Chapter 73: Encountering Bandits Again

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Upon hearing this, Xingqiu felt somewhat uneasy. How could one accept payment for acts of chivalry? It would no longer be considered righteous deeds; wouldn't that just insult his principles?

"How much is it? I'll buy it!" Xingqiu looked at Lin Feng, asking boldly.

"Um... market price is twenty thousand Mora, but since you saved my life, let's say... half off!" Seeing Xingqiu's apparent irritation, Lin Feng promptly quoted the price.

As for why not simply charge ten thousand Mora, well, they were now in Liyue, making it an export item, so naturally, he had to mark up the price!

Xingqiu was taken aback, finding it hard to believe. Such a sophisticated device, capable of communication and even reading novels... how could it be so affordable?

In his father's Feiyun Commerce Guild, it would easily fetch at least a hundred thousand Mora! Being true to his chivalrous heart, Xingqiu couldn't possibly take advantage of such a low price. He swiftly pulled out a pouch containing one hundred thousand Mora and handed it to Lin Feng.

"Take these Mora, and if it's not enough, feel free to approach the Feiyun Commerce Guild for more." Xingqiu explained sincerely.

Lin Feng held the pouch, feeling its weight, and suddenly became puzzled. Given its substantial heft, it didn't seem like merely ten thousand Mora; surely, it must be sufficient?

Seeing Lin Feng's puzzled expression, Xingqiu explained earnestly, "This pouch contains one hundred thousand Mora. Your item is truly exquisite and worth far more than just twenty thousand!"

Lin Feng's lips twitched slightly; indeed, it wasn't worth only twenty thousand Mora - he had purchased them wholesale for just one thousand Mora each.

At that moment, the System's infuriating voice chimed in:

"Considering the host's increased selling price, which constitutes market disruption, a ten percent tax based on the original purchase price will now be levied!"

Lin Feng's mouth spasmed as he mentally exclaimed, "I...!" Seriously, you could've just robbed me outright instead of giving excuses - how considerate!

However, with no alternative supplier, he had no choice but to endure the System's exploitation.

The System calmly added, "For young people like yourself, enduring hardships is essential. As an old saying goes, 'Through enduring great hardship, one becomes exceptional among men...'"

Lin Feng chose to ignore the System's incessant chatter and flashed a goofy smile at Xingqiu, knowing such customers were hard to come by.

As they approached the Feiyun Commerce Guild's caravan, Xingqiu turned to the leader and said, "There are numerous magic beast bandits along the way, making it unsafe for him to travel alone. Could we arrange for him to join your journey to Liyue?"

The leader observed that the young master intended to take Lin Feng home with him. He wondered how the lord would react upon hearing this news. However, as merely a servant, it wasn't his place to question it; he could only nod in agreement.

"Oh right, settle my friend at one of the Feiyun Commerce Guild's inns, and charge the expenses to my account!" Xingqiu suddenly remembered something and gave further instructions to the leader.

Upon hearing Xingqiu's request, the leader visibly sighed in relief. Thankful it wasn't about bringing Lin Feng directly home, which might have enraged the lord, keeping him outside seemed more acceptable...

Unbeknownst to Lin Feng, in the eyes of the caravan leader, he had already become Xingqiu's close male companion. Had Lin Feng realized this, he undoubtedly would have demanded some form of emotional distress compensation.

Xingqiu smiled at Lin Feng before turning away, engrossed in his phone. Lin Feng followed the caravan towards Liyue.

After walking for a bit, Xingqiu became completely absorbed by a novel and stopped on the spot, fully engrossed in reading.

As Lin Feng gazed at the Slime spaceship, he couldn't shake off a sense of unease. But considering there were so many people around, perhaps nothing bad would happen!

After walking for some time, Lin Feng realized he forgot to give Xingqiu Albedo's phone number. How would they stay in touch now?! He quickly called Xingqiu.

Caught off guard by the sudden ringtone at a crucial moment in his reading, Xingqiu jumped in surprise. With slight hesitation, he answered the call, and soon heard Lin Feng's voice through the speaker.

"Hello, Hero Xingqiu, can you hear me?" Lin Feng promptly asked as soon as the call connected.

Hearing himself referred to as 'Hero' brought immense comfort to Xingqiu, and he eagerly responded, "Yes, I can hear you, go ahead!"

"I just remembered I didn't give you Teacher Bai E's phone number earlier. Please note it down..." Lin Feng chuckled awkwardly before sharing the digits. Otherwise, with all that Mora involved, he couldn't bear the guilt of not passing on the information.

However, was this considered leaking someone else's privacy...? Well, since the System revealed it first, it's not my fault.

Shortly after, the System's cold voice chimed in, "One should never, or at least oughtn't..."

Soon, trouble struck the caravan. A Mitachurl wielding an axe, accompanied by a group of Hilichurls, blocked their path.

Ahead, they spotted a makeshift barricade, indicating this ambush had been planned for some time.

Lin Feng stealthily slipped to the back of the group, knowing his limited abilities wouldn't allow him to act tough here.

The guards eyed the axe-wielding Great Hilichurl; its imposing height and build clearly signaled that they were no match for it.

"Yaah..." The Hilichurls let out war cries, preparing to attack the caravan.

Lin Feng activated the translation app, and through the speakers came the translated message: "Brothers, charge! Defeat these unevolved Hilichurls!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Feng's lips twitched slightly. Who exactly is supposed to evolve from whom?!

"Cough, cough. Can we discuss terms? What would it take for you to spare us?" Lin Feng cleared his throat, stepped forward with his phone, and translated his plea.

Everyone else found Lin Feng's attempt rather amusing. Hilichurls don't speak human language; how could they understand what he's saying?

"Spare you? Hand over one hundred Sunsettias!" Surprised that Lin Feng understood their language, the Bruteforce Hilichurl promptly stated its demand.

After all, having a new short intruder nearby posed a significant threat. Several allied tribes had already fallen during raids at the hands of this diminutive figure.

More importantly, after killing their fellow tribesmen, Lin Feng had uttered "inept and useless," sounding almost like mockery.

Additionally, every night they heard eerie noises from the forest, disrupting their sleep. Even during raids, they were constantly on edge. Ending this situation swiftly seemed highly desirable.

"Hundred Sunsettias? Do you have that many here?" Lin Feng turned to look at the caravan leader, seeking his response.

"Cough, cough, well, Sunsettias aren't particularly tasty, so..." The leader cleared his throat, offering an awkward smile.

Lin Feng frowned; surely not! It seems he'd need to rely on his negotiation skills now!

"Ahem, could we perhaps offer something else instead, like Mora?" Lin Feng asked with a smile, gazing at the Great Hilichurl.

The Great Hilichurl immediately grew agitated upon hearing this. Were these humans intentionally stalling for time, waiting for that little dwarf?

"Mora? Our camp has plenty of it!" the Great Hilichurl responded angrily, glaring at Lin Feng. After each raid, they invariably found those shiny Mora left behind. Inedible, they simply used them as weights for pickling vegetables in barrels!

"Xin, xin, xin..." Suddenly, a piercing sound echoed from afar, causing all the Hilichurls to freeze. That...that little dwarf has arrived after all!