In the tavern, while everyone sucked in breaths, Ricky said slowly, "What secret?
What secret? "
Thales stared at Stake, unable to shift his gaze away.
His curiosity and bewilderment towards that night won over the uneasiness and fear in his heart.
Stake did not answer immediately.
The man from Shadow Shield looked around. When he saw that everyone was attracted by this topic, he bowed in satisfaction and smiled.
"That is why I came here today."
He slowly raised his head, and a pair of eyes that had instantly become sharp appeared under his eyebrows. "Ever since we crossed the sea, Teng has shown extraordinary enthusiasm towards the Jadestar Royal Family. I guess it's because of his past identity.
"But during the Bloody Year, he took on a business deal that left no room for retreat and destroyed the Jadestar Royal Family? That's too much. "
Beside Ricky, the Masked Man snorted coldly.
'Bloody Year.'
When he heard the keyword, Thales' eyelids twitched for no reason.
"There must be a reason. There must be a reason why he's so obsessed with Jadestar."
Stake straightened his back and responded to the people with different expressions with an indifferent gaze.
"Six years ago, as the person in charge of us in Northland, I issued an order: If there's a chance, assassinate the Second Prince of Constellation who came to visit."
Quick Rope poked Thales in the dark.
Thales lowered his eyelashes and pretended not to see the reproachful look that Quick Rope sent him. "Why is it you again?"
Stake continued speaking, attracting everyone's attention. "But in the end, this order was stopped by Teng. He even acted out of character and took the risk to show himself, just to prevent his subordinates from doing anything rash.
"He wanted the prince alive. For this, he even sent me to negotiate with the Archduke of Black Sand Region."
Ricky frowned and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"Eighteen years ago, he almost madly assassinated a member of the royal family, and now, he's doing his best to ensure the prince's survival." Stake showed a mysterious expression. "The change in Teng's attitude before and after can only mean one thing."
He raised a finger, and his tone became serious.
"That prince's existence must mean something."
Thales could feel his fingernails clenching his palms tightly.
The mercenaries started to whisper amongst themselves.
Stake did not care. He only stared at Ricky, who had the highest status. "If I take him down, I can find out Teng's secret, find out why he is so interested in the Jadestar Royal Family, and find out the truth behind why he madly accepted that huge business deal during the Bloody Year."
"What do you mean? Do you want to uncover this secret with us? "
The commotion among the mercenaries grew louder. Thales could even hear Marina gritting her teeth behind him.
The Northland swordsman, Klein, leaned over and whispered something into the masked man's ear, but the masked man only shook his head gently.
Until Ricky raised a hand expressionlessly, silencing the whispers around him.
"Where is Teng?"
The leader of the mercenaries did not harp on the so-called secret thrown out by the other party.
"How is he now?"
When they returned to this topic, Stake's face seemed to be covered by a haze.
He and Ricky stared at each other quietly, but the latter's calm expression revealed his attitude and focus.
Stake could only sigh slightly.
"I don't know if he's alive or dead."
The three leaders of the Disaster Swords frowned at the same time.
"But I can tell you that his situation is bad, very bad." Stake clasped his hands together and quickly took over the conversation. "Since then, Teng has not appeared in the organization for a whole six years. Even I rarely receive his orders, even if I do …"
He said solemnly, "Including me, more than one person in the organization has begun to doubt the Shadow Master's current situation."
When he heard Stake's words, Ricky sucked in a soft breath.
"So …" Disaster Sword's' Crassus' showed a strange expression. "Shadow Shield is now a headless viper."
The masked swordsman added in annoyance, "This makes them even more dangerous. You never know where their venom will splatter."
Klein snorted softly. Stake could only respond with an awkward smile.
"Then what are you doing here?"
Ricky shook his head. "Uncover his secret and inherit his unfinished mission?"
Stake's smile slowly disappeared.
"Needless to say, after Teng's disappearance, Shadow Shield is at a critical turning point."
Stake coughed. "As I said, taking down the prince is the key to solving the puzzle. It is a summation of Teng's actions over the past decade."
Masked Man snorted softly.
"It sounds like you are very dissatisfied with your master?"
"Dissatisfied?"
Stake's expression first changed, then he shook his head resolutely.
"No, I came here to save Shadow Shield, who has nowhere else to go, from despair and trouble.
"We can't continue like this. Shadow Shield needs to be motivated, needs to rise again, needs new stimulation —"
Masked Man interrupted him again.
"Or a new leader — I guess that's what you want to say?"
Stake's words were instantly stuck in his throat.
"It's been twenty years since Teng came to the Western Peninsula, right?" Masked Man said coldly, as if he knew a lot of things. "He's been Shadow Master for twenty years. Based on Shadow Shield's' excellent tradition 'of changing leaders, his reign is indeed a little too long."
Stake's expression turned cold.
"You don't have to hint like that.
"I revealed these secrets to all of you because I wanted to win your trust," Stake said coldly. "I wanted to prove to all of you that Shadow Shield, or at least the part I lead, is no longer the same as it was during Teng Sheng's time, and we should not bear the treatment and stigma of that time."
When he said this, Masked Man snorted and shook his head, while Klein chuckled.
Unexpectedly, Marina was the one who took over Stake's words.
"Ridiculous." The woman in red had a hateful tone. "What kind of 'stigma' do you think we can give to a bunch of stinky rats in the sewers?"
When he heard this retort, Stake frowned and looked at Ricky, but found that the other party did not seem to be unhappy that their conversation was interrupted.
He could only sigh and turn to Marina.
"I'm not speaking carelessly."
Under Marina's hateful gaze, Stake said sadly, "Once upon a time, Shadow Shield was not a rat that everyone wanted to beat up. Once, we also had noble and respectable ideals."
The mercenaries looked at each other at a loss.
Stake took a deep breath. "A thousand years ago, the Final Empire was rebuilt, and all the great powers were born. Those in power and those in high positions stirred up countless wars, tyranny, slavery, and oppression. The helpless people of the world experienced famine, death, pain, and torture again and again."
Longing appeared in Stake's eyes.
"So, when they were forced to a dead end, this group of people came into being. They were born of humble origins, their names were despicable, and they were alone. But they stood up and took up their weapons. When they were weak, they used a small force to win against a large force. They risked their lives to attack in the shadows. They used the most primitive, simplest, but also the most powerless and clumsy method to assassinate tyrants, resist tyranny, and fight back against power. They stood in front of the tyranny of the rulers and the ruthlessness of the feudal lords, and let out the voices of the common people who suffered."
"That's rare." A hint of praise appeared in Ricky's eyes. "Compared to those assassins who act blindly, at least you understand your organization's past."
Thales' eyebrows twitched. This was the first time he heard Shadow Shield described from this angle.
Stake bowed, then let out a long sigh. His gaze was unfocused.
"Once upon a time, we were the last hope of the poor, the vanguard of the insurgents, and the brave warriors of the Rebellion Army. With unimaginable methods and costs, we threatened, reminded, and warned the tyrants who were in high positions but oppressed the people. In the shadows cast by the rulers, there will always be a restless existence. It will always turn into the most steadfast and troublesome shield, protecting the people who are trampled under their feet and despised like ants."
Ricky did not move. Klein and Masked Man responded with their expressions. The former was scornful, and the latter snorted angrily.
But Stake's words were interrupted again.
"How can you be so shameless? How can you describe despicable and despicable things in such a noble manner?"
"Last hope? Bah. "Marina gritted her teeth and said," Scum, do you know how many innocent people had their families destroyed because of you during the Bloody Year?! "
Stake looked back at Marina with slight surprise.
With a complicated expression, he said, "I can't say that you are wrong, young lady."
Stake lowered his head, sighed, and said,
"The truth is, after a thousand years, Shadow Shield, who swore to fight to the death in despair, has fallen into this filthy state day after day as it drifted with the tide and had no choice but to make compromises."
He clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, as if he was indignant.
"You're only interested in profit, and you're muddle-headed and nauseating."
The air in the tavern was quiet for a moment.
"Wow, a noble, pure Shadow Shield assassin who is free from vulgar interests." Klein shook his head and said sarcastically, "How rare."
Stake still clenched his fists, as if he did not see the others' gazes, did not hear Klein's sarcasm, and Marina's snort.
"Especially after Teng's arrival, our situation worsened, and our situation became even worse."
His expression was tense, and his breathing quickened.
"Eighteen years ago, he bewitched us, contacted all parties, and launched an operation against the Jadestar Royal Family, starting from that great assassination that shocked the world."
Thales' heart beat faster. 'My Home Tavern gave me too much information tonight.'
Stake raised his head abruptly and gritted his teeth. "As the master of shadows, he never leaked the list of employers for that business deal to us, but tried his best to bewitch us into ignoring the risks behind it.
"Teng put it very nicely. Shadow Shield has had enough of appearing in the streets and alleys, accepting money from a few villagers, and finding barons and officials, rich or poor, to seek justice for the livestock that were stolen and killed in the village. He also said that we have a great responsibility, and we will go straight to the root of the problem."
Stake looked around. His eyes were burning with anger, as if he wanted to find approval.
"He told us that Constellation would collapse with the help of a business deal that had never been done before. This represents the beginning of a new era, a great era with chaos and confusion as its roots. Horsewhips will crack, blood will spill, fields will burn, and fear will sprout. It will be a chaotic world that will allow us to shine, change our degeneration, and rise, just like how we rose a thousand years ago. The world will remember us again when it wakes up from its dreams, and it will need us again. "
Stake's words were vivid. Thales could even imagine Teng's tone at that time.
'But …'
'The list of employers.'
Thales noticed this word.
'Who were the people who wanted to see the Jadestar Royal Family destroyed during the Bloody Year?'
Stake exhaled. His expression and tone became gloomy at the same time.
"I have to say that he is very eloquent, and his methods are superb. He also has the power of a new ruler … Some people were bewitched, and some people had no choice but to obey him for the sake of their lives."
Klein showed his contempt. "I guess you want to say that you are one of those who had no choice but to obey him?"
Stake shook his head.
"That's not important anymore. What's important is the consequences of this matter.
"Let's see what Teng and his crazy plan have brought us."
Stake spread his hands and looked dejected.
"Chaos? Of course, the war during the Bloody Year was a mess. The civilians were not the only ones who suffered, but also assassins like us, and even mercenaries like you. If everyone could die under the blades of war, then what's the point of having assassins? During the days of war, if we can't even find a flat and quiet place to rest and recuperate, then how can we talk about buying people over and assassinating them?
"And that chaos didn't last long. At least, it didn't last until our golden era arrived. It ended."
Stake's expression was one of struggle, as if he was going through hell.
"For a whole eighteen years, Teng made enemies for us everywhere. Shadow Shield not only hid in Constellation and had no place to hide, even in the world outside Constellation, he had to face the relentless pursuit of the Secret Intelligence Department or their allies. You can't imagine how we lived in the past. Everything was terrible."
Stake's gaze was cold. "That was a business deal with no winner."
Thales felt a chill in his heart.
"If you insist on saying that there was …
"After the disaster, Constellation did not suffer a crushing defeat. It did not usher in the golden era of assassins and Shadow Shield. On the contrary, they rose from the ruins. The new king was even more ruthless than before, and the power of the throne was unprecedented. The opportunity we once hoped for with all our hearts and relied on for a living — the endless feuds between nobles and chaotic battles between vassals — slowly disappeared under the new king's iron fist. It was nowhere to be found. The chaotic future promised by Constellation's decline did not come. Instead, it was getting further and further away. It's funny when I say it, but sometimes, our subordinates even suspect that Teng, who initiated the assassination, is actually a spy for Constellation? "
Stake said the last part with a bitter tone, as if he was crying and laughing at the same time.
It made people frown.
Ricky and the others exchanged glances.
"Did you just ask me that I was' dissatisfied 'with Teng?"
Stake shook his head violently. Hatred flashed in his eyes. "No, the word you chose is too simple. It is not enough to describe how we feel about Teng.
"Teng brought this to Shadow Shield over the past 20 years."
It was a disaster. "
The tavern fell silent again.
Only Thales was still immersed in his own thoughts.
'Teng.
'What kind of person is he?'
"You said that six years ago, Teng risked his life to appear in Dragon Clouds City, ran into an ambush, and was on his last breath?"
Ricky's voice rose, bringing Thales back to reality.
Stake nodded politely.
"Yes?"
Ricky stroked his chin. His eyes were clear as he chuckled.
"Let's not talk about whether your words are trustworthy.
How did someone as careful as Teng get his tracks discovered in Dragon Clouds City, where you have been operating for a long time? "
Stake's expression stiffened.
Ricky snorted.
"So, either you are spouting nonsense, Stake, or …"
Ricky's smile turned cold.
"Now, the person we are dealing with, Stake, is someone who was unwilling to submit to others, and killed his master out of anger …"
Ricky's eyes were still and cold.
"A traitor."
The tavern returned to a suffocating and frightening silence.
Everyone looked at Stake with a strange gaze.
'Damn it.'
Stake rubbed the sweat from his palms.
'This so-called Crassus …'
Ricky did not move. He waited for Stake's response.
A few seconds passed.
The latter sucked in a deep breath.
Finally, at this moment, Stake no longer had a smile on his face. Instead, his face was cold, and there was a fierce look in his eyes.
"If you have never been loyal to someone or something …
"What betrayal is this?"
When he said this, both Klein and Masked Man looked at Stake with even fiercer gazes.
But unexpectedly, Ricky smiled.
"You must be very afraid of him, right?"
The leader of the Disaster Swords said flatly, "Afraid of Teng."
Stake's body trembled.
"Regardless of whether you subconsciously imitate his speech and actions, or whether you deliberately show resentment and dissatisfaction, you cannot hide the fear you inadvertently reveal."
Stake's breathing stopped for a moment.
Ricky seemed to have grasped Stake's weakness.
"To you, he is like an insurmountable mountain, a boundless shadow, isn't he?
"The reason why you want to know his secrets so much is because you can't wait to surpass him, surpass Teng."
Stake gulped softly.
His lips trembled, but he did not make a sound. He seemed to be struggling.
It was as if all his eloquent arguments had lost their color at this moment.
In the end, Ricky looked at him, clicked his tongue, and shook his head.
"Come." Ricky did not ask further. Instead, he leaned against the back of the chair and snapped his fingers.
"It's time to talk about our cooperation."
Stake was startled, as if he did not expect Ricky to return to the main topic he wanted to talk about so easily.
"Then …"
Ricky clenched his fists, and there was a cold glare in his eyes.
"For the sake of possible cooperation, why don't you tell me something about the prince?"
Thales, who was listening by the side, froze. He tried his best to act as natural as possible.
"How did you find him?"
A few seconds later, Stake took a deep breath and smiled.
A moment later, a man dressed in plain clothes was led into the tavern.
The new guest was dressed in light clothes. He was travel-worn, and there was fatigue on his face after a long journey. But even when he faced the hostile swordsmen in the tavern, he still maintained his bearing and pride. He walked in neither servile nor overbearing, and immediately found the person in the tavern who kept his word.
Stake was all smiles. "Let me introduce you. This is Baron Lasalle Weider."
As he said this, the new guest bowed slightly.
Thales moved a little. He subconsciously felt that he had seen this man before.
'But …'
Ricky frowned slightly. "Baron?"
Klein's face was filled with suspicion. He said softly, "Weider. I remember this Northlander's noble surname. He seems to be a small vassal with a fief. It can't be any smaller."
The new guest raised his body, revealing a weathered but solemn face.
"Remove the honorific." Lasalle nodded and said, "My fief has long since been taken back, and my title has also been taken away."
He kept a straight face. "Now, I am just Lasalle Weider."
"You are too humble." On the other side, Stake raised his hand and happily added, "At present, you are our most reliable source of information and partner, including our path of retreat —"
Ricky's face showed doubt. 'Partner?'
But the new guest, Lasalle, did not have any intention of exchanging pleasantries. He interrupted Stake directly.
"I have had enough of glib diplomatic words." Lasalle shook his head and spoke straightforwardly.
"So, I will go straight to the point.
A few days ago, we received a piece of news. "His face was solemn, and his voice was so deep that the others could not help but listen to him." An informant secretly found traces of Thales Jadestar in the desert. "
Thales' heart skipped a beat!
Even Quick Rope did not move.
"The informant has already followed the target, but because he is short on manpower and is in the enemy's territory, he has no choice but to ask us for help and arrange for their evacuation."
Lasalle frowned and said, "The deadline for the evacuation was last night. According to the plan, our informant will bring his prince captive to us."
As Ricky listened to Lasalle's narration, the doubt on his face never disappeared.
Thales, on the other hand, stared at the ground and did not move.
"But it is already midnight, and the informant has not responded."
Lasalle exhaled and said sternly, "Because of this, we have reason to believe that he has failed.
"This is why I came here today, broke the usual practice, and urgently asked for help from both of you."
Lasalle looked at Stake, who had a smile on his face, and then at Ricky, who had an infuriating expression.
The new guest gritted his teeth and said, "Thales Jadestar may have escaped our control and obtained the official protection of the camp. We must strike like lightning and take back the target before the army returns to provide reinforcements. We are short on time, and the sooner, the better."
Ricky and his companions exchanged glances with each other.
"Are there any clues?"
Lasalle nodded.
"Our informant is a mercenary." Lasalle looked around with a stern expression. "The name he uses in the desert is …"
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