Chapter 127: Trade Begins
Su Yan sensed an aura similar to Zhao Pan’s from Zhao Ziyun’s body; the cultivation manuals they practiced should be the same.
“Zhao Ziyun is Zhao Pan’s son, who has been training in the City Guard since childhood, with considerable strength.”
Bai Yun pointed to a black-armored youth beside Zhao Ziyun, with brows like ink paintings and a face like a knife carving, carrying a thick-backed saber on his back.
“That is the son of Right Captain Commander Zuo Qian, Zuo Feiying, who wields a Tiger Back Saber, but rumors say the saber is as fast as a shadow.”
Among the group, there was also a woman in green clothes, wearing a flying swallow hairpin on her head, a jade belt around her waist, and holding a light white sword in her hand, with eyes flowing like water.
She was positioned between the two men, not as ostentatious as Zhao Ziyun and Zuo Feiying, yet steadily occupying the core position.
“Who is that?”
“The daughter of County Magistrate Liu Pingchuan, Liu Ruoshi.”
Bai Yun’s eyes flickered slightly, showing some surprise: “These people are not entering sects like the Beast King Sect; they are following the court’s path and have come to give a show of strength to the families in the city.”
Hearing what Bai Yun said, Su Yan also recalled what he had seen in the book.
The Dali Dynasty was also a super force in martial arts cultivation. Besides the Imperial Family lineage, there were three major forces suppressing the dynasty: one army, one guard, and one academy.
The army was the Dali Army, including the Divine Guard Army, Demon Suppressing Army, Monster Slaying Army, City Guard, and others, each with their inheritances. The military practitioners had their own methods and were the divine instruments upholding the Dali Dynasty.
The guard was the Monster Suppressing Guard, the former affiliation of Left Commander Zhao Pan.
Belonging to the imperial power, it suppressed monsters, eliminated demons, and killed officials… with more methods than the Dali Army and more specialized in handling various incidents.
The academy was Qintian Academy, with various beast spirit systems, medicine refining, spirit sealing, forging, and other arts of a hundred schools, also observing stars to suppress fate; many civil officials came from there.
Though called civil officials, they were actually martial artists, but thanks to the special nature of beast spirits, their methods were even more wondrous.
The Dali Dynasty could contend with many sects precisely because of these three forces.
Back then, Xu Guan had actively recruited Su Yan with the intention of cultivating him through the constable line to pass the assessment and join the Monster Suppressing Guard.
After all, recommendation also earned merit.
At this trade fair, though it seemed like trading, it was also a gathering. Disciples from various families wanting to join sects could meet, gauge each other’s strength, make one or two friends, and help each other, which was ideal.
But this group of second-generation court affiliates coming over made it a bit off-tasting.
Fu Xuejing’s expression darkened slightly, but he did not show it on his face.
The visitors were guests; without a reason, how could they be driven out?
He, Fu Xuejing, did not want to be the villain standing at the forefront.
“Brother Zhao is joking. Who doesn’t know you have good things? If we can trade treasures from you, we would be secretly delighted. Please come to the private box.”
The private boxes separated on the second floor naturally would not be set strictly according to the quotas arranged by Fu Xuejing; there would always be reserved empty seats.
Thus, Zhao Ziyun and the others sitting down was no problem.
Once everyone was seated, Fu Xuejing stood up, cupped his hands in a fist salute, and said loudly: “I thank all friends for thinking highly of Fu Xuejing and coming at the invitation.”
While Fu Xuejing was speaking, the maids and attendants serving each private box handed out lists with outer brocade and inner paper.
Listing the people from each family, the trade goods they offered, and the items they sought.
Lin Family’s Lin Junhao offers one stalk of second-order Mysterious Origin Grass, in exchange for one second-order Gale Fruit…
Su Yan quickly scanned down the list, paying special attention to the trade goods of Tian Feng Weapon Shop’s Fu Xuejing, but saw only a second-order low-grade Fire Scale Saber, and could not help but frown slightly.
Looking at his and Bai Yun’s entries again, he was suddenly stunned to see a blank space.
“Senior Sister, we two didn’t fill anything?”
Bai Yun glanced at her junior brother and said faintly: “Fu Xuejing sent someone to inquire about the trade goods, but you weren’t there. I could cover for you then. But if only I filled it out, it would arouse suspicion, so we simply left it blank; it’s not a big deal.”
“Thank you, Senior Sister.”
Bai Yun was meticulous; having promised to help Su Yan cover up his leaving the city news, she was truly watertight.
“What does Senior Sister want to trade for?”
“I only have one stalk of second-order low-grade Bone-Nurturing Flower in hand, used for nurturing bone structure, in exchange for one Tiger Form Grass or one section of second-order Tiger Bone.”
Su Yan raised his brow slightly: “Senior Sister has decided on tiger intent?”
“I have deeper comprehension of tiger form. Recently, I learned Tiger Form Fist from Elder Li Chuan and have achieved great accomplishment. When entering the Beast King Sect, I wish to join Hundred Tiger Peak to cultivate tiger true intent; this is laying the groundwork now.”
People have a hundred forms, and cultivating true intent also involves compatibility. Bai Yun’s choice was not strange.
While the two were talking, the trading had already begun.
Fu Xuejing started with a warm-up, having people bring out three second-order sharp weapons.
One saber, one sword, one spear, all sharp and gleaming, intricately carved, with a faintly perceptible aura within the weapons.
“Three weapons forged by my Tian Feng Weapon Shop: Tiger Momentum Saber, Autumn Water Sword, Cold Iron Spear. The Tiger Momentum Saber and Autumn Water Sword are second-order low-grade, cutting iron like mud, able to amplify true essence and resonate with true intent. The Cold Iron Spear is second-order mid-grade, containing a wisp of beast soul artistic conception from a second-order low-grade feral beast Water Leopard, which can amplify true intent power and also be comprehended for true intent.”
After Fu Xuejing spoke, some people sat up straighter, especially for that Cold Iron Spear—retaining a wisp of true intent during forging was truly not easy. For martial artists cultivating tiger leopard beasts, this wisp of true intent was quite beneficial for comprehension.
“Brother Fu, your Tian Feng Weapon Shop is indeed generous to bring out these weapons.”
The speaker was Lin Junhao, a spear expert who practiced his family-transmitted Wind Tiger Art, with true intent of a first-order feral beast Gale Tiger.
His entire cultivation and years of preparation were all for joining Hundred Tiger Peak.
Now seeing this spear, he was already moved.
“Brother Lin overpraises.”
A flowery sedan is lifted by many; Fu Xuejing’s actions were clearly instructed by the shopkeepers of Tian Feng Weapon Shop, also to promote the Tian Feng Weapon Shop’s name.
In the past, Hundred Herbs Hall would do the same to demonstrate its strength and exchange for useful things, but now it could only shrink back and preserve its strength.
Fu Xuejing said: “Good weapons need good masters. These three second-order sharp weapons are in exchange for second-order and above metals, feral beast forging materials. Please make your offers.”
Materials were hard to find; Tian Feng Weapon Shop was taking this opportunity to gather more usable forging materials.
“Two pieces of second-order low-grade Cold Ice Iron for the Autumn Water Sword.”
Lin Yuzhi made the first bid, her gaze locked on the Autumn Water Sword.
One piece of second-order low-grade Cold Ice Iron, paired with other lesser forging materials, was enough to forge one second-order sharp weapon.
Two pieces of material for one second-order weapon was neither low nor high, just reasonable.
Normally, such a price would be fine, but now it was different.
No sooner had the voice fallen than Zuo Feiying glanced over and said disdainfully: “Two pieces of second-order low-grade Cold Ice Iron probably wouldn’t even cover the forging loss. Young Master Lin is truly generous.”
Lin Yuzhi’s face turned iron-blue: “What do you mean by that, Zuo Feiying?”
“No meaning, just that this sword looks good.”
Zuo Feiying retorted, then said: “Three pieces of second-order low-grade Black Steel.”
“Two pieces of Cold Ice Iron, one set of Sword-Horn Deer Skeleton.”
Nearby, Liu Ruoshi slightly raised her eyes, her gaze flowing, lips parting slightly: “One second-order mid-grade Barbarian Rhino Beast Bone.”
Everyone was slightly surprised, but thinking of Liu Ruoshi using a sword, it seemed reasonable.
After several bids, the scene gradually livened up. Though Lin Yuzhi also wanted it, facing second-order mid-grade feral beast bone, she could not call out a more suitable price for the moment.
Li Bowen bid once, but was outbid by Liu Ruoshi adding two pieces of first-order Red Gold.
After the Autumn Water Sword came the Tiger Momentum Saber.
Among the elite youths of Yun Cang Town present, there were not a few saber practitioners; this time Wang Family’s Wang Xiaohu, Zuo Feiying, and others competed quite fiercely.
Their families all had true intent realm elders with backgrounds; second-order materials were rare but obtainable.
Opportunities to refine them into second-order sharp weapons were fewer, so they were naturally willing to exert effort now.
After several rounds of bidding against each other, tempers nearly flared.
In the end, Wang Xiaohu successfully took it with second-order mid-grade Jade Gold.
When it came to the Cold Iron Spear, the scene immediately heated up.
“One piece of second-order mid-grade Rock Steel, two pieces of second-order low-grade Red Pattern Steel.”
Zhao Ziyun spoke in an extremely domineering tone: “Whoever wants it, I will keep raising the price.”
“Such big talk.”
Lin Junhao wanted to use this Cold Iron Spear to enhance his strength and comprehend true intent; how could he yield.
With a cold glance: “One piece of second-order mid-grade Clear Jade Stone, two portions of second-order low-grade Mysterious Water Sand, 100 first-order Origin Stones.”
Everyone looked at Lin Junhao in surprise; Su Yan narrowed his eyes.
‘Origin Stones are out; the Lin Family indeed has some connection with the Beast King Sect side.’
Ten taels of gold per first-order Origin Stone was just a simple exchange ratio.
In reality, the price of Origin Stones was only higher.
Origin Stones contained spiritual energy, special ores condensed from spiritual energy-rich mountains under special terrain.
Martial artists could use Origin Stones to assist cultivation, increasing ambient spiritual energy density, no different from being in famous mountains and rivers, safer than pills without pill toxins and no need for intervals.
In true sect dealings, among high-level martial artists, Origin Stones were used far more frequently as trade medium than gold or silver.
This thing would not truly depreciate anyway.
If the grade kept rising, it was even a heavenly material and earthly treasure in itself.
“Add 300 Origin Stones, one piece of Black Glory Steel.”
The two kept bidding up; others saw their faces and did not dare follow.
Thus the bids kept rising; Zhao Ziyun even called out a high price of 1,000 Origin Stones.
Seeing the situation off, Fu Xuejing called a halt: “Brother Zhao, Brother Lin, this is not an auction. 1,000 first-order Origin Stones exceed 100,000 taels of silver; even that price alone matches a second-order mid-grade sharp weapon.”
This was a trade fair, not an auction where highest bidder wins—everyone knew that; once bought, it was bought.
But in a trade fair, if they dared shout such heated high prices, Fu Xuejing really did not dare accept; the premium was too much.
One portion of second-order mid-grade material, two of low-grade, and so many Origin Stones.
If he really took it, he would offend people.
Lin Junhao looked at Fu Xuejing, glancing sideways: “Brother Fu, if someone is disrupting, it’s not my fault.”
“Hmph, don’t even want face.”
Zhao Ziyun snorted coldly and directly retorted: “Highest bidder wins. Can’t your Lin Family bring out more?”
They could bring it out, but such bidding played right into Zhao Ziyun and the others’ hands.
If disrupted like this, could the trade fair continue?
Would it not mean the court forces overpowered them?
Fu Xuejing glanced at Zhao Ziyun, then said: “The Cold Iron Spear was refined with second-order mid-grade Cold Steel and Water Leopard spine bone; Third Shopkeeper spent three months forging it. Its price is set at one portion second-order mid-grade material, three portions first-order, limit of 500 Origin Stones.”
Fu Xuejing had to draw a line; this price was within what Lin Junhao and Zhao Ziyun had previously offered.
Zhao Ziyun frowned: “What do you mean, Fu Xuejing?”
“Forgive me, Brother Zhao. Brother Lin’s Clear Jade Stone is exactly what Third Shopkeeper needs for forging another second-order mid-grade sharp weapon, which my Tian Feng Weapon Shop requires. Moreover, his cultivated true intent is Gale Tiger, compatible with the true intent in this Cold Iron Spear; this spear suits Brother Lin better.”
No sooner had Fu Xuejing finished than Zhao Ziyun’s face completely darkened; choosing between them kicked him out—how could he swallow that.
His gaze was icy, but Fu Xuejing showed no retreat, only saying: “Brother Zhao, don’t be hasty. You and Commander Zhao both cultivate Gray Armored Rhino true intent; who doesn’t know spear style like a mountain, firm as a rock. Since you have Rock Steel material, why not have Third Shopkeeper forge a Rock Armor Spear for you?”
Fu Xuejing was indeed perceptive; otherwise he could not have orchestrated this situation.
In just a few words, he eased Zhao Ziyun’s expression and saved face.
Third Shopkeeper Ge Ming was Yun Cang Town’s top second-order forging master; one of his weapons was worth a fortune, let alone custom-made.
“Fine, I’ll come find you later; remuneration will only be more, not less.”
With the Cold Iron Spear assigned, the trade fair truly heated up.
Fu Xuejing breathed a sigh of relief, subconsciously glancing at the neighboring private box before sitting down.
In the neighboring private box, a pale-faced, gaunt middle-aged man like a consumptive ghost was eating chicken wings one after another, downing a pot of wine, grinning.
“Chen Yao, your junior brother has some perceptive methods; doesn’t seem like an ironworker.”
“Martial Uncle Xiang, I am a forging master, not an ironworker.”
Ye Chenyao corrected him, but Xiang Ge did not mind.
Only hearing Ye Chenyao say: “He is the Head Shopkeeper’s disciple, naturally more flexible-minded than me.”
Xiang Ge turned to the young man beside him: “Liu Bo, how do you decide among these people?”
Liu Bo swept his eyes and respectfully replied: “Standard fare, no action yet, nor comprehended Fierce Beast Seal Method; this disciple cannot discern bone structure talent.
“If no action means can’t tell, then let them take some action.”
Xiang Ge’s eyes flickered, corners of his mouth slightly upturned. Along the way through many county towns, he had seen plenty of standard disciple recruits and was tired of it; better to stir up some fun.
While pondering, the trade fair had formally begun; Lin Junhao took out his exchange items and placed them on a tray padded with brocade.
One stalk of Mysterious Origin Grass, one piece of Black Giant Ape Spine Bone, one verdant feral beast egg.
The attendant delivered it to the center of the first-floor venue for everyone to view.
Lin Junhao said from the private box: “Let me throw out a brick to attract jade: Mysterious Origin Grass, Black Giant Ape Spine Bone, one first-order high-grade Brocade Emerald Lizard Egg, in exchange for Gale Fruit, Tiger Yang Fruit, or other items that increase true essence and temper true intent.”
