Chapter 347: Pastel Gem

"Respected Mr. Xia Nan."

Holake leaned forward, his tone having a few more points of solemnity and caution than when he was communicating with the Dwarf just now, and his wording was deliberate.

Compared to the straightforward personality of Solting whose joy and anger were expressed on his face, the black-haired youth in front of him was calm and silent, making him subconsciously restrain his tone:

"Although the two rings on your hand are simple on the surface, the workmanship is extremely excellent, and the lines are smooth, obviously from the hands of a master."

"It seems you also have some taste and research on accessories."

Hearing this, Xia Nan looked down at the 【Deathline】 ring and 【Dream Weaving Corridor】 on his right index finger and ring finger.

His expression remained unchanged, and he didn't deliberately hide it.

Just maintaining the natural posture just now, smiled at the other party, and spoke slowly:

"They were all given by others; in terms of research on jewelry and accessories, I definitely can't compare to you."

Actually, Xia Nan didn't tell a lie.

He really didn't know much about the jewelry and accessories in this world, and the two rings on his hand... 【Deathline】 came from an unlucky Bugbear, and 【Dream Weaving Corridor】 came from the Morton family; to some extent, it could be considered their generous gift.

Of course, for him personally, using "picked up" to describe it would actually be more appropriate.

And after all, they were both magic equipment with special effects; no matter whether the wealthy merchant in front saw it or not, involving his own safety, he wouldn't discuss too much, just answered simply.

Hearing this, Holake's expression paused, vaguely sensing the evasiveness in Xia Nan's words, knowing that the other party might not be interested in this topic.

At the moment, he beamed with an enthusiastic smile, his right hand gently turning the ruby ring on the little finger of his left hand, leading the topic back to himself:

"Don't laugh at you; although I have been out doing business for many years, I don't have any other hobbies, just like collecting these shiny little things."

"I always carry a lot on me, and they jingle when I walk, and even my family dislikes it."

"You joined the caravan temporarily before we set off; if you were even two days late, you wouldn't have been able to catch up; isn't this the fate bestowed by the gods?"

"If you don't mind, if there are a few of these little things on me that you find pleasing to the eye... please be sure to tell me."

"Being able to share the joy of these collections with those who know how to appreciate them is far more pleasant for me than them lying in boxes as decorations."

Holake's proposal appeared very natural.

As if for him, giving others one or two expensive and rare accessories was like a child in kindergarten sharing candies, appearing exceptionally generous and atmospheric.

Xia Nan... naturally politely declined.

He didn't even take the remuneration for the escort mission, so how could he accept the gift from the caravan owner for no reason with such peace of mind.

Regarding this, perhaps he had already anticipated it, Holake's smile remained unchanged, and there was no trace of disappointment on his face; instead, he seemed to appreciate Xia Nan quite a bit, patted his thigh, and laughed:

"Good, good! I didn't expect that the few people cooperating this time are all such upright people; it was me who was vulgar."

He raised his glass and toasted the two people of the Black Wood Squad and Xia Nan.

"This intention will always be reserved for several people... but now, let us continue to enjoy the food and starlight, and enjoy this pleasant night."

Time passed quietly.

Although Xia Nan was not a talkative person, his personality was not unsociable; when he encountered topics he was interested in, he would also pull his brain out of the chicken soup and honey and chat with several people for a few sentences.

Margaret and Solting were veteran adventurers with rich experience, and there were too many topics that could be discussed; coupled with the guidance of Holake, who had extremely high emotional intelligence and impressed several people with his generous actions, the atmosphere on the scene appeared exceptionally harmonious for a time.

And naturally, accompanied by the gradual deepening of the discussion among the people by the campfire, the topic gradually transitioned to their destination—

Yangjiao Town.

A border town located in the northernmost part of the Subin Province of the Servia Kingdom, bordering the southern border of the Pan Yun Xing Sheng Sheng.

Sitting deep in the plains for many years, it was not famous, and there was nothing worth mentioning in the past; the so-called "specialty" honey tangerine... was not uncommon in other human settlements in the Subin Province.

The only thing that could be considered slightly special was its geographical location that was barely worth mentioning.

It was one of the countless border towns on the long border between Subin Province and Pan Yun Xing Sheng Sheng.

In the past many years, the consumption and taxes brought by the caravans and adventurers crossing the provincial border had become the main income supporting this town to maintain itself.

If one had to compare, Yangjiao Town was far inferior to Hegu Town, which relied on the Mist Forest, in terms of overall scale, commercial development, and popularity; it couldn't even compare to "Kalanfur," a satellite town of Hegu Town that was gradually established by relying on blood-sucking and the diffusion effect of adventurers in town.

It was the most common and obscure type of human settlement in the kingdom.

This situation lasted until a few months ago.

A peculiar, special gem with a dreamy pink luster and a warm and moist texture that had never appeared on the Aifala Continent before, gradually spread in the town.

At the beginning, it was just the drunken nonsense of some down-and-out merchant, and no one cared.

Until an adventurer squad passing through Yangjiao Town really brought back a small gem from the town and sold it at a high price at the seasonal auction in Niumu.

This news gradually fermented in various small circles.

Holake's business was very big, and his status as a member of the "Golden Wheat Chamber of Commerce" was enough to reflect this.

And for merchants like them who sought profit through speculation, being well-informed was one of the most basic abilities that must be possessed.

To some extent, he could even be said to be the first person in the entire Niumu City to master this news, and also the first person to organize a caravan for a long journey and transform ideas and guesses into actual actions.

"Gem?"

Xia Nan frowned; according to the information he learned before setting out, the goods that this caravan was transporting seemed to be just a batch of ordinary goods, and it couldn't be associated with any pastel gems.

Hearing this, the apology on Holake's face revealed itself, explaining:

"I didn't mean to hide anything from you; the goods loaded in the carriage are indeed all pulled from Hegu Town, and these can be checked by several people."

"But it must be admitted that cargo trade is not the main purpose of my trip this time, it can only be regarded as a precautionary means to prevent loss."

The reason why Holake organized a caravan in Hegu Town to rush to Yangjiao Town was the only goal: to investigate the truth of the gem.

If there really was a gem mine in the surrounding area, even if he didn't have the ability to occupy it completely, relying on information asymmetry and first-mover advantage would be enough to make him earn a lot, and even add a zero to the end of the deposit number in his bank account.

But what if it was fake news?

As a merchant, having spent such huge manpower and material resources, he naturally couldn't make a wasted trip.

Therefore, he prepared the goods in the carriage right now.

At worst, when the time came to transport the goods to Yangjiao Town and sell them, he wouldn't lose too much; if he was lucky, he might even earn a little.

Belonging to making two-handed preparations.

After listening to the other party's explanation, Xia Nan's frown relaxed.

Just as Holake said, he didn't deceive several people; the goods were indeed in the carriage, and they indeed needed the help of adventurers to escort them.

The mission of the Black Wood Squad itself was real and cut-and-dried.

He just concealed his true purpose.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Xia Nan. ===== CHAPTER 348 =====