842 Recruitmen (1/2)
In a market at Dearborn Port.
Bill was rather astonished looking at Fang Yuan, who was squatting in front of a small stall.
Although this market was very bustling, its management was very chaotic. There were numerous stalls occupying the roads, making it nearly impossible to walk. This was also a favorite place for informants.
Fang Yuan was visiting a book stall.
There were all kinds of books messily stacked together, emitting some kind of moldy smell.
Among them, there were tomes that used bovine leather as the cover and sheepskin parchment for its content. There was also a huge mass of papyrus papers and even some bizarre scrolls.
But they were not really in good condition. Apart from being damaged by worms, there were also many traces of seawater stains and unknown filth.
Evidently, it was no different from a pipe dream for pirates to understand the principle of protecting knowledge.
”Hmm, very strange characters. They seem to be from different countries…”
Fang Yuan took a few glances, discovering that some of the characters on them were quite interesting.
”Of course, Sir… My books are from the mysterious East!”
The vendor was an emaciated middle-aged man, who revealed his black and sparse teeth when he smiled at Fang Yuan.
Simply from the signs in his appearance, Fang Yuan could determine that he was an experienced sailor and most likely a retired pirate.
”Enough of that…” After hearing what he said, Bill immediately rolled his eyes and interrupted. ”I can't be sure about the others, but these books are obviously using characters from the Star Clusters Archipelago!”
These vendors liked to make their goods be involved with the East to multiply their value.
”I swear that the majority of the items here were really obtained from a merchant ship from the East!” The vendor made a solemn vow and pulled at his collar, revealing a centipede-like scar on his abdomen. ”Do you see this? In order to obtain them… my chest suffered from such a ruthless cut!”
”…” Fang Yuan was speechless. ”Are you sure you didn't stick this scar on yourself? The top part has already begun to peel off. Next time, remember to find someone with better workmanship…”
”Oh… Damn it!”
The vendor's face reddened, yet he covered the front of his coat as though nothing had happened. ”To think that Dalaman claims to be the best tattoo artist in this area.”
”All right. I'm not someone who would buy a pig in a poke anyway. You must be dreaming to be trying to sell one book for three gold coins… However, I do indeed have some interest in the East's culture!”
Fang Yuan casually picked a few huge books. ”All these for one gold coin in total!”
”Oh gods, you might as well kill me!” The vendor's eyes immediately reddened, as if Fang Yuan were going to take his life. ”Anything less than five gold coins is absolutely impossible!”
”Two gold coins!”
”Four gold coins and four silver coins. I won't give in anymore!”
…
”Let's go find a pub!”
A moment later, Fang Yuan paid three gold coins and got the items that he wanted.
Following behind Fang Yuan, Bill asked expectantly, ”Captain… you can recognize characters from the East?”
”No… I can't recognize them!”
Fang Yuan was using his finger to lightly rub the cover of one of the huge books.
The pages inside the book had used top-notch sheepskin parchment and were laden with history. Furthermore, its dark red cover had an air of mystery to it.
Whoosh!
His right hand exerted a slight force and tore the cover apart. He immediately pulled out a map fragment from in-between the layers.
”A treasure map?!”
Bill and the other pirates' eyes brightened.
After pirates pillaged, they would usually find a hidden place to bury their savings. In order to prevent themselves from forgetting, they would even draw all kinds of treasure maps.
Of course, the value of these things could not be determined with certainty.
Nine out of ten treasure maps circulating in the market were fake. As for the remaining one, even if they followed the map and found the treasure, it might only be a small bag of copper coins or just worn out socks of no value.
Only extremely few people were truly lucky enough to be able to unearth the hidden treasures left behind by great pirates and become rich overnight.
”It's merely a map fragment. Before all the fragments are collected, it's simply not possible to make out where it's trying to lead us to nor know what's going to be waiting for us…”
Fang Yuan indifferently stuffed the map fragment into his pocket. However, he did not make light of it in his mind, unlike how he appeared to be on the surface.
After all, his system had already given him a clear reminder. This seemingly unremarkable treasure map fragment actually had the property of indestructibility. It was an extraordinary item, making it somewhat interesting.
The things that it was supposed to lead to would certainly not be too ordinary.
”Pig's Head and Chimney Pub?”
Fang Yuan raised his head and was rather speechless looking at the pub's name.
It was not yet night, so there were few people in the pub, and they immediately found a relatively spacious corner. They ordered honey roasted pork and huge mugs of beer to enjoy heartily.
”Boss, the merchant is here!”
Just when Fang Yuan was halfway through his beer, Bill returned with a man in black wearing a high collar shirt following behind him.
”Mockingbird's new captain? I'm Michael. Very honored to be at your service!” Michael said in an enthusiastic yet pretentious tone. ”Could I take a look at the list of goods?”
”Of course!”