My Computer Leads to an Instance Dungeon-Chapter 123 - 99: "Win-Win" Deal? I Win Twice

Even in this era, copper was worth far less than gold or silver. The Copper Rope couldn't be spent.

The goat's blood Fang Zhen bought wasn't actually valuable. The townspeople seemed to consider blood unclean, so it was basically free.

Mark also used his reputation to his advantage. Since the butcher knew him, he gave them the goat's blood for free.

The only things they paid for were the two leather skins to hold the goat's blood.

Mark also borrowed a horse from an acquaintance. It wasn't a magnificent steed, just an old horse that was barely fit to be ridden but could carry a bit of a load.

Fang Zhen handed Mark two large, curved leather skins, both filled to the brim with goat's blood.

While they were getting ready, four soldiers suddenly appeared down the street, heading their way. They wore a mix of leather and metal armor and carried Longswords and Hand Axes.

Fang Zhen's pupils dilated slightly as his hand went to the Nepalese Curved Saber at his waist.

"It's okay. I know them. I'll handle this," Mark said, quickly stepping in front of Fang Zhen when he saw him tense up for a fight.

The four soldiers walked up to the butcher shop's entrance.

The leader of the soldiers wore a domed helmet. Beneath it, a chainmail coif was visible, protecting the back of his neck.

The man looked at Fang Zhen. "Heard a stranger came to town. That you?"

"And you're armed. You're not here to cause trouble, are you?"

"Yorick, it's alright," Mark said, stepping between the soldier and Fang Zhen.

"The Master vouched for him. He won't cause any trouble."

"The Master..." Hearing Gwendolyn's name, the soldier, Yorick, hesitated.

Fang Zhen took note of this.

'Looks like Gwendolyn is very influential in this town, enough to sway even people from a somewhat hostile faction.'

'In terms I'm familiar with, she has a lot of "face".'

"Alright, since you know Master Gwendolyn, we'll let it slide," Yorick said. "But don't cause any trouble. It'll make things difficult for all of us if you do."

"Don't worry," Mark said. "Anyone the Master vouches for knows the rules."

Fang Zhen nodded as well.

Yorick glanced at Fang Zhen but said nothing more.

"Let's move out. Continue the patrol."

Yorick said, turning to his men.

As Yorick and his men walked away, Fang Zhen asked, "Who was that?"

"That's the town sheriff, Yorick. We grew up together," Mark answered. "He has that typical Ellick People mentality I mentioned—he doesn't want trouble, doesn't want to take risks, and doesn't want to offend anyone. He wants to stay neutral."

Fang Zhen nodded slightly.

'I can get a good read on people like that.'

'They're just like the cops in the Shanghai police department before the Liberation.'

'They weren't exactly loyal to the Nationalist government; they were just making a living to feed their families. But they also lacked the conviction to side with the Communists to save the country.'

'People like that live in the cracks, trying to placate both sides and stay on everyone's good side.'

'Their goal isn't necessarily to get ahead; it's to avoid offending anyone and to hedge their bets. It's not that they're particularly smart, but they're terrified of backing the wrong horse and being purged by the victors.'

'If I apply the mindset of a Shanghai cop with a bit of power from the years before the Liberation to this Yorick, I can see him perfectly.'

Fang Zhen didn't dwell on it.

His preparations were complete.

"Mark, lead the way," Fang Zhen said. "We're going to the Ancient Castle's Underground Cave now."

「Over twenty minutes later.」

Fang Zhen, on his Jue Ying motorcycle, arrived at a valley with Mark.

He had also gotten a clear idea of the terrain.

Count Ellick's castle was situated on a mountain, and it was actually closer to the Light Gate than the town was.

Topographically, you could imagine a horizontal letter "U." The town was located at the apex of the curve, while the Light Gate and the Ancient Castle were at the two tips.

Fang Zhen and Mark were now in the valley below the Vampire Count's mountain-top Ancient Castle.

It was obvious that Mark grew nervous after they entered the valley. He fell silent, and his voice and body both became stiff.

"Mr. Ranger, from this area onward, we're likely to encounter Abnormal Ghosts," Mark said to Fang Zhen, who was to his right. Riding his horse, Mark's voice held a slight tremor.