Chapter 189 The Price of Ignorance

The middle-aged manager of the tavern was quite helpless in the face of Shao Ke's demand. "I suggest you take this up properly with the tavern's owner," the middle-aged man said, emphasizing that all the charges were set by the tavern's rules and he couldn't make any changes. He pleaded with the three mages not to make things too difficult for him. Of course, he effortlessly put on a rather pitiful expression. However, his behavior had no effect whatsoever.

Just as the mages and the middle-aged man were arguing over the gold coins, a somewhat larger entourage walked over from the area connecting to the other pavilions. The leader was a young man dressed as a noble. As he passed by Shao Ke and the others, he suddenly stopped and said, "Three mages, the bill for this visit will be covered by us. You have no reason to argue with him." The young noble said this, extending his hand to signal Shao Ke to hand over the payment list to him so he could settle it.

"We don't need your kindness," the Fifth Tier female mage, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "Mage Xueye, let's leave this place." The Fifth Tier female mage said this while shaking the staff in her hand, her agitation evident. "I don't want to waste too much time here."

At this point, Shao Ke could no longer tolerate the situation either. Following the Fifth Tier female mage's request, he ignored the noble and led the two female mages away.

However, their movement was unhesitatingly blocked. Four or five warriors had materialized in the corridor. They were somewhat annoyed by the mages' refusal to settle the bill.

"Three mages, you are not permitted to leave this tavern until you have paid the sufficient amount," the middle-aged man said calmly from the side. "I think you understand the current situation, and the empire's laws uphold our actions." Saying this, the middle-aged man took a few steps forward again, stared intently at Shao Ke, as if that alone could pressure the mages.

"Move." Faced with this blatant threat, the mages were all very angry. However, the two female mages were only somewhat furious and didn't make any special moves. But Shao Ke, his temper frayed, shouted loudly, suddenly unleashed his mental power—far surpassing that of mages of his rank—and locked onto the middle-aged man before him. The staff on his back also burst into flame, a ball of greenish fire floating at its tip.

The powerful mental power quickly alarmed the guests who were dancing, as there were still some mages and warriors present. The commotion they caused soon drew the attention of the other guests. These guests quickly noticed the three mages at the entrance and the group led by the young noble, and saw the warriors behind the middle-aged man who had flared with fighting aura.

"If you cast a spell here, even with the military's protection, you won't escape punishment from the owner of this place," the middle-aged man said, facing Shao Ke's blatant threat without showing any trace of fear. He still looked at Shao Ke calmly and added once more, "Even a Seventh Tier Mage wouldn't dare cast a spell here."

"Spellcasting is not allowed here," a Gray-robed Mage quickly rushed over. Seeing the Green Flame on Shao Ke's back, he hesitated for a moment but still repeated the rules of this place. He hoped this Black-robed Mage could restrain himself here. "The owner of this place still has some influence in the military. I think you have absolutely no need to act this way here."

"A Sixth Tier Mage, obeying a merchant's rules?" Shao Ke glanced at the Gray-robed Mage, ignoring his advice. He took out another common gold coin and threw it on the ground. "Take the money and go. Or die." After saying this, Shao Ke closed his eyes, quietly waiting for the other party's decision.

Seeing Shao Ke's behavior, the two female mages hesitated for a brief moment. In the end, they still gripped their staffs tightly, preparing to join Shao Ke in casting spells to attack the interceptors if necessary.

"Your actions are an insult to the noble class of mages..." The middle-aged man had just spoken a sentence when he was interrupted by Shao Ke's reminder again. "Take that gold coin or die. You are now threatening a mage from the Death Mage Corps." Shao Ke's warning still had no effect.

Faced with Shao Ke's warning, the middle-aged man still maintained his proper smile. "The rules here were not set by me. Moreover, I have no authority to let guests who haven't paid enough leave here." After saying this, he added, "I simply can't cover this for you."

"No need for you to cover it." Saying this, Shao Ke suddenly began to cast a spell. The green fire at the tip of his staff exploded without any incantation or gesture. Hundreds of flames, generated by mana and mental energy, quickly swirled around Shao Ke, with more than half gathering in his hand.

'Fourth Rank Green Flame Manipulation.' This was a spell Shao Ke learned after advancing to the fourth rank. Although the mana consumption for casting this spell had increased significantly, the casting speed had become much faster.

The flames rapidly coalesced under Shao Ke's control, twisting into a serpent of fire that swiftly coiled towards the several warriors who were charging at him.

The warriors who had activated their battle aura seemed unconcerned by Shao Ke's attack. Moreover, each of them was a Fifth-rank Warrior, so they paid no heed to the mage's assault.

The sudden battle threw the guests into a slight panic. But with the help of guards, they quickly distanced themselves from Shao Ke and the others, standing at what they felt was a safe distance to continue observing the fight, as if they were watching an arena match. Of course, the noble who had appeared earlier wasn't in the mood for this, because today's banquet was hosted by him, and it seemed the guests present were all focusing their attention on that mage and the middle-aged man, which made him somewhat helpless.

The green flames quickly coiled around those warriors. The powerful impact forced the warriors, who hadn't used their full strength, to retreat. The flames began burning on the aura protecting them, causing some slight panic among the warriors. But they quickly charged forward again, as only by subduing this mage would they have a chance to dispel the spell effects on themselves.

While Shao Ke was concentrating his mental power and mana, the two female mages also prepared for battle, because they knew today's matter couldn't be avoided. They didn't want to be bound by the rules of this tavern, especially when the one enforcing this order was an ordinary middle-aged man.

"Crystal Spear." An ordinary Third Rank single-target spell was quickly released by the Fifth Tier mage. As those warriors charged at Shao Ke to continue their attack, a crystal-structured long spear heavily struck one warrior, knocking him back again. Female Mage Roman quickly crushed a crystal, and a stored cyan Wind Blade also struck its target.

The mages quickly activated all the Defensive Magic Arrays on their bodies. Close-range attacks from four Fifth-rank Warriors were not something Low-rank Mages could withstand for long. Shao Ke quickly took out two scrolls and tore them apart at the fastest speed. Rending Ray, two sealed special Fourth-level Spells accurately hit their targets, not only successfully tearing through the warriors' aura but also leaving huge holes in their bodies.

At this moment, Mage Roman quickly prepared the Second-level Spell Flame Jet. A jet of fire over a meter thick burst from the tip of her staff, fiercely striking the remaining warrior. Unfortunately, protected by aura, the Fifth-rank Warrior didn't care at all about the female mage's attack. A huge fist heavily struck Mage Roman's Defensive Spell. The only layer of Fourth-level defensive spell easily shattered. The fist heavily struck the female mage's chest. Although the opponent's strength had weakened somewhat, it still sent Mage Roman flying. However, the female mage took advantage of the time the defensive spell bought to twist her body as much as possible and used her staff to block the opponent's attack.

Unfortunately, her efforts, at least for now, had failed. The sturdy staff was broken. After being struck in the chest, she staggered back a few steps and fell heavily to the ground. When the crimson blood splattered onto Shao Ke, he froze.

The mages' attacks stopped. The warriors' attacks also stopped. Both sides seemed to have agreed upon it, simultaneously ceasing the fight.

"Is this the result you wanted?" The middle-aged man, whose face had turned somewhat ugly, glared fiercely at Shao Ke. It wasn't that he didn't want to order his warriors to attack again, but because a Seventh Tier Mage had stopped him. That mage was precisely the one responsible for the security of this tavern.

Shao Ke didn't speak. Instead, he carefully took out some medicine and administered it to Mage Roman, who was lying on the ground, and handed her over to the care of the Fifth Tier female mage beside him.

"Either kill me here, or wait for my revenge." As soon as Shao Ke finished speaking, the Seventh Tier Mage who had just appeared here released a mental pressure, instantly suppressing Shao Ke.

"Mages of the Death Mage Corps, leave this place. These two female mages must stay here to pay for the damage they caused," the Seventh Tier Mage frowned and quickly made a suggestion. "I don't think this will be difficult for you." After saying this, he pointed at the two warriors who had already died, kindly reminding them of the losses they had caused here.

Faced with the suggestion put forward by the Seventh Tier Mage, Shao Ke didn't give any answer. He just took out several scrolls. "Are you affiliated with the Mage Guild?" After saying this, he added, "Among these are mental attack types and area-of-effect spells." As he spoke, the two purple magic arrays in his eyes uncontrollably surfaced. Clearly, he, being emotionally agitated, couldn't control them at all.

As the conflict ended, a large number of guests came out to watch. Even guests from the other tall buildings, upon receiving the news, quickly came over through the connected passages under the protection of guards. Everything here became lively. Most of the guests came with an attitude of entertainment, and only a few were troubled by this sudden incident.