Chapter 190 - Hurman's Visit to City Hall

A sun's time was nothing to a cultivator, hardly a test of patience. It flew by with relative ease compared to the venturing trip to harvest lilies in the sun prior.

With two days left before the city tournament, the entire city was more abuzz than usual. Hurman witnessed this first hand as he unusually found himself wandering the city streets. It was quite uncommon for the patriarch to be about but it was necessary.

He speedily made his way through the foot traffic and avoid any intersection that was too clogged by using the side streets. As the family patriarch, he wasn't too keen on being spotted and stopped by anyone. This allowed Hurman to enter the commercial district and eventually reach the city center.

That was the first time Hurman stopped and admired the view. The city's amphitheater had already been temporarily redesigned to become an open-aired arena. Seeing it brought back memories as well as new expectations for the upcoming tournament.

But Hurman got over his nostalgia and rushed to the largest building in the surrounding square.

"Patriarch Hurman?"

It was a middle-aged city guard that first recognized the casually dressed old man, but that's all it took for the other guards and surrounding people to take notice.

"The Sword Saint?"

"Is that him?!"

"He's no saint, not after failing to ascend!" 

Hurman disregarded the voices of the common people and the few spoken thoughts of the guards. He had an objective, one only available inside city hall.

The patriarch used the commotion to rush past others entering city hall. This allowed Hurman to cut the line in the confusion. By the time people had realized that Hurman had cut past them, it was too late to admit it, at least not to someone as well known as Hurman.

"P-Please, go right ahead…" One woman offered, smiling genuinely at Hurman.

The next man went along as well. "Please, Patriarch. You can go before me."

After a handful of people allowed Hurman to jump the line, one man raised an eyebrow and smiled cheekily. Now standing before Hurman, he commented, "What's a washed-up patriarch like you doing here? Seeking government aid, perhaps?"

Blinking, Hurman noticed the masked emblem adorning the lapel of the man's coat. Hurman sighed, "Of course not. My Practor Family has no need for financial aid at the moment."

"Oh really? I find that hard to believe…" chuckled the man, turning away from Hurman, no longer interested in the unfazed patriarch.

"Next."

The merchant of the Libarn Guild shrugged and glanced at Hurman with a smile before moving to the next open window.

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Caught off guard, Hurman looked around the desks and saw no opening. But he did spot the woman coming out of a door leading to the employee area. She wore a friendly smile as if she were greeting an old friend.

The patriarch suddenly bowed his head to the woman but no one seemed surprised by the gesture. "Lizbeth, are you the one in charge of the tournament this equinox?"

"Mhmm, that's right."

"Really? I didn't expect someone as capable and busy as you to be burdened with such an assignment…"

Holding the door open, Lizbeth motioned for the older-looking man to come forward. "Perhaps we can chat and you can tell me why you've come."

"Of course."

They left the common area and strolled casually through the private hallways but said nothing. Only after reaching an office and using its silencing formation did they speak again. "So, Patriarch Hurman, what brings you here?"

"Please, no honorifics. I don't believe there's a need, right, Lead Assistant Lizbeth?"

"Fair. Then we'll continue as such, Hurman." Going along with the casual tone that Hurman had set, Lizbeth asked, "I'm quite curious to hear about the recent activity of your family, but we should first address your reason for coming here. Does it have something to do with the tournament?"

"It does. I wish to enter someone via our family's invitation."

"And who would that be? I'll have the paperwork filed immediately, so we won't need to waste time on the matter. So, is it Leon or Johan?"

"Neither."

"Neither?" Lizbeth blinked and stared curiously at the smiling patriarch. "Then who?"

"A young man that's joined our ranks recently. His name is Oliver, and though he doesn't specialize in swords we were unable to overlook his potential and turn him away."

"A family of strict swordsmanship putting forward a request for a non-swordsman? Hurman, why would you be so willing?" questioned Lizbeth.

Nodding, Hurman answered, "Because he'll surprise everyone and earn a spot in the institute."

"Ah… Your family is that desperate?"

"Perhaps in the past, but not now." Hurman explained, "Right now, neither Leon nor Johan are ready to take on the tournament. We would only consider it to help them gain experience but their losses would possibly harm our already dwindling reputation."

"And you think sending a new face in would do the opposite? Wouldn't that be considered even riskier?"

"I suppose so, but I'm not worried about that. So will you get him in?"

Lizbeth sighed and chuckled lightly. "You're lucky we still have a couple spots left. I'm stunned you'd be willing to bet your reputation on someone I don't know, but that's up to you to decide…"

"Then, if you'll excuse me--"

"Not yet, Hurman," stated Lizbeth, holding her hand up in protest. "Please stay for a bit longer. I promise to be fast with my questions."

"Is this at your boss's request?" asked Hurman, still standing but not stepping away just yet.

Retrieving an envelope, Lizbeth leaned forward. "If you wish to know the purpose of my sudden curiosity, I have a letter from Rhyner."

Hurman immediately sat back down. "May I?"

"Go right ahead."

The patriarch accepted the envelope with a nod and promptly opened the wax seal. He scanned over the letter with eager eyes, reading the short but informative note in no time flat.

"Do you need this back?"

"No." Lizbeth shook her head. "It was to be delivered early tomorrow morning, but your arrival here made the delivery much simpler."

Storing the letter in his void ring, Hurman asked, "Do you know the contents of that letter?"

"For the most part."

"As expected of his secretary…"

"Then are you willing to stay a bit longer and hear out my questions?"

The patriarch nodded and shrugged. "I suppose so…"