The Innkeeper
Chapter 2275: Hidden mastermind

A few days passed, and the situation on the battlefield became increasingly complicated. Complicated was better than becoming increasingly worse, so at least there was that. For River and Pearl, alongside all the other vassal races who were in the delegation, this meant that they were left to their own devices.

Neither the elves, the vampires nor the Oolin could bother to supervise them, so as long as they didn’t go out and break any laws, they could do as they wished. For the noble races, this was an incredibly stressful time.

River, on the other hand, felt like he should be worried and stressed, but the environment in the Oolin capital was too comfortable, and he could not help but relax. While the nobles pondered over enemy invasions and future battles, River and Pearl went trout fishing in the early mornings, swimming at noon and horse riding in the evenings.

They were as if a couple enjoying a vacation, scarcely bothered by the troubles of the locals. Their demeanour and mood only served to impress the Oolin, who took their actions as confidence, befitting a descendant of the Sunborne family.

Eventually, a few days passed, and they were brought to meet with an elder who had apparently known the Sunborne ancestor.

"Just like you, he was especially sensitive to energy types, though his affinity for Sun Fire energy was the greatest. Karev came to our lands serving as a mere soldier, passing through. Yet when his great affinity was discovered, we Oolin conscripted him. On paper, he carried out his duties as a soldier here, but in reality he helped us perfect the energy in the region with concentrated Sun Fire energy.

"In exchange, our ancestor from the Upper Battlefield sent down a cultivation technique suited to his body specifically. That was the true beginning of the Sunborne, and also the beginning of the cooperation between Karev and us."

River and Pearl were both stunned to hear this news, for there had not been even the slightest rumor regarding it before. Pearl, using her thoughts, conveyed some questions for River to ask, since he was pretending to be the descendant at the moment.

"Does that mean you have a way to contact the Upper Battlefield?" River asked, astounded. "Would it be possible to communicate with my ancestor through it?"

The elder shook his head reluctantly when he heard River’s question.

"Yes, we do have some way of contacting the Upper Battlefield. Unfortunately, using it to contact Karev will not be possible," he answered.

River nodded, even though he looked disappointed.

"Oh, right. Of course. Your method must be very difficult, and reserved for other Oolin who have ascended," River said, appearing like he understood their difficulty.

"No, that’s not the issue," said the elder, shaking his head. "Some years ago, a number of the seniors in the Upper Battlefield disappeared, and based on what I know, senior Karev was with them when the disappearance happened.

"The situation has been... complicated ever since. We suspect that someone is targeting us, not only in the Upper Battlefield, but down in the Land of a Hundred Rivers as well. It never occurred to us that the Sunborne family might get implicated in this as well. We had not heard about the events related to your family until this delegation came, and we learned about you and your background."

A heavy silence suddenly filled the room, and River turned to look towards Pearl. She looked surprised, but she had managed to keep the extent of her shock hidden. This was... once again something she had never happened.

Her entire family had been targeted and killed, and for so long she had believed that it was because people had been greedy for her family’s treasures. Even the elves who visited them were surprised to learn what had happened to her family, as that was highly unusual.

Now it appeared like there was more to the situation than everyone had assumed.

The Oolin elder looked at the young couple with a guilty expression.

"Now that we have become aware of the situation, we naturally won’t ignore it," said the Oolin, his expression becoming solemn. "While the past cannot be undone, the future is still within our ability to influence. First, we will provide you with some treasures to help your cultivation. Second, we will discuss on how we may lure the hidden hand behind these actions out into the open."

River shook his head, interrupting the elder.

"My meridians were torn using poison. I cannot no longer cultivate traditionally. Although I have found an alternate path, your treasures cannot help with it. I would much rather that any benefit you have to offer goes to Pearl, my partner. I am more than willing to work with you on figuring out who is behind this, though.

"Whether for revenge, justice, or my own future peace and stability, I fear that this matter cannot be left alone. Even if we wish to ignore it, whoever is targeting us will not let things be. Especially now that I have publicly visited the lands of the Oolin, the mastermind might suspect that we communicated on this very matter.

"After all, if this issue began because of my ancestor working with senior Oolins in the Upper Battlefield, then our meeting must produce some results. Even if the chances are low, I suspect that the mastermind will act as if we have already discussed what has happened with my family."

The elder nodded, as if agreeing with River.

"These matters are complicated. It’s best you leave them to us for now, so that your actions don’t accidentally reveal something. If we need your cooperation, we will tell you in a timely fashion. For now, please allow our doctors to take a look at you.

"Worry not. Whether it’s you, or your partners, we will not shortchange you for all that you have suffered."

River nodded appreciatively, and so did Pearl, though she kept her thoughts hidden. This was too easy, too convenient. She suspected that the truth was far more complex than this, and that the Oolin were only revealing all this as a probe to determine what the two of them knew.

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