Even Dak, the leader among the students, was surrounded by several members of the Merchant Guild, who were asking him questions with unusual warmth, leaving Dak and the accompanying warrior cadets feeling quite perplexed by their behavior today.

Dak glanced at Gan Jin, who stood somewhat isolated in the crowd, nodded to the three Guild members beside him, and beckoned Gan Jin over with an empty hand. The merchants’ expressions immediately became strained as they watched Gan Jin approach. "Greetings, esteemed sirs."

Dak warmly took Gan Jin’s hand and introduced him to the three Guild members: "This is also a third-year warrior student from our Auckland Academy of Magic and Warriors. He will surely become a great warrior in the future. If your caravans require escort personnel, he is truly exceptional!"

Gan Jin was grateful for Dak’s enthusiastic introduction, yet in this situation, it was awkward to clearly inform Dak that he had misunderstood—these Merchant Guild members weren't interested in hiring warrior students from the Auckland Academy of Magic and Warriors as escorts, even though guard work did pay quite well.

The merchants awkwardly forced out dry chuckles and repeatedly nodded, thinking to themselves, Why does he need an introduction? Doesn’t he already know? Someone capable of killing both Demon-Slaying Warriors and Bloodline Warriors is certainly, very, very, very exceptional!

"What? Are you sirs interested in hiring warrior students from our Auckland Academy of Magic and Warriors as escorts?" Gan Jin cut off any chance for the merchants to offer a rebuttal, raising his hand to clench his fist and rap it against his chest in the warrior's salute. "In that case, I thank you first. I will remember this matter. You all carry on."

The merchants felt as if they had swallowed bitter herbs. Gan Jin had already expressed his thanks beforehand, and stating that he would remember the matter implied that these low-ranking warriors from the Auckland Academy—who would otherwise only earn meager pay on the battlefield—would secure lucrative guard positions with the Merchant Guild after completing their mandatory service, provided they survived, without needing to struggle as adventurers or mercenaries.

Not hiring some of the warrior students from the Auckland Academy of Magic and Warriors? Several merchants glanced at Gan Jin’s back and instinctively shrank their necks. Hadn't he already offered the highest martial gratitude? How could they let that gratitude go unrewarded? Putting aside the respect owed to Fabredis and Sabonis, they dared not let him leave feeling he had thanked them for nothing, simply because of his sheer, insane level of strength.

Dak looked at the Merchant Guild members with pleasant surprise: "So, gentlemen, you truly wish to recruit warriors from our Academy as escorts? That’s wonderful! I will arrange this for you as soon as I return! Rest assured, they are all very responsible." The merchants could only smile bitterly and nod; they found themselves unable to articulate anything further.

Gan Jin walked through the crowd, and visitors instinctively cleared a path for him. A man of short stature with extremely thick arms appeared in view: Uncle Franlin, the blacksmith.

Franlin was dressed in formal attire today, seeming like a completely different person from the sweat-soaked figure of the previous two years. Several individuals who clearly looked like merchants were clustered around him, chatting animatedly about something. "Uncle Franlin, long time no see." Gan Jin greeted him and walked over. As soon as the merchants saw him, they quickly found excuses to step aside.

"Gan Jin!" Franlin’s eyes were full of astonishment, and his face couldn't hide his sheer joy. He opened his arms and rushed forward for a hearty embrace, saying, "I missed you, you rascal! Where have you been these past two years? Everyone said you vanished into the Sunset Mountains. I hired over ten adventurer teams to search for you in there, but they couldn't find you. They only found a few corpses..."

Franlin lowered his voice and whispered into Gan Jin’s ear, "...corpses clearly cleaved apart by a great saber."

Gan Jin felt a wave of emotion. This old man had actually hired more than ten adventurer teams to search for him.

"Don't worry," Franlin patted Gan Jin’s back and whispered, "I took care of the bodies. No one will find out."

Gan Jin smiled. While he was lost in his contemplative thoughts, the uncle had assumed he was worried about the murders being exposed and had helped clean up the aftermath. "I’ll tell you all about the last two years another day, Uncle." Gan Jin asked, "How has business been these past two years?"

"Good! Extremely good!" Franlin’s excitement gradually shifted into deep sorrow: "It’s a pity Little Fatty Luo isn't here anymore. Damn the Keller family! I won't let this rest!"

Gan Jin stared at Franlin in astonishment. Although he hadn't known this uncle for long, he had known Fatty Luo for ages, and he didn't recall Fatty Luo ever mentioning being particularly close to Uncle Franlin.

Franlin noticed the confusion in Gan Jin's eyes and slapped his forehead. "I forgot to tell you. Not long after you disappeared, that kid Luo Lin wanted to get involved in the weapon trade, so he sought me out. After talking, we realized we both knew you, and then..." Franlin sighed, "That little fatty had an incredible business mind. Back then, relying on the cleaver you left behind, Lucas and I each controlled thirty percent of Auckland's weapon trade; neither of us could budge the other. But the little fatty joined forces with me, and in two months, we managed to make Lucas move his operations to the central city of the Eternal Flow Province, Eternal Flow City."

The merchants hovered not far from Franlin, occasionally sneaking glances in his direction, much like a bear spotting a honey pot—even though a swarm of bees guarded the pot, the bear couldn't bear to leave.

Franlin snorted at the nearby merchants and explained to Gan Jin, "You might not know this yet? Just the day before yesterday! I came here to offer condolences for Little Fatty Luo, and aside from that girl Luo Qingqing and Zhu Lisi, I couldn't see a single living soul in the entire place!"

Gan Jin smiled but didn't answer. How could he not know about this? It seemed Uncle Franlin still didn't know the final fate of Keller and the others.

It was time for the pallbearers. Eight strapping men, powerfully built, began approaching the casket, lifting it together to carry it toward the burial site. The people in the courtyard automatically formed a long line behind the casket according to their status and rank.

Many residents of Auckland, upon seeing the personnel in the funeral procession, had an immediate reaction: Has Lord Sabonis, the Lord of Auckland, returned to the embrace of the stars? This was absolutely the most powerful funeral procession in Auckland's recent history!

After the casket was interred, Lord Sabonis personally presided over the memorial service for Luo Lin. Many eyes shed tears of profound sorrow and grief. Gan Jin could only click his tongue in amazement; if one didn't know Fatty Luo’s true nature, they would genuinely think everyone there had been as close as brothers with him.

The arrangements for Luo Lin’s burial kept everyone busy until evening. Only after people saw Lord Sabonis depart did they again step forward one by one to bid farewell to Luo Qingqing. However, this time, everyone’s demeanor was far more solemn than when they first arrived for the funeral.

Once the crowd summoned by the Lord had dispersed, the Luo family courtyard was once again left with only a few people. The once lively Luo household returned to silence.

Gu Yue Jiaying emerged from the back hall, the twin moons perpetually hanging at her waist. She approached Luo Qingqing and stated plainly, "It's not safe here. Stay at my place for now."

Gan Jin, entering the courtyard gate, paused upon hearing this. He had intended to mention this matter to Fabredis, but he hadn't expected this usually reserved woman to speak up first, doing so almost in an executive manner, directly taking Luo Qingqing to the back hall to pack her things, giving her no opportunity to object or offer an opinion.

"It's nice to have a woman like that arranging your rear guard, isn't it?" Fabredis stood proudly beside Gan Jin, "The matters concerning your home, the things you thought of, she thought of and acted upon ahead of you, saving you a lot of trouble."

Watching the two beautiful figures depart, Gan Jin felt a slight headache. The laws of the Zhence Dynasty did not forbid taking multiple wives, but how would he face Hai Qing'er, who waited for him alone on the moonlit street in the future?

"What progress have you made on considering the matter of the Warrior’s Guild in Eternal Flow City in the Eternal Flow Province?" Fabredis interrupted Gan Jin’s brooding, bringing up a topic he had mentioned before.

"Go! Why wouldn't I go?" Gan Jin shrugged, tilting his head back to gaze at the newly risen moon. "I'll go even if it means postponing becoming the City Lord seven days from now! Besides, Fatty Luo is still watching me from the stars, watching how I will dominate the world."

Late at night, Auckland was as calm as any other night. Those who attended Luo Lin’s funeral had not gone home; instead, they gathered in small groups, discussing what hidden meanings today's events held.

Those with connections rushed to the garrison commander, Zhang Mubai, hoping to glean some information. Why was the Merchant Guild Master, who usually put on airs even when meeting the City Lord, moving faster entering the wake than if his own father had died?

Zhang Mubai shook his head and remained silent toward everyone who came asking, refusing to discuss the issue. If he publicized the deeds committed by a fierce man like Gan Jin, who knew if this ferocious individual might show up with a blade demanding retribution?

Killing a state general violated the laws of the Zhence Dynasty! But did Gan Jin fear the law? If the Keller family dared to disregard the laws of the Zhence Dynasty for profit, Gan Jin was the fierce man who dared to strike down even the Keller family.

Gan Jin stood before the entrance of the Auckland Academy of Magic and Warriors, looking up at the old plaque, and stepped back onto the campus to see Teacher Rodriguez, who had given him instructions during the day.

There was not a single light in the Dean’s office. Gan Jin scratched his head in confusion. His teacher was never one to break his word; how could this be...?

The Principal's Office? Gan Jin was quite surprised to see a light on in the Principal's Office. Principal Keller had already returned to the stars that morning to repent to Luo Lin; why was the office still lit? Had Keller somehow returned as an undead? Or was someone stealing Keller's belongings? As a principal and the head of the Auckland Keller family, he surely possessed some valuable items.