When evil gods hold a meeting in my head

Led by Danza, Richard and his two companions set off for the tavern.

Rosalie followed at the back, running and looking around with curiosity on her face, eager to explore every corner of this unfamiliar city...

They walked together for about fifteen minutes when a wide street suddenly appeared before them, exuding a comforting, bookish aroma.

This street is completely different from what Richard imagined!

There were bookstores on both sides, and all of them were very clean. The shop windows displayed books of varying ages, some novels, some professional engineering knowledge... Several well-dressed customers stood at the tables flipping through the books, occasionally picking one up to examine it closely before putting it back...

The air was filled with the scent of paper and ink, mixed with the aroma of coffee wafting from the corner café, making one feel comfortable just smelling it.

"This is..." Richard was somewhat surprised.

Dansha turned around, saw his surprised expression, and explained, "This is Book Street, the most famous place in the entire Gedahai City. Foreign merchants and sailors who come to Bisbei ​​Port may skip other places, but they must visit this place."

Richard walked along, glancing to both sides. The bookstores all looked old; some wooden doors had faded paint, but they were spotless. The shop windows were immaculate, clearly showing rows of bookshelves inside. One shop owner was standing in the doorway, basking in the sun, engrossed in a book, oblivious to anyone walking past.

"Why are there so many bookstores?" Richard asked.

Dansha slowed his pace, and the expression on his face changed, as if he had remembered something from a long time ago.

"It's a long story," he said. "Supposedly, many years ago, there lived a lady on this street. She was a very kind person who often helped her neighbors take care of their children and would lend a helping hand to anyone in need... until one winter, when it was particularly cold, so cold that it could freeze your hands."

He paused, then continued walking: "I remember it was around one in the morning. When she went out to borrow a scarf from a neighbor, she suddenly found a child at the door. The child was bald, his nose was running in the cold wind, and he was almost frozen to death. She didn't know where he had come from... She took the child back into the house, wanting to start a fire to warm him, but her family was too poor to afford firewood, and they had nothing at home... Guess what she did next?"

Richard shook his head, indicating that he did not know.

Dansha swallowed hard: "She burned all the books in the house."

Richard paused for a moment, then said, "A book?"

"Yes, she didn't have anything valuable at home. Those few books were the most precious treasures she had ever accumulated in her life. But that night, she tore those books apart one by one and threw them into the brazier to burn, keeping them burning all night to warm the children."

Richard didn't speak, he just looked at Dansha.

"Before the next morning, the books were all burned. For the next few days, snow continued to fall, yet the woman didn't ask for help. Even a simple request for firewood or coal would have sufficed; she wouldn't have frozen to death! But she stubbornly endured the bitter cold with the homeless child. By the time the neighbors found them, they had already frozen to death..."

"I heard from the neighbors who witnessed the scene that the child was a sinful child sent by the devil, born to take away the kindest saint in the area! And his intention was simply to make people suffer! That lady froze to death because she was bewitched by the sinful child..."

They walked past a bookstore where the owner was gently placing new books on the shelves near the entrance, as if afraid of damaging the pages.

"And then?" Richard asked.

"Later, the people on this street discussed doing something to commemorate her. After all, her kindness wasn't faked, and it even earned the devil's 'approval.' And her favorite thing in life was books, which she ultimately burned to save someone. So everyone decided that from now on, this street would be dedicated to selling books. They would open bookstores, hold book clubs, organize poetry readings, and use books to commemorate the person who saved someone with books."

He pointed to the bookstores on both sides.

"Over the years, it has grown bigger and bigger, and now the whole city of Gedahai knows about this book street. When people from other places come, they all have to come here to browse and buy a few books to take back with them."

Richard nodded, his gaze sweeping over the bookstores, a sudden feeling of emotion washing over him. In this chaotic and barbaric place, there was actually such a street, and such a story.

As he was thinking, Dansha suddenly said, "Speaking of which, my father used to sell books too."

Richard turned his head: "Your father?"

“Yes,” Dansha said. “Greming Cooty, the owner of the White Mud Tree Tavern, was also an old bookseller on this street. He used to sell books here when he was young, then he opened a shop, and then…” He paused, “and then my mother passed away, so he closed the bookstore and opened a tavern.”

When he said this, there was a hint of melancholy in his voice.

At this moment, Richard nodded thoughtfully.

Dansha suddenly turned to look at him: "Speaking of which, Uncle, have you forgotten all these things? Didn't you used to stroll around this street with my dad all the time? I remember once you brought me here to buy books, and you bought me a picture book. I was so happy for a long time."

Richard's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm, simply sighing and saying, "How could I forget? I just remembered some things from the past, and it made me a little sentimental."

Dansha said "Oh," and didn't ask any more questions, continuing to walk forward.

Richard pulled Rosalie along, secretly relieved. The hypnosis had worked thoroughly; Dansha now completely regarded him as her uncle, even believing those non-existent past events.

The book street was very long; it took almost fifteen minutes to reach the end. After crossing the street, a wide-open space came into view, with the dock and moored ships visible in the distance, and the sound of waves echoing in the air.

Dansha pointed to a three-story wooden building not far away and said, "We're here. That's the White Mud Tree Tavern."

Richard looked in the direction he was pointing.

The building was considered quite impressive in the area. The wood was dark brown, indicating it was quite old, but it was well-maintained. The windows were sparkling clean, and a wooden sign hung at the entrance with the words "White Mud Tree Tavern" written in gold lettering. Two burly men stood at the entrance, dressed in coarse cloth, arms crossed, seemingly there to keep watch.

Just as Dansha was about to walk inside, Richard suddenly raised his hand and slapped him on the back of the neck.

Dansha rolled his eyes, didn't utter a sound, and collapsed limply. Richard caught him and put his arm around his shoulder.

Thales was startled and leaned closer, whispering, "My benefactor, what... what is this?"

Richard didn't explain, he just said, "Don't ask any questions, just follow me."

He supported the unconscious Dansha and pulled Rosalie along, heading towards the three-story wooden building.

The burly man at the door saw them and was about to stop them when he suddenly recognized Dansha's face and paused, "Young boss? What's going on?"

Richard said, "He's had too much to drink, I'll take him back."

The burly man didn't stop him anymore and stepped aside to make way.

Richard pushed open the door and walked into the White Mud Tree Tavern.