Chapter 52: Actually, She Is…
The woman in blue had sold four of her immortal ingredients, leaving only the Frost Immortal Milk, which seemed to have no takers.
Then, the woman in red, also wearing a human mask and who had arrived with the woman in blue, spoke, “I have a hidden weapon for sale: the Storm Pear Blossom Needles. One needle tube with five needle spheres, each capable of firing ninety-nine needles simultaneously. You can apply your own poison. I’ve included detailed instructions for assembly and use.
“The needle tube and five needle spheres together are only ninety taels of silver. Anyone interested?”
Silence filled the underground garden.
After a while, the woman in red asked again, her voice hesitant, “No one?”
Still silence.
The woman in red continued, her voice pleading, “Even if you don’t need it yourself, it would make a good gift for a friend or relative who’s unranked or just entered the ranks. I guarantee it’s small and easy to conceal. Used suddenly, even an eighth-rank expert could be hit. And if you apply poison… well, you know how chaotic the world is right now.”
Her words made some people hesitate. The tall, thin man with the monkey mask quickly said, “I’ll take it.”
The woman in red sighed in relief, “Alright.”
The transaction was completed quickly, the man paying through the Red Hill Gathering organizer.
Then, the man with the tiger mask, sitting on the stone bench, his voice hoarse, took out a bamboo plaque, “Selling a Demon Spirit Assassination Order. Two hundred taels.”
Shi Hao saw the women in red and blue look at the plaque.
The snake demon girl whispered in his ear, “That’s a token from the ‘Demon Spirit’ assassin organization. With it, you can hire them to kill anyone below the seventh rank… Two hundred taels is a bargain.”
Shi Hao thought, it was indeed a bargain. The price of assassinating a seventh-rank martial artist was less than that of the Tri-colored Qilin Grass.
Human life was truly cheap in the martial world!
However, the thought of earning two hundred taels for killing someone, enough to buy the four immortal ingredients he needed after five or six kills… He found the idea tempting.
The women in blue and red exchanged glances, confirming Shi Hao’s suspicion that they knew each other.
The woman in blue said, “I’ll take it.”
The man, relieved, tossed the assassination order to her.
The woman in blue paid through the organizer.
Most of the trades were completed.
Then, Zhao Xian, the “Peerless Sword,” said, “I have a divine crystal for sale.”
Everyone looked at Zhao Xian… He was a renowned swordsman, number nineteen on the Blacklist.
What kind of rare divine crystal would he possess?
Their curiosity was piqued.
Under their gazes, Zhao Xian looked slightly embarrassed. He coughed and took out a small wooden box, opening it, “The ‘Earthly Geography Star,’ an Earthly Fiend divine crystal. I’m selling it for… fifty taels.”
It was even cheaper than the Storm Pear Blossom Needles.
Everyone looked at him, slightly disappointed.
This was what a renowned expert, number nineteen on the Blacklist, had to offer?
Under their gazes, Zhao Xian scratched his head, slightly regretting having removed his mask and revealed his identity.
Yes, he was a famous swordsman, a prominent figure on the Blacklist… but he was broke.
If he didn’t sell this divine crystal, he wouldn’t even have enough money for food. And he had just taken on a disciple, a penniless orphan, whom he now had to provide for.
This was the first time Shi Hao had seen a real divine crystal.
Inside the simple wooden box, the octahedral crystal was a dull grey, faint runes flickering within.
Strangely, it stood upright in the box, one of its points touching the bottom.
Divine crystals granted various powers. Although each crystal was unique, since they reappeared after being depleted, the powers they granted were known.
Some crystals, due to the unique nature of their abilities, were incredibly valuable, while others were practically worthless.
The Earthly Geography Star fell into the latter category. Fifty taels even seemed a bit expensive.
Its power was useless in combat, and as a supernatural ability user, one couldn’t use any other magical weapons.
Forged into a magical weapon, its power was only slightly useful for those skilled in feng shui and divination.
Although no one wanted it, they felt slightly sorry for the renowned swordsman, unable to sell even a single divine crystal.
Someone had to buy it.
But no one’s money grew on trees.
In the awkward silence, the fat man with the Bixi mask, who had been quiet for a long time, spoke, “I’ll take it.”
Everyone sighed in relief.
The fat man quickly paid and took the Earthly Geography Star.
He looked around, “I have a trade to offer. I’m selling my skills.”
The woman in blue asked, “What kind of skills?”
The fat man said, “Crafting magical weapons, forging swords, refining elixirs… anything. I’ll offer one free service. Of course, if it’s crafting a magical weapon, you’ll have to provide the divine crystal. And for refining elixirs, you’ll have to provide the main ingredients.
“For forging swords, I can provide the materials, unless you have specific requirements.”
The tall, thin man with the monkey mask suddenly asked, “Even high-rank magical weapons?”
The fat man said, “No problem.”
Everyone realized this crafting master was no ordinary person.
The snake demon girl asked, “What do you want in return?”
The fat man said, “The Blood Slaughter Sword.”
The tall, thin man asked, puzzled, “Blood Slaughter Sword? What’s that?”
The snake demon girl said, “The Blood Slaughter Sword disappeared fifty years ago. Has it reappeared?”
The fat man said, “Indeed. It’s somewhere in the Ba Mountains region. If anyone finds it, bring it here. The organizer of the Red Hill Gathering knows how to contact me… or you can come find me directly.”
He glanced at the snake demon girl.
Shi Hao immediately understood that this crafting master and Xu Xiaoyan knew each other.
This wasn’t surprising. Even the unorthodox had their own circles, and it was natural for some of them to know each other.
Especially crafting masters, who often had wide connections. Although everyone wore masks, their builds and voices could still be recognized.
If Shi Hao knew this fat crafting master outside, he would naturally recognize him here.
The raspy voice from behind the veil said slowly, “Does anyone else have any business to propose, or any requests?”
The woman in blue said softly, “If anyone has Centennial Vermilion Fruit or Dustless Dragon Gold, please bring it to the next gathering. I’m willing to pay two hundred and twenty taels for the fruit and five hundred taels for the gold.”
After a moment of silence, Shi Hao considered asking for the Illusory Sea Spirit Fruit, Molting Snake Reverse Scale, Tri-colored Qilin Grass, and Carriage Horse Mushroom he needed.
But he realized that even if someone had them… he couldn’t afford them.
He finally understood the meaning of “poverty limits ambition.”
Of course, if he had stayed at Ming Kun Monastery, he wouldn’t have to worry about such things. “Renowned sects” had their advantages.
The raspy voice from behind the veil said, “If there are no further requests, this concludes our gathering. Pay attention to the announcement for the next gathering.”
The snake demon girl pulled Shi Hao away, following the small foxes towards the exit.
They left the underground cavern and entered the misty forest, removing their masks and robes and hanging them on the branches.
Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “Tri-colored Qilin Grass. Is that what you need for the sixth-rank Immortal Formula?”
Shi Hao said, “Yes… but it’s so expensive!”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “That’s a reasonable price. Immortal ingredients aren’t easy to come by.” She looked at him suspiciously, “You’ve already consumed three external elixirs. Shouldn’t you know this?”
Shi Hao smiled wryly. Technically, he should have consumed three external elixirs.
One for entry-level cultivation, one for advancing from the ninth rank to the eighth… but the Holy Jade Immortal had directly established his foundation with her own power.
And the seventh-rank Immortal Formula had been refined using ingredients obtained by Du Yuejiao through the Chongxian Sect’s channels. He didn’t want to rely on them anymore.
Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “Well, tell me what ingredients you need, and I’ll ask the organizer of the Red Hill Gathering to keep an eye out for you.”
Shi Hao told her the ingredients he needed, then added, “But money is a problem…”
Xu Xiaoyan giggled, “With me, you don’t have to worry about money.”
Shi Hao realized that despite her simple attire, she was quite wealthy.
Xu Xiaoyan said, “Wait here for me.” She disappeared into the mist, running deeper into the forest.
Shi Hao thought, it seemed this wealthy young lady was quite familiar with the organizer of the Red Hill Gathering. She had vouched for him earlier, and now she had gone to speak with the organizer directly.
After a while, she returned, “I’ve spoken to her. Let’s go.”
They followed the foxes out of the forest. Shi Hao realized she didn’t actually need the foxes to guide her; she knew the way.
Shi Hao asked, “What’s your… method for making money? Or what kind of business do you run?”
Xu Xiaoyan giggled, “There are so many rich and powerful families, so many wealthy people in this world… We can just steal from them!”
Shi Hao: “…” He finally remembered.
Despite her simple village girl disguise, she was wealthy… because she was a thief!
Xu Xiaoyan linked her arm through his, “None of those corrupt officials and wealthy landowners are good people. Their wealth comes from exploiting the commoners and seizing their land. We’ll rob the rich to help the poor. Making money is easy!”
Shi Hao said, “Wait, wait a minute!”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “Let’s go! Let’s go!”
Leave a Reply