Chapter 3
852words
At the foot of the mountain, beyond the sect’s borders, a lively trade district bustled with activity. Rogue cultivators bartered over rare materials, alchemists peddled their wares with exaggerated boasts, and mercenaries advertised their services to those who could afford them.
Near one of the stalls, a sect disciple haggled with a vendor.
“Fellow Daoist, can’t you lower the price a little?” the disciple asked, eyeing a pouch of medicinal herbs.
“No! That’s the final price. Do you even know how close I was to death getting this medicine?” the shopkeeper snapped.
The two locked eyes, a silent battle of patience and wit. But in the end, the merchant stood firm, forcing the disciple to sigh in defeat.
“Fine. Just give me one.”
Yanwei watched the exchange unfold, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. Still the same. Mortals scrabbling for scraps, low-level cultivators barely any better. But that suited him—chaos made it easier to move unnoticed. He scanned the crowded stalls, searching for a specific herb, a key piece in his preparations.
“Hmm… I should stay here for a few days. Otherwise, these merchants will try to rip me off,” he mused.
Stepping into an inn, he waved down a young waiter—just a mortal boy, no older than ten.
“How much for a room?” Yanwei asked. “And bring me one of every dish on the menu.”
The boy beamed. “Only two spiritual stones for a month, sir! Do you prefer mortal dishes or magical beast meat?”
“Mortal dishes.” Yanwei flicked a spiritual stone toward him. “Also, any news about the sects? The secret realm? Notable participants?”
The boy caught the stone and grinned. “Oh, plenty! Right now, the Marquis family’s genius is stealing the limelight. Not only is she stunning, but she’s fierce—took down three late-stage Rank 1 cultivators without even using her full strength!”
Yanwei remained expressionless. A feat like that meant little to him. Unless she had the power of a true Rank 2, she wasn’t a threat. Still, a top family’s genius would have plenty of hidden cards.
“Anything else?” he asked.
The boy tapped his chin before lowering his voice. “This might not be about the secret realm, but there’s a rumor spreading through the sects. A ruthless demon cultivator has been hunting disciples. A number of them have gone missing... and none have been found.”
Yanwei smirked. He leaned in slightly, his voice carrying a hint of mockery.
“Oh? A demon cultivator hunting sect disciples?” He shook his head, climbing the stairs to his room. “How ridiculous. I’m a disciple of Divine Breeze Sect—how could they slander me like that?”
He rolled his eyes, lips curling into a smirk as he disappeared into the upper floor.
Yanwei, who’s sipping his tea thought “I’ve been staying here for half a month, I should now go to that chamber of commerce and go back to sect so that i can do my final preparations.”
“Hello fellow daoist, do you have something you want? weapons? medicine? arrays? it’s available in our shop!!” An energetic young woman introduced the shop.
Yanwei asked “Do you have this medicines?” and he gave a paperz. The young woman answered “We have everything in your list fellow daoist, but it’s going to be pricey”
Yanwei acted as if he’s hesitating. The young woman inwardly disappointed but she didn’t show it in her face and kept her smile waiting for yanwei to decide.
Yanwei finally stopped “hesitating” and he said “Yes fellow daoist, it’s a pretty important medicine for my master”
“I see, you just need to wait fellow daoist, i am going to get everything in the list, it would cost you a 1 medium and 561 low grade spiritual stone.” The young woman leave with a smile and despite of being disappointed she’s still quite happy because she managed to keep a big customer.
Yanwei obviously knew what she’s thinking but he doesn’t care, he grew up with a cautious nature after countless of torture that he have been through.
“Fellow daoist, here is everything, thank you for buying in our shop!!” The young woman hand over the things that Yanwei bought with a big smile in her face.
Yanwei accepted it and pay and leave right away.
“Did you put a track on him?” A middle aged man asked the young woman.
“Yes sir! and by what i saw his strength is low, only rank 1 middle stage, and if i also speculated that his master is not in a good situation.” Young woman answered while smiling sinisterly.
“I see, find Chu xu, he’s rank 1 late stage cultivator, i’m pretty he can deal with a low level cultivator, but it seems like he has a background so tell him that he should do it fast and clean.” middle aged man ordered.
“Yes senior” The young woman answered while saying inwardly “Forgive me young boy, if you’ve given me a bonus, maybe i wouldn’t tell, too bad, too bad.” While smiling insultingly.
