After finishing all two liang of roasted walrus meat, Durin comfortably sat at the tavern bar, chatting with Aqii, who was both a broker and the tavern owner.
About half an hour later, a middle-aged man in his forties, with a slightly anxious expression, walked in through the door. This person was none other than Wes, the butler of the Spencer Family.
Some of the mercenaries who recognized him instinctively wanted to stand up, but seeing him walk directly towards Durin, they sheepishly sat back down on their chairs.
"Mr. Durin!" Wes the butler came to Durin's side and said in a low voice, "Let's talk in private."
Then, the two went to a private room.
When the door closed, Durin found an empty chair by the window and sat down.
He casually pulled open the curtains, letting the bright afternoon sunlight stream in. As the sun shone through the clear glass window, Durin couldn't help but squint, and even the expression on his face relaxed a lot.
"Mr. Durin, I never thought you'd retrieve the blueprint so quickly! You're truly promising at such a young age. I see you're not far from becoming a Mage, just one opportunity away." Wes the butler was clearly in a good mood, saying with a hint of eagerness, "So... where is that blueprint now? If there are no issues, I'll settle the payment with you."
Durin, however, was unmoved. He lazily stretched, and asked in a calm tone, "I've already obtained the blueprint, but I have a question. Wes the butler, didn't you know that Janet has a chainsaw sword? This thing is very dangerous, but Wes the butler, you didn't mention it to me at all. Isn't this information a bit off?"
"Uh."
The smile on Wes the butler's face instantly stiffened. He looked carefully at Durin, and after confirming that the other party was not joking, he pondered for a moment, then smiled again and said, "Is that so? Then I can't forgive the person who helped me gather information. Please rest assured, Mr. Durin, when you work for me, the remuneration you deserve will absolutely not be less."
As he spoke, Wes the butler took out a dark gold pocket watch from his pocket and placed it on the table, continuing, "This pocket watch is a masterpiece by Master Jaquet Droz. It won't show any error even if soaked in water for a day and a night. It's worth at least 10 silver lun coins, consider it my apology to you."
The watch cover was cold, with intricate metal patterns engraved on it. Lifting the cover revealed a glass dial inside. Beneath the dial were three metal hands, and below the hands were slowly rotating gear meshing transmission devices and other metal components, looking exceptionally exquisite.
Although it felt a bit heavy, it came with a not-too-long metal watch chain.
Durin held the pocket watch and thought for a moment. A pocket watch was a relatively important daily tool for him. With this item, he could precisely control time when he went to Zaun next time, without any mistakes.
So, a smile also appeared on his face, and he nodded, "You're too kind, Mr. Wes, we are good friends. If you ever need my help with anything in the future, just say the word!"
"Of course. Here is the payment for your hard work this time."
Wes the butler took out 5 gold cogwheels from his pocket as the previously agreed-upon reward and handed them to Durin, while receiving the weapon design blueprint from Durin's hand.
Thus, the two reached a harmonious agreement.
[Affection with Wes the butler +6, Charm +2, Current Proficiency: 26/50]
[Charm Specialization Point * 1]
Then, he looked at the two one-handed weapon specialization choices that popped up, their passive effects—
[Diplomacy: When an individual negotiates with others, the penalty for even a failed negotiation will be reduced by 15%]
[Active Greeting: When first meeting a stranger and introducing oneself, there is a 10% chance to directly gain +3 Affection]
Durin quickly scanned these two specializations and immediately understood the bonuses they brought him. The former was a very practical passive specialization; whether in business or in a verbal confrontation with an enemy before a fight, it could provide a reduction effect.
As for the latter, although it could help increase affection and assist in boosting Charm, the probability was too low; a 10% chance was almost negligible.
Thinking of this, Durin decisively made his choice, opting for the [Diplomacy] passive specialization.
Indeed, in this world, the only way to get rich quickly is by taking risks. The greater the danger, the greater the reward.
Durin's current total assets were: 2 gold couzeri coins, 7 gold cogwheels, 27 silver lun coins, and 30 copper circle coins.
To celebrate, Wes the butler even offered to invite him to Ladies Street to enjoy the afternoon as a gesture of thanks.
Suddenly feeling his wallet much fuller, Durin's mood also brightened. Coupled with someone else paying, he readily accepted the invitation.
As the saying goes, once is a stranger, twice is a friend.
Durin arrived at Heaven and Earth and skillfully ordered the same Ionian Geishas as last time, then instructed that he needed a bath.
As he was fully immersed in a hot tub filled with flower petals, he realized that in front of him was a huge one-way mirror, and on the other side of the glass was an Ionian Geishas wearing a light, sheer skirt, swaying her slender waist and plump Hips as she danced gracefully in the room.
Such a leisurely afternoon made Durin exclaim, "No wonder the ancients said that beauty is a bone-scraping blade!"
Soon after, the Geishas, having finished her dance, sat before a guzheng and began to play, while Durin picked up a pot of iced plum wine from beside the bathtub and poured himself a cup to savor.
As he savored it, Durin drank cup after cup of the iced plum wine in his hand, inadvertently becoming a bit tipsy.
Time passed quickly, and when he walked out of Heaven and Earth again, he felt refreshed.
By this time, night had already fallen, enveloping the entire city.
The entire Ladies Street began to light up, the bright glow from the alchemical streetlights dispelling the surrounding darkness.
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