C13 Little Market

"I'm here to shop, got it?"

Chen Chu had little respect for such scare tactics. Back in his War God days, these two were not even a twinkle in their parents' eyes.

The burly man awkwardly parted the curtain, gesturing for Chen Chu to enter.

Once inside, Chen Chu was greeted by the bustling noise of the trading area, suggesting that the previous curtain was more than meets the eye, with its sound-dampening qualities.

The street spanned roughly twelve feet, flanked by rows of stalls on either side. Some vendors simply spread their wares on white cloths, taking moments to rest with their eyes closed.

At the street's entrance, vendors sold basic materials, from cotton and linen for clothing to simple weapons like swords, spears, and clubs. This arrangement was designed to keep the crowd moving smoothly, preventing congestion even as shoppers browsed. The more coveted treasures and fine goods were displayed centrally along the thoroughfare.

Every so often, Chen Chu would spot armed warriors, their silent presence a stern reminder for anyone harboring ill intentions to think twice.

The vendors varied widely: from young nobles in robes, attended by maidservants, to stout, bearded merchants, and even a few shrouded in black cloaks to conceal their identities.

Chen Chu wandered until his eyes landed on a stall boasting a selection of cultivation techniques and pills, prompting him to pause.

The sight of a low-grade Yellow Rank martial skill tagged at over a thousand gold coins made Chen Chu's grip tighten on the three hundred gold coins in his sleeve. He had already spent most of his funds on herbs, leaving his purse feeling uncomfortably light.

After a few minutes of perusing, Chen Chu encountered numerous stalls peddling martial skills and techniques, predominantly of the Yellow Rank or lower. He also came across a weapon shop, where a low-grade spiritual weapon hung on the wall, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

Chen Chu passed several herb stalls as well, yet the Purple Chestnut Flower he sought was nowhere to be found.

It wasn't until he reached the end of the street, at the mouth of an alley, that he spotted a glimmer of purple. Just as he was about to give up and leave, that purple light caught his eye from a corner of the alley.

Focusing his gaze, Chen Chu's search came to an end as he finally laid eyes on the elusive Purple Chestnut Flower.

Chen Chu abruptly halted, scratching his back as though concealing something. With feigned nonchalance, he strolled over to a stall adjacent to one selling Purple Chestnut Flowers.

Surveying the vibrant array of fabrics spread on the white cloth, Chen Chu was at a loss for where to begin.

"Little brother, take a look. These fabrics have been soaked in Ice Blue Grass. They're comfortable and won't fade," the vendor suggested.

Chen Chu nodded and, with a poker face, approached the Purple Chestnut Flower stall.

A simple wooden table displayed over a dozen herbs, and beside it, a young man in his twenties lounged in a chair, his face shielded from the sun by a gray hat.

"How much for this?" Chen Chu inquired casually.

The reclining young man barely stirred, replying with a hint of irritation, "Everything's 500 each."

Damn, with that kind of salesmanship, he'd be lucky to sell a single item all day.

While most herbs could last quite a while, this guy had them baking in the sun on the wooden stand. They wouldn't survive many days like that. Chen Chu's heart twinged at the sight of the wilted Purple Chestnut Flowers nearby.

"Hey, could you go any lower?" he asked.

As Chen Chu nonchalantly picked up a herb, the young man reacted as if he'd been stepped on, jumping up and swatting at him. Chen Chu quickly tossed the herb back.

"Don't touch if you're not buying," the young man snapped, glaring at Chen Chu before sitting back down—this time, remaining upright.

The young man's demeanor made it clear the price was firm. Chen Chu sighed in resignation; a hero's valor often falters at the lack of a single dollar.

After rubbing his hands together, he reluctantly pulled a small, pristine white jade bottle from his pocket and thumped it down on the wooden stand.

"I'll trade this for two herbs," he declared.

The vendor, eyeing Chen Chu's earnest expression, picked up the jade bottle with curiosity. He emptied the pill—a fiery red one the size of a longan—and sniffed it. The young man's eyelids shot up, and he looked at Chen Chu, breathing heavily with sudden interest.

Observing the young man's reaction, Chen Chu was quite pleased and spoke deliberately, "This is a superior second-grade Blood Strengthening Powder. It's designed to enhance the user's constitution and heal internal injuries."

Upon hearing Chen Chu's description, a spark of interest flashed in the man's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by irritation. "Even if what you're saying is true, a second-grade pill like this is worth, at most, three to four hundred gold coins. You expect to trade it for two of my herbs? You must think I'm an easy mark."

The Blood Strengthening Powder, known for its laxative side effects, had been sold off cheaply by the Third Elder. However, Chen Chu had kept one pill to test his ability to refine pills in the real world.

The item in the young man's grasp was merely one of Chen Chu's unsuccessful attempts at refining, but to call it a failure wouldn't be entirely accurate. Crafted by the hands of a Pill Sage, it had been stripped of its laxative properties and purified once more. Its potency was significantly greater than that of regular Blood Strengthening Powder, with the added benefit of mending hidden injuries.

"Believe it or not, this is the only Blood Strengthening Powder of its kind in the entire city. Its worth is far greater than you assume, easily justifying a trade for your two herbs," Chen Chu clarified.

The young man, who was not an alchemist but had his reasons for being well-acquainted with such pills, recognized the difference instantly.

"No deal. I'll only trade for one herb. I risked my life gathering these," he replied resolutely.

Chen Chu didn't bother with further discussion and said icily, "Then give back my unique Blood Strengthening Powder. These herbs aren't so rare that I'd miss them."

As Chen Chu reached out, the young man instinctively recoiled, clutching the small vial close to his chest.

Chen Chu's expression grew stern as he warned, "Shall I call the patrol?"

The mention of the patrol deflated the young man's resolve, and he conceded, "Fine, two herbs, but you'll need to add some gold."

"How much more?"

"400 gold coins."

"200!"

"300!"

"Agreed."

With a touch of reluctance, the young man produced two wooden boxes. Chen Chu then placed the Purple Chestnut Flower and another herb inside them. With the items secured, a wave of satisfaction washed over him. He offered a smile and a handshake to the young man, "Chen Chu is the name. Pleasure doing business with you."

Luo Sheng carefully concealed the Blood Strengthening Powder before offering a smile. "My name is Luo Sheng. I apologize for my earlier demeanor; I hope you can forgive me."

After a firm handshake, Chen Chu departed from the small market. Watching Chen Chu's retreating figure, Luo Sheng murmured to himself, "He's quite the intriguing fellow."

Not long after, Luo Sheng swiftly closed up his stall and made his way home. With the unique properties of the Blood Strengthening Powder, he anticipated a rapid recovery from his injuries. Once healed, securing a spot in his family's recruitment would be well within his grasp.