Luo looked around but did not lower his guard, instead expanding his "En."

The invisible nen circle quickly spread out, permeating the buildings, covering a diameter of eighty meters.

All shapes and movements within the nen circle were incorporated into Luo's awareness. Twenty meters ahead, to the right of the corner, a burly figure leaned against the wall, with no one else around.

Luo glanced at the person's hiding spot. Before he could react, the person, sensing Luo's "En," stepped out moments later.

"What's up?"

Seeing the man step out, Luo retracted his "En" immediately and released nen to cover his body.

He was cautious because this man was also a nen user.

Even though he didn't think the man could pose a threat, respecting every potential enemy had only benefits.

The man, around twenty years old, tall and muscular, wore a headscarf with a red band tied around his forehead. His features were handsome, but a scar ran from his right brow to his cheek.

He wore the standard leather helmet of the city's guard soldiers, with an iron sword and an old flintlock pistol at his waist.

Luo didn't recognize the man, but most Elba residents did. He was the third prince, the current commander of the security patrol army, a very humble position for a prince.

Seeing Luo instantly go into battle mode, the third prince's expression changed slightly. He had no malice or killing intent, but Luo's cautious response showed he was someone who valued minute details, making him a formidable opponent.

"If I intended to harm you."

The third prince pointed up first, then down at the ground, saying, "This place would be surrounded by a hundred elite soldiers, not just me."

"I'm saying this not to urge you to let your guard down, but to help you relax a bit so the atmosphere won't be uncomfortable for a conversation."

Luo looked at the third prince's leather helmet, slightly restraining his aura, and asked, "Who are you?"

"Elba's third prince, William."

"Oh?"

Luo raised an eyebrow, recognizing the third prince mentioned by the tavern owner, the one who wanted to enter the desert forbidden zone.

"What's up?"

Knowing the man's identity, Luo returned to the original question.

"Was it you who dealt with Zelas' group?" William asked expressionlessly.

Luo's eyes narrowed slightly. He straightforwardly said, "No."

Not that he feared being held accountable, but because the group was killed by his nen beast, the black cat. Even though the black cat was his nen beast, he wouldn't take the blame.

"Are you sure?" William stared at Luo.

"Sure." Luo replied without any guilt.

Based on his investigations, William was certain Luo was the culprit. Usually, such calm denial after committing a crime indicated either strong mental resilience and excellent disguise skills or truthfulness.

Given the investigation results, it should lean towards the former, but at this moment, William remained neutral due to Luo's response.

He wasn't here for accountability anyway, and Zelas' case was insignificant, not worth his concern.

William nodded, getting to the point, "Are you planning to go to the forbidden zone?"

"Considering it," Luo admitted. From William bringing up Zelas, he knew William had investigated him and might be revealing information intentionally.

William's mouth curved slightly, calmly saying, "Interested in teaming up?"

Luo didn't agree immediately, saying, "Before going to the forbidden zone, I'll visit Goro. As the third prince of Elba, it might be inconvenient for you."

"The three desert countries coexist without enmity and maintain good trade relations, so your concern is unfounded." William understood Luo's implication, thinking his princely status made visiting other cities unsuitable.

Continuing, William said, "Survival is the main goal in the desert. Only by avoiding conflicts can one stay long-term."

"So I overthought it. Why approach me?" Luo asked.

"You're a nen user," William replied.

Half an hour later, in William's palace, Luo was invited.

On the extending balcony, there was a set of wooden tables and chairs, with a large umbrella overhead, blocking the sun.

Luo sat in the chair, seeing the extended building complex below the balcony.

On the table were a plate of chilled fruits and a glass of iced fresh juice, a luxury in the desert for most people.

The third prince had just brought Luo here but was called away for urgent matters. It was unclear when he would return.

Luo picked up the juice, drinking it all in one go.

At that moment, cat-like footsteps sounded from behind.

Luo turned to see a young woman wearing a thin veil walking towards the balcony.

Seeing Luo turn, the woman said, "Hey, marry me."

"..."

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