Fongghao felt a flicker of hope.

It seemed that Sirill indeed possessed white steel ingots.

What troubles you, my lord? Fongghao inquired.

Sirill, appearing somewhat distressed, replied, the city does have a reserve of white steel ingots, but they have already been allocated to the military depot.

making their sale to you quite difficult.

Surely, my lord, you must have a means of resolving this.

Perhaps you could share your thoughts.

If it were truly impossible to provide the ingots to Fong How, Sirill would have outright declined.

His hesitant demeanor suggested there was a solution at hand.

It is indeed impossible for me to sell them to you.

However, I propose this.

I will issue a bounty.

If you can capture the murderer and deliver him to me, I shall reward you with white steel ingots as recompense.

Sirill's gaze sharpened, his voice taking on a grave tone.

What murderer? Fonggho understood Sirill<unk>s intentions.

It was merely a matter of using the white steel ingots as leverage to enlist his assistance in dealing with the so-called murderer.

Sirill had summoned him today, likely for this very purpose, and Fonhow had preemptively mentioned the ingots.

The murderer who killed the mercenaries of the tavern last night.

If you bring them back to me, the one 500 units of white steel ingots stored in the depot will be yours.

What say you? Sirill smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling with deep set wrinkles.

Killed the mercenaries? Fongha exclaimed in surprise.

Indeed, did he not say there are no leads? No, there is a lead.

It concerns another group of mercenaries outside the city, and I shall publicly execute them to ensure the city has stability, Sirill responded.

It appeared that the mercenaries outside the city had previously incurred Sirial's eye, leading him to unjustly attribute this case, which lacked evidence to them.

Had Fong Hao not been the one responsible for the events of the previous night, he might have found Sirill's words credible.

After all, most would tend to believe a city lord over a group of mercenaries.

Where the names of the mercenaries, and where is their estate located? Funha resolved to take on this task.

The Firewolf mercenary group.

Here is the location of their estate, and their numbers amount to merely a few dozen.

Sirill handed over a pre-prepared map.

Fong Ho accepted the map, committing the name of the Firewolf mercenary group to memory.

Very well, I shall take on this matter, but I cannot bring back an entire battalion.

How many individuals do you require? Funha tucked the map away nonchalantly.

A few of their leaders, if possible.

The more the marrier, as it will be easier for the populace to accept, Sirill replied, continuing to stroke his beard.

Certainly, I shall endeavor to bring back as much as I can.

Fong Hao rose, stating his intention to prepare, thus not wishing to disturb the lord of the city.

With that, he exited the lord's residence and made his way back to his shop.

The establishment was currently displaying its sign inscribed in the script of the human race, bearing the name delight in the catch.

It was a name both straightforward and captivating, a product of Fong Ho's sleepless nights and relentless contemplation, nearly prompting him to call his language teacher for assistance.

As Fongo admired the sign, the tavern's proprie approached him, extending her hand with five gold coins.

"Here is your money back.

Once the tavern reopens, you may return a poster bounty," she said.

The tavern had been sealed, rendering the bounties on its notice board ineffective.

One bounty pertained to mercenaries, all of whom perished on the second floor last night, while the other was Fonggha's own surge for the sword of leniency, totaling five gold coins.

Fongo accepted the coins, figning ignorance, and asked, "I heard there were casualties.

" "Damn it, those wretched mercenaries.

I have truly fallen into misfortune, attracting these specters," the tavern mistress exclaimed.

Her sudden outburst catching Fong how offguard.

Clearly, the incident had a significant impact on the tavern.

Not only was it shuttered, but it was likely to be a long time before anyone dared to stay on the second floor again.

How long will the tavern be closed? He inquired.

I don't know.

It depends on when they catch the murderer, she sighed.

Would you care to assist me? I happen to be short staffed, Fongo suggested.

The tavern mistresses s eyes sparkled with mischief, and she chuckled.

You little rascal, I know your intentions well.

Aren't you too young to be concerned about your health? Besides, your tavern is closed.

Why not help me out? My tavern is only closed for a couple of days.

It's not permanently shut.

She corrected him.

All right, come help me when it does close down.

Fong Hao retorted, teasing her about her business.

The tavern mistress, somewhat irritated, replied.

Why would it have to close down? Fongghao smiled and leaned closer, lowering his voice.

Have you ever heard of the Firewolf mercenary corps? Hm.

Do you know someone from a Firewolf mercenary corps? She asked.

Her curiosity peaked.

I've heard some things about them.

They aren't particularly well- reggarded in Plur, he replied.

You know that? She exclaimed in astonishment.

It was rare for the town's folk to be aware of such information.

And yet, here was Fong Ho, who had only been in town a few times.

Already to know, those rascals have caused such a ruckus, and the Lord hasn't te dealt with them yet.

Fong Ha remarked.

Indeed, the Lord had a child late in life.

It seems he may find it difficult to have more, the tavern mistress concluded sagely.

Fonggha's gaze shifted.

Surely the Lord's son must be improving now.

Not at all.

He hasn't he been seen for years.

The situation likely remains dire, she replied.

As the two watched the sign of the shop being hung, they continued their low-key conversation, and through the tavern mistress's words, Fong how gleaned further insights.

The Firewolf Mercenary Corps bears a mysterious burden from several years ago when a Lord's son sustained grave injuries that have only worsened over time.

Casting a shadow of impending mortality.

For reasons unknown, the Lord has refrained from taking action against this mercenary group.

Seizing the opportune moment, he has now sought to attribute the heinous crime committed within the city to the Firewolf mercenary corps.

After a brief conversation, the guards returned to search the tavern, prompting the tavern owner to depart promptly.

Fong Hao and Injia then resumed their journey at top the giant lizard.

Making their way back to their territory, they hurriedly returned to their domain, and Fong Hao dismounted to begin assessing the forces he would take with him.

The location of the Warfire mercenary core estate was already marked on Fong Hao's grand map, revealing a mere handful of members.

There was no need to mobilize a large contingent which might attract undue attention.

The heroes included in Jia blood hunter 100 skeletal dragons and a full complement of fifth tier skeletal trolls.

Hijing possessed skills suited for city defense, making him an ideal guardian.

Soaring through the skies, they would evade the notice of those below and could conclude their battle before dusk.

Fong Hoa invoked divine presence as he mounted the skeletal dragon with a gentle pad upon its neck.

The dragon surged into the clouds, heading towards the estate of the Firewolf mercenary core.

Chapter 196.

The uncharted territory in the scaled armor bone dragon.

The bone dragon soared through the clouds, the wind whistling past its ears.