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

This is a fee specifically set up by Kawan Post Station for desert residents.

The intention is also quite clear.

That is to limit the number of times desert dwellers can enter and leave the rainforest area.

The cost per person is 100 moras, and the cost per pack animal is 300 moras.

This is the normal fee schedule.

The thirty mercenaries in front of me, with a ring of pockmarks around their face, were clearly trying to extort money from me.

Passersby were all honestly paying up.

It seems they've all become accustomed to lining their own pockets.

Rod habitually touched his pocket.

If he paid 800 Mora at once, he wouldn't need to buy the Flourishing Blessing on this trip; he could just go back to Aru Village and starve.

At this moment, Desia stepped forward and stood in front of Rhodes, speaking to the mercenary in a serious tone that Rhodes had never heard before: "I am Desia of the Blazing Beast Hunter. According to the rules, I meet the tax exemption criteria."

"Blazing Light Hunter?"

"Dishia?"

"You're that lioness?"

The mercenary, who had just been dismissive of Rhodes and Desia, immediately became serious.

The Lion with a Blazing Mane.

This is Dixia's name in the desert.

But those who call her that are usually mercenary groups with good relations with the Blazing Beast Hunters or people who have a good personal relationship with Dixia.

The words 'lioness'.

That is the name that Dixia is most known by in the desert.

And something even more familiar to people.

This desert lioness is not to be trifled with.

"Since it's Miss Dixia, please come in."

Knowing that the person in front of him was the renowned Dixia, the mercenary guarding the gate naturally stopped making things difficult for him and even forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Welcome to Kawan Station."

(I had previously misspelled "Blazing Hunter" and "Blazing Mane Lion," but I've corrected them now. ┮﹏┭)

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 13 The Deal with the Smugglers

The prosperity of Kawan Post City was clearly incomparable to that of Aru Village.

They had just entered the city.

Rod's eyesight was not quite up to par.

The scene that can only be seen in Aru Village during the big market day is just an ordinary street scene here.

There were countless vendors hawking their wares along the way.

The goods they were selling dazzled Rod.

"The abundant benefits you desire can only be purchased from the Church."

"Did you bring the purchase permit from Aru Village?"

“I remember reminding you yesterday.”

"I'm talking as I walk," Dixia said.

Given the remarkable effects of Fertile Soil on soil cultivation, this Teyvat version of Fertile Soil has successfully made it onto the list of crops requiring strict control.

In the desert region.

The only legal right to purchase Fertile Crescent is in Aru Village, and the price is three times that of the rainforest area.

Other tribes that want to purchase the Fertile Resources either have to go to Aru Village as a middleman or go through illegal means, such as robbing the Church's transport convoy or smuggling it from the rainforest.

Desia knew very well that the bountiful benefits obtained through legitimate means were not something Rhodes could afford right now.

She even had the money ready to lend to Rhodes.

However, to her surprise...

Rhodes did not answer whether he had brought the purchase permit for Aru Village, but instead smiled mysteriously and said, "We're not going to the Church to buy it."

"Not going to the Order House to buy it?"

Dixia paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Where are you going to buy it?"

"Just go."

"The place where you bought the Teyvat Literacy Book."

Rod chuckled, looking as if he had seen through everything.

In fact it is.

Like the Abundance of Resources, printed books are also on the list of items strictly controlled by the Council of Religious Affairs.

This thing is strictly controlled not only in desert areas but also in rainforest areas.

It's simply impossible to get your hands on it through legitimate channels.

Only smugglers can get them.

This is also why Rhodes asked Desia to do this.

No matter how legitimate the Blazing Beasts are, or how much they abide by the laws and regulations of Sumeru.

They were ultimately a mercenary group that made a living in the desert.

The people I know come from all walks of life, from wealthy merchants to vagrants; the range is extremely wide.

And smugglers.

This is exactly the type of person the Sumeru Mercenary Group likes to associate with.

Dixia will meet some smugglers.

This is a matter of course.

"."

Dixia didn't expect Rhodes to ask that. After a moment's hesitation, she shook her head and said helplessly, "How do you know everything?"

As she spoke, she gave Rhodes a few more strange looks.

do not know why.

She always felt that Rod's words and actions were very strange.

They are clearly not desert dwellers.

However, he was very familiar with the rules of the desert.

Moreover, he was not only familiar with the rules of the desert, but also, despite not being a Sumeru person, he was very clear about the rules of Sumeru.

"What a strange fellow."

Dixia did not refuse Rhodes' request, and waved to him, saying, "Come with me, and remember not to reveal that person's identity to anyone else."

"okay."

Rhodes nodded and followed behind.

What Dixia is looking for.

He is a businessman located in a bustling downtown area.

This was something Rod hadn't expected.

In his mind, smugglers, who break the law, should be hiding among the common people, concealing themselves with an ordinary identity.

How can they be so brazenly selling things in the bustling city center?

"Ashel, it's been a long time."

Dixia greeted the hooded vendor familiarly.

"Oh, isn't this Miss Desia?"

Ashel, who had just been leisurely fanning himself on a recliner, immediately perked up upon hearing Dixia's voice.

He jumped up from the recliner, rubbing his hands together, and said, "Come and see, what do you want today?"

Do you have Mondstadt pork?

"Look at what you're saying, of course I have some, how much do you want?"

"A palm-sized piece is fine."

"so little."

Upon hearing the words "the size of a slap," Ashel's face immediately fell, and he asked unwillingly, "How about a pig's leg?"

"I can't eat that much."

Dixia shook her head and said firmly, "One slap is enough."

"Tsk, okay."

Ashel didn't show any dissatisfaction because Dixia bought so little; instead, he remained enthusiastic and asked, "How do you want to trade? Mora? Or something else?"

How much Mora?

"Five thousand."

"A bit expensive."

“My dear Miss Desia, do you know how far it is from here to Mondstadt? It's a long and winding road, with man-eating monsters blocking the way. Five thousand Mora is the price I quoted because you're someone I know. Otherwise, it would have to be at least ten thousand.”

It seems.