The Town Lord saw Ken and then the blackened form of the Young Master of the Blackdeer family.
"What happened here?" The Town Lord turned to Ken, seeing as he was most likely the culprit of the matter.
“Town Lord, thank goodness you’ve finally arrived.” Ken smiled up at the Town Lord innocently. “The Young Master was trying to oppress me and then it came to blows. The arrays I created for protection triggered when he attacked me with his Blackdeer Stampede technique.”
“What madness is this?” The Blackdeer Patriarch fell to his son and grabbed him. The burnt form of his son caused his killing intent to spill out. “You vile beast! What did you do to my son?”
"He attacked me and caused my arrays to trigger. I didn't ask your son to oppress me, so I hope you don't blame me." Ken placed his hands together apologetically.
"You! Just you wait and see what I do to you! You dare harm my son like this!" The Blackdeer Patriarch stood, turning to face Ken, the man’s face so menacing, and he stepped towards the cripple.
Ken could feel just how heavy he felt once the killing intent was focused on his crippled form.
[This oppressive force!]
"Is this how this town works, Town Lord? Someone can come and assault me, a cripple, and I am unable to defend myself?" Ken’s eyes fell to the Town Lord, wondering if he would come to his aid. He couldn’t refuse it, not with so many witnesses.
"That's not the case at all.” The Town Lord’s attention turned to the Blackdeer Patriarch, who stopped in his tracks. Even the Blackdeer Patriarch couldn’t rampage in front of the Town Lord, no matter how much he wanted to. “If it was truly as you say, then of course it's only right for you to defend yourself. However, there aren't many witnesses to the scene."
"Indeed, you’re right. There are very few witnesses around here, and many of them scattered. This Young Master Blackdeer tried to make me kowtow before him and to work for his family for a month, even though it’s well known that I am to come to you soon to work for you for a month.”
The Blackdeer Patriarch clenched his fists together and grit his teeth, his brow beginning to pulse with anger.
“If he had taken me away, I wonder if I would have been able to come and assist the Town Lord with the business we have. It seems that the Blackdeer family doesn’t have the Town Lord within their sights!”
“You!” The Blackdeer Patriarch’s voice boomed loudly throughout the area, even causing people’s clothing to flutter. “Enough with your vicious lies!” He narrowed his eyes again, focusing his killing intent once more. “If you aren’t able to give us a proper retelling of the account, then you better be willing to pay the price!”
"Oh?” Ken smiled. “This cripple would be more than glad to pay the price. However, if it's true that he did try to oppress me, then are you willing to pay the price? If he attacked me first, and I was defending myself from his assault, then are you willing to pay the price? Even if the price is to kill your son with your own hands?”
"You dare!" The Blackdeer Patriarch exclaimed once again, his voice still booming through the air.
"I do dare!” Ken shouted back. “I had no qualms with your family! Yet your family continued to disrespect me and threaten me! You haven’t even thanked me for creating an array which did not kill my assailants, even though it’s well within my right!” Ken almost spat out towards the Blackdeer family.
The audience were taken aback, seeing this cripple shout back towards the Blackdeer Patriarch, one of the most powerful figures in the entire town.
“Next time a Young Master decides to assault me, don’t expect a body to be returned for a burial! In this town, I have only known disrespect! Do you believe my tolerance knows no limits? Blackdeer, your family, just like the Bluewind family, is now barred from purchasing any goods from this cripple and his cohorts!”
"You dare, brat? Just you watch and see what I do!" The Blackdeer Patriarch clenched his fists, gathering ki around them as he stepped forward. He couldn’t allow a cripple to walk over his face like this!
"And what will you do in front of this Town Lord?” The Town Lord stepped forward, his eyes narrowed and darkened. He gathered his own ki into his fists, causing the Blackdeer Patriarch to stop in his tracks.
"Town Lord, this is a matter between my family and the cripple." The Blackdeer Patriarch couldn’t step forward if the Town Lord was going to press himself into this business.
"The cripple? You mean the Alchemist who is promised to this Lord’s family, and who is currently under investigation for assaulting your son?” The Town Lord brushed his beard, tilting his head slightly. “Have you forgotten that this situation is about an assault within my town, or do you believe that your authority is above my own?”
"I would not dare suggest a thing.” The Blackdeer’s Patriarch’s tone of voice fell subservient under the Town Lord, who was a match for the Blackdeer’s Supreme Elder, never mind the Patriarch.
“I won’t allow anyone to rampage within my town,” the Town Lord said, turning to Ken.
"Town Lord, I thank you for your intervention.” Ken brought up his hands and bowed his head respectfully. “I’m sure you heard the deal I proposed to Patriarch Blackdeer. If his son is found guilty of trying to assault me, then he should kill his son with his own hands. If he didn't try to attack me, then I'll let him kill me with his hands."
"There's no need for death, but compensation should be discussed." The Town Lord hoped that Ken would be placated with that. He was still the Town Lord, and he couldn’t have the Young Master of such a great family be a bargaining chip.
"The Town Lord is truly wise. Then what should be the compensation?" Ken asked, smiling politely.
“There’s no need for this to escalate any further, Alchemist,” Patriarch Blackdeer said. “I will consider an end to this matter for the Town Lord.” He had a feeling, with Ken’s behaviour, that his son was to blame. He couldn’t really do much else to stop this, so he would have to do something under the cover of darkness.
"What are you saying, Patriarch Blackdeer. You were the one who claimed that I was lying, and that I should pay for such a matter. I would like the truth out there, in order to clear my name. So tell me, oh Patriarch Blackdeer…” Ken smiled viciously. “What will you give me once you find out your son attacked me?"
“There is no need to continue this,” Patriarch Blackdeer replied back.
[Do you really think I’ll let you run with your tail tucked between your legs after what your son tried to do to me?]
“This is a matter which the Town Lord has already weighed in on. If you are willing to concede that your family was in the wrong, I’m more than happy to accept the compensation.” Ken smiled.
[This damned brat!]
Patriarch Blackdeer grit his teeth. "Then name it."
"Hmm." He looked between Chandi and the Young Master. "He tried to attack me with his legs. I would like them."
"What?" The Patriarch blinked.
[How vicious!]
These were the thoughts of everyone around them. How could he simply ask for the Young Master’s legs? They wouldn’t even be useful to him.
"Ehm." The Town Lord stepped forward. "Let’s make it a treasure from the Blackdeer family vault?”
"Oh?" Ken smiled. "Town Lord, how truly wise. That will be acceptable. Though we should discuss the matter in case I was in the wrong. Since they are offering me an item from their vault, then I will refine pills for the Blackdeer estate for an entire month with no qualms.”
"Is this acceptable?" The Town Lord turned to the Blackdeer Patriarch.
[You bastard! Offering my family vault up.]
[Don't blame me for your son's mistake. You should have thought about my face when you threatened the Alchemist in front of me.]
Their glares continued to crackle energy between one another, but the Blackdeer Patriarch couldn’t do much against it.
"The Town Lord is truly so fair,” Ken said, smiling. “I hear the Town Lords have methods to ascertain the truth when it comes to such matters?"
The Town Lord sighed, bringing out a mirror from his chest. He did so without a word, showing just how much he treasured the relationship between himself and Ken.
The mirror began to play out the sight of the scene, with the Young Master walking up to Ken and then threatening him, before Ken tried to leave and the Young Master’s Expert tried to grab him.
It was clear to the Town Lord who was at fault, and he turned to Patriarch Blackdeer.
Ken flicked over a healing pill. “Here, as thank you for your treasure.” He beamed with a giant smile on his face. “Town Lord, I hope you can escort me to the treasure vault? I would truly appreciate it.”
“I will send forward one of my Elders. I must resolve this matter officially.”
“Paperwork?” Ken asked.
The Town Lord sighed and nodded. “I hope you will forgive me.”
“It’s no matter.” Ken waved his hand. “However, I am quite busy, so I would like to head to the vault immediately.”
“Allow me to assist,” a man said. He was tall and wide, built like a tiger. He had wild black hair and a thick beard, as well as sharp eyes. Ken had never met the man before.
“First Elder Wildroar, isn’t it inappropriate?” Patrirach Blackdeer asked.
“It’s already awkward, and we can’t have the Town Lord waste his time. Crippled brat, I’ll make sure he doesn’t scam you.” The First Elder grinned.
“If the Town Lord vouches for you, then we can leave now.” Ken smiled brightly still.
“Though he is of unique disposition, I can guarantee him,” the Town Lord said, nodding his head.
“What he means is, I might be weird, but I’m a good guy at heart!” He roared with laughter.
Ken wondered what he had gotten himself into with this man, but since the Town Lord vouched for him, he couldn’t refuse the man’s assistance.
The Town Lord saw Ken and then the blackened form of the Young Master of the Blackdeer family.
"What happened here?" The Town Lord turned to Ken, seeing as he was most likely the culprit of the matter.
“Town Lord, thank goodness you’ve finally arrived.” Ken smiled up at the Town Lord innocently. “The Young Master was trying to oppress me and then it came to blows. The arrays I created for protection triggered when he attacked me with his Blackdeer Stampede technique.”
“What madness is this?” The Blackdeer Patriarch fell to his son and grabbed him. The burnt form of his son caused his killing intent to spill out. “You vile beast! What did you do to my son?”
"He attacked me and caused my arrays to trigger. I didn't ask your son to oppress me, so I hope you don't blame me." Ken placed his hands together apologetically.
"You! Just you wait and see what I do to you! You dare harm my son like this!" The Blackdeer Patriarch stood, turning to face Ken, the man’s face so menacing, and he stepped towards the cripple.
Ken could feel just how heavy he felt once the killing intent was focused on his crippled form.
[This oppressive force!]
"Is this how this town works, Town Lord? Someone can come and assault me, a cripple, and I am unable to defend myself?" Ken’s eyes fell to the Town Lord, wondering if he would come to his aid. He couldn’t refuse it, not with so many witnesses.
"That's not the case at all.” The Town Lord’s attention turned to the Blackdeer Patriarch, who stopped in his tracks. Even the Blackdeer Patriarch couldn’t rampage in front of the Town Lord, no matter how much he wanted to. “If it was truly as you say, then of course it's only right for you to defend yourself. However, there aren't many witnesses to the scene."
"Indeed, you’re right. There are very few witnesses around here, and many of them scattered. This Young Master Blackdeer tried to make me kowtow before him and to work for his family for a month, even though it’s well known that I am to come to you soon to work for you for a month.”
The Blackdeer Patriarch clenched his fists together and grit his teeth, his brow beginning to pulse with anger.
“If he had taken me away, I wonder if I would have been able to come and assist the Town Lord with the business we have. It seems that the Blackdeer family doesn’t have the Town Lord within their sights!”
“You!” The Blackdeer Patriarch’s voice boomed loudly throughout the area, even causing people’s clothing to flutter. “Enough with your vicious lies!” He narrowed his eyes again, focusing his killing intent once more. “If you aren’t able to give us a proper retelling of the account, then you better be willing to pay the price!”
"Oh?” Ken smiled. “This cripple would be more than glad to pay the price. However, if it's true that he did try to oppress me, then are you willing to pay the price? If he attacked me first, and I was defending myself from his assault, then are you willing to pay the price? Even if the price is to kill your son with your own hands?”
"You dare!" The Blackdeer Patriarch exclaimed once again, his voice still booming through the air.
"I do dare!” Ken shouted back. “I had no qualms with your family! Yet your family continued to disrespect me and threaten me! You haven’t even thanked me for creating an array which did not kill my assailants, even though it’s well within my right!” Ken almost spat out towards the Blackdeer family.
The audience were taken aback, seeing this cripple shout back towards the Blackdeer Patriarch, one of the most powerful figures in the entire town.
“Next time a Young Master decides to assault me, don’t expect a body to be returned for a burial! In this town, I have only known disrespect! Do you believe my tolerance knows no limits? Blackdeer, your family, just like the Bluewind family, is now barred from purchasing any goods from this cripple and his cohorts!”
"You dare, brat? Just you watch and see what I do!" The Blackdeer Patriarch clenched his fists, gathering ki around them as he stepped forward. He couldn’t allow a cripple to walk over his face like this!
"And what will you do in front of this Town Lord?” The Town Lord stepped forward, his eyes narrowed and darkened. He gathered his own ki into his fists, causing the Blackdeer Patriarch to stop in his tracks.
"Town Lord, this is a matter between my family and the cripple." The Blackdeer Patriarch couldn’t step forward if the Town Lord was going to press himself into this business.
"The cripple? You mean the Alchemist who is promised to this Lord’s family, and who is currently under investigation for assaulting your son?” The Town Lord brushed his beard, tilting his head slightly. “Have you forgotten that this situation is about an assault within my town, or do you believe that your authority is above my own?”
"I would not dare suggest a thing.” The Blackdeer’s Patriarch’s tone of voice fell subservient under the Town Lord, who was a match for the Blackdeer’s Supreme Elder, never mind the Patriarch.
“I won’t allow anyone to rampage within my town,” the Town Lord said, turning to Ken.
"Town Lord, I thank you for your intervention.” Ken brought up his hands and bowed his head respectfully. “I’m sure you heard the deal I proposed to Patriarch Blackdeer. If his son is found guilty of trying to assault me, then he should kill his son with his own hands. If he didn't try to attack me, then I'll let him kill me with his hands."
"There's no need for death, but compensation should be discussed." The Town Lord hoped that Ken would be placated with that. He was still the Town Lord, and he couldn’t have the Young Master of such a great family be a bargaining chip.
"The Town Lord is truly wise. Then what should be the compensation?" Ken asked, smiling politely.
“There’s no need for this to escalate any further, Alchemist,” Patriarch Blackdeer said. “I will consider an end to this matter for the Town Lord.” He had a feeling, with Ken’s behaviour, that his son was to blame. He couldn’t really do much else to stop this, so he would have to do something under the cover of darkness.
"What are you saying, Patriarch Blackdeer. You were the one who claimed that I was lying, and that I should pay for such a matter. I would like the truth out there, in order to clear my name. So tell me, oh Patriarch Blackdeer…” Ken smiled viciously. “What will you give me once you find out your son attacked me?"
“There is no need to continue this,” Patriarch Blackdeer replied back.
[Do you really think I’ll let you run with your tail tucked between your legs after what your son tried to do to me?]
“This is a matter which the Town Lord has already weighed in on. If you are willing to concede that your family was in the wrong, I’m more than happy to accept the compensation.” Ken smiled.
[This damned brat!]
Patriarch Blackdeer grit his teeth. "Then name it."
"Hmm." He looked between Chandi and the Young Master. "He tried to attack me with his legs. I would like them."
"What?" The Patriarch blinked.
[How vicious!]
These were the thoughts of everyone around them. How could he simply ask for the Young Master’s legs? They wouldn’t even be useful to him.
"Ehm." The Town Lord stepped forward. "Let’s make it a treasure from the Blackdeer family vault?”
"Oh?" Ken smiled. "Town Lord, how truly wise. That will be acceptable. Though we should discuss the matter in case I was in the wrong. Since they are offering me an item from their vault, then I will refine pills for the Blackdeer estate for an entire month with no qualms.”
"Is this acceptable?" The Town Lord turned to the Blackdeer Patriarch.
[You bastard! Offering my family vault up.]
[Don't blame me for your son's mistake. You should have thought about my face when you threatened the Alchemist in front of me.]
Their glares continued to crackle energy between one another, but the Blackdeer Patriarch couldn’t do much against it.
"The Town Lord is truly so fair,” Ken said, smiling. “I hear the Town Lords have methods to ascertain the truth when it comes to such matters?"
The Town Lord sighed, bringing out a mirror from his chest. He did so without a word, showing just how much he treasured the relationship between himself and Ken.
The mirror began to play out the sight of the scene, with the Young Master walking up to Ken and then threatening him, before Ken tried to leave and the Young Master’s Expert tried to grab him.
It was clear to the Town Lord who was at fault, and he turned to Patriarch Blackdeer.
Ken flicked over a healing pill. “Here, as thank you for your treasure.” He beamed with a giant smile on his face. “Town Lord, I hope you can escort me to the treasure vault? I would truly appreciate it.”
“I will send forward one of my Elders. I must resolve this matter officially.”
“Paperwork?” Ken asked.
The Town Lord sighed and nodded. “I hope you will forgive me.”
“It’s no matter.” Ken waved his hand. “However, I am quite busy, so I would like to head to the vault immediately.”
“Allow me to assist,” a man said. He was tall and wide, built like a tiger. He had wild black hair and a thick beard, as well as sharp eyes. Ken had never met the man before.
“First Elder Wildroar, isn’t it inappropriate?” Patrirach Blackdeer asked.
“It’s already awkward, and we can’t have the Town Lord waste his time. Crippled brat, I’ll make sure he doesn’t scam you.” The First Elder grinned.
“If the Town Lord vouches for you, then we can leave now.” Ken smiled brightly still.
“Though he is of unique disposition, I can guarantee him,” the Town Lord said, nodding his head.
“What he means is, I might be weird, but I’m a good guy at heart!” He roared with laughter.
Ken wondered what he had gotten himself into with this man, but since the Town Lord vouched for him, he couldn’t refuse the man’s assistance.
