Chapter 17

As they hurried towards the Qinghe Market, Chu He felt a bit sentimental: If it weren't for his acquaintance with Gu Han, it would be really hard to find high-quality materials just by his own discernment. He might not find a single good piece even after looking at ten. After all, even Gu Han's teacher, with his keen eye, found only four out of six pieces to be up to standard.

The reward for today should be increased, he thought. After all, he had made the bigger profit and shouldn't treat his partner poorly.

When they arrived at the place Gu Han mentioned, he saw him chatting enthusiastically with a stall owner. If one didn't know better, they might think the two were long-lost relatives reuniting.

The piece of Flame Gold was priced at forty low-grade spirit stones, which was a fair price. Chu He sold eighth-grade low Black Heavy Iron to the Guo family market for thirty spirit stones, and this was an eighth-grade high, two grades higher.

This was the charm of the flea market. As long as you had the discernment and time, you had a chance to find some good deals.

After buying the Flame Gold, Gu Han immediately dragged Chu He to another stall, saying, "Come this way, there's another eighth-grade high material, already appraised by the instructor."

Unfortunately, the next stall owner was the one who had a dispute with Gu Han over the Black Heavy Iron last time.

The old man was taken aback when he saw Gu Han, then he thought for a moment and quickly put away the higher-grade materials. He had learned his lesson and felt secretly pleased with himself for his quick reaction, just like in his younger days.

"Old man, is this how you treat us, the disciples of Qingling Mountain? Are you looking down on us? Or do you have a grudge against Qingling Mountain?" Gu Han was very upset by the old man's defensive actions and immediately started berating him, throwing accusations one after another.

What a skilled move, preempting the attack.

Moreover, things were different now. Little Master Gu was now an inner disciple of Qingling Mountain. Any cultivator in Qingling Town would give him some face, no wonder he was so confident, changing his tactics from before.

When Qingling Mountain was mentioned, the old cultivator wanted to retort, but seeing their Qingling Mountain attire and the annoying boy proudly displaying the emblem, he had to swallow his harsh words.

One has to bow under the eaves. Although he wasn't afraid of Qingling Mountain, offending them wouldn't be wise, especially since he still had to make a living here.

"Hehe, no misunderstanding, gentlemen. I was just about to pack up for lunch. Here, let me set up again. Take your time, and I'll give you a ten percent discount," he said with a forced smile, setting out the materials again.

"Ten percent? I got a twenty-five percent discount before I was a Qingling Mountain disciple. Now that I am, you're giving me a ten percent discount? Are you treating Qingling Mountain disciples as suckers? Do you think we're easy to bully?" Gu Han's face turned cold, and he spoke with a hint of anger.

"Don't be angry, sir. How about a twenty percent discount, as an apology?" The old stall owner, shaken by Gu Han's outburst, quickly offered a better deal.

"That's better. I'll take this crystal stone," Gu Han said, pointing to a crystal stone in the upper left corner of the stall.

"Thirty-eight low-grade spirit stones, please." The old stall owner, eager to wrap things up, immediately quoted the price and handed over the crystal stone.

Chu He quickly counted out the spirit stones and took the crystal stone. An eighth-grade high material for thirty-eight spirit stones was indeed a good deal.

"Do you have enough spirit stones for another seventh-grade high Jade Glass?" Gu Han blinked and said something that surprised Chu He.

A seventh-grade high Jade Glass, if upgraded to a sixth-grade low, would bring in a substantial profit.

"How many spirit stones does he want?" Chu He, eager to get it, asked immediately.

"Seventy low-grade spirit stones." The price Gu Han mentioned left Chu He helpless. After buying the crystal stone and Flame Gold, he only had fifty spirit stones left.

"I'll cover it for you. You can pay me back with interest later. Remember, the handling fee for these three items should be included," Gu Han said generously when he heard Chu He's complaint about not having enough spirit stones.

Chu He's enthusiasm for collecting the best materials in their grade puzzled Gu Han. After all, Chu He was a spirit farmer apprentice, and alchemy and forging were completely unrelated. But Chu He said it was a friend's request, so he didn't press further.

After all, the Cleansing Fire was Chu He's life-bound item, and he couldn't reveal it easily, so an excuse was necessary.

After buying the seventh-grade Jade Glass, with their spirit stones spent and Gu Han having to go to the medicine market with the instructor in the afternoon, they headed back.

"Gu Han, you dare to trick me? Do you want to die?" As they were walking, a pretty young girl jumped out, her eyebrows furrowed and her hands on her hips, looking furious.

Though the girl was beautiful, her sharp features suggested she was a fiery little thing, not the gentle type.

"Ah?! Sister Zhao, weren't you and Sister Qin shopping on Red Makeup Street? Why are you here at the flea market?" Gu Han was clearly startled to see her.

"Hmph! You said you had a problem to ask the instructor! You came here instead. Do you know what happens when you deceive me?!" Sister Zhao, while speaking, raised her delicate fists, ready to show her strength.

Black lines appeared on Chu He's forehead. This girl was clearly spoiled and used to bullying Gu Han.

Dare to bully my good... partner! I'll teach you a lesson... Uh? She's at the sixth level of the Qi Condensation stage... I never bully girls...

Though Chu He was indignant, the girl's cultivation clearly marked her as an outstanding inner disciple. It was best not to offend her, as he still had to stay in Qingling Mountain for a long time.

Though wary, Chu He couldn't stand by and do nothing. He interjected, "Sister Zhao, don't be angry. Brother Gu was called out by me. If you're upset, blame me."

Gu Han was secretly gesturing for Chu He to leave.

"This is between us, it has nothing to do with you!" Sister Zhao said to Chu He, clearly claiming her territory and excluding him from the situation.

"It's my fault, let's go to Red Makeup Street. I heard the Lotus Pavilion has a new face powder that's selling well," Gu Han said, taking the girl's hand and leading her away.

"That's what Sister Qin told me. It sold out recently. I wonder if they have it today. If they do, buy it for me..." Sister Zhao immediately started to pout.

Watching the two lovebirds walk away, Chu He: ...

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends