Chapter 300 After all, where can one find true masters in this world?
Negotiate?
William was generally amiable in his daily interactions, but this did not extend to those who had attacked him.
Since he had already resolved the matter with force, there was no question of negotiation.
As they descended the stairs, Zoey was already waiting downstairs.
"Zoey, I've looked into it. The injured young man is named Andrew, the grandson of Derek Martinez from the Martinez family in Texas. Derek is also a mid-level Soulmancer with significant influence in Texas. If this incident is mishandled, it could cause some trouble." Wes was speaking while checking the information and suddenly realized a crucial point—Andrew's vital part was severed...
Doesn't this mean that the Martinez family's lineage might end with him?
According to biological and genetic studies, species with strong vitality often have a weaker ability to reproduce.
Therefore, once a Soulmancer reaches the mid-level, reproducing offspring usually requires much more effort than ordinary people.
Derek's son passed away three years ago, and his only hope was that Andrew would continue the Martinez family line. Now, William had directly made this young man lose this ability.
Although Alice took responsibility for this, handling this matter was undoubtedly very tricky.
Zoey, who usually didn't deal with such matters, left it to Wes as the 13th Bureau was an official organization and couldn't simply ignore the rules.
"You'll have to handle it even if it's difficult," Zoey said, unconcerned ignore the rules.
"You'll have to handle it even if it's difficult," Zoey said, unconcerned with such affairs, and left the matter entirely to Wes.
Wes could only turn to Alice and say, "Alice, you should know that Texas is home to many Soulmancer organizations. It would be best if you handled this matter according to the rules of the Soulmancer community, in private. I can at most help mediate."
"Okay, I understand." Alice, a novice who had just become a Soulmancer, had no idea where the gathering places of Soulmancer organizations were.
Nor did she know the rules of the Soulmancer world.
But since Wes said so, she could only agree reluctantly.
At worst, she could just ask her master afterwards.
She believed her master should know the rules of the Soulmancer world.
"Then let's visit the hospital first, is that okay? Regardless of the cause of the incident, since the other party is so severely injured, we should pay a visit." Wes had initially thought it was William who had gotten into a fight and expected only minor injuries, not realizing the situation was this serious.
Texas is a place with its own set of Soulmancer rules. Often, even people from the 13th Bureau find it difficult to intervene there, and the area is riddled with complexities and dangers.
Alice was originally going to agree, but William said, "Let's not go. That person is basically left infertile now. Going there now, apart from possibly starting another fight, there's not much else to do."
Wes fell silent for a moment, then said, "Okay, then. Zoey and I will go take a look and test the waters."
"Alright, then we'll take our leave." William felt it was essential to focus on improving Alice's abilities,they couldn't continue to be so lax.
Wes nodded and said, "I'll inform you if there's any news."
William and Alice left together. Not far away, Alice couldn't help but ask William, "Master, according to the rules of the Soulmancer world, how should this situation be handled?"
"Settle it privately! There's always a way to solve it, right?"
For ordinary people, it usually means compensation. But what about private settlements among Soulmancers?
William thought for a moment and said, "According to the old rules, in this kind of situation, it's basically a fight to the death. Either you wipe out his entire family, or his friends kill you."
"..." Alice was dumbfounded. The method of private settlement seemed incredibly harsh.
Exterminating an entire family for a conflict—was this really the rule in the Soulmancer world?
Alice's mouth twitched as she said, "Master, in this matter, I am taking responsibility on your behalf."
William calmly replied, "Since you've already taken responsibility, the task of wiping out their entire family falls on you."
"Can't we avoid exterminating their entire family?" Alice still couldn't accept such a brutal form of private settlement.
"Then just wait for them to exterminate your entire family." William paused and then added, "I was talking about the old rules of the Soulmancer world. Things might be different now. Why didn't you ask Deputy Director Wenzel just now?"
Alice gaped in disbelief: "I thought you knew."
"Heh." William chuckled lightly, "You better focus on improving your strength. In the future, when facing powerful enemies, you'll have to deal with them yourself. As long as you hold the Sword of Soulbreaker, its seal can never be lifted." n/-0VelBIn
"I've been working hard already!" Alice responded somewhat upset, not understanding why William thought she wasn't diligent.
William didn't elaborate further and continued walking ahead.
Alice quickly followed, asking, "Then, Master, do you know about Texas? I heard from Deputy Director Wenzel that it's a gathering place for many Soulmancer organizations. Are there a lot of Soulmancers there?"
While walking, William explained, "Texas sits atop a dormant earth energy source. But since it's been dormant for many years, most Soulmancer organizations don't value it much. Ever since that energy source was discovered, many Soulmancers have lived there, passing down their traditions through generations, forming a sort of small community."
"So, does that mean it's a place teeming with masters?" Alice picked up on the implication. Since the discovery of the earth energy source, many Soulmancers were attracted there, and it should have gathered a lot of skilled individuals.
William replied, "There are indeed some masters, but most are of average skill."
Becoming a Soulmancer is not easy for ordinary people,it requires finding the right methods and various resources. A group of average-skilled Soulmancers coming together is more about mutual support than anything else.
Most of these individuals aspire to join the renowned, large Soulmancer organizations. Unfortunately, many such groups now only recruit Soulmancers with exceptional talents to enhance their own strength. Even those lucky enough to enter these organizations often end up doing low-level tasks. Given that the methods and resources for becoming a Soulmancer are increasingly scarce, it's impossible for any Soulmancer organization to recruit members indiscriminately.
Over thousands of years of evolution, these average-skilled Soulmancers even established a rule: any Soulmancer living in Texas cannot join the mainstream, large Soulmancer organizations,if they do, it's considered a permanent departure from Texas. As a result, Texas has become a gathering place for these average-skilled Soulmancers.
In William's view, even those mainstream, large Soulmancer organizations are not very strong, let alone a place like Texas. The "mediocre Soulmancers" he refers to even include many mid-level Soulmancers. As for the "masters" he mentioned...
It was just a casual remark. After all, where can one find true masters in this world?
Hearing about the generally average level, Alice seemed relieved: "Then, Master, do you think my strength would be considered top-notch in a place like that?"
William couldn't help but laugh: "Are you trying to make your master die of laughter with your ridiculous theory, so you can take over my house?"
Alice said somewhat gloomily, "Didn't you say that the Soulmancers in that place are mostly average in strength?"
William's expression turned slightly cold as he snorted, "I also mentioned that there are a few masters. With your level of skill, do you really think you can dominate the world? The sword technique secrets I taught you last time – you don't earnestly comprehend them in your daily practice. You only have realizations when you are trapped by someone. You are inherently foolish and on top of that, so lazy. Do you intend to rely on me to back you up for the rest of your life?"