Chapter 308: The Caravan
Chapter 308: The Caravan
The apprentice from the Riverbank Chamber left quietly, and Lindsey watched them go, embracing Elaine. They returned to his shop together.
Only after seeing them off did Lindsey tease the girl beside him, "Elaine, when did I become your lover?"
Elaine immediately released Lindsey and rolled her eyes, "What else can I do? I can't say I'm the one who made the stockings, right?"
This response confirmed Lindsey's previous speculation.
The people from the Riverbank Chamber were indeed after the stockings or, more precisely, the interests they represented.
They couldn't confirm Elaine's exact source for the stockings.
So, the person who came to Lindsey's place today was merely an apprentice.
If these merchants could confirm that Lindsey was the provider of the stockings, the person who knocked on his door this morning would have been far more dangerous than just a first-stage apprentice!
The danger had arrived quietly.
However, this phenomenon also brought good news.
Lindsey took out some syrup, dissolved it into a cup of sugar water, and placed it on the table in front of Elaine.
"It seems like your sales of the stockings last night went well?"
Elaine took a sip, leaned back, and lay on Lindsey's rocking chair, "Hmph! It was more than just good."
"You weren't here last night, so you didn't see the looks in those young masters' eyes."
"The hundreds of gold coins they spent could probably be earned back within a month!"
Elaine's heart was also stirred as she put down the water.
Given the popularity of the stockings yesterday, if this business could continue, it would be her gateway to the fifth stage.
From the fourth stage to the fifth stage.
- The Ascender.
Thinking of this, Elaine bit her lip.
She had joined the Silver Leaf Guild in Platinum City at the age of seven, starting as a mere errand runner.
a knowing glance, and more than ten years had quietly passed since then.
During this time, Elaine had also encountered two opportunities, but due to circumstances beyond her control, she always fell just short.
Now, on this journey to the world's border as a merchant,
she had once again grasped hope.
Elaine's gaze fixed on the water cup in front of her.
The water with syrup added had a slightly yellowish tint and didn't look very appealing, but its taste was incredibly sweet.
Elaine turned to look at Lindsey.
Today, she didn't even need to use the title of 'lover' to help Lindsey deal with the people from the Riverbank Chamber. Even if something were to happen, she could consider it.
Meanwhile, Lindsey was also marveling at the merchants' actions.
"Speaking of which, the Riverbank Chamber sure is quick to act."
"You only displayed the stockings last night, and someone came looking for you this morning."
Elaine considered this to be a matter of course, "They are merchants who value money above all else. Sometimes, they value these things even more than their own lives, so it's natural for them to act quickly."
Lindsey praised Elaine, "But when it comes to money, your attitude is a bit different from theirs."
Elaine chuckled.
She was quite pleased and proceeded to explain carefully, "That's because I focus on the essence of the trade itself, and we're not from the same faction. The essence of money and the essence of trade may seem similar on the surface, but their core nature is vastly different."
As she spoke, Elaine became more enthusiastic and continued to explain to Lindsey, "For us, who adhere to the essence of trade, if we accidentally take someone's life, we would feel guilt just like ordinary people;
but for those who adhere to the essence of money, their first reaction is to conceal the truth and minimize their losses. If they are exposed, their second reaction isn't to apologize or express guilt but to directly ask you, 'How much will it cost to compensate you?'"
Lindsey couldn't help but shake his head, "If everyone in Platinum City were like that, it would truly be a living hell."
"A living hell?" Elaine raised an eyebrow, "That's a pretty fitting description."
"Platinum City is divided into three districts. The Tower District is completely controlled by merchants who adhere to the essence of money. The plight of the poor there truly lives up to that name!"
Lindsey said, "So, conversely, for wealthy Awakened Beings, it's like heaven?"
Elaine shrugged her shoulders and gave a more accurate description, "It doesn't matter if you're an Awakened Being or not; it's all about having money."
"Money is the only standard by which people's value is measured. If you can accept this, then in the Upper Tower District, your fate is in your own hands."
"..."
Lindsey didn't even want to imagine such a world.
He frowned, changing the topic to address another concern, "Back in Lookout City, Kuete was clearly trying to drag me to Transcendent City. Do you think Alquin might have received the same message?"
Elaine countered, "Are you worried they're conspiring against you?"
Lindsey nodded in agreement, "Exactly."
Elaine shook her head slightly and passed the half-full cup of sugar water to Lindsey, "Don't worry, merchants aren't always in cahoots."
"Especially these money-driven folks. Even within a guild, they may appear as close partners, hunting together. But when it comes to a single, lucrative opportunity, they can turn into ravenous wolves, tearing each other apart."
"They won't casually share their information."
After exchanging their views on merchants, Elaine steered the conversation back to the transaction at hand.
"Lindsey, if everything goes as planned, orders should start arriving today. Are you prepared with the stock?"
Lindsey presented a batch of stockings made from the raw materials she had procured the day before, "This is what I have on hand."
"If you want more, go and source the raw materials. I'll drop by tonight or early tomorrow to prepare as much as I can for you."
Elaine took the stockings.
This was her chance to advance to the fifth stage, so she carefully inspected the quality of the stockings.
"This time, I'll have to empty my pockets," she sighed, examining the stockings with utmost care.
The products from Lindsey's workbench were more consistent than an assembly line.
Elaine was naturally very satisfied with the quality.
After the inspection, Elaine finally responded to Lindsey, but halfway through, she changed her mind, "Lindsey, I'll be staying at the guild's accommodations tonight... No, I'll find a separate place to rent a room. I'll send someone to inform you of the location later."
"..."
In the room, Lindsey and Elaine discussed the transaction.
Meanwhile, on the road from Lookout City to Nine Bays City, a small caravan was already underway, and among the vehicles, a conspicuous prison wagon stood out!
If Lindsey or Elaine were present, they would recognize the significance of the situation.
Law Knight Hans Ke sat at the front of the prison wagon, serving as both driver and escort.
Behind him, a wooden cage emitted a faint golden glow, a manifestation of the power of the law.
Inside the cage was none other than Kuete, who had been in Lookout City just a few months ago!
One was being escorted in the prison wagon, while the other focused on driving.
The former wore a confident smile, while the latter's expression was serious and unwavering, determined and steady.
"Hans Ke, what's the point of this?"
"Escorting me to Transcendent City and handing me over to the guild for punishment will, at most, result in a fine. I could have gone there myself."
"You wouldn't publicly execute me for an unconfirmed crime, would you?"
The Law Knight ahead spoke sternly, "The outcome may not differ, but the process matters too."
"You merchants hid the discovery of the forest vein and even violently developed it! This has caused terrible consequences, and you must answer to everyone in the Forest Courtyard!"
Kuete found this baffling, "How about you, judging our Riverbank Chamber alone?"
Hearing their conversation, Qingzhu, who was part of the caravan, voiced support for Hans Ke while scolding Kuete, "Secret development is just the tip of the iceberg!"
"But to endanger an entire forest just to disrupt our entry into Black Mountain is madness!"
Kuete ignored the Life Scholar's accusation.
He stared at the representative of the law, attempting to convince him, "To be fair, Hans Ke, we do bear some responsibility for the forest disturbances. But it wasn't to delay the Life Scholar's team's entry into Black Mountain; it's all a coincidence!"
"Didn't you bring the Scale of Justice to verify?"
"My business is out of control, and this escort is an acknowledgment. But some degree of freedom should be granted, right?"
The Law Knight remained silent, focusing on driving.
[Can't sleep, adding another chapter.]
(End of Chapter)
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