Published: March 12, 2025
Chapter 416: Strength
A few people entered the Lord's Mansion, and Trazeb immediately said to his steward, “Take the gentleman's gifts to the Purple Bamboo Courtyard.”
When Zhao Hai heard this, he quickly replied, “There’s no need to be so polite, City Lord. I now have my own business in the city, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to stay in the Purple Bamboo Courtyard. That is your highness’s residence, after all.”
Trazeb laughed heartily, “You don’t need to worry. In fact, your highness doesn’t spend much time there in a year, and your highness has already given orders for you to stay in the Purple Bamboo Courtyard from now on, so rest assured.”
After hearing this, Zhao Hai had no choice but to let Shun Yi and the others go to the Purple Bamboo Courtyard to settle in, while also sending someone back to inform Mu En that it seemed they would not be able to return to the inn.
When they arrived at the dining room, Zhao Hai noticed that there were only two seats at the table. He was taken aback and looked at Trazeb in confusion. Trazeb smiled and said, “Let my wife and the others accompany Laura. Today, it’s just the two of us here, which is just right for us to discuss a few matters.”
Zhao Hai nodded and said nothing. After sitting down, the steward immediately came over and poured wine for them, and the dishes were already laid out on the table.
After they settled down, Trazeb raised his glass and said, “Come, I’ll toast you, sir. You’ve had a hard journey, enduring the wind and sun at sea. I was genuinely worried about you.”
Zhao Hai also lifted his glass with a smile, “You flatter me, City Lord. I didn’t really do much, just directed a bit. There’s no need to say I endured hardships.” After saying this, they clinked their glasses and downed their drinks in one go.
After finishing a glass of wine, Trazeb looked at Zhao Hai and said, “From your appearance, it seems you have made considerable gains this time? Do you have anything good?”
Zhao Hai smiled slightly and replied, “These are the most noble items.” With a wave of his hand, a dozen large corals appeared in the dining room, along with a shell on the table.
Gently opening the shell revealed a massive pearl inside. Trazeb stared at the pearl in a daze. Although he had seen many treasures, he had never seen one as large as this pearl.
It is known that in the Ark Continent, pearls and corals are precious not only for their beauty but also because they can be used as magical materials, making them quite valuable.
Of course, these pearls are also favorites among women, and corals are now seldom used as magical materials; they are generally collected by noble families to display in their homes.
Trazeb, who had seen grand scenes before, took a deep breath to calm his emotions and turned to Zhao Hai, saying, “I didn’t expect you to achieve such great results. Truly unexpected.”
Zhao Hai smiled, “These are the most valuable. I also caught some sea magical beasts, mostly shrimp, which I have already frozen. They should have been moved to my inn’s warehouse by now. The rest are just some seaweed and other things, which aren’t worth much.”
Trazeb nodded and said, “That’s still good. Things from the sea are becoming rarer on the continent. Those water mages have been too ruthless, almost wiping out the coastal areas. Even we, who live by the sea, find it hard to get seafood. The things you have will surely be in high demand.”
Zhao Hai laughed, “That’s good. As long as I can sell these items, I’m just afraid I won’t be able to sell them. By the way, you can take those items away in a couple of days. I’ve already discussed it with your highness; I’m only responsible for collecting the goods. How to handle them afterward is your highness’s matter.”
Trazeb laughed heartily, “Don’t worry. Your highness has long been prepared and is just waiting for you. By the way, when will you deliver the firefly fish? That’s a great item, and I’m ready to receive it here.”