Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 114 Using a clever scheme, Kaigen joins the outlaws; Zhang Yuan uses magic to show off his power.
"Damn it, I knew you mages were all rich and wouldn't even look at old Kegan's meager loot," the dwarf stomped his foot in frustration, then asked, "Chanem, what are you doing? Shouldn't you be your Flamefist mercenary at Baldur's Gate? Why are you suddenly here?"

"That was more than half a year ago. Do you remember when we went to Gaolibao last time?" Zhang Yuan casually reminded the other party.

"How could I possibly forget!"

Clearly, the previous experience had left a deep and unforgettable memory for the dwarf. Upon hearing the words "Highhold," Kegan jumped three feet high: "Damn it, damn it, that mage, that despicable necromancer! How dare he mock the brave old man Kegan like that? I think he's only angry because I saw through his true colors."

Still not satisfied, Kegan brandished his axe: "He's only getting ahead because of his Stitches. If he dares to show his face in front of old Kegan, my axe won't discriminate."

Looking at Kegan, who was feeling guilty but still trying to put on a brave face, Zhang Yuan was both amused and exasperated. Not to mention Tyrantir, a dignified archmage, this shorty probably wouldn't even have seen his face, while his own disciple was right in front of him.

“Really? Congratulations! I just became Master Tyrantir’s mentor about six months ago,” Zhang Yuan continued before the stunned Kegan could speak. “Master’s flesh puppets have been temporarily halted due to a shortage of raw materials, and that’s why I came out to collect them.”

Looking meaningfully at Kegan, who was starting to panic and search for an escape route, Zhang Yuan used the same polite but actually malicious tone he had used before: "How about this, I'll just send you to talk to your teacher in person? Maybe you can reach a consensus on this exciting research project?"

He added beforehand, "Of course, you're the one being studied."

"Damn it!" Kegan, whose voice was always as deep and resonant as a rock from the ground, suddenly let out a shrill, screaming chicken-like cry.

The dwarf jumped up like a startled toad, dropping his beloved battle axe to the ground.

Terrified by the "friendly invitation from the necromancer," Kegan didn't care about anything else and ran towards the Lansendel Temple outside the city.

"Praeses, Alia, Fero"

As the syllables and gestures ended, a large hand made of mud and stones suddenly rose from beneath Kegan's feet and grabbed the dwarf who was trying to escape.

This is the second-circle arcane spell Earthclaw. The earthclaw created by twisting and changing the underground soil has a power of eighteen points in Zhang Yuan's hands. Even Kegan couldn't break free for a while, not to mention that the dwarf had dropped his axe, so no matter how much he pounded the soil, it was to no avail.

“Calm down and think it over. If I really wanted to capture you, would I have healed you? I should have made my move the moment I saw you.” Zhang Yuan walked up to Kaigen and looked him straight in the eye.

After Kegan paused for a moment and his struggles gradually weakened, Zhang Yuan finally released him.

"You bastard, you better give me an explanation, or my fists won't remember who you are."

Once released, Kegan suddenly flew into a rage and rushed over, grabbing Zhang Yuan's robe. Actually, he wanted to grab the other man's collar and spit all over the despicable mage's face.

Unfortunately, due to his limited height, he could only pull down the other person's robe. However, he never expected that the guy would reach out and press down on his palm. A tremendous force came to his hand, slowly and firmly prying open his fist, and then squeezing it as if shaking hands. No matter how hard he tried to pull his hand away, it was no use.

This mage was stronger than him, a mere shieldbearer? Kegan was truly astonished.

"You want an explanation? Fine, then I'll tell you, I did indeed become Master Tyranduil's apprentice, and Tyranduil is indeed a master of necromancy."

Ignoring Kegan's wide eyes and increasingly strained hands, Zhang Yuan continued:
"But aren't you confusing necromancers with liches? Besides, Tyrantir is a true archmage, unlike those who are praised or self-aggrandizing, who don't even know a seventh-level spell but dare to act like experts. He has already mastered ninth-level arcane magic and is only one step away from becoming a legend. Are you really going to speak rudely to him and bet that he won't bother with a nobody like you?"

Zhang Yuan's tone was initially slow and composed, but it became increasingly rapid and sharp, eventually pouring out like a torrential downpour. Kaigen, who had initially shown some anger, was overwhelmed by Zhang Yuan's aggressive demeanor and irrefutable words, losing all his composure and even becoming somewhat subservient.

Seeing that the other party was speechless and had already shown signs of backing down, Zhang Yuan didn't press the matter further. Instead, he answered the question from the beginning:

"I've come to see you this time to invite you to join the team." Having dealt with each other before, Zhang Yuan spoke frankly.

"You!" The dwarf brother hesitated, his mouth opening and closing several times, pointing his finger at the unscrupulous mage in front of him, his finger trembling like a crazed chicken claw.

"Is this how you fucking treat your teammates?"

"We didn't do anything to you, did we? A dwarven shield bearer like you is so cowardly? How are you going to take on the defensive responsibilities of our squad in the future?"

"I'm not afraid. Wait, when did I say I wanted to join?"

"Just now, didn't you say you were my teammate? What, you want to back out?"

“I’m going to back out. No, I never agreed in the first place. Don’t try to fool me, Kegan.”

It seems the other party isn't so easy to hook. Looks like I need to try a different approach, Zhang Yuan thought to himself, stroking his chin.

"Alright then, since you're willing to scavenge for food in the graveyard like those wild dogs in the suburbs, I won't force you. But next time, you'd better watch your eyes, lest you end up fighting with your companions like hyenas fighting over carrion in the wasteland. It's pathetic and shameful for a warrior to fall into that situation, really."

After saying this, Zhang Yuan turned and left. If he succeeded in persuading the other party, that would be great, but if he failed, it wouldn't be a big deal. After all, there were quite a few excellent warriors in the Flame Fist Guild.

“Stop right there, okay, I admit there’s a damn good point to what you’re saying,” Kagan’s eyes were bloodshot, and white breath was billowing from his nostrils like an angry bull.

"Then what can you give me? Don't try to fool me with some empty platitudes."

"What do you have that I can fool? I am a disciple of a great mage, and I have no need to scheme against anyone." Zhang Yuan started to exaggerate his status and assert his authority.

But people just fall for it; the title of Grand Master is truly a golden brand, and they can't deny it.

Seeing Kegan nod, Zhang Yuan continued to bluff: "Besides, I have a deep connection with Flamefist. This time, I returned to Baldur's Gate to gather a group of former comrades to join our team. An adventurer group with reliable companions and the support of the Flamefist Guild is not comparable to those amateurs."

Zhang Yuan had really developed a thick skin; he could exaggerate a hundred-pound cow into a thousand-pound one, and his nonsensical talk completely fooled the short guy opposite him.

It can't be said that Zhang Yuan's words were all made up. He was indeed a disciple of the Grand Mage and did have some connection with Flame Fist, but he exaggerated it a little bit, just a little bit, which was insignificant and not worth mentioning at all.

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(End of this chapter)