In Teyvat, it all begins with rescuing the grass god.

"You mean you sell more stuff than Ashel?"

Rod deliberately put on a disbelieving expression and carefully examined Dolly.

This wealthiest merchant in Sumeru wore a purple round hat inlaid with large gemstones, and her pink hair was adorned with a sparkling gemstone hair clip. The purple Eye of God on the brim of her hat was particularly eye-catching. Needless to say, her clothes were exquisite and luxurious. Even Rhodes, who was not very familiar with Sumeru, could tell that the materials used were exquisite and luxurious. In particular, the three rings made of precious metals on each of her left and right hands were extremely extravagant.

This outfit, seemingly covered in jewels and precious metals, constantly proclaims its owner's insatiable desire for wealth.

"That's natural."

In response to Rhodes's doubts, Dolly crossed her arms and laughed confidently: "You can go and ask around here, in this Sumeru, who has a more complete selection of goods than me, Dolly Sango Mahabayi?"

"Are you Lord Dori Sanggomahabai?"

When Dixia heard the name, she was immediately stunned.

Surprised.

She also made sure to give Rhodes, who was 'unfamiliar with Sumeru,' a brief and quick introduction to the deeds of Dolly Sango Mahabayi.

"Ok?"

After listening, Rod did not immediately confirm Dolly's identity. Instead, he continued to question her: "How can you prove that you are Lord Sanggomahabai? Just with your mouth? And why would Lord Sanggomahabai come to such a small stall and sell his wares on the street like an unregistered peddler?"

Then, he narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice slightly, saying, "Besides, since Master Sangmahabai is the kind of person who does that kind of business, why would he casually reveal his identity in front of two strangers like us? Hmph, I've been watching you here for a long time. You didn't give this name to anyone else, but you gave it to me. What? Do you think I'm an easy target? Dixia, let's go. Let's not do business with this swindler."

After saying that, Rhodes turned and left without looking back, while Desia remained standing there, looking left and right, unsure of what to say.

However, such questioning did not cause Dolly's expression to change much.

She maintained her smiling demeanor, blocking Rhodes's way as he prepared to leave, a sly glint in her eyes. "Please don't be in such a hurry, sir. I only revealed my name because you're regular customers of Ashel's. Besides, with all those bags of contraband you're carrying, you're quite alert. Even if you're not outlaws, you must have done your fair share of petty theft. People like you are the best guests at Master Sangmahabai's place."

Large and small bags of contraband.

These words touched a nerve with Dixia.

She and Rhodes are currently in the territory of the Church of Christ, and if the patrolling group of thirty men overhears this, they will be in big trouble.

"Don't worry, sir, I don't have the habit of reporting my own guests."

Seeing that Dixia's expression changed, Dolly waved her hand: "The guests haven't said yet? What kind of goods do you want? Whether it's canned knowledge or anything else, just say the word, and Mora will be delivered in a flash. I guarantee I can get it for you."

Since Rhodes had come to Dolly on his own initiative, he had naturally already figured out what he wanted.

Those words were just meant to lower Dolly's guard.

The timing is perfect.

Rod grinned: "You say you're Lord Sanggomahabai? Perfect, I was just about to go and discuss a business deal with Lord Sanggomahabai. To prove your identity, shouldn't you offer something? Like, give me a sum of Mora?"

As soon as these words came out.

Dolly's smile finally vanished, and her expression turned unusually serious.

Rhodes is the first person to ask the renowned Lord Sangmahabai for Mora!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 32 A Small Investment

Rod wants to talk business with me?

After recovering from the shock of being asked for money on the street, Dolly's first reaction was to scrutinize the backpack Rhodes was carrying.

There are many contraband items there.

Benefiting from years of experience navigating the lower rungs of society.

The amount of contraband that Dolly personally handled was enormous.

You don't need to use your eyes to see.

Just by the faint scent, she could roughly tell what contraband Rod and Dixia were carrying.

"Is the customer trying to sell what you have?"

Not only Dolly, but Desia thought so too.

To say that she and Rod possess anything valuable enough to negotiate business with a big merchant like Dolly is an understatement.

That must be the plant and animal specimens that Rhodes collected.

Then there's the book "The Rainforest: A Pictorial Guide to Life," which features annotations by Tinari, a prominent figure in the biophile school.

However, Dixia was not optimistic about this business deal.

She wasn't worried that Dolly wouldn't accept the deal, but rather that they felt they wouldn't be able to sell their goods for much money.

In Sumeru.

The most valuable thing is undoubtedly knowledge.

in other words.

The most valuable thing Rhodes had was his "Rainforest Creatures Illustrated Guide," which, according to Dixia's opinion, could easily fetch tens of thousands of Mora.

The books used as teaching materials by the Academy are not worth much money.

The important part is the commentary in Tina.

Those are the most valuable pieces of knowledge; if they were placed in the Order of the Fathers, they would be fought over by everyone.

But there's absolutely no way Rhodes could sell this book.

Dixia was confident that her judgment was accurate.

In her opinion, even if Rod was so poor that he couldn't afford to eat, he wouldn't sell the book.

So, besides this book...

Does Rhodes have anything of value left on him?

Those plant and animal samples collected from the rainforest?

Stop it.

In Sumeru, those things are the least valuable.

The rainforest is teeming with poisonous insects and ferocious beasts. Unless Rhodes collects a very rare species, he might not be able to sell it for a high price.

Unfortunately.

If Desia is not mistaken, the poisons that Rhodes collected were mostly common poisons on the market. Even if Dorik collected them, they probably wouldn't fetch much of a price.

However, Rhodes' answer surprised both her and Dolly.

“I still have use for these things. What I want to do with you is another business deal.”

Rod and Dolly exchanged a glance. Rod said, “But before we talk business, could you prove your identity to me? After all, the premise of doing business is that both parties have enough trust, right? Dolly Sangomahabai, sir?”

Rod emphasized Dolly's name, then rubbed his fingers together, his intention clear.

If you want to prove your identity, then pay up.

He wouldn't believe that the person in front of him was Dolly unless he presented Rhodes with a hundred thousand or two thousand Mora.

"."

This was the first time Dolly had ever encountered such a difficult guest.

In the past, every time she revealed her identity, the customers would immediately and eagerly want to do business with her.

However, Dolly wasn't angry. Instead, she waved to Rhodes and Desia with a playful expression.

"Come on, didn't you want me to prove my identity?"

"I will grant your request."

After saying that, she turned around and walked towards a house on the side of the street with her hands behind her back.

Dixia hesitated.

Rod, however, decisively and quickly followed behind Dolly.

Seeing that he had left, Dixia had no choice but to follow.

"Hey, Rod."

Walking up to Rhodes, Dixia tugged at his clothes and whispered, "She...she really does look like Lord Sanggomahabai."

“I know,” Rhodes replied.

"Huh?!"

Dixia paused in her tracks.

Rod stopped and confidently explained to her, "Didn't you tell me that this is where smugglers from Kawanyi gather? And that Lord Sangge Mahabai is the bread and butter of these smugglers?"

"Now, look."

"She openly hawked her wares among a group of smugglers, blatantly stealing everyone's business, yet no one dared to say anything, nor did anyone question her claiming to be Lord Sanggo Mahabai."

"Therefore, there is a greater than 90% chance that she is Lord Sanggo Mahabai himself."

Rhodes' analysis is reasonable and well-founded.

This was the most convincing inference he could make without revealing that he already knew Dolly's identity.

The effect is also very good.

Dixia truly believed him.

same.

Dixia is also very angry now.

If it weren't for the fact that this was a busy downtown area, she probably would have exploded on the spot.

"You knew perfectly well that she was Lord Sangge Mahabai, yet you still went and offended her?"

That's what made Dixia so angry.

This was also the first time she had spoken to Rod in such a tone.

Dori Sangomahabai is no small figure.

With connections in both the legitimate and underworld circles, she could easily command many people to kill Rhodes simply to curry favor with her.