Hmph, This Venerable One Will Crush You to Death with Gold Today!

"Professor, how about... I give you this? As a gift in exchange?" Worried that Snape might not understand, Chu Yao deliberately explained it in terms he might recognize. "This is an Eastern... um, 'potion' called a Rejuvenation Pill. It can quickly heal external injuries, internal injuries, and mental damage. While it heals you, it also restores some of your stamina. The effects are immediate!"

Snape's formerly furious gaze sharpened instantly when he heard "quickly heal external injuries, internal injuries, and mental damage" and "restore stamina."

As a top Potions Master, he immediately recognized the immense value this little pill might hold.

Without even examining it closely, he reached out almost at once to take the bottle and swiftly tucked it into a pocket inside his black robes. He moved so fast that all that remained was an afterimage.

Quickly heal mental damage?!

There was such a good thing?

It was well worth studying!

For the sake of the Rejuvenation Pill, a "gift" of considerable value, the terrifyingly oppressive atmosphere around Snape finally subsided for the most part. His expression still could not be called pleasant, but at least he no longer looked ready to kill someone to silence them.

He cleared his throat, and a trace of his usual low, silky tone returned to his voice, along with a hint of almost imperceptible "amiability." "Then... we will first go to Gringotts and exchange some currency commonly used in the wizarding world for you."

Chu Yao nodded obediently and followed Professor Snape, who still gave off an air of "keep away," toward the snow-white building that towered above the surrounding shops and gleamed with a cold metallic sheen—Gringotts.

This was the wizarding bank?

It looked more presentable than the Leaky Cauldron, at least, but this aesthetic... the white was dazzling, like a funeral hall. Not very auspicious.

The Goblin at the entrance, dressed in a scarlet and gold uniform, was quite polite and bowed slightly to Snape and Chu Yao, though his eyes were no less shrewd and appraising.

When they reached the counter, a Goblin with a wrinkled face and sharp eyes peered out.

On seeing Professor Snape, he merely gave a slight nod in greeting.

But when his gaze fell on Chu Yao and he learned that Snape was only accompanying her and that this young Eastern girl was the one he was here to serve, his lightbulb-like eyes immediately filled with undisguised scrutiny and... a trace of barely perceptible contempt.

"Gringotts welcomes you, Professor Snape, and this... miss." The Goblin's voice was high-pitched. "However, we must make it clear in advance that we do not accept Eastern... currency here."

He drew out his words with an air of superiority.

The obedient smile on Fuqu's face did not change in the slightest, but inwardly, she had already begun to vent.

Snob! Just like the book said!

A bunch of short misers blinded by gold! This venerable one will crush you to death with gold today!

She spoke directly, her voice crisp as she went straight to the point. "Do you accept gold, then?"

Sure enough, the moment he heard the word "gold," the Goblin's formerly contemptuous eyes lit up, like a shark scenting blood.

He leaned forward slightly, and his tone grew much warmer. "Of course! Gold is hard currency across all races. May I ask this young lady's..."

"Chu Yao."

Snape supplied her name in a low voice from beside her. His gaze swept over the Goblin's instantly changed expression, and the corners of his mouth turned down almost imperceptibly. Clearly, he was accustomed to the Goblin's snobbery and found it deeply repugnant.

Greedy creatures.

As always.

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