Chapter 179: Luring the Snake Out of the Hole, Barter, Part 1

Since they were buying gifts, the natural choice was the two shops in the Upper District that were only open to people of status. Led by Grand Knight Anluo, Dean entered these two shops without any trouble. Although they were called two shops, they were actually side by side, with the wall between them knocked down. The only thing separating them was a black curtain.

“This is a couple’s shop. Although the husband and wife have a good relationship, they sell different things and have different business philosophies. Since they didn’t want to separate, they chose two adjacent storefronts, knocked down the wall between them, but operated them separately. Punk and Anna are the names of the two bosses… Don’t worry, both bosses came from noble families, so the items here are definitely suitable to give to Baron Tier!”

Grand Knight Anluo noticed Dean’s surprised expression after entering the shop and immediately began to explain.

“Former noble family?”

Dean asked subconsciously.

“Yes, Punk and Anna were both nobles in the past. However, they ran away because they were dissatisfied with the marriages arranged by their families. It was truly admirable…”

Grand Knight Anluo clicked his tongue, a hint of yearning appearing on his face. But then, as if recalling a cruel reality, that hint of yearning turned into struggle, eventually becoming a helpless sigh. Combined with the glasses on his nose, he looked just like a depressed poet.

Suddenly, several ladies and Misses in the shop, who had been paying attention to Anluo, lit up with interest.

Dean subconsciously stepped aside. After discovering the man’s true nature, Dean finally understood why the Grand Knight rarely wore armor. When facing danger, he only wore a leather jacket. According to the man himself: “Armor? It affects my aesthetic sense! The ladies and Misses who admire me will be heartbroken if they see it.”

Undoubtedly, this Grand Knight was loyal to the Knight code and did not lack a sense of responsibility.

However, that responsibility only applied to the County King he served.

What about others?

Dean saw the man appearing melancholic, yet his peripheral vision constantly glanced at those ladies and Misses, and he occasionally threw Dean triumphant glances. Dean shrugged, expressing his helplessness.

“Little Anluo, if you continue to spread stories about us everywhere, next time I come to the shop, I will definitely double the prices!”

Just as the ladies and Misses in the shop were preparing to walk toward Anluo, a voice rang out. An elderly lady walked slowly out of the room at the back of the shop. Although she was old, her steps were graceful, and her face, preserved by time, still showed a touch of refinement.

Anyone could imagine how outstanding she must have been when she was young.

However, this elegant and refined old lady was currently carrying a hint of anger.

“This guy is Anluo the ‘Hunting Wolf.’ If you don’t want to be swallowed until not even your bones are left, get away from him quickly!”

The old lady pointed at the moth-to-flame ladies and Misses. Instantly, they began to retreat in panic. Two of them even ran straight out of the shop. It was clear that Anluo’s reputation was ‘deafening.’ Dean subconsciously moved two steps further away, acting as if he didn’t know the man.

“Madam Anna, you can’t be like this. You know, I am your loyal customer!”

Seeing the ladies and Misses avoiding him, and knowing his own reputation well, Anluo immediately looked at the old lady with a bitter smile.

“Loyal customer? Little Anluo, do you think I would believe that? You only saw those loyal customers of mine!”

The old lady mercilessly exposed their Grand Knight. She said with slight annoyance, “Just this year, I have received no less than five complaints. They are all good girls and should not suffer from your harm…” Her voice became stern as she continued, “If this happens again in my shop, I will directly protest to Lord Marquis and ban you from entering within a radius of half a hundred yards of my shop!”

“Alright, alright, I will pay attention!”

Anluo raised his hands, trying to show his sincerity. However, seeing the old lady’s disbelief, Dean knew that this was not the first time Anluo had done this.

“Hello, I am Dean Ken. I am here to choose some gifts!”

When the old lady looked at him with suspicion, Dean immediately stated his purpose. He absolutely did not want to be misunderstood or spread any bad rumors that might affect his image as a ‘Perfect Knight.’

“Dean, Dean Ken… That future Gold-rank Knight? Your visit truly honors me!”

The old lady paused, muttered quietly to herself, and then suddenly exclaimed as if she had realized something.

“You are too kind!”

Dean waved his hands repeatedly.

“Come, since you are the future Gold-rank Knight, I think some of my items will be very suitable for your friend… And, Little Anluo, you are not allowed to enter the shop anymore. Go to Punk’s side right now!”

Warmly greeting Dean, the old lady did not forget to sternly ‘exile’ Anluo.

“Alright, alright, don’t worry, I will go find Punk!”

Anluo said this and then quickly disappeared into the shop.

Dean was led by the old lady to a counter, where some small accessories and crafts were displayed.

“You are picking gifts for a friend like that… Perhaps I can give you some advice!”

After inviting Dean to sit in front of the counter, the old lady took two boxes from the counter next to them. Inside were similar accessories and crafts, but even more exquisite.

“I am picking them for a Baron and his Advisor and Guard Captain.”

Dean said simply.

“A Baron? Baron Tier? It’s that guy…”

While speaking, the old lady frowned, then took a box from another counter on the side. Inside were still accessories and crafts, and compared to what Dean had seen before, they were brighter. However, Dean, who had a considerable level of appreciation, knew that although the accessories behind looked beautiful and luxurious, they were slightly inferior compared to the previous ones. Wearing them would not show a person’s inner qualities, only adding an extra ‘shiny’ point.

It was like a nouveau riche who wanted to encrust their whole body in gold and diamonds.

Of course, Dean would not think that this Madam had any ill intentions. This was merely because Baron Tier was well-known.

“Um, can I directly call you Dean?”

“Of course!”

Dean nodded affirmatively.

“Dean, you know a lot about appreciation… At least you have studied it specifically!”

The old lady smiled and pointed to the boxes placed in front of them.

“I was taught by my family Teacher when I was young.”

Dean said casually. Having a fictional family was enough to cover up Dean’s versatility.

“Hmm, an unusual family. Of course, Dean, you are also very hardworking. Boys rarely put effort into appreciating accessories and crafts; they prefer wielding swords… Don’t worry, for Baron Tier, this one is more suitable. As for that Advisor, is it Ikes?”

“Uh-huh!”

“Then he should like this one— Ikes is a good boy, Baron Tier is also a good boy, just a bit dumb!”

The old lady took a hand-sized sailboat model from a craft box on the side and then evaluated Baron Tier and that Advisor straightforwardly.

Dean smiled lightly and said nothing.

Obviously, just from the old lady’s words and deeds, Dean could see that she was extraordinary. At least, casually evaluating a Lord and treating a Grand Knight so casually were things a former noble lady who had traveled far from home could not do.

Therefore, Dean trusted her judgment.

“As for the Guard Captain, it is Allenor… Here, there are no things that Allenor likes… Follow me!”

The old lady said and stood up. She lifted the black curtain on the side and walked into the neighboring shop.

Dean followed her in.

Although he had vaguely seen some goods through the door before, he was still surprised by the room filled with swords, spears, and armor after truly entering.

“Is she the designated merchant for Marquis Vauban?”

Dean thought silently.

Undoubtedly, only someone with such identity could operate weapons and armor in the Upper District.

“Punk, Punk!”

The old lady called out. Immediately, an elderly gentleman walked over from the back of the shop. His coarse linen coat had spots of oil stains, making the already dull linen look even more miserable. His face was also covered in grease, making it difficult to see his features, no matter how hard the old gentleman wiped it with a cloth.

“You sloppy guy, don’t move, let me wipe it for you!”

The old lady scolded him in a low voice, then took out a white handkerchief and carefully wiped her husband. Instantly, that dominance turned into gentleness.

Dean looked at Punk and Anna in front of him, and the corner of his mouth couldn’t help but curl into a smile. The love between the two old couples made him respect and envy them.

“Dean, sorry, Punk is not good with words, but his eye and craftsmanship are very good!”

Turning around, the old lady smiled apologetically.

“Not being good with words is better than having sweet talk!”

Dean spoke his true inner thoughts frankly.

“That’s right, that’s right!”

The old lady nodded repeatedly and smiled. Punk, who had entered the shop again, walked out holding a dagger, handed it to his wife, nodded kindly at Dean, turned around, and went back to the back of the shop.

“This dagger is enough as a gift for Allenor!”

The old lady handed the dagger to Dean.

Just by glancing at it, Dean nodded in satisfaction.

Even without Magic enhancement, its sharpness and toughness were very good quality.

“How much is the total?”

Dean pointed to the three items the old lady had helped him choose.

“One hundred and ten Gold Pulton!”

The old lady reported a number while wrapping the three items in a gift box.

“A fair price!”

Dean nodded and immediately took out a gemstone of almost equal value.

Whether it was Baron Tier’s accessory, Ikes’s sailboat, or the dagger chosen for Allenor, none of them were cheap. According to Dean’s judgment, they should be worth at least around one hundred and fifty Gold Pulton. The one hundred and ten Gold Pulton offered by the old lady was clearly a discounted price.

Indeed, the next moment, the old lady laughed.

“This is a discounted price. Facing the future Gold-rank Knight, of course, I need to make an early investment!”

The old lady said with a hint of joking.

“I hope I won’t let you down!”

Dean responded humbly.

After chatting for just two more sentences, Dean took his leave from the shop. After all, he had not finished buying all his gifts. Besides Baron Tier, Ikes, and Allenor, the young people who stayed-behind in the Knight Order and did not come to Vauban City obviously also needed a small gift to comfort their unsettled minds.

Dean did not want any chaos in his Knight Order due to some inner resentment.

Of course, the gifts would not be very expensive.

After all, the young people who followed him to Vauban City were the ones Dean truly valued, and they were facing great risks—Sitting back and enjoying the rewards without doing anything?

Dean certainly would not do such a thing.

Therefore, ‘Punk and Anna’ were obviously unsuitable. This was a shop open to rich merchants and Nobles, not Commoners.

Even the items in the shops on the commercial street in the Lower District seemed somewhat expensive.

So, Dean’s gaze naturally fell on those people setting up stalls outside the shops.

Most of these people were traveling merchants from within Vauban County, while a small portion were locals from the Civilian District of Vauban City, making some handcrafted goods to exchange for some household subsidies.

Dean walked and stopped, his eyes scanning everywhere.

Although there were many items on the stalls, none of them perfectly suited Dean’s thoughts—either they were too cheap or too expensive.

The former would appear perfunctory.

The latter would only appear more unfair.

Therefore, Dean continued to browse, looking like he was focused on shopping.

For those spies following behind him, this became relaxing. After all, on the busy commercial street, the crowd was the greatest camouflage.

Feeling those guys behind him, Dean sneered in his heart and continued to complete his own business.

As for these spies?

They were naturally handled by the Grand Knight Anluo.

This was their agreement in the first place.

Of course, buying gifts was real.

However, ‘cleaning up’ the ‘dark’ forces in Vauban City was also real—This was a request from Grand Knight Anluo. Without delaying his own matters, Dean would naturally not refuse. Furthermore, Grand Knight Anluo had provided a certain reward: he paid for the gifts.

Therefore, Dean did not pay attention to those spies at all.

As for when to arrest them?

It was definitely not possible in such a crowded place now, as it might cause accidental injuries.

Moreover, that Grand Knight Anluo would not be content with harvesting such a small amount: the lairs of these ‘dark’ forces were the true target of this Grand Knight.

For this, Dean wished this Grand Knight good luck.

Perhaps these ‘dark’ forces, in direct combat, were no match for Anluo. Even if they all attacked together, it would not be a big deal for Anluo.

However, in terms of stealth and concealment, it was not certain.

But, facing the confident Anluo, Dean did not speak these words—In most cases, facts were the most powerful evidence.

Even if you already had a guess.

Dean continued to stroll on the commercial street, completing his unfinished task—Until before lunch, which was the time agreed upon by Dean and Anluo.

And during this period, Dean was destined not to leave.

Since he could not leave, Dean naturally did not mind relaxing himself properly.

Even if, actually calculated, it was only about three hours.

After putting the purchased gifts back in his own shop and refusing Old Anders’s request to send someone to accompany him, Dean appeared on the commercial street again.

Compared to the previous quick glance, this time he was more meticulous.

He occasionally walked up to the stalls, carefully examining the items, and then asked the boss behind the stall about the price fluctuations. If it met his expectations, he would buy it. If not, he would not force it. Dean would stand up and walk to the next stall, wearing a smile, looking leisurely and carefree.

Under such a rhythm, after about an hour and a bit, Dean had bought everything he needed to buy. Then, he looked up at the Sun, which was very close to the agreed time.

Therefore, he did not plan to continue, but once again walked toward his shop.

He did not plan to spend the rest of the time in his shop. Instead, he would take the gifts he had previously purchased and return to his residence. After all, in the afternoon, he had other things to do.

However, as soon as he approached the shop, before even entering, Dean clearly heard Old Anders’s helpless voice coming from inside.

“Madam, we cannot accept barter here. Please exchange it for Gold Pulton and come back!”

Old Anders’s voice carried sincerity, but anyone could hear the helplessness in it.

“Why? Do you think we are deceiving you?”

A woman’s voice with a slightly strange tone rang out.

“No, no, of course not, we just…”

“Then why not exchange?”

Obviously, a tangled situation had fallen into the shop.

“May I ask what is being exchanged for what?”

Dean stepped inside.

“My Lord!”

Immediately, the shop assistants, including Old Anders, bowed to Dean who had just walked in. The woman with the strange tone also looked at Dean.