Chapter 27

Gao Deng and Duro stood in front of the shop window, watching the passersby on the street outside.

Before long, a group of adventurers passed by "Duro's Treasure Chest."

"This shop sells magic potions at a lower price. Let's buy two bottles. The next mission will take us through the Rockfall Cliffs, so it's best to buy a few Jumping Potions just in case."

"What? Don't you know? I heard that the reason this shop sells magic potions cheaply is because they mix in inferior ingredients, which can harm your body. Moreover, if the potion fails at a critical moment, wouldn't we be in deep trouble? I'd rather spend a bit more money to buy potions from other shops."

"That's just a rumor, right? Their potions were selling well a few days ago, and there were no problems."

"This has spread throughout the Adventurer's Guild. Everyone is talking about it with certainty. If you don't believe it, and end up buying fake potions, you'll be the one who suffers."

"Since that's the case, let's forget it."

The adventurers' conversation was clearly heard by Gao Deng. The group of adventurers walked past "Duro's Treasure Chest" and entered "Ogro's Hand" across the street.

"See that?" Duro shrugged helplessly. "Because of this rumor, business has been terrible today. We haven't sold a single magic potion, and even the sales of other items have been greatly affected. This is outright slander! It's a huge insult to my reputation! If I knew who was behind this, I would crush their head!"

"The rumor-mongers must be caught," Gao Deng said. "Let's first figure out who we've offended or whose interests we've infringed upon, so that we can understand why someone would use such despicable methods to attack us."

Duro thought for a moment and shook his head. "I haven't offended anyone in Bluewater City. I've just been running the shop honestly. When I was an adventurer, I did have some enemies, but, hehe... they either went to the heavens or the abyss. They definitely won't come back to seek revenge now."

"After we started selling magic potions, we did affect the business of other shops, but it wasn't severe. The possibility of them retaliating purely for commercial interests is low," Gao Deng paused and continued, "It seems this is mainly aimed at me."

He briefly explained the conflict between the Freeman and Ritter families to Duro. The plump shop owner clenched his fists, looking disgusted. "Pah, I hate two types of people: first, nouveau riche; second, devious nouveau riche. Partner, since they are targeting you, they are targeting me. Tell me, what should we do?"

Although Gao Deng suspected the Ritter family was behind this, it was just a guess. He needed evidence. Moreover, the immediate priority was to minimize the damage.

For a small shop like "Duro's Treasure Chest," which had yet to establish a reputation and trust, the harm caused by rumors was enormous. Poor business, reduced income, and financial strain could lead to closure... This was not what Gao Deng wanted to see. He had to take action to quickly eliminate the negative impact of the rumors.

"Duro, you know a lot of people. I need you to set up informants in the Adventurer's Guild and the taverns where adventurers gather most. Find out who is spreading the rumors. If you can trace it back to the mastermind, that would be even better."

"As for me," Gao Deng continued, "I have some connections with the Meridia Church. I'll try to get a priest to come and perform a public test to prove that the potions in the shop are genuine and harmless."

"That's the best plan. Let's work on it separately." Duro nodded.

Gao Deng went to the grand Dawn Temple. Father Jack was already very familiar with him. After explaining his purpose, the priest readily agreed to Gao Deng's request: "Although I am not a follower of Bahamut, the Guardian of Truth, it is my duty to uphold justice and combat evil."

Of course, despite his righteous words, Gao Deng couldn't let the noble priest work for free. After promising 15 gold coins as a fee, the matter was settled.

The next morning, a large crowd of adventurers gathered outside "Duro's Treasure Chest." Duro spent the night spreading the news that a priest from the Dawn Temple would conduct a test to prove that the shop's potions were not of inferior quality. Additionally, after the test, the shop would offer a 50% discount, allowing adventurers to shop to their heart's content.

Father Jack, dressed in a white robe and holding incense, arrived on time, his expression solemn. The priest was very concerned about Gao Deng's request and not only came himself but also brought a district captain from the constabulary. In this world, government functions were still relatively crude, unlike in Gao Deng's world where they were more specialized. The constabulary essentially combined the roles of police, commerce, health, and fire departments, so it was normal for them to send someone to handle this matter.

"Mr. Gao Deng, this is Captain Anderson," Father Jack introduced.

Captain Anderson, with a square face and a robust build, gave a Ferretton salute to Gao Deng: "Respected Mage, I will do my best to restore your reputation."

After becoming more affluent, Gao Deng's attire and demeanor had taken on a standard noble air. When Anderson saw the family crest on the mage's robe, he immediately assumed Gao Deng was the shop owner. As for Duro, he was ignored.

Duro chuckled, not minding. As a small shop owner and former adventurer, he naturally couldn't match the status of a noble mage. With Gao Deng taking the lead, he was content to observe.

"Adventurers, recently there have been rumors defaming our shop, claiming that our magic potions are made with inferior ingredients and can harm the body. Today, I have invited Father Jack from the Dawn Temple and Captain Anderson from the Bluewater City Constabulary to witness the testing of our magic potions to prove their quality."

After saying this and seeing the adventurers' attention focused on him, Gao Deng nodded to Father Jack.

The follower of Meridia entered the shop and, in front of the adventurers, took a magic potion from the shelf and held it high: "I will cast the divine spell 'Detect Poison' on this magic potion. If the potion contains any harmful substances, the divine light will turn green."

Most adventurers, even if they couldn't use divine or arcane spells, had some knowledge. They nodded, acknowledging Father Jack's words, and waited for the results.

Father Jack held the magic potion in his hand, his expression serious, and chanted the name of Meridia.

A milky white divine light washed over the magic potion. After the light faded, only a few golden spots remained on the glass bottle.

"The test results are in. The magic potions sold by 'Duro's Treasure Chest' are completely qualified and will not harm the body after consumption," Father Jack announced loudly.

The adventurers looked at each other, murmuring.

"Since the divine spell didn't detect any poison, it seems the rumors were false..."

"Now we can be at ease. Isn't it half-price today? This is a great deal."

"Be quick, we must get a Strength Potion!"

Hearing these comments, Gao Deng felt reassured. Given the current situation, the impact of the rumors should be quickly eliminated, and the shop's business should return to normal soon.

"Duro, announce that the shop is open for business," Gao Deng smiled.

At that moment, a sarcastic voice suddenly came from the crowd: "Hmph! The shop owner is a noble mage. Who knows if the show he's putting on with the priest today is real or fake? Maybe he paid the temple priest to deceive us!"

The adventurers, who were eager to shop, suddenly hesitated, casting suspicious glances at Gao Deng and the others.

Father Jack's face turned red with anger, and he shouted in a booming voice: "Who? Who dares to question the glory and justice of Lady Meridia? Step forward!"

"Hehe, I certainly don't question the great Lady Meridia. But her priests are mere mortals. Mortals can make mistakes and can fall due to various temptations."

Duro leaned close to Gao Deng and whispered, "Did you find out who's speaking?"

"I cast an Eagle Eye on myself, but I still couldn't find the speaker. I sensed a faint magical aura in the crowd. The troublemaker is probably using a special magical device to hide their location."

Stirred by the voice, even Father Jack was subjected to skeptical glances.

"The temple priests are no good. I heard that two boys in Tatar Village were molested by a priest last month."

"Exactly, these priests act high and mighty, but who knows what ugly and despicable things they do in private."

Compared to adventurers, the temple priests were definitely high and mighty. Not only in terms of social status and wealth, but whenever adventurers needed healing from a priest's divine spells, they had to beg and plead, paying a large sum of gold to treat the priest like a lord.

The suppressed resentment of the adventurers erupted at this moment. They openly mocked and subtly ridiculed Father Jack, and the situation was about to get out of control.

"Shut up!" Captain Anderson, seeing Father Jack's face turn even darker, knew he had to step in. He roared, his expression as stern as a knife: "Do you know what the crime of defaming a priest is? If you don't want to end up in jail eating stale bread, shut your mouths!"

The ten patrol officers behind him drew their swords, the cold steel piercing everyone's hearts.

Seeing the situation temporarily stabilize, the sarcastic voice spoke again: "Oh, the noble dogs of the constabulary, what do you want to do this time? The truth of the matter hasn't been determined yet. What crime do you plan to arrest us for? Let me tell you, adventurers are not soft farmers who can be bullied at will!"

These words were like a spark in a barrel of oil, instantly igniting the adventurers' emotions.

"These ogre-fucked bastards! I've had it with the constabulary, these dogs of the nobles!"

"Damn, you want to draw weapons? When it comes to swordplay, grandpa isn't afraid!"

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

Dozens of adventurers drew their weapons. The atmosphere became tense, and a fight seemed imminent.