"So, this commission cannot be established, and the reward will be fully refunded," Marlot said.
Li Ang nodded. Initially, he was looking for the "Cha’ain" that Zoe’s father mentioned, which was the same matter as the last commission. However, this surname might not be exclusive to the descendants of Guild founder Lichman Cha’Ain and could even be a code name for that person, so having no follow-up was quite normal. Back then, even the Yijie Association thought he was making things difficult for them.
"The fourth commission is guaranteed to yield results for you."
Marlot turned the page and suddenly laughed, "Ah, this information, many Celestial Groups and nobles are also purchasing it. Of course, there are results."
"Lost in which ruins?" Li Ang asked.
Rumor outside says that the Destiny Cold Wave was stolen from Ernest by a mysterious thief after it was forged and then lost in ancient ruins.
Although Li Ang found it strange that this information, like "The Divine Artisan’s Five Swords can open Ernest’s treasure," came from an unknown source without cause or effect and seemed somewhat eerie, he still wanted to collect the five swords. Even if it was a trap, he needed to verify its authenticity by constantly testing the waters.
"Those ancient ruins are not trivial at all."
Marlot put the booklet on a side counter, evidently not needing to look at the information. He himself knew a lot, likely because Li Ang was with the Star Flower Travel Corps on adventures these days, becoming big news in the higher adventure circles.
"Nebis has wiped out too many civilizations. People like us humans and the Horned Race, Douding Family, and others might be descendants of some ancient civilizations."
Li Ang nodded to himself, thinking about some special groups whose powers originated from ancient bonds, such as Elaphia’s Weapon Race bloodline and that mysterious group of Doudings.
"But perhaps you’ve not heard that there are some ruins left by entire annihilated races whose descendants didn’t scatter elsewhere."
"I know this."
"Alright, then I’ll be straightforward. This matter arises from a scholar in Thousand Tower City recently publishing a paper, confirming the existence of a race called ’Dwarves’ in Nebis."
Marlot gestured with both hands, explaining to Li Ang that this race should be of a height between humans and the Douding Family, possibly similar to female Horned Race members, and as robust as the male Horned Race.
But Li Ang’s thoughts drifted slightly. Such fantastic races were something he knew about and had long had suspicions, for instance, suspecting that Gaelin, one of the artisans responsible for the Hammer of the Source, had dwarf lineage.
And dwarves weren’t entirely without descendants. The Island Founder who crafted the Mechanical Creation Furnace was also considered one, but their matters were even more secret to the outside world.
Then, when Fafnir crossed dimensions attempting to devour Leviathan’s Power of Dragon, the system explicitly stated on its panel that this evil dragon was the one that annihilated the Dwarf Civilization.
"That scholar, under the protection of the Celestial Group ’Cloud Wanderer’, found what they believed was a dwarf ruin called ’Golden Country’ somewhere in Nebis, gaining great fame. The Destiny Cold Wave was discovered when they entered the outskirts. They obtained the sword but had it snatched by evil dragons emerging from the ruins."
"Evil dragons?"
"Dragon species that resemble worm-like long strips. That scholar and the Cloud Wanderer crew insist they are of the Dragon Race, but in my view, it might be a cover story to excuse their retreat in disgrace while exaggerating these demons."
Li Ang chuckled, not engaging further with this person lacking knowledge about dragon species.
"Actually, if you just interact a bit more with some Sky Knights, you’ll learn about this major event soon enough. So it’s not purely from our Yijie Association completing the commission. However, we can provide many of the details, as well as the potential location of that sword."
Li Ang listened intently, memorizing all of Marlot’s information obtained through Yijie’s special channels, and then left the Yijie Association’s meeting point with Andasu.
"Master, should our team go have a look?" Andasu asked.
"No rush, we have other matters to attend to."
"But won’t others beat us to it?" Andasu expressed concern for Li Ang: "The leader of Cloud Wanderer possesses the ’Bone-Deep Passion and Scorn,’ right? If he finds the Destiny Cold Wave, he might also start gathering the Five Swords, and it won’t be easy to get them back."
Li Ang smiled, rubbed her beast ears, and the young girl’s cheeks turned rosy as she leaned into him, her throat emitting a soft purring sound.
"You don’t understand. Discovering such new ruins won’t lead to immediate investigations. Moreover, since even Cloud Wanderer was pushed back, it indicates the ruins are inhabited by a significant number of powerful Wyrm Dragons."
This aligns with Fafnir’s destruction of the Dwarf Kingdom, Li Ang thought.
After completing two tasks in the Magic Area, Li Ang and Andasu set out to find the Treasury.
Leaving the main road, the street was quiet and serene, with few people around. Li Ang sensed the young maiden’s tail becoming increasingly restless.
The furry wolf tail often reflected Andasu’s emotions, as it brushed against Li Ang’s body, eventually wrapping around his waist.
Without others around, the White Wolf quickly became affectionate, and Li Ang had no choice but to rely on the touch of their lips to momentarily quell her inner flames.
They embraced at a street corner for a while before continuing to the Treasury.
"Let go for now, we’ve arrived."
As Li Ang knocked on the door, Andasu was still clinging tightly, forcing him to gently move her tail aside before daring to knock.
After a series of knocks and summons, the expected brown-haired Crafty Merchant Douding, always speaking with a particular tone, didn’t emerge from behind the door.
"That’s odd."
Farlonio rarely skips making business, unless truly occupied.
The matter originally meant to be arranged through her, about contacting Elaphia, was also unachievable, prompting Li Ang and Andasu to head back.
On the way back, the beast-eared young lady clung again.
They kissed several times, making the road increasingly difficult to tread. Li Ang realized that her inner fire was not easily extinguished.
"An, are you perhaps thinking..." Li Ang finally asked.
"Yes."
The young girl blinked her moist golden eyes, her shyness enhancing her allure. In such an emotional embrace, even someone typically elegant appeared enchanting and captivating.
Her eyelashes fluttered, her gaze wandering, and they stood in the alley, where she focused all her attention on the nearby inns passed by earlier, places for travelers to rest.
Just as Li Ang was about to speak, the White Wolf already seized him like a beast in an embrace, transmitting warmth and the thump of their hearts.
The beast-eared maiden found footing, slowly guiding him to the nearby inn.
Since the demon curse took hold, Li Ang increasingly struggled to suppress his inner desires. Witnessing her actions, his mind burst, and when he regained awareness, he already had her pinned against the alley wall.
The sudden monster strength of the Demon’s Hand was insurmountable for both Andasu and Li Ang. After a moment of slight pain, the White Wolf realized what had occurred.
She could even feel Li Ang’s subsequent movements.
Her treasure-like golden pupils widened abruptly, as her pupils constricted.
"Master, here, right here? No, this won’t do, as I belong solely to you—"
"There’s just the right obstacle next to us; no one can see. I will solely claim my treasure," whispered Li Ang, his warm breath in her ear, causing a shiver down her spine.
"Naughty pup, since impatience is inevitable, isn’t the spot just as you desired?"
Still wanting to speak, Andasu was utterly unprepared and swiftly lost clarity amidst the torrents.
In the alley, there were only two beasts reverting to their primal state.
"Sigh, weren’t they here to shop? Why can’t we find them?!"
A familiar shout startled the pair.
The footsteps of the Star Flower Travel Corps drew closer.
The recent speaker was Zoe, followed by Dorothy, who replied, "Though I don’t want to believe it, we might have to barricade the inn."
She practically clenched her teeth to utter this, causing a stir amongst her companions.
At the angle where Li Ang and Andasu could see the street, unseen from the other side, their figures appeared.
Hearing Dorothy’s words, Zoe showed an expression as if struck by lightning, ALulu seemed betrayed by her comrades, and Dorothy teetered on the brink of frenzy—she was the earliest to get the opportunity, so why didn’t...?
They stood outside a nearby inn, unaware that the chief protagonists were in the alley.
"An, may I ask you something?" Li Ang whispered against her beastly ear.
"Master, please don’t..."
"Why are you especially excited now? Is it due to your companions’ misunderstandings?"
"Ooh, please don’t tease me anymore—"
The White Wolf shivered entirely, accompanied by a light drizzle.

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