NOVPUB
Chapter 308: The Man’s Identity
Aldrian returned to the inn in the afternoon and noticed that one of the upper floors of the building had a broken wall being repaired by the inn’s staff. The floor in question was the same as his group’s, sparking his curiosity about what had happened as he walked toward it. Deciding to ask his group directly, he headed to Xin Haotian’s room, where he sensed their presence along with an unknown unconscious man.
Upon entering the room, Aldrian found his group gathered there as expected. However, his curiosity lingered on the unfamiliar man lying on the bed. Sylphia approached Aldrian with a smile, seemingly aware of the questions forming in his mind.
"I know you have questions, but while you were gone, something happened," Sylphia said. She then explained what had occurred in the destroyed room and why she decided to save the man.
Aldrian raised his eyebrows as he finally understood the reason. He glanced at the man again, activating his Eyes of the Heaven. The information revealed that the man’s name wasn’t Larson. However, the fact that he intended to leave a sign with the name Larson written on a piece of paper must hold some significance.
He then walked over to the unconscious man and placed a hand on his forehead. Attempting to read the man’s memories, Aldrian soon discovered a mind seal within the man’s mindscape. Such a seal indicated that the man was likely part of an organization.
The seal, however, wasn’t complicated for Aldrian. With little effort, he broke it and delved into the man’s memories. After a few minutes, a smile spread across his face. The others, noticing Aldrian’s sudden expression, immediately understood that he had uncovered something useful to him.
After a few moments, Aldrian finally stopped reading the man’s memories. Then with a jolt of lightning, he attempted to wake him up. The unconscious man instantly gasped awake, startled by the shock to his soul, and looked around at his surroundings.
"Wait, I’m still alive?" the man thought.
He was certain he had died after suffering a fatal stab wound and poison strong enough to kill him. However, it seemed he had survived, as he recognized the room as one belonging to an inn. Glancing at the strangers gathered around him, he assumed they were the ones who had saved him.
"Thank you for saving me. But may I know who you are?" the man asked cautiously. They didn’t seem to be locals, especially given the presence of an elf.
"We are just vagabond cultivators without any affiliations, so there’s no need to worry," Aldrian said calmly. "Our rooms are not far from yours. When we heard a commotion, we went to check and found you in critical condition. So, we decided to help."
"I see," the man sighed in relief.
"Now it’s my turn to ask you some questions," Aldrian continued. "Why were you attacked? Who are you? And why did you leave a piece of paper with the name ’Larson’ on it?"
Although Aldrian had already pieced together much of the story from the man’s memories, he still needed to ask to avoid raising suspicion and to earn the man’s trust.
The man remained silent, hesitating as if unsure whether to speak. Aldrian, however, did not push him and waited patiently. Finally, the man gritted his teeth, seemingly reaching a decision, and looked directly at Aldrian.
"I have something I’d like your help with," the man said.
Feigning ignorance, Aldrian raised an eyebrow and responded, "Help you? Let’s hear it first. I need to judge whether it’s something I can assist with."
The man nodded, his determination growing. At this point, he didn’t care about anything else—his priority was spreading the truth, even if it meant seeking help from strangers like Aldrian.
"My name is Ghulani Calway," he began, "and I am a member of an intelligence group under the Larson family."
Aldrian listened attentively as Ghulani continued.
"My role is to report back to the Larson family about the situation in Flamecrest City. We document everything happening here, but our primary focus is observing the movements of the Flamecrest family."
"Yesterday’s event, where the Flamecrest family suddenly managed to bring down the Boraz Fortress, has shocked the entire empire. No one knows how the Flamecrest family was able to accomplish such a feat," Ghulani explained. "Grand Duke Larson, who has always harbored animosity toward the Flamecrest family, flew into a rage over their achievement."
"As one of the observers stationed here, I was blamed for failing to detect any signs or movements from the Flamecrest family that could have foretold the destruction of the fortress."
"Luckily, I knew what would happen to me once I heard that the Flamecrest family was responsible for it. I know Grand Duke Larson’s character," Ghulani continued. "There was no escape. Even if I fled to another territory, the Larson family would hunt me down wherever I went. So, in a desperate attempt to survive, I set a trap in case the family sent executioners after me. "
"And sure enough, the Larson family sent a killer squad to execute us for our incompetence."
"Thanks to my trap, I was able to repel my attacker before he could instantly kill me. But unfortunately, he still managed to stab me with a poisoned dagger—one powerful enough to kill even a Duke-stage cultivator. Being only in the Marquess stage, I would have certainly died if you hadn’t saved me. Thank you."
Aldrian continued to smile, as Ghulani’s answer confirmed what he had already gathered from the man’s memories. The Larson family would indeed blame these unfortunate souls for their failure to carry out their duties. The thought that the Flamecrest family had pulled off something like yesterday’s event without anyone knowing must have infuriated Grand Duke Larson, as it disrupted the devils’ agenda.
Aldrian could easily imagine the Grand Duke’s fury, which only made him smile more. He then feigned confusion as he asked Ghulani a question.
"Well, from your story, what you did is basically espionage. So, you’re essentially a spy for another noble family," Aldrian said. "But there’s something that’s been bugging me after hearing your story. Why would the Larson family be angry about the Flamecrest family’s achievement in destroying Boraz Fortress? Isn’t that good news for the empire? The fortress has been an obstacle to the empire all this time because of its strength and the troops guarding it. Why would the Larson family be furious to the point of trying to kill their own spies?"
"It’s because the Larson family has connections with the devils," Ghulani explained.
Aldrian widened his eyes, feigning shock at the revelation. "What? How is that possible? Why would such a great noble family like the Larsons have connections with the wicked devils? Do you have any proof to back up what you’re saying?"
"Of course! I’m one of the witnesses who saw how the higher-ups and some of the Larson family’s cultivators have been working with the devils to expand their influence within the empire. Because of the Larson family’s efforts, the devils have gained more room to maneuver according to their plan. One such plan is the downfall of the Flamecrest family," Ghulani said, his face urging Aldrian and the others to believe him.
However, all he saw were expressions of curiosity rather than shock. He felt confused, but he thought he had already captured their attention, even though he hadn’t provided any concrete evidence of the Larson family’s treacherous acts.
Little did he know, Xin Haotian and the others were already aware of the Larson family’s connections.
"You’re saying all of this... If what you say is true, then are you betraying the Larson family, which has been a part of your life?" Aldrian asked.
Ghulani gritted his teeth and set his face with determination. "They want me dead for something beyond our control. At this point, I believe my comrades are also already targeted by them. Although we don’t know how the Flamecrest family managed what they did yesterday, it’s clear that we, the observers here, haven’t been at fault. We did our jobs properly. Even with all our connections and informants, no one knew about the Flamecrest family’s movements yesterday. If they want me dead, then I’ll bring them down first. My life comes first, and if I die, I’ll take the Larson family down with me."
Aldrian, seeing the resentment Ghulani harbored toward the family that had been a part of his life for so long, could understand his feelings after reading his memories. From those memories, Aldrian learned that Ghulani had received horrible treatment from the Larson family, which had caused his loyalty to be rooted in fear rather than respect or genuine allegiance.
Once that fear had vanished, Ghulani would want nothing more than to break free from the Larson family’s control. The moment they sent someone to kill him and he survived, any trace of fear toward the Larson family disappeared. Now, all that remained in his heart was the desire to make them pay for everything they had done to him.
"Then, what kind of proof can you show us? If you provide us with something solid, we’ll gladly help you. After all, it’s the devils we’re dealing with. Even if it’s the great Larson family, we won’t let evil prevail in this empire," Aldrian said, his tone firm and resolute.
The others, seeing Aldrian’s acting, fought the urge to smile, but they held back. As for Ghulani, he sighed in relief at Aldrian’s willingness to help. Most people would hesitate or refuse to get involved once they heard it was connected to a noble family, especially one as powerful as the Larson grand duchy.
"The Larson family has ties to the devils, and their influence has already spread across the empire. I can take you to the place where the devils are gathering in this city. A place that the Flamecrest family is unaware of, where the devils are actually scheming against them."
