Chapter 164: Chapter 163: Nanali’s Alchemy Workshop
Fang Zheng raised his head, looking at the building ahead, and muttered to himself.
It was a two-story building located at the southern end of the town that, from the outside, resembled the sort of establishment one might mistake for a tavern. However, its dilapidated exterior and the sign covered in cobwebs clearly disclosed its true identity.
This was an Alchemy Workshop.
More precisely, a nearly bankrupt Alchemy Workshop.
The Little Angel standing beside Fang Zheng nodded as well.
“According to what I’ve learned, this Alchemy Workshop has completely lost its income. No one in the vicinity patronizes it anymore… They say that the previous owner went missing during an adventure, leaving only his daughter to manage it alone…”
And this was the result, huh?
After glancing at the somewhat shattered glass, Fang Zheng shook his head and then pushed open the door to enter.
The entire workshop was eerily spacious, but surprisingly clean. Everything from the reception desk near the door to the furniture around the room seemed to have been meticulously cleaned, even the stone-paved floor was spotless. Yet the workshop was utterly deserted, looking as if it had been abandoned.
However, it was clear that the place was not truly uninhabited.
Fang Zheng reached out and pressed the bell on the reception desk a few times, and soon an anxious voice came from inside.
“Ah, please wait! I’m a bit busy right now… Just a moment, please…!!”
Accompanied by the flustered voice, Fang Zheng and Nymph watched as a door on the other side of the hall, which had been tightly shut, suddenly opened. A young girl with brown, long hair rushed out, panting. She was dressed in a somewhat worn robe, and her hair was fluffy and curly due to just waking up. After hastily grooming herself, she then turned towards Fang Zheng and Nymph with an awkward smile.
“Welcome to Nanali’s Alchemy Workshop… Dear guests, may I help you with anything?”
Young lady, that name of yours is quite inauspicious. Are you destined to become a blind girl in a wheelchair?
“Ahem… Hello, Miss Nanali.”
Fang Zheng coughed, and then with a smile, addressed the girl.
“My name is Ezio, I am a merchant… You see, I have a business proposal I would like to discuss with you.”
Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Nanali tilted her head in confusion.
Fang Zheng nodded, then went straight to the point.
“It might not be pleasant to hear this, but… I would like to acquire this Alchemy Workshop.”
“Acquire… Acquire… Eh? Eh!!?”
Initially confused by Fang Zheng’s response, it took a while for Nanali to realize what he meant, and she couldn’t help but let out a shriek.
“Sir, do you mean, you want to purchase this Alchemy Workshop?”
“But, but… I, I don’t plan to sell, this is my home…”
Perhaps Nanali had never imagined that someone would come knocking to discuss the purchase of her workshop, leaving her unable to form an effective response.
“However, the financial situation of this Alchemy Workshop isn’t very good, is it?”
Looking at the girl before him, Fang Zheng didn’t press her too hard but mentioned it casually.
“I’ve inquired about it, and if you can’t pay the sufficient fees this month, the qualification for this Alchemy Workshop will be revoked, won’t it?”
Upon hearing this, Nanali’s face grew even more distressed.
According to the law, every Alchemy Workshop must pay a fee to the Alchemists’ Association each year to maintain its qualification. These fees are not high, but they are not meaningless either. Firstly, paying the fee indicates that the Alchemy Workshop is self-sustaining with the ability to make a profit. Secondly, after paying the fee, the validity period for the Alchemy Workshop’s qualification can be extended. And only with a valid qualification can alchemists legally purchase various types of raw materials, as the Kingdom of the Holy Church has strict control over resources. Without a legitimate “business license,” you can’t even buy a cart of iron ore.
But looking at the state of this Alchemy Workshop, it was clear that the girl could not afford the “property fee.”
“Here’s the thing, Miss Nanali, I have a proposal.”
Seeing the girl becoming more embarrassed, Fang Zheng hurriedly continued to explain. If he waited any longer, the business deal might fall through.
“I can invest and buy this Alchemy Workshop, but I’m not seeking to change the owner, which means you can continue to live here, and I also don’t intend to change your alchemist qualification.”
Relieved, the girl caught her breath; she had initially feared she might be forced to wander the world, but the situation didn’t seem to have reached that point yet, but…
“Sir, what’s in it for you to do this?”
Nanali was no fool. Fang Zheng had explained so clearly that she quickly understood his intention. But that’s why she was puzzled. It was like a company on the verge of bankruptcy being approached by someone willing to pay off its debt but with no intention of buying the company or taking over the chairman position. Strange, indeed; of course, if Fang Zheng had come alone, the girl might have been more worried about her own safety. However…
Glancing at the harmless Little Angel beside Fang Zheng, the girl felt that possibility didn’t seem very likely.
“That’s the situation.”
Fang Zheng had no intention of hiding the truth from the girl, because what he planned to do next couldn’t be kept secret anyway.
“I want to buy some Spirit Crystals, but due to official regulations, I can’t possibly purchase them on my own. Though I’ve studied magic and alchemy a bit, I don’t have a qualification. Currently, it would take a long time and be troublesome to obtain these documents. That’s why I’m looking to buy this Alchemy Workshop to achieve my goal.”
Listening to Fang Zheng’s answer, Nanali sighed with relief. Spirit Crystals were somewhat like diamonds and gold to an alchemist—valuable indeed, undoubtedly useful, but not dangerous.
But indeed, these items are hard to purchase without legal qualifications.
“So, Miss Nanali, what do you think?”
Hearing Fang Zheng’s question, the girl hesitated for a moment. Truth be told, she wasn’t keen on agreeing. However, Nanali was well aware that if she couldn’t raise the funds, her mother’s Alchemy Workshop would be completely repossessed. By then, her own dreams would no longer be achievable.
“I’ve made up my mind.”
With that thought, the girl resolved herself and nodded at Fang Zheng.
“I am willing to make this transaction with you, Mr. Ezio.”
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