The hands of time go and go, the windmills of the years turn and turn, and the wheels of fate roll and roll...... Anyway, you just need to know that it's three years from now.

Well, three years later.

Outside a medium-sized town somewhere in the north, a convoy of more than 100 neatly armored elite cavalry guarded by the wind and dust, and then about three miles outside the town, with the whistle of the leading cavalry, the speed of the team suddenly slowed down greatly, and the rangers scattered, took arrows and guns, and approached the entrance of the town unhurriedly.

At this time, there was a bang, and the curtain of the luxury carriage in the center of the convoy was suddenly pulled from the inside, "Ah...... It's been a long journey, and it's finally here. A vague figure stretched out in the carriage, and then the window opened, and a young face with a rather masculine charm poked out, first looked at the town in front of him from afar, and then turned his gaze, fell on a stone tablet beside the road, squinted his eyes and read, "Peace and friendship...... Is that not a typo?"

I have to say that this handsome young guy has good observational skills. Of course, the way of thinking is even more bizarre. However, it was a pity that no one answered him, but a question suddenly came from the carriage, "Is this the place where the target we are looking for lives this time?"

Young handsome man, oh no, Philip smiled and retracted his head, and did not answer the question immediately, but looked at a middle-aged man with a calm face sitting opposite, and asked rhetorically, "Sir Mandel, do you know where the geography of this new town in front of us is?"

"Your Excellency Philip is you going to test me?" the middle-aged man known as Sir Mandel raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and then replied smoothly, "As far as I know. The town is backed by the Beacon City. It faces the city of Pula, which is now the Muhava Settlement. It happens to be at the junction of the forces of the Gray Cloth Army and the Northern Wilderness Tribe, and it can be regarded as an out-and-out three-regardless area...... Am I right, Lord Philip?"

Bursting into applause, Philip sighed appreciatively: "As a negotiator personally ordered by His Majesty the King, Sir Mandel has done his homework very well...... However, do you know the relationship between the person we are looking for this time and the Gray Army and the Northern Wilderness tribe?"

Mandel frowned, "That assassin? I heard that he is the husband of Josia, the leader of the Grays...... That's the main reason we came to him this time, isn't it?"

"Yes, but that's just one aspect. Shaking his head, Philip seemed to remember something. looked a little emotional, "That guy is a life winner...... Well, now that we've arrived at our destination, there are a few things that should be clarified. That guy, in addition to being Josia's husband, also has a great friendship with the only royal highness of the Northern Wilderness, that is, the supreme commander of the Northern Wilderness who led a million barbarian troops to beat our imperial army to a miserable point in the Lenau River War Zone. Even...... Well, anyway, I think this dog man and woman must have hooked up. ”

Smacked his lips. Undisguised the look of envy, jealousy and hatred on his face: "Oh, that's right. His relationship with the Bran Empire is not shallow either. Perhaps Sir Mandel has heard of this before, but it has never been confirmed, because some people are afraid of losing face, so it is blocked...... That's right, he's the same assassin who sent the Pope and the Grand Prince to see God the Father three years ago!"

"Sizzle......" Rao is this Sir Mandel's heart is extremely stable, and he had heard the news and rumors before, but when he got a conclusive affirmation from Philip's mouth at this time, he couldn't help but gasp, and his scalp was slightly numb. It wasn't until the shock was half loud that he regained his composure and said in a deep voice, "I heard that the assassin is dead. ”

"......I heard?" Philip shook his head and smiled, "Then I'm sure you haven't heard of how he died, have you?"

Mandel acquiesced, and Philip asked himself, "He was burned." The specific time was probably at the end of the month after the battle of the temple association, and on the night of his wedding to Najosia, he must have drunk too much and accidentally knocked over the candelabra oil lamp. And then after the wedding room was completely burned down by the fire, he was not seen drunk and unconscious rushing out of it...... Hehe, a peerless powerhouse who dared to infiltrate the temple single-handedly, assassinate the Pope and retire, was burned to death like this-do you believe it?"

Mandel smiled bitterly and shook his head: "If things are really as you say, then whether others believe it or not, I don't believe it anyway...... I see!" After a pause, he stroked his palm suddenly, "Cheated to death and get out......!" He's hiding in this town right now?"

"No, you still don't quite get it. Philip waved his hand regretfully, "Although he has done a lot of angry things, the Empire, especially the Temple of Light, hates to kill him as soon as possible." But I have to say, with his current strength and realm, the world is so big, who can stop it, where can't he go? Where do you need to deliberately hide?"

And the reason why he has to stay in this sensitive area, in the newly built town, for three years...... Haha......" Philip suddenly burst out laughing, gloating, "just because he's worried about a fire in the backyard!" With such a chaotic relationship, if he wasn't here, the Gray-clothed Army and the Northern Wilderness Tribe would have been turned upside down long ago!"

"I see...... Peace and love town, so it is...... "Well, even though Mandel prides himself on being a character who has seen big scenes and has a wealth of experience, but at present, this absurd thing that can promote and even determine the situation of the game between countries just by the chaotic relationship between a man and two women is still far beyond his imagination, and he can't help but sigh again and again, and sigh incredibly.

But in an instant, Mandel seemed to think of something, and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, and the essence of his eyes flickered.

"If I were you, trust me, I'd definitely clear my mind of dangerous thoughts in no time!"

With a pang in his heart, Mandel slowly raised his head, looked at Philip who was smiling at the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and was looking at him with a smile, paused, spread his hands and smiled: "Your Excellency Philip, you think too much." ”

"I also hope that I am thinking too much, if that is the case...... Sorry, please forgive me for getting used to it a little naturally. Philip didn't move, "Maybe Sir Mandel knows that the Empire has negotiated with the Grey Army several times, and damn it has always been me playing the role of an intermediary in it. What about the results. I've been pitted a lot. It's all shadows...... So. I think it's important to give a reminder to Lord Mandel. ”

Raising a finger and staring at Mandel's calm eyes, Philip exerted pressure in a deep voice, "It's better not to move some dangerous thoughts, otherwise no one can afford the result...... To put it bluntly, that guy is indeed the only link between the Gray Army and the Northern Wilderness tribe, but this alone wants to assassinate him and create chaos between the two countries. No one is a fool, not to mention that this plan will not succeed at all, even if it can, believe me, in the face of two crazy women who have lost their beloved, the first to pay the price of the loss of their country must be the Bran Empire!

Mandel did not hide from the oppressive gaze that seemed to him, and he was good at negotiating, and he had an extremely strong psychological element, and he smiled calmly. There was a silence until the body paused. It should be after officially entering the town that the silence of the carriage is broken. Shaking his head and sighing lightly, "Your Excellency Philip, your position seems to be problematic. ”

"When you're cheated too much, it's the same when you're trapped...... Of course, I still believe in Sir Professionalism, and I hope that you can achieve a satisfactory negotiation outcome for the Empire this time. ”

"Thank you, and I hope that Your Excellency will face up to your position. After all, you have the family glory that the Empire has to offer!"

"Hehe, it's easy to say......"

"...... each other"

......

Mandel's homework is fine, and this somewhat oddly named town does have certain qualities that don't matter. For example, when the dazzling convoy and more than 100 elite cavalry entered the town, they did not encounter any interrogation at all, and there were no law enforcers such as the garrison cavalry within the field of vision, and the road was unimpeded.

However, if it is determined that this is a three-regardless area, it is also a bit unrealistic. Because the atmosphere here is much better than imagined, the shops with the doors open on the side of the street, the wandering vendors shouting the side of the road, the pedestrians coming and going on the road, an endless stream, when passing by the side of the convoy, facing the slightly scrutinizing downward observation of the cavalry, the pedestrians' expressions are mostly calm, and after a few glances, they look away from the bored, as if they have become accustomed to it......

After entering the place, the somewhat dazzling convoy calmed down like a clear spring flowing into the lake, barely causing any ripples.

Noisy but not chaotic, this is the first impression of the town. If you look closely, there seems to be an invisible rule that keeps the town orderly and vibrant!

The team's goal was clear, or rather, they had a good guide, Philip. So there were almost no detours, and after crossing most of the town, the convoy finally stopped in front of a tavern-like building to the east of town.

"There is a clear bar......" Philip looked up at the simple sign of the storefront and grinned, "Well, although I don't understand what the clear bar is, I can be sure that I know how the strange name of this town came from." ”

"What?" Mandel didn't understand.

"It's nothing, it's just that it's understandable to suddenly feel tasteless, but it's not good to have bad taste...... Let's go, let's go inside. Leaving Mandel with a more inexplicable shrug, Philip walked first to the somewhat odd shop, and as soon as he stepped inside, there was a darkness in front of him.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a sack, it's the environment in the store. The semi-enclosed design keeps out the bright and warm afternoon sun, so that the light in the store is not bright enough, and the dim yellow wall lamps on the surrounding walls make it look a little blurry at first glance. However, if you taste it carefully, you will find that the atmosphere here is like an old book with yellowed corners, giving people a sense of tranquility and elegance.

This design technique undoubtedly surprised Philip and Mandel, and the two paused for a moment at the threshold, and then their eyes and eyesight gradually adjusted, and they looked into the store, "What kind of fame......

The interior of the restaurant is also unique, with tables and chairs, and at first glance it looks like a tavern lobby, but if you look closely, you will see a world of difference. The one-man tall bonsai, the colorful drawing boards, or the statues with outstanding knife workmanship, etc., divide each table into an independent space, which looks chaotic but orderly, with a strange sense of balance and harmony.

"Tsk, that's kind of interesting......"

The above two contradictory statements are both from Philip's mouth, and I have to say that the eyes of this famous wolf in the imperial capital are still quite vicious, although he was a little stunned and frowned after being shocked by the novelty in front of him at first glance, but he soon recovered again. And faintly pondered the charm and beauty from it. It's extraordinary.

"It's kind of interesting. On the side, Mandel also nodded in agreement. However, his focus is not on the overall decoration design of the store, but on some details, such as the layout that is different from ordinary taverns, and the wine rack counter placed in the deepest part of the hall.

Philip shook his head with a smile: "Ha, believe me, no one would do such a stupid thing." ”

Mandel was stunned. Immediately thinking of the terrifying identity of the master here, he couldn't help laughing at himself: "That's true, it's because I think it's bad." "Isn't it? If the owner of this strange tavern is really the one who dared to assassinate the Pope, then he really doesn't know how to write the word dead here......

The wine rack counter was said to be in the deepest part of the hall, but the area of this strange tavern was not large, so it was only a dozen steps, and Philip and the others walked from the threshold to the counter.

But unfortunately, there was a sturdy gray-clothed young man waiting in front of them. It's not like a guest.

Sensing that someone was coming behind him, the gray-clothed young man subconsciously turned his head. Looking up and down at the clothes of Philip and the others, he couldn't help but be slightly stunned, and then looked sideways at the luxury team rider parked outside the door, his brows furrowed slightly.

At this time, "I'm sorry, little Kim, I've kept you waiting......" The wooden door behind the counter opened, and a figure walked out with a small cloth bag, also a young man, but it seemed to be more mature, and there was a faint smile on the faces of the public called harmless humans and animals. As he was greeting, he turned his eyes and saw Philip with the corners of his mouth slightly raised and Mandel, whose expression and gaze were complicated, and he couldn't help but be stunned, and instantly reacted again, raising his eyebrows at the former Philip to greet him.

"Brother Tang, you are too polite, I didn't wait long. The gray-clothed young man called Xiao Jin, with a familiar and amiable attitude, even faintly with a hint of respect, reached out and picked up the small cloth bag that the young shopkeeper put on the counter, and couldn't help but be stunned, "Well, this month's money...... Isn't that much?"

"It's not much, make up for the money owed to you last month, just right. The young shopkeeper shook his head with a smile when he heard this, "Little Kim, why didn't you tell your eldest brother about the increase in monthly money since last month? ”

"Hehe, is it still known by Brother Tang? The gray-clothed young man scratched his head with a smile, instantly diluting the fierce aura on his body, but his attitude was extremely firm and pushed the extra coins back, "Actually, it doesn't matter, Brother Tang, you are kind to my family, if you hadn't taken in my mother to work here a few years ago, always paid excess commissions, and deliberately asked my mother to bring food back, my little Kim might have starved to death on the streets...... I'm already ashamed to come to you to collect monthly money now, my mother beat me several times for this, and almost didn't let me enter the house, so I really can't overcharge this money......"

"Alright, little Kim, take it if you want to. There are rules for helping, and since you come out to do things, you have to have a bowl of water. This is the rule, and it can't be messed up. Shaking his head again, the young shopkeeper forcibly stuffed the money into the hands of the gray-clothed young man, "And our town is not in a good location, no one cares." The reason why you can be peaceful now is not all because of your usual patrol management day and night to maintain order. So you deserve the money, and nothing else...... Well, if you really want to thank me, then come and sit with me more often if it's okay, and add some turnover to me, hehe......"

"Well, forget it, I'm afraid I'll be beaten again when I bump into my mother...... Moreover, big brother, your place is good, but it is too clean and quiet, we are uncomfortable here, we dare not speak loudly, and we are not happy to drink. ”

"Bang, you kid is here to hit my big brother today!"

"Haha, how dare I do that. I mean, big brother, you take the high-end route, and the people you entertain are rich businessmen and nobles, and we are rough people, so ...... Hey hey ......"

waved his hand angrily, "Okay boy, hurry up and get out of the house with the monthly money." ”

"Okay, okay, let's go, let's ......go," he said that he was leaving, but the gray-clothed young man didn't move, glanced at the two Philip beside him, and asked with a smile, "By the way, these two look at the eyes, are you your friends?"

The young shopkeeper glanced at Philip, who had been standing without speaking, and nodded: "That's right." ”

"Really?" the gray-clothed young man asked, as if he meant something.

"Nonsense!" the young shopkeeper waved his hand again angrily: "Don't worry, they didn't come to trouble me, so I don't need to ask." ”

"Oh, that's good, I'll just ask. Hearing this, the gray-clothed young man finally put his mind at ease, "Then I'll go first...... Look at my brain, I almost forgot, I still have something to tell my big brother. ”

"What's wrong with you kid today, and is it over?"

The gray-clothed young man scratched his head in embarrassment: "The real thing, the real thing...... Well, I don't know if you have heard of Brother Tang, there are new gangs in the town recently, and they are very arrogant. ”

The young shopkeeper thought for a moment, "You mean the people who live in the south of town?"

"Yes, that's them. I heard that he used to be a bandit, but now he can't get along, and this gang is called the Black Tiger Gang. A few days ago, he asked our boss out to talk, and as soon as he opened his mouth, he asked us to give up half of the town...... Hehe, of course, the result was unpleasant. But judging by what they mean, they don't seem to want to stop there. So big brother, you should pay attention recently, if they dare to come to the door to make trouble, you send someone to inform me in time, and I will bring someone to clean them up. ”

"Okay, I made a note of that. ”

waved goodbye, "That's okay, I'll go first, don't delay your eldest brother to entertain friends." After finishing speaking, the young man in gray did not delay any longer, nodded politely to Philip and the two, turned around and left in a hurry.

"Monthly money...... Protection money?" When the gray-clothed young man who was supposed to be a member of the small town gang disappeared at the door, Philip looked at the young shopkeeper with a strange expression, and his tone was both disdainful and incredulous.

However, the young shopkeeper was unusually calm, and spread his hands: "No way, spend money to keep safe, the small business can't withstand the toss." ”

"Pretend!

The young shopkeeper shrugged his shoulders indifferently, and then opened the wooden door next to the counter and walked out, and greeted him in a low voice, "Long time no see, Philip." I'm surprised that you didn't die in a woman's belly. ”

Philip stepped forward to meet him: "I am also puzzled that you were not burned to death, really...... The gods don't open their eyes!"

"Hah, you mouth of a flower...... Sure enough, it's still the same!"

"Each other!

Bang, under the dim wall lamp, the two figures hugged each other vigorously, hammering each other's backs, and the war drums were rattling, as if they were going to be hammered through directly......

............ (To be continued......)