Chapter 018: Benefits

A flash of surprise passed through Du Fan’s eyes. He glanced at Gabriel and said, “Lord Gabriel, if you have something to ask, go ahead and say it directly. But I’ll also be honest with you—although I am the third young master of the Green family, I’ve been serving in the Holy Church for years and hardly had any chance to get involved in family affairs. There are many things I don’t even know, let alone discuss cooperation.”
Gabriel smiled and said, “Since I want to ask Young Master Du Fan for a favor, I naturally have an plan in mind. Young Master Du Fan will understand once he hears it. Please, do not refuse.”
At that point, Gabriel glanced at Viscount Evan.
Viscount Evan’s expression changed, and he laughed heartily, saying, “Young Master Du Fan, why not listen to what Lord Gabriel of Rui Gen has to say? With me here, the Green family surely won’t suffer any losses, right? Otherwise, Old Duke Green would skin me alive.”
Du Fan nodded slightly, though he felt somewhat puzzled. Judging from their expressions, it seemed they already had some kind of agreement. Evan probably knew about what Gabriel wanted to discuss. He just wondered what kind of plan these two cunning men had come up with.
Though puzzled, Du Fan kept a straight face. Over the years, he had mastered the art of hiding his emotions to perfection. If he had used this skill in his past life, he would have won some kind of Golden Statue Award for sure.
After pretending to think for a moment, Du Fan smiled faintly and said, “Well then… Lord Gabriel, could you explain what’s going on first?”
After pondering for a while, Gabriel suddenly sighed softly and asked, “What do you think of my city, Rui Gen, Young Master Du Fan?”
Du Fan sneered inwardly but replied with a smile, “Rui Gen is extremely prosperous. In my opinion, being the ruler of such a city is far better than being just a mere priest like me.”
“You’re joking, Young Master Du Fan,” Gabriel said with a wry smile. “As I’ve said before, Rui Gen has trading markets, iron mines, and countless of my assets. For me, Gabriel, it’s a pretty good place. If I still had the ambition I once had, with my abilities, I might not be able to create an army as formidable as the Northern Legion, but it wouldn’t be impossible to build an army capable of fighting against the barbarians.”
“It’s just…”
“What is it?”

“It’s just a temporary solution,” Gabriel sighed. “Though I, Gabriel, consider myself extraordinary—how many people in the entire Gavin Empire over these centuries have managed to rise from commoners to nobility? But my foundation is far too weak… While I’m alive, with my reputation, it’s not impossible to hold this city, but what if I die one day? Then… it will be difficult…”
At these words, a hint of sorrow flashed in Gabriel’s eyes, giving him the appearance of a hero in his twilight years.
However, Du Fan wasn’t sure how much to believe his words. After all, this bastard charlatan was master at pretending. He crossed his arms and assumed a praying posture, saying, “The gods say: those who praise my glory shall be granted eternal life…”
“Lord Gabriel, if you’re worried about what will happen after a hundred years, why not believe in my God of Light? I believe that under the glory of the God of Light, your family will become one of the powerful clans in the Roland Continent…”
Gabriel gave a bitter smile but didn’t dare call Du Fan’s words nonsense. He said calmly, “I still believe in the God of Light. If I ever get the chance to go to the capital, I’d like to hear Young Master Du Fan sing hymns… But the matter I want to discuss today isn’t about this. I just want to ask Young Master Du Fan… to give me a chance to enter the capital…”
Du Fan was slightly taken aback and asked, “What do you mean, Lord Gabriel…”
Gabriel replied softly, “Young Master Du Fan must be aware that for outsiders like us who want to enter the noble circles of the capital, we need a guide… After all, over the centuries, the noble circles in the capital have formed their own patterns. For nobles from other places to get in, the only way is to attach themselves to a major family. Although I, Gabriel, also want to go to the capital, I’ve had no way to do so for years. Now that I’ve met you, Young Master Du Fan… I just ask for this one chance… I dare not insist on attaching myself to the Green family, but at least please give me this chance… Whether it succeeds or not, I will show my gratitude…”
After saying this, Gabriel simply watched Du Fan quietly. Viscount Evan remained expressionless, but Oscar looked deeply thoughtful.

Although he spoke earnestly, Du Fan became even less convinced. If this Gabriel really wanted to enter the noble circles of the capital on his own terms, he wouldn’t have sent people to attack him earlier. Even if those people weren’t sent by him, at least he would have come to apologize after learning about it, rather than just sending that good-for-nothing Simon.

After pondering for a moment, Du Fan suddenly sneered. This was clearly his own behavior—whether it was dealing with Simon or sending Selina to assassinate Gabriel, it all seemed utterly foolish in the eyes of this Gabriel. Presumably, in the eyes of this arrogant and confident Gabriel, he was just a young man relying on his family’s reputation. If even half of what he said tonight was true, it would already be a blessing from the God of Light.

Or, even if what Gabriel said was true, since he already intended to kill him, how could he possibly act as a guide?

Though he thought this way, Du Fan showed a hint of hesitation on his face and said, “Lord Gabriel… it’s not that I don’t want to help you… but… as you know, I’m just the third young master of the Green family. My influence is really… limited.”

Gabriel quickly replied, “As long as Young Master Du Fan is willing, I, Gabriel, will be extremely grateful. Do you expect anything more? Someone, bring it to me…”

A moment later, a servant brought a silver tray and placed it in front of Du Fan before quickly retreating.

Du Fan glanced at it in confusion and said, “This…”

Gabriel pointed to the items on the tray and said, “This is a crystal card worth one million gold coins. As for this silver armor, I obtained it by chance long ago. It’s not anything special, but it’s extremely durable and decent enough to show off. Please accept these two items, Lord Du Fan… as a small token from me, Gabriel. If things go well in the future, I’ll surely give you a more generous gift.”

For the ruler of a city, these two items weren’t exactly meager. Du Fan couldn’t figure out why Gabriel would offer such a generous gift to him. But since someone had brought the money to him, Du Fan didn’t hesitate. He casually took the items and put them into his storage ring, saying, “Well… I’ll give it a try then…”

Gabriel frowned and exchanged a glance with Evan.

Evan laughed and said, “By the way, Young Master Du Fan… there’s another item that Lord Gabriel has already discussed with me… Please accept it as well…”

With that, Evan took out a scroll from his bosom and threw it in front of Du Fan. Du Fan casually opened it and glanced through it, but couldn’t help but freeze slightly. It turned out to be a gift list, listing a series of items meant as gifts for the Green family. Although these items were valuable, they weren’t anything extraordinary. Yet the last item on the list was astonishing. It stated that a large weapons workshop jointly run by Gabriel and Evan would supply the Green family with various military supplies at cost every year, and this agreement would remain valid unless the workshop closed down. After all, the Green family maintained a hundred thousand troops each year, spending countless gold coins. If the cost of these supplies could be reduced even slightly, their army could likely expand several times over. As for the authenticity of this agreement, with Evan, a top arms dealer, vouching for it, it was impossible to fake it—unless Viscount Evan wanted to give up his career. For a moment, Du Fan was filled with doubt. This seemingly simple scroll was not only strange but also risky. Though he wanted to refuse, who would pass up such a huge opportunity? After hesitating for a while, Du Fan smiled and put the list away. He was determined to find out what these two wanted after making such a huge sacrifice. If enemies came, he would meet them with force—how could Du Fan, who had faced so much before, be afraid of them now? Seeing Du Fan take the item, Gabriel and Evan exchanged smiles and said, “So, Lord Du Fan, do you agree?” Du Fan nodded without giving a clear answer. Gabriel clapped his hands and said, “Lord Du Fan is truly straightforward… In that case, the sooner the better. How about Lord Du Fan sets off tomorrow? I really don’t want to stay in this city of Rui any longer.” Du Fan smiled faintly and said, “Since Lord Gabriel hopes so much and is willing to go to such lengths, it would be childish of me, Du Fan, to refuse. I’ll set off tomorrow then.” Gabriel laughed heartily and said, “Then thank you, Lord Du Fan.” He then turned to look at Oscar and said, “Lord Oscar is also a prominent figure in the capital. I hope you’ll speak well of me, Gabriel, when you go there!”