This kind of behavior greatly increased the cost of this book, but the old painter Grant felt that this was the real fairy tale book. He talked with Jenkins very congenially, and even thought that Jenkins had the qualities to become a great artist. He promised Jenkins that after the book was published, he would promote it to his students, which at least ensured that the collection of fairy tales would not go unnoticed.
The matter of publishing was settled in this way. Not only did Jenkins not get a penny, but he finally paid 50 pounds.
But this still made him feel very good, after all, it was his first achievement in this world.
The title of the collection of fairy tales has troubled him for a long time. Although he is a copywriter, it would be too cheeky to call it "Jenkins' Fairy Tales" or "Williamette's Fairy Tales".
The two names "Andersen's Fairy Tales" and "Grimm's Fairy Tales" cannot be rashly proposed, because the source cannot be explained. Therefore, the final name chosen was Stranger Stories, which Jenkins believed represented the source of the story, and both Mr. Burrow and the old painter believed that children nowadays like such mysterious names.
It takes time to print books and draw illustrations, so it takes a long time to make money and move.
"I hope someone likes my book."
Jenkins prays to the sage every day, like a true believer, but it can't help but feel a little cramped.
Due to the brave, loyal qualities Jenkins displayed during last week's events, Don's favorability with him has gotten an even bigger boost. When he was chatting one day, he "accidentally" told about the existence of a local black market for granters.
The black market is certainly against the rules, but like Dad said, where there is light there is shadow. Of course the church knew about the existence of the black market, but it always kept a blind eye to it, and the black market merchants cooperated very well and never caused any trouble.
There are quite a few entrances to the black market. What Dad said was in the remote Pig's Head Bar, and Jenkins decided to take a look at it during his weekly vacation.
He carefully purchased a set of large robes and a sun hat with a long brim, entered the empty bar, ordered a glass of "flame whiskey" from the bartender, and then dispensed nine copper pennies.
"Mr. 349 introduced you."
he whispered.
The bartender nodded, took out a funny bunny mask from under the bar and handed it to Jenkins, and the two walked around to the backyard of the bar, and Jenkins walked down the cellar entrance.
The black market is located underground in Nolan City. It was originally an abandoned sewer, but it was first used as a trading place by someone, and gradually developed into its current scale.
According to Dad, there are secret managers in the black market. Ta or tas have closed the sewer pipe where the black market is located from other places, and at the same time left dozens of upward exits as entrances. Entrances like the Pig's Head Bar, in addition to charging a small toll, are also responsible for security and information collection.
There were not many people, and most of the people passing by were dressed in strange clothes like Jenkins and wore masks. Only merchants who sell items will light a candle. This is the rule here, so the entire black market is extremely dark, with only sporadic candlelight.
After walking down the pipeline, Jenkins walked more than 20 steps to the east, then turned left into another pipeline, and found a man in black with a crystal skull in front of him.
"Three pieces of molted skin from a skeleton snake, to be tanned; one ounce of bone meal from the right leg of a Timberwolf."
he whispered.
From a normal sight, there are only a few candles in the sewer, but after opening the [Eye of Reality], the eyes are immediately filled with colorful lights.
After running errands for his father, Jenkins felt that he had been lucky recently, and he might be able to pick up some good things. It turns out that as long as they have color in their eyes, the lowest price is all higher than 500 pounds, and most people only accept barter.
It was still early, and Jenkins, who was a little disappointed, searched in the dark sewer according to the original plan. When passing through a deep shadow somewhere, he called out the black robe soaked in spirituality, and no one noticed his change of clothes at all.
It took another half an hour to find a squatting clown in the corner. There are also so-called mercenaries and detectives among the bestowers, and this clown is one of the few trustworthy intermediaries.
"I need to investigate something."
he whispered.
"What price? Are there any special requirements?" The clown asked hoarsely.
"Just a small thing, about 15 pounds."
The clown nodded, "Wait a minute, come back in half an hour."
He reached out and pressed the candle under his feet to leave quickly, disappearing into the darkness at the other end of the sewer. Jenkins curled his lips as he smelled the faint burnt smell in the air.
He didn't have any interest in going any further, so he just stood there leaning against the somewhat dirty pipe wall and waited.
Half an hour later, the clown who appeared in a hurry made Jenkins follow. The two left the black market area of the sewer, turned a few corners in the completely dark and smelly underground, and then followed the ladder to a room similar to a reception room. place.
There were soft brown fabric sofas, neat wool-printed rugs, and brass-coloured steam pipes running from the corner into the room, but the gas lamps connected to them were not on.
The only lighting is candles on a low wooden table surrounded by four sofas.
A flaxen-haired woman had already sat down on the sofa, and the clown nodded towards her, before going down the ladder to the ground.
The woman's face was not very clear under the light of the candle. If you look closely, it is an extremely ordinary face, which you will forget at a glance in the crowd. But Jenkins was able to see a yellow spot of light glowing in front of the woman, and it seemed that this was not her real face.
"A lot of houses were burned in the fire at the pier last week. I need you to investigate the history of those houses to see if they are related to the Giver."
Yes, Jenkins is still thinking about the origin of that metal cube. He didn't dare to investigate with his real identity, and he couldn't afford to hire a good detective, so he could only think of this method.
"30 pounds. Last week's fire was related to followers of [Billion Lord of Radiance]. This matter is very dangerous."
The woman's voice is also a bit weird, it should be a false voice.
Of course, the church will not announce the truth about the fire. This woman is very well informed.
"15 pounds. It has nothing to do with the cause of the fire. I just want to investigate those houses."
"25 pounds, this matter is very troublesome, it is still under martial law by the Orthodox Church."
"20 pounds, this matter is not illegal, I only need information that is difficult to collect."
"22 pounds, I will give you an answer within three weeks, and I will pay the agency fee."
"Can."