Chapter 186: The Extravagant Demon King

In the adventurer guild of Lei Ming City, an old man with a white beard stared at the magic crystal watch in his hand, the more he pondered, the more surprised the expression on his face became.

"Extracting energy from the magic crystal through interlocking inscriptions to light up the magic crystal powder on the dial, thereby allowing the time numbers to be displayed directly on the dial... This is the inscription character of the Isaac period? It's truly incredible... Is it dwarf technology?"

His name was Angelo, a magician from the Northern Academy, and also a resident consultant and expert in the field of labyrinth research hired by the Lei Ming City adventurer guild.

Ever since the news of the Demon King's resurrection spread, he had been stationed in this city for a long time, and was observing the movements in the labyrinth at all times.

As a magician of the Academy, he was quite confident in his knowledge.

Perhaps he wasn't as rich as the merchants in this city, but his understanding of extraordinary power was definitely not something these vulgar people could compare to.

However, now, his self-esteem had suffered a heavy blow.

Even after turning this thing over and over for a long time, he still couldn't figure out how this exquisite little thing was done, using only a few lines of inscriptions to achieve such incredible functions!

Not only that—

The carving craftsmanship of the inscriptions also made him marvel, each line of square characters was as regular as if it had been printed by a printing machine!

In his impression, there was no printing machine capable of carving inscriptions on magic materials.

In this way, there was only one explanation, the person who made this thing should be a skilled alchemist or dwarf craftsman!

But why would someone with this skill make such a useless little thing?

For a magician, there were many ways to figure out the time, at most a spell would solve it, and there was no need to go to such great lengths.

At least in his view, using such amazing technology to make a clock without extra functions was undoubtedly a waste of talent!

Staring at the inscriptions on the dial and pondering for a long time, Angelo was completely confused, raised his head to look at the student standing in front of his desk, and asked curiously.

"Where did you get this thing?"

The magic apprentice standing in front of his desk at this moment was the one who was shouting in front of the Suoke Duo Trading Company's stall earlier.

"I saw someone selling it at the market, 500 silver coins each, so I bought one back." Out of curiosity about unknown things, this young guy, after hesitating for a while, finally untied his purse.

500 silver coins was not a small amount, but most of those who studied magic in the Academy were rich or noble, so he was naturally no exception.

It was just that he didn't expect that the watch he bought with heavy money couldn't even be understood by the respected Mr. Angelo.

It seemed that these 500 silver coins had gone down the drain.

Thinking of this, the magic apprentice felt a bit frustrated in his heart.

After listening to his student's answer, Angelo was stunned for a long time, unable to say a word for a long time.

It took a full five minutes, and he stared at his student with a look of disbelief, asking again to confirm.

"Five hundred?! Are you sure?"

The magic apprentice nodded, saying with certainty.

"Of course, I can be sure! I paid the money just a few hours ago, it's not like I would forget it after just a while."

Hearing his student's answer, the expression on Angelo's face became even more intriguing, and he continued to ask urgently.

"Is the shopkeeper still there?"

"This... I don't know, should be, right?"

The magic apprentice was stunned for a few seconds, and couldn't make up his mind either.

After all, that wasn't a fixed shop, but a mobile vendor. Maybe they were selling here today, and went to other places tomorrow, that was hard to say.

However, just then, he suddenly thought of something, his eyes lit up and he continued.

"By the way, I remember the name of that caravan, it seems to be called Suoke Duo Trading Company! If you are interested in them, I can go find them for you, it should be possible to find them... those people wouldn't leave Lei Ming City today."

Suoke Duo Trading Company.

Angelo silently noted the name, and then said.

"No need, I plan to visit them personally."

With the connections and intelligence network of the adventurer guild, finding a caravan was easy, and he wasn't worried about missing those people.

While saying this, Angelo pulled open a drawer, took out a check, and wrote his signature on it in a sloppy manner.

"I plan to study this magic crystal watch further, maybe I'll take it apart. Since the technology inside is something I haven't seen before, I don't have absolute certainty that I can put it back together... This is 500 silver coins, just take it as me buying it."

The magic apprentice was a bit reluctant, but after all, this was his mentor, so he could only nod and accept the check.

After sending his student away, Angelo took out a copper magnifying lens and placed it on the bridge of his nose, staring at the watch in his hand and pondering carefully.

While studying, he muttered in his mouth.

"How on earth is this done?"

Just as the chief consultant of the Lei Ming City adventurer guild was marveling at the Nether-script technology of the Necropolis, the Demon King walking on the streets of Lei Ming City was also marveling at everything that came into view.

It was just that what he was marveling at wasn't any novel technology, but something else.

Watching the citizens of Lei Ming City who snatched the goods on the Suoke Duo Trading Company's shelf clean, Luo Yan couldn't help but sigh.

"The leeks in Lei Ming City still grow well."

The watch that cost less than 50 silver coins was sold for 500 silver coins, and the most outrageous thing was that it was snatched up!

And this wasn't the most outrageous part.

Things like nail clippers and shower gel at least had the value of use, what made Luo Yan completely unable to understand was that the flush toilets were also snatched clean.

No—

Where did you citizens of Lei Ming City buy them back to install?

If it weren't for the fear of causing trouble, Luo Yan really wanted to pull someone and ask, to seriously understand what these suckers were thinking?

It is worth mentioning that Lei Ming City has a sewer, and like the city walls of Lei Ming City, it was built at the end of the Isaac Dynasty.

However, limited by the limitations of the era, even though the sewer planned and built by Lin Te Isaac was still far ahead of the world's average level to this day, its nature and appearance were still two different things from the modern sense of sewers.

To make an inappropriate metaphor, its positioning was closer to the large and small underground ditches that connected to the Thames in London in the 19th century.

Luo Yan didn't know whether Lei Ming City allowed private drainage ditches to connect to public sewers, but I think even if it could, it definitely wouldn't be a small amount, at least not something an ordinary family could afford.

From an economic point of view, these people probably had to install a bucket underneath after buying the toilet back, and that was purely taking off their pants to fart.

Watching those citizens of Lei Ming City who didn't hesitate to spend a lot of money to catch up with the trend and the "profiteer" Suoke Duo who was counting money until his hands cramped, Luo Yan only had envy in his heart.

It's a pity that his players are not human.

Otherwise, where would it be the turn of the middleman to make the difference, they would have dug up the leeks of Lei Ming City by the roots and seedlings in minutes!

As the saying goes, like person, like dog.

Luo Yan was just thinking about it in his heart, the number one lackey floating beside him, You You, was already drooling with greed, and the next second he exposed his thoughts completely without any cover.

"Hehehe... the residents of Lei Ming City really don't have very smart heads! Demon King Majesty, take action! With your thick skin and eloquence, you could definitely fool them into kneeling at your feet in minutes!"

"What do you mean by my thick skin and eloquence, when have I ever relied on these two things to solve trouble?" Luo Yan glanced at the air beside him, let out a light tsk, and said in a slightly dissatisfied voice, "Also, who did you learn this tone from?"

"Cough cough! Please forgive my loose tongue, I just wanted to express that the soft-footed shrimps in Lei Ming City can be easily taken down by you with just a slight move... You You is praising you!"

Perhaps hearing the dissatisfaction in Luo Yan's voice, You You quickly admitted defeat and immediately changed the subject, hehe, laughing and saying.

"Anyway, that's not the point! Supreme, wise, and handsome Demon King Majesty, may I ask if you have any ideas on how to corrupt the faith of the residents of Lei Ming City?"

There was no need to argue with his own divinity, Luo Yan didn't continue to bicker with You You, just cast his gaze toward the street with people coming and going in front of him.

"I have some ideas, but I still have to take another look."

He was in a hurry when he passed by here last time, just taking a hurried glance and leaving, and hadn't had time to carefully observe this city.

Now that the tense atmosphere between the labyrinth of Lei Ming County and the Principality of Campbell had eased, and the latter was in a troubled time, temporarily unable to take care of the labyrinth side, Luo Yan finally had enough time to carefully look at his neighbor's family background.

Passing through the bustling market, Luo Yan found a carriage at the end of the street, took Sarah and sat on it, and then took out a shining Aosi gold coin and threw it to the driver.

Looking at the gold coin in his hand, the driver was startled.

He had been driving for so many years, and this was the first time he had received a gold coin from a guest, so much so that he couldn't speak clearly.

"My, my lord... your money, I, I can't make change." That sun-reddened face was full of embarrassment, and a trace of panic.

He was just a driver, he couldn't afford to offend anyone, and didn't want to get involved in troublesome things.

Even if he admitted that the light of the gold was very tempting.

Luo Yan didn't make things difficult for this poor guy, just spoke in a tone that matched his current persona.

"No need to make change, I've chartered this carriage, from now until the end of this month, you only work for me... any other questions?"

"No problem, my lord! From now on, you are my master, just tell me where you want to go!" The driver agreed excitedly, but any hesitation for another second would be disrespectful to the Emperor printed on the gold coin!

In Lei Ming City, human labor is the least valuable thing.

He worked hard for a month, and at most he would earn 2000 copper coins. This one gold coin was enough for him to earn for five months!

Although this horse and this carriage were not his things, he still unhesitatingly made the decision for his boss.

After all, such a generous mysterious guest, he believed that even his boss would only have the part of fawning over him, as for offending, he wouldn't dare to do it at all. Luo Yan nodded slightly, looking at him and saying.

"What is your name."

The driver immediately replied.

"Pang Ke! Master, or you can call me whatever you find smooth."

Watching the driver who was frantically fawning, Luo Yan smiled faintly, and continued in a gentle but majestic tone.

"Okay Pang Ke, I'm here in this countryside for the first time, now tell me, where do travelers like me usually stay?"

Someone who could call Lei Ming City a countryside could only be a noble from the Empire.

Seeing the purple-to-black pupils and hair, as well as the silent female guard beside him, Pang Ke was even more convinced of his guess, and even filled in the identity of this lord in his brain.

Not daring to have the slightest neglect, he learned the tone of the wandering bard who was said to have come from the Empire in the tavern, and said respectfully.

"Distinguished guests like you usually stay on Queen Street near the port, where there are the most luxurious hotels and restaurants in all of Lei Ming City, and the people who enter and exit those places are the richest people in all of Lei Ming City. If you stay there, you definitely won't feel bored!"

Luo Yan nodded and ordered.

=9+Book_Bar

"Then let's go there."

"As you command!"

Pang Ke responded enthusiastically, then shook the reins in his hand with great energy, and drove the carriage toward the urban area of Lei Ming City with great spirit.

Because his attention was entirely on the gold coin and the guest in the carriage, he didn't notice that the horse he was driving was trembling in its legs, and its nose was spraying low neighs of fear.

The pressure of dragon blood, although not as strong as the dragon itself, was still a huge deterrent to ordinary livestock.

Especially at such a close distance...

The carriage set off slowly, and before long, it left the bustling market and walked from the flat stone road to the country road packed with snow.

Their current location was equivalent to the outer city of Lei Ming City, and there was still a not-so-short stretch of pastoral scenery between them and the city walls and core urban area of Lei Ming City.

Low cottages in the distance were smoking with cooking smoke, the air was faintly filled with the smell of burning firewood, and a few orange-yellow lights warmed the snow-covered horizon. A winding small river flowed with the road, the river water was clear and slow, reflecting the sunset glow, flashing with sparkling waves.

Luo Yan's gaze had been staying outside the window, carefully observing everything he saw along the way, and recorded everything, whether it was the pedestrians nearby or the scenery in the distance, with a recording crystal quietly.

On one hand, this could serve as a reference for him to formulate subsequent strategies, and on the other hand, it could be put on the official website as a cake for the next version update.

Or a promotional PV.

The carriage continued to move for a distance, and as time passed, Luo Yan's vision was filled with the outline of the city again.

The pastoral scenery was replaced by low red brick houses, growing like moss in the area between the city walls and the rushing river. This was the residential area for workers, with houses crowded together, almost without any green space. The street began to become noisy, and the air was filled with the smell of coal smoke and grease.

Besides that, the road here was obviously much wider than just now, but it was also much dirtier and messier. The street was full of footprints and wheel tracks, mixed with dirty water, looking muddy and unbearable. The towering chimneys were emitting slow black smoke, merging with the gray sunset in the distance.

People were hurrying in thick coats, as if rushing from one grid to another, not stopping for a moment. Children were playing and frolicking on the side of the street, piling up crooked snowmen with snow, and then inserting coal balls picked up on them as noses. Vendors were pushing stove carts full of charcoal, selling steaming chestnuts and pies, and the whole street was filled with tempting aromas.

"Respected master, this is the industrial area of Lei Ming City! Although many people don't like this place, and the prosperity here can't compare with that urban area near the port, in my opinion, this is the place with the most fireworks in all of Lei Ming City!"

"And this factory outside your window, you might not have heard of it, but as long as you have taken a steamship, you must have seen its masterpiece! Half of the steam boilers on the Whirlpool Sea are produced here, it is said that its shadow can be seen even on the distant front line!"

Passing by a power machine factory, Pang Ke's face was full of pride and self-esteem, saying enthusiastically.

Although the Principality of Campbell is not big, its area is far from being as vast as the Empire, but the prosperity of the Empire is also inseparable from this screw of theirs!

Luo Yan smiled faintly and didn't speak.

When Miss Mi Ya needs performance one day, just blow up this factory and hand it in as performance, four-five-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-

Feeling the atmosphere turn a bit awkward, Pangke, who was driving the carriage, swallowed his saliva and changed the subject to continue.

"Speaking of which, Master, I still don't know your name... Of course, if you don't want to tell me, that's fine too; I absolutely don't mind!"

Luo Yan felt embarrassed to call himself Qin Shi Huang again; after all, this disguise might be used for a slightly longer time, so he thought seriously for a moment and said.

"Luoxai Prince Kelin."

That was his father's name.

Although the Prince Kelin family was famous in the Underworld, few people in the Campbell Principality, far from the front lines, knew of them, not to mention that there were many people with the same name.

Ordinary people hearing it wouldn't think in that direction at all, only taking this surname as some obscure family from the Empire.

Pangke pondered this name repeatedly, but had no impression of it at all. And this made him even more convinced of his own conjecture—this lord was indeed from some illustrious family of the Empire!

As for why such a noble guest would appear in the suburbs of Lei Ming City, he had no way of knowing, and he dared not inquire casually.

"Master Prince Kelin... may I address you this way? Please forgive my presumption, but I do not know your title."

Luo Yan replied casually.

"Suit yourself."

Perhaps sensing the impatience in that voice, Pangke finally shut his mouth, and for the rest of the journey, he didn't say another word of nonsense, until the carriage passed through the industrial district filled with the scent of smoke and fire, and after several turns, entered a clean and tidy street.

This was significantly different from the previous few blocks; the streets here were not only clean and tidy, but also had some kerosene street lamps that other streets lacked.

The snow here had been swept clean, and the street was paved with stone bricks, reflecting the lamplight, appearing moist and smooth, as if it had been polished and buffed.

Pedestrians on the road were in twos and threes, some wearing heavy woolen coats, others wearing velvet cotton-padded jackets, their steps calm and elegant, while more people were sitting in carriages.

Pangke, driving the carriage, felt out of place with his surroundings.

Regardless of himself, or the carriage he was driving.

Especially when he discovered the patrolling guards frequently casting attentive gazes at him, the expression on his face became even more restless and uneasy.

Swallowing nervously, Pangke looked sideways toward the back and asked in a low voice.

"Master Prince Kelin, we have arrived at Queen Street... May I ask which hotel you intend to stay at?"

Luo Yan said patiently.

"Whichever one you think is the most expensive, stop in front of its door."

Pangke was left between laughter and tears upon hearing this.

He was also here for the first time; how would he know which hotel was the most expensive?

Searching with his eyes along the street, he finally set his sights on a hotel that looked magnificent, so he braced himself and drove the carriage over.

On the glittering sign, the words "Embrace of the Morning Sun" were written in artistic script, and waiters wearing wool coats stood in two rows at the hotel's lobby entrance like street lamps.

Looking at the shabby-looking carriage stopped at the entrance, the waiters all showed obviously strange expressions on their faces.

Not to mention Pangke, who was driving the carriage; he had already curled his toes in embarrassment long ago, wishing he could abandon the carriage and run away.

A waiter walked to the side of the carriage.

Although he seriously suspected that the two guests sitting in the carriage had taken the wrong road, he still said in a polite and proper voice.

"Respected sir, may I ask if you have reserved a room?"

Luo Yan: "No."

The smile on the waiter's face stiffened slightly, but he still said politely and with poise.

"I apologize, sir, we only receive guests who have reserved rooms in advance—"

Before his words had even finished, a gold coin bounced onto his chest. Without waiting for the Emperor's portrait to land on the snow, he bent over almost subconsciously, catching it with unprecedented speed.

"... Sir?"

Looking at the waiter whose face was filled with shock and even fanaticism, Luo Yan, sitting in the carriage, said in a gentle yet dignified tone.

"This is your tip. Now, go call your manager for me; tell him I like his hotel very much, let him name a price, I want to buy this place."

Holding the heavy gold coin in his hand, the waiter couldn't say any words of refusal at all. Seeing him, who had been as arrogant as a swan a second ago, now throw down a "Please wait a moment" with an eager face the next second, he then ran rapidly toward the hotel lobby, fearing he might be a second late in his service.

Pangke, driving the carriage, looked at his back with both envy and jealousy, then looked at Mr. Prince Kelin in the carriage, his pupils filled with heat.

Sarah frowned slightly, very much disliking this fellow's gaze.

However, thinking of the Demon King's instructions upon departure, she suppressed the dissatisfaction in her heart, focused her attention on the surroundings, and continued to be a quiet, transparent person.

And interestingly, the real "transparent person" couldn't sit still at this moment, looking at Luo Yan in surprise and whispering.

"Demon King, what are you doing?"

Luo Yan smiled faintly and answered Hearing You You's question in his heart.

"As you can see."

"I am greeting the citizens of Lei Ming City in the way they like best."

A way completely different from Ailin Campbell.

(Having been a "one-eyed" for a few days, although the lovesickness is painful, there are actually fewer typos, it's too magical...)

(End of chapter)