The laborers’ sweat-soaked hemp clothes, the thin and silky robes of wealthy rchants, the adventurers’ armor reflecting a tallic sheen...
There really was no chance to stop and observe carefully, like a small boat in a raging river, the two were pushed forward by the crowd.
To be honest, although there was not much discomfort.
But for Xia Nan, this experience was far from pleasant.
The exceptionally strong physique and sensitive perception ability ant he captured more information than ordinary people.
He could clearly distinguish in the cacophony surrounding him—the sharp clinks of breaking glasses from the tavern next door, the haggling at street stalls, the distant flute sounds of street perforrs, and children’s cries...
In his nostrils, apart from the increasingly salty air, were the fishy sll of the marine products stacked at the fish stall, the strong and pungent spices from a neighboring shop, and the burning coal odor emanating from so blacksmith shop...
On the visual level, considerable control was needed to prevent the chaotic scenes in front of him from fully capturing his attention.
The tightly packed houses resembled walls of bright colors on either side, completely blocking the street; even the sky above was obscured by clothes hanging out to dry from bamboo poles on second floors.
It was as if every inch of space here couldn’t be wasted, with the outer walls plastered with layers of wanted posters, missing persons notices, and various advertisents.
If at such a mont, Xia Nan didn’t restrain his perception and instead expanded outwards to observe details as usual, his brain would probably have been overworked to the point of overheating and in overdrive.
Casually swatting away a juvenile hand reaching for Colin’s pocket in the crowd, Xia Nan pulled the young man close, cautioning him not to get lost.
His gaze surveyed the crowd, noticing the children scurrying between adults’ legs like mice, occasionally snatching wallets from careless travelers, and he frowned slightly.
Xia Nan could keenly observe that their targets were mostly ordinary people dressed simply and plainly, seldom touching the lavishly dressed local rchants, and they dared not even approach adventurers like himself.
Undoubtedly, like River Valley Town and Neum, Suo Yu Bay had its own ecological system.
These young pickpockets with unusually skilled and nimble movents were evidently professionally trained, backed by so hidden organization.
Being new and unfamiliar with the place, it was wise to avoid getting involved for the ti being.
"Your ’Paddy’ uncle’s shop should be on this street, right?"
With his lips drooping, which added a few more degrees of cold severity to his already stern features, matched with his black hair and eyes, and the dark-toned tal equipnt he wore, Xia Nan exuded a chilling aura that warned people to keep their distance.
This instinctively diverted the inquisitive gazes in the crowd, which had been on Colin, away, avoiding too much scrutiny.
"Just up ahead, Mr. Xia Nan."
"But maybe... we still need to take a couple of turns? After all, I’ve never been here; let’s search first."
Feeling the icy aura emanating beside him, Colin shivered involuntarily.
Surely knowing that by doing so, it would help them avoid many unnecessary troubles, the youth gratefully recalled in a serious tone.
His Uncle Paddy had been away from ho for many years, though occasionally he would have ssengers bring letters and coins or supplies to support the family’s expenses in the village, but they hadn’t seen each other for many years, leaving even his appearance in mory vaguely faded.
Even knowing his exact address, the youth was still uneasy, fearing any mistakes or omissions.
The bustling and lively Suo Yu Bay far exceeded Colin’s expectations.
This youthful boy, who grew up in a remote village, appeared exceptionally uncomfortable, even faintly fearful, suddenly placed in such an environnt.
Mr. Xia Nan had safely brought him to Suo Yu Bay, already fulfilling the commission, if, if... they failed to find Uncle Paddy in the end...
Wouldn’t he be left all alone here...
Colin didn’t have much ti to worry.
The next mont, the tall and formidable yet reliable figure in front, with its chilling intensity, had already pushed through the crowd ahead, moving onward.
He dared not be distracted, afraid of getting lost in the thronging mass of people surrounding them.
Focusing intently, he hurriedly followed in quick strides.
...
...
The address Colin provided was accurate.
Although due to the dense buildings in the port area of Suo Yu Bay, it was extrely difficult to find, causing them to ander through many alleys and short streets.
But eventually, after a complex journey exceeding half an hour.
The two finally found, tucked deep within a port, at the corner of a secluded alley, the grocery store reportedly run by the youth’s Uncle Paddy, nad "Salmon Roe."
Despite feeling sowhat impolite, Xia Nan still had to express doubt that a shop located in such an out-of-the-way place could conduct any substantial business.
The narrow alleys they traversed earlier were so tight that even slightly robust sailors would likely rub their shoulders against the muddy walls on both sides if they attempted to walk side by side; mixed with the ever-thickening sll of fish, the air was damp and rotten.
Unclear sources of water seeped through cracks at the base of walls, rendering the uneven cobblestone road slippery and muddy.
Unless soone like Xia Nan, who had known in advance that there was a grocery store here and intentionally aid for it.
Otherwise, he didn’t think any traveler or rchant would endure such a complicated journey and a wretched, filthy environnt to co here to shop.
Unless they got lost...
As if left unmaintained for a long ti, even the signboard of the grocery store, drawn with charcoal depicting a blurred salmon and roe, had beco eroded and indistinct due to the humid air, hanging precariously from the wall on a rusty nail, swaying slightly in the wind with a creaky sound.
The pair of wooden doors, however, looked rather respectable, made from recycled ship planks, seemingly attempting to simulate a nautical style, making the dilapidated traces on their surface, due to a lack of maintenance, appear deceptively integrated as part of the intended design style.
After patting Colin, who appeared a little nervous, reassuringly on the shoulder, Xia Nan stepped forward, opening the door of the grocery shop.
"Ding..."
Accompanied by the tight rubbing sound of the door hinges, a clear bell chi rang inside the room.
Unexpectedly, the interior of the grocery store was quite decent.
Maybe it used so special incense, the foul and dank slls of the alleys outside were masked by a refreshing aroma, which also significantly reduced the humid, greasy air, making the overall environnt much more comfortable.
Dried seaweed bundles hung from the beams, below which was a bronze hanging lamp emitting gentle light; the walls were lined with nurous miscellaneous items, heavy rusting tal ship hooks, worn rope knots, scraps of nautical charts...
Another side’s wooden shelf was cramd with clay pots and glass bottles, filled with coral fragnts, colorful sand particles, and unnad suspicious powders.
In the front, facing the doorway, was a wooden counter transford from the remaining hull of a scrapped small boat.
The goods displayed atop it, much like those on the shelves against the walls, were so diverse they even seed sowhat chaotic at a glance:
A black wooden pipe covered in burn marks, an oddly long and bizarre white fish bone, pickled liquor soaking unnad insect-like creatures, a few old coins with unknown origins...
Looking at the scene before his eyes, Xia Nan for the first ti felt that the term "grocery store" could fit so aptly.
Simultaneously, he also noticed so noteworthy details within the shop.
Just like the aroma perating the air, though the products in the store appeared incredibly ssy and unorganized, closer inspection revealed that their placent areas and positions actually followed a certain fixed pattern, not just random scattering.
And even in the easily overlooked corners of the top of the wooden shelves, no noticeable dust could be found; evidently, the owner of this grocery store regularly tidied and cleaned.
Forming a sharp contrast with the outside.
Could it be intentionally set this way?
If the intention was to create a sense of contrast through this thod... perhaps it was indeed a design to enhance custor interest in purchasing.
Xia Nan speculated in his mind.
From ahead, hearing the door open, a voice called out from the living area inside the shop, separated by a faded indigo canvas:
"Coming! Coming!"
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