Chapter 123: Hidden Identity

Wu Qingsong compensated Sacker for his services, but Sacker immediately passed this payment to the desert bandits who had found the people, to their great surprise and gratitude.

“We’re all family here, why the formalities?” Sacker remarked.

It was evident that Sacker intended for Wu Qingsong to feel indebted to him, yet Wu Qingsong was still trying to discern his true motives.

If Sacker’s aim was merely to profit financially or to secure a consistent source of contraband, Wu Qingsong had no objections to gaining another customer. Selling to one was as good as selling to another, and considering the current oversight Esola City’s authorities had over their mercenary groups, the specifics of their transactions–how much they sold, to whom, whether to the Osaga Commerce Guild or these desert marauders–were irrelevant. All that mattered was the timely submission of annual bribes and taxes.

Nonetheless, Wu Qingsong sensed there was something more behind Sacker’s outward generosity and eagerness.

“What do you think their angle is?” he asked of Nina when they had a moment to discuss privately.

“Take it as it comes,” Nina advised. “Speculating now is pointless. Just keep your guard up and watch what they’re really after. No matter what they say, their actions will reveal intentions, regardless of their words, and then we’ll understand everything.”

Wu Qingsong nodded in agreement. Nina’s advice was sound, yet the frustration of being left in the dark was intensely irksome.

“Do you think Jerem is still alive?”

“Based on what those two said, he’s probably dead,” Nina said, shaking her head. “Even without any accidents, according to them, their provisions and water would have run out long ago. They could have died of thirst or hunger.”

This also meant that to learn the contents of the inscriptions on the stone wall, they would have to find another way.

The silver lining was that the underground palace definitely existed. As long as nobody deliberately destroyed it, within a few months or even a year or two, once a new mine owner had settled in, they could easily devise a way to descend from that well and either transcribe or make rubbings of all the inscriptions.

“I’ll arrange for someone to keep a constant watch on that mine,” Nina stated. “If the new mine owner stumbles upon the underground palace, their initial instinct will likely be to consult treasure hunters about those inscriptions. Such movements will not escape my people’s eyes.”

Nonetheless, the crucial question now was–what connection did the ruins Jerem and his team entered had with the inscriptions in the underground palace? This question could only be answered by visiting the site themselves.

As they shifted the conversation to other matters, Wu Qingsong suddenly realized Nina was inching closer to him, her voice growing softer as if she intended to lean on him, sending his heart racing.

At that moment, however, Nina abruptly drew her sword and struck fiercely toward an empty corner of the tent.

With a loud “clang,” two intersecting short swords suddenly appeared, effectively blocking Nina’s strike and scattering sparks in all directions.

Wu Qingsong was startled, but as he drew his sword, Nina and the hidden spy had already exchanged a series of rapid blows. Clearly outmatched, the spy nevertheless managed to dodge Nina’s attacks with swift movements and stealth skills, nimbly using the furnishings within the tent as cover.

“Truly worthy of the Moon Maiden name, impressive indeed,” a woman’s voice said with delight.

Suddenly, the tent was slashed open, creating a large gap through which the figure swiftly escaped, disappearing into the night.

What just happened?

An assassin? And possibly a beastfolk?

“Sir?” 

“Captain Anna?”

The houndmen and wolfmen, alerted, drew their weapons, and rushed into the tent.

“Sacker’s doing?” Wu Qingsong felt a twinge of guilt for not being as vigilant as Nina.

Nina slightly nodded. “Who else in this small place would have the skill and motive to make this kind of action but him?”

“She recognized you,” Wu Qingsong remarked.

Such infiltration might have been numerous. Their conversation today thankfully did not touch on Nina’s identity, but Wu Qingsong had grown accustomed to calling her by her real name when alone. For those paying attention, linking the name Nina with her distinct characteristics to her identity would not be challenging.

Nina nodded.

“Ling!” Wu Qingsong thus immediately awakened Ling’s abilities, while also instructing the others, “Get ready for battle!”

The group quickly made their way toward Sacker’s tent. It was night, and many were asleep, except for a few desert bandits who stood guard outside Sacker’s tent. Seeing them charging, the guards screamed in alarm, throwing the town into disarray. 

However, as the confrontation was about to escalate, Sacker walked out from his tent, “My friends, this is all a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?” Wu Qingsong replied with a sneer.

“It’s something I can explain in just a few words, but not in front of so many,” Sacker said.

Was he stalling to gather his forces?

Yet, his expression wasn’t one of panic but conveyed something difficult to discern.

Wu Qingsong exchanged a look with Nina, then said, “You have one minute.”

Sacker quickly nodded and yelled at his men, who were hastily approaching, “It’s merely a misunderstanding. Everyone, back to sleep.”

“Please, come inside,” he then gestured, opening the curtain at the entrance of the tent.

“Ling,” Wu Qingsong said softly. “If there’s any sign of trouble, act immediately.”

Ling nodded gravely.

Wu Qingsong and Nina then stepped into the tent, which housed only one other person, the catwoman who was frequently seen by Sacker’s side, her face obscured by a veil.

“Was that you earlier?” Nina asked.

“Indeed,” the catwoman nodded, her tone casual.

Wu Qingsong gently tugged Nina to the side, positioning themselves at the tent’s entrance.

“You can speak now.”

“My true name is Samari Esin Fashal, and this is my sister, Xeila,” Sacker began. “Moon Maiden, we are remnants of the Batiz Kingdom, dedicated, like you, to the resurgence of our homeland. Our actions might be misunderstood by others, but you, Moon Maiden, should understand that all measures are solely to protect ourselves and the pursuit of this arduous, yet sacred, mission.”

This revelation took Wu Qingsong and Nina by surprise, yet Wu Qingsong pressed, “And your proof?”

“Xeila infiltrated your tent to eavesdrop on your discussions from the day you arrived and had thus discovered the Moon Maiden’s identity. Had we intended any harm, the elven forces would have been upon you by now. And if our goal was your death, couldn’t Xeila, with her capabilities, have poisoned your water and food?” Sacker said. “We aspire to the same cause, Moon Maiden, we are natural allies.”

Nina seemed convinced, prompting Wu Qingsong to exit the tent and announce, “It was indeed a misunderstanding. All is well, everyone can return to sleep.”