If the Grey Merchant and others didn’t go over soon, those who stayed behind might suffer heavy casualties too.
The Wise Sovereign had some goodwill towards the Traveling Merchant Organization, especially the Grey Merchant and his subordinates. Over the years, they’ve helped recycle, sediment, and reuse the Dark Energy in the Underground Aqueduct, saving a great deal of the Wise Sovereign’s effort. This time, it was a kind of reciprocation by the Wise Sovereign.
After the group of grey merchants disappeared, Dox finally spoke: "My inspiration tells me, I guessed it right just now."
Angel: "So?"
Seeing Angel’s indifferent expression, Dox couldn’t help but ask: "Aren’t you angry? She was planning to forcibly take Simos’s skin!"
Angel: "But she didn’t succeed."
Dox wanted to say more, but Angel added: "Besides, even if the nasty woman planned to forcibly take Simos’s skin, what’s the problem? Some people also wanted to freeload Simos’s skin, right?"
As soon as Angel finished speaking, Vay covered his mouth and chuckled beside him. The "some people" here obviously referred to Dox.
Dox also caught Angel’s insinuation, but he didn’t feel embarrassed at all. He even cheekily said: "Our relationship is different."
Angel raised an eyebrow: "I don’t have any relationship with you."
Dox leaned forward, looking flattering: "Not to mention the present; in the future, won’t you be my employer?"
Dox’s words surprised both Vay and Angel.
Previously, Angel had indeed hinted at Dox, but at that time, Dox was clearly resistant, and even if he accepted it in the end, he blamed it on "the inspiration’s antics." But now, Dox seemed to have completely transformed, not only not resisting but actively expressing his attitude.
This surprised Angel.
However, regardless of Dox’s stance, Angel actually didn’t care much. The difference, at most, was whether Dox chose to work for him at the Cross Tavern or at the Barbarian Cave in the future.
Dox: "Besides, our relationship is at least considered as close friends, right?"
Angel: "There’s no ’besides’; your only close friend is Vay."
Dox: "Even if not close friends, we’re good friends. Otherwise, why didn’t you agree to the nasty woman’s deal, but agreed to trade with me?"
Dox wasn’t actually asking Angel but stating his thoughts, so Angel ignored him.
However, Dox did hit the mark. Not to mention the nasty woman, even if the Black Earl came to trade Simos’s skin, Angel would refuse.
The only exception was Dox, and the reason, as Dox already mentioned, was indeed due to "relationship closeness."
Angel’s willingness to part with it was because Dox still owed him, and Dox most likely could only offer his labor as collateral. This also aligned with Angel’s intention, as he originally planned to bring Dox into his circle. If the deal went through, trading with Dox was like trading within his own people, expanding the strength of his circle, and Angel was naturally willing.
But if the trade was with outsiders, Angel personally felt it was unnecessary.
Although he wasn’t too concerned about Simos’s skin because he could find Simos’s whereabouts through Wang Wang’s intelligence network, there was a problem—Angel alone couldn’t hunt Simos.
If they truly wanted to hunt Simos, they would certainly need help from others, perhaps even Sanders alone wouldn’t suffice; it would be best to bring along Lord Reine or Ironclad Granny.
Even if they wouldn’t refuse Angel’s request, Angel himself would feel embarrassed.
In cases where he couldn’t obtain good results, there was no need to specifically pursue it.
In short, Dox and any other person stood right at the "willing" and "unwilling" psychological crossroads in Angel’s mind.
Dox barely qualified, while others, whether it be the nasty woman or the Black Earl, were barely disqualified.
Even if Dox hit the mark, Angel had no intention of admitting it. He directly ignored Dox and walked towards where Wise Sovereign was.
The others immediately followed suit.
Even though Dox muttered a complaint, he didn’t fall behind.
The Black Earl had been talking to Wise Sovereign about the world within the mirror and the situations of You Nu and the Cyclops Family until everyone walked over; then he stopped.
"Congratulations on your victory," Wise Sovereign had already removed his hood by now, and his voice was no longer as cold and stern as when he had been a judge, returning to a relaxed tone.
Dox: "If your tone were a bit more sincere, Vay, Kaier, and I would definitely cooperate with Your Sovereign’s performance and show an overwhelmed expression."
Wise Sovereign already understood Dox’s character well, knowing he loved to argue and tease. However, Wise Sovereign was not Angel; Angel could ignore Dox’s teasing, but he wouldn’t tolerate it.
"One-half," Wise Sovereign smiled as he looked at Dox.
Dox was taken aback: "One-half, what do you mean?"
Wise Sovereign: "One-third."
Dox: "Huh?"
Wise Sovereign: "If you speak again, it’ll become one-fourth."
Upon hearing this, Dox’s pupils shrank suddenly: "It, it wouldn’t be talking about my reward, right?"
Wise Sovereign smiled and nodded: "That’s right, the reward you exchanged for the Sunlight Sanctuary. Now it’s one-fourth."
Dox looked shocked, wanting to argue, but seeing Wise Sovereign’s smiling expression, he held back.
He was afraid if he spoke again, his reward would only be one-fifth.
After Dox remained silent, Wise Sovereign then turned to the others and said: "The duel was exciting, but this is just the insignificant first trial. You still need to pass You Nu’s trial to be truly through."
"As for your next arrangements, I’ve already told Angel; you can ask him later."
"And I, due to my agreement with ’her,’ now need to return to my residence. However, I believe with your capabilities, you’ll find your way soon."
"I await our meeting again."
With those words, Wise Sovereign’s figure began to gradually blur, and only then did everyone realize that Wise Sovereign had already left, and this was merely an illusion of him.
Seeing Wise Sovereign about to disappear, Dox finally couldn’t hold back: "My..."
"One-fifth," Wise Sovereign replied without even turning his head, delivering a critical blow.
Dox held his "broken defense" chest, stumbling and staggering.
Before disappearing completely, Wise Sovereign left one last sentence: "By the way, I’ve arranged a little surprise for you on the way; I hope you’ll like it..."