Evil dragon has a warm heart-Chapter 43 - The Clear Quartz

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: The Clear Quartz

Chapter 43 -43: The Clear Quartz

Manor life was actually quite monotonous, especially for Russell who had gotten through the novelty phase and began to immensely miss life on Earth.

“Aside from the scenery, there’s… hardly anything here.” And now, Russell had even grown tired of the Wuyao Snake Manor’s views.

A river, two mountains, vast farmland, and wasteland, that was it.

“Rudi isn’t too bad, the four types of Magic Potions at Magic Medicine Tun are now healthily cultivated, and the arrangement of serfs is well-ordered.” Charles rode horseback behind Russell, reporting to him the manor’s situation.

Red-nosed Rudi was a serf technician who had long cultivated Magic Potions for the Baron; after being granted to Russell by the Baron, he was currently serving as the head of Magic Medicine Tun.

“That’s good news, the scale of the Glowing Mushrooms and the Birch Forest needs to be expanded steadily. Remind Rudi not to expand blindly.”

“Rest assured, Sir, I will make sure to remind Rudi.”

“What about the manor court?”

“They were all trivial disputes. I personally presided over the manor court and resolved the serfs’ issues. There are no conflicts now.” Charles took pride in claiming credit, “Old Hans doesn’t understand the art of coordination at all. You can’t be too indulgent with serfs.”

The Wuyao Snake Manor was Russell’s domain; in the strictest sense, Russell was the law, with all disputes within his domain requiring his judgment.

Therefore,

Lord would set up a manor court on their domain, either presiding over it themselves or assigning trusted subordinates to do so.

“It’s best to have the stewards of each Tun suppress disputes first and hold the manor court once a week. I will personally go there and judge.” Russell would not fully delegate the power of the manor court to subordinates, not because he coveted power.

It was because he did not fully trust Charles’s judgments.

Although Charles’s knowledge surpassed everyone in the domain, he treated serfs with too little regard, which was not a good thing.

“Of course, as you wish,” Charles said with a smile.

Perhaps it was Eric’s promotion to Phantom Beast Knight that had brought him a great shock; now he was putting much more effort into his duties than before.

Unlike the past, where it seemed he came to Russell’s side just to freeload off meals and drinks, he now felt a greater sense of belonging to the Wuyao Snake Manor.

Maybe he did not want to be left far behind by Eric, or perhaps he was convinced that Russell truly could achieve something great.

“By the way, Sir, did you know that there is already a trade caravan that has arrived in town?” Charles suddenly remembered something, “The serfs who went to the mill to grind flour said that the town is now packed with people. Why don’t we take a stroll ourselves?”

“The caravan has arrived?” Russell became interested.

With the warm season’s arrival and Snow Demon’s power waning, the trade routes between regions reopened, and caravans gradually began to thrive.

Turning his horse around, Russell immediately decided, “Let’s go have a look at the town, and if possible, invite some merchants to come to Wuyao Snake Manor’s small market to sell their goods, so the serfs don’t have to trek all the way to town.”

“You are truly compassionate, Sir.”

Accompanied by his Knight Attendants and Personal Servant, Russell hurried to Yuanguang Town. It was indeed ten times livelier now than the scene when he had strolled through a couple of days ago.

A main street, with three cross streets, all packed with people.

At least half of the populace from the domain had come to the town.

“Here it comes, here it comes, look at the Fire Ant Pills, a specialty from Fire Ant Swamp, makes you strong after eating, and your wife will smile with joy!”

“Smoked rat meat for sale, authentic smoked rat meat from Furious Wind City!”

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“Qi and Blood Ointment, three silver coins for a dose of it. It’s not Magic Potion but still better than Magic Potion. For those who want you and your child to nourish the seed of Battle Qi, you can’t miss out on Qi and Blood Ointment!”

“The Fantasy Beast performance is about to begin. Those who haven’t bought tickets quickly head to the big tent beside the bridge on the third cross street, and the Dreamy Mink will bring you a magical experience!”

“Choose from over a dozen kinds of gems. Moray Jewel Stand welcomes your patronage.”

“Large wolfhounds, small wolfhounds, large hunting dogs, small hunting dogs, watchdogs, and mixed-breed dogs, we have them all. Boss, would you like to buy one?”

“Umbrella repairs, shoe repairs, furniture repairs…”

The newly arrived caravan spread out along several streets, their cries rising and falling as they arranged an array of goods that greatly attracted the enthusiasm of the people.

Russell had to leave his horse outside the town since riding was not an option, leaving the Knight Attendant James to watch over it.

He then mixed in with the crowd, accompanied by Charles and others.

“Sir, you really don’t need to humble yourself so much and squeeze in with these stinky serfs—it would have been entirely possible for Tom and the others to clear the way for us,” Charles said loudly, just to be heard over the surrounding noise.

“Even my father would not choose to disturb the subjects’ enjoyment on a day like this,” Russell said noncommittally.

He certainly could have revealed his status as the Baron’s second son and then have the people make way for him.

But there was no need.

He didn’t enjoy the pomp and circumstance of a cleared path; on the contrary, the bustling scene gave him a familiar sense of nostalgia—of course, it would be better if the surrounding stench were a little less.

A short while later, Russell and his party arrived at a jewel stand.

“Owner, are all these gemstones produced by dragons?” Russell asked as he looked at a mixed collection of gemstones on the stall.

“Of course, Sir,” the stall owner quickly recognized Russell’s distinguished status, “Please take a look at these gemstones. This is an emerald, which can draw in Battle Qi and is the perfect material for inlaying onto weapons; this is a Danquan Stone, which can speed up the healing of wounds…”

There were more than a dozen different colored gemstones in total.

Russell, however, had his eyes on a colorless, transparent gemstone: “Is this a white crystal?”

“Sir, your insight is as sharp as a torch, this indeed is a white crystal, a completely transparent crystal, a specialty of the White Crystal Dragon from Count Broken Stone’s estate. When we passed through the Gravel Domain, we had to pay a high price to get this batch of white crystals.”

Count Broken Stone was one of the two Earls of the Shadowflame Duchy, holding high authority and always the arm and confidant of the Duke.

“What is the effect of the white crystal?”

“Purifying the heart and mind, Sir. If you wear a white crystal, you’ll be able to concentrate better when practicing or meditating on your Battle Qi.”

“How much for these two?” Russell picked out two slightly larger white crystals.

“As a token of my goodwill, thirteen Gold Coins; the larger one for seven Gold Coins, the smaller one for six Gold Coins,” the stall owner’s eyes gleamed, finally a big client had arrived, “Of course, if you have Ice Pellet Pearls, you could also use those to pay.”

“That’s too expensive,” Russell shook his head.

“Ah, this is a very fair price already, Sir. You, a noble gentleman, know that dragon specialties have always been so costly. After all, it is only those of your standing who are worthy of using them.”

“Exactly because I am a noble, I know it’s overpriced,” Russell was not a thin-skinned young man who would feel too shy to haggle after a bit of flattery, “Seven Gold Coins for two white crystals. Take it, or leave it.”

“Oh my goodness!” The stall owner clasped his head, “Sir, just kill me now!”

Watching the stall owner’s exaggerated performance, Russell said nothing more, turned around, and walked away: “Mr. Charles, let’s go and look around elsewhere.”

“Ah, wait, wait… Sir, Sir, please wait a moment, ten Gold Coins, just ten Gold Coins and they’re yours!” the stall owner quickly shouted.

The serfs and freemen crowded in the town were not his target customers; only someone like Russell would afford and be willing to buy the gemstones.

Letting go of any of them was a huge loss.

Russell paused, revealing a satisfied smile, but quickly composed himself, turned back, and firmly said, “No more than eight Gold Coins. That’s my final offer.”

“Nine Gold Coins, what about nine?” The stall owner clasped his hands together, pleading as if begging for mercy, “This is high-quality white crystal, regular in shape and transparent throughout. They must have been nurtured in the vein for at least ten years to produce such a quality of white crystal!”

Russell insisted, “Eight Gold Coins!”

In the end, with the stall owner displaying an almost mourning expression, a sale was made for eight Gold Coins.

But as the stall owner quickly wrapped up the white crystals and handed them over as if afraid Russell would change his mind, Russell knew he was still too young.

The stall owner had tearfully earned at least two Gold Coins, maybe even more!