Chapter 141: Wrongdoing

The reputation of an element is divided into several levels, each level producing a corresponding affinity with the element itself.

For instance, with a "general" reputation relationship with a fire spirit, one could be immune to 20% of fire attacks. If the relationship is "friendly," the immunity rises to 40%, and at "respectful," it reaches 60%. A "revered" reputation provides 80% immunity, while the highest level of "worshiped" reputation grants complete immunity to fire.

Originally, Rayan coerced the fire spirit element to grant him a revered reputation. The fire spirit element, desperate to save Sola, reluctantly complied. Although the action seemed somewhat dishonorable at the time, the benefits it reaped were immensely substantial.

Had he not extorted the fire spirit element, even if he could have revived Sola, she would not have been so compliant towards him. He would have had to constantly guard against her, and he would not have been able to train all day long. Getting tired would have only required a hug from Sola to fully recover, and it would have been impossible for him to currently face the flames of the Fire Scorpion in attack.

The Fire Scorpion concentrated all the heat in its belly into its mouth, transforming it into blazing flames directed at Rayan. In an instant, the entire cave was illuminated by blinding firelight, with flames engulfing Rayan completely.

The flames were relentless, heating even the ground.

Sola clenched her fists, her expression solemn, but she made no other move, quietly waiting for her master to conclude the inevitable battle.

The bounty hunters nearby wrung their hands in despair, "Such a promising young man, to be burned—"

Before they could finish, the flames suddenly extinguished—no, not extinguished, but obscured by darkness! The lead man suddenly felt an immense invisible pressure, as heavy as a mountain, making it difficult for him to breathe.

A mournful cry followed, and then a massive Blood Crow tore through the darkness, striking directly at the Sixth Rank Fire Scorpion. The Fire Scorpion emitted a pitiful scream, full of dread.

Seconds later, the darkness dissipated, and the light from the torches brightened again.

Rubbing their eyes in surprise, the bounty hunters saw the noble young man, who had single-handedly confronted the Sixth Rank Fire Scorpion, standing unharmed next to the corpse of the Fire Scorpion, with the Crow Sword just sheathed.

"How is this possible..."

"Big brother, did you see clearly how the Sixth Rank Fire Scorpion that could have instantly defeated our entire team died?"

"I only saw a blood-red crow, and then..."

The lead man suddenly remembered the disrespectful words he had just spoken to the noble young man, and a circle of cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He hurriedly stood up using the wall for support and saluted Rayan with the most impeccable etiquette, "Your Excellency, I apologize for our earlier conduct and hope to be forgiven. If you do not forgive us, I am willing to bear all consequences—"

"Big brother! You can't take it all on yourself!"

"Yes, big brother, since we drew our swords together, we are willing to share the consequences!"

"You... are truly my good brothers!" The lead man was immediately moved to tears.

"Big brother! You will always be our great brother!" The other bounty hunters also cried emotionally.

At this moment, Rayan was intently contemplating the flaws in the technique he had just used—his visit to the Fire Scorpion's cave was partly to prepare a birthday gift for the Phoenix Lady of the Firebird family, but most importantly, it was to enhance his own abilities, striving to soon be able to confront someone like Trevor. Therefore, after the uneventful killing of the Sixth Rank Fire Scorpion, his handsome face showed no joy, only a thoughtful consideration of his own shortcomings.

Only when the bounty hunters began to sob did he notice their presence.

"What's wrong with them?"

Rayan asked Sola with confusion.

Sola, who was circling the huge Fire Scorpion, contemplating the "important matter" of which parts could be eaten, had not paid attention to the bounty hunters. She replied casually, "Maybe because we took their job. It's normal for them to cry, who told them to be incompetent?"

A slight frown gathered between Rayan's brows as he spoke lightly, "This Sixth Rank Fire Scorpion was indeed lured out by them, saving us a lot of time. They also lost many lives for this; we shouldn't ignore them out of decency and emotion."

He disliked being accommodated by others and did not want to owe favors to unrelated people, even such favors.

Sola nodded obediently, "Master, do you want to share some of the spoils with them?"

"Not really."

Rayan glanced at his female slave, "Why should I hand over my things to others? I mean... just go and say hello."

Saying so, he walked towards the bounty hunters on his own.

Sola chuckled and followed behind Rayan. Her master was generous with her almost to the point of indulgence, but was uncompromising with others. The thought of this differential treatment warmed her heart like eating an entire bristle pig.

Seeing the aloof noble young lord and the graceful barbarian tribes female slave approaching, the bounty hunters dried their tears and bowed their heads in utmost respect. Even those who couldn't stand up straightened their backs as much as possible, to show respect to the nobility—or rather, to a young Fighter who had single-handedly slain a Sixth Rank Fire Scorpion.

Yet, each person's face also bore a heroic expression of facing death—for after all, they had insulted a Gold-edged noble and drawn swords against him, a crime of insubordination that could not be forgiven.

The lead man was the first to speak, "Your Excellency, I am willing to take full responsibility."

The fine line on Rayan's brow deepened as he countered, "What are you taking responsibility for?"

The lead man paused, then reminded in a low voice, "I insulted you earlier, and ordered my brothers to draw their swords against you..."

"Oh!"

Rayan remembered his status and suddenly realized, "Hmm, you indeed... did wrong."

"Did wrong?" Just that?

The bounty hunters looked at each other, unsure what the cold-speaking noble young lord was really thinking.

Mockery? Probably. Nobles often enjoyed mocking commoners, didn't they?

The expressions on the bounty hunters' faces grew even more tragic as they clasped each other's hands, waiting for Rayan's further mockery.

After a silence that lasted several heartbeats, Rayan finally spoke, "Well, then... let it be."

With that, he turned and walked towards the corpse of the Sixth Rank Fire Scorpion.

The lead man widened his eyes and turned to Sola, who hadn't yet walked away, saying, "Miss, what does your master mean by that?"

Sola scolded, "Who are you calling 'miss'? You're the big one here!"

The lead man hastily corrected himself, fumbling over his words, "This beautiful lady, your master, he..."

Being called "beautiful," Sola felt a sweet flutter in her heart, but her expression cooled, much like Rayan's. "Hasn't the master already said? Let this matter rest, don't dwell on it anymore!"

"We wouldn't dare to dwell!"

The lead man continued, "We only seek your master's forgiveness. If he does not blame us, we are willing to serve him loyally from now on!"

"So, you're worried that the master might kill you."

Sola's orange eyes twinkled, then she said to the bounty hunters, "Well, speaking of the master's temper, it's hard to say. Just before we entered the cave, he personally decapitated the guide."

A bounty hunter gasped, "The one who sold various herbs in the hot marsh and had gold teeth?"

Sola nodded, her voice chilling as she vividly described, "Exactly, he even kicked the corpse into the hot marsh. You might still see the head when you leave. The quieter my master is, the more likely he is to act and kill, so I advise you to leave quickly to avoid angering him and having your heads chopped off too!"

As she spoke, she mimicked Rayan's gesture of beheading.

The bounty hunters all shrank back slightly, with one even reaching to touch his neck nervously.

The lead man felt even more terrified of Rayan but still gritted his teeth and said, "A beheading is just a scar the size of a bowl! Even if he beheads me, I accept it, but I hope, beautiful lady, that you can convey our intentions to your master. Our Mad Dog Group may all be lowly commoners, and only a few of us are left, but each one of us is a man of honor who does not wish to live in debt."

These words were both forceful and sincere, even Rayan, standing afar, secretly nodded in approval.

Actually, he had no intention of blaming the bounty hunters. The lead man had insulted him because he was dressed as a noble and had blocked their escape route. If he had been in their place, blocked on his path to survival, he would have cursed too. Hearing what the bounty hunters had just said, Rayan felt a certain kinship in temperament.

"You, come here."

He beckoned the lead man over.

The lead man immediately approached Rayan, bowing deeply. "Your Excellency."

Rayan scrutinized the burly man, noting that even with his head bowed, he was much taller than Rayan, and his broad shoulders and bronzed face made him look like a movable mountain—such a figure could intimidate any ordinary opponent just by standing still.

"What did you say your group was called?"

The man blushed, "Mad Dog Group."

"Oh? Why that name?"

The man replied boldly yet respectfully, "Because all the saintly and glorious names were taken by other teams and guilds, and even slightly decent names cost money. We are lowly people, so we simply chose a lowly name—"

"That's the lie you tell others."

Rayan coldly said, "I'll ask you again, why is it called the Mad Dog Group?"

The man's adam's apple bobbed nervously as he stared at the Gold-edged badge on Rayan's chest, pondering for a moment before resolving to answer, "Because we have to act like mad dogs, so we called it Mad Dog Group. Only by becoming mad dogs can we fear no one and bite anyone we see!"

"So, initially, you also wanted to bite me? Because I was the noble dog blocking your path?"

"That's right."

After speaking, the man seemed to unload a heavy burden, closing his eyes and bracing for the execution.