Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Wild Thorn Tavern
In such grazing land, breeding cattle holds as much profound significance for development as farming.
Although hunting can currently solve the basic food problem, Zong Shen still wants to achieve self-sufficiency as much as possible.
To achieve this, it is necessary to build good relations with the indigenous people.
Right now, he’s troubled about not having a way to forge a connection with Sitanos Village.
As an outsider from beyond the village, he must become familiar with the villagers to gain benefits from them.
"Where does Master Mars live?"
Zong Shen asked with interest.
The scruffy villager let out a sigh of relief.
He hastily replied.
"Follow this street until the end. The biggest house at the other end of the village is Master Mars’s home."
"Next to the house is his cattle yard, with over a hundred of the strongest Avalon Prairie Oxen and more than a dozen dairy cows."
Looking at his animated expression, Zong Shen felt something was amiss.
It’s not like I’m going to steal his cattle...
"Alright, thank you."
"Goodbye."
Having got the information he cared about, Zong Shen couldn’t be bothered to continue chatting with this scruffy farmer.
He hadn’t bathed for three days himself, which was already smelly enough, yet the scent on this farmer was beyond description...
Hearing Zong Shen’s words, the scruffy farmer, as if receiving a pardon, hurriedly nodded and bowed before quickly running away.
Zong Shen touched his face.
Turning to Aisha, he asked.
"Am I that scary?"
Aisha glanced at the horned helmet on Zong Shen’s head and then at the netted spider armor he wore, with silver armor engraved with green web-like patterns.
No matter how you look at it, he didn’t seem like a good person.
She instinctively nodded first, then quickly shook her head.
"Hmm..."
"Not scary, not scary."
"These villagers just haven’t seen much of the world."
Aisha said earnestly.
Despite her seemingly aloof nature, she was actually livelier than Tasuya.
She got along well with her comrades along the way.
Upon hearing this, Zong Shen stroked his chin.
"You’re right."
"Alright, let’s go meet the village chief."
Zong Shen, with his hands behind his back, strolled slowly forward, curious about everything in the village, looking like a lord traveling incognito.
The passing villagers had a certain wariness towards Zong Shen, stepping aside to clear a path.
It was almost as if a bully was entering the village.
Luna and Aisha followed at his flanks.
Favide and Lensa Shuizhao stood in the third row.
Madeleine carried a longbow, her hood drawn over her head, her sharp eyes scanning the rooftops and the windows of the houses, and she walked at the end of the group.
The scruffy villager hadn’t lied. After walking along the street for about five or six minutes, they saw a square by the roadside.
It was situated right in the middle of the street.
Quite a few people lingered in the square.
Some were trading, others chatting idly.
Zong Shen even noticed people dressed like traveling merchants, energetically promoting exotic goods.
"Dried matsutake mushrooms from the Ten Thousand Years Icefield of the Vigia Kingdom, now only 370 Mainland Continent Universal Dinars per bag!"
"Hundred Fragrance Tea from Lentax Giant City, enriched with aroma, good for health, only 200 Mainland Continent Universal Dinars per can!"
"Baron Boss Bang Bessos’s estate is hiring three maids, providing food and accommodation, with 20 Continent Dinars paid monthly, and 20 days of family leave a year!"
"The Gujia Wolf Mercenary Corps is recruiting members, accepting males over the age of fifteen in good health!"
"Top-quality fine woven cloth, novel patterns, tough fabric, warm in winter and cool in summer, only 10 Mainland Continent Universal Dinars per meter."
"Crafted Tequila, made with high-quality tequila agave..."
...
The lively shouts continued without pause.
These traveling merchants traded specialties between Bang City and the village, seeking profit.
In the square, there were also several eye-catching places.
[Sitanos Commerce Association]
[Sitanos Recruitment Office]
[Wild Thorn Tavern]
According to the scruffy villager, the village chief should be in this tavern.
Zong Shen, with a clear target, headed directly for the tavern.
He pushed open the salon doors of the tavern.
"Creak..."
A raspy sound emitted from the door hinges; the doors weren’t well-oiled.
The tavern was slightly dim, each table illuminated by a single aromatic candle, while the blinds on the windows were drawn.
Zong Shen felt speechless; wasn’t it more economical to open a window during the day and save those candles?
Besides the long table-bar chairs, the tavern had about a dozen small square tables.
Even in broad daylight, a third of the tavern’s seats were already filled.
The tavern was somewhat lively, with many people drinking and chatting away.
Among them were some young warriors in light armor.
There were also hunters with hunting crossbows and leather hats.
And shrewd-looking traveling merchants with backpacks.
Alcohol could numb the nerves, being the best choice for relaxation.
At least in Sitanos Village, it was the best choice.
As for Bang City and the Giant City, there were even more wonderful places for amusement, true money pits whether you’re a mercenary, a hunter, or a powerful warrior.
They always managed to make you willingly empty every big coin from your pockets.
When Zong Shen and his six companions entered the tavern, they instantly attracted everyone’s attention.
Some of those glances were fleeting, while others bore malintent.
Especially Luna and Aisha, who immediately became the center of attention.
Zong Shen brushed it off, casually sweeping his gaze around.
He headed straight to the bar.
The bartender was a middle-aged man, with the common golden hair of the Avalon Kingdom.
It was tied in a rare stylish back bun seen in the village.
"Any good drinks?"
Zong Shen placed his hands on the bar, his eyes wandering over the bottles behind the bartender.
"If you and your companions wish to indulge, I would recommend Osroni Shepherd’s Wine, known for its fierce kick; shepherds often find themselves drunk till morning."
"As for the two lovely ladies beside you, they might enjoy two glasses of creamy liqueur."
"Of course, if you prefer something more casual, crafted beer with aniseed beans is also a good choice."
The bartender marketed his offerings while sneaking a glance at Luna, particularly drawn to her iconic Elf Race pointed ears.
The Elf Race had been in hiding on the continent for years, their whereabouts unknown.
However, occasionally, elves venture into the outside world, only under the protection of powerful elven soldiers.
Otherwise, those slave merchants with far-reaching influence wouldn’t let them off.
Every elf, regardless of gender, could fetch a high price among the kingdom’s nobles.
"Bring a keg of crafted beer and five plates of aniseed beans."
"Also, I advise you to abandon any disrespectful thoughts, or you might suffer some consequences."
Zong Shen said slowly, having noticed the bartender’s slightly predatory gaze towards Luna.