Chapter 218
Shen Xing noticed a gray mark on her shoulder, which was slowly emitting gray mist.
These were the injuries inflicted by the gray-robed man's dying counterattack.
"Is it serious?" Shen Xing asked in a deep voice.
Leina gently shook her head and explained, "It's not serious. His attack contained some kind of insidious power that would spread throughout my body along with the wound, but it was just right that my constitution could counteract it."
"This power hadn't even spread before it was evaporated by the fire power within my body, leaving only a tiny remnant."
"Thank you for your hard work." Shen Xing nodded and said, "I'll take a look at your injuries in a bit."
Leina paused for a moment, then seemed to realize something, and nodded slightly. "Yes, thank you, Lord."
At the same time, West's exaggerated exclamation came from ahead.
"Oh, gods above, I never expected to see this shipment again!"
The fat man pounced on the pile of crates bearing the Ouroboros Chamber of Commerce's insignia, weeping with joy. "Great! The goods are back, and I've kept my job! At least the guild master won't throw me into Rust Lake to feed the fish!"
The others, seeing his comical yet excited appearance, also smiled slightly.
After his initial excitement subsided, West quickly composed himself and walked towards the wheelchair.
"Thank you so much, Lord Shen Xing." He bowed deeply and gave a solemn salute. "I will forever remember this kindness!"
Shen Xing smiled and said, "You're too kind, West."
"These Skinners are vicious and wicked, terrorizing the region. A true man should uphold justice and eliminate evil."
"A true man upholds justice and eliminates evil..." West murmured, repeating himself as if recalling something.
A moment later, the fat on his face twitched violently, and his eyes flashed with an unprecedented light.
"Many years ago, I saw a boy who, holding a sword, said the same thing to a group of bandits."
Many years later, when I saw him again, the boy had become an unparalleled expert, and even the guild leader treated him with great respect.
"For Lord Shen Xing to utter the same words as this young man, he is destined for great things!"
Shen Xing: "..."
I was just making things up casually, how did that get me involved with the peerless expert you mentioned?
West snapped out of his reverie and said solemnly, "Then, as agreed, Lord Shen Xing may choose any item from these goods. Please make your selection."
Shen Xing perked up the moment he heard this.
After all, the reason I accepted this task in the first place was because of the promised reward.
As for which one to choose, there's absolutely no need to hesitate.
The most valuable item in this shipment was that Epic weapon.
But just as Shen Xing was about to make a choice, he hesitated again.
After all, he had just established a good relationship with this merchant, who had promised to frequently bring caravans to the territory for trade.
If I take the most valuable Epic weapon, will this guy hold a grudge and never come back?
West seemed to sense his hesitation.
He stepped forward and said with a smile, "Since Lord Shen Xing is having trouble making a decision, then I will make the decision for you."
As he spoke, he took out two powerful treasures from the silk backpack at his waist.
On the left is a large bow with a barrel over 1.2 meters long, a taut bowstring, and an overall appearance as if it were carved from ice crystals.
The bow is engraved with intricate snowflake patterns and occasionally emits gusts of cold air, making it look exceptionally magnificent.
On the right is a ring that is entirely fiery red, with a deep red gemstone set inside, radiating a scorching aura.
These two treasures, one of ice and one of fire, are the two most valuable items in the merchant's possession: the Ice Burial Bow and the Red Flame Heart Ring.
"Lord Shen Xing, please accept both of these treasures." West smiled and pushed the treasures in front of him.
Shen Xing raised an eyebrow slightly, then quickly regained her composure.
"According to the original agreement, only one item will be chosen as payment. What is your reason?"
"It was indeed agreed that there would only be one reward; the other is a small personal gift from me to you."
West smiled slightly and explained, "During my stay in your territory these past few days, I've noticed some differences between this place and other territories."
"The warriors here are all full of fighting spirit, the workers are wholeheartedly dedicated to serving the territory, and even the slaves have hopeful smiles on their faces."
"I've never seen anything like this in any other territory."
"Therefore, I believe that one day in the future, Lord Shen Xing will surely develop this place into an unprecedentedly prosperous territory, and you will become a renowned lord."
He paused, then smiled and said, "As for this little thing of mine, consider it an early investment."
Looking at the honest smile on the fat merchant's face, Shen Xing couldn't help but smile as well, "Alright, then I'll accept West West's gift."
[Hidden Quest: Caravan and Revenge Completed!]
[Quest Rewards: Ice Burial (Orange), Red Flame Heart Ring (Gold), West's Favorability +30 (55/100 Trust)]
[Ouroboros Chamber of Commerce Reputation +500 (500/3000)]
Shen Xing put the two pieces of equipment into his backpack and continued, "West, now that the goods have been recovered, what are your plans next?"
"Do you need me to send an army to escort you to Black Hawk City?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Shen Xing, but there's no need for that for now," West said. "I've already contacted the Ouroboros Chamber of Commerce's intelligence station using the communication crystal and reported the situation here."
"After hearing the news, our vice president personally led a group of people here, and they are still on their way."
He paused, then said somewhat apologetically, "It's just... I might have to bother you for a few more days."
Shen Xing smiled and readily nodded, "No problem, Your West can stay as long as you wish."
"Then thank you very much, Lord Shen Xing!"
West bowed slightly in greeting.
Then he returned to the pile of boxes and went to check the goods.
After he left, Hellscream came forward with a squad of orcs, each carrying a large chest.
"My lord, these are the other spoils of war seized from that cellar. Please take a look."
With that, he ordered the orcs to put the box down, and then violently pried open the lid.
Clang! Clang!
As the lids of the boxes opened one after another, they revealed a variety of supplies that were packed full of them.
Shen Xing saw boxes and boxes of liquor, food, minerals, and so on.
With great excitement, he waved his hand and put all the resources into his silk backpack.
[Received: 100 bottles of Baokewei White Wine (Green)]
[Received: 100 bottles of East of East Red Wine (Green)]
[Received: 100 bottles of Maitina Rosé Wine (Green)]
[Received: 100 kg of salt]
[Received: 20 jars of honey (2.5 kg each)]
[Received: 50 bottles of pepper powder, sugar, and spices]
[Received: 1000 Dark Steel]
[Received: Mithril *500]
[Received: 5000 Black Crystal]
[Received: Soul Stone *3000]
Looking at the barrage of loot information scrolling across his screen, Shen Xing couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
These supplies are all things that the territory currently lacks, but are essential.
Needless to say, the seasonings and honey are also essential.
With these tools and Nimue's Master Rank Cooking Mastery, the food she makes will be absolutely delicious.
The following boxes of ores and metals were also very valuable, especially high-grade materials like Dark Steel and Mithril, which were extremely Rare and expensive.
That's roughly equivalent to 90,000 contribution points, or 90 million yuan!
As for those different types of alcohol, Shen Xing also glanced at their properties.
Similar to the previously obtained [Dwarven Spirits], these drinks can be used for daily sales in the tavern or for the troops' entertainment, and can also temporarily increase attributes by 10-20 points.
"Great, this is a real windfall!"
Shen Xing patted his backpack with satisfaction.
At this moment, Gorehowl stepped forward and said, "Boss, I still have some spoils I haven't given you yet!"
"Oh? There's more?" Shen Xing raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Yes! The Skinners that Ms. Leina killed dropped a lot of loot, which I've collected."
Shen Xing also remembered this matter; he had been so overwhelmed by the huge amount of resources that he had almost forgotten about it.
He waved his hand again, collecting all the spoils from Gorehowl's hands into his backpack.
[Received: 6 Greater Soul Stone]
[Received: Soul Stone *4782]
[Received: Advanced Material - Mottled Blood *3]
[Received: 24167 Vinar Silver Coin]
[Obtained: Dazzling Boss Soul (Tier Three) *1]
[Received: 325 Common Soul Fragment]
[Obtained: Elite Soul Fragment * 42]
[Received: Council of Elders Secret Letter *1]
"Three more upgrade materials, totaling over seven thousand Soul Stone and more than twenty thousand silver coins."
"Adding the supplies we looted earlier, the rewards for taking down this group of Skinners are incredibly high."
Shen Xing sighed inwardly, even wanting to find a few more Skinners camps and raze them to the ground.
Of course, he also knew that the reason for such high profits was related to the fact that these Skinners had plundered so many passing caravans.
A typical Skinners camp doesn't yield that many rewards.