Chapter 61: Wu Qingsong’s New Identity

“What’s going on with you?”

As Nina’s best friend, Ram could sense something was amiss the instant she laid eyes on her.

Unusually, Nina hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.

In reality, she had lingered here specifically to seek advice from Ram. Among the entire Silver Moon Wolf Clan, Ram was perhaps the only one who could understand her dilemma and offer guidance. But after hearing Wu Qingsong’s confession, her emotions were in turmoil.

For the past seventeen years, everyone had defined her solely as a warrior, a born leader, and even a symbolic idol under the banner of the Silver Moon Wolf Clan. She was seen as a spokesperson for the royal family and the guardian of their lands.

She had grown accustomed to carrying the weight of numerous expectations.

But then Wu Qingsong suddenly presented her with a different facet of her identity, one so fundamental yet overlooked by everyone else.

“I like you. Yes, Nina Lams, I like you,” Wu Qingsong’s words seemed to echo in her ears, causing her face to flush.

Ram eyed her in surprise, prompting Nina to instinctively cover her flushed face.

“What the heck happened? Out with it, now,” Ram said, playfully lunging at her with a mock threatening gesture. She was quickly overpowered by Nina, however.

“My powers have been awakened by Wu,” Nina eventually said.

She was well aware of the expectations people had for her. Sharing everything with Ram was risky, given Ram’s personality, she might make the situation extremely awkward for Wu Qingsong.

So she resolved to handle the situation herself.

“Really?” Ram was elated at the news. “I told you. With your royal lineage, it was bound to happen.”

Ram paused, recalling the words Nina had once used to convince her. 

“But didn’t you once say…”

Nina let out a gentle sigh. 

“Recently, people have been disappearing from nearby villages…”

By the time Wu Qingsong and Harold walked into the room, Nina wrapped up her explanation. She instinctively averted her gaze from Wu Qingsong. Ram noticed this but naturally assumed it was because Wu had taken some liberties with Nina while awakening her abilities.

Considering Nina’s stature as a princess of the Silver Moon Wolf Clan and a guardian of the Silver Moon Kingdom, this was far from a trivial matter.

“The power might indeed be a bit troublesome,” Ram softly said to Nina. “But there’s not much we can do about it.”

The power itself wasn’t the issue, it was the method of awakening it that was a little troubling. Luckily, Wu Qingsong was at least decent-looking, not unpleasant in demeanor, and appeared to have no malicious intent. If it had been some lecherous man instead, Nina would have rather died than allow him to awaken her abilities.

Wu Qingsong felt slightly awkward, but it was a marked improvement over his previous unease, at least from his viewpoint.

He had expressed his feelings, and as far as he was concerned, Nina had not explicitly rejected him, which he took as a promising sign.

Regarding the shove, he had only himself to blame for his impatience and lack of respect.

Taking liberties with a formidable warrior? That was a price he was rightly paying.

“You’re right on time,” Ram said, glancing at him as if to signal they were allies against a common enemy. She then produced a document. “This is your official identity moving forward. Commit every detail to memory. I’ve already set up connections with the ruler Esola in the Riniconia Duchy. You’ll be responsible for securing permission to form your own mercenary unit. While they will normally vet your background, a small bribe to the defense officer should eliminate any hurdles.”

Wu Qingsong accepted the document, feeling somewhat uneasy. He couldn’t read the text on it, and Harold wasn’t much help either.

“Ah, first things first, we need to teach you how to read,” Ram sighed. “It’s uncommon for a half-elf to be illiterate, particularly one with your new identity.”

The comment felt a bit strange, but Wu Qingsong still asked, “So what’s my new name?”

“Woody Tagraedi,” Ram answered. “Male, thirty years old, black hair, deep brown eyes, minimal body hair, medium build, on the lean side. Born in the Sanghel Principality in the southern empire. Father’s identity is unknown, mother’s name is Nisha Tagraedi, a tavern waitress of simian lineage who passed away years ago. He has a rather unremarkable background. Initially worked for an extended period at a trading company in Sanghel, but without much to show for it. Later, he ventured into short-distance trading, almost going bankrupt due to his lack of skill. His last known activity was three years ago when he set off for the Haldorgis Mountains from Polopolore with a trade caravan and subsequently vanished.”

“Man, this guy’s life sounds pretty bleak,” Wu Qingsong said, shaking his head. Yet he also knew that given his limited knowledge of this world, such an inconspicuous background was actually quite appropriate.

“He’s a nobody. A failure. Hardly anyone remembers him, and there are scant records to speak of. Even people who interacted with him might not recall his appearance. If you avoid his hometown and the trading company where he was employed, no one will even suspect you’re not him,” Ram said, her tone tinged with exasperation. “Do you know how much trouble it was to secure this identity for you? Any complaints?”

“None at all,” Wu Qingsong hastily assured her. “But the guy only disappeared. What if he’s still alive somewhere?”

“He’s been dead for three years. The people who sold me this identity discovered his corpse and personal belongings, and buried them in secret, all so they could market his identity. Rest assured, they scrutinized this persona thoroughly before offering it for sale. It’s not an identity you come across easily, it’s pricey.”

“Can we trust the sellers?” Wu Qingsong asked.

“They’ve been in this line of work for years. Moreover, betraying you would jeopardize their own operations. As long as you don’t become notorious or valuable enough to make betraying you a profitable move for them, the risk is minimal,” Ram said.

Wu Qingsong nodded in acknowledgment. “Can I still go by my real name?”

“Absolutely. You could simply explain that ‘Wu’ is a nickname, and it shouldn’t raise any eyebrows,” Ram confirmed.

Having settled the identity issue, the next challenges were to rapidly acquire literacy skills and deepen his understanding of the mercenary lifestyle under Harold’s tutelage. But there was no rushing these matters, they would take time.

And so, Wu Qingsong once again took out the necklace.

“Nina, I hope you can accept this necklace,” he said, locking eyes with Nina, who appeared somewhat uneasy. “It’s the spoils of war that you deserve.”

“We’ve gone over this already,” Nina responded. 

However, Ram found herself irresistibly drawn to the necklace, taking it into her hands.

Items imbued with magic were rare sights, not accessible to just anyone, and this one was particularly captivating.

In Umber, there were shops specializing in weapons and magical artifacts, but their stocks were not only limited but also exorbitantly priced. Those without social standing or influence wouldn’t even get a foot in the door.

Placed in one of Umber’s high-end magical boutiques, this necklace would easily be among the most valuable items. If put up for auction, it might even be enough to secure a fiefdom. The only problem was they had no way to explain its origins, rendering any such plans mere fantasies.

“Nina,” Ram began softly, clearly puzzled, “you’ve earned this. He might have put in some effort, but weren’t you the one who did the bulk of the fighting? What about the soldiers who gave their lives? And besides, are you really going to let him take advantage of you for free?”

Her words caused Nina’s face to turn a deep shade of red, prompting Ram to narrow her eyes. She sensed that perhaps things weren’t as straightforward as Nina had led her to believe.

“I can’t accept this,” Nina declared firmly.

But Ram instantly swayed her with another argument, “You may not need it, but what about Daryl?”

At this, Nina fell silent. After a momentary pause, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll accept it. Thank you.”

“It was always meant for you,” Wu Qingsong said, detecting a hint of discomfort in her demeanor.

However, Nina quickly concocted an excuse and vanished from the scene. Wu Qingsong was inclined to follow her, but Ram stopped him, claiming he needed to familiarize himself with his newfound identity.

As soon as Nina was out of sight, Ram couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer, “What exactly is going on between you two? I want the full story, no dodging.”

Wu Qingsong glanced to the side, noting that Harold was still seated, showing no intention of leaving. He knew that a best friend could be the most potent ally in a man’s quest for love. If he hoped to win Nina over, Ram was the first obstacle to overcome.

So, after a brief pause, he admitted, “I have feelings for her and wish to court her.”

“You said what?!” Ram’s voice shot up, sharp as if she’d been stabbed. “Are you… Are you out of your mind?”

“Do you think I’m not worthy?” Wu Qingsong retorted, visibly displeased.

Ram felt her head throb painfully. Struggling for words, her irritation made her speechless.

“Look, I had my reservations about your background, but now it’s clear you must’ve grown up isolated in some arcane tower. Don’t you understand the gaping chasm between your social standing and hers?”

“I don’t think there’s any gap between us,” Wu Qingsong declared with conviction. “She may be the princess of the Silver Moon Wolf Clan, but what I can bring to the table is no less valuable than her royal status.”

At a loss for words, Ram sighed heavily. “I don’t know how to reason with you without dropping dead from exasperation. Harold, would you please enlighten him?”