Ah Dai scratched his head and said, "I guess it’s like looking for a job." Having filled his belly and received news of the Mage Guild, Ah Dai’s depressed mood improved considerably.

The owner of the steamed bun shop said, "If you follow this road straight ahead, turn right at the second intersection, go to the end and turn left, and then pass one more intersection, you’ll be there. Both the Mage Guild and the Mercenary Guild are there. However, it might be hard to find work there. Honestly, you might be better off becoming a mercenary. Quite a few mercenary corps are hiring in the city right now, and the pay is relatively high, with an income of a few Gold Coins a month at least. If all else fails, you can work for me, it might be a bit undignifying, but at least you’ll have enough to eat. My wife is at home taking care of the children, she can’t help me much, I have to manage everything here on my own."

Ah Dai thanked the steamed bun shop owner for his kind offer and headed towards the Mage Guild in the direction he had described. It was his duty to fulfill Owen’s dying wish. If Uncle had said that he should register at the Mage Guild to become a mage, then there must be a good reason.

After turning a few corners, Ah Dai arrived at a main road with quite a few pedestrians. Here, it was common to see people decked out in light armor, carrying weapons, and wearing badges indicating they were part of a mercenary corps. After a short distance, a large building appeared. On the roof of the building was a large symbol showcasing a shield and two longswords, below which were four characters - Mercenary Guild. People constantly exited or entered the building, creating an atmosphere of bustling activity.

Ah Dai curiously looked around for a while, just about to move forward when a man dressed as a mercenary approached him. This man was slightly taller than Ah Dai, had a head full of fluffed red hair, wore a suit of brown leather armor, and carried a longsword at his waist. On his chest was a mercenary badge depicting a red-haired lion head, making him look rather fierce.

"Young man, please stop." The burly man blocked Ah Dai’s path.

Ah Dai was confounded and asked, "Me? Do you need something?"

The burly man chuckled and said, "Young man, judging by your clothes, you’re a martial artist, right? Aren’t you thinking about joining a mercenary corps? Our Red Lion Mercenary is quite famous in the city. Join us. The basic salary is three Gold Coins per month. If your mercenary level increases, the pay will increase too. Each time you complete a mission, there’s a certain reward. This is the best treatment you could get."

The burly man spoke so fast that Ah Dai had a hard time understanding him. Shaking his head, he said, "I... I don’t want to become a mercenary."

At this, the man frowned and asked, "Really? I’ll have you know, every young samurai that comes here wants to make their way as a mercenary. Young man, if you let go of such a good opportunity, you’ll regret it."

Despite the man’s words, Ah Dai shook his head again and said, "I’m sorry, but I really don’t want to be a mercenary. Could you please let me pass?"

The man grunted and muttered under his breath, "What a spineless kid," before turning around and walking back toward the Mercenary Guild.

Ah Dai was perplexed. Did not wanting to join a mercenary corps make him spineless? Well, never mind him. He’d better go to the Mage Guild first. With that thought in mind, he quickened his pace.

The Mage Guild was also housed in a large building, located right next to the Mercenary Guild, but it was obviously much quieter, with far fewer people entering and exiting. Just as Ah Dai was about to go in, a voice behind him called out, "Wait a moment, young man." Upon turning his head, it was the red-haired man from earlier, only this time, there was another person with him. The newcomer was about 1.8 meters tall, appeared to be in his forties, had a fair complexion with no facial hair, black hair, sparkling black eyes, an air of composure, and a Tian Gang Sword just like Ah Dai’s on his back. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Ah Dai stood there in a daze, watching as the two men approached him. The red-haired man said, "Young man, this is the vice-captain of our Red Lion Mercenary. He should be a senior in your sword sect."

Ah Dai was startled. A senior from his sect? Looking at the hilt of the sword protruding from the man’s shoulder, he suddenly remembered Owen’s words and realized that this so-called vice-captain must belong to the Tian Gang Sword Sect. Uncle had instructed him to show deference when encountering members of the Tian Gang Sword Sect. Thinking of this, he hurriedly bowed and greeted, "Hello, sir."

The black-haired middle-aged man smiled faintly and said, "Young man, may I ask who your master is? I am Feng Ping, and I should be your senior uncle according to our generation."

Senior uncle? Ah Dai shook his head and said, "I... I don’t have a master, just a teacher."

Feng Ping chuckled inwardly, figuring that this simple-minded youngster probably had just started his journey across the land, and asked again, "So, what’s your teacher’s name?"

Ah Dai hesitated for a moment before saying, "I... I can’t tell you." Owen had warned him to be careful when out and about, not exposing his secrets at will. He definitely shouldn’t mention Owen’s name, let alone the name of Master Goris.