It involved the capture of traversers for interrogation and murder.
The priestess arranged for some acolytes and guided Fong how on a tour of the temple.
Soon the temple's attire and a number of people involved were provided.
The garments of the temple bore specific religious patterns but did not fall under the category of equipment blueprints, making mass production impossible.
They required skilled tailor for crafting.
By the time they departed from the temple, it was already 3 in the afternoon.
Fungho had his hair trimmed and then strolled through several commercial streets, observing shops for sale and noting which establishments seemed to flourish.
After finishing his walk through the commercial district, dusk had set in, and Ja, dissatisfied with the fair at the inn, suggested they head directly into a tavern.
Upon pushing open the tavern's doors, a cacophony greeted them.
Fong Ho settled at the bar, and soon the tavern owner approached, remarking on the infrequent visits of Fong Hao.
It seems that the proprietor still remembers Fong Hao, occasionally coming by to enhance the dining experience.
Fong Ho smiled in response, refraining from mentioning his recent arrival in Ley City.
"What should we indulge in today?" the proprietor asked, wiping his hands with a cloth.
Fong Hao glanced at Injia, inquiring about her preferences, cautioning her not to order excessively.
As Inja placed her order, Fong Ha s gaze drifted toward the bulletin board within the tavern, a crucial resource for obtaining maps.
The notices displayed on the board primarily pertained to trivial matters within the city.
However, two single page maps caught Fongo's attention.
Map: Mountain Bandit Camp and Map Rocky Forest.
He casually plucked them from the board and began to examine them.
Map: Mountain Bandit Camp, Rocky Forest.
Category: Single Page Map.
Description: Maps crafted by traveling merchants detailing routes and terrain of unknown ruins.
Neither of the maps indicated anything particularly remarkable, merely recording the locations.
I'll take these two maps, Fong Hao declared to the proprietor.
The busy proprietor merely glanced back and nodded, gesturing for Fongo to keep them.
Fong Hao promptly tucked the two maps into his backpack, intending to catalog them using the Lord<unk>'s book upon his return.
Before long, their beer and dinner were served, and the two engaged in conversation while savoring their meal.
Suddenly, the tavern door was forcefully swung open.
A group of burly men stroed in with an intimidating presence, causing the once boisterous tavern to fall into an eerie silence.
The men stood at the entrance, scanning the room, their gaze ultimately settling in a corner.
They advanced purposefully, dragging a slender, dark-skinned man from beneath the table.
"Lie, boss, lie, what brings you gentlemen here?" the slender man asked, a sickopantic smile plastered on his face, his eyes darting nervously.
Slap.
The man referred to as boss lie delivered a resounding blow to the man's face.
Cut the crap.
The boss wants to know when you will repay the debt.
Just a few more days.
If you could grant me a bit more time, I swear I will have the money.
The slender man pleaded covering his face.
You've had ample time.
The boss has made it clear.
If you can't repay today, we'll break your legs for interest.
Boss lie retorted coldly.
Please, boss.
Grant me just two more days.
I swear I'll come up with the funds.
The man dropped to his knees, desperately begging for mercy.
Boss Lie, evidently weary of his excuses, yanked him up and began to exit.
The tavern remained eerily quiet, filled only with the sounds of his pleas and the commotion of overturned tables and chairs.
It was only after the burly men had dragged the slender man out that the tavern returned to its previous rockousness.
With patrons resuming their drinking and boasting as if nothing had transpired, the proprietor returned to the counter, wiping his hands.
"What has happened?" Fong how inquired in a hush tone, leaning closer to the proprietor.
The proprietor's gaze remained fixed on the door, pondering the fate of a certain young man known for his gambling tendencies, yet blessed with remarkable fortune.
Each time he returned from his excursions outside the city, he would unearth a sizable gem which he would then sell to the jewelry shop, using the proceeds to indulge his gambling habit.
Finding gems, where could one possibly discover such treasures? Fong Ho mused, taken aback by the notion.
If I were privy to such a location, I would forsake this tavern and venture forth daily to collect gems.
The proprietor poured a drink for a nearby patron and continued, "Do not doubt it.
This is indeed true.
He has boasted of his gems more than once within these very walls, each encased in a small brown leather pouch.
The proprietor gestured, illustrating the size of the gem.
Upon hearing this description, Fungha's eyes narrowed as a thought crossed his mind.
"So, he has recently been unable to procure gems and is unable to settle his gambling debts.
" "Correct," he inquired further.
Indeed, it appears that one of his legs may not be salvaged, the proprietor affirmed, confirming Fongo suspicions by piecing together the details.
It was not difficult to deduce the origin of the gamblers's gems, and he simply carries them away.
Is there no one in the city to oversee such matters? The security here seems quite decent, Fungho pressed.
The individuals you encountered earlier are all under the employee of Ley.
Who would dare intervene? Moreover, debts must be repaid, and there is little that can be done, the proprietor remarked while wiping the table.
Ley is formidable, Fonhao questioned.
The boss of Ley is the leader of the underground district in Liix's city.
One must tread carefully around him, the proprietor cautioned, leaning in to speak softly.
"Ah," Fungha replied, acknowledging the warning.
After finishing their dinner, the two prepared a takeout meal for Daimitria.
As they exited the tavern, twilight had begun to descend, and the foot traffic on the streets had notably diminished.
They made their way along the road towards the inn.
A carriage ambled slowly past them.
In that fleeting moment, the driver sis caused Fong how to frown slightly.
It was the captain of the city lord's guard, the very same who had accompanied Rebecca to inspect the corpse the previous night.
Let us follow the carriage and ascertain its destination, Anja suggested, nodding in agreement as they pursued the vehicle.
The streets within the city were not particularly fast-paced, making it easy to trail the carriage without drawing attention.
Chapter 316.
Vital intelligence.
The night was enveloped in silence.
Within a modest two-story building adjacent to a civilian district, the room remained brightly lit.
A young man lay on the bed, his expression weary, repeatedly murmuring, "Let me go.
Let me go, Creek.
" The door swung open and Rebecca entered, flanked by guards with a slight furrow in her brow.
She regarded the man before her and spoke in a gentle tone.
"You are safe now.
Please tell me who captured you.
" Upon hearing Rebecca's voice, the man on the bed abruptly seized his incessant please.
His gaze fixated on those present, he bellowed, "What do you madmen want to know? We are human beings.
Why treat us this way?" In response to the man's outburst, Rebecca turned to the guards beside her, who shook their heads slightly, indicating that they had not mistreated him.
"It was I who saved you.
Now, I require you to disclose what transpired so that we may apprehend those responsible," Rebecca continued.
Perhaps words had an effect, for the man's emotions gradually began to stabilize.
You saved me? He inquired.
Indeed, I am Lady Rebecca, the wife of the Lord of Lisa's city.
I shall arrange for your safety, so there is no need for concern.
Taking a couple of steps forward, Rebecca seated herself on a chair nearby.