Chapter 18

In the new world, the so-called archipelago is a cluster of islands composed of multiple enclaves, usually connected by water. Although the distances between these islands vary, one can almost see people on the opposite beach when waving from one island to another. Compared to the solitary islands floating in the Ether Sea, these archipelagos undoubtedly offer a lifestyle more familiar to land-dwelling residents. However, upon setting foot on the strange and unfamiliar land of the Aru Islands for the first time, Luo Zhengdao had no good impression of the place.

Everywhere he looked, he saw dilapidated thatched bamboo houses, with the thatch on the roofs moldy. The local residents, dressed in tattered clothes and with blank expressions, contrasted sharply with the chickens, ducks, pigs, and dogs that roamed the streets as if they owned the place.

If the rundown streets were bad enough, the hygiene conditions were even worse, leaving one speechless. The locals seemed completely unconcerned about the uneven and unrepaired roads. Walking on the streets, one would encounter potholes every few steps, filled with filth and dirty water that emitted a nauseating stench under the scorching sun. The drainage ditches on both sides of the road were filled with garbage, breeding mosquitoes, making the environment so terrible that Luo Zhengdao found it hard to criticize. He estimated that even in the old world, only the Indians who drank the polluted Ganges water and were indifferent to floating corpses and garbage could tolerate such an extremely dirty environment. The hygiene conditions near old-world landfills were no better!

"Oh, the exchange is so small!"

Humans tend to judge by appearance, and Luo Zhengdao was no exception. When he saw the building that was only slightly better in quality than the insulated cowshed back home and learned that this was the local exchange, he was taken aback.

Vina Dubov, a half-elf beauty and a seasoned adventurer who had roamed the Seven Seas for many years, was well-traveled. Given that half-elves age much more slowly than pure-blooded humans, it was unreliable to guess her age based on her appearance. Luo Zhengdao had never figured out how old Vina was. Since everyone says a woman's age and a man's income are secrets, he had no intention of pressing the issue. They weren't getting married, and he hadn't heard of anyone in the old world checking the age of a one-night stand at a nightclub.

Vina Dubov smiled and pointed to the weathered wooden door, saying, "There's a reason for it. This place specializes in black market business. The legitimate business is just a front. The more rundown it looks, the less likely it is to attract attention!"

Hearing this, Luo Zhengdao's mouth dropped open. He then re-examined the old two-story wooden building in front of him. "Who came up with this idea? It's brilliant!"

"Of course, the most important thing is that no one can guess the answer. The Aru Islands are one of the ports in the Inner Ring Sea closest to the Sea of Floating Light. Outsiders who don't want to trade too close to the mainland often choose to unload their cargo here. All sorts of characters from the Seven Seas frequent this area, making the situation here very complex. The Yalingship we bought in Selan Island might have ended up here. Yalings and Goblins are mortal enemies. If they meet, it won't end peacefully. Now that the mainland is controlled by Goblins, do you think Yaling brokers who hope to make a profit would risk their lives to sell goods near the mainland?"

Indeed, the world is full of surprises. The Aru Islands, a remote place not much better than a landfill, turned out to be a bustling black market, almost as mysterious as the old movie Casablanca.

Listening to Vina Dubov, Luo Zhengdao's eyes grew wider, and he said excitedly, "Ah! Even warships are for sale here! It's a major hub! By the way, Vina, you said Yalings generally don't get close to the mainland, but what about Governor Sally?"

Hearing this, Vina knew what Luo Zhengdao was thinking. She gave him a sharp look, like a carpenter examining a piece of rotten wood, and then said with a half-smile, "Idiot, that was to save your life. How can that be considered normal? How much did the Yaling Empire bet on you? They won't give up easily. If you die so easily, their investment will be a loss."

Confused, Luo Zhengdao rubbed his forehead and asked, "Betting? What are the Yalings betting on?"

Without realizing he was straying from the topic, Luo Zhengdao's focus shifted to the relationship between the Yalings and himself, eagerly asking for the reason.

Will Needham had perished in the mysterious ritual of the Magic Card Master, and Luo Zhengdao, taking his place in the new world, had to continue using his identity in this war-torn world. Without understanding the complex web of relationships, Luo Zhengdao was worried he might die without knowing how. For example, the mysterious black-robed sorcerer Najef, whose motives for wanting to eliminate him were still unclear. Was it for money? Revenge? Love?

Vina Dubov, not considering Luo Zhengdao's thoughts, tilted her head and looked at him, then laughed lightly, saying, "What can the Yalings bet on? Of course, your noble status! The Goblins have almost exterminated the exiled nobles of the Light Empire. Those stubborn human nobles who died defending their fiefs rather than fleeing are one thing, but to have the time to kill each other is truly incomprehensible! Tsk, Will, you, the Baron of Fulu, are a prominent figure among the exiles!"

Just for this reason? Luo Zhengdao felt a mix of amusement and frustration, and asked, "So, according to you, I should thank the Goblins?"

Hearing this, Vina flicked her dark green hair and smiled, "It doesn't matter. Think what you like. The fact is, it is what it is."

Luo Zhengdao sighed helplessly, shaking his head as if trying to clear his mind of the complex issues. He then changed the subject, "Can we sell the spices we brought? My spatial bag is almost empty. Without income, feeding the crew next month will be a problem."

Hearing Luo Zhengdao complain about his financial situation, the half-elf beauty laughed, shaking her finger, "Will, don't worry. According to my trade route intelligence, the Goblin fleet has been very active recently. The number of merchant ships daring to enter the Inner Ring Sea from the outer sea is extremely low. The spice prices in the Aru Islands must be soaring due to the shortage. How about a bet with a green coin?"

A green coin is the most common low-denomination copper coin in the new world, issued by various countries. Its purchasing power is not much different. In terms of market value, a green coin can buy between one and one and a half loaves of bread, fluctuating with news of good or bad harvests.

Luo Zhengdao, who had been tricked by this mischievous tutor many times, shook his head, "No betting! I can tell you're just teasing me again."

Hearing this, Vina Dubov complained, "Oh, Will, you've learned to be bad too! What a boring life!"

With that, the half-elf beauty gracefully approached and knocked on the exchange's door, which was closed even in broad daylight. Luo Zhengdao followed her into the building.

As his eyes adjusted to the stark contrast between the bright sunlight outside and the dim interior, Luo Zhengdao's heart skipped a beat when he saw the white numbers on the exchange's price board. As Vina Dubov had predicted, the local spice prices were so high that they could have given Luo Zhengdao a heart attack from excessive joy. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

For the sake of mathematical convenience, numbers are always simple and clear in any world. Therefore, numbers were one of the first universal symbols Luo Zhengdao learned in this world. The prices on the exchange's board were nearly ten times higher than what he had paid in Ambon Port. This was pure profit! Undeniable profit! It was clear that if the Goblin fleet hadn't been terrorizing the Starry Sea and scaring away most traders, such high prices would not have appeared, at least not in the Aru Islands, which were only a week's sail from Selan Island.

After a moment of mixed feelings, Luo Zhengdao's thoughts settled, and he felt a bit deflated. If he compared himself to the Goblins, who could make the world sneeze with a single sneeze, the human exiled noble Will Needham he had replaced was just a small fry. The power disparity was not even in the same league. It was a wonder the Goblins even bothered to chase after him. Should he sincerely thank them for considering him so highly?

"Oh, this must be Baron Fulu, the shipowner who just arrived in port? It's an honor to meet you, Baron. I hope your journey was smooth and your health is good?"

"Thanks to you, the journey was smooth, and I am in good health."

The exchange owner, dressed in a knee-length white linen robe, appeared and greeted Luo Zhengdao with a smile, showing the same care as a long-lost friend. Merchants never miss an opportunity to make a profit. If they did, they wouldn't be good merchants.

PS: If you keep the pp, it won't produce offspring. Just throw it over!

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