Chapter 77 - Expounding on the Given Topic

“Let go of me, everyone has gone far away, let go,” Hanson struggled to break free from the grasp of the business owners.“Wait a moment, other matters can be discussed later, but mine cannot wait.

How shall we deal with these Crystal Stones?”

“Just put them away for now.

We can’t just leave them here, and you obviously can’t send them back to him,” Klay suggested.

“You put them away, I won’t.

If I do, wouldn’t it prove that I’m really settling a personal score with him?” Hanson stiffened his neck and said, “Our accounts are not that easily settled.”

Klay was not lightly choked by this, and anger rose in his heart as well, “Hanson, listen to a brother’s advice.

We can’t keep this up any longer.

Continuing this will do no good for you, me, or us.

Let bygones be bygones and put the Crystal Stones away for now.

This matter still has room for improvement.

We can discuss everything in private later.”

“I won’t.” Hanson was now completely stubborn.

“You…” Klay felt a headache coming on and didn’t want to clash with Hanson in public, so he swallowed his frustration and said, “Okay, if you won’t take them, I will.

Can we agree on that?

We can discuss any issues later.”

Klay stepped forward, picked up all the Spirit Crystal Stones, and carefully put them back into the small wooden box, holding it as if he was cradling an Alchemical Bomb.

He hurriedly returned to his own wagon without giving Hanson another glance.

The other business owners gave Hanson a variety of looks and no longer wasted words with him, each returning to their own tasks.

In the past, everyone just thought this guy was a bit reckless and impulsive, not quite cut out for business.

Now, it seems he’s also a bit foolish; at this time, he’s still bearing a grudge against his own people, causing his unnecessary discomfort.

If this wasn’t handled well, this guy could truly be kicked out of the game.

In the blink of an eye, the business owners had left without a trace, leaving Hanson standing there alone, his face turning very ugly.

Unable to help himself, he stamped his foot and gritted his teeth, “You ungrateful bastards, who did I stand up for just now?

Was it for myself?

It was for our common interest.

As soon as this kid gets a little power, he wants to draw a clear line with us; if he really grows bigger later, he won’t even consider us at all.

You short-sighted fools, have been blinded just by a box of Crystal Stones?”

Unfortunately, no one listened to Hanson’s angry curses, including the Gnoll soldiers, who were only warily watching him to prevent his entry.

They either weren’t interested in what he was saying or didn’t understand at all.

After cursing vehemently for a while, Hanson himself seemed to realize the pointlessness of it and also rushed back to his own wagon in a hurry.

He wasn’t truly foolish; he couldn’t miss the business owner’s meeting, otherwise, those profit-driven bastards might actually sell him out completely.

The business owners weren’t really intent on making camp; they just hurriedly gave instructions to the coachman and the guards, then rushed to Klay’s wagon.

Hanson found himself the last to arrive.

Hanson had reason to suspect that the business owners never returned to their own wagons at all; they had come directly with Klay, he cursed these cunning foxes in his heart, their gazes making him very uncomfortable.

“Have a seat,” Klay nodded to Hanson, his face showed no trace of anger as he said, “I’ve discussed again with a few knowledgeable elders just now.

This box of Spirit Crystal Stones is worth even more than we initially estimated.

If we find the right buyer and handle it properly, we can sell it for at least thirty thousand to fifty thousand Gold Coins.

That’s even considering bulk sale devaluation.

It’s not easy to offload in the Valley and Sambia; we must take it near the Vihong Sea to get the highest price, as Spiritual Energy is more prevalent there.”

“Hssss…”

All the business owners present inhaled sharply.

They were merchants, of course, and they wouldn’t appraise goods at the lowest possible price.

What they were least worried about was the logistics of transport, bringing the goods to where they would hold the highest value.

Gaven, that guy, really went all out, not just spending a fortune but a veritable mountain of gold. Google seaʀᴄh NovᴇlFire(.)nᴇt

Not to mention a single Business Owner, even if the entire caravan combined their earnings from the Green Wilderness all the way to Sambia Yehong, it wouldn’t match this sum.

And here they only spent a month in the Rocklands, with a bunch of Gnolls, and dug out so much profit.

No, that’s not all, this is just a small portion of it, it would be a lie to say they weren’t green with envy.

“What do you think, what exactly is Gaven trying to do?” The previously shelved topic was brought up again.

“Two possibilities, one is that there is some secret hidden inside that they don’t want us to see, the other is that they are using this as an excuse to exert pressure on us, just like we were thinking of using the opportunity to squeeze him, to facilitate future business,” Klay speculated.

“I also considered these two possibilities.

What do you think, which is more likely?”

“No need to say, of course, it’s the latter.

The situation with the Gnoll Tribe is crystal clear to us.

Just ten days ago, it was just a mine with a bunch of Gnolls huddling together, eating from a pot.

What secrets could there be?

Definitely, it’s because his power has grown, he wants to squeeze us to obtain the greatest benefits.”

“Are you sure they really have no secrets?

How do you explain this chest of Spirit Crystal Stones?

This is not a small number, it definitely can’t be dug out in ten days.

Spirit Crystal Stones are not associated with iron ores, it’s impossible they came out while digging for iron, right?

As for the profits, from beginning to end, could our trade on both sides really match this chest of Spirit Crystal Stones?”

“Now that you mention it, you make sense.

Where is their Spirit Crystal mine?

Could it be that the Gnoll Tribe is really hiding secrets we don’t know about?

Should we send someone to sneak a look?”

“Are you crazy?

If our people get discovered by them, we’ll have no room to maneuver at all, not only will we not be able to do business, but we might also make enemies.

By that time, whether you and I can leave this place alive will be in question.”

“What’s there to be afraid of?

A bunch of Gnolls?

It’s not like we haven’t seen more Gnolls than this.”

“We’ve indeed seen more Gnolls, but have you seen a Gnoll Tribe led by a Human?”

The Business Owners discussed the matter noisily, all wanting to clarify the crux of the issue.

“Enough, shut up,” Klay said in a low voice, cutting off all the Business Owners’ thoughts, “I think I know where the problem lies.”

“Where does it lie?

Come on, spill it,” they urged.

“Think about it carefully, your earlier words and thoughts, as well as what was just mentioned—are these really the thoughts a normal merchant should have?” Klay didn’t answer, instead, he questioned them.

“We have always been like this…” The Business Owner who was about to reply stopped midway, a thoughtful expression on his face.

But more of them, clearly puzzled and somewhat impatient, said, “If you have something to say, just say it, don’t beat around the bush.

We’re not in the mood for your riddles right now.”