Chapter 83 - 82: Transaction in Bishui City

Chapter 83: Chapter 82: Transaction in Bishui City

Ling State was rich in mountains and rivers, and Bishui City was situated right along the riverbank. Having survived countless wars, this ancient city boasted a prime location. Connected to several major cities via waterways, it served as the core Prefecture City for thousands of kilometers around.

Its city walls stood sixty feet tall, interspersed with towering watchtowers at regular intervals. The walls were pitch-black and immensely thick, resembling a giant beast crouching on the ground.

As the Tower Ship approached the docks, vessels from all across Yunlong County shuttled back and forth. The docks were bustling with people, filled with the shouts of vendors and sailors.

"Disembark! Make sure to bring all our belongings!" Qin Hu ordered.

The younger members of the Qin Family acknowledged the command one after another from within the Tower Ship. Thirty Rapid Insects, clad in Profound Iron Battle Armor, let out low growls as the Qin clan members led them out of the cabin.

The appearance of the Rapid Insects instantly caused a sensation on the docks.

"What are those?"

"They look like ferocious War Beasts! Their auras are practically on par with the Qi and Blood Realm, aren’t they?"

"Which Noble Family did they come from?"

"Incredible!"

"Look at that insignia—it seems to be the Celestial Wind Qin Family. But they must be a branch family, right? Which branch of the Qin Family specializes in Beast Taming?"

Some observant individuals exclaimed as they watched the Qin Family convoy, and the surging crowd voluntarily parted to make way for them.

Right from birth, Rapid Insects had a shoulder height of 1.2 meters, making them far more ferocious and robust than any large dog breed. After being Enhanced by the genes of local Demon Fiends, their shoulder height reached a staggering 1.5 meters—already comparable to a warhorse. With thirty War Beasts as massive as warhorses, radiating ferocious auras and rivaling the Qi and Blood Realm, who would dare stand in their way?

"Let’s move!" Qin Hu said, sweeping his gaze across the surroundings. He felt a deep sense of wonder at the scene. He had visited Bishui City countless times in the past, but no one had ever paid him any mind. Let alone cared about the insignificant Cyan Peak County Qin Family. Yet now, entering the city with thirty Rapid Insects had triggered an instant sensation.

He suspected it wouldn’t be long before the Qin Family’s dossiers appeared on the desks of every major clan and faction in Bishui City. However, this was well within his expectations. Selling five large carriages full of mountain treasures all at once was something that simply couldn’t be hidden, and Qin Hu had no intention of hiding it anyway.

With such immense wealth, lacking the means to protect it would be akin to a toddler walking through a busy market with a brick of gold—suicidal. These thirty Rapid Insects, rivaling the Qi and Blood Realm, served as their deterrent! Coupled with the Profound Flood Dragon hiding outside the docks, as well as the Black Thorn Eagles and the Thunder Roc soaring in the clouds above, he felt absolutely no worry.

The group drove the carriages, loaded their goods, and headed straight for the city gates. Although War Beasts were a rare sight, powerful families often tamed and raised a few of them. As a result, Qin Hu and the others entered the city smoothly without any unexpected incidents. Once inside, Qin Hu led the group directly toward the Treasure Pavilion.

Inside Bishui City, the clamor of voices was deafening, washing over them along with a mixture of various scents. On the broad main street paved with bluestone slabs, carts rumbled, horses neighed, and pedestrians wove through the crowd like threads on a loom. Shop banners fluttered on both sides. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, customers haggling, horses’ hooves clattering, and wheels rolling over stone slabs intertwined into a vivid urban tapestry.

The Qin Family convoy, leading thirty Rapid Insects clad in Profound Iron Armor and glaring with fierce eyes, navigated through the streets like a massive boulder plunging into a tranquil lake.

"Whoa—look at those War Beasts!"

"Hiss... What a vicious aura! I feel a sense of dread even from this distance."

"Is some Noble Family on an outing? How come I’ve never seen such Exotic Beasts before?"

The crowd involuntarily parted, clearing a path for them.

The Rapid Insects’ bodies were covered in exoskeletal carapaces. The CLACK CLACK sounds of their thick, powerful limbs stepping on the ground, along with the suppressed, low growls occasionally escaping their throats, were enough to make anyone shudder in fear.

Even before they had fully entered the city, personnel from the Demon Suppression Bureau spotted them and immediately initiated an investigation. If thirty Rapid Insects comparable to the Qi and Blood Realm went berserk, it would inevitably cause a massive disaster within the city walls.

After all, Bishui City had not been peaceful lately. With the Blood Demon Sect wreaking havoc, over a dozen large and small counties in the vicinity had been attacked—all by Demon Fiends. Chaos had even erupted right outside Bishui City itself. Though the entire city appeared tranquil on the surface, it was actually loose on the outside but tightly guarded on the inside.

However, no one approached them directly. They merely sent personnel to tail the group in secret. Under such unclear circumstances, no one dared to act rashly.

The convoy traveled unobstructed to the West City.

A majestic, five-story pavilion soon came into view. It featured flying eaves and gracefully upturned corners, adorned with intricately carved beams and painted pillars. Under the sunlight, its glazed tiles reflected dazzling, colorful light. Guarding the entrance were not the usual stone lions, but two Pixiu statues carved from solid blocks of jade. A faint luster flowed across their surfaces, exuding an aura that cleared the mind, calmed the spirit, and deterred evil entities. Above the lintel, the three gilded characters for "Treasure Pavilion" were written in bold, vigorous calligraphy.

As a massive faction spanning the Great Wei Thirteen States, with deeply rooted connections to the Court and various Major Sects, its reputation was naturally impeccable. Although its prices were steep, it remained the first choice for many when buying or selling treasures.

Qin Hu pulled his reins, raising a hand to signal the convoy to stop. He dismounted swiftly and instructed the clan youths in a deep voice, "Keep a close eye on the goods and the War Beasts. Do not move without my orders."

He then selected a few steady and experienced clansmen. "Qin Wu, Qin Meng, Qin Zhuang, you come inside with me."

"Yes, Patriarch!"

A few men stepped out from the ranks. Under the watchful eyes of many interested observers, the five carriages were driven toward the Treasure Pavilion.

Before the group could even enter, a sharp-eyed young attendant wearing a cyan silk shirt stepped forward to greet them from inside the Treasure Pavilion. His gaze swept over Qin Hu’s group. Though their attire seemed ordinary, the sight of the thirty Rapid Insects not far away sent a tremor through his heart. He then glanced at the five carriages.

A warm yet perfectly measured smile immediately bloomed on his face. "Esteemed guests, please come inside! May I ask if you’re looking to purchase, or perhaps..."

"We are here to sell a batch of mountain treasures. The volume is quite large. Fetch your manager," Qin Hu cut him off directly. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

Hearing this, the attendant bowed even lower. "Esteemed guests, please follow me to the Rain Listening Pavilion’s private room to rest for a moment. I will go invite Shopkeeper Zhou at once!"

Not daring to be negligent, he led the group through the main doors and toward a private room in the rear courtyard. The five carriages followed closely behind.

Declining the attendant’s offer to serve them tea, Qin Hu simply waited in the courtyard. Meanwhile, the Qin clan members began unloading the chests from the carriages one by one. There were dozens of chests, both large and small, each packed to the brim with Treasure Medicines from the mountains.

A moment later, a middle-aged man walked in briskly. He wore a navy-blue brocade robe, had a fair complexion with a three-strand long beard, and possessed a warm yet shrewd gaze.

Before he even arrived, his voice rang out. "Esteemed guests have graced our doors, and I failed to welcome you from afar! Please forgive me, forgive me! I am Zhou Fuhai, the humble Outer Hall Shopkeeper of the Bishui City Treasure Pavilion."

He cupped his hands in greeting with a smile. As his gaze swept over the Qin clan members who were still moving the chests, he noticed the sealed wooden boxes. His nose twitched slightly as he caught a faint whiff of medicinal fragrance.

"From Cyan Peak County, Qin Hu of the Qin Family. Shopkeeper Zhou, please inspect the goods," Qin Hu stood up to return the greeting, his words concise and to the point.

Shopkeeper Zhou’s mind raced. Qin Hu’s group had entered Bishui City with great fanfare. Many factions in the city had received the news, and the Treasure Pavilion was naturally no exception. In fact, he had already obtained intelligence on the Qin Family before coming to meet Qin Hu.

However, he maintained a calm and collected facade at this moment. In the past, the Cyan Peak County Qin Family had kept a remarkably low profile. Yet, their sudden move was absolutely astonishing, revealing such profound foundations and strength. They had even managed to establish ties with the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Perhaps they were a hidden chess piece left behind by the County City Celestial Wind Qin Family. Rumor had it that the ancestor of the County City Celestial Wind Qin Family was nearing the end of his lifespan. Recently, the County City Qin Family and the Zhang Family had been fighting fiercely over a mineral vein, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides, with the Qin Family seemingly at a disadvantage.

Clearly, someone was testing the waters. The sudden emergence of the Cyan Peak County branch at this juncture might very well be one of their hidden counter-moves. None of this concerned him, however. The Treasure Pavilion never meddled in the disputes of Noble Families.

While speaking, Qin Hu signaled to Qin Wu and the others. Understanding the cue, the men stepped forward and carefully pried open one of the wooden chests.

The instant the lid was lifted, the smile on Shopkeeper Zhou’s face stiffened slightly, swiftly turning into a look of absolute, focused scrutiny. An incredibly rich medicinal fragrance wafted out.

Shopkeeper Zhou took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart. He stepped forward, retrieved a pair of Ice Silk Gloves as thin as cicada wings from his sleeve, and put them on. Only then did he pick up the thousand-year-old ginseng with extreme care, meticulously observing its textures. He gently squeezed the main root to feel its density and leaned in to sniff its unique, earthy aroma.

"Excellent! What an exceptional Treasure Medicine!" Shopkeeper Zhou exclaimed, setting down the thousand-year-old ginseng and looking at the chests scattered across the courtyard.

He immediately clapped his hands. Soon, a team of appraisers walked in, picking up the Treasure Medicines one by one to carefully examine and evaluate their worth. As the chests were opened in succession, the entire courtyard was saturated with a thick medicinal scent.

With a smile in his eyes, Shopkeeper Zhou said, "Clan Leader Qin, this batch of mountain treasures of yours is not only vast in quantity but also of supremely high quality.

"I, Zhou, have been in Bishui City for more than twenty years, and this is the first time I’ve seen such a haul.

"Particularly this thousand-year-old ginseng and this Purple Cloud Mushroom—they are far beyond ordinary goods. However, the harvesting technique was a bit sloppy, leaving some damage on the surface..."

Qin Hu’s expression remained calm as he cut off the merchant’s probing. "Shopkeeper Zhou, just give me a fair price. If the price is right, I’ll sell them all to the Treasure Pavilion.

"Furthermore, we can continue to do business in the future."

Hearing this, Shopkeeper Zhou’s eyes lit up. Continue to do business!

This meant Qin Hu had even more Treasure Medicines in his possession. Such items were always in desperately high demand, as every Martial Artist required Treasure Medicines to nourish their bodies during Cultivation. No matter how much there was, the Treasure Pavilion could swallow it all.

"Say no more! Once all the Treasure Medicines are appraised, our Treasure Pavilion will certainly offer a price that satisfies you!"

A full hour later.

A young servant walked up to the two of them and handed Shopkeeper Zhou a manifest filled with tiny text. Shopkeeper Zhou scanned it briefly before speaking with a broad smile.

"This batch of mountain treasures is valued at a total of nine thousand eight hundred taels of gold!

"We will also present you with a Profound Level VIP card from our pavilion. In the future, any transactions made at our branches across the Great Wei will enjoy a five percent discount.

"What do you think?"

Great waves of excitement surged in Qin Hu’s heart, but outwardly, his brows merely twitched. After pondering for a moment, he nodded. "Shopkeeper Zhou is straightforward. We’ll go with this price.

"Additionally, I, Qin, still need to purchase some Cultivation Techniques and Secret Manuals for my clan."

Shopkeeper Zhou’s smile grew even more sincere. "Our Treasure Pavilion spans the Great Wei Thirteen States. As long as the price is right, we can even provide you with an Alpha-level Secret Technique if you want it!

"Clan Leader Qin, please follow me to the third floor. All the Cultivation Techniques and Secret Manuals are kept there. You may browse and choose as you please."

Qin Hu naturally had no objections and followed Shopkeeper Zhou up to the third floor.

The environment on the third floor was tranquil and secluded, even emitting the faint fluctuations of a protective Array. The bookshelves here were not made of wood, but of Warm Jade—a material capable of nourishing Jade Scrolls and preventing insect damage. Countless Jade Scrolls, Beast Hide Scrolls, and Silk and Silk Books were categorized and displayed on the shelves. There were even some Bone Fragments exuding an ancient aura.

Qin Hu couldn’t help but draw a shaky breath before quickly searching through the collection. Anything qualified to be displayed here had to be at least a Delta-level Secret Technique, or even a Gamma-level Secret Technique!

"The Treasure Pavilion truly lives up to its reputation," Qin Hu thought. "The Body Technique, Sword Skill, Body Forging Secret Techniques, and Cultivation Techniques that Yu needs can all be found here! We can even purchase a batch of Secret Techniques for the disciples of the Qin Family!

"The only problem is, this money probably won’t be enough."