"Judging by your sharp, capable outfit, you must be a powerful adventurer.
You can't get around Rose Town without a map.
I've got the latest Rose Town Guide to Everything. Only 20 copper nails!
It lists every cheap inn, affordable tavern, and local delicacy in town...
And it clearly marks the locations of weapon shops and potion stores!"
He stepped closer, lowered his voice, and winked at He Xi with a knowing, suggestive smile.
"Most importantly... it also marks the places where the Nightingales sing the sweetest and charge the fairest prices!
I guarantee you'll be able to completely unwind after all that hard adventuring!"
He Xi was curious and reached out to take a look.
But the peddler drew his wrist back, pulling the booklet away.
The meaning was clear: no looking unless you bought it.
20 copper nails?
He Xi weighed the Gold Shield and bag of Silver Scales he'd just gotten in his pocket. It didn't seem too expensive, and he was about to pay.
Just then, Bruce gently nipped at his trouser leg.
"Woof..."
He felt a tug at his cuff and looked down. Bruce was gazing up at him with disapproval in those brown eyes, giving a slight shake of his head.
He came to his senses at once.
He'd almost been had!
He'd just made a "fortune," and it had gone straight to his head.
Back when he'd lived in Plint, 20 copper nails would've been enough to keep him and Bruce frugal for several days!
How could he let himself be swindled by such a shoddy map, clearly meant to fleece inexperienced adventurers?
He pulled his hand back, smiled apologetically, then set off west with Bruce without looking back.
Watching them leave, the peddler muttered under his breath, "Another short-lived fool dreaming of being an adventurer."
The street the locals called "Rose Avenue" was somewhat lacking in width.
It was barely wide enough for two carriages to squeeze past each other, even with both drivers maneuvering carefully.
Years of footsteps and wagon wheels had worn the paving stones smooth as river pebbles. They glowed warmly in the autumn sunshine.
All along both sides of the road, local vendors crowded together, their cries and haggling rising and falling in a lively chorus.
It was the first time in Bruce's life that he'd ever seen such a bustling scene.
His furry head swung back and forth like a rattle drum as he curiously watched the passersby.
A few demi-human races with pointed ears or fluffy tails caught his attention.
He wondered whether they were related to him by blood.
And if they were, why were they people while he was a dog?
Fortunately, a waft of fragrance interrupted his philosophical musings about life as a dog.
The potent scent of char and strange spices cut through the jumble of other smells and struck Bruce's powerful nose dead on.
Drool poured from his mouth. As if under some evil controlling spell, he drifted toward the source of the aroma.
Of course, the overpowering fragrance also stirred the hunger in He Xi's belly.
It was a roadside barbecue stall.
They were both famished, and the vendor was calling out, "Come on, come on! Yaxixi's Dragon's Breath Roast! Get yourself a skewer of fragrant Dragon's Breath Roast!"
"Dragon meat?"
He Xi's first reaction was disbelief. Dragons were creatures of legend.
"Roasted with dragon breath?"
That sounded even more absurd.
Curious, and with his stomach rumbling, he followed Bruce toward the smoke-shrouded stall.
On a crude charcoal brazier sat more than a dozen enormous skewers of meat.
The meat sizzled and dripped with fat, its surface an appetizing golden brown. A generous dusting of dark red powder clung to it, and when the flames licked at the seasoning, tiny sparks occasionally popped out. It really did look a bit like a dragon breathing fire.
The barbecue vendor was a burly man wearing a greasy apron. When he saw He Xi approach, he hurried to greet him warmly. "Hey, friend! New in town? Adventurer, Balangzi? Come try my barbecue! Yaxixi's Dragon's Breath Roast, fragrant as can be! 20 copper nails a skewer. You'll want more after the first bite!"
He Xi pointed at the sizzling skewers. "Where's the dragon breath?"
The vendor chuckled and expertly turned the skewers as he explained, "Oh, you don't know, friend?
"This here's fresh Rock Sheep Kid meat! And I sprinkle it with 'Red Dragon's Wrath' chili powder!
"This chili powder sparks when it gets hot, and it's fiery enough to make your mouth tingle. It's a real kick!
"After you eat it, you'll breathe out hot air through your nostrils, just like a red dragon breathing fire! Want to give it a try?"
He Xi: ...
So that was the kind of dragon breath it meant?
Just like Wife Cakes didn't have wives, and fish-fragrant shredded pork didn't have fish. Same idea.
And that accent... He felt like he'd heard it somewhere before.
"Woof..."
His trouser leg was gently tugged again.
He Xi looked down. Bruce's drool was already dripping onto the paving stones, his tail wagging rapidly as he gazed up at He Xi with unbridled longing.
Well, his thrifty financial advisor had defected.
Looking at the size of the skewers, He Xi tried to haggle. "Could you make it a little cheaper, boss? That price is a bit steep."
The vendor gave him a look that said he didn't know what he was talking about. "Hey! Don't underestimate it, friend! My Rock Sheep Kids are slaughtered fresh that very day! And this 'Red Dragon's Wrath' chili costs more than the meat! I hear you can only gather it at the foot of a mountain where fire dragons live!"
Near a fire dragon's lair?
He Xi knew it was just false advertising.
Still, he did want to try it.
If the chili was the expensive part, then he'd just skip the chili.
Besides, as a dog, Bruce couldn't handle anything that spicy.
"Two skewers for thirty copper nails," he said, holding up three fingers. "One without the chili."
The vendor hesitated. He knew the dog was desperate for a taste.
But the owner was the one paying. Finally, he slapped his thigh. "Deal, deal! Special price for a new friend! Come back next time!"
Soon, he handed over two cooked skewers.
He slid the unseasoned meat off its skewer and onto the ground for Bruce, while keeping the skewer covered in Red Dragon's Wrath chili for himself.
Man and dog stood by the roadside, devouring their food and filling their empty stomachs.
The Rock Sheep meat was crisp on the outside, tender within, and satisfyingly chewy.
He Xi took a bite. The spicy, searing flavor hit his taste buds at once. Just as the vendor had promised, a scorching sensation shot up his nose, making him gasp for cool air. He felt as if he might breathe out smoke at any moment!
"What a kick!"
At the mouth of a nearby alley.
A scantily clad woman with a curvaceous figure noticed He Xi.
First, she saw that the young man was plainly dressed but handsome.
He was eating barbecue, and he'd given the entire other skewer to the dog by his feet.
"Tch, he's so generous even with a dog. He must have plenty of money..."
"These despicable outsiders are all into this sort of thing. They dress like refugees so no one can tell they've got Gold Shields in their pockets."
"Just you wait. I'll have you smitten, you country bumpkin."
When He Xi finished eating and continued on with Bruce, they happened to pass the alley entrance.
She picked her moment, suddenly stumbled, and let out a soft "Oh!" as she lurched out of the shadows and into He Xi.
Before you continue