Chapter 741: The Information Broker
The man was a little bit shocked.
"We don't often see customers who offer concern about matters of the world rather than what they come to do."
Northern was silent. He eventually removed his hood, his bright blue eyes shining.
"I am just a person that takes a lot of interest in matters of the world."
"I see... I will offer it to you for some favors."
Northern clicked his tongue irritably.
As soon as one expressed any kind of value, people were quick to take advantage of it. But that had been his intent from the beginning.
He wanted to dispose of the weapons; pawning them was just an option he chose so that he would be able to get access to information.
He originally wanted to visit a blacksmith to find out what exactly was happening but eventually thought he could pawn a few items and see if any information would come.
People here would desperately cling to any form of making money, and they were swiftly smart enough to identify one. At least they did not choose to steal.
Northern leaned forward, his voice low and measured.
"What kind of favor are you asking for?"
The man's eyes darted around the shop, ensuring no one else had entered unnoticed. He lowered his voice.
"There's a caravan-a small one-attempting to bypass the blockade through an old mountain pass. Dangerous, sure, but they're desperate. They've hired mercenaries, but those types tend to care more about their pockets than protecting the cargo. If someone like you..."
The man gestured vaguely at Northern's cloak.
"...escorts them, I'll tell you everything I know about the blockade."
Northern's expression didn't change. He weighed the offer, his mind already analyzing the risks and benefits.
Escorting a caravan meant delays, and delays could lead to complications. But if the blockade truly was as widespread as the man claimed, knowing more about its cause could be invaluable.
"And what exactly are they transporting?"
"Food, mostly. Some medicine. Nothing you'd find particularly useful, I'd wager."
The man's tone suggested he was downplaying the cargo's value.
Northern leaned back, crossing his arms.
"Food and medicine don't warrant secrecy. What aren't you telling me?"
The man hesitated, then sighed.
"Fine. There's a crate among the supplies marked with a black sigil. What's inside, I don't know. But I do know that's what the mercenaries are really being paid to protect. And if word of it gets out..."
He trailed off, his mustache twitching nervously.
Northern's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile.
"Let me guess. You're only offering this information because you think I might be stupid enough to take the risk."
The man flinched but quickly recovered, his face splitting into a sheepish grin.
"Not stupid. Capable. There's a difference."
Northern shook his head.
"I don't work for free. If I do this, you'll give me all the information you have about the blockade... and more."
The shopkeeper's grin faltered. "More? What do you mean more?"
"The value of both exchanges aren't on equal scales here, old man. You want me to risk my life for some pieces of information? Besides, you seem more... desperate than I am for the information. The power of bargaining just shifted. If I am willing to help you with this, what are you able to offer other than information?"
The man seemed to tremble a little bit. He raised his hand, stroking his mustache nervously. After a grave silence, his voice cut through.
"More information..."
Northern raised a brow.
'Does he think I am stupid...?'
"I might not look like it, but I am actually an information broker. And my network expands all over the Central Plain..."
He leaned closer to Northern, his voice lessening to a whisper.
"And the Northern continent."
Northern frowned.
"You are lying. The Northern continent is a place that is not open to outsiders; that's besides the fact that going over the middle sea is a death trial. Many have become lost in it before they get a chance to cross over."
The man nodded, a small smile playing out on his lips.
"Indeed young man, you are correct; that's what the general populace is fed. There's a means of controlled news that the government and monarchy system share together, informing things that only matter, distorting truths that could make them lose their definite grasp over the Central Plains."
The man waved dismissively.
"Look young man, what I'm trying to say is, information is your best tool in this plane, much more so when you have it from a trusted and legitimate source such as me. I could become a friend to you, a friend that knows a guy in many places. Just help me this once."
Northern was silent for a bit, thinking about it.
Help. Friend. These were terms he wasn't really accustomed to. But the benefit that the man
was offering seemed pleasing.
'What if he's lying...'
...Wanting to use him more than everybody else.
Northern's thoughts were silent for a bit. Then he sighed.
'Then I'll let him, I guess...?'
This offer was too enticing to pass up, besides. He wouldn't exactly be doing anything. He had
his clones to depend on.
After evolving it to class EX, his cloning talent could now do amazing things.
He could easily create a clone of himself that would also have as much power as he currently
did. Although he also could control the percentage of his power the clone carried.
But the clone could grow limitless and even stronger than him. Of course, in the end, should The dismiss the clone, all that strength was coming to him.
However, growing strong was not as easy as it sounded, especially for someone like him.
He had some... limitations, especially right now. Which meant his clone was also going to have those limitations.
But all in all, this was a very easy thing to do. And like the man said, he would be gaining a friend who knows a guy in many places.
However... if it turned out that the man was using him in any way.
'Even death won't save him.'