Chapter 76 - 76 73 Emotional Account_1

76: Chapter 73 Emotional Account_1 76: Chapter 73 Emotional Account_1 Gaven, slightly reminiscing, organized his memories and said, “Hanson, at first, you gave me half a cart of grain and a pot, which should be the investment you’re always talking about. But during the first delivery, when you brought three carts of moldy and stale grain, I had already given you a cart of high-quality iron ore, sufficient to offset the previous account. The second time, you brought five carts of moldy and stale grain, and I similarly filled your wagons with high-quality iron ore, and if my calculations are correct, that transaction alone should earn you a fivefold profit, not a dime less. Today is the third time, am I wrong in what I have said? Of course, financial accounts can be settled this way, but emotional debts cannot. Today, I will also make your emotional debts clear, Anna, did you bring the thing I asked you to get?” “Brought… brought it here.” The Maiden Priestess ran over, panting, still holding a small wooden box in her hands. Gaven didn’t even bother to look inside, picking up the box with one hand and, with a thud, tossed the small wooden box at Hanson’s feet, saying, “This box contains our emotional debts. If you think it’s fair, unload the grain from the cart, and if you still think you’re at a loss, take the grain back as it is. In any case, after this, we part ways in business forever, with no further commercial relations.” When the small wooden box hit the ground, its poorly secured lid popped open, and several crystal-clear Crystal Stones bounced out from inside. A few Business Owners, obviously recognizing the item, exclaimed in low voices, “Spirit Crystal Stone.” “You recognize this type of Crystal Stone? Why have I never seen it before? What’s its value?” another Business Owner who didn’t recognize the item asked softly. “It’s difficult to assess because this type of Crystal Stone only shows its true value in the hands of special Spellcasters. However, even by normal standards, with such quantity, it’s worth over a thousand gold. If it falls into the hands of someone in urgent need, it could fetch far more than ten thousand gold.” “Hiss! Even at a normal price, Hanson’s grain is enough to purchase a hundred carts. This emotional debt is indeed costly.” What made all the Business Owners’ expressions change was the sight of the tall and burly Half-Ogre striding towards them, lugging four small wooden boxes of the same size and design. No need to ask what was inside. Apparently, Gaven intended to settle emotional debts not just with Hanson, but with the other Business Owners as well. What a joke. Only a fool would settle emotional debts with Gaven, especially after seeing so much Spirit Crystal Ore. What does this indicate? It implies that the other party has found a Spirit Crystal Vein. This small box of Spirit Crystal Ore looks very tempting, but it’s a one-time deal; once accepted, even if they unearth a gold mine, it has nothing to do with you anymore. If it were a naive, easily content farmer, he might just pick up the small wooden box and leave. But for these Business Owners, making such a choice would be more painful than death itself. Looking at Hanson’s face, it was clear that his demeanor, previously so fearsome, had largely dissipated, replaced with a pitiful look of pleading as he turned to the other business owners for support. No one gets angry with money, especially these merchants whose eyes are only on profits. As the case of Spirit Crystal Stones was brought down, any previous dissatisfaction among the business owners was smashed to nothingness. Searᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The business owner who had been trying to smooth things over came forward again and said, “Brother Gaven, you’re too kind. How could we measure our relationship in money? Especially since we’ve shared hardships together. Like I just said, brother Hanson has this temper; he certainly didn’t mean it that way. Isn’t that right, Hanson?” “Yes, yes, yes,” Hanson nodded desperately, seizing the chance to retreat and said, “I didn’t mean that. I just think you shouldn’t shut us and our merchant convoy out, considering we are business partners…” “You may not mean that, but I do,” Gaven said with a cold face. “This is my home. Letting you in is a favor; not letting you in is my right. When you confuse favor with obligation, there’s no need for us to do business. Let’s part on good terms. I value relationships the most, and now that our accounts of ‘relationship’ are settled, there will be no further dealings. This is not open for discussion, and anyone who keeps rambling on will have their ‘relationship’ account settled in full by me.” “You…” Hanson tried to say something else. Another six or seven business owners leaped out, covering mouths, hugging waists, and pulling arms, dragging him back while muttering quietly, “Would you shut up? If you keep spouting nonsense, you’ll ruin all our business.” This time, the pull was different from the last; it was both quick and ruthless, and a few business owners clearly employed grappling techniques, determined not to let Hanson open his foul mouth again. That he hadn’t been ruined by his foul mouth and temper after so many years in business was a minor miracle. “Yes, yes, we were wrong. We failed to distinguish between primary and secondary concerns. Brother Gaven isn’t someone who forgets old ties. If he won’t let us in, there must be a profound reason; we simply didn’t get the measure right.” The business owner said, rubbing his hands, “But every man makes mistakes, and we should get a chance to correct them. Not for anything else, but in consideration of over a month we’ve spent together, you can’t just make our trip count for nothing, right?” Upon hearing this, Gaven’s expression finally relaxed a bit, and he nodded, “Uncle Klay, what you’re saying now sounds like something a genuine businessperson should say. If you all had this mindset earlier, we wouldn’t have had this unpleasantness. Of course, we’ll do business, but not today. Everyone is too heated right now. Let’s all cool off for a day, and we can talk about the rest tomorrow. How does that sound?” “Brother Gaven is very considerate. We’ll camp here today and discuss any matters tomorrow,” responded Klay obligingly. “But where should our convoy set up camp?” Klay wisely avoided bringing up entering the Blackwell Tribe again, knowing it was an explosive topic best left untouched. “As long as you avoid the main entrance, you can set up anywhere on the sides,” Gaven pointed out, “Rest assured, my patrol guards protect not only here, but also the surrounding hills. No one foolish will come to disturb you.” Klay laughed and said, “Brother Gaven seems to have forgotten what we do for a living. We’ve traversed the Rocklands more than a dozen times; how could we possibly be afraid right at your doorstep?” “Well then, if there’s anything you need, just let them notify me. I’ve got other matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you company. We can talk about everything else tomorrow.” After greeting them, Gaven turned away with the Maiden Priestess and the Half-Ogre, walking off and selectively forgetting about the box of Spirit Crystal Stones he had thrown on the ground. Even after Gaven’s figure had completely disappeared into the Blackwell Tribe, the business owners still looked at each other in bewilderment. One business owner couldn’t help asking, “What does he mean by that?” Klay, cautious, glanced warily at the surrounding Gnoll soldiers and said in a low voice, “Don’t talk about it here. Let’s set up camp first, and then gather at my place later.” “Okay.” “Alright.” All the merchants responded in chorus.