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Chapter 53: Jinli Lai Trading Company

In the relaxed days filled with daily banter, the Bida Mercenary Corps finally reached their destination, Puro City.

Gazing at the towering city gates, Daifei was in low spirits and kept a sullen face all morning.

Ashura said nothing; he knew they would have to part ways once they arrived, but before he left he still had something to do for Daifei.

As soon as they passed through the gate, Captain John spurred his horse up to Ashura’s wagon and said, “Sir Ashura, we have to hand over the goods shortly; could you wait for me at the central plaza of Puro City?”

Ashura assumed they did not want him to meet their client, so he readily agreed and added that he too had matters to discuss with Captain John.

Thus he told the girl who deliberately turned her head away, “See you in a bit.”

Then he jumped off the wagon and walked to the other end of the street.

Daifei pursed her lips to keep the tears from falling and kept her eyes on the road as she drove the wagon at the head of the convoy.

Captain John sighed softly and urged his horse after her.

After leaving the convoy, Ashura headed toward the marketplace of Puro City.

He took out his black cloak again, pulled the hood over his head, and hid his youthful face in its shadow.

Just as he reached the entrance of the market, a gaunt middle-aged man hurried up, bowed deeply, and said, “Milord, are you here to buy or to sell?”

“I am Hughes, a local who has lived here for more than 30 years; I can provide any information or service you need in Puro City for a mere fee of 10 silver coins in recognition of my hard work.”

Ashura did not answer at once; instead he sized up the shrewd man named Hughes.

Although Hughes could not see the stranger’s face, he felt as if those eyes beneath the hood could pierce his soul, which put him under great pressure.

After a moment, a hoarse voice said, “I want to sell and buy; I can give you 20 silver coins, but you must get me a high price when I sell and a low price when I buy… do you understand?”

“Do not make me unhappy; if I am unhappy, believe me, you will not be happy either.”

Ashura deliberately lowered his voice to intimidate the man who had come up on his own, knowing that the slightest sign of weakness would mark him as easy prey.

The gaunt man named Hughes bent even lower, sweat dripping from his brow, and promised, “Rest assured, milord, I will serve you wholeheartedly and make sure you are satisfied.”

Straightening slightly, Hughes asked respectfully, “Would you like to buy first or sell first?”

Ashura thought for a moment and said, “Let’s sell some Tier-4 beast pelts and body parts; if the price is right, I can also part with Tier-4 beast cores.”

The gaunt Hughes answered at once, “Then we should trade at the Jinli Lai Trading Company; their prices are always fair, milord.”

Ashura paused in surprise; he had not expected to run into an enterprise of his dorm-leader’s clan, but on second thought, Jinli Lai was one of the four great firms on the King’s Continent, so having a branch in Puro City was perfectly normal.

He was more than happy to sell to the Jinli Lai Trading Company and told Hughes to lead the way.

When Hughes brought him to a three-story building glittering with gold and jade, Ashura secretly clicked his tongue in admiration at how large Boss Jin Ze’s family business had grown.

Inside, the decor was even more luxurious; all kinds of goods filled the counters and shelves, and the place bustled with customers.

Suppressing his curiosity, Ashura kept his eyes from wandering, because he noticed that Hughes was also stealing glances at him.

Shortly after they entered, a clerk came over to ask their needs; learning they had Tier-4 beast materials to sell, the clerk led them to a private room on the first floor and knocked respectfully three times.

After receiving a reply from inside, the clerk told them, “Our Jinli Lai appraiser is ready; the seller may enter to trade now.”

Ashura cast Hughes a glance; Hughes immediately bowed and said, “I will wait at the door, milord.”

Ashura nodded with satisfaction, tossed two silver coins into Hughes’s arms, and the man cradled them, beaming and showering praise on Ashura’s generosity.

Ashura stepped into the room and saw a portly elder with a grizzled beard seated opposite him.

Ashura inclined himself slightly in greeting; the elder merely nodded and told him to produce the beasts for trade.

Without further hesitation, Ashura took all the Tier-4 beast carcasses from his storage belt… 8 bodies in total… along with 6 pelts, assorted bones and fangs, and some herbs, and laid them out on the long table before the elder.

Only then did the elder truly look at the black-robed man before him; although the visitor had neither spoken nor removed the hood covering his face since entering.

But the worldly elder, who had met all kinds of people, judged from the hands exposed while handling the goods that the man was quite young.

From the uniform knife wounds he could also tell the same person had killed all these beasts; anyone able to hunt so many Tier-4 beasts alone in the Beast Forest was no ordinary figure.

The elder’s attitude improved noticeably; he smiled and said, “Young man, every beast’s skull has a hole in it; how was your luck… did you find any beast cores? If so, bring them out and sell them as well; I guarantee the price will please you.”

Ashura’s body stiffened slightly, and the elder smiled knowingly.

Cursing the old fox inwardly, Ashura pulled 3 Tier-4 beast cores from his space belt.

Seeing that they were 2 earth-attribute cores and 1 water-attribute core, the elder nodded in satisfaction.

After fingering the quality of the carcasses, he calculated silently and said, “All of this comes to a neat 300 gold coins; as for the Tier-4 beast cores, the 2 earth cores are 300 each and the water core 350. How does that sound?”

Ashura pondered briefly, then took 4 Earthquake Berserk Bear claws from his space ring and placed them on the table.

The elder behind the table sat up straight at the sight of the claws, measured them, and knew they were from an adult Earthquake Berserk Bear.

He scrutinized the hooded youth again; someone who could kill a Tier-5 beast at his age was an elite anywhere on the continent.

This time the elder laughed heartily, “Remarkable! You even slew a Tier-5 beast. Bring out the rest of the materials; I can offer you 1,000 gold coins for a Tier-5 beast core.”

Ashura merely shook his head; finding him so cautious, the elder found the youth interesting and said cheerfully, “Then let’s make it 1,500 gold coins for the lot, all right?” With that he extended his right hand.

Ashura extended his right hand as well and shook, thereby sealing the deal; the elder immediately ordered his staff to count the goods and exchange money.

Accepting a crystal card from an aide, the elder smiled and said, “This is a crystal card issued by the four empires; it stores gold coins. There are 2,750 in it already, and you can withdraw them at any imperial bank or spend them directly in shops.”

Ashura took the card, saw the figure 2,750 on it, and, though he had heard of such things, had never seen one before. He trusted the Jinli Lai Trading Company would not cheat him over so little money; otherwise he would have Boss Jin Ze settle the score.

Ashura answered solemnly, “Thank you.”

He said a brief goodbye, turned, and left the room, intending to take Hughes and depart the Jinli Lai Trading Company.

Yet a voice rang out behind him, “Please wait, sir…”

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