There were two dark brown tables in the corner of the tavern, with more than a dozen Cyrathians sitting around them.
Most of these Selais people were tall and sturdy, armed to the teeth with bows and swords, with large leather bags beside them. When Zuo Yi walked over, they were drinking big bowls of wine and eating big mouthfuls of meat, chatting noisily.
Although Zuo Yi did not understand the language these burly men spoke, he could tell from various signs that they were traveling merchants.
Traveling merchants had different names in different planes, such as traveling merchants, traveling merchants, foot peddlers, and so on. But no matter which plane they were from, traveling merchants were not weaklings, and had a certain level of martial prowess.
This was because they were small in scale, either in groups of three to five, or alone, traveling hundreds or thousands of miles, deep into remote villages and borderlands, risking robbers and wild beasts to earn the hard-earned money.
Weaklings would never be able to do this job. Many people often confused traveling merchants with adventurers, but in fact, the two identities could be interchangeable. When Zuo Yi was in the world of Sadeya, he had also been a merchant who bought low and sold high.
Although the strength of the merchants couldn't be too strong, they had traveled extensively and had rich experience, so they were very well-informed.
"Hello."
Zuo Yi's greeting made all the Cyrathian traveling merchants stop talking and laughing, and more than a dozen pairs of eyes looked at him.
Doubt, curiosity, caution, solemnity …
A middle-aged man with a weathered face stood up, and asked in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing, "Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"
His Chinese was not very standard, but he was still quite proficient.
Language proficiency was a standard skill for traveling merchants.
This middle-aged Cyrathian traveling merchant's words were polite but cautious.
Although Longcheng Fortress was nominally under the jurisdiction of the Cyrathian Kingdom, the Cyrathians who lived here all knew that this city belonged to the people of Da Xia.
No Cyrathian dared to provoke a Da Xia citizen, because all Da Xia citizens were professionals with extraordinary powers, and the one in charge of Longcheng Fortress was a National Guardian!
There were only three Guardian Realm experts in the entire Seles Kingdom.
Of course, the merchant leader did not think that he needed to bow to Zuo Yi because he was also a professional.
Zuo Yi didn't care whether they were proud or servile. He smiled and asked, "I would like to ask, which one of you has been to Winter Castle?"
"Winter Castle?"
The middle-aged man was stunned. He hesitated for a moment before replying, "I went there once ten years ago."
"Very good."
Zuo Yi nodded and said, "I want to hire you to bring me to Winter Castle. How much will it cost?"
"You want to go to Winter Castle?"
The middle-aged man was shocked. "It will take at least three months to reach Winter Castle from here, and the journey must be smooth."
After a pause, he shook his head and said, "Sir, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid my companions and I can't help you because we're leaving Dragon City Fortress tomorrow. You …"
His voice was stuck in his throat.
Because at this moment, Zuo Yi handed him a gold brick. "This is your reward."
Although the middle-aged man didn't see how Zuo Yi "conjured" the gold brick, it didn't stop his will from being crushed by the dazzling metal.
As an outstanding merchant, he could tell at a glance that Zuo Yi's gold brick could be exchanged for at least three thousand Selesian gold coins in the bank of Dragon City Fortress.
Three thousand gold coins!
The middle-aged man had risked his life to travel outside. He might not be able to save that much money even if he lived frugally for ten years. How could he not be tempted?
With this money, he didn't need to be a merchant anymore. He could retire to his hometown, buy a farm, marry a wife, and have a few children. He could live a comfortable life in the future.
In fact, the companions behind the middle-aged man were also dumbfounded.
Someone muttered to himself, "It can't be fake, right?"
The middle-aged man couldn't help but gulp and asked carefully, "Sir, how many people do you need?"
Three thousand gold coins was enough to hire a large mercenary group. He didn't let the money get to his head and think of the risks.
No matter how much money there was, he had to be alive to take it!
"You alone are enough."
Zuo Yi saw through the man's thoughts and said, "You only need to lead the way. You don't need to protect me."
He held the gold brick in his hand and kneaded it into a golden ball like dough before handing it to the man.
The middle-aged man couldn't help but gasp.
He could knead a gold brick into a golden ball, but he definitely couldn't do it to Zuo Yi's level.
The golden ball that Zuo Yi handed over was perfectly round and had a smooth surface. Normally, it could only be achieved by repeatedly polishing it.
Zuo Yi rubbed it out directly.
Zuo Yi's image immediately became tall and mysterious in his eyes.
The middle-aged man didn't hesitate as he took the golden ball and said, "I'll accept this mission!"
If there was no gold, no matter how extravagant Zuo Yi's words were, he would only be filled with doubts and would not dare to easily agree. Now that Zuo Yi was paying the reward first, what else did he not dare to do?
To put it bluntly, he wasn't worth three thousand gold coins.
"Very good."
Zuo Yi wasn't surprised. As the saying went, a generous reward would attract brave men. Many people would be defeated by ten kilograms of gold.
"Get ready. We'll set off tomorrow morning."
Zuo Yi had planned to ask Fan Hailiu for a map at Dragon's Den Stronghold before flying to Chilly Winterfell.
However, Fan Hailiu had gone to Serais and ruined his plan, so he had to find a guide.
He planned to bring the guide to Chilly Winterfell. Though the extra burden would slow down the speed, it wouldn't take much time.
"Okay."
The middle-aged man quickly said, "I'll stay upstairs. I'll wait for you here tomorrow morning."
The four upper floors of the Copper Dragon Tavern were all hotel rooms. Most of the guests were traveling merchants like them.
"Yes, my lord."
He added, "My name is Bonn."
He felt strange when he thought about it. Zuo Yi didn't even ask for his name and gave him so much money.
He wasn't afraid that he would run away with the money.
Of course, it was impossible for him to run away. Zuo Yi had the bearing of a superior. If he offended this person, who was likely to be a high-ranking person in Da Xia, the consequences would be unimaginable!
"Bonn."
Zuo Yi nodded and said, "Then I'll see you tomorrow morning."
He didn't plan to stay here because there were better hotels nearby.
The next morning, when Zuo Yi came to the Copper Dragon Tavern again, Bonn was waiting at the door with his luggage.
"My lord …"
He bowed to Zuo Yi and asked, "Shall we set off now?"
Woo! Woo! Woo!
Before Zuo Yi could answer, the deep and sonorous sound of a horn suddenly rang out in the fortress!
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