Chapter Nine: Kidnapping
The reception room.
"My sincerest apologies, Director Maier," Lin Lei said modestly. "I really don't wish to put this sculpture up for auction or exhibition at the moment, but I can promise that if I ever decide to sell it or display it in the future, I'll definitely ask Pruxus Hall to assist."
Director Maier leaned on his cane, smiling warmly at Lin Lei. "Oh, don't worry about it. My visit here—getting your work into our hall is secondary. The most important thing was to meet the rare genius of the stone-sculpting world, one who comes along once in an eon."
Just then, the hotel manager walked in.
The manager offered an apologetic smile toward Director Maier, then turned to Lin Lei and Yeru. "Young Master Yeru, Young Master Lin Lei—a contingent from the Rhine Empire has arrived outside the hotel. They wish to meet Young Master Lin Lei."
"Ha ha." Director Maier rose to his feet with a laugh. "It seems you're quite busy, Lin Lei. I won't keep you any longer then. I'll take my leave."
With that, Director Maier departed the reception room along with his subordinates.
Lin Lei looked at the hotel manager. "Please help turn them away. I don't want to meet anyone from the four great empires or the Dark Alliance right now." He flatly refused all those who came to recruit him. Lin Lei understood all too well that if he met with representatives from the four empires or the Dark Alliance at this point, it could provoke strong displeasure from the Church of Light.
After all, even if he didn't agree to anything, the Church of Light's people weren't present, and they would naturally grow suspicious. Besides, the Church of Light's influence across the Yulan Continent was formidable—no weaker than any single empire. Lin Lei saw no need to attach himself to another empire or the Dark Alliance.
Three days later, inside a carriage bound for Fenn City. Only Lin Lei and Yeru occupied the carriage, while Rein and George remained at the academy.
"Third brother, you really are wise. Over these past two or three days, all four great empires and the Dark Alliance sent people wanting to meet you," Yeru said with a smile. The visitors who came seeking Lin Lei were all people in charge of various affairs on behalf of the four great empires and the Dark Alliance within the Holy Alliance.
None of them were particularly high-ranking figures. After all, news of a seventeen-year-old, seventh-level dual-system mage would still take a considerable amount of time to reach the four great empires and the Dark Alliance—the distances between them were simply too vast.
The people in charge of other factions within the Holy Alliance had made their own decisions to come see Lin Lei. Unfortunately, all of them were turned away.
"Yeru, the Lucas family that holds the Baruch Family's heirloom—I've heard they have the war blade 'Slaughter.' Is it really that difficult to get it back from them?" This trip to Fenn City was precisely for that purpose.
Yeru nodded. "Yes. At first I was too eager to tell you and didn't pay much attention to this family. But from the looks of it, this Lucas family is no ordinary clan."
Lin Lei gave a slight nod. A family that had possessed his family's heirloom for several centuries—that at least meant it wasn't some newly established house.
"The Lucas family is a fairly ancient lineage with nearly a thousand years of history. Throughout the Fenlei Kingdom, their wealth is only average, but their influence among the nobility is enormous. Most importantly… the patriarch of the Lucas family is a stubborn old fellow with a passionate love for collecting. Your family's heirloom was the personal weapon of the very first Dragon Blood Warrior. Even though no Dragon Blood Warrior has appeared in over a thousand years, that weapon is of extraordinary significance. And your family's weapon is worth at least several hundred thousand gold coins."
"But even with that much gold, given how stubborn the Lucas patriarch is, it's still going to be awfully hard to obtain," Yeru sighed.
Some people couldn't be swayed by gold alone.
"Lin Lei, if I asked my second uncle for help—use our trading company's network to put some pressure on that stubborn old man—it wouldn't be so difficult," Yeru suggested.
Lin Lei knew Yeru meant well, but he truly didn't like asking others for help.
"I'll try on my own first. If I really can't manage, then I'll ask for your help, Boss Yeru," Lin Lei said with a smile.
Suddenly, Lin Lei felt a commotion near his hip, and then Bei Bei's tiny body popped out from beside him. Bei Bei cracked open his sleepy eyes and glanced at Yeru, then looked at Lin Lei and communicated through their soul bond: "Boss, this carriage is so slow. I took a whole nap and we still haven't reached Fenn City."
Lin Lei picked Bei Bei up. "Alright, settle down. We should be there soon."
Suddenly—
"Ah!" Several screams rang out, and the carriage came to an abrupt halt.
Lin Lei and Yeru, sitting inside, felt the carriage lurch. Yeru's expression darkened. "This is bad."
"Young Master Lin Lei and Young Master Yeru, please step outside for a moment." A somewhat shrill voice came from beyond the carriage.
Lin Lei and Yeru exchanged a glance. The other party had managed to trap them without either of them detecting a thing—their strength was clearly far superior. Without resistance, the two stepped out of the carriage.
The moment they alighted, both Lin Lei and Yeru's faces changed.
The two seventh-level warrior guards had been thrown from their horses, blood pooling across the ground. Even the coachman had fallen. Seventh-level warriors killed without putting up any meaningful resistance—the opponent's power was self-evident.
"Young Master Yeru, Young Master Lin Lei, we mean no harm. We merely wish to invite Lin Lei to come with us for a visit. As for Young Master Yeru, naturally we won't lay a finger on you." A short distance away, three men in green stood waiting. The one in front, a man with a scar across his face, spoke.
Yeru was furious at the death of his guards but held his temper. After all, he recognized the vast gap in their strength.
The scarred man smiled at Lin Lei. "Lin Lei, don't bother resisting. With your level, my two subordinates could capture you effortlessly, let alone me. All you need to do now is come along quietly. Will you come willingly, or shall we use force?"