Chapter 236 - 24: Making a Fortune, Man and Blade as One

Chapter 236: Chapter 24: Making a Fortune, Man and Blade as One

Yun Heqing, of course, didn’t dare to refuse. He wasn’t expecting to make much money anyway. From his perspective, as long as he didn’t offend Su Yuan, he’d count himself lucky.

However, his addition instantly lent a professional air to their slapdash, temporary team.

First, he threw out the tattered cloth Chen Ye had brought back. Then, he paid out of his own pocket to buy a piece of fine, bright-yellow silk from a nearby stall and spread it on the ground.

Next, he procured a small stool so he could sit more comfortably. He even solemnly placed a wooden sign in front of the stall that read, "Exotic Treasures for the Fated."

After he was done setting up, the once-inconspicuous little stall suddenly took on an air of otherworldly, Daoist charm. It finally looked the part.

"So? Professional, right?" Yun Heqing winked at Chen Ye.

Chen Ye said nothing, merely nodding.

Su Yuan watched in amazement, clicking her tongue. ’This old Daoist really knows a thing or two.’

"Alright, where’s the merchandise? Bring it over! Let this humble Daoist get us our first sale!"

Chen Ye handed over an item he had just picked up.

It was an ordinary-looking gray bead, purchased for five silver coins from a stall selling miscellaneous goods.

Under his Asura’s Eye, he could see the bead contained a trace of pure Water Essence. It was likely the Inner Core of a Water Demon Beast, but so much time had passed that its Energy had severely dissipated. As a result, its brilliance was concealed, making it look no different from an ordinary stone bead.

Yun Heqing took the bead and examined it in his hand for a long time, but he couldn’t see anything special about it.

"Brother Chen Ye, what... what in the world is this?" he asked in a low voice.

Without wasting words, Chen Ye placed the bead directly into a nearby basin of water. Instantly, the bead began to glisten alluringly and parted the water, creating a dry space around itself.

"A Water-Repelling Pearl?" Yun Heqing’s eyes lit up at the sight.

"Something like that," Chen Ye nodded.

In truth, he knew the object’s water-repelling effect wasn’t particularly strong. Its only real value lay in the trace of pure Water Essence it contained.

But Yun Heqing couldn’t care less about that. He cleared his throat and began to hawk his wares in a booming voice:

"Step right up, don’t miss out! A Water-Resistant Divine Pearl from the East Sea Dragon Palace! Come take a look, everyone, come and see!"

His cry immediately drew the attention of a number of people.

"The East Sea Dragon Palace? Is he kidding?"

"Yeah, right. There’s no such thing as a Dragon Palace these days."

Many people gathered around, eager to see what the fuss was about.

Seeing the crowd grow, Yun Heqing didn’t panic. On the contrary, he grew even more animated.

He held the pearl high, his face a mask of mystery. "Fellow Daoists, I know you are skeptical, but this Water-Repelling Pearl is a treasure I obtained by the skin of my teeth! In my younger years, while wandering the world, I stumbled into an ancient Secret Realm and barely escaped with my life from the lair of a thousand-year-old flood dragon!"

"This pearl contains the very essence of the East Sea’s waters! Wear it, and not only will you remain dry upon entering the water, but you’ll be able to breathe as freely as you do on land and travel a thousand miles a day! It is an essential Divine Artifact for any fellow Daoist seeking to explore the seas for treasure or to engage in underwater Cultivation!"

He spoke with such vivid detail and sincere expression that it seemed entirely real.

One of the Cultivators in the crowd couldn’t help but scoff, "Daoist, your story is a bit too much. A thousand-year-old flood dragon for this shabby-looking bead? If you can prove it really repels water, I’ll buy it!"

That was exactly what Yun Heqing had been waiting for.

He let out a hearty laugh. "An excellent question, my friend! Talk is cheap, but seeing is believing! Today, I shall open your eyes to a true wonder!"

With that, he tossed the bead directly into the basin of water.

The moment the bead hit the water, the liquid around it automatically parted, forming a fist-sized, waterless space around the bead.

A collective gasp went through the crowd.

"It really does repel water!"

"Daoist, how much for the pearl?"

The Cultivator who had been so skeptical just a moment ago now had bloodshot eyes. He was the first to rush forward and ask.

Yun Heqing stroked his goatee, adopting an air of profound mystery. He said slowly, "Such a divine object is, by rights, priceless. However, I feel a fateful connection with all of you fellow Daoists. So today, I shall part with this beloved treasure. The starting price... is two hundred taels of silver! Highest bidder takes it!"

After a round of haggling, the Water-Repelling Pearl that Chen Ye had bought for five silver coins was snatched up by a burly, fierce-faced man for the sky-high price of two hundred and sixty taels of silver.

Yun Heqing collected the money, his face blossoming into a wide grin. He didn’t forget to add a final word to the burly man, "My friend, our meeting today was fated. This pearl was destined to be yours. I hope you will cherish it."

Upon hearing this, the burly man thanked Yun Heqing profusely.

Once the crowd had dispersed, Yun Heqing sidled up to Chen Ye and Su Yuan, proudly shaking the Money Bag in his hand.

"Well? Not bad for a humble Daoist’s powers of persuasion, eh!"

Su Yuan was dumbstruck.

Her mouth hung open, and she was speechless for a long moment.

’That was... that was an incredible swindle!’

’An item worth five silver coins was sold for two hundred and sixty taels of silver just from his sales pitch! That’s a markup of more than fifty times!’

Chen Ye also nodded to himself, seeing Yun Heqing’s value in a completely new light.

’The man might be timid and afraid of trouble, but when it came to business, he was an absolute genius.’

"Well done," Chen Ye praised sincerely.

"Heh heh, it was nothing, nothing at all." Yun Heqing was floating on air from the praise. "Next! What other treasures have you got? Bring them on!"

With Yun Heqing as their star salesman, their business absolutely took off.

Chen Ye was in charge of scouting for various hidden gems, Yun Heqing was responsible for using his silver tongue to inflate their value to the heavens, and Su Yuan became their living signboard and mascot. She only needed to sit there and look at customers with her big, innocent eyes to add an immeasurable amount of credibility to their operation.