Chapter 67: Buying The House Back (1/2)

Lin Mu was dumbstruck by the price the staffer had just quoted. There was no chance that the fine could be this high. Even though the loss caused due to the damaged spirit apples was high, it was still less than a thousand gold coins.

The price that the staffer had told Lin Mu was enough to buy a completely new house if that was possible. Ever since a restriction on the expansion of the towns was placed by the city mayor five years ago, the prices of houses and property had shot up.

The mayor had instead ordered the town to increase the size of their respective specialty. The Northern town was ordered to expand their spirit apple orchards, the eastern their crop fields, the western their merchant site, and the south their army camp.

Even though the order could be considered to be Draconian, no one dared to question the city mayor's words. This restriction was also the reason why hunters had a hard time saving money, as they would just end up spending it in the winters.

Lin Mu could not just accept this and decided to ask the staffer.

”Why is the fine so high? Even the actual price of the property is not this high.” Lin Mu complained.

”Due to undisclosed reasons, the city mayor has doubled all the taxes. This also includes the fines paid for crimes and law-breaking. The town head was also called for this specific reason by the city mayor.” The staffer replied calmly.

”But still, you can't just do this.” Lin Mu protested.

”There is nothing I can do. If you want your property back, pay the fine, otherwise, there are other people ready to buy it.” The staffer explained.

'I have to get it now or I won't be able to buy it later.' Lin Mu thought.

Because of the scarcity of houses, the cost of properties was already inflated, yet there were still people who would be willing to buy it for such a high price. Lin Mu knew that if he waited too long, others may get to know of a vacant house and buy it. He was already lucky that no one had bought it yet in the past two months.

Lin Mu gritted his teeth and decided to pay the price.

”Fine. I'll take it.” Lin Mu spoke through clenched teeth.

Lin Mu then put his hand in the sack he was carrying on his back and withdrew the exact amount of coins. He then placed them on the counter and let the staffer see it. The reaction of the staffer was worth watching as Lin Mu saw his jaw drop.

The staffer had frankly not expected this to happen. He had originally thought that Lin Mu would just be put-off by the fine and walk away. Even he himself had not expected for the fine to be so high. He could not think why the city mayor would double the taxes.

But now that he had seen Lin Mu put out such a large amount of coins, he'll definitely have to inform the town head.

Lin Mu saw the change in the staffer's expression and knew what he was thinking. He guessed that he may have some problems in the future, so decided to end it before they started.

”Take care of those coins, you wouldn't want to get into trouble would you.” Lin Mu said with a stern tone.

And as Lin Mu said that, he grasped the edge of the desk and crushed it in his hands. The staffer saw this and immediately became silent. Lin Mu could even see the speck of fear in his eyes. Feeling a little satisfied, he took the deed of the property from the staffer, and walked away. It was good that there were few people in the hall, so no one noticed this.

The staffer waited until Lin Mu walked away and watched his back. Once he was gone, the staffer gathered the coins in a pouch and walked upstairs to the town head's office. The staffer stood in front of a door and knocked.

”Who is it?” A voice asked from behind the door.

”It's me Kun Ming, town head.” The staffer spoke.

”Come in.” the Town head replied.

The staffer opened the door and walked into the office. The town head was sitting behind a desk and was drinking a cup of wine. The town head was old and his head was nearly bare. With a thin mustache and a small beard, he looked sly.

The staffer walked up to the desk and placed the pouch on it. He looked up at the town head and waited for him to speak.