Chapter 10 of 100
Chapter 10
17 min read4,206 words
Due to his limited vision, Chu He could only stop his get-rich-quick plan, return home, and rest early to recover his energy for the next day's grand opening of the mountain gate.
While walking, Chu He couldn't help but feel a bit regretful about being a water spirit body. If he were a fire spirit body, he could choose to be a pill apprentice or a tool apprentice, allowing him to handle various materials daily and refine a pair of keen eyes.
"Please, sir, I really have no money left," a clear voice suddenly called out from ahead.
"No way, I've already given you a 20% discount. At this price, it's like giving it away for free! I need to eat too."
"It's just a high-grade black iron. Everyone knows the market price. Your price is outrageous. How about 30% off? It's good for both of us, and everyone will be happy!"
"Rubbish! I've been selling materials for over forty years and have never cheated my neighbors. I always give fair value for money. Although this black iron is only high-grade, it's not far from low-grade. Hey, boy, are you trying to steal? Have you never heard of the reputation of the Qinghe Market guards?!"
A thin young man was holding a piece of black iron-like material in his arms, while an old cultivator with white hair was trying to snatch it away.
"Please, sir, I lost my parents when I was young and have been alone all my life. I came to Qingling Town from thousands of miles away, wearing out seven pairs of shoes along the way, sleeping outdoors, and eating cold buns..."
As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, and he looked pitifully at the black iron in his arms, gently caressing it as if it were a cute baby, his eyes filled with tenderness and affection.
Clearly, the old shopkeeper was taken aback and momentarily stunned.
The onlookers: ...
Even Chu He couldn't help but spit in disgust: To use such a shameless bargaining method, this guy is really a "talent."
Using the sympathy of the uninformed crowd to improve one's situation and achieve one's goals is a method known as "climbing the ladder." This tactic is commonly seen in TV dramas, where a beautiful heroine would use it to beg, and the boss would always be swayed, leading to a win-win situation where the heroine gets her way and the boss feels good about his conscience.
However, using this method on a boy seemed a bit... Chu He felt a bit uneasy.
"Old man, just give it to him. Look at him, crying and sniffling. You should be kind to the young. Have you fed your morals to the dogs?!" an uninformed onlooker chimed in.
"Ha!" Chu He almost laughed: The boy is already sixteen or seventeen, still young? The old shopkeeper is in his seventies or eighties, talking about morals, respecting the elderly is more appropriate.
"Give it to him, you can afford a little less profit and have peace of mind. Be honest and kind," another uninformed onlooker joined in.
...
At this moment, Chu He thought he had returned to the great Heavenly Dynasty. This scene was so familiar.
The power of the crowd is terrifying. Soon, the old shopkeeper gave in: "Fine, I give in. 25% off, no lower!"
"30% off!" The young man timidly threw out the words, and the old shopkeeper almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Alright, I'll cover the difference for you. Don't make it hard for the boss." Chu He stepped forward as a mediator.
Suddenly, such a selfless good Samaritan appeared, and the old shopkeeper's eyes welled up with tears: A savior of honest people!
The thin young man was a bit surprised but, being shrewd, he wouldn't miss this opportunity. Missing out on a good deal would be like being a beast!
With the spirit stones as a bond, the unfamiliarity between the two immediately diminished.
"My name is Gu Han."
"Chu He."
Gu Han? (Miser) No wonder he bargains so ruthlessly!
After a few exchanges, the two were already slinging their arms around each other. Both being smart, they communicated smoothly, like a rich and handsome man flirting with a beautiful woman. When they found out they were staying at the same inn, they exclaimed about their fate.
"Fate, my ass. If it weren't for your eye for materials..." Chu He grumbled to himself. Just like on Earth, fate is built on money.
But this was an initial investment. If they could cooperate smoothly in the future, this small investment would be worth it. This boy was also attending the grand opening of the mountain gate and could become a fellow disciple in the future.
Whether they could become fellow disciples depended on Chu He's performance the next day. The other party was already at the fourth level of the Qi Condensation stage, a fire spirit body, and a surefire candidate for the inner gate.
Therefore, befriending such a talent, a few low-grade spirit stones were worth it, even a hundred would be worth it.
"Damn!" Meeting someone whose talent far exceeded his own made Chu He a bit depressed.
Unfortunately, he didn't have many spirit stones left. Otherwise, he would have offered a higher price to buy back the black iron from Gu Han to experiment with the Purifying Fire and see if his get-rich-quick plan was feasible.
After agreeing to meet the next day, Chu He returned to his room.
After purifying a low-grade Qi-enhancing pill with the Purifying Fire, he took it and sat in meditation to heal his injuries.
After circulating his qi for nine cycles, his right arm was almost fully recovered. He could perform the spell easily the next day, and Chu He finally slept soundly.
The next morning, Gu Han got up earlier than Chu He. After checking out, they headed for the East Gate.
The grand opening of the mountain gate to recruit disciples was held on a peak called Yingke in the outer region of the Qingling Mountains. The Yingke Peak was not far from Qingling Town, and with Chu He's speed, it would take at most an hour to get there. However, the Qingling Mountain had magical tools to transport people at the East Gate, saving a lot of trouble, at least for Chu He, it saved him the cost of a "flying taxi."
At the East Gate, there were already crowds of people, forming three long lines, slowly boarding the flying ships.
Many green-robed cultivators were maintaining order, with a green mountain embroidered on their sleeves.
Qingling Mountain disciples! The embroidered mountain on their sleeves was the main peak of Qingling Mountain.
The three flying ships were over a hundred zhang long and twenty to thirty zhang wide, blocking the city gate tightly. No one else could enter during this time.
A reckless young man flew up from below, cursing all the way, and was immediately struck down by a Qingling Mountain disciple, dead or alive.
My territory, my rules. No mercy, no burial. This was the grandeur of Qingling Mountain in Qingling Town.
"Clang!" A clear sound rang out, lingering for a long time.
After ten breaths, two more sounds followed, and after another ten breaths, three more...
The grand opening of the mountain gate, at the East Gate of Qingling Town, six sounds signaled the start, and those who were late would be left behind, as everyone knew.
But there were some unlucky souls who overslept, running frantically as the flying ships rose, and some even chasing after them, shouting, "Master! Wait for me."
"Shameless! The grand opening hasn't even started, and you're already calling Master." Chu He leaned over the railing of the ship and shouted down, "Second Junior Brother, don't chase. Take a flying taxi."
After the three flying ships took off, the "flying taxis" that specialized in transportation quickly filled the empty space, loudly inviting customers.
Seeing them swarm like hungry wolves toward the latecomers, Chu He turned his head away, unable to bear the sight.
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