Chapter Twelve: The Strange One

Jiulong Street

Compared to the chaotic and unruly surroundings, this place was orderly, with towering buildings and thriving businesses, making it the golden district of Jiuyan Town. Shops opened here could be said to earn money by the day, and naturally, the rent was as precious as gold, a true treasure of feng shui. Yet behind all this peace and harmony, beneath the well-maintained order, hidden currents surged, though they were always smoothly coordinated and amicably resolved. All of this owed itself to the presence of a powerful force—the Langya Chamber of Commerce.

In contrast, the neighboring areas, tangled with myriad factions, were grounds for daily vendettas and assassinations; blood was spilled almost every minute, staining the interwoven territories with violence. Jiulong Street, as if a sanctuary, owed its tranquility to the Langya Chamber’s Jiuyan branch, the architect of peace, ensuring the prosperity and stability of Jiuyan Town. Yet, as the largest chamber of commerce in Langya and with branches throughout the country, this was merely the tip of the iceberg. Such powerful entities, these titans of industry, the creators of overt peace, always manifested in varying forms wherever they went.

Jiang Feng walked along Jiulong Street, not so much shopping as traversing it. His busy routine of cultivation and the strict family restrictions greatly limited his chance to venture out. His father feared that Jiang’s inability to cultivate would become a laughingstock, coupled with Jiang’s youthful pride and intolerance of others’ whispers, which could lead to serious consequences—such was one reason.

But time was running short, and Jiang Feng had business to attend to. Driven by curiosity, he nonetheless admired the bustling scene as he passed. During the forest trial, he had amassed a large number of medicinal herbs. The most precious, the Five-leaf Yao Grass, had been used to strengthen his right arm; the rest, while valuable, paled in comparison and were of no use to him, so he intended to exchange them for useful pills or other cultivation aids, such as the Five-segment Beads for enhancing his left arm’s strength.

Having lived two lives, Jiang Feng’s previous inability to cultivate meant he had become highly knowledgeable, especially in the lore and experience recorded in books. The Jiang family had founded its fortune upon the business of medicinal pills, with this legacy passed down through generations. Despite the pressure and exclusion from the old pill-making Wang family, Jiang’s clan had remained unshaken. This heritage ensured Jiang Feng’s expertise in medicinal pills and allowed him to put his knowledge into practice during the trial—an enjoyment he could never have experienced in his previous life.

Jiang Feng chose to sell his goods on the Langya Chamber’s turf, firstly due to its long-established reputation for fairness, and secondly to guard against those in his family who once harbored ill will, especially now that he could cultivate and thus posed a threat. Who knew what means they might use against him? Thirdly, with the massive daily transaction volume at the chamber, his modest dealings would not stir any waves, allowing him to cover up the trouble he had caused. No doubt, the Wang family head must be furious at the devastation of the grasslands.

Soon Jiang Feng arrived at the Langya Chamber—an imposing, palace-like structure that stood out in Jiuyan Town. Its decoration was not extravagant, yet it exuded an impressive grandeur.

Without pausing, Jiang Feng headed straight for the herb trading section. The Chamber boasted a sophisticated trading system, with dedicated guides for every type of transaction, making the process smooth and efficient. The herbs Jiang Feng brought, while lacking the peerless Five-leaf Yao Flower, included fine specimens like the Four-leaf Orchid.

All sorts of herbs were essential for pill-making, and pills themselves were necessary for accelerating cultivation. Though mass-produced pills sometimes created idle, incapable wastrels, these were mostly spoiled scions. In families with long traditions of cultivation, unique systems of training existed—hard work, talent, and the nurturing from their family’s deep foundation ensured fresh blood, countless geniuses and prodigies, and the continued strength of their lineage.

Jiang Feng also sold various low-grade Nether Beast materials he’d collected during the forest trial. Though not valuable, they could still fetch some money.

Leaving the Chamber, Jiang Feng set out to look for treasures that might aid his cultivation. Though his purse was now a bit heavier, it still could not compare to the fortunes of the true giants; his hard-earned coins were only enough for bargain hunting.

He soon noticed a crowd gathered on the street, unsure whether they were admiring something rare or witnessing an incident.

Though he intended to mind his own business, curiosity soon got the better of his youthful heart, and he decided to join the commotion.

Jiang Feng squeezed into the crowd, using his Shadow Dance Soulstep to nudge his way forward. Though not invincible, this technique made getting to the front easy. Most people only saw a shadow flicker past, felt a slight push, and involuntarily leaned aside. By the time they regained their footing and looked up, the shadow was gone.

At the center of the crowd sat a man, dressed plainly—indeed, his clothes were tattered. He sat cross-legged, as if meditating. His face was so smeared with grime that it was impossible to discern his features. One could only surmise his gender from his attire, though perhaps this was intentional, as if he sought to conceal something.

In front of the man lay a short, club-like rod. It looked utterly ordinary, and even when people used their Nether Force to sense it, they felt no resonance, indicating it was not a Nether Weapon.

Most striking was the ground beside the item, where “ten thousand gold coins” was written. This made the onlookers hesitate, torn between curiosity and caution.

What could it be? Everyone speculated, wondering whether the item was worth anything.

The man offered no explanation, merely sitting with his eyes closed.

Looking at those around him, eager yet hesitant, Jiang Feng understood their minds—they would never act. On the one hand, they feared purchasing a dud; on the other, they could not bear to let others snatch a bargain. That contradictory envy—unwilling to have it themselves, yet not wanting others to have it either.

Jiang Feng ignored their antics, walked straight up, tossed down a bag of coins, took the item, and turned to leave. The man’s ear twitched, as if weighing the bag’s heft. He opened his eyes, pocketed the coins, and departed.

At that moment, a shrill voice rang out.