“Brother Gu! You’re here?!” Chen Ping was overjoyed to see Gu Han. He hurriedly stood up from the pile of stones and rushed to the latter’s side, his enthusiasm evident. “When did you arrive in the capital? Where’s that young girl? Why didn’t she co with you? How was your visit to the Martial Academy today? Which instructor did you choose?”
A surge of warmth swept Gu Han’s heart at the barrage of questions.
Gu Han pointed at the pile of stones nearby. “Brother Chen, what’s this? Just now, I heard from soone that you’re no longer a steward?”
Chen Ping forced a bitter smile. “Ah, it’s a long story. I’m afraid you’ll see as a joke, Little Brother.”
Gu Han was puzzled. “What happened? Didn’t you bring back Elder Xue’s pills? You should’ve been rewarded! Why would they strip you of your position and leave you to guard this pile of broken stones?”
Startled, Chen Ping whispered, “Little Brother, watch your words! Never ntion Divine Physician Xue’s na in the Treasure Pavilion!”
Gu Han’s frown deepened. “Why?”
“Co with .” Chen Ping pulled Gu Han to a corner and glanced around. After ensuring no one was paying attention to them, he finally relaxed. “Everything started three days ago...”
As it turned out, Chen Ping’s return to the Treasure Pavilion with Divine Physician Xue’s pills was considered a great achievent. He received many rewards and was even promoted to the position of chief steward. However, the good tis barely even lasted.
Three days ago, a mysterious figure appeared at the Treasure Pavilion out of nowhere. Upon learning that Chen Ping had acquired Divine Physician Xue’s pills, they imdiately stripped him of his position and demoted him to a re laborer.
Gu Han’s heart dropped. A mysterious person? This person seems to have hostility toward Divine Physician Xue. Could they be his enemy? But why have I never heard Chief Steward Li or the others ntion this?
Chen Ping sighed. “Little Brother, encountering sothing like this is just my luck! Still, I feel sorry for you. Even though I promised to increase the price for the items you sold by twenty percent, it seems that I can no longer keep that promise...”
Gu Han wouldn’t hold such a trivial matter against him. “It’s fine. I didn’t co here to buy materials this ti.”
“Then what—”
“The Fallen Nether Fruit.”
Shocked, Chen Ping instinctively glanced at Fan Qi in the distance. “What?! When the pavilion master obtained this item, he kept it a secret. I only learned about it after being promoted to chief steward. Little Brother, how did you know about this?”
Gu Han shook his head. “Don’t ask. This thing is of great use to . I need to buy it. Is there any way you can help?”
Chen Ping hesitated for a mont. “I... I’ll take you there.”
With that, he led Gu Han directly to the third floor. Compared to the first-floor hall, the items sold there were far more valuable, making the place seem deserted with very few visitors.
Upon arriving in front of a quiet room, Chen Ping said respectfully, “Steward Wei, I have a matter to discuss.”
A displeased voice ca from inside the room. “Chen Ping, what are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you not to co see until you’ve sold all those mystic stones?”
Glancing at Gu Han, Chen Ping gritted his teeth and said, “Steward Wei, I have a friend who wants to buy the Fallen Nether Fruit.”
The next mont, the door to the quiet room swung open, revealing a tall, thin man with a gloomy expression. “What?! Chen Ping, you’ve got so nerve! The pavilion master has repeatedly emphasized that this matter mustn’t be leaked. How dare you—”
Gu Han pulled Chen Ping aside. “It’s not his fault. I learned about it from another source.”
Steward Wei glanced at Gu Han and sneered. “I don’t care where you got this information. You need to leave. Now. This item isn’t for sale.”
Gu Han didn’t move.
Steward Wei’s expression darkened. “What? Are you deaf? The Treasure Pavilion may value harmony in business, but if you don't know your place, don't bla for getting rough!"
As he spoke, he fully revealed the aura of the third stage of Essence Gathering. However, such cultivation was insignificant to Gu Han.
Chen Ping quickly stepped forward. “Little Brother, maybe we should think it over?”
Showing no intention of leaving, Gu Han said, “Na your price.”
Steward Wei narrowed his eyes. “What?”
Gu Han t his gaze with a serious expression. “I said, na your price! This item is important to . Just state your terms. Pills, essence crystals, dao artifacts... whatever you ask for, I’ll find a way to get it for you.”
He absolutely had to obtain the Fallen Nether Fruit for Ah Sha’s sake!
After seeing Gu Han’s determination, Steward Wei hesitated. “You... you really want to buy it?”
“Of course!”
After a long pause, he no longer refused. “Wait here...”
Gu Han’s sincerity was so overwhelming that not even soone of his stature could co to a decision. With a cold remark, he turned and left.
Chen Ping sighed. “Little Brother, you shouldn’t have said that! You don’t know what kind of person Steward Wei is... and... ah! You’re going to suffer a huge loss...”
“Thank you for the reminder, Brother Chen.”
By stating his terms so openly, Gu Han understood that he’d given the Treasure Pavilion the opportunity to drive a hard bargain. However, had he not done so, he would’ve been kicked out without even catching a glimpse of the Fallen Nether Fruit.
***
Nearly half of the inner city could be seen from the fifth floor of the Treasure Pavilion, making it an excellent vantage point. However, it had never been open to the public since the founding of the Treasure Pavilion, instead serving as Pavilion Master Tian Heng’s reception area.
At this mont, he stood beside a black-robed elder with a respectful deanor. “Elder Du, are you satisfied with this item?”
“It’s not bad!”
The one who answered was an elder. It was Du Teng, from the Yuqing Sect, the very one Jiang Hong had referred to as “Uncle Du.” He was thin and shriveled, draped in a black robe. Faint green lights flickered in his eyes as they fluttered open and closed.
“The Fallen Nether Fruit is extrely rare. I didn’t expect you to seize it during the beast riot. Quite clever! I shall take note of this achievent. Once my senior brother’s grand plan succeeds, you’ll be rewarded!”
An exquisitely crafted wooden box with a peculiar fruit was placed before him. The fruit was eerie-shaped and unsettling to behold. What seed like a ghostly face was etched on its surface, shrouded in a faint black mist.
Tian Heng hurriedly bowed. “Thank you, Elder Du! I’ll do my utmost to fulfill your instructions. However, now that your presence is revealed in the Treasure Pavilion, it won’t be long before Murong Chuan uncovers our secret.”
On the surface, the Treasure Pavilion’s backer appeared to be a Yuqing Sect elder. In truth, Du Teng’s senior brother—Jiang Hong’s master—was the true mastermind behind it.
Du Teng sneered. “No worries. So what if he finds out? With my junior nephew controlling the Martial Academy and overseeing the Treasure Pavilion, the Great Qi will soon answer only to my senior brother. Murong Chuan won’t be able to stir up any trouble!”
Tian Heng grinned. “You are absolutely right! With the eldest prince’s talent and status, controlling the Martial Academy will be child’s play. I’m sure he’ll give everyone a surprise when the Martial Academy opens its doors today!”
Du Teng chuckled strangely. “Indeed. My senior brother has a keen eye for disciples. That junior nephew of mine is a rare talent! By the way, how are things with those three shops?”
Tian Heng replied quickly, “Don’t worry, Elder Du. They ambushed our Treasure Pavilion steward midway, so they’re already in the wrong. Add to that your reputation, and they naturally agreed to rge with the Treasure Pavilion.”
Du Teng nodded. “Good. Next, speed things up! As for that steward, find a way to deal with him. With here, why would we need Xue Mao’s pills?”
“Yes!”
Du Teng looked out the window and sneered. “Hehe, Xue Mao? I’ve long heard of your reputation. Ghost Physician’s disciple? Peerless alchemy skills? I’d like to compete with you and see if your spirit pills are stronger than my poison pills!”
Tian Heng sighed regretfully. “What a sha. Xue Mao went out with the Seventh Prince but hasn’t returned. I wonder what happened?”
He understood that if Du Teng publicly defeated Divine Physician Xue and used him as a pedestal, it’d be a massive boost to the Treasure Pavilion’s prestige.
Du Teng sneered. “Haven’t returned? Then I’ll wait here for him—”
Just then, Steward Wei’s voice ca from outside. “Pavilion Master.”
Tian Heng’s expression darkened. “What are you doing here! Didn’t I order you not to disturb us?”
Steward Wei was already regretting reporting this matter, but now that things had escalated, he had no choice but to brace himself. “Pavilion Master, there’s soone outside who wants to buy that Fallen Nether Fruit!”
Tian Heng frowned deeply. “The Fallen Nether Fruit? Who wants to buy it?”
That particular floor was shielded by a barrier that blocked divine sense probing, ant to protect the identities of certain special guests. Thus, despite his and Du Teng’s high cultivation level and possession of divine senses, they couldn’t observe the situation on the third floor.
“It’s...” Steward Wei explained the situation.
Tian Heng turned cold. “Preposterous! A re Acupoint Unsealing cultivator dares to boast about buying my Fallen Nether Fruit? Tell him to get lost!”
Steward Wei trembled. “Pavilion Master, he said...”
He repeated Gu Han’s words.
Tian Heng waved his hand impatiently. “Tell him to get lost!”
“But I’ve already—”
Du Teng suddenly asked, “Wait! He said any price?”
“Yes!”
Du Teng smiled. “In that case, why not let him have it?”
Tian Heng was stunned. “Elder Du, but...”
Du Teng glanced at the Fallen Nether Fruit, his tone aningful. “It doesn’t matter. If he truly wants to buy it and can pay the price, then let him have it! A re Acupoint Unsealing cultivator won’t cause any ripple. This item will just stay with him for a few days. Do you understand?”
Tian Heng suddenly understood and was flattered. “Brilliant! Elder Du, you’re truly brilliant!”
Du Teng was pleased with himself. “Tell him that the Fallen Nether Fruit is for trade only, and not for sale. If he wants it, he must offer either a profound item or an Earth-tier or higher cultivation technique. Otherwise, he can forget about it.”
Outside, Steward Wei nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes! Elder, rest assured! I’ll handle this matter properly!”
Although he didn’t know Du Teng’s true identity, he understood that anyone who could command such respect from the pavilion master must have an extraordinary background.
Tian Heng added. “One more thing. Find a way to deal with Chen Ping. Elder Du dislikes him. Understood?”
“Yes, I understand!”
***
Third floor of the Treasure Pavilion.
Upon seeing Gu Han standing nearby with his eyes slightly closed, Chen Ping could no longer hold back. “Little Brother, the Fallen Nether Fruit may be valuable, but given your current cultivation, it isn’t sothing you can use yet. Why go to such lengths... Ah, there are so things in the Treasure Pavilion I can’t explain to you, but you must be extrely careful.”
Chen Ping’s genuine concern touched Gu Han, warming his heart. He’s truly a good-hearted man.
“Brother, you’ve been demoted to a laborer, yet you still find ti to worry about ?”
Montarily stunned, Chen Ping smiled bitterly. “? Being a laborer isn’t so bad. At least I won’t attract envy, and it’s a quieter life. Besides, selling mystic stones is still a job.”
“Mystic stones?”
Gu Han suddenly rembered that earlier, Chen Ping had been sitting in front of a pile of stones. Could it be... there is more to this?
Before Gu Han could ask, footsteps sounded from upstairs. Steward Wei had returned.
“You two seem quite at ease.”
Hmm? Gu Han’s heart stirred. Steward Wei’s attitude suggested sothing had changed.
Steward Wei smiled and cupped his hands toward Gu Han. “Congratulations, young man! Our pavilion master has agreed. The Fallen Nether Fruit can be sold!”
Yet, despite his words, he made no move to produce the item.
Gu Han understood his aning. “Go on. What’s the price?”
Steward Wei stared intently at Gu Han and slowly said, “You’re quite sharp, young man. One profound item, or an Earth-tier or higher cultivation technique or divine power! If you can’t provide either, then please leave.”
Beside them, Chen Ping couldn’t help but shout, “What?!”
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