Today is the eighth day since Joey and his friends arrived in Sandstone City.

"Going out so early again today?"

As soon as the gates of Sandstone City opened, a soldier yawned and asked a question to Joey and his two companions who were already waiting at the city gate.

"Yes, let's go for a walk!"

Just kidding, this is like going out to pick up money, how could Joey not be eager?

If I could find money as soon as I stepped outside, and it was a huge sum of money, I would only regret that the city gates opened too late.

For eight consecutive days, Joey and his two companions traveled back and forth between the desert and Sandstone City, and the guards at the city gates had become quite familiar with him.

However, most of the guards treated Joey like a fool.

Think about it, if someone does nothing all day long, just goes in and out of the city to fool around, and still has to keep paying taxes, they're either stupid or have too much money.

Of course, it's also possible that it's both: someone who's foolish and rich!

"That's such a good habit!"

The guards at the city gate didn't reveal their true thoughts. As long as Joey and his companions paid their taxes, it was none of their business whether they went out for a walk or enjoyed the sandstorm.

Joey laughed awkwardly. He knew his reason was ridiculously lame, but he entered and exited the city gates so frequently that no other reason seemed plausible. So he decided to just go for it and make up whatever came to mind.

See you later!

Joey waved to the guards and, along with Big Beard and Digger, quickly ran towards a place they hadn't been to in the past few days.

"Didn't he say he was going for a walk? Why is he running now?"

"Perhaps these three people really are fools. In all my years of guarding the city gates, I've never seen anyone like them!"

"That rude dwarf and that lowly kobold may be truly stupid, but this human is definitely not. Didn't you notice that he's the only one talking every time?"

"It seems that's true; I didn't even notice it if you hadn't pointed it out!"

"..."

The guards discussed Joey and his companions, watching them disappear again at the end of the road.

Inside the alleyway of the city, a short figure watched as Qiao and the others left.

A sly glint flashed across his lips before he too left the alley.

The city lord's mansion.

"Reporting to the city lord, I have confirmed that the three people connected to the Carter family are suspicious. Once they return today, we will immediately arrest them!"

The short figure who had just been watching Joey and the others leave was the same dwarf who had been in charge of monitoring the activity in front of the Cartel workshop a few days ago.

"How so?"

"You can't ruin my reputation for hospitality! My Sandstone City warmly welcomes other travelers to settle and visit. You can't just make things up without evidence!"

Lord Saril was already somewhat resentful that the dwarf had come to bother him so early.

The dwarf's lips twitched involuntarily after hearing Shariel's words.

If you were a newbie, you might actually believe your nonsense, Shariel.

The dwarf had heard this kind of talk countless times; every time, the city lord used the same excuse.

They should take the blame, while he gets all the credit.

"Lord City Lord, these newcomers are making a lot of trips in and out of the city every day, sometimes as many as four times a day, and sometimes as many as more than ten times. This is very suspicious!"

"Traveling back and forth into the city more than ten times a day?"

"Yes, I've already confirmed with the soldiers guarding the city!"

"Have they paid all their taxes?"

"This...it seems...the taxes have all been paid. We haven't heard any of the soldiers guarding the city mention any outstanding taxes!"

The dwarf was speechless. This city lord's thought process was always so peculiar; his focus was always on the taxes.

He had begun to miss the days when the old city lord was alive. Although the old city lord hadn't given him much importance when he was alive, at least communication wasn't so difficult.

"This is a big client. Unless they've committed some heinous crime, let's just turn a blind eye!"

Lord Saril had already mentally calculated the benefits Joey could bring him in a day, and was somewhat unconcerned about the dwarf's accusations.

"But...but..."

(Damn it, you're such a madman as city lord. For years you've been arresting anyone with suspicious behavior on the spot. When did you change your ways?)

He dared not speak his mind; he could only keep it bottled up inside.

"Hey, why are you picking on the Carter family? Try to pay more attention to other people. I actually quite like law-abiding residents like them!"

The dwarf's face grew increasingly grim, but he dared not let the city lord, Saril, see it, so he could only suppress his anger.

"Lord of the city, I really have no personal conflict with Carter!"

"By the way, there's something strange about the Carter family's workshop too; their smelting furnace seems to have restarted!"

Shariel's previously calm expression suddenly changed.

He stood up abruptly from the sofa, rushed to the dwarf, stared at him with wide eyes, and looked at him very seriously.

"Are you telling the truth? The Carter family's smelting furnace really caught fire?"

"I...I...I'm not really sure either. He's kept the workshop closed for the past few days, but the smoke coming out of his workshop isn't what you'd expect when blacksmithing!"

The dwarf hadn't expected Sarriel to react so strongly to his words and suddenly became nervous.

"You go back right now and keep a close eye on the Cartel family's workshop. Don't worry about anything else, and don't bother with those new travelers either!"

"You must remember, your most important job is to confirm whether the Carter family's smelting furnace has really been reignited!"

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