I have made up my mind to learn the art of sword-making.

So, I need to prepare for a long journey.

Although I feel a slight guilt towards the adventurers who might come to buy weapons from me, from now on, I am Uncle Saiwa, the travelling merchant. Headmaster of the adventurer's school, please teach me your secrets to becoming the world's best blacksmith.

However, before the expedition begins, I must make some preparations.

"So, is that all you wanted to say?"

"I dug a hole at the foot of the mountain in silence, it's all my fault!"

Firstly, I have to kneel and apologise to the village chief with grizzled hair.

As an uncle, kneeling in public is the most shameful thing there is.

But there's no way around it. Even the wisest may make a mistake.

I didn't notice that the soil at the foot of the mountain was a different colour from the one at my doorstep!!

This morning, I was woken up by noisy sounds, and when I got to the doorstep, I knew it was inevitable. A patch of yellow has appeared in the slightly pale land, it's hard not to cause a commotion. Fortunately, the village chief didn't blame me much, he's a good person.

Except he made me pay 20 silver coins for repair costs.

That's fine, but according to Karona, the university she graduated from is quite far from here. I looked at the map, compared to the original world, it's approximately the distance from Beijing to Shanghai. So far, the only means of transport we have is a furball, so it's quite a grand expedition.

This is the first time I've looked at a map. Our country, Dopnova Kingdom, to be honest, doesn’t look great. Despite the leaders' beautification efforts, it still looks like a big soybean worm. If I were a foreigner, I would call it the soybean worm country without hesitation. But now I have to call it a bond of happiness.

I have no complaints about Dopnova Kingdom, the local customs are good for someone like me who has been reincarnated, but I can't say I love it. I lived in the original world for over thirty years, and my love for my country is deeply rooted there. But in this world, two years is too short for me.

The beginner village I live in (a name I gave it) is not marked on the map at all, I can only guess its general location. However, Asare, the destination, seems to be half the body of the bean worm away. Dopnova Kingdom is not big, but it lies on the frontline, bordering the demon race directly. Neither Furball or Ilan can be left behind, they all have to come with me. So, I have to buy a lot.

This is the first time I'm leaving this village, so I have nothing like a carriage or camping gear. Although Furball is referred to as a mount, I have no plans to ride it. It's a pet I raised, if it pulls a cart, Ilan would be uncomfortable.

Renting a carriage or buying two horses, I face this difficult choice.

The price difference is not that much, the problem is if I buy horses, then I cannot showcase my skill in making carriages.

Imagine, what if I go see the old woman in a handsome carriage...

It feels like a prince going to pick up the princess.

The thought made my stomach a little uncomfortable.

Renting a carriage is still the better choice.

That being said, this will be my first time choosing a horse.

"Saiwa is not good at this?"

Just as I was staring at the horses on different carriages, unable to tell the good from the bad, a gentle female voice sounded from behind.

Gentle as it was, it was terrifying that she could approach me without me noticing.

I mechanically turned my head.

It was Yazi, the smiling flower shop owner.

"Ah, don't make it sound like I'm good at everything. I'm just a brute who makes weapons."

I narrowed my eyes and smiled back.

"You flatter me, thought a stud like yourself would know more about his own kind."

The next second, we both linked our hands as though we were wrestlers.

"What are you talking about, you old hag?"

"You're not getting any younger, Uncle. I heard you've been seeing our guy behind the scenes again. Last time you were sick so I let it slide, do you even know what you're doing?"

"Ah? What about you, Lisa's almost becoming as cunning as you, that smile of hers is exactly like yours."

"Hmph! I just taught her how to deal with sexual harassment from middle-aged men." We were at a standoff for a while.

"Let's spare you this time. You're leaving, right? Let me help you out this time. Considering the long journey, it's better to buy that vehicle." She told me.

Following her pointing direction, I immediately imagined the scene of future travel.

Ancient roads, west winds, skinny horses.

"Those two horses look so weak... You're not setting me up, are you?"

"Don't judge by their thinness, these horses have great endurance."

"Ah, I beg your pardon. I didn't expect you to know so much about horses, do you... like them?"

Yazi looked at me with an angelic smile:

"I will kill you."

After settling the bill, I suddenly saw Karona.

"Karona?"

"Master!"

Let's forget about "master". If mentioned in front of Yazi, I can't guarantee what kind of mockery it would invite.

It turned out to be a prophecy.

Although Yazi's smile didn't fade at all, I could sense the mocking tone.

Resign from the shop earlier, Risanai. Yazi is a demon.

"You were as ruthless as usual to the lovely juniors."

Karona looked at Yazi in confusion.

"You must be... Yazi from the flower shop. I'm the investigator here, Karona."

Yazi suddenly held my arm.

What is this woman doing?

Uncle, don't get nervous because of the chest contact!

"Hello, Miss Karona. I am Yazi, the ex-wife who was abandoned by this uncle after being toyed with."

Gasp!