Chapter 4, A Respectable Home

The only person hired for a fee was the gardener, who also worked for Count Bavadweber and was an old friend of the steward, Ed. As soon as Ed spoke, the gardener agreed to come and help, and even offered a discount to Brother Bu.

Everyone is sensible, so why pretend to be foolish? You have those women around you trying to probe into our affairs. Am I wrong? The person's voice was not very loud, seemingly not wanting to attract the attention of others

Unexpectedly, the old man changed the topic: "The real trouble lies in the unique 'style' mentioned by the earl; I fear no one can clearly articulate how to meet the requirements"

He said this, and another reason is to lay a foundation for a future plot twist; in case any flaws emerge later, he can use the pretense of maintaining appearances as an excuse

"Luck." The response from Count Bavadweber was very simple, yet it also took Boge by surprise: "Did you not notice that all the designs in the book are only suitable for construction in certain special locations?"

Old man Kess scratched his graying hair, rolled his eyes, and with a look of anticipation, fixed his gaze on Brother Bu, saying: "This matter is not as difficult as it seems. Based on the construction of that villa, creating a villa district would not require much time. Moreover, the plan was devised by Count Bawadweber himself, and there are absolutely no issues regarding funding. There is no need to go to great lengths to find free or cost-saving solutions like we did this time."

Feigning a helpless expression, Brother Bu said: "I too have no choice; this is entirely beyond the plan, and even Count Bawadweber only thought of it an hour ago"

Everywhere there are noisy sounds, some from sawing wood, some from striking rocks, some from tamping earth, but more prevalent are the clattering noises from unloading timber from the ship

Outside the door, there was already a cacophony; all the residents of the neighboring rooms had rushed out. Such a commotion could not have failed to alert others

Brother Bu shot the intruder in the head, unsure if this fellow had armor hidden in his clothing, while he himself was wearing a protective vest woven from steel wire

It is very luxurious, very grand, with some appearing solemn and dignified, while others are elegant and magnificent

After some contemplation, Brother Bu identified two possibilities. The first possibility is that the Spencer family is scheming behind the scenes. The elder may have some reservations, but the younger one is like a rabid dog, capable of any outrageous actions.

Although this possibility is quite significant, it cannot be ruled out that there is another possibility, namely, that someone among the smugglers wants to give him a warning.

The old baron could certainly guess Brother Bu's intentions, so throughout the journey, they only discussed topics such as cultural geography and flora and fauna, completely avoiding any mention of matters concerning the town

The reasons are quite simple; the two most troublesome aspects of studying alchemy are the lack of guidance and the absence of funds

Three days later, Mom left with his soldiers; their work was complete

The more than one hundred soldiers in the fortress have almost all been brought here

Covering the ground with a layer of soil and then planting grass is akin to draping a quilt over the villa, providing the benefits of warmth in winter and coolness in summer. The soil is laid on the slope, and beneath the slope lies a substantial space, sufficient to insulate against moisture.

It is precisely for this reason that as soon as Brother Bu returned to the inn, he immediately took out those alchemical notes to read, having neglected them for nearly half a month.

Alchemy is an extremely costly endeavor. Take the most commonly used fuel as an example; alchemy cannot use coal, but must instead utilize a substance known as carbon black. This material is extracted from charcoal, and from one kilogram of the finest charcoal, at most about twenty grams of carbon black can be obtained, which illustrates just how expensive alchemy is.

Toll was just about to jump down when he saw someone already rushing out from the inn

As evening approached, Bo Ge took a stroll around the construction site. He greeted Mo Mu, who was standing on a high platform, from a distance, but did not approach. The site appeared very chaotic, with logs scattered on the ground, wooden stakes erected as markers everywhere, and piles of stones stacked in the surrounding areas.

Bu Ge did not intend to act heroically; upon seeing Thor standing in the crowd, he immediately cleared the entrance, signaling for Thor to go in and apprehend the person.

Being able to work under Count Bavadweber certainly indicates some capability; it is unclear which connections this gardener has, as he surprisingly managed to bring in large quantities of ready-made turf.

As Brother Bu drew his sword with his right hand, his left hand subtly lifted without drawing attention, and then there was a sound of "whoosh" as a dim red light shot out swiftly

Building houses in this manner is remarkably fast; it only took one day, and the general outline has already emerged

No, what I meant was the feeling of living in that kind of house. Old Ed felt helpless; he realized that the two people did not grasp his meaning at all: "Don't just think about the good aspects, consider the drawbacks as well"

What surprised Brother Bu was that the response he received was a burst of laughter, as if his words were a very amusing joke

Among the two stewards, Old Ed often has the ability to pinpoint the crux of the problem with remarkable precision, a skill that the gray-haired Case lacks. However, Case also possesses his own strengths; once he has a thought in mind, solutions will flow forth like a gushing spring.

Upon further reflection, he recalled what Andrew had once said to him: the Count never engaged in overtly illegal activities. If those smugglers were truly driven away, given the Count's character, he would never take the risk of smuggling himself. Wouldn't that effectively sever this source of income

No matter how famous he becomes, it is still due to the blessings of the genius ancestor from the Barvardweber family. The more renowned he is, the more it elevates the reputation of that genius. Moreover, as a member of the Barvardweber lineage, his growing fame only benefits the Count, potentially bringing even greater advantages to him.

The water they drink is from the mountain springs, for which they constructed a grand water diversion project, connecting the water channels to every household. The fish they eat are freshly caught, and to maintain the freshness of the fish, the slaves relay the fish from the catching site directly to their kitchens

The old man gave a bitter smile and said: "Every person like me is probably interested in that genius. The Bhavadevi family was originally like us, or even worse; it is said that the father of the Star of Wisdom was a gambler and a swindler, spending his entire life in deception and gambling, and died deeply in debt.

The earl spoke lightly, yet it only served to further impress upon Brother Bu the earl's wealth. That book, like several illustrated volumes he had memorized, belonged to a category that could only be replicated through painstaking manual transcription. The cost of copying a single volume was immense, let alone reproducing a batch.

"Why do you believe I am probing your bottom line?" Brother Bu once again inquired.

There should be a gathering similar to the Alchemist's Salon here. Studying alchemy alone is truly too expensive. Brother Bu sighed and said, I am not as prosperous as I appear on the surface; all my money has been invested in this.

Mr. Bu feels that he has already gone around in circles long enough and can now get straight to the point. He is not concerned about frightening Baron Malheim, as studying alchemy is hardly a crime.

Caught!

Along with the timber, Mom also borrowed two saw benches from the military supply depot. These devices are specifically designed to construct defensive fortifications in the shortest possible time during warfare. The steel saw blades are over a person's height, making it as easy to saw wood as tearing paper.

Bo Ge was somewhat taken aback. He had originally thought that the former Baron of Puxi lacked business acumen, which was why he failed to capitalize on the financial opportunities at hand. However, it now appeared that there were other reasons.

The two swords, the first sword thrust towards the intruder's right shoulder, aimed at eliminating the opponent's resistance, while the second sword struck the left hip, intended to prevent the individual from escaping. After delivering the two thrusts, they immediately exited the room to guard against the intruder's desperate counterattack. This was also a lesson taught by that hunchback.

Using soldiers to assist in the construction of villas, the labor costs can be described as extremely low. Furthermore, there is an additional advantage: the timber required for building the villas can be purchased directly from the military supply department. The timber from the military supply department is significantly cheaper than what can be found in the market, and these materials have been stored in the military warehouses for an unknown period, having completely dried out, allowing for immediate sawing upon delivery

The people in the town now mostly know how Brother Bu obtained his title and are also aware of what kind of person that cousin is

Thor is indeed cut out to be a bodyguard; now he even refuses to think, and whenever he has free time, he just finds a patch of open space to practice his swordsmanship

This time, not only did all the townspeople gather to watch, but even in the capital of Rupnail, there were those who heard the rumors. At first, most people were skeptical and did not believe that such a barren little town could produce anything remarkable, so at most they would send a servant to take a look.

To truly control a place, one must rally a group of people

Lord Bavadweber is not interested in geography; what he values is profit

"Has your cousin already refined gold?" asked Baron Malheim

Although he could not understand, the old baron did not dare to comment casually. He had also heard that this strange building was constructed by the young mayor according to the design of the great omnipotent genius, the Star of Wisdom. He would never consider that his understanding of architecture and aesthetics could surpass that of the genius

Moreover, the prevailing customs in the capital, Rupnail, create a sense of exceptional constraint. Therefore, every summer, everyone rushes outside, not only to escape the sweltering heat but also to allow themselves to relax

"Surely your cousin has discovered a very practical formula," said the old baron. "Every alchemist knows how one might achieve wealth.

The Rococo style gives a sense of softness and elegance, while the classical style conveys a sense of grandeur... Old man Cass clearly possesses much more professionalism

After a while, the Count finally stopped laughing: "My dear little friend, it is only in murky waters that one can catch fish. If you drain the water completely and expose all the fish, although it may seem like you can harvest a lot, there will be no fish left to catch in the future"

He has already been calculating how to win over those young nobles, who are relatively inexperienced and thus easier to persuade. However, being young also means lacking a voice, so he must also win over a group of influential individuals like Baron Malheim.

This time, Brother Bu truly meant no harm; he hurriedly conveyed to the two old men the sudden thoughts that had just arisen in the Count's mind.

What transpired here was equally unexpected for the Count; he was not well-versed in the ability to foresee the future. After initially reviewing the plans of Bogo and that steward, he did not anticipate that it would evolve into what it is now

Brother Bu never imagined staying in this godforsaken place for ten years; he only needed a villa with a shiny exterior. The kind of "cutting corners" approach taken by the transportation company was just right for him

Brother Bu understands that the old man wants him to pay attention to catering to the preferences of those in high society. In the eyes of the upper class, harmony will never be a style they can identify with

When at home, they would recline half-naked on the lounge chairs, enjoying the meticulous service of their servants..." Keith described the living scenes of that era as depicted in the book

"Will those envious people not find a noble to exert pressure on him?" Brother Bu found this hard to agree with

Brother Bu deeply resonated with this, nodding continuously from the side

This is perhaps the shallowest coastline I have ever seen. In the areas visible to the eye, the sea appears white, and one can clearly see the seabed. The average water depth here, I presume, does not exceed 3 meters, the Count said leisurely while admiring the view.

Even before the villa is completely finished, its reputation has already spread far and wide

The Earl waved his hand: "I was merely joking, there is no need to take it seriously. Ever since my brilliant ancestor passed away, the Bhavadevi Earl family has not produced another architect or artist. That book remains in my possession, but it is of little use."

Bring the rope, quickly bring the rope

The king drank the potion and became very young, which made him extremely happy. He granted the magician everything he needed. However, not long after, the king suddenly realized that since this potion could make him young, it could also make his enemies young, which he could not allow. He was also worried that he might age again, so the formula for the potion must be kept in his hands at all costs

Is this considered a threat? Brother Bu smiled. During his training at the intelligence agency, he had learned some techniques for conversing with people. Since this person was threatening him, it was highly likely that he did not genuinely intend to kill him; those who are truly capable of killing without hesitation tend to behave very calmly.

Most soldiers are not sufficiently meticulous; if they were to use a band saw to cut wood, the thickness would certainly vary. Fortunately, there are these two saw benches. As long as the wood is secured with clamps and pulled from one end to the other, after a few passes, the entire piece of wood is instantly transformed into a pile of uniformly thick boards. Then, by making a cut across, the lengths also become identical.

Like houses, carriages also have windows and doors; however, the construction of carriages differs from that of houses. A carriage is generally expected to be retired after about ten years, so the doors and windows of a carriage do not need to be particularly sturdy. Most are made with lightweight, easily processed wood for the framework and core, with a layer of precious hardwood veneer applied on the outside.

Just as I stepped aside, I heard the sound of the window colliding from inside the room, followed by a loud "thud" from downstairs

Indeed, there stood a person at the window, whose face bore a sinister expression, certainly not resembling a kind-hearted individual. This person was dressed in a short garment that allowed for easy movement, with some dust on the sleeves and pant legs, suggesting that they had climbed in through the window along the outer wall

Bo Ge nodded. Although he had not yet figured out exactly what to do, he already understood the count's intention

"I leave this matter to you; please help me envision the most comfortable lifestyle," said Brother Bu casually. "I am not very familiar with the things of the Millennium Empire."

The servants had never seen such a house, and naturally, they were astonished by the marvel. After returning to Rupunel, they boasted about it, which piqued the interest of many nobles residing in the capital, Rupunel

Without guidance, the situation becomes even more troublesome. For those studying alchemy, experimental failures are commonplace. In the absence of direction, it is quite possible for an experiment to fail hundreds of times. The materials wasted in a single failure can be enough to cause distress for several days, let alone the anguish of hundreds of failures.

Starting from the 6th century BC, humanity employed this method to erect a fortress in the shortest possible time. A series of massive wooden boxes were assembled together, with stones and thick layers of earth piled on the outside. This constituted a fortress, requiring only a few hundred soldiers stationed inside to effectively withstand an assault from thousands of enemy troops.

Moreover, if the fish are exposed, everyone can see them. Do you think you are the only one who knows how to go down and catch them? Your time in this circle is still too short. Once you work with me for a few more years, you will understand how to safely obtain benefits.

This sense of urgency compelled Brother Bu to spend the following days, apart from his regular visits to the construction site, secluding himself in his room to study those few notebooks.

After a while, Brother Bu said: "It seems that you have a deep understanding of the Star of Wisdom"

This is certainly impossible; neither you nor I possess any magical power, and we cannot change the elements at all

What else is there for Brother Bu to say? The Earl's speculation is entirely correct. However, he is also a clever man, aware that if the Earl of Bawadweber had no thoughts on the matter, he would not have spoken to him at such length.

Bu Ge was unaware of how much this individual in front of him had guessed. Although he had obtained a list of smuggled goods through several young ladies who admired the local youth, the initial justification was quite sufficient. Even if someone had suspicions, it would not lead to such an intense reaction.

When the Count mentioned building a row of villas by the seaside, Brother Bu initially thought he already understood the Count's intentions.

Seeing the old man silent, Brother Bu quickly changed the subject: "May I ask where the seeds of the Star Fragment Grass come from?"

Whether intentional or not, the two individuals strolled to a place with few people. In the distance, Tor was on watch; this was undoubtedly a good place to talk

The earl appeared very pleased: "Giving you that book was the most correct thing to do. Put more thought into this matter; I hope you can become a renowned architect. I will use all my resources to support you, as far as possible."

At first, Brother Bu thought that the Count was saying some flattering words to impress him; however, upon further reflection, he had somewhat guessed the Count's intentions.

What troubles me now is that the soil here is unfit for use, as it contains too much gravel and has a high concentration of salt, making it impossible to grow any plants.

"Comfortable..." Brother Bu pondered thoughtfully on the side

"I now somewhat regret giving you that book; I did not expect that the house built according to the illustrations in it would cause such a stir," said Count Bavadweber, half-jokingly.

"Baron Malheim, can you imagine what the villa will look like once it is completed?" Brother Gu guessed what the old man was thinking, but deliberately asked.

The sawn wooden planks were immediately moved by another group of soldiers, arranged neatly, with one layer placed horizontally and another layer vertically nailed together, quickly transforming into a panel wall.

This villa requires more than just the installation of doors and windows

The old man could only smile wryly and shake his head. When he was twenty, he too was full of ambition, believing that he could create miracles through alchemy. However, the more he researched, the more he realized that alchemy was, in fact, a very costly endeavor

Brother Bu is almost certain that it is little Spencer who is behind the mischief. He has decided to take action; even if he is wrong, he does not care. This guy is a minor character; killing him would be no loss.

The king would not covet such a formula; in fact, even if the king obtained the formula, he would still be unable to operate a dyeing house by himself and would need to find someone to assist him in this matter. Since this is the case, why go through the extra trouble?

The dilapidated nobility residing here also did not anticipate that their rundown little town would attract so many individuals of extremely high status

During this period, he has been too busy; up until now, he has not taken any real action against the smugglers in the town. Where does this inexplicable animosity come from?

The old man closed his eyes, imagining in his mind, and after a long time finally opened his eyes, his face filled with a look of awe: "Marvelous, truly marvelous, this is not only a villa but also a cleverly designed garden, uniquely crafted and easy to construct, a genius is indeed a genius"

Secondly, he thought of those rare alchemical materials, but he did not dare to mention them. Instead, he vaguely brought up the matter of bird droppings

The young ladies beside him are indeed more capable than the gentlemen; however, being women, they are not suited to assist with the tasks at hand

Bu Ge's face flushed red; to speak honestly, he indeed had a slight intention of exhausting the two old fellows. However, he would absolutely never admit it.

As soon as he closed the door, he heard a faint sound from the window

The intruder jumped out of the window to escape! Thor rushed to the window, glanced at the height to the ground; this is the second floor, and jumping down is not difficult.

It is precisely for this reason that many people in the town have seen the model made of wooden sticks and clay, yet not a single person dared to scoff at it; at most, they only dared to say in private that the model was indeed very unattractive

As they spoke, a sloped ramp constructed of wooden frames was being nailed to the wall at the construction site, extending up to two-thirds of the height of the wooden boxes above. This was the aspect that the old baron found most difficult to comprehend; it was this ramp and the peculiar wall that made the entire villa appear as if it were a pyramid with only its lower half.

The old man's story sent a chill down Bu Ge's spine. Although he believed in those two formulas, it was unlikely to incite the murderous intent of others. However, it was hard to say whether the noble ladies and young heiresses who had used the formulas and found them effective would, like the king in the story, press him for the formulas.

Surroundings should include mountains and water, with varying elevations, and be distant from the hustle and bustle of the city. This represents a style that is completely integrated with nature, which is actually at odds with the tastes of people like us

Not long after, a cacophony of noise and commotion arose from downstairs

Baron Pingpu has made significantly more progress in alchemical research than Baron Malheim, to the extent that after much hesitation, the old man was unable to articulate a coherent explanation.

Furthermore, that book of yours is merely a copy; I have many such copies in my possession. I have also given books to others, yet none have caused a stir like yours did

"Work hard, and you will undoubtedly have a bright future. I will first help you eliminate your debts, and then, as before, I will allocate five thousandths of the profits to you," Count Bavadweber said with a smile.

Although civil engineering is a skill that any army must master, only non-commissioned officers have studied this subject, while ordinary soldiers only perform manual labor

"There is no need for an explanation; you understand it yourself." That person replied very succinctly

Brother Bu slightly closed his eyes, imagining the scene described by Kess; it was undoubtedly a pleasure that could only be found in paradise

The bottoms of these square wooden boxes are cushioned with logs, and after being secured, they are dragged to the pre-marked positions. Thus, a house is constructed.

With preparations in place, Brother Bu did not appear to be flustered

Boge did not return directly to his room. Since Count Bavadweber had increased his workload, he naturally had to assign a bit more work to his subordinates as well

The Count never spoke of the life experiences of his ancestor. "Boge shook his head, sensing that the Count harbored very complex feelings towards that ancestor. On one hand, he was indeed proud of him; on the other hand, that genius seemed to embody a kind of taboo existence

I once told you that a person should have their own style, and the same applies to a place. Do you really want this small town to compete with the capital, Rupnail, in terms of grandeur and magnificence?

The nailed board walls were pulled away by a group of people below, and six board walls perfectly fit together to form a box

Upon hearing Brother Bu shift the blame onto Count Bawadweber, the two old men exchanged glances with each other

... ... ''

"I fear that even the Count himself does not have the answer," said Old Ed, whose words often possess a remarkable clarity.

This left Brother Bu both puzzled and vaguely aware of his own shortcomings; whether in experience or vision, he felt he was significantly lacking compared to this Lord of Wealth

Ed interjected, saying: "You might as well add 'exquisite'; since we cannot focus on luxury and grandeur, we can only pursue delicacy and refinement"

This triangular space also serves as a ventilated and well-lit conduit, and there are many other benefits that will only be explained after the villa is completed

To confirm his suspicion, Brother Bu suddenly became stern and questioned, "It was Little Spencer who sent you, wasn't it? How much benefit did he give you?"

Brother Bu smiled slightly, stating that if the Star of Wisdom only had these two tricks, it would not be called a peerless genius. He continued to explain: "If it were only these, it would still not be able to demonstrate the brilliance of that genius

Before making a choice, he must know which possibility it is

The floor, walls, and ceiling are all made of rough wood and need to be "wrapped" in more refined materials. For this, Brother Bu did not design it himself; he believes that the "packaging experts" at the carriage and horse company are certainly more skilled in this area than he is.

He cannot completely shake off the generations of people living here, relying solely on himself to control this small town, even if he has already subdued Mom and the more than one hundred soldiers in the fortress

Bo Ge glanced at the distant, dilapidated town behind him, and he seemed to understand that the reason people worship the Star of Wisdom is not because of the greatness of the Star itself, but rather because they hope to transform into another Star of Wisdom.

Bo Ge quickly replied: "You are absolutely right; it is currently high tide. During low tide, one can even stand."

If it is the first possibility, the matter will be much easier to resolve. In fact, a commoner who wishes to challenge the authority of the nobility is either insane or seeking death

During his training at the Intelligence Division, he learned various techniques for overcoming enemies through ambushes. Brother Bu made a motion with his right hand as if drawing a sword

In constructing that villa, you merely created a model; everything else has been handled by us. From procuring materials to calculating costs, it has been the two of us doing the work. We are also responsible for clearing the list of smuggled goods, which we have not yet completed, and now you are asking us to organize the residents' information in the town. What else is there for us to do now

Warning? "Is Brother Bu pretending not to understand?" "What does it mean?"

At this moment, apart from the Spenser family and a few surrounding households, most others have largely sided with Brother Bo.

Before us stands an exceptionally exquisite and elegant miniature rockery, towering atop a coastal high platform. The velvety green gently cascades down the slope, interspersed with several clusters of shrubs. These shrubs, varying in species, are arranged in a staggered manner, imparting a sense of natural harmony.

Brother Bu did not intend to give up at this point. He clearly remembered the advice given to him by the camel responsible for his training: "In life-and-death struggles, the greatest taboo is hesitation. Once an attack is successful, before the opponent completely loses their ability to counterattack, one must either find a safe place to hide or continue the assault"

The carriage of Count Bavadweib brought Bogo directly to the inn's entrance. Upon disembarking from the carriage, Bogo suddenly felt that what he lacked the most at that moment was time, as he had too many things to learn.

The soldiers are currently constructing a wall around the villa, which is made of stacked stones. What confuses the old man is that the wall has been built in a sloped manner.

The earl smiled and leaned in to ask, "I fear that quite a few people have already approached you with the intention of purchasing this villa, haven't they?"

An arrow struck the cheek, with the tip embedded at least one centimeter deep. The arrow was smeared with a layer of red scorpion powder, a type of poison that, while not extremely potent, causes excruciating pain.

It seems that for a long time, it will not be possible to study alchemy; I must first thoroughly study that book on architecture and aesthetics

Among these prominent figures, of course, is also Count Bavadweber

The seabed here is quite shallow; you must have seen the sandy areas exposed during low tide. However, you may not know that further out, there are several sandbanks. Even during high tide, these sandbanks remain above water, becoming a paradise for birds. Over time, a thick layer of bird droppings accumulates on these sandbanks, which serves as the best soil for planting.

Everyone is looking forward to the completion of the villa

After letting Brother Bu board his carriage, Count Bawadweber did not return to the town by carriage, but instead instructed the driver to proceed slowly along the beach

Seeing such a bitter face, Brother Bu felt quite pleased, but he did not want to leave a bad impression on the two old men: "I have just as much to deal with as you do; I must design a villa that meets the requirements. God knows what kind of house is truly comfortable to live in"

Should I say you are brave or impulsive? You came here alone, didn't you?" Brother Bu probed, "According to the law, attacking a noble or intending to attack a noble carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison

Before the two stewards could speak, Brother Bu said, "We have matters to attend to again"

It seems I also need to go dig up some bird droppings, " Brother Bu jokingly remarked

Brother Bu knew what the old man was thinking, and he did not intend to keep him in suspense: "On the model I created, there is no way to represent the final part. This slope will be covered with a layer of soil, and then grass and shrubs will be planted on top. Rather than a villa, it is more like a hollowed-out structure that can be used for habitation, resembling a rockery."

Fortunately, Brother Bu was able to answer all the questions. The knowledge that was forcibly memorized in his mind finally proved useful. Brother Bu casually asked Baron Malheim a few questions, which were all recorded in his notebook, pertaining to the issues encountered but unresolved by the late Baron Bingpu.

Boge is quite fortunate that his "cousin" is far more accomplished in alchemy than Baron Malheim, which gives him ample confidence to pose as an alchemy expert

What does it feel like? Keith and Bo Ge are pondering together

"What kind of person is the Star of Wisdom?" asked Brother Bu. "His name can be heard everywhere, yet few mention his life story."

With just one sentence, it is possible to gauge the depth of the person before him, and Bu Ge is no longer anxious

Only one team is rather unfortunate, as they must row a small boat to the sandbank offshore to collect bird droppings

Such a result would absolutely be unexpected for Brother Bu

"It can't be something like cosmetics, can it?" the old baron said with a bitter smile. "Don't you find it strange that your cousin hasn't made a fortune with this formula?"

In my youth, I also found this strange, as if someone did not wish for this part of history to be known to the world. Throughout history, many geniuses have emerged, but none have been as peculiar as the Star of Wisdom. The discoveries of other geniuses were all built upon the foundations of previous viewpoints, yet he was different; everything that originated from him appeared so abrupt, with no similar precedents existing before him

Brother Bu has some understanding in this regard. He initially intended to build a dock after clarifying these matters, but later realized that it was simply impossible

This guy is at most just a thug; if one wants to give him a warning, it is impossible to send such a minor character.

He could not help but recall his bizarre ideals from childhood, which were indeed a yearning for the possibility of change in life

He decided to send someone to capture the magician and ordered that after obtaining the formula, the magician should be executed

Baron Malheim is undoubtedly a person who must be visited. In Boge's plan, this baron will play a crucial role in connecting him and integrating into the local community

He did not come alone; an old man accompanied him. The old man was none other than Baron Malheim, with whom he had a delightful conversation during his first visit to the small town.

Before the installation of the turf and the transplantation of the shrubs, this peculiar villa was merely a barren hillside, appearing quite unattractive and hardly deserving of the title "Star of Wisdom". However, once the turf was laid, the effect was entirely different

"How large is this shoal?" the Count inquired

It is roughly similar, but there should be some changes. The Count briefly sketched it out in his mind, but he soon gave up, realizing that he truly lacked talent in construction. Such matters were better left to Brother Bu.

Brother Bu smiled; he felt the same way

To be honest, he sees no merit in a house constructed from various sizes of wooden boxes. From a structural perspective, the entire villa is simply two layers of wooden boxes stacked together, with the lower layer being larger and the upper layer smaller.

That person seems to be indifferent: "You can take this as a warning"

After leaving the rooms of the two deacons, Brother Bu returned to his own room

Duke is a natural talent for espionage, adept at impersonating anyone and possessing particularly keen hearing. If you want to inquire about something, sending him is undoubtedly the right choice. Unfortunately, his abilities are limited to this.

I was brought into this circle by my cousin, who has invested a considerable amount of money and effort into this research. Just as he was about to achieve some results, he encountered this unexpected incident. Brother Bu said, and he was not lying; it was indeed that mysterious basement at wwwhetushucom.com that led him down this path, although he did not tell the whole truth.

The words of the earl also left Brother Bu somewhat perplexed: "Why is this so? I do not believe that only I can fully comprehend the mysteries of this book"

After going around in circles, Brother Bu still felt that there was no one available to assist him, which was his greatest frustration

Bo Ge gently placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword, looking at the intruder with indifferent eyes: "Isn't it rather unreasonable for you to enter someone else's room so casually?"

However, it is precisely this unequivocal response that allows Brother Bu to almost ascertain that this fellow is here to pick a fight

Baron Malheim, I hope you will forgive my boldness, but you must have profound expertise in alchemy

This type of house can only be used for short stays during vacations. Your success is actually attributed to the location of this small town. It is only forty kilometers from Rupnail, and if the carriage runs fast, it can be reached in an hour. Such a place is perfectly suitable for vacationing, and this villa is specifically prepared for that purpose

This time, it was Kess who first realized: "Indeed, the houses in the capital, Rupnair, are very luxurious and grand, but they are not comfortable to live in. It is very cold in winter and unbearably hot in summer. This is not only true for the houses but also for the furniture inside, which prioritizes aesthetics over comfort"

A person who has sustained two sword wounds and has been struck in the face by a poisoned arrow finds it difficult to escape, especially considering the small size of the town; where could one possibly run to?

There is someone in the room

"Is it still in line with the style of this villa?" Bo Ge said uncertainly. Recently, many people have come to view it, and there have been numerous praises, but there has also been a lot of mockery and ridicule.

The old baron did not respond; instead, he casually asked a few questions to the group, all of which were challenges encountered during the study of alchemy

After promising benefits, he began to discuss the main matter: "This small town is only forty kilometers away from the capital, Rupnair, which is its greatest advantage. Although it is currently a remote and impoverished area, it can easily become prosperous.

After a considerable amount of time, Brother Bu asked, "Having studied alchemy for a lifetime, do you not have any achievements?"

This town is somewhat chaotic, you know, apart from those dilapidated nobles, what is everyone else doing here?" Brother Bu said: "Or we can take this opportunity to clean up those forces.

Originally, Brother Bu anticipated that sowing grass seeds now would only show results by spring. Unexpectedly, by laying down ready-made sod directly, the effects became apparent in an instant

Upon hearing that the deadline for this matter is set for next summer, the two elderly men finally breathed a sigh of relief. Otherwise, they would have surely worked themselves to exhaustion. It is well known that constructing a single villa is already quite labor-intensive, and the time and effort required to develop an entire villa community is even more considerable.

In the end, the old man did not relent; he neither acknowledged the existence of such a salon nor denied it. However, he agreed to one thing for Brother Bu, which was to help him obtain some materials if the opportunity arose

Imagine, when summer arrives, how fortunate it would be to have such a shallow and clean beach. This beach has existed for tens of thousands of years, and yet it has never been noticed, despite being so close to the capital, Rupnair. It is truly a stroke of luck. One must admit, you are a very lucky person, and being with you, I have also gained a bit of that luck

Baron Malheim hesitated for a moment, finding it somewhat difficult to articulate certain matters; however, he ultimately expressed his thoughts.

Although he understood that the Count was acting in his own interest, Brother Bo did not intend to disobey, as it was also beneficial for him. His demands had always been modest; it was sufficient for the Count to eat meat while he was given a sip of soup.

With a shift in tone, Bo Ge said: "Baron Malheim, do you remember why we first met? Your courtyard left a very deep impression on me. I was quite surprised that in such barren land, it is possible to cultivate such rare plants as the star fragment grass"

Suddenly, the old man's voice became low, as if he were speaking to himself or perhaps addressing Brother Bu: "The era of the active Star of Wisdom coincided with a turning point for the Fack Kingdom. Previously, Fack was embroiled in the Seventy Years' War, besieged by neighboring countries, and could be said to be at its weakest. However, unexpectedly, it won several consecutive battles, nearly annihilating the enemy coalition. Just five years later, the war came to an end.

The construction proceeded very smoothly. By the end of the second day, the entire structure of the villa was essentially completed. On the third day, the soldiers, in addition to stacking stones to form an irregularly shaped gentle slope according to the design drawings, only carved out doors and windows on those wooden boxes.

The two individuals are no more than five or six steps apart, and the intruders are at most characters like thugs or henchmen; how could they possibly evade such close-range attacks

The reason he continues to study alchemy is that he can no longer stop; once he gives up, it would mean that all the money and effort he has invested would be in vain, which is something he absolutely cannot bear

The old man seems unwilling to conceal his intentions, yet he does not wish to speak too plainly, as there are many taboo aspects to such matters: "I have heard a story about a wizard who concocted a potion capable of restoring youth. He intended to present this potion to the king in exchange for wealth, fame, and status.

"I cannot, as someone like me, possibly be on the same level as that star of wisdom. It is difficult to comprehend his extraordinary intelligence; I can only marvel at his greatness after everything is presented before me." Mahlheim said solemnly, "I am merely an ordinary person."

However, by the time of the death of the Star of Wisdom, the wealth possessed by the Bhavadevi family far exceeded that of various royal families, second only to the Church. In terms of prestige, no one could match it; the names of the popes or kings of his era may not be remembered by many, but his name has been passed down to this day

The half-constructed villa in the distance somewhat captured the old man's attention

The person has already been captured

"What do you think I should do?" Bo Ge inquired tentatively

However, Bu Ge had no inclination to accept the goodwill of these individuals; merely dealing with the prominent figures who had come from Rupnair was already overwhelming for him

Along the coastline, it is approximately 5 kilometers long, while the width is difficult to determine; however, the narrowest point is still over 5 kilometers.

He had a dagger tucked into his waist, not sheathed, but glinting brightly as it was inserted into his belt, leaving one to wonder if this could be considered a threatening posture

The magician inadvertently learned of this matter and fled overnight. Before escaping, he destroyed the potion and the formula

Although Old Ed is the oldest among the three, his mind is evidently quicker than the others. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Just think about it, what does it feel like to live in those mansions in Rupnail?"

"Alchemy is not that useful," the old baron sighed and said: "I have heard of a person who truly became wealthy through alchemy. He discovered a formula that could make dye colors more vibrant and resistant to washing out. Although many people were envious of his formula, most of the envious ones were dye house owners of similar status, and they had no way to deal with him.

Brother Bu's left hand suddenly retracted, concealing the crossbow tube within the sleeve of his left arm. This was done because the left hand is not frequently used, making it less likely to accidentally discharge the crossbow. However, in the event that it is truly needed, it ensures a quick draw.

No one understood the enjoyment of comfort better than the people of the millennium empires. Unlike today, they did not place as much emphasis on outward beauty; instead, they preferred to wear loose robes and soft slippers.

However, his reaction was undoubtedly swift; as soon as he heard some whispers from outside, he keenly seized the hidden opportunity within them

Conversations at the construction site allowed Brother Bu to pry open a connection to the town's *illustrated* books. On the way back, he sensed that the circle to which Baron Malheim belonged would eventually accept him

The earl did not respond but instead retorted, "This is my first time here; do you know what the most valuable thing I see upon my arrival is?"

The old baron was slightly taken aback, yet he was not overly surprised. He had already harbored some suspicions when Bo Ge showed such great interest in the Shattered Star Grass. However, he also dared not admit it, as he was wary of the knightly title held by Bo Ge's guards.

Following the takeover, it was the subordinate of the carriage business owner, De Luo. The most profitable aspect of the carriage business is actually the customization of carriages for others

You should be well aware of the types of transactions those shops in town engage in. They travel far and wide, occasionally finding some useful items, and sometimes we also ask them to help us look for certain materials, the old man explained. This is not a secret that needs to be kept; even if he didn't mention it, anyone who has lived here for a long time would eventually come to know.

After a while, Kess said: "Sometimes I even wonder if you have a dislike for both of us and want to wear us out"

Two old men set down the things in their hands and looked at Brother Bu with a pair of eyes full of suspicion

To achieve prosperity, there are fundamentally two elements: one is commerce, and the other is popularity. The first matter does not require your attention; what I need you to do is to construct a cluster of villas by the seaside before the arrival of summer. You should devote considerable thought to this matter.

I am well aware that killing a noble will certainly result in a death sentence that person said coldly

If it is the second possibility, Brother Bu would choose to temporarily concede. There is no need to make an enemy of a gang. When the opportunity arises in the future to reveal his identity as a spy, those individuals should provide him with a satisfactory response

You guessed correctly. "Brother Bu said: "I can make women open their purses themselves"

Human nature is such that the residents of this small town, who have lived here for generations, originally maintained a certain distance from the young new mayor. However, now that the town has gained fame due to the mayor's residence, everyone's attitude has swiftly changed. Anyone who can bring fame to the town undoubtedly qualifies to be regarded as one of their own

Two stewards lived in the room directly opposite Brother Bo. Upon knocking and entering, they saw two old men each holding a stack of lists, discussing something.

The old baron did not continue to speak, but this was already enough for Bo Ge to ponder for a long time

This is rather difficult to guess, Brother Bu tentatively suggested a few answers. The first ones that came to his mind were, of course, those smugglers. Initially, the count had also recognized the potential for profit, which is why he arranged for him to be here.

The old man thought for a moment and felt that this was not a secret that needed to be kept. He casually said: "What you said is indeed correct; the land here is somewhat barren, with mountains everywhere and mostly exposed rocks. Even if a few patches of flat land with topsoil can be found, they are mostly sandy soil, which cannot support much growth. This is also the reason why the town has always been very poor.

If I am not mistaken, many people here are very interested in this. The only thing that excited me during my last visit was seeing many rare materials

I have heard that you originally worked alongside Count Bavadweber, and perhaps the only one who truly understands all of this is Count Bavadweber himself said Baron Malheim

"That book is in my room, if you..." Brother Bo quickly replied, as he could also guess that Count Bawadweber would not really take the book back, but he still needed to make a show of it. Compared to a few months ago, he had become increasingly slick and had a better understanding of how to deal with these higher-ups.

When he arrives here and sees with his own eyes the new villa built by Brother Bu, a new plan begins to take shape in his mind

With his left hand, he shot an arrow, while his right hand swiftly drew the sword. This was one of the ultimate skills mastered by Bu Ge. He struck twice with incredible speed, then, like lightning, opened the door and retreated into the corridor with his sword in hand

Brother Bu let out a quiet sigh. He realized that he still approached matters too simplistically and lacked thoroughness.

Brother Bu straightforwardly made his point clear and even involved others from the town.

Once the sting penetrates the flesh, the scorpion venom immediately takes effect, causing the intruder to clutch their face and cry out in agony, as very few can endure such intense pain

At this point, Brother Bu felt somewhat sour, as it was simply too wide, making the construction of a dock impossible: "Some believe that this was once the mouth of a river, which became silted up due to the abundance of sand. Others say that this sand was brought in by ocean currents, as this area is a bay where sand has accumulated."

Bo immediately understood that before he arrived here, he had already suspected that there might be some connection between these two types of people in the town; otherwise, it would not have been possible for them to coexist peacefully for such a long time. What Baron Malheim is now saying is likely just the tip of the iceberg

The person paused slightly, and his eyes involuntarily began to move, indicating that he was in a state of hesitation

Luxury and grandeur need not be considered for the time being. Keith began to sketch on the paper again: Harmony... Occasionally, it can be acceptable, but too much of it loses its charm. Moreover, that kind of villa absolutely does not align with the tastes of the upper class. The old man could not think of any other special "style" to attract people.

The Earl of Bavadweib was shaking his head continuously, until Bo Ge could no longer provide an answer. Only then did he pull back one side of the curtain and point to the sea outside. The sea in this season appeared somewhat desolate, and the sky was overcast, giving a sense of oppression.

The old man said: "He can also find a backer, you know. For a successful businessman like him, it is much easier to seek support. The simplest way is to find a connection to become a court supplier. Is there any backer stronger than the king?"

Bo Ge listened quietly, occasionally nodding his head, as he learned many new things

The person across instinctively reacted, stepping forward while attempting to draw the dagger from his waist. He was unaware that Brother Bu's sword-drawing motion was merely a feint

Brother Bo attempted to prove that he indeed had conducted research on alchemy

The top of the villa features a small platform, which was not originally intended for planting grass according to Bo Ge's initial plan; rather, it was meant to serve as a rooftop platform. Unexpectedly, the gardener, in a fit of inspiration, decided to plant grass here as well, and went to great lengths to transform it into a miniature botanical garden

The Earl is certainly going to purchase the land here, build a villa, and then sell it. Meanwhile, he will also try to control the shops here to monopolize the trade rights. However, it now seems that the Earl has no intention of doing so at all

The so-called subordinates naturally refer to those two stewards. Although he also wishes to promote his own people, unfortunately, while Mite is somewhat capable in transcription, he falls short when it comes to generating ideas, lacking the cunning and experience of those two stewards.

At least he knows one thing: there are many people in this world whom he cannot refuse

Kais's old face immediately turned exceptionally unpleasant

When De Luo arrived, he brought with him pre-manufactured doors and windows. Even while the land was still being leveled, the transportation had already begun. These doors and windows were all made with a core of cork and an exterior of black walnut, with no excessive decorations, allowing for very rapid production

Captain Mom stood on the makeshift platform, serving as the overall supervisor of the project. At that moment, his two officers were engaged in engineering tasks, measuring the land, determining the positions of the columns, and checking the ground for levelness, all of which were essential duties they had to complete

Are you interested in this as well? the old man asked half in jest, half in earnest

At that time, Fark was not the center of the continent; the center of the continent was in the south. However, after the Seventy Years' War, Fark quickly surpassed the two great nations in the south. According to historical patterns, a country that develops so rapidly should experience a long period of ascension. Yet, during the last ten years of the Star of Wisdom's existence, Fark was exceptionally turbulent. Within this turbulence, over the course of ten years, there were more than a dozen uprisings... According to historical patterns, a country that develops so rapidly should experience a long period of ascension. Yet, during the last ten years of the Star of Wisdom's existence, Fark was exceptionally turbulent. Within this turbulence, over the course of ten years, there were more than a dozen uprisings...