After Pandana had mostly recovered, news of Dongfang Jiang and Pandana’s deeds had spread throughout the small town.
The bandit problem that had plagued the town for so long had been resolved by Dongfang Jiang and Pandana.
Dongfang Jiang used the contact code to get in touch with the Jones family.
They agreed on a time, and so on a warm afternoon, in the town’s most luxurious house, Dongfang Jiang and Pandana smiled at the Young Lady and her father—Will Jones—sitting across from them.
“I am very glad you saved my only daughter, Lord Dongfang, Lady Daogelas.”
Will looked at Pandana and let out a long sigh.
“For that guy to father a daughter like this, he must have burned incense for his ancestors. I, Will, am a man who repays kindness. Along with providing a reward, we will also eliminate the Douglas family’s debts.”
“Completely wiped clean?”
Dongfang Jiang looked at Pandana.
Pandana scratched her head sheepishly.
“My father indulges in drinking, gambling, and women.”
“Ahaha…”
Dongfang Jiang completely understood Will.
The fact that Will didn’t hound Pandana for money already made him a saint.
“Of course, don’t think too highly of me. I took back the Douglas house, which is why Pandana ended up on the streets. ‘Wiped clean’ naturally includes that too.”
“…But that way, I got to meet Mister Dongfang.”
Pandana played with the stray hairs on her forehead and sneaked a glance at Dongfang Jiang.
“Ahem, is this the time to be talking about this? Dad?”
The Young Lady rolled her eyes at Will, forcefully cutting him off, and said frankly to Dongfang Jiang and Pandana.
“First, thank you very much for saving me. As a reward, we’ll provide you with a considerable sum of funds, and the Douglas family’s debt issues will be wiped clean.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Will immediately added.
Seeing the father and daughter like this, combined with the information Dongfang Jiang had gathered about the Jones family during this time, Dongfang Jiang understood that the authority in the Jones family had clearly long been in the Young Lady’s hands.
“Miss Jones doesn’t seem like someone who lets love rule her head. Is there some hidden reason behind the mountain stronghold incident?”
“Yes, there is. That’s the main reason I called you here. Oh, my name is Nata. Just call me Nata.”
Nata stood up, took a box from the cabinet behind her, and opened it to reveal a ring.
She put the ring on and injected energy into it.
A golden light illuminated the room, and the otherwise ordinary table turned into a digital map.
This map encompassed the entire kingdom.
The red dots and red lines scattered on it were clearly the Jones family’s important trade routes.
“Are you sure it’s okay to show us such confidential information?”
Dongfang Jiang’s expression didn’t change much, but the temperature in the room quietly dropped a few degrees.
The three looked at Dongfang Jiang’s ring; the Earth Ring was quietly radiating a deep blue glow.
Seeing Dongfang Jiang’s attitude, Pandana followed suit.
A murky green glow gently enveloped them both.
“Of course it’s fine. Swamp, glacier… the energies represented by your rings are completely different from any rings I’ve seen in daily life.”
“Different?”
Seeing Dongfang Jiang’s confusion, Will added.
“The common elements of rings are Sky, Gale, Rainstorm, Sun, Thunderbolt, Floating Cloud, and Dense Fog.”
“They’re completely different from our rings.”
Pandana looked at her Swamp Ring.
This was also the reason Pandana believed she was born to be Dongfang Jiang’s Guardian.
The compatibility is just too high.
“Therefore, you will play a major role in dealing with the Valen Ring’s owner.”
“What does that have to do with us?”
Dongfang Jiang, seeing the other party suddenly put him on such a pedestal, immediately retorted.
“Are you kidding me? I, Pandana, and Xue—the three of us together can’t even make one normal person.”
Nata let out a long sigh.
She looked at Dongfang Jiang, her expression turning serious, and spoke to him.
“The Valen Ring is one of the few Super S-rank rings on this continent. Like other Super S-rank rings, it can greatly enhance the user’s power, but the Valen Ring has a terrifying effect.”
“?”
“It can control users of the corresponding element. The ring I have is already A-rank, but I was still controlled by it. Whew, that period was truly a disaster…”
“Luckily, it wasn’t too late to set things right.”
Will, who had been quiet for a long time, let out a hearty laugh.
But only he knew the hardships behind it.
“I see. So you mean the Sun Ring among the Valen Rings has appeared?”
“Yes, and based on the information I obtained before being controlled and what the pawnshop owner told me, the other party’s next destination is the Royal Capital.”
“I understand, but what does that have to do with me? As long as there’s someone with an S-rank ring, or a few other attribute ring bearers, to take care of this guy, that should be enough.”
“Whew, that answer is a bit unexpected… How about this: if this matter succeeds, you can enjoy everything the Jones family has to offer as a partner of the Jones family.”
“The reason? The terms you’re offering make it seem like you’re trying to sell me off.”
Dongfang Jiang remained vigilant.
Such a good deal wouldn’t easily fall into his lap.
“I want the Valen Ring too—it’s as simple as that.”
Of course, Nata didn’t explain the deeper reasons.
“Let’s see about that…”
Dongfang Jiang said, preparing to leave the table.
Seeing Dongfang Jiang’s demeanor, Pandana also prepared to stand up.
At that moment, the System appeared in Dongfang Jiang’s mind.
Appearing at this critical time, Dongfang Jiang understood the System’s intention.
‘I won’t do it…’
‘Don’t be too hasty to refuse… After completing her request, the Jones family’s request is serious… the kind that won’t be regretted. If you don’t believe me, ask them to provide you with supplies.’
‘Fine…’
Dongfang Jiang turned back and looked at Nata and Will.
“I accept this request. But as a condition, you must cover all our expenses in the Royal Capital during the commission.”
“Deal. Pleasure doing business.”
Nata and Dongfang Jiang signed a contract.
Of course, Dongfang Jiang used the System to have it check the contract.
After confirming there were no issues, he left the Jones family estate with Pandana.
“By the way, Mister Dongfang, has Miss Xue put on the ring yet?”
Dongfang Jiang shook his head and patted Pandana’s head.
“No… no rush… Alright, let’s rest up and head to the Royal Capital.”
“Okay, Mister Dongfang. Oh right, the steamed bun shop on West Street is really good…”
“Sure thing, let’s go eat together.”
“Oh, and the pastries from that pastry shop are also delicious.”
While Dongfang Jiang and Pandana leisurely enjoyed the afternoon, in the Maple Language Sword Pavilion in the Northern Border, compared to its usual bustling noise, the hall at this moment was enveloped in silence.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.