Chapter 73: Even Robbery Has Its Own Hierarchy

“Junior Xu is only fifteen this year? To possess four-star fire magic at such a young age—looks like Senior He Chen will have to relinquish his title as the number one fire mage prodigy,” Nishikijo Hideki remarked with a grin after stepping back.

“A fifteen-year-old with four-star fire magic—there are only a handful like that in the entire Azure Cloud Empire. But what truly impresses me is your composure and knowledge, Junior Xu. You’re decisive in action, and even know so much about high-level necromancer spells. No wonder even Dean Harman couldn’t help but want to take you as a disciple,” added Nangong Xueyan sincerely.

Their words were heartfelt, but in Xu Wen’s ears, they sounded like thunder.

He was drawing too much attention!

His performance earlier, though spoken in the heat of the moment, was still too conspicuous. Knowing about one necromancy spell could be brushed off as coincidence, but being familiar with several was far more suspicious.

Moreover, information about necromancy was scarce on the first floor of Azure Cloud Academy. If someone with ill intent questioned him about the source of his knowledge, it could spell trouble!

In an instant, Xu Wen’s expression darkened.

“Senior Nishikijo, Senior Nangong, the dangers in Misty Town aren’t over yet. None of us can be sure if other necromancers or remnants of the Ael family are still lurking in the shadows.”

That was enough. Both men’s faces grew grave, and with a muttered apology, they immediately grew more vigilant and kept silent.

Now, separated from the main group, the four of them had to exercise utmost caution.

The news of the necromancer attack was indeed terrifying. The streets ahead were packed with panicked commoners fleeing in droves; most houses had already been abandoned.

Suddenly—

He Chen halted, abruptly turning into a shop on the left side of the street. From within, he dragged out a man whose arms were wrapped around a bundle of coins and valuables, his face filled with terror as he pleaded for mercy, and tossed him to the ground.

“Looting during a crisis is punishable by at least twenty years of hard labor according to imperial law! And anyone daring to rob a registered imperial merchant shall be executed by beating!” He Chen declared.

Xu Wen watched the scene in silence.

Men die for wealth, birds for food.

Even in such dire circumstances, there were those willing to risk their lives for theft.

But suddenly, Xu Wen was struck by a thought as he glanced at the thief’s body.

Since both the Ael and Salem families had merchant shops in town, what had become of those places now?

“Senior brothers?” Xu Wen called out as the three made ready to move on. He shared his thoughts, and their eyes immediately lit up.

“Well?” Nishikijo Hideki asked, a peculiar look on his face. “Both the Ael and Salem families have committed high treason. If we take a look at their shops, it shouldn’t count as a crime, right?” He shot a cautious glance at He Chen.

Before becoming commander of the Imperial Guards, He Chen’s father had served as a deputy general in the city watch, and he was well-versed in imperial law and known for his fairness. Such blatant looting wasn’t something to take lightly, so asking was prudent.

“That’s right.”

Nangong Xueyan was equally tempted.

Though both were scions of noble houses, the goods in a family merchant shop were of considerable value. If the Ael family hadn’t managed to escape in time, there could be a windfall to be had.

However—

Upon hearing their veiled suggestions, He Chen frowned and looked to Xu Wen.

“Junior Xu, do you also think we should go?”

“I simply think that once the situation in town is resolved, everyone will likely be moved to Misty Town from the mountains. Before that, I want to make sure there are no other dangers left in town. After all, this concerns the lives of over ten thousand students in the Fire Magic Division! We can’t afford to be careless!” Xu Wen replied with conviction, immediately shifting He Chen’s train of thought.

Nishikijo Hideki and Nangong Xueyan were left open-mouthed.

Had they misunderstood his meaning before?

It sounded as if their junior had merely wanted to check on the shops, perhaps to loot them along the way… but now he sounded so principled, so righteous—it was hard to keep up.

“Junior Xu’s reminder is absolutely right!” He Chen nodded repeatedly. “Since the main force is already advancing ahead, we’ll check along the way and make sure we know the town’s situation. We’re all only first-star mages now—no one will pay us much heed.”

“Agreed.”

“It’s settled, then!”

Xu Wen kept a calm expression, though in his heart he was elated.

With the wealth of the Eight Great Families behind them, the stockpile in a small town shop was unlikely to be disappointing. If they were lucky enough to find something truly valuable, they’d strike it rich!

But to their surprise…

Someone had beaten them to it.

Outside the merchant shop, a dozen adventurers with the air of bandits about them stood with battle aura and magical shields fully deployed, blocking the entrance as they faced off against eight soldiers in the street. From inside came the constant sounds of rummaging through drawers and turning out boxes.

The four’s arrival drew little attention.

“Who are these people?” He Chen called out from a distance, his authoritative tone finally drawing the soldiers’ notice. They eyed the four young figures hurrying towards them—mere first-star brats?

Whose children were these, to be so bold!

The adventurers ignored them.

But the soldiers recognized who they were: two sons of noble families, one youth with a powerful background, and a personal disciple of Dean Harman. None of them could be taken lightly.

The four-star officer leading the soldiers cursed his luck inwardly. He’d only come with his men hoping to make a little profit, but this group of adventurers, having heard of the Ael family’s treason, had gotten here first and bullied them out of the spoils, refusing to budge until the place was stripped bare.

Now, to make matters worse, these four troublemakers showed up…

He immediately concealed his own group’s true intentions and exaggerated the other party’s crimes, accusing them of looting and resisting arrest!

Xu Wen and his companions were no fools—they quickly saw through both sides’ motives.

Once they understood, Xu Wen lowered his voice. “Looting during a crisis and resisting arrest—can we execute them on the spot?”

“We can,” He Chen replied, “but two among them I can’t gauge. They’re probably at the fifth-rank, fifth-tier level.” He looked seriously at the shop’s entrance, where a burly man in fine enchanted armor and a mage surrounded by thick, swirling mist stood guard. The man’s armor was clearly of enchanted make with strong defenses, while the mage’s aura was formidable—neither looked easy to deal with.

No wonder they dared hold the entrance, certain that the four-star soldiers wouldn’t dare challenge them.

“Are you sure they’re not sixth-tier?” Xu Wen inquired.

All three nodded. Years spent around high-level cultivators had honed their judgment.

“You should be able to handle one of the fifth-tiers, right?” Xu Wen asked, sliding his hand behind his back. With a flash of light, a mottled, ancient wand—glowing like molten rock—appeared in his palm.

“I can,” He Chen replied, giving Xu Wen a meaningful look.

“I’ll take the other,” Xu Wen said, turning to Nishikijo Hideki and Nangong Xueyan.

“We can handle the rest, but are you sure you can take on a fifth-tier alone?” they asked, skeptical.

“I’m sure,” Xu Wen responded. At that, the two said no more. “Good—let’s not let a single one escape,” He Chen declared, and the three all drew their wands in unison.