Chapter 280: The Merchant's Invitation
Chapter 280: The Merchant's Invitation
"Oh right, Mr. Lindsey."
"I heard you were injured, and it just so happens that I also deal in some medicinal goods..."
Elaine's gaze swept over Lindsey.
The man before her showed no visible external injuries, and his posture and mental state seemed unremarkable as he walked.
It was probably an internal issue.
The merchant girl's thoughts were clear, and she walked over to the cargo wagon, reaching in.
The wagon appeared empty.
But as Elaine moved, a small wooden box appeared in her hand out of thin air.
Elaine opened the box and offered it to Lindsey, revealing three ceramic bottles neatly arranged inside, their mouths sealed with hardwood stoppers.
"You might need this?"
"..."
Lindsey's expression was subtle.
He was well aware that the girl before him was sent by Knight Quete to monitor him.
There was even a hint of seduction in her approach.
But she was straightforward, openly stating her intentions from the start.
Furthermore, her words were polite, her manners impeccable, and she even proactively offered the medicine.
There's an old saying that sums it up well: it's hard to refuse a smiling face.
Lindsey had the ability to appraise goods and wasn't worried about any tampering with the medicine.
However, as he prepared to accept this gift.
His past experience with Somjin resurfaced in his mind.
Lindsey smiled at the girl before him, reciprocating her friendliness:
"Someone once told me that all dealings with merchants should have a clear price tag."
Elaine responded with an approving smile:
"That's a very good suggestion."
"Since it's a transaction—I heard you came from the Black Mountain World. Everyone will eventually know what happened there, but if I can get the information in advance, it would be a significant help to me."
Just like Somjin in the past.
Elaine made no attempt to hide her desire for information.
Seeing the empty space in front of Lindsey, where a house had yet to be built, she jumped onto the wagon and invited him:
"Mr. Lindsey, perhaps we can chat in the house first?"
"Of course."
Lindsey readily agreed.
Although Hanske was friendly towards him.
He couldn't ask certain questions due to the Human Wisdom Codex and the other party's identity as a Lawful Knight.
Lindsey thought that having a pure conversation with the merchant before him wouldn't be a bad idea.
"Since there are no issues, you two can have a good chat."
At this moment, Hanske spoke up.
Seeing Lindsey and Elaine communicating smoothly without any conflicts, he bid farewell and turned to leave:
"Lindsey, I have some matters to attend to. Later, I'll contact a doctor to come to you. If you plan to stay at the inn, just let me know at the Town Hall."
Lindsey waved goodbye to the Lawful Knight:
"Mr. Hanske, take care."
On the other side.
Elaine had already brought her cargo wagon into the courtyard and untied the reins of the horse, gently patting its neck.
"Good boy, we're moving to a new home."
Elaine had just arrived at this courtyard herself and was still unfamiliar with the surroundings.
After taking care of her carriage, she invited Lindsey inside.
The two of them walked into the house one after the other, and traces of the previous owner were still present, with a durian on the table.
Elaine was generous and straightforward.
She didn't bother with the details, taking out the durian flesh and then extracting the seeds, she hung a kettle over the fireplace in the living room.
As a guest, Lindsey quietly waited for Elaine.
The merchant girl removed the durian's outer skin and added it to the kettle along with the seeds, then brought a plate of fruit to the table.
Lindsey nodded in gratitude and then steered the conversation back on track:
"My experiences in the Black Mountain World were very complex, and I can't cover every detail. But I assure you, the parts I share with you will all be true.
Elaine nodded, indicating no issues, and Lindsey continued, "In December, over two years ago, the temperature in Hidden Frontier dropped significantly, and we even experienced an unusually long winter. Faced with the pressure of survival, I set out from the town..."
Lindsey concealed the origins of Red and the fact that she had killed the Dragon Beast, but she provided a detailed description of the Black Mountain World.
Half an hour later, Elaine was quite satisfied with the day's gains.
The durian peel tea beside her was ready, and she poured a cup for herself and Lindsey. Then, with a single hand motion, she conjured the medicine that Lindsey had not accepted earlier and placed it in front of her once again.
The cargo wagon from before, and now the ability to retrieve items out of thin air.
These were abilities brought about by the Merchant Skill.
Lindsey silently noted this, and this time, he didn't refuse either, accepting the medicine generously.
【Potion: Steelvine Vitality Potion】
【Hold in the mouth or drink directly to enhance physical recovery abilities.】
【A common vitality potion with a wide market and moderate value.】
【Potion: Strawberry Detox】
【Hold in the mouth or drink directly to neutralize ordinary toxins, more effective against plant toxins.】
【A common detox potion with a wide market and moderate value.】
【Potion: Wild Ginger Flower Tonic】
【Hold in the mouth or drink directly to enhance the body's disease resistance.】
【A rare tonic with a moderate price.】
"Can strawberries also neutralize toxins?"
Lindsey examined the potion in her hand.
Elaine's trade was indeed sincere, with no hidden traps.
At the same time, the merchant girl spoke earnestly, "Mr. Lindsey, you've just come from the Black Mountain World, and this is your first time in Lookout City. I'm sure there's a lot you want to know about this city, right?"
Lindsey looked up at Elaine.
The merchant girl smiled and gently leaned her voluptuous upper body on the table, her enchanting face moving closer, and she pushed the teacup towards Lindsey, "We can have a good talk."
"..."
"Miss Elaine, I'd like to know your attitude towards me."
Lindsey was completely unaffected by this.
He ignored the romantic atmosphere she was trying to create and asked a probing yet important question, "At the world's junction, a merchant named Knight Quete showed a strong willingness towards me. I'd like to know the reason behind it."
"..."
"You're so unromantic."
Elaine didn't show much anger.
Her beautiful purple hair fluttered back, and her alluring figure returned to its original position. The smile on her face remained unchanged, as if everything that just happened was an illusion, "I'm not quite sure about Knight Quete's intentions."
"But in the commission he gave me, he stated that he values you, who has traveled through the Black Mountain World, and so he wants to constantly confirm your location and condition."
As Elaine answered, Lindsey discreetly switched to the Sapphire Glasses in her equipment panel.
However, the girl before her maintained a stable expression spectrum while answering these questions.
This might be a result of the merchant's strong mental fortitude, honed through countless negotiations.
Making it difficult for Lindsey to discern the truth from her words.
Elaine seemed to notice Lindsey's attitude, and she took a sip of the durian peel tea in front of her before offering an explanation, "There's nothing to hide, it's just a simple trade."
The girl pointed outside and then at herself, "Knight Quete pays, and I do the job. That's how simple the relationship between merchants is."
Seeing this, Lindsey switched the topic, "Then let's change the question."
"Miss Elaine, do you know about the City of Law?"
"If I want to travel from the Forest Courtyard to the City of Law, is there a more suitable route?"
(End of Chapter)
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