Chapter 158: The Meeting, Part 2

Dean, who was talking about soaking bread in stew soup, smiled and nodded as he took two jars containing Honey and goat’s milk. He then spoke directly to his subordinates: “Everyone, thank Miss Lily!”

“Thank you, Miss Lily!”

The young people looked at the Honey and goat’s milk and couldn’t help but cheer.

Naturally, this cheer was clearly heard by the young lady from the Baron’s family who was having her meal in another room. Her hands, which were elegantly holding her knife and fork, clenched tight the next moment.

Then, she weakly let go, only to clench them again.

After repeating this several times, she finally regained her calm.

The two Barons’ Guards standing in the room also let out a long sigh of relief— they were truly worried that their young lady might do something excessive.

After all, Dean’s status and position were completely different now.

He was about to receive a title, and he also had the appreciation of Marquis Vauban.

If something bad happened at this time, it would be a loss far greater than the gain, especially since Dean had clearly expressed his intention to stay in Tier Territory.

However, the next moment, these two Guards began to complain about Dean again.

Wasn’t their young lady’s behavior obvious enough?

A guy as clueless about romance was really rare to see!

Dean naturally couldn’t hear the thoughts of the two Guards, but was Dean really clueless about romance?

Obviously, this was impossible.

As a former Assassin, he was extremely good at reading people’s expressions and understanding the mood.

He naturally knew exactly what that young lady from Baron Tier’s family was thinking.

However, precisely because he understood so clearly, Dean refused her even more directly—

After all, this young lady’s heart didn’t just contain feelings, but also some other motives.

He was already making a name for himself in Vauban County and had an appearance of boundless potential.

Although that young lady had grown up in the doting and lenient environment of Baron Tier, her thoughts were still those of a Noble: find a husband whom she didn’t truly dislike, who had a bright future, could protect the entire Territory, and even make the Territory prosper.

Undoubtedly, this was the thought of that young lady from Baron Tier’s family.

And Dean would not object to this.

However, it did not mean that Dean himself was willing to accept it—Lainey in the Capital of Emerald was his lover, and Dean had not forgotten this point.

Similarly, the Emerald Grand Duke also hated this kind of ‘unfaithful in love’ person.

Even if such things were common among the Nobles in Emerald.

So, Dean naturally refused.

Of course, considering the girl’s dignity, Dean was very tactful, far from being as ruthless and merciless as he was in battle.

The lunch continued. With the addition of Honey and goat’s milk, the dining table became even livelier—had it not been for temporarily staying at Marquis Vauban’s place, the ‘tradition’ of the Ferrchelen Knight Order’s three meals would have played out again.

In fact, even if it didn’t play out, the smell of gunpowder was exceptionally strong.

The knives and forks in the young people’s hands turned into Longswords at this moment, clashing back and forth in endless battle.

The powerful do not necessarily get more, because the weak will unite. It was like Theron—who was the strongest among the young people—he was often the first to be defeated.

Because the young people all knew that unless they took down their Captain, they wouldn’t think about enjoying the delicious food.

This moment was no exception—

“Ike, Chad, you bastards, let go of my knife and fork!”

Theron shouted loudly, but Ike and Chad pressed down on Theron’s knife and fork even harder, and in the end, they even pressed their entire bodies onto them.

The young people around quickly moved. They carved the roast meat, spread the Honey, and poured the goat’s milk into cups, all in one smooth motion. Of course, they didn’t forget the biggest heroes, Ike and Chad.

Almost everyone had enough portions, only then did Ike and Chad return to normal, leaving Theron with just the remnants of the food. However, obviously, the young people wouldn’t truly let Theron go hungry. Even just those remnants were enough.

But Theron still shouted loudly.

“You damn guys, you bunch of damn guys! In the future, I will definitely take you all down by myself!”

While stuffing food into his mouth, Theron made vows and oaths.

The young people who were similarly wolfing down their food didn’t look up, but gave their Captain the middle finger.

Throughout it all, Dean watched with a smile—for this kind of ‘food grabbing’ that could increase the friendship among young people, teach them to cooperate, and establish courage in facing the strong, Dean expressed his respect to the Grand Duchess once again.

Huck, who was sitting next to Dean, had long since gotten used to such scenes and also let out a hearty laugh.

However, unlike those innocent young people who were subconsciously influenced, our Vice Regiment Commander obviously saw something. You could tell from the admiration in his gaze toward Dean.

Lunch ended in such a lively atmosphere. However, before Dean could take a short rest, a clerk from the ‘Gem Beauty’ shop appeared outside their residence—

“Sir, a customer proposing a large Transaction has arrived. Manager Anders cannot make a decision, and needs you to come over!”

The clerk said respectfully.

It’s here!

Dean’s heart stirred, and he quickly made arrangements: “Ike, Chad, follow me. Theron, you will cooperate with Vice Regiment Commander Huck to start the afternoon training!”

After saying this, he walked toward the outside of the residence.

As for why he left Theron behind?

Obviously, this subordinate with ‘Knight Talent’ was not suited for brainwork. At least, his Talent in business was average.

And Ike, who was active in thought, performed exceptionally well.

As for letting Chad follow?

This young man, who was the worst in archery among the group, was naturally one of Dean’s candidates for observation.

…

It was still the room behind the shop from the morning. Dean met his potential ally: Long Lang, the merchant who would later make the ‘Garendo’ Chamber of Commerce famous worldwide.

Of course, the future great merchant was currently still a Black Market merchant.

Although he had made a good name for himself in Horn Town, near the Capital of Emerald, he was far from having the strategic vision to coordinate the whole situation later on. At least, he was still haggling over a few Gold Pulions—

“Dean, Sir Dean Ken, to arrive on time as agreed, I had to rent four extra horses on the way. Shouldn’t you compensate me?”

After the attendants, including Old Anders, left, Long Lang’s slightly chubby face wore an extremely serious expression, as if this were a life-and-death conversation.

“I will compensate you, but you need to see the things I need first… If you try to fool me with inferior goods, I think our transaction will definitely be terminated!”

Dean said slowly. Then, he saw a familiar scene from his memory—

Long Lang’s face suddenly turned red. It was not out of shame, but out of anger, and then he shouted loudly.

“The reason my goods are expensive is because they are worth the money. This is my belief, and also the rule of ‘Garendo’. Please do not insult the character of me as a merchant!”

As he spoke, Long Lang slapped the table in front of him with force.

However, the next moment, this future great merchant held his hand and cried out in pain.

Obviously, in his anger, he hadn’t truly controlled his strength.

Watching this, Dean smiled. It was not that polite, superficial smile, but one from the bottom of his heart. In his memory, it was the same when they first met.

Long Lang was undoubtedly a wicked merchant, but he was a merchant with dignity and bottom lines. After he raised the price to three times the market price.

Then, he stuck to his own rules.

And this was precisely the reason Dean sought cooperation with him.

At least, he didn’t need to worry about a knife in the back.

Of course, he must give that part of the profit to the other party truthfully.

Otherwise, Long Lang’s revenge would definitely be terrifying.

“Alright, alright, the character of a merchant—although I have always believed it does not exist… Hope you will give me a surprise!”

Dean shrugged and looked at Long Lang calmly.

“Of course, you will definitely be surprised!”

Long Lang put the backpack by his feet on the table, opened it, and took out the medicinal herbs one by one—

“Blue Moon Grass, Snake Tongue Branch, Overlord Flower Stamen…”

One by one, the herbs from Dean’s list appeared on the table, and just as Long Lang had said, every one of them was of superior quality.

As for identifying medicinal herbs, Dean believed he wouldn’t misjudge.

“How is it?”

Long Lang watched Dean’s appraisal and asked irritably.

“Very good!”

Dean nodded, and a small bag of gems appeared in his hand, which he threw directly toward Long Lang.

Suddenly, Long Lang, who had just looked somewhat resentful, caught the bag with eyes shining with light. Then, after clearly seeing the gems inside, this future great merchant immediately beamed with joy.

This small bag of gems, although not much, was worth at least three hundred Gold Pulions. It was enough to cover the cost of his medicinal herbs, and it was based on his price.

For Dean, who was so straightforward, Long Lang immediately expressed his appreciation.

As for the previous anger?

It was unintentional, definitely unintentional. It must be that other merchants who didn’t know the rules had ruined this great profession of being a merchant.

Thinking this, Long Lang’s mood became increasingly pleasant.

Then, he looked left and right, leaned close to Dean, and deliberately lowered his voice, saying: “So… the channel?”

The word ‘smuggling’ in the middle was vaguely omitted by Long Lang.