Goblin Dependency

Chapter 978: Chapter 486: Tavern, Gang Background, and Tailor Shop_2

At the first bite, Xia Nan felt all the pressure and fatigue accumulated from the mission quickly melt away in the sweetness of the creamy mushroom soup.

The whole person couldn’t help but squint with enjoyment, even his mental focus seemed immersed in the long-awaited delicious broth.

After a while, he came back to himself slowly.

Gently stirring the mushroom soup with the iron spoon, searching for the large chunks of shrimp within, Xia Nan casually described to Hera the encounter he had with Alton.

"No wonder..."

Knowing that the half orc Alton’s naive and lively face and short stature could be confusing to those unaware of his background, it was not surprising that he caught the attention of the gang organizations by the pier.

As for Xia Nan, even though he wasn’t armored at the moment, just wearing a thin dark undergarment, if any gang were shortsighted enough to choose him as their target...

This level of discernment, even if they gained control of the district near the pier, probably wouldn’t last long before disappearing into the relentless waves by the shore.

"It’s alright, don’t worry too much about it."

Hera smiled slightly, looking at the dark-haired young man who had gradually made a name for himself in Suo Yu Bay over the past few months, and began sharing the intel she knew.

"This Ebbtide Gang isn’t a big organization, and there aren’t many professionals in the gang. They’ve only recently become active near Crooked Alley, with many surrounding forces eyeing them. If they encounter you, they’ll avoid you, not seek trouble without reason." freewebnøvel.coɱ

"Speaking of which, this Ebbtide Gang... actually has a bit of a connection to you."

As if recalling something interesting, Hera’s eyes gleamed, and she suddenly paused like a mystery seller.

"Oh? How so?"

Hearing this, Xia Nan raised an eyebrow, swallowed the soup in his mouth, and asked.

"Remember the Corner Shark Gang?" Hera’s lips curled into a smile, tapping lightly on the tabletop.

"Of course, that underworld gang that kidnapped the baron’s daughter. What, was the Ebbtide Gang founded by someone from the Corner Shark Gang?"

It hadn’t been long, so Xia Nan naturally hadn’t forgotten the organization that earned him the nickname "Haiya" in Suo Yu Bay.

He just remembered that he should have taken down all the top members of the Corner Shark Gang back then, even catching those who attempted to flee by boat, slicing off their heads at sea, leaving no loose ends.

This so-called Ebbtide Gang...

"Huh, it’s not as complicated as you think." Hera shook her head slightly, chuckling as she explained.

The Ebbtide Gang and Corner Shark Gang have no actual connection, from top organization members to structural systems having nothing in common.

The reason Hera said that earlier is that Xia Nan, in a way, helped with the rise of the Ebbtide Gang.

Though the Saltwater District is vast, it is only so large, and the official side has no short-term expansion plans.

Over the years, almost every alley has an actual controller behind it.

Criminal organizations wanting to expand their territory can only do so by purchasing with Gold Coins or seizing by force.

The Corner Shark Gang wasn’t large, occupying territory roughly between Crooked Alley and Ropeway Street.

After being wiped out by Xia Nan and others, with none of the organization’s leaders surviving, their underlings scattered, leaving the originally controlled territories masterless.

The Ebbtide Gang seized this opportunity to expand significantly. While swallowing up most of the Corner Shark Gang’s territory, they recruited personnel, rapidly enhancing their organizational strength, expanding their influence from a small area near Wave-breaking Pier directly to the vicinity of Ropeway Street.

Their leader is somewhat savvy, knowing not to act rashly after a wave of expansion, now maintaining a low-profile consolidation state.

Because of this, Hera thinks it’s unlikely they would seek trouble with Xia Nan over such a trivial matter.

Moreover... the precedent set by the Corner Shark Gang is right there. In terms of upper-level combat strength, from what she understands, the Ebbtide Gang might not differ much, and it was unlikely they would provoke the "calamity star" in front of them.

"So do they owe me a thank you, then?"

Xia Nan said with amusement. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

"If you want, I can help you get in contact." Hera nodded slightly, her tone sincere, "I imagine they wouldn’t mind offering some help and gifts to their benefactor."

It was just a small joke, so Xia Nan waved it off, indicating not to delve deeper, upon hearing the Tavern owner’s comment across the counter.

He’s just a passing adventurer through Suo Yu Bay, set to leave after the feast, not wanting to get entangled with local forces, especially those involved in underworld activities.

He hoped they had the eyes to avoid causing him trouble again.

Swallowing the last spoonful of creamy mushroom soup, Xia Nan stood up, took out a few Coins from his pouch, and handed them to Hera.

Then he bade goodbye and left the Tavern.

As for his destination, it was certainly the sewing shop he had long awaited.

...

...

As a high-end custom sewing shop nestled in the highest layer of the White Cliff District of Suo Yu Bay, always had modest business, but a single opening often surpassed a whole year’s earnings of an ordinary store.

Now, as Xia Nan entered the shop, it was as quietly deserted as ever.

No customers in sight, only rows of neatly displayed high-quality, comfortable-colored fabrics lying silently on the shelves.

Even behind the counter, no one was visible, making the entire shop appear empty.

Perhaps having heard the chime of the door opening, Xia Nan could faintly hear the hurried footsteps coming from the wooden door leading to the inner quarters.

But as the footsteps approached the door, they suddenly slowed, accompanied by the soft rustling of clothing, suggesting the shop owner was deliberately slowing down to present a composed demeanor while hastily tidying their attire.

"Click."

The door was slowly pushed open from within.

A light gray silk shirt, snugly fitting, had its buttons fastened all the way to the top, revealing gills slightly fluttering on either side of the neck; impossibly long fingers for a Human grasped the doorknob, with a metal bracelet engraved with sea wave patterns on the wrist glinting in the sunlight.

The proprietor of , a Sea Elf and Human hybrid, "Celeane," slightly raised his chin, stepping out with an air elegant enough to impress royals, from the inner room.

", how may I assist you..."

The next second, his light blue eyes reflected the figure of the black-haired young man.

His voice couldn’t help but pause.

"Xia Nan?"

A look of surprise flashed across the Half Elf’s face, the deliberate posture he had donned vanished in an instant, not even allowing Xia Nan to complete his greeting before turning back and quickly returning to the inner quarters, leaving only a sentence hanging in the air.

"Finally, you’re here. Wait a moment, I’ll fetch your things."

After about half a minute of waiting, he heard footsteps, more hurried and tinged with a hint of excitement, coming from behind the door.

No longer slowing down, the door was pushed open directly.

But compared to before, Celeane now had in his arms a tastefully understated oak box.

He placed it gently on the counter, grasping the box’s corners with his hands, carefully turning it around so the opening faced Xia Nan.

"The equipment you commissioned was finished a few days ago. I even sent someone to look for you at the Three-legged Sea Dog, but they said you hadn’t returned yet."

"Hehe, I was pondering last night what to do with the remaining balance if you had simply left. But now, it’s no longer a concern."

"Do open it up and take a look; I’m sure you’ll be satisfied."

Though Celeane said it this way, the pride and sense of accomplishment on his face were unmistakable, clearly confident in the equipment he crafted.

It was tailor-made, and Xia Nan had participated in most of the equipment-making process. Only the final stage was missed due to having to go on a mission, so he was quite aware of the armor’s quality and only felt anticipatory instead of worried.

After hearing this, he took a deep breath.

Then his hands landed on either side of the wooden box, applying force on his wrists to slowly open the box.

Buzz——

Along with the dense water vapor rushing out, an immense window of semi-transparent characters filled the viewpoint, forming an equipment attribute panel.