Chapter 310 – Mengbei – Wind Beak

Aidadada’s attitude toward Punk’s request to go to the Hoth Mountains was truly intriguing. Although Punk could tell from the deserted passenger platform and the sparse number of goblin technicians that this aerial port was likely in a state of suspended operations, he didn’t believe the “temporary closure” excuse would justify the timid goblin’s refusal of two Master-Level Mages’ demands.

Punk, visibly puzzled, naturally wouldn’t consider switching to another aerial port just because of Aidadada’s obvious evasion. On the contrary, the more the goblin resisted and made excuses, the colder Punk’s gaze became as he watched Aidadada boast about his brother’s luxurious aerial port in an attempt at Blame Shifting.

Finally, tired of the goblin’s nonsense, Punk issued a low, commanding order to Aidadada in an unwavering tone:

“Goblin, you now have only two choices. First: immediately activate an airship to take us to the Hoth Mountains and provide a satisfactory explanation for your evasiveness.

Second: ‘disappear’ along with your family outside your doorstep sometime soon.”

After speaking, Punk stared expressionlessly at the goblin without another word.

Faced with Punk’s almost blatant threat, Aidadada trembled and looked at Ben Lajie with a look of despair and helplessness. Though he had initially regretted knowing the Archmage Ben Lajie upon his arrival, Aidadada now desperately hoped Ben Lajie would intercede on his behalf.

But the goblin was destined for disappointment. Despite Ben Lajie’s cheerful smile, he was equally curious about the goblin’s refusal. So the portly old man mimicked Punk, silently watching Aidadada without a word.

The pressure from two Master-Level powerhouses’ stares was no ordinary matter, especially Punk’s gaze, which made Aidadada feel as if he had fallen into an icy abyss. Drawing on years of business experience, Aidadada was certain that if he didn’t provide a solid explanation today, Punk’s threat would be more than just a “threat.” After all, as a mere aerial port manager, he couldn’t possibly oppose a Master-Level powerhouse from a Legendary organization.

With no other option, Aidadada heaved a deep sigh and began his explanation with a mournful face:

“Honored sirs, please spare this humble one. You don’t understand—no aerial port dares to fly toward the Hoth Mountains anymore. That ‘Monbay Windbeak’ guarding Moonstone Peak in the Hoth Mountains… it… it has gone mad! Nothing flying toward that area, whether birds or people, has returned alive. A month ago, all four of my goblin airships were torn to shreds. Two of them were rented from the ‘Aerial Trade Association,’ and I haven’t even finished paying the compensation yet… Now, my remaining ‘Luxury Carnival’ is the last, the very last airship that belongs to me.”

Aidadada gloomily revealed his “difficulties.” When mentioning this final “Luxury Carnival,” perhaps reminded of the fate of the other four airships, the goblin broke down in tears, sobbing and sniffling uncontrollably.Ignoring the goblin before him who kept pulling out tissues to wipe his runny nose and tears, Punk turned to Ben Lajie with a puzzled expression.

Seeing Punk’s confusion, Ben Lajie immediately understood that Punk was unaware of the situation, so he quickly relayed some information:

“Monbay Windbeak is a Master-Level storm eagle with considerable intelligence. He and his tribe have long been stationed at Moonstone Peak, a snowy mountain in the Hoth Mountains. At some point, this fellow began demanding large quantities of meat as ‘protection fees’ from aerial transport merchants. In return, those who paid the fees could safely cross the Hoth Mountains under his protection… However, as far as I know, he has always been known for keeping his word. How could he possibly slaughter a merchant convoy?”

Ben Lajie was also deeply perplexed by Aidadada’s account. Although both Punk and Ben Lajie, through detecting mental fluctuations, knew Aidadada wasn’t lying, considering that the storm eagle named Monbay Windbeak was a Master-Level magical creature, it was highly unlikely for him to go berserk without reason. Thus, Ben Lajie still regarded Aidadada with deep suspicion:

“Are you certain it was Monbay Windbeak who attacked your convoy? Could it be that the meat you offered was problematic? Perhaps one of your subordinates coveted the storm eagle’s eggs and angered the flock?”

After hearing Ben Lajie’s doubts, Punk also looked at Aidadada skeptically. He knew it was the storm eagles’ egg-laying season, and the hearts of these magical creatures’ hatchlings could serve as valuable Formal-Level magical materials. It was entirely possible that someone in Aidadada’s team had grown greedy and provoked the storm eagles.

However, Aidadada seemed extremely agitated by the questioning. For a moment, he even forgot he was facing two Master-Level powerhouses. The short-statured goblin raised his shrill voice and exclaimed:

“No, absolutely not! Our Goldtooth Clan has always been the most trustworthy. No matter how greedy we might be, we would never breach our credibility. I guarantee the meat we brought this time was the freshest highland boar. Moreover… how could a small aerial port like ours, which can’t even afford to hire a Formal-Level powerhouse, dare to deceive a flock of storm eagles led by a Master-Level magical creature? We don’t have a death wish!”

Aidadada drooped his ears dejectedly, clearly just as baffled by his convoy’s misfortune. When he saw the final distress signal transmitted via the communication crystal, he had fainted from sheer panic.

In fact, if it weren’t for several other aerial ports also having their convoys torn apart, Aidadada would have suspected his own brother, Dada Ai, of scheming behind the scenes.

“If you don’t believe me, you can ask the Mage Guild. Although the matter has been temporarily suppressed by the Flying Trade Association, I’ve heard they are preparing to send a negotiation team to speak with Monbay Windbeak.”

To bolster his case, Aidadada finally mentioned the Mage Guild’s actions—though this also revealed that he had sources of information within the Mage Guild…Upon hearing the news about the Mage Guild, Punk turned to look at Ben Lajie again, his gaze now filled with unmistakable skepticism: “How come you didn’t know something even the Mage Guild is aware of? Is this what you call ‘all-encompassing’ intelligence quality?”

Facing Punk’s slightly contemptuous look, Ben Lajie scratched his head awkwardly before replying to Punk with a message:

“Well… I was worried about the Mage Guild investigating the black market recently, so my intelligence network scaled back. Don’t worry, don’t worry, this is just an accident, yeah, just an accident.”

(End of Chapter)