The Highest Bounty

Normans was a very scenic tourist planet.

This planet had a sea as blue as sapphire and a golden beach. There were dancing snow and icy lands which were extremely exotic, rich foliage of flora and fauna and even famous, adventurous mountains and rivers.

That was why many of those within the Rado Cosmos who were about to get married would pick this place. Besides being a wedding destination, it was also a great place for honeymoons. This was also the reason Normans was a favorite travel spot for young, single women looking for romance. Some were lucky enough to fall in love here, and the stories were shared and told everywhere. As a result, the planet had earned itself a pretty nickname, the Romantic Star.

There was a high volume of tourists on Normans. According to the Cosmic Calendar’s calculations, the number of annual tourists on this planet was ranked in the top 50 in the Faye Cosmic Nation. In fact, its average ranking for the past ten years would put it at No.41.

Naturally, romance was not Gu Ding’s reason for visiting the planet. He was here for spiritual healer Orm’s junior.

Neptune locked onto the coordinates on his intelligent wristwatch and confirmed he was on this planet. When they had met with spiritual healer Orm in the Border River, Neptune had checked that the coordinates led to this planet. Spiritual Healer Orm’s junior had never left this location.

When he got off the ship, Gu Ding noticed that the harbor did not have many spaceships such as the Golden Eagle, which was grouped under the Raptor Series. Most of the spaceships were of the colorful and vibrant Starry Sky Series. This sort of spaceship was usually purchased by women, and they did not possess great attack effectiveness. This series was designed with a more civil approach.

Lilliath and Elsa followed behind Gu Ding, dazzled by the scene in front of their eyes. There were too many spaceships of the Starry Sky series docked at the harbor and the two girls were captivated by the sight. It helped them feel less depressed than before.

“Neptune, what are Dockett’s exact coordinates?” Gu Ding did not plan to stay long on this planet because of Biggie’s current condition.

Neptune immediately projected the map. Gu Ding raised an eyebrow at the district displayed on the map. “It looks like he has been living quite a good life!”

The projection clearly showed that Dockett was located in a palace. Gu Ding might have no idea who the palace belonged to, but he had heard the booming tourism industry of Normans. Any location swarmed with tourists was just like a gold mine. Common housing properties would not come cheap, not to mention a palace. Although, Gu Ding did not think Dockett could afford this palace. He thought that it was a good enough life Dockett was enjoying, even if it was nothing more than having a close connection with the owner of this palace.

However, Neptune next projected a map of the palace to be matched with the coordinates of the intelligent wristwatch, which made Gu Ding frown. According to the information, it showed Dockett’s location to be in the basement of the palace, and this coordinate had never shown any sign of movement.

“If I’m not wrong, this guy must be imprisoned,” Neptune’s tone had a tinge of ridicule.

“Who is the owner of the palace?” Gu Ding rubbed his nose as he asked.

Neptune immediately projected the information.

‘Duke: Malcolm’

‘Gender: Male’

‘Age: 3323’

‘Gene Level: Demigod’

‘Strongest Combat Effectiveness: Unknown’

 ‘Special Ability: Unknown’

‘Other Abilities: Martial Arts Powerhouse’

‘Personality Introduction: A demigod powerhouse appointed as Duke by the Federal Government. Upright and friendly, popular among others, and has many good friends within the inner circle. Ranked at No.33 on the Demigod Ranking but rarely fights. His good friend Grand Duke Roland once said that No.33 was an understatement to his old friend’s ability.’

Gu Ding eased a little when he read the personality introduction that was projected. He was Roland’s friend, so it would make sense for Gu Ding to visit him since Gu Ding also knew Roland. However, he had some doubts as well. Why would Duke Malcolm imprison Dockett in his home? Malcolm seemed like a good person from the official description. Moreover, he was friends with Roland.

“I’ve compiled other information from the Skynet on Malcolm. He seems to be of good character. Every person who has come in contact with him has given him high praise. He has also made anonymous donations to various charities. His donations are not the type of pretentious anonymity, but the kind that is very hard to be tracked. The amounts are generous with every donation as high as hundreds of millions of Universe Credits. If I did not go through his bank accounts, it would be impossible to find out that the huge amounts missing in them match the exact values of several anonymous donations. The timings match as well.”

“Let’s pay him a visit. He has strong abilities, which probably makes it difficult for us to save Dockett secretly. We’ll just have to negotiate with him about letting Dockett go,” Gu Ding brought along the girls and rented a small aircraft. All three of them arrived outside the palace after half an hour.

There was something strange about this place. There were no guards at the entrance of the courtyard in this gigantic palace. Even the door was left wide open as if to signal to visitors that it was okay to walk in just like that.

Gu Ding did not see a doorbell, so he walked in with the two girls.

The plants in the courtyard had been kept tidy. Someone must often take care of the garden. All three of them walked through the courtyard and straight on toward the entrance of the palace. Gu Ding knocked on the door knocker after looking at the huge, black door in front of him.

The door opened by itself after a while. Gu Ding walked in without hesitation and the two girls quickly followed behind.

“What would you like to drink?” A deep, magnetic voice of a man was heard coming from somewhere nearby.

Gu Ding was taken aback by the voice. He had not detected the presence of anyone there when he came in.

“This is a very powerful man! He’s not any less powerful than Roland!” Neptune immediately whispered into Gu Ding’s ear.

“I’ll just have a glass of milca, thank you!” Gu Ding did not hold back on his request as he started sizing up the man in front of him.

This man looked to be around twenty-five or six. He was skinny and tall with fine-looking features and a small face. He was a handsome man with a smallish face. There was a certain quality to him, which made it seem like he was a born nobleman. The word ‘elegance’ was usually suited to describe a woman, but it felt just as natural to use it to describe him. This did not mean that he acted in a feminine way, rather, it was because he was brimming with the essence of a nobleman.

“What about the two lovely ladies?” The corners of the man’s lips were lifted at the right point, displaying a sincerity that did not look at all like a fake smile nor an exaggerated one.

“We’ll just have fruit juice,” Lilliath was still wary of him. She was not planning on ordering any alcoholic drinks at this time.

“How about some lime juice? It’s sweet and sour, a favorite with the ladies,” the man looked at Lilliath when he said this, all the while concocting Gu Ding’s milca.

“That’s fine. Lime juice sounds good,” Lilliath nodded.

“Feel free to sit anywhere. It will be done in just a moment,” the man said as he busied himself.

Gu Ding and the others sat on the sofa near the bar counter without hesitation.

“Mr. Malcolm, we noticed that your courtyard door is wide open. Do you always leave it open this way?” Lilliath was the first to ask what was on her mind.

“That’s correct. The courtyard door is always wide open whenever I’m home. If the courtyard door is closed, it means I’m away. Those who visit are my friends, and there’s no need to lock the courtyard doors. All they need to do is come in,” Malcolm’s logic sounded a little strange, but Gu Ding liked his style. He could tell why Malcolm and Roland were friends.

“Won’t you get robbed this way?” Lilliath still could not understand this.

“No, I won’t. The security here is better than Utfer. If someone were to come in here to steal, that would mean that the person is desperate and is in dire need of help. It would be okay for him to take a few things. I only have daily necessities here. Losing a few of my things is better than someone dying of hunger,” Malcolm did not seem too bothered about material items.

“Your drinks are ready. Have a taste,” Malcolm served the drinks to all three of them while he poured a glass of binks for himself and sat down on Gu Ding’s right.

“Wow, this tastes really good. How did you make it? Did you add any special ingredients?” Gu Ding could not help crying out when he took a sip.

“I used a special technique whereby I crush the creamer to make it finer, this elevates the taste,” Malcolm did not keep the method a secret.

“This tastes really good too!” Elsa had taken a sip of the lime juice, and later immediately gulped it down.

Lilliath only took a small sip before placing the glass back on the table.

“Don’t you like the taste? Why don’t I make something else? What do you like? I have most ingredients available,” Malcolm noticed Lilliath did not drink much of it.

“It’s okay. I’m not really thirsty,” Lilliath was secretly worried that this man had done something to the drinks.

Malcolm seemed to be aware of Lilliath’s thoughts and did not force her, nor did he say much about it. All he did was smile lightly. “Okay.”

Gu Ding was also done with his milca. Just as Malcolm was about to pass him some tissue, Gu Ding wiped his mouth with his fingers.

Malcolm was taken aback but laughed. “You are exactly as Roland described.”

“How did you know who we were?” Gu Ding had thought no one would recognize them as they had all put on masks as disguises.

Malcolm laughed. “Who else but Gu Ding would drink milca wherever he goes? Not only that, but you also have two little ladies trailing after you as well. Tell me, what do you three kids want from me?”

“Uncle, we’re actually not here to see you. We’re here to see Dockett,” Malcolm looked slightly confused when Gu Ding said this.

“Dockett? I don’t know this person. Who informed you that I know him?” Malcolm did not look like he was pretending.

Lilliath hesitated when she heard this. She tried to signal Gu Ding with a look to stop him from continuing to ask about this, but Gu Ding did not notice her signal. Instead, he asked directly, “Dockett is the guy you have imprisoned in the dungeon…”