Chapter 33: The First Win, The Count of Monte Cristo
"Great Druid, someone has offered a higher price."
Upon hearing Ma Long's bid, Crichton-Stuart, playing the role of a down-on-his-luck old saint warrior, didn't hesitate for a moment and closed the "Eli Book" that was originally spread open in his hand.
One hundred thousand Lant's gold coins were indeed a gigantic wealth that was extremely tempting, but the rich experience of adventure told Crister-Rheim that he must now ignore this one hundred thousand Lant's gold coins and continue to cooperate with the young man who could control his fate - Marlon.
"Half-breed kid, are you trying to stir up trouble?"
Lithrude turned his half-human half-bear face towards Marlon, his round little eyes filled with discontent.
"This book recording unknown texts is not something a little guy like you can hold, it should be given to a prestigious and erudite scholar for in-depth research, that's where it belongs."
Lithari Druitt Konchita-Bobberwin glared at Marlon, continuing to speak, even going so far as to menacingly raise his massive, thick palm in Marlon's direction.
"Indeed, Great Druid Lichardt, what you said is true. This book should be given to a scholar for in-depth research." Marlon nodded towards Lichardt, his words easing the tension on Lichardt's face, but before Lichardt could speak again, Marlon continued with a sudden change of tone: "So, I'll offer eleven million Rant. Now it's up to you, Great Druid Lichardt."
When he finished speaking, Ma Long calmly looked at Lizard Druid Kanchita-Boburn, expressing his meaning with silent gestures.
Want to take away "The Book of Eli"?
No problem, as long as your price is higher than mine.
"You this..."
Lividru's facial expression changed dramatically, he seemed to want to scold something, but stopped abruptly halfway through.
"Very good! It... Lizard Druid stretched out his hand, tapped the old holy warrior's hand holding the Book of Aili, and continued in a measured tone: "Return... you... have."
"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Druid."
Ma Long bowed his head slightly, looking very polite.
Unfortunately, Lord Druid Konchita-Bobberwang didn't seem to intend to give up so easily. He didn't leave but instead opened his mouth and said: "Half-blooded kid, don't thank me yet - where's the money? Tell me, what happened to your 110,000 Lanters?"
Very clever.
This clever Druid really found a way to repel the dragon with ease.
One hundred and ten thousand Rand in cash is no small amount, but Marlon's body had no spatial pouches or magical fluctuations.
And Druid's innate keen sense of smell made Conchita Bobadilla well aware that the leather bag tightly tucked under Marlon's armpit contained only ordinary paper, not banknotes worth their weight in gold.
The onlookers' gaze also focused on Ma Long at the same time.
Unlike the crowd of onlookers who had gathered to see the robust and burly Bobberwahn, they would have much rather seen the slender and handsome young Marlon casually pull out a wad of eleven million Lant greenbacks from his leather satchel.
This is in line with people's psychological expectations of a rags-to-riches story.
It seemed that Ma Long had sensed the thoughts of the onlookers, and after smiling, he finally made a move. He took the large cowhide paper bag that was originally tucked under his arm and slowly, circle by circle, untied the fine cord that sealed the opening of the bag.
Then, Ma Long pulled out a thick stack of... manuscript paper from a large cowhide paper bag.
Yes, just like Littledew said, Marlon's kraft paper bag was filled with manuscript papers, papers covered in writing.
Some keen-eyed onlookers had already made out the row of Lorin letters, marked with book titles, written on the topmost sheet of manuscript paper.
Snow White
Pinocchio
Puss in Boots
Cinderella
Sleeping Beauty
Shrek
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Royal Crest
……
There are clever people who have already guessed it.
This is an eight-part, never-before-heard new story!
"I don't actually have eleven million rands on me. But I have these stories, and these stories are worth at least five hundred rands per ten thousand words."
Ma Long raised the manuscript in his hand, facing everyone's gaze and shook it slightly, saying in a deep voice.
Make a show.
This is self-promotion.
But in this world that doesn't even know the earth, those crazy shows and hype that are endless and have no bottom line.
Even though there were already newspapers, the top-notch advertisements on them were nothing more than "XXX product, quality number one in White Sand City, price lowest in White Sand City". In this otherworldly degree, Marlon's actions really had a very obvious effect!
This ostentatious show and self-promotion, like a heavy bomb, blew the crowd that had just awakened from the temptation of countless glittering gold coins back into a state of frenzy and incredulity.
"How amazing! This child, isn't he a descendant of the god of knowledge and thinking?!"
"Wow, it's really 500 RMB per ten thousand words?"
"No wonder! No wonder this kid dares to say he wants to buy 'The Book of Eli'!"
"What a scholar! This child is absolutely a scholar!"
"Oh boy, I've fallen in love with you! Oh dear, actually, I'm a literary young woman too..."
……
Onlookers are chattering and gossiping about all sorts of things.
"Five hundred rands for ten thousand words? Hmph, you half-breed kid, who do you think you are?" The onlookers' murmurs made Llewelyn Drury Conchita-Bobberton's face turn quite discomfited. He let out a cold snort and pointed at Marlon, saying: "You little brat, dare you show me your manuscript!"
"As you wish."
Ma Long bowed elegantly again.
Ha! Ma Long, will he be afraid of having his manuscript reviewed by Lede?
"Very well!" said Llewelyn, snatching the manuscript from Marlon's hand without ceremony, rustling through the pages with a flourish and beginning to read aloud.
"On February 24, 1835, in the Dark Ages, a lookout on the lighthouse of God Alonso sent out signals to people that the three-masted sailing ship Christ had arrived. It was from Russe via Saint-Vaast and Brest. Immediately, a harbour pilot was dispatched, bypassing the Blue Storm Fortress, boarded the ship between Cape Blanc Nez and Nacqueville Island."
The platform of the dock bridge was immediately crowded with onlookers. In the White Sand City of that era, the arrival of a large ship was always a big event, especially one like the "Christ" which had a local owner and had been built and fitted out at the Esters' shipyard, making it particularly noteworthy...
As he read on, Liruideru's face, who was holding the manuscript of Ma Long, could already be described as being unable to get off the stage.
The onlookers also drew their final conclusion from Lycoris Druid's expression and the content of his recitation - Marlon's manuscript was actually worth 500 lant every ten thousand words!
But Ma Long knew that soon he would become a household name in this city of Baisha as a brilliant young writer.
The first win of the three-win plan has been achieved ahead of schedule thanks to the unexpected appearance of Lizard Druid.
