"Rip-off merchant?"
Dan Heng glanced at the sign Fu Zhu had erected nearby. One diamond for one potato – indeed, a rip-off merchant in name and fact. With such prices displayed, merely being scolded a few times would indicate high public civility; getting mobbed wouldn't be out of the question.
Yet, strangely, the dignitaries gathered around Fu Zhu, waiting to trade, each held a small cloth bag. Judging by the bulges, the bags contained irregular polyhedrons, likely gemstones.
Furthermore, their faces showed no negative emotions. On the contrary, every single one seemed eager to trade with Fu Zhu. This was something Dan Heng simply couldn't comprehend.
For such exorbitant prices to be accepted so willingly, the only possibility was that the potatoes Fu Zhu was trading were no ordinary potatoes. Otherwise, even if the Great Guardian ordered these people to trade forcibly, they wouldn't possibly be smiling.
As the Express's archivist, Dan Heng was extremely curious about what Fu Zhu's potatoes looked like and what effects they had. After pondering for a moment, he walked forward, bypassing the crowd from the side, and approached Fu Zhu.
"Fu Zhu."
Dan Heng called out to him. Fu Zhu turned his head, glanced at Dan Heng, nodded, and let out a noncommittal "Hmm-hah" sound.
Dan Heng: ?
Just then, Xing and the others walked over. Xing, rubbing her cheeks, explained to Dan Heng.
"Bro said he's never experienced cosplaying like this before, so he decided his only lines today would be 'Hmm' and 'Hah'."
March 7th, listening nearby, couldn't help but retort, "What kind of merchant only says 'Hmm' and 'Hah'?! Don't merchants usually need to talk customers into buying things?"
Xing, however, looked unfazed, pointing to the three small piles of crops on the table Fu Zhu had set up.
"Bro says these items are exclusive to him. Take it or leave it."
Seele crossed her arms, glancing at the seeds on Fu Zhu's table, then at the mixed crowd of various people, noting the small number of security personnel around.
"Leaving the items out here, isn't he afraid of being robbed?"
"Robbed?" Xing tilted her head, seemingly unable to quite grasp Seele's words. She promptly turned to Fu Zhu. "Bro, Seele's worried you'll get robbed."
Fu Zhu merely snorted contemptuously before finally speaking to explain, "Only I rob others! No one can rob me!"
March 7th covered her mouth, winking mischievously at Fu Zhu. "Hey, hey, hey, your character just broke! Weren't your only lines today 'Hmm' and 'Hah'?"
"How can Steve's business be called breaking character! Steve does whatever Steve wants!"
Seele sighed helplessly, rubbing her forehead. "Even if you're confident in your own strength, you can't be too careful. Even someone like me who hasn't read many books knows this principle. Surely you know it too?"
Fu Zhu, initially quite confident, couldn't help but pinch his chin and ponder after hearing Seele's words.
He had to admit, Seele had a point. There were always some fearless ruffians in this world coveting his property!
Fu Zhu immediately raised his hand and snapped his fingers. "Silvermane Guards, where are you?!"
"Mr. Fu Zhu, your orders!"
In the span of a single breath, three Silvermane Guards instantly dashed out from the crowd, standing respectfully beside Fu Zhu, awaiting his command.
Dan Heng, March 7th, and Seele couldn't help but look astonished at this scene. March 7th, in particular, glanced back and forth between the Silvermane Guards and Fu Zhu several times.
"Since when do the Silvermane Guards take your orders?"
Bronya helpfully explained from the side, "Because the Great Guardian declared that everyone should treat you all with state honors, as they would the Great Guardian herself. So, in certain matters, Mr. Fu Zhu does indeed have the authority to command the Silvermane Guards."
"That impressive?!"
Now March 7th and Dan Heng were even more curious about what astounding things Fu Zhu had done to make Cocolia, who had been so hostile towards them before, become so compliant.
Having summoned the Silvermane Guards, Fu Zhu casually scribbled down a list of things he needed on a piece of paper with a pen and handed it to them.
"Help me find these things. Although Belobog's resources are somewhat scarce, these items shouldn't be lacking, right?"
A Silvermane Guard took the note, glanced at it, and nodded.
"Understood, Mr. Fu Zhu."
The Silvermane Guard carefully put away the note and turned to leave. March 7th and the others couldn't help but gather around curiously.
"Fu Zhu, what did you ask them to find for you?"
"Nothing much, just four Iron Blocks, one Pumpkin, and a pair of Shears. Like Seele said, one can't be too careful. I thought I'd recruit some backup."
"Backup?"
"Mm-hmm, you'll see later."
After explaining briefly to the others, Fu Zhu tucked his hands back into his sleeves, resuming his villager merchant posture, and continued trading with the dignitaries.
[Achievement Unlocked: Trade!]
[Achievement Points Awarded: 1]
[Achievement Unlocked: Diamond!]
[Achievement Points Awarded: 2]
Fu Zhu cheerfully collected the diamonds and emeralds, unlocking two achievements in the process. But one thing puzzled him.
From beginning to end, he hadn't unlocked an achievement related to meeting Cocolia. Based on previous achievement unlocks, he should have left a very deep impression on her. Could it be that the impression wasn't deep enough?
During the trading, Fu Zhu took a moment to check his achievement points. He was just a few points short of being able to purchase another batch of mods or directly select a mod that could significantly boost his strength.
If the achievement with Cocolia didn't unlock soon, Fu Zhu would have to look for other achievements to complete.
He absolutely had to increase his strength before setting off on the next leg of the journey. After all, there was no guarantee the next Trailblaze expedition would lead to a planet as relatively easy as Jarilo-VI.
....
A short while later, seven Silvermane Guards returned, pulling a heavy cart. Loaded onto the cart were four cubic-meter-sized blocks of iron, along with several pumpkins and a pair of shears.
Seeing this, the people gathered in the plaza subconsciously cleared a path, simultaneously murmuring amongst themselves, discussing what the miraculous Mr. Fu Zhu intended to do with the items he had the Silvermane Guards fetch.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, all the items are here. Please inspect them."
Fu Zhu directly reached out, lifted one of the iron blocks in his hand, and confirmed it could be converted into an MC Iron Block. Only then did he nod.
"Hmm, the items are correct. Now, it's time to show you all a little trick."