Chapter 49 - 47: Farewell

Chapter 49: Chapter 47: Farewell

"Now *this* is a real adventure!"

"A thrilling battle, a bountiful reward, and we even got to see a Divine Blessing!"

"It was just a small piece, but it was still so breathtaking!"

A few minutes later, after getting the Healing Potion, Mirana hurried back to treat the middle-aged man.

Furen and Bai Ya returned to the campfire, their faces filled with lingering awe as they chattered in amazement.

’It made sense for Bai Ya to be amazed; she hadn’t seen much of the world, after all.’

’But Furen was a proper rich kid, a bona fide noble. Why was he acting like such a country bumpkin?’

’Wasn’t it just a trial version of a Divine Blessing?’

’50 Gold Coins wasn’t even that expensive.’

’The Soul Pendant alone was worth 37 Gold Coins.’

’Hmm... then again, thinking about it that way, their reaction was understandable.’

’After all, Rare-level equipment is extremely hard to come by.’

’You probably couldn’t find a single piece in the Heitai Town market, even if you turned the whole place upside down.’

Lu Wei glanced at the two, who were still clucking their tongues in amazement, and curled his lip. He then tilted his head back, gazing at the night sky through the gaps in the Dome Pillar’s lush canopy.

A moon like a silver coin had quietly slipped across the western sky. All was silent around the camp. The night wind had long since blown away the stench of blood, and everything had returned to tranquility.

Only the fiery, stinging pain that flared up in his left arm from time to time was clear proof that the life-and-death struggle moments before had been no illusion.

’Tonight’s attack was largely a fluke, but it served as a wake-up call.’

’If I’m not strong enough, setting up a stall in the forest is extremely dangerous.’

’Even without monsters, if a few adventurers with ill intentions show up, I’ll need considerable power just to protect myself.’

’And if I were strong enough, the next time something like tonight happens, I could just... acquire their things for free.’

Lu Wei silently calculated as he tossed a silver coin into the air and caught it again and again.

’Maybe I should buy a good weapon first. Learning Professional Skills needs to be a priority, too.’

...

...

At the crack of dawn, Mirana and her three companions prepared to leave.

The middle-aged man was doing much better after drinking the Healing Potion.

Though his face was still deathly pale, he could at least stand, and would probably be able to make it back to town.

Not that it was any of Lu Wei’s business if he didn’t.

To be honest, with nothing better to do last night, he had seriously considered robbing and murdering them.

But after comparing the combat strength of both sides, he’d quickly abandoned the idea.

They had one severely wounded member, but his side had Bai Ya. In terms of numbers, it was two against three—a clear disadvantage.

Besides, Furen would almost certainly refuse to go along with it, so Lu Wei had to drop the idea.

’I feel like I need to find some unscrupulous companions if I’m ever going to achieve great things.’

’But if they’re unscrupulous, I can’t fully trust them either.’

’So, is there such a thing as someone who’s both wicked and loyal?’

’Someone like Jia Xu, for instance.’

’That’s the kind of top-tier talent I’m missing right now.’

Lu Wei sighed to himself as he watched Mirana and her group pack their things.

But whether or not he would find one in the future, he certainly didn’t have one now. So, he just grabbed some food from his pack, walked over, and said his goodbyes.

"Leaving already? Take this food with you for the road."

"No, thank you. We’re out of money."

Mirana, thinking he was trying to make another sale, quickly refused. "Besides, we still have a little food left. It should be enough to get us back to town."

"You’ve misunderstood. It’s free. And this silver coin, please take it as well."

To the astonishment of Mirana’s group, Lu Wei took a silver coin from his purse and offered it along with the food.

"You’ll need money for food and lodging when you get back to town, and for this man’s treatment."

"You won’t be able to sell the Divine Blessing right away... Anyway, I don’t mean anything by it. I just want to help a friend."

"If you really feel that bad about it, just consider it a loan."

First, squeeze them dry, then offer a small token of goodwill. Lu Wei was diligently following the first article of the Rules for Crafty Merchants, trying his best to improve his image in their eyes.

This tactic didn’t seem to work on Tock, however. The Dwarf still looked like he wanted to jump up and kick him in the kneecaps.

"Cut the fake sentimentality! We can kill a few monsters on the way back and earn enough for Storm’s medical fees!"

"Er..."

’Shut up, you damn Dwarf!’

Lu Wei froze awkwardly. In a moment of pure spite, he decided that from now on, all Dwarves would be subject to a 10% surcharge at his shop.

At the same time, Mirana quickly stepped in to defuse the situation.

"Please pay no mind to Tock. We’re very grateful, but we’ll pass on the food and money. We can manage on our own."

"Suit yourself."

’Fine, don’t take it then...’ Lu Wei sullenly withdrew his hand. Then he heard Mirana continue.

"Oh, by the way, could you do us a favor?"

"What kind of favor?"

"It’s about the Divine Blessing... could you not tell anyone else about it?"

Mirana asked with utmost seriousness, "It’s just too valuable. I don’t want to attract any more trouble."

Lu Wei nodded. "Of course, no problem. But could you do me a favor in return?"

"Please, go ahead."

"When you get back to town, could you help me spread the word that a general store has opened up here at the Dome Pillar?"

"A general store?"

Mirana asked, a little surprised, "You plan to run a business here long-term?"

"That’s right."

"Alright... but what’s the name of this general store?"

"Well..."

Lu Wei froze for a moment. He hadn’t actually thought about that.

He glanced back at Furen, who was doing his "morning exercises," and Bai Ya, who was preparing breakfast. After a moment’s hesitation, he answered quietly.

"Sword, Gold Coins, Pepper Powder."

"...A very... unique name."

Lu Wei thought he might have been mistaken, but he could have sworn he saw the corner of Mirana’s mouth twitch.

But her expression immediately returned to its usual deadpan. She shouldered her pack and gave him a slight nod.

"Goodbye, then."

"Yeah. Goodbye."

Lu Wei returned the polite nod, watching as the four of them entered the woods, following a small path until they vanished from sight.

"Captain! Breakfast is ready!"

Bai Ya’s cheerful voice called out from behind him. In the morning sun, Furen was tirelessly running laps around the Dome Tree.

Normally, given Furen’s upbringing, he would have come to see Mirana and her group off.

But because of his unpleasant spat with Tock the previous night, he’d decided to pretend he hadn’t seen them leave as a way of expressing his displeasure.

Only when Lu Wei returned did Furen feign surprise and ask,

"Huh? Why is no one over there? Did they leave already?"

"You saw the whole thing."

Lu Wei rolled his eyes at him, utterly disdainful of such a childish form of "retaliation." "Actually, Tock just asked me to apologize to you for him."

"Ah? He did...?"

Furen was taken aback for a second, then asked in a quiet, sheepish voice,

"What did he say...?"

"He said he’s terribly sorry he didn’t manage to smash your foot to a pulp last night, and that he’ll be sure to make it up to you next time you meet."

"..."

"That damned Dwarf! Next time I see him, I’m going to beat him up! I swear it!!!"