I was an apprentice in Ferren

Chapter 72 Understand
“I want 5000 gold coins. I don’t care how much extra you can earn or how much tax is here. I just want 5000.”

DuPont's words shocked Johnny, but the dwarf did not laugh. Instead, he put on his glasses, silently picked up a pen, and quickly wrote something down. After ten seconds, he looked at Johnny and said, "Alright, half-orc kid, this is none of your business. Get lost."

Johnny left in disappointment upon hearing this. The dwarf greeted DuPont and a tall bodyguard and led them to a private room next door. After taking their seats, he got straight to the point: "Your price is unreasonable. According to what you said, this item should sell for at least 6000 gold coins. This price is too high. Only high-level professionals can afford it, or a group of people can pool their money to buy it."

“High-level professionals rarely stay in a city for long, and they may not necessarily lack such things. Ordinary adventurers simply cannot afford them. 5000 gold coins are enough for them to buy several rare-grade magical equipment, which actually improves their combat power much more than this thing.”

“You’re right, but are there any wealthy nobles whose children have weaker constitutions? I think those people would be more willing to spend money.” DuPont said, leaning back in his chair with a nonchalant air. “Not to mention, old man, you just need to earn a little less. Even if you pay taxes after selling it for 5500, you’ll only have 250 left. That’s no small sum.”

Hearing this, the dwarf frowned: "Your math skills must have been taught by goblins. Never mind, I won't argue with you illiterate people. Kid, the source of your goods is questionable, and selling them could cause trouble, not to mention it doesn't comply with my rules."

“Rules are meant to be broken. We’re already this far, do you think I’d go around bragging about it? I’m not that stupid.” DuPont laughed. “Besides, whether the source is legitimate or not doesn’t affect the equipment’s effectiveness. Of course, I don’t mind charging 200 less gold coins, just 4800.”

DuPont's words relieved the dwarf, but DuPont's next words made him anxious again: "However, I need 3000 gold coins now, and the rest can be collected next week."

"This is a bit difficult," the dwarf frowned upon hearing this. "Not only is it difficult to pay in advance, but time is also tight. Finding a suitable buyer is not an easy task, and this money will also tie up my cash flow."

“The time can be extended to half a month, but I must withdraw the 3000 gold coins for this deal now. I don’t lack money, so why sell this thing? Wouldn’t it be better to keep it for myself?” DuPont’s tone left no room for doubt: “Not to mention that you can earn several hundred gold coins in a few days with this amount of capital. I don’t know where you can find such a good deal. Old man, don’t let money blind you and cause you to miss out on such a good business.”

"...Alright, you can come back next week, but I can't guarantee the rest of the payment will be settled." The dwarf said, pushing six money pouches in front of DuPont: "Count them?"

DuPont took the bag and weighed it in his hand. When he got the fourth one, he frowned and put it aside, then took the rest of the money bags: "This bag is 13 short."

"Huh?" The dwarf's surprised expression relaxed after hearing this. He gave his bodyguard a look, and the burly man nodded and went out. After a while, he returned with a balance scale. After placing the chips on it, he immediately looked ashamed: "Damn it, I don't know which drow enslaved bastard dared to fool me. Don't worry, I'll make up for it for you right away."

DuPont shrugged and didn't say anything, his eyes half-smiling as he patiently waited for the dwarf to take out his money. His arrogant appearance made the burly man next to him frown, but the dwarf seemed unaware of what was going on and took out 14 gold coins and placed them in front of DuPont: "Consider the extra gold coin as my entry fee for you today, kid with impressive skills."

DuPont just smiled and put the gold coins away, thinking that although this system was incredibly rip-off, its counting was much more accurate than any manual skill: "Alright, old man, give me an IOU. I'm going to see if there's anything suitable to buy later."

“You’re right, an IOU.” The dwarf said as he began to write. DuPont coughed at this moment. The dwarf seemed to remember something, put down the quill pen he was holding, took out another quill pen and a bottle of new ink from his spatial bag, wrote a few strokes, stamped a small seal, and then took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes: “Oh dear, old people are always confused and forgetful. Come on, kid, write your name here.”

DuPont confirmed it and used "Desolation" as a pseudonym. The dwarf took the IOU, tore off the first page, and kept the second page for himself: "Smart kid, come and visit often when you have time. There's always something you want here."

"Thanks. By the way, did those caravans from the Eastern Desert have anything interesting?" The dwarf, currently admiring the Health Amulet, replied casually, "Some strangely shaped alien weapons, some novel enchantments that don't deviate much from the traditional categories, a group of human women with waists much thinner than their hips wearing shiny armor plates, and a group of arrogant yet strange warriors. I'm not interested in the human women, but judging from your appearance, you should be human. If you're interested, you can go check out the second hall; it costs 2 gold coins per ride, but I don't know exactly how long the queue will last."

"Then forget it. Which stall is their shop at?"

"The last one on the left, you can tell at a glance that their clothes are different."

DuPont put the IOU into his spatial bag and got up to leave. After he left, the dwarf chuckled, put the health amulet around his neck, and asked the bodyguard, "How's it going?"

"So handsome, Dad."

"4800 gold coins, that's a bit expensive..." the dwarf muttered in dissatisfaction. The bodyguard glanced at the closed door and asked in a low voice, "Then, Dad, should we call Black Hand and the others? This kid has a spatial bag, who knows, he might have other rich guys with him. He's rolling in money."

"What are you doing? Using your own people? What if someone finds out and ruins the reputation we've worked so hard to build? I told you long ago to avoid doing such mindless things. Why are you still acting like a robber?" The dwarf shook his head. The burly man scratched his head, but didn't seem angry; he just chuckled awkwardly. "Well..."

The dwarf sneered, "It's not expensive to buy it for 3000 gold coins. Let others handle the rest. If they're sensible, they'll definitely give us half. If they're not, we can teach them to be sensible after we've finished."

After dismissing the bodyguards, the dwarf took out the health amulet again and stared intently at the emerald on it.

I was almost fooled, but a newbie is a newbie. No matter how well he hides it, you can see through him after a few words. But how did this guy get such wealth?

The dwarf took out a gemstone, rubbed it slightly to make it shine, and said to the gemstone, "Ironhead will go out tonight. After he goes out, follow behind him and keep an eye on him."

"Yes, Dad, but should I keep an eye on Iron Head or be his backup plan?"

"Just be a backup plan. If those kids are obedient, we won't make a move. On the contrary, if something unexpected happens, you need to stop Tie Tou in time. I don't want to see any Blackie come looking for trouble."

"clear."

(End of this chapter)