Chapter 14 Deliberately Insidious Poison <TOC> Chapter 16 The Ten Legendary Demon Hunters
Translator: SumTLMan
“Alright, now that I’ve given you the antidote, go and peacefully practice your dissections in the lab. Take some time to look through the introductory texts on the bookshelves. When you’re more familiar with the basics of medicine, I’ll begin showing you the introductory experiments for magic potions…”
Pythius didn’t know what Rayne was struggling with at the moment, but the antidote was given, and all he had to now was guard against Rayne escaping.
“Okay, Teacher.”
Rayne nodded, no longer bothering to rechallenge Pythius’s patience.
The two men didn’t talk much as the old man continued studying his newfound yellow gold grade formula.
On the other hand, Rayne, whose plans had been completely disrupted, was deep in contemplation.
He had a sneaking suspicion that something wasn’t quite right…
Having learned the truth about [Zombie Potion], he suddenly felt that the timing of Pythius’s appearance in the “Demon Weasel Bandits” was very suspicious. Still, he couldn’t figure out his real purpose.
And… The background of the “Demon Weasel Bandits” was also somewhat intriguing.
Not everyone would’ve had the guts to assassinate an Imperial noble in a territory as large as “Blazing Steel Fortress”… The person who happened to post the commission for Baron Maureen’s assassination must be a person who wields great power.
Perhaps Boss Quinn is already involved with the mastermind behind this mission?
And obviously, Pythius and Quinn aren’t on the same side.
Tsk tsk tsk… Things are getting interesting.
Although he couldn’t figure out what the whole conspiracy was about, one thought remained firmly in Rayne’s mind.
This place… I can no longer stay!
……
“Since this medicine will take three years before it kicks in, at least during this time, my life is at least safe. The Omagh Empire is so vast, there are quite a few high-ranking medical transcendents, and it’s not like I can’t find someone who can help me cure this toxin…”
The poison in his body will no longer break out in another month, so at least that urgent problem has been resolved.
After having weighed the pros and cons, Rayne’s mind was made up.
He was going to escape from the “Demon Weasel Bandits” as he had initially planned!
Three years wasn’t a short time, enough time for him to try all sorts of antidotes to cure his poison.
Even if he didn’t find an antidote during this period, he now had the antidote formula, and it wouldn’t be challenging to configure a few more copies. Even if he became resistant to the medicine’s effects, he could at least delay the outbreak for a few more years.
Rayne turned to the dissecting table with this thought in mind as if nothing had happened, picking up his scalpel, and calmly beginning his daily dissection practice.
Pythius caught a glimpse of Rayne’s expression out the corner of his eye. He had returned to his usual demeanour, which raised a brow. This cunning boy absolutely could no longer be taken lightly.
Suddenly, as if thinking of something, he turned his head to say: “Oh… I almost forgot.”
“What is it, Teacher?”
When Rayne looked over, the old man added: “Stay in the lab for the next two days. There will be a large Black Market Fair on the other side of ‘Storm Lake’ in two days’ time. Almost all of the bandit gangs in the southern Omagh Empire will be gathering together…”
Rayne sounded slightly surprised as he questioned: “Black Market Fair?”
He had heard the phrase before but had no idea of what it meant.
It was, at best, an exchange and more like an open bazaar where all the large bandit gangs gathered to sell their loot.
At this kind of gathering or exchange, each large bandit gang brought their loot, stolen goods, and other illicitly obtained goods to “trade” for what they needed…
He was told that it’ll be very lively, inexpensive, and will often have amazing things offered. For example, high-powered firearms, steam-powered military equipment and rare materials strictly controlled by the Empire…
However, since Rayne had been training at the base for the past year. He had no business being at such an event. Since he wasn’t qualified, naturally, he hasn’t been to the event before.
“Hmm.”
Pythius nodded and continued: “This black market gathering is the largest in nearly a decade, and there will be a lot of good stuff that’s going to be auctioned at the auction house. The magic potion masters of the major bandit gangs will also be meeting and exchanging ideas. So, I’ll take you to meet them then and get to know my peers…”
That kind of gathering was indeed a paradise for the casual magic potion master, as the prices of the magic potion materials obtained from looting would be so low that it would be like buying cabbages on sale.
There was even a chance to buy some of the magic potion formulas and secret books for advanced knowledge that were usually swept up by high-ranking nobles when sold at imperial auctions…
This was also one of the few ways for the casual magic potion masters who were part of bandit gangs to obtain advanced knowledge.
“Thank you, Teacher.”
Rayne’s eyes flashed as he listened and nodded casually in response.
He was worried about finding an excuse to leave the base, but wouldn’t the Black Market Exchange in two days’ time, with many gangs gathering together, be the perfect opportunity for escape?
Is this old man acting kind, or has he found out his secret? Was he actually planning on training him as a disciple and taking him out to experience the world?
Obviously not.
“Looks like this old man is planning to make his move in two days…”
Intuition made this thought pop into Rayne’s mind, and the more he thought about it, the more likely he thought his hunch was correct.
Before, the old man had the idea of keeping him imprisoned in the lab every day, but now he talked about bringing him out… His intention is quite apparent.
He knew quite well that Pythius, now that he had gotten a taste from obtaining the yellow gold grade formula, wouldn’t easily give up on “Baron Maureen’s Treasure”. The only explanation for his calm demeanour was that Pythius was sure he could swallow him whole.
For example… If Pythius had brought in a spiritual helper like a [Hypnotist]!
And with Quinn stationed at the “Demon Weasel Bandits” base, it definitely wasn’t going to be easy to carry out his plans.
Therefore, his best chance is to meet up with the reinforcements at the “Black Market Fair” in two days!
……
The “Demon Weasel Bandits” steam-powered mechanical city was travelling at full speed across the frozen wilderness, their destination, “Storm Lake”, which was several hundred kilometres away.
Apparently, Pythius wasn’t worried about Rayne seeing what was going on. He naturally guessed that this recruit would try to escape when he got the antidote.
The reason why he had told Rayne about the “Black Market Fair” was that he was afraid that this recruit would make a scene when trying to escape and alert Quinn’s suspicions.
Pythius’s hint was that the best time to escape was at the crowded fair.
Rayne also had to admit that this was indeed the best opportunity.
……
The “Black Market Fair” was two days away, and Rayne’s five senses had been greatly enhanced by his advancement with [Corpse Stitcher].
He had tried to find an opportunity to escape earlier and noticed a hidden presence outside the lab.
It was a transcendent thief who was lurking in the dark.
Rayne would never have been able to detect this person’s presence if not for obtaining his advanced super-senses.
Apparently, Pythius had helpers in the regiment.
The “superior yellow gold grade” magic potion had given Rayne a tremendous boost in his physical strength, giving him a physical prowess no less than that of a veteran [Awakened].
This gave him some measure of assurance that he would escape from the “watchdog’s” grasps.
But the stakes were high.
The Ice Ridge Wilderness is sparsely populated, and the terrain has so few obstacles, making it easy to track him down. Even if he killed the “watchdog” and escapes from to mechanical city, the commotion caused during the escape would definitely alert Quinn, a third-order [Demon Hunter].
The “Demon Weasel Bandits”, a gang of professional assassins, were highly capable of tracking down their prey, and if they were alerted, Rayne would’ve had little chance of ever escaping.
On the contrary, in all honesty, the best chance would be if Pythius took him out of the base in two days’ time.
At that time, the old man would be looking for somewhere less crowded to “make his move”. It’s much easier to deal with an old man and a spiritual transcendent who wasn’t very good in close combat than with the whole “Demon Weasel Bandits” filled with professional assassins.
And at that time, it’ll be when he uses everything at his disposal…
Chapter 14 Deliberately Insidious Poison <TOC> Chapter 16 The Ten Legendary Demon Hunters