plumnovel Chapter 63 The Great Sage?
Chapter 63 The Great Sage?
Xu Changqing looked back.
A few steps behind, stood an old ape with a hunched back, wearing a dusty old robe.
The old ape's face was deeply wrinkled, making it almost impossible to see its features. Only its eyes, which gleamed with a murky yellow light in the dim light, were staring unblinkingly at Xu Changqing.
It held a gnarled wooden staff in its hand, with a dirty cloth bag hanging from the end of the staff, its contents unknown.
"Old benefactor, what brings you to this humble monk's attention?" Xu Changqing raised one palm, smiling kindly, while his other hand was making a hand seal behind his back.
The old ape grinned, revealing a few yellowed and broken teeth, his voice like a broken bellows: "I dare not presume to offer my guidance. I see that you, Master, are radiating a precious light and wandering around. Master, do you have something to sell?"
Xu Changqing felt a chill run down his spine. This market was indeed full of hidden talents. How could a seemingly insignificant old monster have such keen insight?
"Old benefactor, you have a good eye. This humble monk is looking for a kindred spirit to share this good deed," Xu Changqing said with a smile.
"I wonder how you, venerable benefactor, discerned that this humble monk is seeking a destined person?"
"hey-hey,"
A glint of light flashed in the old ape's cloudy yellow eyes. He took half a step forward, leaning on his wooden cane, and lowered his voice, "Although my cultivation is not high, I have been fortunate enough to awaken a trace of the bloodline of the 'Great Sage' ancestor. Although I cannot move mountains and fill seas or see through illusions, I am exceptionally sensitive to the spiritual energy of treasures."
"The Great Sage?" Xu Changqing's heart skipped a beat, as if a string had been plucked. He suppressed the surging thoughts that rushed through him and asked in a tone that was just right, full of surprise and inquiry, "Is that the title for the ninth realm of demonic cultivation? May I ask who your ancestors were, sir?"
As he asked the question, he secretly observed the old ape's expression.
Upon hearing this, the old ape seemed to straighten his back slightly, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out a bit, revealing a proud air: "I am not talented, but my ancestors were the legendary Sky-Piercing Apes who could 'observe the sun and moon and see yin and yang'."
Hearing that it wasn't the person he remembered, Xu Changqing felt a little disappointed.
This world seems to have various connections to my past life, yet they are worlds apart in essence.
He composed himself and steered the conversation back to the main point: "I see, my apologies. However, this batch of goods of mine... is quite large. I wonder if the esteemed benefactor can handle it?"
Upon hearing that the goods were substantial, Old Ape's cloudy eyes brightened, and he quickly patted his withered chest, confidently declaring, "Master, please rest assured. I've been in the marketplace for many years, specializing in matchmaking, appraisal, and sales. I rely on my keen eye and reputation. To be frank, my employer is a direct descendant of a powerful clan within the [Four Seas Pavilion]. They have abundant resources and extensive connections; there's no commodity they can't acquire in this Xiangzhou region."
It moved closer, its voice extremely low, almost a whisper: "Besides, even an old ape knows the rules. No matter where the goods come from, once they pass through our hands, no one can trace them back to you, Master. You can rest assured."
Seeing that Xu Changqing seemed to be interested, the old ape reached out and pulled Xu Changqing deeper into the market.
"If you trust me, Master, would you please come with me for a more detailed discussion?"
Xu Changqing was skilled and daring, and eager to get rid of all the useless junk in his hands, so he did not refuse and let the old ape lead the way.
......
The fox spirit Ah Li leaned against the window, her ears perked up, the tip of her tail twitching slightly from time to time. On the table in front of her sat a white jade mirror, its surface rippling like water, reflecting scenes from various parts of the market.
"Sister Qian, look!" She tugged at Mei Qianqian's sleeve, who was checking the accounts beside her, her voice filled with anxiety. "That ruthless man has been dragged to Grandpa Ape's 'Ape Den.' With Grandpa Ape's ruthless nature of squeezing every last penny out of him, he'll probably try to drive down the price later. Xu Ming isn't one to take a loss lying down; what if he gets ripped off and then flips the table and kills the ape?"
Upon hearing this, Mei Qianqian put down the jade slip account book in her hand, a faint smile appearing on her lips. She raised her hand and rubbed Ah Li's ears, which were slightly bristling from nervousness.
"Ah Li, didn't you always hate that old ape? You said he was cunning and ruthless, and that he tricked you last time, making you so angry you couldn't eat for three days. Why are you worried about him now?"
Ahri flicked her tail uncomfortably and stubbornly said, "Who, who's worried about him! I'm... I'm afraid that Xu Ming might really get angry and cause trouble in our market, breaking the rules. Then you'll have to clean up the mess, Sister Qian, that's such a hassle!"
Mei Qianqian chuckled and shook her head: "You, you're just saying one thing and meaning another. Don't worry, although Xu Ming is ruthless, from our previous interactions, he's not a violent person. At most, he'll teach that old ape a lesson."
She lightly touched the jade slip with her fingertip, leaving a faint glowing mark, and continued, "Continue."
"Moreover, that old ape has been in the market for many years and is extremely shrewd and cunning. He bullies the weak and fears the strong, so he naturally knows which people's goods can be priced at the lowest possible price and which people's goods should be priced fairly."
Mei Qianqian sighed softly, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible annoyance, "If I had known this guy was in such a hurry to sell, I should have led him to Mei Liangxing's place earlier. Now look what's happened, those things... are probably going to be stuck with me."
Mei Qianqian rubbed her temples, looking somewhat conflicted.
"Ah Li, what do you think, should I accept them or not? It's easy to take these things in, but it won't be easy to get rid of them quietly afterwards. I'll have to go to great lengths to cover for them, and some information might not be suitable to be sold out anymore."
"Sister Qian, look at that woman's breasts, they're huge! How do you think she did that? Did she eat some special spiritual fruit, or did she cultivate some special technique?"
Ah Li pretended not to hear and looked at the fierce-looking girl in the Hundred Flowers Pavilion in the white jade mirror.
Mei Qianqian was taken aback at first, then chuckled, and gently poked Ah Li's smooth forehead with her slender finger: "Hmph, you're quite good at playing dumb. Fine, let's see what they can come up with."
......
After walking about a hundred steps, the old ape stopped in front of an inconspicuous black lacquered wooden door.
The wooden door was old and the door knocker was rusted, making it look no different from the back door of an ordinary house.
The old ape stretched out its withered claws and began to work on the wooden door.
A moment later, a soft click came from behind the door, and the wooden door slid open silently a crack.
"Master, come in quickly." The old ape stepped aside and let Xu Changqing into the courtyard.
The room was small and simply furnished, with a black plaque hanging above that read "Honest Business Practices".
The old ape didn't even serve tea or invite Xu Changqing to sit down. He rubbed his hands together, his bright yellow eyes slightly red, staring intently at Xu Changqing, urging, "Master, this place was built at great expense by the owner. Outsiders can hardly see through it; it's absolutely safe. Master, now, could you... allow this old man to open his eyes?"
Xu Changqing did not hesitate and took out the fleshy stomach bag he had obtained from the corpse of the altar toad.
This item is dark yellow, warm to the touch, with a fine, silky texture and a subtle sheen.
This extraordinary treasure has immense potential. Xu Changqing has already mastered the divine powers of the Altar Toad, and after diligently refining it, it can be further enhanced.
He had previously refined it and could now control it at will. The three-zhang square space inside contained the spoils he intended to use this time.
"A fine item." The old ape's eyes gleamed red, and he couldn't help but praise it, making a strange hoarse sound in his throat. He then realized he had lost his composure, quickly coughed twice, and restrained himself a little. "Master, please, please."