Chapter 25: Water Spirits, Exotic Silver Fish
‘Splash splash…’
Like the Heavenly River pouring down, an immortal knocking over a silver pot.
The crisp and surging river water sound came majestically from the distance.
After Chen Shun’an jumped off the mule cart and paid the fare, he looked around.
Canal grain boats with sails and masts like a forest, water and land docks crowded with vendors.
Streets and Alleys full of human voices, all kinds of banners fluttering in the wind.
Even though he had seen this scene countless times, every time he witnessed it, Chen Shun’an still marveled at the prosperity of Banye Ferry Crossing.
Chen Shun’an did not stroll around, carried the package in front of his chest, his gaze casually passing over a few sneaky figures on the street.
Chen Shun’an snorted coldly, releasing his aura, fierce energy tearing through the air, blasting out a explosive crack.
Immediately, those malicious gazes scattered away.
Entering Changchun Hall, there were many people, Chen Shun’an queued for a while before it was his turn.
The waiter recognized Chen Shun’an, called out ‘Old Chen’ and asked his purpose.
“Oh, two bottles of Dragon Elephant Bone Quenching Pill and three doses of muscle-relaxing bath, total 27 taels of silver.”
The waiter skillfully took out the medicine pouch and pill bottles from under the counter.
“One month at most two bottles, do not exceed the dose, otherwise there will be serious sequelae and drug resistance, remember.”
The waiter dutifully reminded again.
Chen Shun’an was stunned, his face showing dissatisfaction,
“Why the price increase? Wasn’t Dragon Elephant Bone Quenching Pill 9 taels before? How did it become 12 taels per bottle? Are you bullying me, Chen Mou, for being old and senile, forgetting the price?”
Chen Shun’an skillfully used the ‘leaning on age to act shamelessly’ tactic.
Previously, Chen Shun’an bought Dragon Elephant Bone Quenching Pill in the Ghost Market.
But since he began gradually exposing his strength, paving the way for breaking through to second-rate, Chen Shun’an no longer needed to worry about revealing his identity.
With his current ‘strength’, buying Dragon Elephant Bone Quenching Pill in advance was also reasonable.
The waiter paused in taking the pill bottles upon hearing this, and repeatedly complained,
“Aiyo Master Chen, our Changchun Hall is a century-old apothecary, how dare we privately raise prices and smash our signboard! It’s really that everything on the market is rising, mountain goods medicinal herbs, eight-stone medicated bait, prices change every day!”
Doing business values harmony the most, this waiter was unwilling to quarrel with Chen Shun’an.
But not because he feared Chen Shun’an, but completely no need!
All are clothed and fed parents, which client slightly dissatisfied would be met with harsh words and nitpicking.
“There are quite a few damn middlemen hoarding and monopolizing a few special medicinal herbs, making Dragon Elephant Bone Quenching Pill rise with the tide, Master Chen don’t think it’s expensive, in a few days it might sell for 20 taels a bottle!”
Chen Shun’an snorted upon hearing this, his heart bleeding.
No need to think much, it must be because of the Qianning Envoy Mission Visit the Sacred Dynasty, some people starting speculation and profiteering, hoarding supplies.
Now even he, the Great Emperor Chen, had to buy high-priced pills!
No way around it, Chen Shun’an could only pinch his nose to pay, and asked the waiter about Golden Needle Li’s whereabouts.
Changchun Hall had many resident physicians.
But the one Chen Shun’an trusted most was this surgical master Golden Needle Li, after all frequent dealings, knew him inside out.
Having him identify the medicinal herbs and pills was more reassuring.
“Oh, Doctor Li is out on a house call today, went to a hut in Sancha River, Master Chen if you’re in a hurry, you can go there, this is the location…”
Chen Shun’an nodded, thanked him, turned and left Changchun Hall.
Fortunately, Changchun Hall was not far from the Shack Area, just one street away.
“Dry firewood for sale—South Mountain hardwood, hot stove fire! 10 wen a bundle, 15 wen two loads! Cooking no smoke, warming for three days!”
“Changbai Mountain ginseng, Huai mountain medicine king! Master eats for refreshed spirit, lady uses for face like frost!”
“Fresh river delicacies, caught and sold on spot! Carp leaps dragon gate, crucian carp races silver ingot! Hey Master Chen, long time no see, how was the Tiao Bao Fish last time, buying fish today?”
Passing by the Fish Market, before entering the market, a sharp-eyed stall owner spotted Chen Shun’an and hurriedly greeted enthusiastically.
Chen Shun’an did not go in, cupped hands and smiled: “Have matters today, will come another day to patronize business.”
“Oh…”
At these words, the smile on the vendor’s face immediately faded, not even looking at Chen Shun’an, went to solicit other buyers.
These fish sellers were basically Fish Gang members, coming in wind and rain, relying on water skill and pole-wading ability, all had a bit of bandit air.
Not like Changchun Hall waiters with that ‘professional ethics’.
Fortunately Chen Shun’an didn’t mind, pipe in mouth, took two puffs, dispelling the fishy smell in his nostrils.
And just as Chen Shun’an passed the Fish Market street, a strange sensation suddenly arose in his heart.
Chen Shun’an paused, looked puzzled at the Fish Market.
This sensation was somewhat hazy, like some kind of call.
The meaning chaotic and unclear, intermittent.
Chen Shun’an kept a normal expression, walked into the Fish Market.
The Fish Market bustled with voices, all kinds of fish whose names could be called, only ones you can’t afford, none you can’t find.
No shop, just with a few fish cages and big sacks squatting roadside, selling dried miscellaneous fish, shrimp skins and fresh fish catch.
Occasionally catch one or two ‘Precious Fish’, also waiting for high price.
With shop, naturally built big ponds, separately raising common fish and Precious Fish, with ice blocks for freshness.
Even specially hired warriors with cultivated strength, continuously using dark energy to agitate pond water, injecting air, ensuring fish catch freshness.
And as Chen Shun’an entered the Fish Market, his mind buzzed with a explosion, countless voices strong or vague all came together, shaking his face pale.
After slightly adapting, he found the source of these voices seemed to be…
Roadside, shops, fish in those fish cages and ponds? Shrimp, turtles, crabs?
And the meaning of these voices, Chen Shun’an almost innately understood—
“Grandpa!”
“Grandpa grandpa!”
“Grandpa save me!”
“Which great god passing by? Please lend a hand, this little one will be eternally grateful, erect stele build shrine to worship!”
Voices one after another.
Chen Shun’an’s face turned green on the spot.
He who didn’t even have a child or half, how did so many fish children and grandchildren pop up?
And the next moment, Chen Shun’an immediately reacted.
This is…
Grass Head God, Closeness to Water Spirits divinity?!
Chen Shun’an was overjoyed in his heart.
A few days ago at the Fish Market, no such anomaly.
Must be due to last night incense granting Grass Talisman, Grass Talisman progress increased.
Thus, Chen Shun’an pretended to be a fish-buying client, picking and choosing along the way, asking prices left and right, roughly figuring out this divinity’s effect and range.
Only those with some intelligence, no longer ignorant and dusty fish and shrimp kin, had possibility of communication, emitting ‘voices’.
Stronger intelligence, more Precious Fish, more flexible communication, clearer logic.
For example…
At this moment, Chen Shun’an stood in ‘Wan Ji River Goods Shop’, before him a bluestone-built pond.
With gurgling bubbles, a finger-length strange fish floated to the surface.
This fish only chopstick thick, all white as silver, bones and vessels all clearly visible.
Jade Tree Silver Fish, a medium Precious Fish, greatly beneficial to second-rate warrior cultivation, one fish down belly saves ten years hard practice, specializes in breaking passage bottlenecks.
Though only worth sixty taels refined silver, but has price no market, each appearance robbed.
This silver fish sensed Chen Shun’an’s presence from underwater, hurriedly slapping tail, body leaping, two needle-tip eyes humanly showing delight.
“Which great god passing by—”
Silver fish gaze scanned, looked over shop crowd.
Finally gaze stopped on this ordinary aura, strangely smiling old man before it.
This silver fish eyes suddenly upturned, fiercely rolled eyes at Chen Shun’an, then dove back underwater, disappeared.
“Where did this Wild Fox Zen come from, old man about to enter soil also pretending water official? Get lost!”
Chen Shun’an was dumbfounded.
I was, age-discriminated by a fish?
Moreover, this silver fish, too smart wasn’t it?
