My Computer Leads to an Instance Dungeon-Chapter 203 - 164: Karen’s Doubts

Fang Zhen saw the people in the courtyard look at the Holy Garment Box, then turn their gazes to him.

The plate armor inside the Holy Garment Box was clearly of high quality. Furthermore, when he bought it, the fellow who sold it—a veteran from the front lines—had quite the artistic taste, requesting that intricate and beautiful patterns be carved into the armor as decoration.

To a modern person, such engraving wouldn't be a big deal. With the right machine and a blueprint, it could be done; it would just cost a bit more money. However, in the eyes of Gwendolyn and the others, it was an entirely different matter.

Gwendolyn and the others were not from the bottom rungs of the Curse Seal World. They were worldly and knowledgeable. One look at the plate armor was enough for them to know it must be incredibly expensive—so expensive that no one present could afford it. In fact, even their combined net worths might not be enough.

It seemed the members of the Whig Society hadn't accumulated much personal wealth.

Moreover, the full plate armor looked sturdy and must weigh at least thirty-five to forty-five kilograms. With the added weight of the Holy Garment Box, the total was significant. The fact that Fang Zhen could carry it so effortlessly forced them to completely re-evaluate his strength.

Wealthy, capable, and powerful.

A person like that would be held in high regard no matter where they went.

Gwendolyn's tone was very gentle. "Fang Zhen, there's no need to rush. The Whig Society is a reputable organization. The higher-ups have dispatched three Alchemists and two Armor Carvers. They are here in Ellick, just not in this courtyard."

"Applying Alchemy to this suit of armor will take about seven days to complete."

"Before that, there is a matter we'd like to discuss with you."

"Alright," Fang Zhen said.

"Mr. Fang Zhen, may I see how heavy this box of yours is?" the muscular man, Giant Stone Pat, asked as he walked over.

Fang Zhen didn't mind and made a gesture of invitation.

Pat took a deep breath, squatted, wrapped his arms around the Holy Garment Box, and lifted it.

Perhaps to show respect by not fiddling with Fang Zhen's belongings, Pat didn't close the box but simply lifted it as it was.

Since the box wasn't closed, it wasn't an enclosed space, so the Feather of the Light Spirit didn't activate. Pat was lifting its full weight.

Pat's muscles were not just for show; he lifted the Holy Garment Box with relative ease.

However, Pat had only lifted it for a moment and had clearly exerted himself. It was still a far cry from the effortless way Fang Zhen had carried it.

The brawny man set the box down.

He glanced at Fang Zhen, a look of mutual admiration in his eyes.

"You're quite the hidden Powerful Warrior," Pat said.

Fang Zhen just smiled, not bothering to correct the misunderstanding.

He glanced at the others present.

'Among these people is someone from the Eternal Night Council, a traitor to the Whig Society.'

'I don't know who it is yet. There's no need to reveal my true strength to them. A mix of truth and deception is best.'

He took a few steps forward, stopping before Gwendolyn and the others. "What are we discussing?"

"We are discussing whether the Blood Burst Secret Medicine poses a threat to high-level deviants, and we wish to test it on the Vampire Count, Ellick," Gwendolyn said.

As she spoke, Gwendolyn placed several scrolls of parchment on the stone table before her.

"The Whig Society has already verified the Blood Burst Secret Medicine. It is indeed effective," Gwendolyn said. "We are prepared to establish a long-term trade with you. We can't offer much money, but we have the secret Curse Seals you want, as well as Alchemy Items. Right here are three secret Curse Seals. This, plus the Alchemists performing Alchemy on your armor, in exchange for two hundred of your Alchemy Pills. Shall we make the trade now?"

"I have a basic level of trust in you," Fang Zhen said, then took out a waist pouch.

He opened the pouch. Inside were exactly two hundred potassium permanganate tablets.

After inspecting the potassium permanganate tablets, Gwendolyn handed the parchment scrolls to Fang Zhen.

Fang Zhen gave them a cursory glance. They were advanced Curse Seals.

They were somewhat similar to his upgraded Level 2 Curse Seal, the Gang Zan Holding Curse. Of these three scrolls, one was an advanced version of the Kun Sha Seal, and two were advanced versions of the Power Mountain Seal.

Three advanced Curse Seals. While they would take time to practice, they would save him merit points. They were quite practical.

Quite satisfied, he put them away.

The transaction was complete.

"Fang Zhen, we are grateful that you can provide this Alchemy Secret Medicine. However, the Whig Society is very keen to know... can you provide a stable supply of these Alchemy Pills?"

"Or rather, can you provide even more Alchemy Pills in the future?" Gwendolyn asked.

"That depends on the condition of the Alchemist backing me. If he has sufficient resources and is in good shape, he can provide at least three hundred Alchemy Pills a month. But I can't guarantee a stable supply," Fang Zhen said.

"I see..." Gwendolyn mused. "We are currently discussing how to deal with the vampire Ellick. Our thinking is, as the inventor of the Blood Burst Secret Medicine and the crucial supplier of the Alchemy Pills, would you be willing to join us in challenging Ellick?"

"This is very important. Your testimony and assessment would be a crucial basis for the Whig Society's leadership to make their decision."

"Fine. I also happen to want to kill this Vampire Lord and make a name for myself."

"Excellent. Please, sit. Let's continue the discussion," Gwendolyn said invitingly.

Fang Zhen sat down and joined the discussion.

He adhered to the principle of listening more and speaking less, as he was still unfamiliar with the group, and listened for a while.

Before long, he had a general grasp of everyone's viewpoints.

The goal was to test if the Secret Medicine Blood Burst was effective against Ellick. However, this was a difficult task. Ellick was, after all, a Count who had lived for at least two hundred years.

From the Whig Society members' discussion, he gathered that for members of the Eternal Night Council, rank corresponded to power. And unlike humans, the longer a deviant lived, the more abilities and strength they were likely to have accumulated.

Gwendolyn, knowing Fang Zhen was not well-versed in these matters, leaned over and explained in a low voice.

The main point of contention now was that Ellick was rumored to be in a deep slumber. However, high-level deviants were extremely cunning. Some would use their slumber as a cover and a lure, setting a trap to wait for people like those from the Whig Society to walk in and be wiped out in one fell swoop.

The Whig Society members were arguing about how to confirm that Ellick hadn't set a trap.

"Counting Ranger Fang Zhen, there are seven of us. What's there to fear from Ellick?" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"So what if there's a trap? We just smash our way through," Giant Stone Pat said, clenching his fists.

"Pat, you're still the same. Such a one-track mind. If only Ellick's brain were as simple as yours, that would be wonderful," Greatsword Karen said dismissively, their tone dripping with sarcasm.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Giant Stone Pat glared at Karen.

"My meaning is, do you really think a Vampire Count who has lived for two hundred years would just wait there for you to kill him?" Karen sneered. "Ellick might be weak, or he might be faking it. He's lived for two centuries; this can't be the first time someone's tried to hunt him down. If he didn't have a few tricks up his sleeve to survive, how could he have lived to this age?"

"If overwhelming them with numbers was all it took, would the Whig Society have been at a disadvantage in its struggle against the Eternal Night Council for all these years?"

"What's the use of all this talk?" Giant Stone Pat was unmoved. "We charge in, we smash him. It's that simple."

"Hah. Have you calculated the forces at Ellick's command?" Karen was still dismissive. "Over the past two hundred years, Ellick has accumulated immense wealth, enough to arm a considerable force. Publicly, he commands a Heavy Armor Guard of twenty men in full plate, all experts in combat. The forces hidden in the shadows are likely twice that number. The Ancient Castle is also filled with mechanisms, ballistae, and crossbows with Crossbow Arrows, which would allow even ordinary soldiers to pose a threat to us."

"If we don't meticulously plan our course of action, we'll lose sixty to seventy percent of our strength to his minions before we even lay eyes on Ellick."

"Besides, you mentioned Ranger Fang Zhen," Karen paused for a moment, then continued, "Don't blame me for being blunt, but don't you find his origins highly suspicious?"

"A mere Ranger... where would he get so many Alchemy Pills? And pills that just so happen to be the key ingredient for the Secret Medicine Blood Burst?"

"And why is he running around carrying a suit of plate armor that was so obviously just recently forged?"

As Karen spoke, their eyes grew sharp, fixing on Fang Zhen.