Chapter 51

Chapter 51

There was a reason nobody had eaten anything like valley chomper before. The muscle was extremely dense and chewy. Anton wouldnt have called it food or even edible. Ayotunde seemed to derive great pleasure from watching others try to eat it though he also consumed it himself. Perhaps it was an acquired taste. Either way, it worked Antons jaw muscles to try to eat it.

Though the merchants and cultivators grumbled about being attacked, Anton found the lack of concern for the deaths to be rather disconcerting. Proper respect was paid for allies, and while he wasnt interested in performing a nice ceremony for bandits it seemed strange to take so much death in stride. It wasnt like the deaths Anton had experienced for most of his life, the deaths of time and disease. On the other hand he had little emotional connection to the guards who had perished. He just thought that human life should matter more.

The promise of extra pay for the battle and the spoils of war did little to offset the sense of apathy. The rest of the journey gave Anton time to ponder on those thoughts.

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Since there had been a reasonable chance that they wouldnt encounter any actual difficulties, the fact that the rest of the journey went smoothly was expected, if not particularly relaxing. Anton kept his eyes and ears busy looking for further trouble until the signs of civilization were visible on the horizon. Anton couldnt say that Khonard was much different from Veron, though its layout was quite different. Traffic was mostly expected to flow in from the east and north, instead of all directions like Veron. Their approach from the south came with fewer encounters of other travelers.

After collecting his pay, Anton found he made enough to purchase another one or two people from slavery. There was also a bit extra to be made from the sale of some of the bandits weapons and armor. If he made the same amount every week, within a year he could afford to free every villager of Dungannon who had been enslaved, if he could find them all. And in that same year how many others would have to die? In a practical sense Anton should have been concerned that it eventually might be him but he merely thought about the totals. Most journeys would be less dangerous and less profitable, but Anton could see why there were relatively few cultivators at the higher levels. Even if they had the talent, many would perish along the way. It was easy to say only the foolish or reckless would die, but it could also happen from bad luck. Then again, was it much different from a normal life? Anton was extremely unlikely to fall and break his neck or catch a sickness now that he was a cultivator, but such mundane deaths happened to people all the time.

But perhaps he was looking at things the wrong way. He should consider what good he did for the world, not what ill he failed to stop. Though the route they had taken was indeed more dangerous, several trips along the other route had a similar chance of danger. People had to travel between cities regardless of haste. So if he could prevent some death while earning money to redeem those he wanted to save, was that a bad thing? He just wished there were more things to do that didnt involve violence. He already felt the desire to return to the Order where he could be more productive with his cultivation instead of merely violent. Then again, Anton supposed other sects had to have similar peaceful methods- but for travelers like him the jobs would clearly fall on the more dangerous side.

Inns came in various levels of cost and value. If one merely wanted a place to sleep, getting a roof over their head was simple. Anton had a bit more desire than that, but a simple room was not hard to get. On the other hand, there were more advantageously located inns for cultivators that were around higher concentrations of natural energy and might even have energy gathering formations. The first was more affordable, and since Catarina could at least provide temporary formations for the group the price was most efficient.

Youd want the administration, across the street there. Everywhere else is off limits.

Even during a day with matches inside passageways would be guarded, especially to stop slaves from getting out. Though a single one of the guards should be able to handle any would-be escapees if it came down to that. While forcibly freeing his kin might be a pleasant idea, it simply wasnt practical even if they made it away from the arena. Well go check there. Having Catarina and Hoyt with him made Anton seem more important, at least he presumed so. At least he was clearly not a lone cultivator, and that could impact business dealings.

The offices across the street appeared quite pleasant, though Anton wouldnt expect any less. They were similarly guarded, though with somewhat lower cultivations. More of a reminder than a barrier to attacks. Any foolish attempt at a heist of some sort would have city guards coming in moments, in addition to those from the arena itself.

An assistant sat in the lobby behind a desk, shuffling through some papers. He looked up as Anton and the others entered. Welcome, what is your business with the Irvin arena? Do you wish to sign up to participate in battles?

Not this time, Anton said. I was hoping to purchase one of your combatants. Devon Gardner would be his name.

Of course, sir, the man bowed his head. Let me go check if the arena master is able to see you. He returned a few moments later and gestured them down a hallway.

It was somewhat uncomfortable to sit down in a luxurious chair that he knew was funded by the blood of others, possibly his own kin, but Anton maintained as pleasant of a demeanor as he could in front of the arena master.

So, youre interested in buying Devon Gardner, the man nodded. He was a large man, well muscled. He had reached the peak of Body Tempering by Antons judgement, though it was harder to tell with his cultivation method not being the Ninety-Nine Stars. In fact, your timing couldnt be better. He has recently advanced to mid body tempering, and we have few who are suited to match him. We would be quite happy to sell him to you.

Anton was glad things wouldnt be difficult, and even for Devons apparent gain of cultivation ability. He supposed it was natural to at least give people a chance to cultivate, because it could improve their performances- though he imagined they didnt receive access to any techniques of particular merit. The downside was that he would certainly be more expensive. Still, Anton should have enough to cover the price and he could borrow some from Catarina or Hoyt if absolutely necessary.