After a few more discussions, it was decided that Jeff would be hired for 8 silver coins and 10 copper coins.
The guards also subsequently asked if there was anything Xu Feng needed.
"No need, and thank you for your trouble." Xu Feng shook his head and retrieved 2 silver coins.
And in front of everyone's eyes, he proceeded to give the two guards each 1 silver coin as appreciation for their timely assistance, shocking the nearby mercenaries who were still watching the show in amusement.
However, the most astonished person was none other than Jeff, who watched the 2 silver coins being given out to the two guards.
'That is my money!!!' He screamed at the top of his lungs, in his mind of course. He dared not voice any complaint.
Aside from the fact that Xu Feng was a noble, the guards themselves were Tier 2 mercenaries.
Although it was just 1 number higher than him, the difference was massive.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so easily pinned down by them effortlessly.
As for the guards, they were slightly stunned before flashing a warm smile.
They gladly accepted the tip and said, "It's our duty to maintain harmony in the Mercenary Association. We are not like some rogues who don't have any rules and act arrogantly."
'Rogues! You are definitely a rogue for accepting what was supposed to be my money!' Jeff once again cursed the guards black-heartedly silently in his mind.
Alas, no one could be bothered by Jeff's thought as Xu Feng merely nodded his head, having achieved his goal.
By giving out those 2 silver coins as a tip, he effectively erased the negative impression that the rest of the mercenaries had on him.
After seeing how generous he was toward those who acted in good faith for him, these mercenaries would only think Jeff deserved what happened to him.
Who told him to mess with a noble?
The noble didn't even mess with him until he started it up.
"This noble is already being generous by being lenient with Jeff."
"Indeed, if it were any other noble, I would be surprised if they didn't get sent to prison for at least a week."
"Agreed, Jeff lucked out big time."
As the mercenaries gossiped among themselves, some of them ended up being heard by Carmen as she gasped in shock.
"Y-You're a noble, Feng?" She looked at Xu Feng in surprise.
"Yeah," Xu Feng flatly responded, not bothering to hide any longer regarding his noble status.
Previously, he could still conceal the matter, but now that the commotion had attracted quite a bit of attention. Added to the fact that these loudmouth mercenaries could never keep their mouth shut, he could only admit it.
"No wonder Jeff and the guards acted respectfully," Carmen muttered, finally understanding the situation fully.
As for Jeff, he was feeling the most bitter when he saw Carmen's astonishment.
'So she didn't know she was acquainted with a noble.' He cried inwardly.
Truly, this was probably what people called karma.
While Jeff remained sulking at his terrible luck, Xu Feng turned to Carmen and asked, "Do you still want to hire some more mercenaries?"
In his opinion, just one Tier 1 Mercenary was not enough to assist her. Of course, that was just him thinking about the overall situation.
A Tier 1 Mercenary was technically between the levels 15-30 with numerous skills unlocked. It was more than enough to deal with a level 13 Ironhide Behemoth, but not for Xu Feng who sought perfection.
Based on Xu Feng's deduction of Jeff, he determined the latter should be a level 27 Berserker or at least around there, albeit with poorer gears.
Despite this, Jeff felt disrespected when Xu Feng inquired if Carmen still wanted to hire some more mercenaries.
Looking more in-depth at his question, Xu Feng was implying that his skill was barely adequate to take down an Ironhide Behemoth.
Thankfully for Jeff, he felt relieved when he heard Carmen's response.
"I think Jeff alone is enough," Carmen said, refusing to hire more.
'That's right. I, alone, is enough to help you.' Feeling proud, Jeff raised his chin up.
However, that lasted only for a brief second as Carmen's next sentence nearly made him plopped to the ground.
"You already covered up the 8 silver coins. I can't make you pay for more."
"Since you know I'm a noble, then you should know I have some money. Hiring 2 or 3 more mercenaries is no problem."
"Even so, I can't trouble you anymore, Feng." Carmen shook her head and refused his goodwill.
Seeing how adamant she was being, Xu Feng was helpless. "If you don't want to hire anymore, then can I go with you to assist you?"
Although he will once again delay some of the plans in his mind, he wants to increase the relationship between them. As if he was willing to let a future expert escape his clutches that easily.
A future expert versus some of his plans, the decision was rather easy to make. A plan that would make things easier for him, later on, was still not as beneficial as having a guaranteed future expert who would be wholeheartedly assisting him.
This kind of investment was worth every ounce of money and trouble to obtain.
"Will it be troubling for you?" Carmen subsequently asked.
Naturally, she would be glad to have more people like Xu Feng assisting her, but having found out he had a noble status already when most players were still struggling.
She didn't want to hinder him any longer, especially now that she owed him the 8 silver coins he used to cover up the hiring cost.
He might not have said anything about repaying, but to take things for granted was not her principle.
Meanwhile, Xu Feng faked looking at an imaginary watch on his wrist.
"Hmm, the time is still early and I don't have anything planned. To accompany a beauty's journey was definitely more worth it." Xu Feng rubbed his chin and said. "Unless you don't want me to accompany you then I can only give up and rely on Jeff to hopefully assist you well."
"Pfft," Carmen wanted to suppress a giggle from escaping, but it was too funny to not laugh.
How could she not tell he was teasing her?