Chapter 14

"Master Zhang, are you only buying this broken sword?"

Qin Ya walked over to Zhang Ruochen, her voluptuous figure almost pressing against him, exuding a captivating fragrance.

Zhang Ruochen gradually came back to his senses from his thoughts of the previous life. As he lifted his head, he saw a large expanse of snow-white skin exposed from Qin Ya's chest. Although it was covered by clothing, it still appeared incredibly alluring.

Zhang Ruochen's eyes narrowed, feeling slightly suffocated, his heart pounding wildly. He immediately pinched his fingertips and forced himself to look away, focusing on the sword hanging on the wall.

After calming down, Zhang Ruochen pointed to a sapphire-colored war sword and asked, "Madam, what level of True Martial Treasure is this sword?"

Qin Ya's eyes showed a hint of disappointment again as she replied, "That is a fourth-level True Martial Treasure, named the Flash Soul Sword. The blade is engraved with fourteen inscriptions, including four 'Strength Inscriptions,' four 'Ice Inscriptions,' four 'Electric Inscriptions,' and two 'Light Inscriptions.' It can be said that it possesses three special attributes: Ice, Electric, and Light."

Generally, a first-level True Martial Treasure contains only one inscription.

Only when the number of inscriptions reaches ten or more can it be considered a fourth-level True Martial Treasure.

Each additional inscription in a True Martial Treasure increases its power to varying degrees. Moreover, depending on the attributes of the inscriptions, the True Martial Treasure will exhibit different attributes, suitable for different martial artists.

For example, a martial artist who has activated the Crimson Flame Divine Martial Mark has a fiery aura in their true qi. Using a fire-type True Martial Treasure can unleash even greater power from the True Martial Treasure.

"How much does it cost?" Zhang Ruochen asked.

"Thirty thousand silver coins," Qin Ya replied.

"Good! I'll buy it!"

Zhang Ruochen held the Flash Soul Sword in one hand and the Ancient Abyss Sword in the other, and hurriedly walked out of the armory as if he were escaping.

Being alone with this alluring madam was too dangerous, and Zhang Ruochen couldn't handle it.

Since he had already retrieved the Ancient Abyss Sword, buying another True Martial Treasure-level war sword was more than enough for his current needs.

"Escaping so quickly, huh? Hehe, how can you escape from my palm? There will be plenty of fun in the future!" Qin Ya revealed a seductive smile, her interest in Zhang Ruochen growing even more.

...

When Zhang Ruochen and Qin Ya entered the armory, an elderly shopkeeper from the Qingxuan Pavilion led a man and a woman to the outside of the armory.

The man and woman seemed to have a noble status, and even the elderly shopkeeper bowed slightly before them, wearing a flattering smile.

The young man was Zhang Ruochen's eighth brother, the Eighth Prince of Yunwu County, Zhang Ji.

The woman accompanying Zhang Ji was one of the four young beauties of Yunwu County, the beloved daughter of the Chiyun Sect's leader, Shan Xiangling.

Shan Xiangling had an outstanding气质, as clear and elegant as a lily. She looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with bright eyes and a graceful figure. She would undoubtedly be the most eye-catching wherever she went.

The Eighth Prince smiled and said, "Mother has instructed me to take good care of my junior sister on her first visit to the capital. The Qingxuan Pavilion is one of the largest shops in the martial market. If you like any weapon, just let me know."

The Eighth Prince's mother, Consort Xiao, was once a disciple of the Chiyun Sect and the junior sister of the Chiyun Sect's leader.

Therefore, the Eighth Prince called Shan Xiangling his junior sister.

Shan Xiangling smiled slightly and said, "Thank you, Eighth Prince! Actually, Xiangling came to the capital mainly to meet the talented young men, especially the First Young Hero of Yunwu County, the Seventh Prince. I have heard his name many times and admire him greatly. Many female disciples of the Chiyun Sect worship him, but it's very hard to even get a chance to see him."

The Eighth Prince replied, "If the Seventh Prince were in the capital, I could help you fulfill your wish. Unfortunately, you came at the wrong time; the Seventh Prince is not in the capital."

Shan Xiangling's eyes showed a hint of disappointment as she said, "I remember the year-end assessment of the royal family is a grand event, second only to the grand ceremony. Will the Seventh Prince not return for it?"

The Eighth Prince smiled and said, "When the Seventh Prince was ten, he was the top performer in the year-end assessment. Do you think the year-end assessment has any value for him? However, the year-end assessment is indeed a grand event, and only young disciples under the age of twenty from the royal family and noble families can participate. The Seventh Prince might return. If you want to attend this grand event, I will definitely get you an entry ticket."

"Thank you again, Eighth Prince!" Shan Xiangling smiled.

While the Eighth Prince and Shan Xiangling were talking, the elderly shopkeeper walked up to Hanzhi and asked, "Hanzhi, who went into the armory, and why is the door closed?"

Hanzhi's expression was somewhat strange as he whispered, "It was the madam and a young gentleman."

Hearing this, the elderly shopkeeper was slightly startled, drawing in a breath of cold air. He muttered to himself, "The madam actually... Just don't let it end in a tragedy!"

The Eighth Prince and Shan Xiangling naturally overheard the conversation between the elderly shopkeeper and Hanzhi.

Shan Xiangling asked in surprise, "Does the Qingxuan Pavilion engage in murder and theft?"

The Eighth Prince shook his head and said, "Not that! There are many rumors about this madam. It is said that she is extremely beautiful, and any man who sees her will fall at her feet."

"There are also rumors that she is ruthless and has a heart like a scorpion, and many men have died at her hands."

"Another rumor is that she is very promiscuous and keeps many men. She also enjoys torturing men, and many men have had their hands cut off and their eyes gouged out."

"Of course, these are just rumors. I have never met this madam and do not know what kind of woman she is."

After the Eighth Prince's explanation, Shan Xiangling had little good will toward the madam.

In broad daylight, bringing a man into the armory alone and closing the door, it's not hard to guess what's happening.

That madam is definitely not a good woman, and the man she brought into the armory is also disgusting.

"Whoosh!"

The armory door was pushed open, and Zhang Ruochen, holding two war swords, quickly came out. Seeing the Eighth Prince standing in the distance, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

The Eighth Prince was also slightly surprised to see Zhang Ruochen come out of the armory. His eyes immediately turned cold, and he said, "Ninth Brother, why are you here at the Qingxuan Pavilion? This is not a place for you!"

Hearing the Eighth Prince's address to Zhang Ruochen, Hanzhi and the elderly shopkeeper were slightly startled. This young Master Zhang indeed had a significant background, being the son of the Duke of Yunwu County.

At the same time, they breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that the madam had not harmed him. If the Ninth Prince had an incident at the Qingxuan Pavilion, the shop would likely have to close.

Shan Xiangling had heard some rumors about the Ninth Prince, who was said to be the only one among the nine princes who could not activate the Divine Martial Mark.

She had not deliberately inquired about Zhang Ruochen, so she did not know that he had activated the Divine Martial Mark half a month ago.

How could such a useless prince come out of the armory?

Could it be...

Recalling the Eighth Prince's words, Shan Xiangling's gaze fell on Zhang Ruochen again, her eyes filled with disdain.

Zhang Ruochen frowned, clearly displeased, and said, "If you can come to the Qingxuan Pavilion, why can't I?"

The Eighth Prince sneered and said, "I came to the Qingxuan Pavilion to buy weapons. What are you doing here? Can you afford a True Martial Treasure-level sword? Where did you get those two swords?"

Zhang Ruochen felt bewildered and said bluntly, "You're being too nosy! Even if I found these swords, it's none of your business."

"Stop right there!" The Eighth Prince sternly ordered, "Your cultivation talent is poor, so stay in the palace and don't do anything embarrassing. Otherwise, I will break your legs for Father."

Zhang Ruochen increasingly found the Eighth Prince's words incomprehensible and said coldly, "Do you have the ability to do that?"

Hearing this, the Eighth Prince was slightly taken aback and then burst into laughter.

He clapped his hands together, moving his ten fingers, and said with a smile, "Ninth Brother! Today, I will show you what true ability is!"

Zhang Ruochen stood tall, his gaze calm, and his five fingers clasped together. The true qi in his body flowed through six meridians.

If it comes to a fight, so be it!

"Hehe! Eighth Prince, what are you doing? This is the Qingxuan Pavilion, not the palace. The Ninth Prince is a distinguished guest here. If anyone dares to attack him, I will have to intervene," Qin Ya said, walking out of the armory with a seductive smile.

The Eighth Prince was stunned by Qin Ya's appearance, his heart fluttering.

If it weren't for Shan Xiangling standing beside him, keeping his nerves taut and preventing him from doing anything out of line, he would not have been able to remain so composed upon seeing such a seductive woman.

The Eighth Prince averted his gaze, coldly staring at Zhang Ruochen, and said, "Hmph! You have disgraced the royal family!"

In the Eighth Prince's view, Zhang Ruochen could not afford a True Martial Treasure-level sword. The only way he could have obtained those two swords was by becoming the madam's lover.

Using his body to serve the madam in exchange for cultivation resources.

In fact, Shan Xiangling, standing beside him, had similar thoughts.

"Ah! Both are sons of the Duke of Yunwu County, why can the Seventh Prince become a supreme hero, while this Ninth Prince is content to be a plaything for a promiscuous woman? One is a dragon in the clouds, the other a worm in the mud!" Shan Xiangling stared at Zhang Ruochen, shaking her head and sighing.

Zhang Ruochen had no idea what the Eighth Prince was talking about. He was upright and did not want to waste words with him. He held the two war swords and walked toward the outer courtyard of the Qingxuan Pavilion.

Qin Ya, who was very perceptive, seemed to have noticed something and understood what the Eighth Prince and Shan Xiangling were thinking.

Her lips curled slightly, her eyes gleaming, and she called out, "Ninth Prince, come often! I will treat you well! If you need other cultivation resources, just come to me! Hehe!"