Chapter 187: Chapter 135: Chief Mage (Part 2)

"Holding this token means your identity as a Death Priest has been recognized."

Lu Cang took the token.

He handed it to Iz for a look.

After Iz confirmed it had no special Restrictions, he returned it to Lu Cang. "Mmm, no problem."

"The holder of this token must wear it at all ti—"

ZAP—

A spark of electricity flashed on the desk.

Iz smiled faintly. "I trust there’s nothing else we need to worry about, right?"

The old man’s body stiffened. He shook his head. "N-No... nothing."

’So, Iz isn’t one to always follow the Rules, either.’

Lu Cang and Iz walked out of the registration office.

"They didn’t give us a hard time," Lu Cang remarked.

"They were trying to see how I’d treat you."

"If you were just an ordinary student of mine... their attitude might have been completely different."

Lu Cang nodded. He could tell as much.

"Let’s go. We’re off to the Imperial Palace."

"It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that old coot."

Iz took Lu Cang and, with a single step, crossed through Space, closing the distance instantly!

SWOOSH!

In just a second, they arrived in a magnificent hall shimmering with gold. Every pillar was inlaid with brilliant, dazzling Magic Gemstones.

"Luo Tedan!"

"I’ve come to see you!"

Izparut’s thought echoed throughout the entire palace.

It instantly drew the gazes of everyone in the hall.

SWISH!

The surrounding Magic Guards raised their Magic Staffs in unison, aiming them at Izparut.

However, Iz paid these guards no mind at all.

He just stared at the powerfully built man lounging on the throne, being fed peeled grapes by a handmaiden.

"Iz... It’s been a long time."

"I’d just heard you’d entered the city. I was wondering when you’d come."

"Or if you’d come at all."

The man on the throne waved his hand.

At his signal, the surrounding Magic Guards all lowered their Magic Staffs and returned to their posts.

"As you can see, Lorren continues to prosper under my rule."

"So? Are you here this time with plans to join Lorren?"

"You can change your mind at any time. As long as you’re willing to join, you will be the Side-by-Side Monarch of our Lorren Kingdom, enjoying power equal to mine, along with immense wealth and glory."

"Luo Tedan, you know I’m not interested in any of that," Iz said.

"You’re not interested?"

"But what about this young apprentice of yours?"

"I’ve already heard of his accomplishments. He defeated Lu Luwei, a Level 3 Root Mage."

"Cleared 100 floors of the War God Tower, achieved a 500-win streak in the Battle Arena, and apparently, he’s also taken up the Warrior Profession."

"And his skill in the Warrior Profession seems to be quite high."

Luo Tedan’s gaze shifted directly from Iz to Lu Cang.

Meeting Lu Cang’s gaze, Luo Tedan was slightly surprised.

’He’s not intimidated?’

’Interesting.’

"Little one, how are you finding the Void Spirit Star Wood?"

Lu Cang replied without missing a beat, "Yes, it’s very useful. Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Haha! You’re using our Lorren’s National Guardian Treasure. Doesn’t that give you any ideas?"

"Izparut is unwilling to join our kingdom because he has his own principles."

"But you, however, are different. You should definitely consider joining Lorren."

"Lorren will not restrict your freedom. Not only that, but we will also promise you a superior environment for your growth."

"If you wish to go on adventures, you can go without a worry."

"If you get tired and want to rest in Lorren, you won’t be required to hold any official post."

"How about it?"

Luo Tedan’s tone was cheerful. As he clapped his hands lightly, two scantily clad beauties approached Lu Cang from either side.

’Quite a temptation.’

Lu Cang looked at Iz.

Iz’s voice sounded in his mind: ’Don’t mind me. The only reason I won’t join Lorren is because I don’t want to join a human kingdom.’

’But if this is what you need, feel free to negotiate with him.’

Iz spoke, interrupting Luo Tedan’s invitation to Lu Cang.

"Luo Tedan."

"How is An Zheng doing?"

Luo Tedan looked unconcerned. "What do you think?"

"His days are numbered. If he doesn’t break through, he’ll die."

"But from the looks of him, he probably won’t last much longer. If you want to see him..."

Luo Tedan glanced behind him.

"It’s through that large door behind me."

Lu Cang was startled.

’To think that the legendary Level 8 Mage was here in this city, right now.’

"I’m going to see An Zheng first."

"You should be able to handle things here on your own."

Iz murmured to Lu Cang, then vanished on the spot.

Lu Cang watched as the surrounding gazes converged on him.

’Iz...’

’I don’t really like being the center of attention like this.’

However, Lu Cang was indeed a little tempted by Luo Tedan’s offer. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

’Safety first. That was the mantra I constantly repeated to myself.’

’Here in Lorren’s territory, having a high-ranking status would make everything much more convenient.’

’Besides, there’s nothing shameful about becoming a Lorren Person.’

’Kumironi is a native-born Lorren Person, and I’ve never seen her want to leave Lorren...’

’For a wanderer like me, having a country to settle down in seems pretty nice.’

"Well? What do you say to the terms I just offered?"

"If you have any other demands, feel free to raise them with me as well."

"What our Lorren Kingdom lacks most is talent like yours."

Lu Cang asked seriously, "Will I have to participate in wars?"

"Not if you don’t want to."

"But if our Lorren Kingdom faces a life-or-death crisis, I would hope you would step forward to help."

"Our Lorren is a nation that reveres Magic."

"Many of our secret magical tomes cannot be found anywhere else."

"Even Izparut covets Lorren’s secret tomes."

"Only our Royal Chief Mage is qualified to read these secret tomes. It has been passed down this way for generations."

"And there are also some extremely private magical mysteries, never revealed to outsiders."

"Only after you join the Lorren Kingdom will you have the right to peruse them."

Luo Tedan painted a grand vision, and Lu Cang was genuinely tempted.

’The benefits really are generous.’

’I am quite interested in the royal family’s secret collection.’

’Especially for such a grand royal family.’

’It would be unbelievable if they didn’t have some hidden treasures.’

"If you agree to join Lorren, the position of Royal Chief Mage will be yours, effective immediately."

Upon hearing Luo Tedan’s announcement, a middle-aged man standing to the side froze for a moment before stepping out from the ranks of the court officials.

"Your Majesty, I have held this position for many years. I am a distinguished Root Mage in the Lorren Kingdom. For you to dismiss me so rashly and replace me with an eight-year-old child..."

"I... cannot accept this."

With that, he immediately turned to face Lu Cang.

’Uh...’

’What’s he suddenly trying to do?’

’I didn’t do anything to provoke you. The guy on the throne is the one who said it.’

"I request to do battle with this young man."

"If I win..."

Luo Tedan let out a laugh. "Haha, Jie Zhu, you’re really putting on a good show for me."

"If you win, all the promises I made to Lu Cang will be yours instead."

"Moreover, you can continue in this position as our Chief Mage."

Jie Zhu asked respectfully, "Your Majesty, and... the loser?"

Luo Tedan’s eyes grew deep and sharp.

"The loser, of course, gets lost."

Simple and to the point.

Lu Cang looked at the Royal Chief Mage standing before him, radiating hostility.

’*Sigh...*’

’I haven’t even said anything yet.’

’What are you getting so worked up about?’

’In fact, I was even tempted to just throw the match. It’s not like I agreed to anything.’

’But...’

’That line from Luo Tedan just now—"the loser gets lost"—really rubbed me the wrong way.’

’Besides, this guy in front of me is all worked up, like he doesn’t even see me as a threat.’

’Am I being underestimated?’

’Mages really are an arrogant Profession.’

’He knows my track record, yet he still thinks he can win?’

’He might actually be a tough opponent.’

Lu Cang’s attitude grew a little more serious.