If Ren Xiaosu wanted Melgor to become the leader of the Prosperous Northwest’s branch office, he would first have to let Melgor gain the capability to take on this great responsibility.

However, a sorcerer’s growth was gradual. In other words, Melgor would have to go through countless meditation and spell training sessions before he could become a true archmage.

On this point, even if Ren Xiaosu gave the black Eye of True Sight to Melgor, Melgor would still not be able to become an archmage in just a few short months.

Besides, Ren Xiaosu could not bear to give all his Proficiency Stones to Melgor either. After all, he could use these 90,000 Proficiency Stones to directly turn himself into an archmage. Even if he wanted to complete the important mission of accomplishing the Prosperous Northwest 3.0 plan, he could not possibly donate the Proficiency Stones just like that.

But it did not matter. Pretension could make up for the lack of ability.

It did not matter if Melgor were weak. Ren Xiaosu would just help him appear strong!

After Melgor gained a certain reputation, Ren Xiaosu could help him attract some young people from the magus order as followers. That would be the equivalent of what Russell had done.

Therefore, when Ren Xiaosu figured this out, he finally finished setting the directives for the Prosperous Northwest 3.0 plan. Melgor would be the core figure to lead the comrades in the Kingdom of Sorcerers, with the power of the old magus order’s aristocracy vehemently stripped to develop the new magus order. Ideological education would get intensified while acting skills should be polished up, and everyone would work hard together for the growth of the Prosperous Northwest’s branch office.

Ever since Melgor himself had suggested going to the Prosperous Northwest, Ren Xiaosu saw him in a completely different light.

Melgor got goosebumps from Ren Xiaosu’s stare. “What are you thinking of doing now?”

“Nothing. Just cooperate with me,” Ren Xiaosu said with a smile.

He did not only had grenades in his possession, he also had TNT. If that were not enough, he could also add in the Explosive Poker cards!

The Explosive Poker cards were still his final ace in the hole. Once he took them out, it would mean tearing down an entire castle.

Melgor looked at Ren Xiaosu fearfully. “You can also discuss with me in advance what you’re planning, you know?”

“I hereby announce,” Ren Xiaosu said with a smile, “that you possess the most lethal spell of the century.”

Melgor was left confused by Ren Xiaosu’s claims. He did not at all understand what Ren Xiaosu was trying to do.

However, Melgor was not the most distressed person in the trade caravan. That would be Qian Weining.

At this moment, Qian Weining was riding his horse and patrolling the caravan. He quietly ordered the guards, “Don’t keep watch over Melgor and Ren Xiaosu anymore. If they want to leave, just let them leave quickly!”

Before this, Qian Weining was afraid Melgor would steal away. He even deliberately placed more than 30 guards to watch over him. But now, he was more afraid that Melgor would not run away.

But life often played out strangely. When you wanted to make a compromise with life, life might not necessarily let you.

The word “life” here could easily be substituted with Ren Xiaosu’s name.

Qian Weining knew full well that as long as Melgor was still in this group, people from the Tudor family would still go after the trade caravan.

He called his trusted aide over and said, “Go and ask Yao Bo if he brought any laxatives with him.”

His trusted aide asked in a low voice, “Commander, what are you thinking?”

“When you send food to Melgor and his servants tonight, make Yao Bo mix the laxatives into their meals.” Qian Weining glanced at his trusted aide. “If anyone asks in the future, just say they couldn’t acclimatize to the environment, understand?”

His trusted aide was stunned for a moment. “Sir, what are you planning? Why don’t we just kill them?”

Qian Weining slapped his trusted aide on the back of his head. “You dare kill a sorcerer?”

“We have more people,” his trusted aide muttered.

“I’m not saying we can’t defeat him. If we really have to be ruthless, so what if his Fireball spell is really powerful? His steward is also just a good-for-nothing.” Qian Weining said, “But after the war ends, you and I will both have our hands tainted with sorcerer blood. Do you think the other sorcerers will let us off? That’s a big taboo, understand? Only sorcerers are allowed to kill sorcerers; that’s the law.”

“Then why do they instigate bandits to kill—”

“Do you think those bandits will survive even if they succeed in killing a sorcerer? They’ll get silenced sooner or later too.” Qian Weining said, “Listen to me. We’ll feed them the laxatives. When we arrive at Winston City tomorrow morning, they’ll definitely still have diarrhea. We’ll send them to the cathedral and have the nuns there treat them. After that, we’ll set off quickly. This way, if we survive this war, there won’t be any repercussions for us in the future.”

With that, his trusted aide understood that Qian Weining was only trying to shake off Melgor and his people. He did not want to engender any adverse effects on themselves.

His trusted aide asked, “Can we survive?”

Qian Weining glanced at him. “I’ve been thinking recently about how to deal with the situation. I’ll tell you when I’ve figured it out. Don’t worry, even if it’s a hopeless situation, I’m gonna make sure we come out of it alive.”

After giving his instructions, Qian Weining went elsewhere to take a stroll. He believed spies from the Tudor family would be in Winston City. Once they got there, they would send Melgor to the cathedral with great fanfare, and his pursuers would no longer have their attention on the trade caravan.

Qian Weining sighed emotionally to himself at how smart he was.

He unslung his longbow from his back and stroked it carefully. He started recalling that familiar yet mysterious feeling of accurately hitting his targets.

Qian Weining thought that since he could hit his targets with arrows even though he did not deliberately aim at them, his archery must have reached the legendary realm of being “one with the world.”

In the evening, the trade caravan stopped 70 kilometers from Winston City.

Qian Weining signaled to his trusted aide to quickly start a fire and cook. Meanwhile, he ran to Melgor’s carriage and fawned over him. “Your Excellency Lord Melgor, we’ll be entering Winston City tomorrow. Is there anything you’d like to buy? I can buy it on your behalf. This way, you and your steward won’t have to rush around and tire yourselves…. Wait, where’s your steward?”

As he spoke, Qian Weining turned around and saw Ren Xiaosu returning with two rabbits in hand. Under the glow of the setting sun, this young man had an extremely bright smile on his face.

Qian Weining said in a daze, “Sir, that’s…”

“Oh, Vice President Qian, you’re here. I was just about to go and tell you about it. You don’t have to cook for us tonight. We’re having roast rabbit instead.” Ren Xiaosu waved the rabbits in his hand and said, “I saw them bounding by in fear just now, so I went and caught them.”

Qian Weining nearly vomited blood on the spot. ‘What kind of coincidence is that! Why did you have to go and catch two rabbits when I was just planning to lace your food with laxatives?‘

“Uh, do you all want a drink? Should I bring some wine over?” Qian Weining probed.

Ren Xiaosu said with a smile, “No thanks. What if something happens after we drink?”

Qian Weining’s expression immediately froze. Ren Xiaosu explained, “Vice President Qian, don’t overthink things. I’m just saying, what if the bandits come and we’re drunk? Won’t y’all still need Lord Melgor to participate in the battle?”

“Haha, I didn’t overthink things. Why would I? I won’t disturb you then.” Qian Weining turned around and left with a livid expression.