My father is Tav, a fabric merchant.

If you return me, he will reward you handsomely," the girl replied with a calm demeanor.

"Indeed, this child is exceptional," Fongo mused, impressed by her composure and sharp intellect.

He realized she instinctively referred to her father as profession, revealing that this abduction involved the daughter of a fabric merchant.

"I live in a city to the north.

Do you know how to reach your city?" Fong Hao continued his questioning, aware that he relied on maps during his travels.

Without knowledge of her location, he would be unable to navigate.

I can guide you.

I have accompanied my father to many places and have a keen sense of direction.

Just let me assess the surroundings and I can find the way.

The girl assured him.

Very well.

Then you shall return with me to prepare before I escort you back.

All right.

The little girl obediently agreed.

Having fallen from the clutches of one group of kidnappers into the hands of another, she found herself devoid of options.

Fortunately, the person conversing with her exhibited a willingness to communicate and appeared relatively benevolent.

The girl's hands were freed, yet her eyes remained shrouded with a warning that she must not remove the blindfold, lest Fongo would not return her.

The girl acquiesced and continued to sit quietly, awaiting her fate.

Once the battlefield had been cleared, the group commenced their journey back with the little girl.

At noon, the city of Plur welcomed two new guests.

The sun blazed fiercely, distorting the air, and its glaring light caused passers by to squint involuntarily.

A man and a woman, entered the city on horseback.

The man, a young human, sat upright in the saddle, gripping the rains firmly, his posture proud like a knight returning from victory.

However, it was his attire that drew attention.

A wizard's robe layered over gleaming silver armor, a knight's sword at his left hip, and a staff adorned with a red gem in his right hand, while a dazzling golden dagger was sheathed at his waist.

What a peculiar ensemble.

A knight, a wizard, a combination of both.

It seems such a profession had never been heard of before.

Observing the woman behind him, one could see she was a beast folk girl clad in leather armor with a pair of tiger claws hanging from her waist.

While the city of Plur did not reject beast folk, it remained predominantly human.

Their presence was scarce outside of merchants.

In front of the woman sat a human girl justiculating animatedly as if she were a guide, introducing the city to the beast folk girl.

H is that not Tavik's daughter? Do we not hear that his daughter had been kidnapped and that he was currently raising funds for her release? Indeed, my wife s brother s second cousin is a merchant alongside Tavic and he mentioned that Tavic's daughter had been abducted.

Surely Tavic must have secretly hired mercenaries to rescue her.

However, my wife s brother as second cousin said they needed to sell assets to gather money in these days and he never mentioned hiring mercenaries.

Are you out of your mind? Such matters are surely kept confidential.

If your second cousin knows, the kidnappers would too.

The two hurriedly entered the city, carrying with them Tavik's missing daughter.

Even upon confirming their identities and intentions at the city gates, they still attracted the attention of the patrolling soldiers.

May I ask you to state your purpose? Chapter 157.

The holy silk of snow.

The patrolling guards, clad in standardized leather armor and armed with long swords at their waists, presented a formidable sight.

Behind them, several soldiers wielded weapons resembling long halberts.

The captain, however, did not draw his sword, indicating that he intended only a brief inquiry.

I encountered a band of robbers in the wilderness and rescued this child from their grasp.

Bringing her here in search of her father.

Fong house stated directly revealing his purpose.

The captain glanced at the little girl who spoke up, "Yes, this brother and sister saved me.

" Nodding, the captain continued, "Sir, ahead lies the residential area.

It would be prudent for you to dismount.

" "Very well," Fong Hao replied, "Dismounting and removing the Starfire staff from the side of his horse.

" "Wishing you all the best," the captain said before leading his men away.

As the captain departed, the sound of hurried footsteps approached.

A well-dressed man of proportionate build, accompanied by a throng, rushed towards them, his expression betraying a hint of agitation.

My daughter, my daughter.

It is all my fault.

I should have kept a closer watch on you to prevent your abduction, he lamented, enveloping the girl in his arms.

There was no need for introduction.

This was undoubtedly Tavic.

Father, I I'm fine.

It was my brother and sister who saved me," the girl reassured, displaying a calmness that contrasted sharply with her father's distress.

Tavic released his daughter and turned his gaze toward Fong Hao and Injia, bowing deeply.

Tavic is profoundly grateful for your rescue of my daughter and shall forever remember your kindness.

Meanwhile, a servant trailing behind presented a brocade box which upon opening revealed a bounty of gold coins, 2,000 in total.

Fonhow accepted them without hesitation.

He had overheard the murmurss of other residents along the way.

The ransom demanded by the kidnappers had certainly exceeded these 2,000 coins, for otherwise they would not have amassed such an amount.

It was but a trifling effort.

Fong modestly remarked before continuing, "I have heard that you, Mr.

Tavic, are a remarkably successful merchant in textiles.

I find myself intrigued by this field and wonder if I might learn from your expertise.

Surprised by Fonggha<unk>s unexpected interest in the textile trade, Tavik paused for a moment.

May I inquire how to address you and your companion? He asked again.

I am Fong Ho and this is my attendant and Jia.

Fong Hao introduced.

Ah, Mr.

Fong Hao, might I invite you to visit my textile factory? Should you have any inquiries? I will be pleased to provide answers.

Tavic suggested thoughtfully.

Certainly, Fongghao replied.

This way, please.

The group boarded the carriage prepared by Tavic and set forth towards the factory he had mentioned.

As an established merchant, Tavic possessed a keen perception, and he began to form conjectures regarding the identities of the young man and woman before him.

Although Fong How was clad in the attire of a soldier, his appearance in a mage's robe over iron armor was somewhat inongruous.

Coupled with his delicate and tender features, he hardly resembled a seasoned warrior.

The presence of a rather attractive female guard by his side inevitably conjured images of a wealthy young heir, lost in dreams of nightly adventures.

The fact that he had a military force at his disposal to rescue his daughter further attested to the formidable power of the family behind him.

Otherwise, a lad so soft and unblenmished would not command an army.

For a businessman, establishing a connection with someone of Fongo stature was certainly advantageous.

The factory was situated in a corner of the city.

Inside the expansive workshop, one could observe workers engaged in spinning threads and weaving fabrics.

The process, while not exceedingly difficult, entailed a somewhat intricate series of procedures from raw materials to thread spinning and processing.

The finest fabric currently sought after by the nobility was silk, which required specialized personnel for the cultivation and harvesting of silkworms.

Even environmental factors could lead to the death of young silkworms, resulting in significant financial loss.

As Tavik guided the two through the facility, he provided detailed explanations, his eloquence as a merchant evident, especially as he sought to befriend Fong Ha.

After a thorough tour of the factory and gaining considerable insight, they had just exited when a worker approached with silk in hand.

Mr.

Fong Ha, it is evident that you are quite interested in our trade.

This is the finest silk we produce and I thank you for rescuing my daughter.

Tavic presented the silk before him.