Chapter 5, The Great Way and the Shortcut

The reason for such disguise is that, with the assistance of even one magic apprentice, no secret door or hidden compartment can remain concealed. The method of inspection involves a type of magic known as "Secret Door Detection"

It is precisely this experience that has afforded him the opportunity to encounter a variety of materials, thus making him the foremost among the younger generation in understanding fabrics, knowing how to highlight the luxury of the materials.

The kicking technique can be considered a combat skill tailored by this martial arts coach for Hel, perfectly suited for someone who lacks strength and explosiveness, yet possesses agility and decent endurance

Hale secretly speculated that there might be some undisclosed behind-the-scenes dealings involved; however, this matter was likely not his concern. He recalled that among those who were trained alongside him, at least six individuals had chosen the identity of accountants. It was presumably their mission to infiltrate the bank and uncover the truth behind the scenes

Their immediate superior is precisely such a person, so even if this order cannot be fulfilled, it must still be carried out

The old dog rolled its eyes, still appearing indifferent.

He tossed the newspaper aside and leaned back in the chair, cradling his head in his hands as he pondered.

Upon careful consideration, this is indeed the case; regardless of the profession one engages in, as long as one can reach the pinnacle, there should be no need to worry about money

In the pitch-black cellar, only a single oil lamp provided light, its pea-sized flame emitting a dim yellow glow. This faint light was just enough to illuminate the wooden table beneath the lamp, which consisted of two long tables joined together. Neatly arranged on top were thirteen cages, each containing a dog. Except for one old and mangy dog, all the other dogs were fast asleep.

At the tailor shop where he worked, his first job was to identify various fabrics, ranging from the cheapest coarse cotton to the highest-grade silk and fur; he performed this job for a full three years

The old man gently shook his head and said in a mocking tone: "Did you not just say that this bear skin on the ground can only be sold for 100 crowns here, but in the big city, it can at least triple in value? Ordinary bear skins are already like this, let alone the precious magical beasts"

If one wishes to master the art of sewing, one must first become proficient in identifying and selecting the appropriate fabrics for making garments. Similarly, it can be concluded that to excel in the skills of hunting, one must have a thorough understanding of the target.

In front of this person, there is a small wooden table resembling one used for prayer. On the left side of the table lies a book, while on the other side is a row of ink bottles with different colored labels, each containing a quill pen.

Perhaps others are not as financially well-off as I am, " Hurl said dismissively

There are several methods that can be used to counter "secret door detection," and the secret door beneath the secret door is one of them; this is also a result of espionage training

However, the approach of "Smooth Thoroughfare" also has a flaw, which is that the progress is indeed too slow. He spent six years honing his skills, and only in the seventh year did everything come together.

He pointed to a bear skin spread out on the ground and said, "Guess how much this skin is worth?"

However, this is not the most reliable method. The only way to truly evade the "secret door detection" is to place the secret entrance hetushucom.com underwater

Upon hearing these words, the old man Mu'en appeared somewhat displeased

After circling the long table, seeing that the old dog still hadn't touched the piece of meat, Hel helplessly shook his head and had no choice but to take another piece of meat from the nearby plate and throw it in.

Heer let out a slight sigh of relief as he set down the newspaper

The old man, showing no sign of concern, said while puffing on his pipe and rocking in his chair: "You are a fool, the only fool willing to pay me."

This news pertains to the actions of the Beirut authorities regarding the handling of the property of the Arab inhabitants in the occupied areas

The next scene left Hel in shock, as he watched the old man gently roll the check into a small paper cylinder and bring it to the pipe's mouth. With a series of soft pops, the paper cylinder quickly ignited, and in the blink of an eye, two thousand two hundred crowns were reduced to ashes

The hunters who come here are very confident; they believe that as long as they grasp the key, they can rely on their own abilities to discover other techniques. Most hunters do exactly this and have indeed achieved success

Compared to other wizards, his starting point is quite high; while others typically begin their experiments with mice or rabbits, he directly employs twelve fierce and robust hunting dogs

Heli immediately asked: "Is there really someone who can reach your level, where one only needs a shovel and a rope, relying solely on the forces of nature to hunt?"

Before returning from the cellar to the hall, Hel had already removed the robe. He did not wish for others to see the robe, the wizard, the ink box, and the notes he had made

I casually flipped through my notes, marking all the parts he could understand with ink of a different color and adding annotations.

Old Moon is like this, and so is the old tailor who took him in, as well as that renowned master skilled in firearms manufacturing; they are surely of the same kind.

Hel ultimately did not move those tools back. This time, the old man did not insist any further, as he had never intended for Hel to be limited to merely mastering the skills and inventions he had imparted.

Hale intended to do just that; he had the workers dismantle the servant's room that was adjacent to the bathroom. The new bathroom would be three times the size of the original. However, Hale only allowed the workers to complete the preliminary work, halting the project on the grounds that he had run out of money

Surely everyone in the town has told you that I am the best hunter here. In fact, many hunters are convinced that they are the most outstanding. However, each of them has heard my story and benefited from it, which is why they are reluctant to make such a claim.

The check had already been signed before Hull left, and at this moment, it lay quietly on the wooden table in Old Moon's house

After a moment, he continued, "From September to November, as long as one can survive after entering the mountains, one can obtain at least ten pelts like these, not to mention there are even more valuable game to be had.

Unfortunately, he could understand less than one percent; his only significant gain was the acquisition of a considerable number of words and familiarity with the grammar

He had been thoroughly trained in deciphering the numbers above. From the decoded numbers, he quickly found an article in the newspaper and an advertisement for the opening of a business in a book. Following the training he received at the camp, he began to engage in wordplay.

He quickly glanced at the bulletin board after turning the newspaper to it, and suddenly his eyes lit up. There was a name, Ximi Keshan, which was the code they had agreed upon. Below this notice was written the number of the cemetery where this person was buried

Whether it is the geometric shapes on the badge or those mysterious characters, they are all currently shimmering with an unusual blue light

As Hel's consciousness shifted, the hound occasionally opened one eye, sometimes moved its leg, and at other times wagged its tail

Perhaps the domestic plan is to allow the Arab Spring to be reenacted, so that they can reclaim the three major provinces without firing a single shot, relying solely on the power of the people

As long as a hunter can stand their ground here, no one can afford this amount of money. The reason no one is willing to do so is that the hunters are all convinced that what I have told them about myself has already provided them with the most important thing; the rest is merely a matter of some skills

Hel understood the principle of "secret door detection" quite well

The old man chuckled softly.

If it were not for the knowledge that the old man is a hunter, based solely on those marginal notes, he could very well have regarded the old man as a biologist

The authorities in Beirut classified the residents of the occupied territories into seven tiers. Officials and hereditary nobles were placed in the first tier; entrepreneurs who controlled mines, steel mills, and various large manufacturing plants, as well as major merchants engaged in the trade of bulk ores, raw materials, and metal products, constituted the second tier

The old dog looked somewhat lethargic, its eyes constantly closed, with murky discharge accumulating at the corners. The dog's nose was grayish-white, and from its abdomen, one could occasionally hear a gurgling sound, clearly indicating that it was extremely hungry. However, it stubbornly refused to touch the piece of raw steak near its mouth.

The great revolution that erupted in the early days of the Afa was sparked by the then monarch's division of all citizens into three classes

The one reading the book is Hel, and it is very strenuous for him to read this book

The property of these individuals has been completely confiscated without exception

The phrase "Organizational Resistance" when all the letters are concatenated into words conveys a very superficial meaning

Take, for example, a coach who teaches martial arts; this individual is nearly proficient in all weapons and various combat techniques, and has even conducted research on certain combat skills of non-human entities. Hel has personally witnessed him employing the legendary Sword Chanting Technique, a skill unique to the elven race

He rolled his eyes and muttered, "I don't recall ever telling you that this is the pinnacle I have reached."

After turning fifty, every time I create a new tool, it signifies that another magical beast is about to become my prey. In the past decade or so, apart from magical beasts, I have rarely hunted other wild animals. However, this matter is unknown to others; most people believe that I have aged and my skills have significantly declined.

According to the classification types in the newspaper, he corresponds to the fifth category of people. Regarding their property, the authorities do not seem to intend to confiscate it, although there remains a clause for "requisition as needed." However, Hel believes that it is unlikely he would be so unfortunate.

Her suddenly recalled something and interrupted Moon's words, asking: "Have you not been selling your catches in the past decade or so? Otherwise, how could this matter remain confidential until now?"

Upon introspection, if someone were to urge him to stand up against the authorities now, he would certainly refrain from doing so. In this context, being able to refrain from betraying the advisor to the Beirut authorities can already be considered an act of patriotism.

Therefore, he recalled what the master tailor had once mentioned to him, an alternative to the "smooth thoroughfare"—the "shortcut"

Hale cast a casual glance at the bear skin; it was the hide of an adult brown bear, with a glossy coat, smooth texture, and a density that did not compromise its fluffiness. Although he did not examine it closely, based on Hale's experience, there should be no scars on this bear skin.

Hernan had no way to deal with this old dog; he could only turn around and focus on the other twelve dogs

Therefore, every year before winter sets in, I leave the small town for the south, which allows me to avoid the extremely cold winter of Xuelu and also earn nearly ten times the price.

I can tell you that every new hunter in town has heard my story, and each of them knows about my deal, exchanging 2,200 crowns for the experience I have accumulated over the years. However, not a single person has ever done so; you are the first and the only one willing to pay me.

Hel glanced through the pages and noticed that many of them contained annotations written by the old man Moon. Most of these annotations were about the habits of the creatures introduced in the illustrated guide

Taking the path of "shortcuts," initial progress will be very rapid. However, according to the master tailor, this speed comes at the cost of overextending potential. Therefore, at a certain point, the path of "shortcuts" will encounter obstacles. Yet, more terrifying than these obstacles is the bottomless abyss.

The only thing that gives him a bit of a headache now is that thirteenth dog

On the table in the hall lies today's newspaper, which was brought in by the hourly maid he hired, a sixteen-year-old girl, who helps him tidy the bedroom and clean the rooms

Although the old man did not specify what he intended to use this biological encyclopedia for, he had already guessed the old man's purpose. This was because he had experienced a similar trial long ago

There is a very concealed small safe in the cellar, where Hel has placed all important items.

"You go and call some people to move everything away," the old man said, biting his pipe

A very thin rubber tube is connected to a collar, and these twelve rubber tubes are also connected to a small flask, which contains a liquid that emits a faint blue glow

In the present-day Afa, one can no longer find figures with the broad-mindedness of Emperor Bolinba, as the landscape is filled with short-sighted individuals who demand absolute obedience from their subordinates

"You are very skilled at appraisal," the old man said, slightly taken aback, and immediately expressed his admiration

In the dark corner of the cellar, there sat a shadowy figure cloaked in a heavy robe with a hood. The figure hunched over, with its head bowed, making it impossible to discern its face

However, this time he did not display the sly smile of an old fox, yet there seemed to be something more in his gaze

At the center above the item and the book circle, there is also a piece resembling a badge, on which the design features six peculiar geometric shapes composed of circles and triangles

However, disobeying orders is also not a tactic that a wise person should adopt. In the era when Emperor Ba swept across the entire continent, those who disobeyed orders would ultimately be rewarded with promotions if they succeeded. However, for the current Yafa, disobeying orders signifies betrayal

Hel's speculation that the Beirut authorities have divided the Yafarian into seven levels has also reached the domestic front

After performing several somersaults in succession and practicing kicking techniques until drenched in sweat, Hel finally felt a bit more relaxed

The old man pointed to the various tools covering the wall and said: "To hunt using traps, one must skillfully maneuver around the prey, attract its attention, and control its focus. All of this requires a significant amount of energy and time. As one ages, energy becomes increasingly insufficient, making it gradually more challenging to hunt using this method"

Hale shrugged his shoulders and said nonchalantly, "I believe the most suitable place for these items is still here; I have already acquired what I need."

Although these words are somewhat chilling, Hel feels that at this moment, only by taking a "shortcut" can he escape the predicament before him

Hehr was very clear that the method taught to him by the old man Muen was the most correct one. According to his tailor master, this is the broad path: first enrich oneself, then strive to establish a solid foundation, and gradually improve step by step, ultimately reaching the peak

Hale repeatedly examined the newspaper several times, confirming that he had not overlooked anything. He was uncertain whether the Beirut authorities were negligent or deliberate, as there was no position for a banker among the first two tiers.

Since then, I no longer confined myself to merely using traps, but instead sought every possible means to find the most energy-efficient hunting methods, for which I created many specialized tools

Seeing that he could control the hunting dog to perform some simple actions, Hel knew that his first magical experiment had finally succeeded

Although the light was extremely dim, it did not affect that person’s ability to read and write at all; whether it was the printed words on the book or the ink, all shimmered with a faint glow

Pushing away the wooden table and standing up, Hel moved his hands and feet a bit, finally beginning to understand why most wizards have frail bodies; they spend far too long sitting in front of the table

Although it was an unexpected windfall, Hel has always been very attentive to his wealth, especially since this sum of money is also a reward for his daring role as a spy

About an hour later, the person let out a gentle sigh, closed the book, and stretched their body while yawning

Old man Moon glanced at Hel with his bulging eyes, and after a moment, he took the check over.

Many of the characters in the text above are unfamiliar to me, so I can only read while consulting a dictionary. Even so, the translated content still appears obscure and difficult to understand

The other twelve dogs lay quietly, each adorned with a peculiar collar around their necks. This collar was crafted from thick copper plates, secured with a special clasp. The thick copper plates were engraved with a set of characters that ordinary people could not recognize.

He and Tushier hurriedly left the house; he was going to find Old Man Moon

A few days ago, he rejected the old man's request, primarily because the old man's asking price was too high. However, now he is less concerned about the price; as long as the old man's experience proves to be useful, two thousand two hundred crowns might be worth a life.

This is based on the principle that sound waves propagate at a consistent speed within the same material, but the speed will change when encountering gaps or other materials. It involves creating a small explosion on the wall or floor to check for the presence of hidden doors.

After listening to these words, Hel finally understood why the old man casually used a check for 2,200 crowns to buy tobacco without showing any signs of regret; it seemed that the old man had plenty of money

However, this time, there will absolutely not be another seven years; at the latest, he must show results within two months

Hale had to admit that the military intelligence agency was not as useless as he had previously thought; it indeed gathered many elites from various fields of Yafa.

Upon seeing this news in the newspaper, he felt a significant sense of relief, and it can be inferred that many others likely share the same sentiment

One hundred crowns, of course, if you are willing to sell in the big city, the price will be three to five times this.

Although he did not take away those tools, Hel did not leave empty-handed. Old Mun presented him with a set of biological illustrations, which was a biological monograph published by the Academy of Sciences of the Afa Empire fifty years ago

The old man merely wishes for Hel to draw inspiration from his inventions, each of which is the result of years of experience and hard work. By drawing on these inventions, Hel would be able to start from a considerably high point

This set of kicking and striking techniques is one of the gains he acquired from his espionage training

In order to be more discreet, he modified the safe using techniques learned from military intelligence, disguising the bottom with a partition, placing all the truly important items behind that partition.

The blue liquid in the flask was nearly depleted. Hel casually opened one of the cages and reached in with his palm, gently pressing it against the head of the hound.

As he spoke, he pointed to a corner where a rack was piled high with various ropes, saying: "Those are the various lassos I invented. Some can be used for swift movement through the jungle, some are suitable for dealing with birds, fowl, and even dragons, and some are powerful and versatile weapons

The path of shortcuts, in its later stages, is akin to walking a tightrope over a bottomless abyss; a single misstep could lead to a disastrous fall.

Moreover, I have discovered that there are many drawbacks to hunting with traps. The most significant drawback is that many good opportunities are missed. Additionally, the weaknesses of the prey cannot be effectively utilized. After all, no matter how skillfully traps are employed, the traps themselves are always inanimate.

What he can refer to, first and foremost, is his own mood

Even he knows how important the position of the bank is; although the operators of those mines and factories appear to be different, in reality, they all have to heed the bank's wishes

He casually flipped through the newspaper when suddenly, a news article caught his attention

A few days after the previous visit to Hel, the old man seemed somewhat surprised by the return.

He is contemplating the execution of this command, wondering what the chances of success are.