The shopkeeper’s expression shifted instantly. His smile froze on his face as he hurriedly reached out to stop Bai Xuan. “Oh! Look at my memory! I’ve been so busy I got confused—I grabbed the wrong one! This is the one, this is the one!”
He frantically swapped it for a robe of similar texture but without any decoration. “This one is only thirty silver! Just thirty silver!”
After some haggling, Bai Xuan eventually purchased two plain white robes of decent quality and a set of replacement undergarments for ten silver coins each.
The total came to twenty-five silver coins and thirty-five copper coins.
The shopkeeper’s smile turned bitter, but he didn’t say anything more.
Carrying his new clothes, Bai Xuan began looking for a place to stay.
He took a liking to an inn that looked quite large, with a clean and impressive sign—the 【White Lion Inn】.
When he pushed the door open, he found a spacious and bright hall with tidy tables and chairs.
Behind the counter, a gray-haired but energetic auntie was looking down, keeping accounts.
Hearing the door, she looked up.
“Welcome to the White Lion... oh!” Aunt Martha’s eyes lit up as her gaze fell upon Bai Xuan.
Specifically, after seeing his face and the staff in his hand, the smile on her face immediately became incredibly warm. “Young master... ah, no, Mr. Spellcaster, are you looking for a room?”
“Yes, I’d like a quiet room,” Bai Xuan said as he walked forward.
“You got it! Our rooms are clean and comfortable—the best in the Outer Town!”
Aunt Martha briskly pulled out a ledger and a brass key. “A single room is one silver coin a day. A one-day deposit up front, if that works for you?”
One silver coin? Compared to the five-silver “simple package” at the post house, this price surprised Bai Xuan.
He paid the money readily.
“Thank you for your business! The room is at the very end of the second floor. It’s quiet!”
Aunt Martha handed over the key, her chatterbox opening up. “You look like a new face. Is this your first time in Blackcreek Town? Are you here for travel, or...?”
“I suppose it’s a journey, and I’d also like to learn about the situation here,” Bai Xuan asked, taking the opportunity. “Could you tell me how to get to the Adventurer’s Guild?”
“The Guild! I know it very well!”
Aunt Martha became even more animated, a proud look appearing on her face. “My son is registered with the Guild. He’s with a pretty good team right now!”
“I named this place after his team’s name. Doesn’t it sound impressive?”
“But he took a commission and left a few days ago; he hasn’t come back yet. As for the Guild, just head north on the main street... it’s the three-story stone building with a sword and shield crest hanging at the entrance!”
“It’s lively there. You can find all sorts of news and plenty of commissions.”
Martha paused, her expression darkening slightly. “But you have to be careful. My son says there are all sorts of people over there...”
“I understand. Thank you for the advice.” Bai Xuan noted the information and prepared to head upstairs after thanking her.
“Wait, sir!” Aunt Martha called out to him again.
Bai Xuan turned around, confused.
He saw Aunt Martha wearing a probing smile—the kind belonging to a meddling elder that he was quite familiar with from his previous life.
The auntie leaned her hands on the counter and lowered her voice. “A young spellcaster like you... I wonder, do you already have a partner?”
Bai Xuan felt his scalp tingle instantly. Memories of being hounded by relatives to get married in his previous life came rushing back.
He blurted out almost without thinking, “I... I’m already engaged!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he stunned himself for a moment.
Engaged? What engagement? But it was definitely the most effective excuse.
A look of disappointment clearly flashed across Aunt Martha’s face, but it quickly turned into understanding. “Oh... I see. That’s a real shame.”
“But if you need someone to help take care of chores around here, or if you change your mind, let me know anytime! My niece works in a tailor shop in the Inner Town. She’s very quick with her hands...”
“Right, right. Thank you, Auntie!” Bai Xuan practically snatched the words out of the air before turning and hurrying upstairs without looking back.
He could still hear Aunt Martha’s slightly regretful voice behind him.
He found the corresponding room, and the scene inside greeted him as he opened the door.
The room was much more spacious and bright than the one at the post house. It had a bed, a table and chairs, a wardrobe, and even a ceramic jar and basin filled with clean water. The windows were bright and clean, making his mood much more pleasant.
After getting some hot water, Bai Xuan carefully washed away the dust of travel and changed into his newly purchased plain white robe.
The soft, clean fabric against his skin brought a refreshing sense of comfort.
He picked up his crude staff and walked to a blurry bronze mirror in the corner of the room.
The young man in the mirror had a tall, straight posture and an outstanding appearance. Though the new white robe was simple, it complemented his gentle (disguised) temperament perfectly.
Despite the crudeness of the staff in his hand, it served as an indispensable footnote to his identity as a “spellcaster.”
Anyone looking at him would think he was a young Healer from a decent background who was traveling alone.
“Simply perfect!” Bai Xuan nodded repeatedly at his reflection. This layer of disguise should leave no room for suspicion.
Next, it was time to deal with the spoils of war.
He pulled the seemingly ordinary copper ring from his robe. Beneath its cold touch was a depth that far exceeded its appearance.
With a thought, his mental energy probed into the small, stable space inside the ring.
The Magic Cores from goblins, Dreadboars, and other miscellaneous hunts, as well as harvested herbs like Emerald Grass, were taken out one by one and carefully wrapped in a sturdy coarse cloth bag.
After weighing the heavy cloth bag, Bai Xuan checked his appearance once more and pushed the door to head downstairs.
Downstairs, Aunt Martha was wiping the counter. Seeing him come down, her eyes lit up again. “My, you look quite sharp in that outfit! Are you heading out?”
“Yes, I want to sell some materials and buy a few things.” Bai Xuan nodded. “Auntie, do you have any recommendations for a reputable alchemy material shop or a collection shop nearby?”
“Selling materials? Then you can’t go wrong with the 【Coarse Pottery Flask Shop】!”
Aunt Martha said without hesitation, “It’s run by Lorrain. It’s right at the south end of the main street. It’s the one with a crooked-necked ceramic flask hanging at the door.”
“He’s honest in business and offers fair prices. Though he’s a bit stubborn and doesn’t like to haggle, you get exactly what you pay for.”
“Coarse Pottery Flask Shop... Thank you, Auntie.”
“Don’t mention it! Come back early. The town is safe enough at night, but don’t wander around too late by yourself.” Aunt Martha gave a kind reminder.
Bai Xuan thanked her and walked out of the White Lion Inn, carrying the cloth bag of materials and his staff.
The sun was already setting outside.
Following Aunt Martha’s directions, Bai Xuan quickly found the uniquely branded shop, the 【Coarse Pottery Flask Shop】.
The shop sign was a large, brown ceramic flask with a crooked neck that wasn't particularly well-made. It hung under the lintel, swaying gently in the breeze.
The shopfront was small. Crystal jars and bottles were displayed in the window, containing various colored plant roots and minerals soaking inside.
As he pushed the door open, a scent mixed with the fragrance of herbs, the slight fishiness of minerals, and a certain scorched aroma wafted toward him.
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