CHAPTER 366: CHAPTER 16: SCENIC VIEWS AND HIDDEN WORRIES (3)_2

All of a sudden, people in the distance turned their gaze toward them, each one widening their eyes. Andrew noticed that a few burly men already had their hands on their weapons, ready to come over and play the hero to rescue the beauty at any moment.

Andrew’s scalp began to tingle, *"Did I do something? I didn’t do anything."*

*"What I asked was: what do you want to do? I didn’t ask: what have you done?"*

Feeling helpless, Andrew had no choice but to say, *"Mr. Duru, you should be familiar with him, shouldn’t you?"*

The young girl hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

*"He said you could...*"

Before Andrew could finish, the young girl interrupted, *"Then please let him tell me himself."*

Saying this, before Andrew could react, the young girl had already rung the bell on the table, *"Next—!"*

Suddenly, a dwarf waiting in the distance rushed over and nudged Andrew aside.

*Looking at the clerk girl who was attentively asking the dwarf about his needs, not even sparing him a glance, Andrew felt deflated.*

*Next was a meeting with Bi’an the Sixth.*

*Because Christina was sent away by him, the secretary asked him to wait outside for a full two hours but he still didn’t get to see them.*

*Remember the Beastman who cut in line the first time Andrew met Bi’an the Sixth? Well, now Andrew was in that position. Even without falling asleep, he still got brushed aside.*

*Even when he claimed to be a new member of the Blood Elf and Dragon Mercenary Group and produced the group’s token alike.*

"If the matter is really that important, Miss Christina or Mr. Duru will come personally. Please wait here a little longer. If our boss has time, they will see you. If not, there’s nothing we can do."

It’s regrettable, but that’s the world we live in. Handsome people get privileges, unattractive ones have no rights. Not many people can experience both extremes concurrently, but Andrew was one of them now.

The entire atmosphere changed, it wasn’t just the women; even the guards looked at him differently. Originally, he thought only women would change their attitude because he became ugly. Apparently, that wasn’t the case. Before, when he walked down the street, people would glance at him secretly, their gazes either admiring or envious. Now, when he walked down the street, people still looked at him secretly, but only to accurately know his whereabouts so they could avoid him.

On the way back, Andrew’s face was clouded with gloom.

It was a feeling of life suddenly plummeting from the peak to the valley bottom. Everyone treated him as if he had swapped faces.

"Mr. Duru," Christina whispered, *"perhaps... it’s better if you change back. You really don’t need to do this. I think they value you more, which they should, after all... Your contributions are indeed much greater than mine. If it weren’t for you, there would be no Blood Elf and Dragon Mercenary Group."*

*Andrew turned back, took a deep breath, wanting to say something pleasant, but then he realized he had no mood for it. He could only turn his head back again, leaving only one sentence: "Alright, just leave it. Don’t mention it again."*

Thinking it over, would anyone be happy if a middle-aged man with an odd-looking face whispered sweet nothings to them? Even Andrew found it awkward.

Changing a face entirely changed a lifestyle, something Andrew hadn’t anticipated. Among everyone, it seemed only Christina, who knew the truth, remained unchanged.

"How about changing back?"

Okay, even Christina had asked him this question a hundred and eighty times in one day. This was just the first day.

However, Andrew still decided to stick to it. At least for a while. Until the White Vulture Mercenary Group returned, confirming that everything had calmed down.

The key was, this secret technique could not only alter appearance but also modify the aura, making Andrew’s aura blend with something similar to a Hydra. Even if his opponent was a Lich, unless they also knew this technique, they definitely couldn’t uncover Andrew’s identity.

*Would the Lich understand this technique?*

*It’s possible. But even if they understand, they surely haven’t experimented with it. After all, they don’t even have faces.*

*As long as he maintained this technique, then he was essentially safe. Even if the people of the White Bone Holy Light Court appeared right in front of him, he could walk past them nonchalantly.*

"It’s just the first day, they’ll get used to it soon." Andrew said through gritted teeth, *"It’s okay. Didn’t we take on an assignment today? Let’s start working on it tomorrow."*

"But Mr. Duru, I still think your previous appearance was better. How about I give you my scales? We can redo it!"

"No..."

"Please, let’s redo a face!"

"No. You think I’m too ugly?"

"Yes... No, I... I just find it uncomfortable to look at."

"You don’t even know how to lie... Anyway, this face stays for now, I’m not planning to change it. Get some rest early; we still have tasks to carry out tomorrow."

"Oh..." Christina replied helplessly.

Outside the window, the snow piled up on the trees had started to loosen. Occasionally, some would fall, forming snow piles on the ground.

Silver moonlight slanted across the land, and the entire city was immersed in a serene atmosphere.

...

At this moment, on the outskirts of Linlopes.

*In the night, two figures dressed in white robes, one tall and one short, silently observed the quiet city-state covered in snow. Their hoods hung low, wrapped tightly, making their faces hard to discern.*

*"Is she right here?"*

*"Yes, she has been here for six years now."*

*"Six years here... What has she been doing?"*

*"Seems like she’s working as a mercenary? I’m not sure. I originally thought she’d occupy a mountain and live a quiet life. But... Apparently, she doesn’t plan to do that."*

*"Being a mercenary? Why would a Dragon Clan member be a mercenary? Are the mixed breeds mentally mixed up as well?"*

*The shorter one shrugged, "Maybe we don’t need to worry about her. She herself doesn’t want to come back, and she is nonessential anyway. There shouldn’t be anything here that could threaten her safety. Besides..."*

*After a brief silence, the shorter continued, "She hasn’t written her name in the clan register until now. Strictly speaking, she isn’t even one of our clan members."*

*"But her mother was one of our clan members." The taller white-robed figure straightened his back and sighed, "And her mother’s relatives are also our clan members."*

*"What about her father? Shouldn’t her father handle this matter?"*

*"That’s not your concern. The situation now is quite special. We might end up fighting the undead any moment now. The trouble stirred by those black dragons might drag us down too. If we’re not careful, she might become a weakness the opponents can exploit. The Elders want her back. Not just her but all the clan members wandering outside must return immediately."*

"The Elders?"

"This is the Elders’ decision." Turning his face, the taller white-robed figure looked at the shorter one coldly, "You are responsible for this. I don’t care how you do it, bring her back. Understand?"

The shorter one froze for a moment, then quickly stood straight and respectfully saluted, "Understood. I accept this task and will complete it swiftly."

"As soon as possible."

"Yes!"

Turning around, the taller white-robed figure had silently left.

Remaining, the shorter white-robed figure casually removed his hood, revealing an elegant, youthful face. He had golden long hair similar to Christina’s, elf-like pointed ears just like Christina’s, but unlike Christina, his cheeks were marked with patches of apparent golden dragon scales.

On the hill, he stood silently, overlooking the entire Linlopes.