novelraw Chapter 68: Opening the Trade
Chapter 68: Opening the Trade
[Crimson Eyeball (Junk): A blood-red eyeball taken from the head of a Corrupted creature. Its use is unknown.] x2
[Bloodstained Linen Clothes (Junk): A set of old clothes made of linen, heavily stained with blood.]
Clicking the two junk items indeed brought up the gift option.
[Do you want to give these items to the “Blind Merchant”?]
These two pieces of junk were clearly key to advancing the story.
[You give the “Crimson Eyeballs” and “Bloodstained Linen Clothes” to the “Blind Merchant,” and remove the chains binding it.]
[It takes the two eyeballs and embeds them into its empty sockets, then puts on the bloodstained clothes.]
[The “Blind Merchant” is very grateful and is finally willing to speak with you.]
[It begs you to escort it back to the Exchange. If you agree, it will reward you handsomely.]
[Kind-hearted Apostle, do you agree?]As expected, gifting the two items triggered the next stage of the quest.
Lin Xun pressed “Yes.”
[The “Blind Merchant” is overjoyed and cautiously follows behind you, glancing around warily from time to time.]
Still, Lin Xun was skeptical, after being mugged by the Dancer, what valuables could the merchant possibly still have?
And there was something suspicious about how the merchant ended up imprisoned here.
The eyeballs and clothing dropped by the Dancer confirmed that the merchant had indeed been robbed.
The Dancer even had the cell key on its body. But when the Slave Master saw the Dancer, the game didn’t display any recognition between them.
He returned to the Slave Master and tried to initiate dialogue again.
[The “Corrupted Slave Master” glances at you, tilts its head in confusion, then continues its noble undertaking…]
Lin Xun tried leading the merchant back to the upper-level fruit shop, then returned alone to the cell using the Dancer shell and spoke to the Slave Master.
The text was identical, no new dialogue appeared.
Lin Xun frowned slightly. It seemed the Slave Master’s story was over.
He switched back to the Yellow-Robed Bishop and escorted the merchant out of Saint Rance Marketplace.
The route from the marketplace to the Exchange had no enemies. The monsters behind the Exchange had already been cleared out earlier.
[You bring the “Blind Merchant” into the Exchange…]
[It seems extremely happy to return to its home. The only regret is that the Exchange’s main gate has been blasted to ash, and a massive hole gapes in one of the interior walls.]
[The “Blind Merchant” chants a long, complex incantation, and a large linen sack appears on its back out of thin air.]
[It gropes its way to the windowsill and hands you a familiar item list.]
[You accept the list and find that all items are now listed at half price, this is the “Blind Merchant’s” way of showing gratitude…]
[Wooden Arrows: Made from wooden shafts and iron heads, these crude arrows require a bow or crossbow. Spirit Essence Cost: 10. Quantity Remaining: 10]
[Flame Jar (Throwable Item): A ceramic jar imbued with flame energy. When thrown and shattered, it erupts into flames. Spirit Essence Cost: 15. Quantity Remaining: 5]
[Crimson Flame Jar (Throwable Item): An enhanced Flame Jar infused with Corruption. Its power is slightly increased. Spirit Essence Cost: 50. Quantity Remaining: 5]
[Corrupted Red Sorrel (Item): A precious herb tainted with Corruption. Can slightly relieve fatigue for devout followers of the Blood Sun. Spirit Essence Cost: 100. Quantity Remaining: 5]
[Lucky Gold Coin (Special Item): A golden coin blessed by an unknown entity. While carrying this item, your luck will be slightly increased. Spirit Essence Cost: 1500. Quantity Remaining: 1]
[What will you choose? Or will you quietly leave, empty-handed?]
“Oh? I can still buy stuff!”
Lin Xun had assumed the merchant was completely looted by the Dancer. He hadn’t expected to regain access to the trade function after rescuing him.
Hmm, maybe the merchant refused to hand over his wares, which led to the Dancer secretly imprisoning him?
He speculated on the backstory.
Aside from all items now being half-priced, the two junk items had vanished from the list.
“To ask your savior for payment feels a bit coldhearted.”
Since a free handout wasn’t happening, he stuck to his original plan and bought the Lucky Gold Coin and one Corrupted Red Sorrel.
After opening the inventory and clicking on the Corrupted Red Sorrel, he confirmed it could indeed restore fatigue.
Lin Xun bought the remaining Corrupted Red Sorrels as well, spending a total of 2000 Spirit Essence. He now had about 2500 Spirit Essence left.
He opened his inventory to inspect his new items, then tried manifesting the Lucky Gold Coin.
A worn, ancient golden coin appeared in his hand. It was slightly larger than a normal coin, heavy to the touch, and faintly glowed with a subtle light.
Lin Xun blinked, the Lucky Gold Coin was said to improve luck. He wanted to test its effect.
Under the cover of night, he dashed downstairs and headed outside the complex. The lottery shop beside the late-night snack stalls was still open.
He bought a few scratch tickets and used the coin to scratch them.
A 10 yuan ticket won 10 yuan. A 20 yuan ticket won 20 yuan.
It was the same for all of them. No losses, no gains.
“It really is just a slight boost to luck…”
His fantasy of winning five million in his youth did not come true.
Lin Xun returned home and carefully put away the coin, then continued the game.
[The “Blind Merchant” has received a great sum of Spirit Essence from you and is very pleased.]
[It takes out a small iron box from the linen sack, secured with a metal-inscribed lock.]
[The “Blind Merchant” tells you that the box contains a treasure and relics of its deceased wife.]
[Sadly, it failed to escape Saint Rance, and the key was lost somewhere along the way.]
[If you can find the key, it will open the box and give the treasure to you.]
Lin Xun’s eyes lit up. He had found a key in the moat named “Cross Pendant of the Dead Wife.” That was probably the key to this iron box.
He opened the inventory and selected “Cross Pendant of the Dead Wife.”
[Do you want to give the “Cross Pendant of the Dead Wife” (Key) to the “Blind Merchant”?]
After clicking “Yes,” the game responded exactly as he’d expected.
[The “Blind Merchant” takes the pendant from your hands, gazing at you in disbelief with its crimson, unseeing eyes.]
[It uses the cross pendant to unlock the small iron box, revealing a long metallic strip and a jumble of its wife’s old belongings.]
[The “Blind Merchant” hands you the metal strip.]
[You received “Luminous Talisman” (Item).]
Lin Xun quickly opened his inventory to check.
[Luminous Talisman (Item): A charm made of unknown metal, long and narrow in shape, etched with strange symbols and lines. When carried, low-level phantoms will avoid you, and you will not be attacked by them.]