Chapter 47 - 45: So That’s the Reason

Chapter 47: Chapter 45: So That’s the Reason

"Crafty Merchant!! You shameless Crafty Merchant!!!"

"You’re even more black-hearted than the most vicious Slave Master!!!"

"#%￥&@!!!"

Three seconds later, Tock’s utterly furious roar echoed through the clearing.

He was so agitated that he even started swearing in the Dwarven Language.

Seeing how black-hearted Lu Wei was, even mocking his companions, this usually upright and loyal Dwarf just couldn’t take it anymore. His dark face instantly flushed a deep red.

Even from two meters away, and despite the "height difference," Lu Wei felt like the Dwarf’s spittle was about to hit him in the face.

"Listen here, you Crafty Merchant!"

"Either you give us a fair price, or I’ll let you taste the pain of having your foot smashed flat by a hammer!"

Eyes locked on Lu Wei, Tock took a sudden step forward, his heavy boots thudding against the ground.

But the moment he heard Tock threaten to "smash Lu Wei’s foot," Furen, standing nearby, wouldn’t have it. He immediately drew his Sword, stepped in front of Lu Wei, and demanded with equal anger:

"Who are you calling a Crafty Merchant?! I’m warning you! Shut your mouth right now!"

"Or else I won’t mind making you a little shorter!"

"..."

It had to be said, Furen might seem like a simpleton most of the time, but he was surprisingly sharp-tongued when it came to arguments.

It was probably from reading too many novels and having a rich repertoire of Beastman and Dwarf jokes.

As a result, he could always hit Tock right where it hurt, making the Dwarf’s blood pressure skyrocket.

Unlike Bai Ya, who was dazed on a normal day and even more so in a crisis. Right now, all she could do was stand there helplessly, unable to help in the slightest.

In short, because of Lu Wei’s exorbitant demand, the atmosphere, which had just started to relax, immediately became tense and hostile again.

Of course, a real fight was unlikely to break out.

Still, the alliance that had been fighting side-by-side just moments ago had shattered in an instant... This scene was the perfect real-life embodiment of the saying, "self-interest makes people unrecognizable."

And as the culprit behind it all, Lu Wei was remarkably calm.

Facing Tock’s volcanic rage, he just shook his head disdainfully, his gaze passing over the Dwarf to land calmly on Mirana, whose expression was a bit complicated.

’Come on!’

’Let me see whether you’ll choose Gold Coins or your companions!’

’Heh heh heh, expose your true nature in the face of profit, human!’

’Wait, why did I suddenly start laughing like the Demon King...?’

"Ahem, 5 Gold Coins is a very fair price. And as I just said, if you think it’s too expensive, you don’t have to buy it."

"That’s the price, take it or leave it. You all should discuss it."

"Furen, Bai Ya, let’s go."

Suppressing the maniacal laughter in his heart, Lu Wei played his final card—feigning retreat to reel them in. He shrugged nonchalantly and pretended to walk away.

And sure enough, Mirana took the bait. The very next second, she called out to him.

"Wait! We’ll buy it!"

"Then pay up," Lu Wei said, turning back.

"Alright... Please wait a moment."

First, she handed the two Gold Coins and fifteen Silver Coins she had just received—which were barely warm in her hands—over to Lu Wei. Mirana then immediately walked back to the campfire and said a few words to the young man.

Soon, when she returned, she was holding two more longswords.

She placed them at Lu Wei’s feet, along with her own Longsword, then turned to look at Tock, who was gritting his teeth.

Mirana didn’t say a word, but her meaning was perfectly clear.

After struggling for a few seconds, Tock finally took the Blacksmith’s Hammer from his back and threw it down hard in front of Lu Wei.

THUD~

The heavy hammer slammed onto the ground with a muffled sound, making both Furen and Bai Ya’s mouths fall slightly open.

You have to understand, in the Adventurer’s Manual, on the first page under the ten "Adventuring Essentials," the second rule is "Never lose your Weapon under any circumstances!"

But now...

He instinctively averted his gaze. Even Furen, who had just been threatening to make Tock "a little shorter," couldn’t bear to watch.

And to be honest, Lu Wei was also a little surprised.

’Hiss...’

’No, even with this pile of scrap metal, it’s still not enough!’

’Don’t play the sympathy card, it’s useless!’

"Three Ordinary longswords and a Blacksmith’s Hammer that only a Dwarf would buy. Together, they’re worth one gold coin at most."

His gaze swept over the longswords and the hammer on the ground as he said flatly, "You’re still short five Silver Coins."

"But when we bought them..."

Mirana froze for a moment, about to say something.

But Lu Wei immediately cut her off. "I don’t care how much you spent on them. They’re second-hand now, so of course their value is greatly diminished."

"But... but we don’t have anything else."

Mirana glanced back at the empty, deflated backpacks by the campfire. She knew the few remaining supplies inside weren’t worth 5 Silver Coins. After a moment of silence, she finally lowered her head for the first time and pleaded softly:

"Could you make it a little cheaper?"

"..."

’Ugh, for some reason, I suddenly feel like I’m watching a scene where "the madam trembles as she removes her clothes"...’

"I’m not going any cheaper."

Shaking his head decisively, Lu Wei’s words made Mirana’s shoulders genuinely tremble.

But in the next moment, under Tock’s gaze that was practically burning with fury, he abruptly changed his tune.

"However, if you can agree to one request, not only can you take the Healing Potion, but you can also have your weapons back."

"You should know, it’s still a day’s journey to town from here. Without weapons, if you run into any danger, I’m afraid you’ll have a hard time dealing with it."

"And please, don’t get the wrong idea. My request is very simple, not at all what you’re imagining."

Seeing that Tock looked about ready to charge over and fight him to the death, Lu Wei quickly added:

"I’m just curious about one thing. I just hope you can give me an honest answer."

"...What is it?"

A moment later, under Lu Wei’s gaze, Mirana slowly raised her head.

Though she remained calm, he still caught the flicker of astonishment in her eyes.

But even if he hadn’t, it wouldn’t have mattered.

Because when Lu Wei spoke his next sentence, Tock’s eyes went wide, the words "How did you know?" all but written on his face.

"This attack was very strange. I suspect you’re hiding something on you that attracted those Kobolds."

After glancing at Tock and confirming his suspicion, Lu Wei looked at Mirana and asked her directly, getting straight to the point:

"I’m very curious, so can you let me see what it is?"

"..."

Just a single glance was worth 1 gold and 5 silver.

Honestly, this was probably the most expensive "payment for knowledge" Lu Wei had ever made in his life.

And yet, such a simple request made Mirana hesitate for a long time.

She just stared silently at Lu Wei, as if trying to judge what he would do after seeing the item.

It wasn’t until half a minute later that she retracted her gaze and slowly took out a small cloth bundle wrapped in several layers from within her clothes.

Then, she carefully unwrapped the bundle layer by layer, finally taking out a small glass bottle about the size of a thumb.

Inside the bottle was a red substance, which looked like both a liquid and a gas, flowing slowly.

’What is this stuff?’

Lu Wei looked completely baffled. Under Mirana’s wary gaze, he tentatively touched the bottle with his fingertip.

[Small Glass Bottle]

[Species: Miscellaneous]

[Level: Ordinary]

[Value: 3 Copper Coins]

[Introduction: A small glass bottle with a mouth 1 inch in diameter and a body 1.5 inches in diameter.]

Lu Wei: "..."

’Did you think I didn’t f*cking know that?!’

With a strange expression, Lu Wei retracted his hand, just about to ask a question.

But right at that moment, Bai Ya’s incredulous voice came from the side.

"C-Could it be... a Divine Blessing..."

"Ah! Now that you mention it..."

Furen’s eyes widened, and he swallowed hard. "It really does look like a Divine Blessing..."

"Yes."

Across from them, Mirana nodded lightly. "This is a Divine Blessing."

Lu Wei: "..."

’Oh, oh!’

’So it’s a Divine Blessing!’

’Looks like everyone knows what it is!’

’I knew it!’

’Hmm...’

’So what the hell is a Divine Blessing???’