Chapter 359: Beginner Village Quest

"Dominate the Nine Heavens ()" Search for the latest chapter!

Old Wang's team returned and had a three-day break. Without Ah Xi around, it suddenly felt a bit too quiet.

Waking up in the morning, drinking milk and reading the newspaper was a habit. The Holy Sanctuary's Light remained a daily must-read. That critical article was also seen by Old Wang, but even more nonchalant than Hawkland, Old Wang simply used the newspaper to wipe the stains from deer milk off his lips after reading—no other reason, just that after being away for so long, the tissues in the dorm had long run out.

With Winnie by his side, most of the necessary information had already been gathered during the Magic Rail Train ride. Old Wang had no intention of sitting idly at Rose Academy waiting for results. Hawkland’s cautious approach to preserving Rose Academy was undoubtedly the right move, but it was limited by the personal capabilities of this master of runes.

But for Old Wang, now awakened to the Insect God Species...

"A man in his thirties, yet still getting fired up over a beginner-level quest." Old Wang crumpled the Holy Sanctuary's Light he’d wiped his mouth with and tossed it into the trash, as if rediscovering the passion he once had for conquering Dominate the Nine Heavens’ high-difficulty challenges. Before heading out, he glanced at his youthful face in the mirror and suddenly grinned: "Wait, no—I’m only eighteen!"

"Let's get to work!"

…………

Ten-Mile Town, named for being ten miles from Aurora City.

Vroom... Ah Xi parked the customized motorcycle at the town entrance. As he braked sharply, he immediately felt the soft warmth pressing against his back from behind...

Ah Xi’s heart melted like a spring breeze warming his heart.

Famier let out a muffled grunt, "You did that on purpose!"

In just ten miles, Ah Xi had already found excuses to brake hard several times.

"Uh..."

"Don’t even try to lie."

"...Ah Feng taught me..." Ah Xi didn’t hesitate to sell Old Wang out.

Famier was both annoyed and amused, "Did he teach you anything else?"

"Uh, no..." Ah Xi’s breathing tightened. Of course there was more—Ah Feng had gone straight into amorous techniques and conquest manuals, all kinds of wild stuff. But Famier was so sweet; it was better she didn’t know.

"Famier, we’ve arrived at Ten-Mile Town." Ah Xi quickly changed the subject, pointing at the town’s entrance sign. For some reason, returning to the place he grew up in made him a little nervous.

But the thought of introducing his girlfriend to his parents and showing off his customized motorcycle to his hometown friends filled him with excitement. Last time he mentioned the bike, no one believed him!

And this time, not only did he have the bike, but also the lovely and beautiful Famier. If he hadn’t entered the Holy Sanctuary, he’d probably have kids running around Ten-Mile Town by now.

Ah Xi’s chubby face was brimming with happiness. Famier was strict with him, always nagging about this and that, but Ah Xi loved being nagged by her—it meant she cared. Back then, Rachel had treated him like air. Ah Xi wasn’t stupid, especially after the contrast, he fully realized he’d been the legendary "sucker" back then.

This trip home was Famier’s idea. She really wanted to see where Ah Xi grew up, which touched him deeply. If she hadn’t brought it up, he wouldn’t have had the courage to ask.

"Your family sells alcohol, right?" Hearing Ah Xi rave about Ten-Mile honey, Famier grew curious. During past conversations, Ah Xi had mentioned his family held an Aurora City-registered license as brewers and even owned a natural cave cellar.

"Besides ale, our second main product is mead. You might’ve seen it—Honeydew Mead is ours." Ah Xi rubbed his nose and grinned.

"Your family’s actually loaded?" Famier was slightly surprised. She knew Ah Xi’s family was well-off, but not to this minor tycoon level. Honeydew Mead was especially popular among Aurora City’s middle class for banquets, and even ordinary folks would buy a couple of bottles for celebratory home feasts.

"We're comfortable, really. The taxes on brewing are exorbitant. If I could earn an official Hero title, my family could be completely tax-exempt." Ah Xi’s dream of becoming a Hero was genuine, though his initial motivation—and his family’s reason for sending him to Rose Academy Holy Sanctuary—was simple: Holy Sanctuary-certified Heroes enjoyed tax exemptions across the League of Blades.

Famier burst out laughing. Honestly, Ah Xi wasn’t the romantic type, but it was his straightforward honesty that made him reliable. Whenever he spoke bluntly, others might see it as foolish, but she... before long, she’d started finding his tendency to get short-changed endearing. As the Potions Department Head, she couldn’t help but want to compensate him...

So, before long, she found herself in his arms. At the time, she hadn’t thought too deeply about it... Maybe it was fate. But all in all, the process and the outcome had been pleasant. At the very least, he was the only one who could make her laugh so freely like this. Accepting her fate hadn’t been a hard choice—and that was why she’d suggested visiting Ah Xi’s hometown this time.

Some matters required advance planning. After all, her family, though not a major clan, held some reputation in Aurora City. With Ah Xi's return from Dragon City, he had gained glory and nominally entered the core roster of Holy Sanctuary disciples. There wouldn’t be much resistance from her family, but to ensure everything went smoothly in the future—especially to bring face to Ah Xi’s family—she needed to put in more effort. After all, Ah Xi wouldn’t bother thinking about such matters.

At this thought, Famier felt a surge of tenderness in her heart, proud of her judgment back then and grateful she had stood by Ah Xi during his lowest moments.

"Let’s go, take me home," she whispered, pressing against the back of Ah Xi’s head.

Fan Texi gave a little shiver, his heart overflowing with warm, honeyed sweetness. "Alright... Mimi."

After mustering courage for so long, Fan Texi finally spoke the words. Famier responded with a radiant smile and a nod, giving him immense encouragement.

With a roar, the souped-up motorcycle charged into the town. As they entered, the streets grew busier. Bystanders gaped at the roaring machine. "What was that just now? Were there two people on it?"

"Looks like the silly son of the Fan family who went to Aurora City..."

Fan Texi gazed at the familiar streets—the shops lining both sides, unchanged since his childhood, and the snack stalls at the alley entrances, all carrying the familiar tastes of Ten-Mile Town. His eagerness to return surged, and with a sudden acceleration, the souped-up motorcycle sped forward like the wind. Soon, the Fan family estate came into view.

The tires screeched—

The motorcycle halted again, with Famier gently pressed against Fan Texi’s back. Ahead, a large crowd had gathered in front of the mansion’s gate.

Fan Texi was puzzled. Were all these people here because his father knew he was coming home today? But even if they did, why such a turnout? He hadn’t told his family about his trip to Dragon City, and unless he died, the Holy Sanctuary wouldn’t notify them on his behalf...

The motorcycle’s roar was undeniably attention-grabbing. Many in the crowd turned to look at Fan Texi.

Upon recognizing him, they froze briefly before naturally parting to make way.

Fan Texi’s heart sank when he spotted his father pleading desperately with someone. Two thugs, clearly lackeys, held his father down on his knees. The man his father was begging wore the robe of a tax official, his face haughty and chest puffed out.

"Fan Zhongshi, confiscating your family’s wine cellar is a favor to you. According to the city lord’s new wine tax, you owe a century’s worth of cellar taxes. If you can’t pay, it’s prison for you. The city lord is merciful enough to offer you a way out—don’t push your luck," the tax officer sneered, shoving Old Fan aside disdainfully.

"Tax Officer, we’ve never missed a single leo in taxes. But where in the world is there a tax like this? Our cellar stock was all legally taxed back then..." Old Fan struggled, his injured knees making kneeling unbearable. He winced through the pain as he spoke. Suddenly, he felt the weight on his shoulders vanish. Amidst gasps from the crowd, a face dark with fury appeared before him—the two men who had been holding him down were nowhere in sight.

"Ah Xi?! What are you doing here? This isn’t your business—leave now!" Old Fan rubbed his eyes in disbelief as Fan Texi helped him up, then paled and tried to push him away.

"Dad, it’s fine. I’ll handle this."

Old Fan looked him up and down—yes, it was really his son! Glancing around, he saw the two tax thugs who had pinned him down now lying seven or eight meters away, writhing in pain.

Fan Texi’s face darkened with fury. The old Fan Texi might have been powerless, but after surviving Dragon City, facing such lowlifes was nothing. Seeing his father hurt, his soul power flared uncontrollably, and the crushing pressure of Tiger Peak enveloped the area. The commoners could hardly draw breath under the pressure, and the tax officer collapsed in terror, bearing the brunt of the force.

Taking in the scene, Fan Texi forced himself to rein in his emotions and retract his aura, giving the tax officer a chance to recover.

"Y-you... what do you think you’re doing?!" the tax officer blustered. "You filthy commoner! Do you know who I am? I’m Rui, the city lord’s tax officer! I’m here on his orders to collect taxes. Attacking me is an attack on the city lord himself—a defiance against the League of Blades! Are you rebelling, you scum? This is a crime that warrants wiping out your entire line!"

Fan Texi’s rage flared—this guy needed a beating!

Famier quickly stepped in. Killing him was out of the question—it would turn a justified stance into an unjust one, especially during the tense period following Headmistress Carita’s arrest.

"Tax Officer Rui, Fan Texi is an official Holy Sanctuary disciple, eligible for tax exemptions and protection from additional levies. Having fought in the Dragon City War for the glory of the League of Blades, he is now a core disciple of the Holy Sanctuary with even greater privileges. As a tax officer of Aurora City, what exactly are you playing at?" Famier said coolly.

"Who are you? Spouting lies about this pudgy nobody!"

"I am Famier of the Augustus family. I swear this on the Augustus name. But Tax Officer Rui, can you take responsibility for your actions today? You are dragging the League’s name through the mud and sullying the glory of heroes. This matter won’t end here!" Her tone was firm, her demeanor unshakable.

Rui’s stomach dropped—he had heard rumors but hadn’t paid much attention.

"Ahem... Clearly, there’s been a mistake. I’ll... be on my way!"

As he turned to flee, Famier smiled. "Ah Xi, why not see the tax officer off? He looks a bit unsteady on his feet."

With a wink, Fantasy immediately rushed forward, grabbed the tax officer, and hurled him away. The officer, flung over ten meters, screamed as he scrambled to his feet and fled.

*Whoa!* The crowd went wild. Ever since the new governor took office, new taxes of all kinds had been relentless—small fees every three days, heavy taxes every ten, even taxes on breeding livestock! These levies were timed so harshly that the burden became unbearable. Yet, the people of Aurora City's satellite town dared not resist—they relied on the city for survival and had no influential figures. Who would have thought the goofy guy from the Fan family would become someone of importance?

Though everyone knew the chubby kid had gone to the Holy Sanctuary, no one believed he’d amount to much. At best, he’d put in his years, earn some clout, and return to inherit his father’s business.

But now, as they gazed at Fantasy’s composed demeanor, respect welled up in them. He truly was different now—he’s got presence now, a core disciple of the Holy Sanctuary. The Fan family had hit the jackpot.

Many merchants jumped at the chance, pushing to set him up with their daughters...

Famier couldn’t stand it any longer. Smiling, she stepped forward, linking arms with Fantasy, and addressed Old Fan, "Uncle, hello. I’m Fantasy’s girlfriend, Famier *of* the Augustus family. How’s your leg? Here’s a healing potion."

As she spoke, she produced a vial of potion, which Fantasy promptly opened and administered to Old Fan without hesitation.

The bruises from the scuffle vanished almost instantly, and Old Fan’s trembling legs steadied at once.

*Augustus?*

Only then did it dawn on everyone—this elegant young woman bore the surname Augustus, belonging to Aurora City’s renowned potion family, a pillar of the community. *Damn!*

The Fans had struck gold! How could a fool like Fantasy be worthy of such a noble lady?

Merchants who had been pushing their daughters quickly retreated into the crowd.

Old Fan was stunned. "Augustus? As in the potion-making dynasty of Aurora City?"

Famier humbly replied, "That’s right, though it’s not *that* big a deal—hardly a dynasty."

Old Fan scrutinized Famier, then gave his chubby son a dubious look. "Miss Augustus, how could you possibly take a liking to my foolish boy...?"

Fantasy, standing nearby, was indignant. "Seriously, Dad?"

Famier couldn’t help but laugh. "Uncle, just call me Famier. Ah Xi is wonderful—he’s an elite of our Rose Holy Sanctuary, the core of the first team. *I* pursued *him*."

At that moment, not just Old Fan but even the neighbors turned green with envy. Back when Old Fan spent a fortune sending Fantasy to the Holy Sanctuary, he’d faced ridicule. And now...

Meanwhile, Ah Xi could only grin foolishly, finally understanding what happiness meant.

*Who’s she?*