Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 595 First Encounter
The scroll guardian only gave the mage a general overview; he didn't even know the specific details, which could only be known by the guardians responsible for the subdivided areas.

Of course, this service isn't free; it includes book searching, consultation and advice, copying and photocopying, and so on...

The store offers a complete range of fee-charging options to ensure that visitors' spending power is fully utilized, powerfully demonstrating the truth of the saying "knowledge is wealth" and "there is a golden house in books."

While not exactly a miser, Mr. Zhang was certainly frugal and meticulous with his spending, always cutting back on expenses. He simply couldn't come up with the money for this sum.

Besides, there's no need for such trouble. Others search carefully to find things on Taobao, but Mr. Zhang is here to buy wholesale goods.

Even though most of the visitors to Candle Castle are wise, knowledgeable, and erudite scholars and monks, reading and memorizing several books a day is already their limit, the wonder lies in the fact that Zhang Yuan possesses more than just exceptional intelligence. The real document harvester is the system's built-in recording function.

One relies on manual memorization, while the other directly scans and inputs data into a database; the efficiency difference between the two is enormous.

"The Evolution of Conjuration in the Post-Netheril Era" is interesting.

"The Evolution of Spellcasting Methods and the Formation of the Spell Position System in the Broken Era," here you go!

He took out one book after another, glanced at them briefly, and then put them back, as if he were just glancing at the collection on the bookshelf.

What appears to outsiders as a wasteful act of picking corn is actually the unleashing of treasured books into Master Zhang's memory and halls.

From experimental manuscripts to books of magical concepts; from ancient secrets to contemporary changes, a whole region's precious knowledge was being brutally harvested right under the guardian's nose in a way and with an efficiency he could never have imagined.

As the monk ventured deeper into the area, he noticed that the bookshelves, located in a secluded spot, were already covered in accumulated dust and cobwebs.

Zhang Yuan leisurely pulled out and flipped through these piles of old papers, casually brushing away the dust on them.

'For me, a high-ranking mage and lord, to act as your free cleaner isn't exactly taking advantage of you.'

He thought to himself with a clear conscience that even if Omar were there in person, his reasoning would still be sound.

A short while later, a great reader came to the side and politely but firmly invited him to leave.

It wasn't that they were caught red-handed swindling money; it was simply that the time had come for the library to close.

Candleburg has a very strict curfew at night. Even in the outer ring of the Qi Court, only the chirping of summer insects can be heard in the quiet night, let alone in the core of the main building.

These visitors must leave at night to find their own accommodation and help support the hotel business.

The expensive opportunity to visit Candleburg only allows a ten-day stay. Time is money, so how can we bear to waste too much time on this?
Besides, the books in Candleburg are not available for loan, so why would we just watch the whole night go to waste?
Of course not! The lounge inside Candlecastle is happy to open its doors to you, if you'd be willing to pay that tiny, insignificant accommodation fee.

Not much, ten gold coins a night, only twice the price of the most luxurious hotel in Deep Water City.

Mr. Zhang was too lazy to pay this unnecessary expense. With a huge pile of documents, he could simply go to a hotel and lie down, like an old ox with all four stomachs full, rumining over the information in his mind.

"Your Excellency, this is your pan-fried ribs. Please enjoy."

Inside the Candleburg Inn, the owner, Winthrop, who was almost as fat as a ball, brought over dinner.

Steaming hot lamb ribs are placed on a plate. The originally somewhat greasy fat is pan-fried until slightly browned, leaving only a melt-in-your-mouth aroma that blends perfectly with the delicious lamb meat.

Served with potatoes fried in mutton fat and appetizing pickled cabbage, even the cartilage was chewed up and swallowed by Mr. Zhang, who had good teeth.

After eating and drinking his fill, Zhang Yuan returned to his room to rest. The bedroom at Erjin Hostel was far less luxurious than other hostels in the same price range, but considering its advantageous location, it was understandable.

Lying on the neat and clean bed, the monk, seemingly asleep with his eyes closed, was mentally reeling in the day's findings like a film projector. Setting aside in-depth reading for now, he first went through the entire stack of books, browsing the table of contents and then categorizing and prioritizing them according to their content.

Falling asleep with the joy of a bountiful harvest and waking up with the anticipation of a harvest, another beautiful day begins, accompanied by a simple, ordinary happiness, like a mouse falling into a rice jar.

"Good morning, esteemed monk. Would you like a delicious breakfast?"

"Of course, if it tastes as good as the lamb chops from last night."

"I guarantee your satisfaction."

Winslop patted his chest, but only caused a ripple in his beer belly.

"Hi, here's your breakfast. Have a nice day."

The tray was brought by a little girl. She was pretty, with a sweet and bright smile. Her short red hair was not yet shoulder-length and did not cover her smooth forehead.

She blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering, and her jewel-like wine-red eyes darted around as she curiously examined the strange man before her.

Among those who visit Candle Castle, there is no shortage of learned elders and scholars with white hair who have devoted themselves to studying the classics, but it is rare to find someone with such a young appearance as Master Zhang.

Although her mind was quick and she was also very nimble, the girl neatly arranged the breakfast while glancing at the food a few times, which she thought was a discreet gesture.

"Thank you, beautiful lady, your smile brightened up the morning sun."

Despite his affected manner and outwardly refined demeanor, Mr. Zhang was inwardly turbulent. How could he not guess who the pretty red-haired girl in pink was?

"Huh? Do all people outside speak so nicely? Or are you just good at flattering others?"

The girl didn't rush off; she chatted casually with the monk.

"If you like something beautiful or hate something foul, your heart will be moved and your words will express it. That's all. What's the point of flattery?"

The little girl only half understood what Master Zhang was saying in his flowery language. Her pink lips opened and closed silently like a fish caught in a trap, which amused the monk.

"Don't just focus on me. If you neglect the other customers, the boss will scold you."

"Hmph, he only gives me that little bit of pocket money each time. It's already kind of me to make him work for me."

That's what she said, but she still made a face and was about to leave.

"Hi, I'm Aimon, nice to meet you."

"Call me Chanem."

As he spoke, he extended his right hand: "It's our custom."

"You outsiders are really interesting."

Aimon chuckled, patted the monk's hand, and then skipped away without letting him hold it.

Interesting, Zhang Yuan thought to himself. After finishing the breakfast in front of him, he headed to the main library to continue his data migration project.

Thank you JOJOLeo and 昭梧 for your monthly tickets!