A High-Stakes Gamble

Partner?

Interesting!

After hearing the young merchant's proposal, Zuo Si immediately recognized the feeling of his heart being stirred.

Because if he established a cooperative relationship with a merchant guild that held significant influence in Athkatla, he would not only gain a stable source of wealth.

But he would also gain considerable convenience on a social level.

For example, he could quickly integrate into the local ruling class and become part of the privileged, vested interest group of nobles.

Of course, the price would be entanglement in a conspiracy, with many unknown risks potentially involved.

This was a gamble!

A high-stakes gamble!

If he won, he could establish a firm foothold in Faerun with substantial rewards.

If he lost, he would only lose everything he had just gained upon arriving in this world.

Why not take the gamble?

Zuo Si couldn't find any reason to refuse.

There was no way around it!

The other party was offering too much...

However, accustomed to hiding his thoughts and emotions, he didn't reveal his feelings. He simply smiled and said, "I need some time to consider. But rest assured, I will give you my answer within a week at most."

"Then I shall await your good news. Also, regarding the ransom for this ship and its cargo, I will pay you one-third of the profits after selling the goods."

After saying this, Bernard placed his hand on his chest, bowed, and then reluctantly turned to leave.

He had utilized all the resources at his disposal to their fullest extent. Whether it would succeed now depended on the decision of the goddess of fortune, Tyche.

After watching the merchant walk away, the soldier standing nearby couldn't help but ask, "Master, do you really intend to get involved in something like this?"

"Why not?"

Zuo Si shrugged and asked back.

"As long as the benefits are sufficient, I don't mind taking a few risks.

After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. To gain something, one must pay a price.

Don't worry, if I encounter an enemy I cannot defeat, I will immediately abandon everything and choose to flee.

For a Planeswalker, failure is not terrifying. What is truly frightening is losing the courage to face danger and explore the unknown."

The soldier nodded thoughtfully, "I see, I think I understand. But why didn't you choose to agree directly just now?"

"Because things that are obtained too easily are often perceived as cheap and not worth cherishing by many people.

But things that are finally acquired after enduring great hardship are often treasured like jewels, even if it's just a pebble with no actual value.

I want to pique Bernard's interest, thereby establishing myself as the dominant party in this cooperation."

Zuo Si explained patiently, resting his chin on his hand.

At this moment, the wisdom and maturity in his eyes, which were inconsistent with his apparent age, filled Captain Old Bas, who was directing the sailors' work nearby, with a sense of inexplicable dread.

The sailors on the ship even began to speculate privately that Zuo Si might not be human at all, but some kind of monster possessing a Polymorph Ability.

He had no intention of paying any attention to these rumors born from ignorance, stupidity, and fear.

After all, similar rumors were abundant in the land of Faerun.

Anyone with a modicum of reason and sense wouldn't believe them.

However, Zuo Si was not lacking in necessary caution.

For instance, when eating, he would always have the soldiers beside him eat a little first, and only after waiting a while to confirm it wasn't poisoned would he eat himself.

All these "good" habits were cultivated in the tower of the floating city.

Given that the Archlich - Astar - liked to maintain a rather intense competitive relationship among his apprentices.

It was common for apprentices to poison each other, add love potions to each other's drinks, or intentionally cause minor accidents when their rivals were conducting dangerous experiments.

Ever since he personally witnessed a young and beautiful "senior" apprentice collapse and die on the spot after drinking a cup of tea, her body turning black within an hour and sprouting countless wriggling flesh buds, Zuo Si began having experimental rats taste everything before he ate or drank, to observe their reactions.

After all, apprentices who weren't cautious enough usually didn't live very long.

Time flew by, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Although the time spent sailing at sea was tedious and monotonous, it was an excellent period for Zuo Si to learn.

During these days, he organized the books and notes that the Archlich hadn't taken away, and thoroughly studied the sections on creating large undead creatures and various golems.

Even though he was now in a different world, most magical knowledge was still applicable to some extent.

By studying the Magic Items he obtained from Harlett, Zuo Si was surprised to find many astonishing similarities between the two magical systems.

Perhaps the planet inhabited by the Ael was another Prime Material Plane in the multiverse.

Of course, all of the above are just speculations.

Zuo Si planned to wait until he went north to Candlekeep, the largest library on the west coast, to see if he could find any related evidence.

"Look! It's the lighthouse! We've finally arrived at Caledon!" a sailor shouted, pointing to the stone spire slowly rising on the distant horizon.

Even though it was daytime, the magical flames burning fiercely atop the spire could be clearly seen.

Before long, a huge and incredibly prosperous port city soon came into view for everyone.

Countless merchant ships were docked in the harbor, the laborers on the docks were like ants, constantly loading and unloading heavy cargo, and a large number of merchants gathered around the market, haggling over prices. Among the wide variety of goods were slaves.

If there was one word to describe Caledon, it would be "bustling."

Local men typically wore robes and tall, cylindrical hats, or wrapped themselves in white turbans.

Women mostly wore conservative robes and colorful veils on their heads.

Overall, it gave off a feeling of mystery and exoticism.

Of course, besides the normal attire, there were also some young women whose clothing was so scant it was almost negligible, writhing by the roadside like snakes, dancing to music.

They were like magnets, firmly attracting the sailors who had just disembarked.

Although the city appeared quite orderly on the surface, a closer look would reveal that some streets and slums were already controlled by various gangs.

When individuals with tattoos or badges appeared, both merchants and passersby would immediately step aside.

"How many Thieves' Guilds are there in Caledon?" Zuo Si asked with some uncertainty.

"There are six large ones and over thirty small ones, with a small portion of them controlled by the Amn Shadow Thieves."

Bernard quickly provided an exact number and added, "This number isn't fixed; it changes almost all the time. Some guilds get absorbed, while others split due to internal rebellions."

Zuo Si narrowed his eyes and commented, "Sounds quite exciting?"

Bernard nodded with a wry smile, "It's indeed very exciting.

Some Thieves' Guilds even cooperate with the ratfolk among the lycanthropes to better control the smuggling and fencing networks in the sewers.

I once knew a few unlucky individuals who were bitten by them; almost without exception, they became infected with the lycanthropy virus and wished they were dead.

Also, a word of caution: be careful of the Halflings and children.

In the alleys of Caledon, they are often more threatening than burly warriors."

While the two were talking, the sailors on the ship began to lower the sails and slow down. Guided by the dock management personnel, they slowly sailed into the berth closest to the right side.

Before the two ships had even come to a complete stop, a bald, overweight man, who looked to be over two hundred pounds, appeared on the wooden plank walkway next to them.

Behind him followed four bodyguards dressed in leather armor, wearing masks, and with short swords and daggers at their waists.