The town's bustling market was a chaotic blend of shouts, bartering, and the clatter of carts being wheeled across uneven stone roads. Aromas of steaming noodle soup, freshly roasted meat, and plump, juicy meat buns mingled with the faint fragrance of dried herbs and blooming flowers. Chunhe strolled through the maze of stalls, his fine yet practical robes marking him as someone of wealth—an image he deliberately maintained.
Hong Xian and the others had already split up, each handling the necessary purchases for the village—grain, salt, pepper, clothes, livestock, and farming tools. Meanwhile, Chunhe had a different goal in mind.
His eyes flickered with hidden amusement as he stopped by a rundown herbal stand. A haggard old vendor with missing teeth smirked at him, assuming he was another foolish noble's son, eager to waste money. Chunhe scanned the goods before activating his [Appraisal] skill.
[Red Ginseng - 1000 Years]
Location: 云岚山 (Yún Lán Shān – Mountain of Clouds), growing in cold, shadowed valleys.
Uses: Enhances lifespan, boosts Qi circulation, fortifies the body against poisons.
Rank: High Earth Grade
[Mutant Ginseng - 500 Years]
Location: 亡海沼泽 (Wáng Hǎi Zhǎo Zé – Swamp of Dead Sea), near corrupted spirit veins, known to absorb Yin energy.
Uses: Strengthens soul essence, speeds cultivation, increases spiritual sensitivity.
Rank: Mid Earth Grade
[Dragon Tongue Mushroom]
Location: 花隐山 (Huā Yǐn Shān – Lost in Flower Mountain), found only in dragon blood-infused soil.
Uses: Restores depleted Qi, enhances elemental affinity.
Rank: Low Heaven Grade
[Phoenix Tail Flower]
Location: 炎火山 (Yán Huǒ Shān – Fiery Mountain), grows in volcanic regions bathed in fire essence.
Uses: Purifies meridians, strengthens fire-based techniques.
Rank: Mid Earth Grade
Chunhe's lips twitched. These fools had no idea what they were selling.
The vendor, seeing Chunhe's gaze linger, grinned like a starving wolf spotting a fat sheep. "Ah, young master! You have a discerning eye! This here is a rare thousand-year-old ginseng, a miracle herb! Only ten gold pieces!"
'Ten gold for a High Earth Grade herb? This dumbass just dug his own grave,' Chunhe thought, suppressing his laughter.
He narrowed his eyes and scoffed, channeling his inner arrogant noble brat. "500 SIlver? What kind of fairy tale nonsense is that? This is just an old root. I'll give you fifty silver, no more."
The vendor feigned outrage, waving his arms dramatically. "Fifty silver?! Young master, you wound me! I'll go bankrupt! Forty-seven silver!"
Chunhe smirked. "You think I don't know business? Forty silver. Take it or I walk."
The vendor hesitated, glancing at the 'worthless' root before reluctantly nodding. "Fine! Four gold! You drive a hard bargain, young master."
The surrounding vendors snickered, thinking Chunhe had just gotten scammed. 'What an idiot! Four gold for a dried-up root?'
Unbothered, Chunhe continued shopping, repeating the same act. He haggled down prices on Blood Mushrooms, Golden Sunflower, Nine-Leaf Soul Grass, and Celestial Tear Grass—all at dirt-cheap prices, while the vendors happily thought they had bled him dry.
At one stall, a greasy merchant pushed forward a rusted black cauldron. "Young master, this is the Dark Moon Cauldron, used by legendary alchemists! Since you have such refined taste, it's yours for three hundred silver!"
Chunhe scoffed. "Three gold for a rust bucket? You think I'm blind? 150 SILVER."
The merchant clutched his chest dramatically. "Impossible! Two-hundred!"
"...180 Silver."
"...Fine! But only because I admire your confidence, young master!"
Internally, Chunhe sneered. 'A Heaven-grade cauldron for three gold? These people really don't know what treasure is.'
To avoid suspicion, he didn't just buy rare herbs. He threw in some random junk—low-quality iron swords, decorative fans, and useless trinkets—just to complete the act of a clueless rich kid wasting money.
Hong Xian later found Chunhe carrying bags of overpriced junk, shaking his head. "I leave you alone for an hour, and you've already been robbed blind."
Liu Fan burst into laughter. "Brother Chunhe, you really let these vendors bleed you dry!"
Xu Mei patted his shoulder, sympathy in her eyes. "It's okay. Next time, let us handle the bargaining."
Chunhe simply smirked, clutching his haul of priceless treasures.
'Idiots. You have no idea who got scammed today.'