Volume 1, Chapter 110: Charlie Williams

The blonde, blue-eyed man stood up and introduced himself proactively. “Hello, I am Charlie Williams, Vice President of the Lang Kingdom Spirit Masters Association.”

His Mandarin was remarkably fluent.

Dei Luming stepped forward and shook his hand. “Charlie, long time no see.”

Charlie smiled. “Indeed, it’s been a while. Secretary Dai, you are as beautiful as ever.”

Dai Luming smiled slightly and introduced Chi Xingwan to him. “This is Chi Xingwan, an advisor to our Spirit Masters Association of Hua Kingdom.”

Charlie looked at Chi Xingwan with a fleeting expression of surprise, quickly replaced by a smile. “So this is Advisor Chi.”

He extended his hand toward Chi Xingwan, who returned the gesture with a warm smile. “Mr. Williams, I suppose I look different from what you imagined?”

Charlie chuckled. “Advisor Chi, please, just call me Charlie. Honestly, I never imagined that the renowned top-tier Spirit Master would be so young.”

At this moment, Xu Hengyang spoke up with a beaming smile. “That’s what I’m saying—talent like that is enviable indeed. Charlie, now that everyone’s here, why don’t we all sit down and have a chat?”

The Vice President of the Hua Kingdom Spirit Masters Association had been seriously injured during a mission years ago and was still recuperating, so he wouldn’t appear this time. The other advisors were elderly and long retired from affairs, leaving these three as the highest representatives of the association present.

The four took their seats, and Charlie began, “Actually, I come on behalf of the Lang Kingdom Spirit Masters Association with an awkward request. We hope to enlist your help.”

Not only Xu Hengyang and Dai Luming but even Chi Xingwan was taken aback.

After learning about the Spirit Masters Exchange Conference, she had studied the relationships among various national Spirit Masters Associations. On the surface, these associations cooperated for mutual benefit, but in reality, each guarded their affairs jealously.

This involved tangible interests, such as meteoric jade. Ordinarily, meteoric jade found in a country belonged to that country, but there were exceptions.

For example, if foreign Spirit Masters obtained the jade before local masters arrived, the jade belonged to the foreigners.

Also, if a country was unable to retrieve meteoric jade and requested help from another association, compensation was mandatory—so matters that could be handled internally were never outsourced.

For the Lang Kingdom to come forward requesting aid meant something serious had occurred.

Charlie sighed. “We hope your association can help us apprehend a criminal.”

Xu Hengyang’s curiosity was piqued. “Oh? What kind of criminal could trouble you so much?”

Charlie smiled bitterly. “To put it bluntly, it’s our own disgrace. The criminal we want to capture is our former president of the Lang Kingdom Spirit Masters Association, Riley Davis.”

Clang!

Xu Hengyang accidentally dropped his teacup as his mouth fell open in shock.

“Riley? Isn’t he already in seclusion? What could he have done to be wanted by your association?”

Hearing the name of an old friend, Xu Hengyang was utterly stunned.

Dai Luming picked up the fallen teacup and cleared his throat gently. “President Xu, please remain calm.”

Xu Hengyang coughed a few times in agreement. “Charlie, what exactly happened?”

Charlie kept a bitter smile. “To be honest, we still don’t fully understand. It all started half a year ago…”

Half a year prior, Riley, who had been living in seclusion for five years, suddenly reappeared and returned to the Lang Kingdom Spirit Masters Association headquarters.

Everyone was astonished and delighted by the return of this senior Spirit Master, who was just half a step shy of the top-tier rank. The current president personally welcomed him.

Riley served as an advisor, imparting knowledge to the association, and everyone was pleased. Though now an elderly man with white hair, he was vigorous, kind, and well respected, especially since he was a former president. As a result, from the start, no one suspected him.

Then, one day, Riley suddenly vanished. Sensing something was amiss, the current president ordered a thorough search of the association, which horrified everyone.

“Two magical artifacts disappeared from our forbidden zone, and all evidence points to Riley Davis having trespassed and stolen them without authorization.”

Charlie’s face darkened at the mention.

“Why would he do such a thing? It makes no sense,” Xu Hengyang instinctively asked.

Charlie shook his head. “We don’t know either. However, the Lang Kingdom Spirit Masters Association stipulates that only the president and vice president know how to access the forbidden zone. After the incident, both the president and I underwent investigations and have been cleared.”

So the culprit was obvious, but only three people could enter the forbidden zone, and Riley, as a former president, was one of them.

“Moreover, we detected traces of his spiritual energy in the forbidden zone,” Charlie added.

After a long silence, Xu Hengyang asked, “Charlie, what kind of assistance do you need from us?”

Charlie replied, “We have been investigating for nearly half a year, and recently received intelligence that Riley may have fled to the Hua Kingdom.”

All three frowned simultaneously. Xu Hengyang inquired, “Are you certain?”

Charlie nodded without hesitation. “We are sure; that is why we seek your help.”

Chi Xingwan listened quietly, sharing the same doubts as the others.

Hua Kingdom boasted the largest number of Spirit Masters and the strongest comprehensive strength worldwide. For a wanted man like Riley Davis, it was illogical to hide in the most dangerous place.

Furthermore, the Spirit Masters Associations of Hua Kingdom and Lang Kingdom were among the earliest to establish diplomatic ties. As a former president, Riley certainly knew this.

He must have anticipated that Lang Kingdom would seek Hua Kingdom’s assistance and that they would agree.

Yet, despite this, he still chose to flee to Hua Kingdom. Why was there a compelling reason he had no choice but to come here?

“Charlie, our associations are closely connected, and we are certainly willing to help. But principles must be respected. What compensation do you plan to offer?”

Charlie said, “If your association helps us successfully capture Riley and recover the lost artifacts, we are willing to present you with a piece of meteoric jade as a reward.”

Meteoric jade was the finest material for crafting top-grade magical artifacts. Hua Kingdom possessed masterful artifact forgers, so one piece of meteoric jade was essentially equivalent to a high-level magical artifact.

Even without any friendship between the associations, Xu Hengyang would undoubtedly accept such an offer.

Sure enough, Xu Hengyang decisively agreed to Charlie’s request.

Once the deal was struck, Charlie delicately added, “Riley’s strength is very close to that of a top-tier Spirit Master. Capturing him will require Spirit Masters of at least that caliber…”

Chi Xingwan saw everyone look toward her and, unbothered, said, “If you need me, I have no problem.”