Author: 冬瓜茶仙人 / Winter Melon Tea Immortal
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 148
“What did you say?” Adan rarely lost his composure, his expression twisting—not only because of the importance of the warehouse Louis mentioned, but also because he had to hear about it from Louis. Shocked and furious, Adan nearly took his anger out on Louis.
But he quickly regained control.
To hold the White Bridge auction in his hands, Adan wasn’t an impulsive brute. Within a minute, he figured out the key points: Khalif’s secret meeting with the astrologer was conducted in secrecy. He had been waiting here early on, and unrelated personnel weren’t allowed in. This must have affected the reports from his subordinates. Furthermore, maintaining security was within Louis’ responsibilities. If there was a major incident, it made sense for him to take immediate control. Since he was here, it meant the situation on Policon Street was beyond Adan’s subordinates’ capabilities.
As for that fool Bravi, Adan didn’t care much. He was just a good-for-nothing cousin on his mother’s side, always flaunting Adan’s name. If Louis hadn’t initially thought the troublemakers were dockworkers, Adan might have suspected that the idiot got drunk, set his coat on fire in the warehouse, and caused the commotion.
Maybe it was related to him—Bravi was terrible with people. Even lowly workers could bite back if pushed too far…
“What exactly happened? What about the warehouse?” Adan took a couple of deep breaths (though the underground air wasn’t fresh) and asked.
“The cause is still under investigation. Several troublemakers were caught, but you know, ‘they’ don’t have the guts or ability,” Louis said, implying something deeper. “As for the warehouse—you might want to check it yourself. There are auction items in there. If you don’t mind—”
“I’ll go check.” Adan didn’t hesitate, feeling a pounding headache.
Louis was right. There were indeed auction items stored in that warehouse. Following the principle of not putting all eggs in one basket, he habitually stored items in different warehouses each auction. Just thinking about the possibility of losing such an important warehouse—and the endless overtime coordinating and explaining to follow—his anger flared up.
Moreover, he didn’t trust anyone else to handle the inventory. The items for auction were extremely valuable. This was Adan’s responsibility, and even Elders of the same rank couldn’t invade this domain. In this, Louis had shown respect, and Adan appreciated it.
After all, if Louis entered the warehouse under the pretext of preventing losses or investigating, it would be justified even in Khalif’s eyes.
“Alexander is waiting for you there,” Louis said.
Adan hesitated, knowing Khalif was still at the end of the corridor.
“I’m here waiting for a report. That’s my only reason for being here,” Louis said coldly, indicating he wouldn’t cross the line to peek at the legendary astrologer.
“Alright,” Adan finally said. “I’ll head over. Take care of things here.”
……
Jim was very anxious. He knew his brother usually worked at the docks and rarely entered the inner city but hearing that the troublemakers were dockworkers made it impossible for him not to worry. Compared to other fellow townsmen who had little access to important figures, Jim knew better than anyone how they would deal with those who angered them—the “garbage”.
Especially the person in front of him. Even if Jim hadn’t heard of Louis’s ruthless reputation, tonight’s brief encounter was enough to feel his unapproachable demeanor. He refused everyone’s courtesies, didn’t converse with anyone—didn’t even sit down. He just stood there silently and straight, making anyone in the same space with him feel immense pressure.
In this suffocating atmosphere, it was a relief when Khalif finally emerged. Jim and the others didn’t dare look up, bowing and waiting in the corners for instructions.
“What are you doing here?” Khalif’s voice was unreadable, but those who knew him well recognized it as a sign of displeasure.
Louis pretended not to notice his mood and repeated what he had told Adan—this was a valid reason, and he could feel Khalif’s violent aura diminish significantly.
But Khalif still didn’t like anyone entering this area. It wasn’t until they were several floors up that he turned and glanced at Louis.
“How much was lost from the auction items?”
“Adan is on his way to check. I controlled the fire before it got out of hand, so the deeper parts of the warehouse should be intact.” The more valuable the items, the deeper they were hidden, just like the astrologer’s room they were leaving behind.
Louis could tell Khalif was in an unusually good mood, which was rare. Normally, Khalif despised any disorder among his subordinates. Tonight, with Adan absent and Louis appearing where he shouldn’t, Khalif would usually have lashed out multiple times. But this time, he only asked about the auction items, not making a fuss.
There was only one explanation for this odd good mood: Khalif had gotten valuable information from the astrologer.
But what could Kurt have said to make Khalif so pleased and lenient? Louis’s expression remained impassive, so Khalif didn’t notice his subordinate’s frantic thoughts, trying to find an opening to probe.
Before Louis could come up with a good reason, Khalif spoke.
“Louis, have you had your birthday this year?” Khalif asked casually, like a relative making small talk. “I remember your birthday is after Prima’s. How old are you?”
“I’ll be 27 next month,” Louis replied without showing any extra emotion.
“I see.” Khalif suddenly stopped and turned. Louis also stopped, letting him scrutinize him.
They had exited the staircase and were crossing the corridor and foyer to reach the street, where Khalif’s carriage and guards awaited.
Khalif was unusually cheerful, almost amiable towards Louis, which was itself a dangerous signal.
As if contemplating something, Khalif stood for a moment before continuing to walk. It wasn’t until they exited the corridor and foyer that he dismissed the attendants and stopped by his carriage.
“I need you to do something for me.” His voice was strange, as if trying to suppress some great excitement, though it had been years since Khalif felt anything like this.
The hairs on Louis’s neck stood up, an intense foreboding washing over him.
“By tomorrow morning, I want a list of every 25-year-old in the family.” Khalif’s voice shook slightly but was kept low. Louis had to focus to understand.
“All of them,” Khalif repeated, his eyes gleaming strangely. “As long as they are alive and carry the Wolf’s blood—you know what I mean.”
Even if they don’t qualify to be given the Wolf’s name or were merely the result of someone’s momentary pleasure leading to an accidental offspring who was exiled to a distant place early on, as long as the blood in their veins comes from the Wolf Family.
Louis felt nailed to the spot. After a few seconds, he replied, “I understand.”
Even after Khalif’s carriage disappeared around the corner, he didn’t move. Adan’s subordinates dared not rush him but also didn’t dare to invite him back underground. The astrologer’s identity was too sensitive, and Khalif had ordered no one to enter or leave without permission.
Luckily, Louis didn’t intend to return. He stood in place as rain began to fall. He waved off the waiting carriage and slowly walked along the wall, the increasingly dense rain soaking his hair and shoulders. He didn’t care, his mind wandering, until footsteps behind him snapped him back to reality.
But it was too late.
The person behind moved swiftly, locking an arm around his neck and pulling him into a narrow alley.
It was late, and the streetlights didn’t reach these dark corners. Louis held his breath, ready to counterattack, but a familiar voice stopped him.
“Lost in thought?”
The raised arm froze, and the assailant released him, allowing him to turn.
Even in plain dark clothing, the Duke’s striking beauty made him stand out, causing a hitch in Louis’s breath. He took a step back, observing closely.
“Oh, it’s you,” Louis said.
“I don’t understand why you think this would work,” the Duke said, annoyed. “Stop mimicking his tone.”
Louis—or rather, Charlie, disguised as Louis—tried to perk up. “You figured it out again? Even Khalif—”
“That’s because they don’t recognize someone silly enough to stand in the rain thinking they still have a hat on.” The Duke snapped. “Besides that, you did a passable job. Did you meet the astrologer?”
The word “astrologer” seemed to trigger a nerve. Charlie flinched reflexively.
Dwight confirmed something was wrong. “What happened?”
Charlie didn’t answer immediately, glancing around. Dwight, sensing he had something to say, pulled him quickly to the other end of the alley, where Shivers and the carriage waited.
“Get to Louis’s place quickly,” Charlie said as soon as he got in. “Immediately—”
He was greeted by the Duke’s clumsy and rough tousling of his hair.
Having never taken care of anyone and being somewhat annoyed by Charlie’s behavior of not avoiding the rain, the Duke was a bit heavy-handed, turning the already slightly curly coppery-gold hair into a messy ball.
Charlie, feeling dizzy from the rough treatment, had to hold up his hand to stop him.
“I’m serious. Khalif just gave an order.”
“What order is so important?” Dwight threw the towel aside, crossing his arms.
“He wants to thoroughly investigate all twenty-five-year-old Wolves. Do you know what that means?” Charlie’s eyes were wider than usual, filled with complex emotions. “The Lamp Bearers… appeared in the town where the mother gave birth, exactly twenty-five years ago.”
Standing nearby, Shivers ears perked up at this, momentarily forgetting everything else. “But I thought your ages were—”
“Fahim added two years to our ages. Louis was brought to White Bridge by him—at that age, the difference between eleven and thirteen wasn’t much, especially if they were malnourished.” Charlie looked at Dwight beside him, finally letting out a breath he had been holding, and leaned wearily against the carriage wall. “That was the last layer of protection he gave us.”
The author has something to say:
I actually quite like the uncle. I’ll give him some extras if I have the chance.
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