Chapter Sixty: The Young Lord

In truth, first-tier equipment across the major provinces in "Dynasty" is not particularly expensive—relatively speaking, that is. However, gear tailored for first-tier wild players is quite costly, for such items are hard to come by. These small leather boots belonged to that rare breed:

True Martial Boots (Precious), Requirements: Level 30; Defense: 15 + 5; Bonus: Agility +10, Constitution +10.

Compared to the previous linen boots, not only had the level requirement doubled, but the equipment grade and additional attributes had more than doubled as well. Though Zhang He had little experience with high-level gear, he immediately recognized these boots as a true treasure among their peers.

Strictly speaking, the Drinking Cat’s price of 300 taels was not unreasonable.

“I’ll take these boots. Do you have anything else? Internal skills, manuals, equipment, pills—I want them all,” Zhang He declared straightforwardly.

“Good! I have whatever you want, the only question is whether you can afford it.” The Drinking Cat produced a yellow robe. “See for yourself.”

Gourd Robe (Precious), Requirements: Level 30; Defense +35; Bonus: Internal Power +10, Agility +15.

Indeed, another excellent piece. Zhang He hesitated, “This robe... I suppose you’re not pricing it in silver?”

The Drinking Cat laughed, “Smart—thirty gold. Not a tael less.”

Zhang He gritted his teeth, “Anything else?”

The Drinking Cat’s eyes brightened; he knew he’d run into a genuine buyer today. When a manual appeared before Zhang He’s eyes, he realized a big purchase was inevitable.

“‘Returning Wind Technique’—accelerates internal power recovery for a set period; requires Initiation-level internal power.”

“I’ll buy it!” Zhang He threw caution to the wind.

The Drinking Cat blinked, “You won’t ask the price?”

Zhang He replied, “Would this internal skill manual ever be cheap?”

The Drinking Cat chuckled. The manual was indeed invaluable, possibly astronomical, for internal power recovery skills were rare, and even when available, usually required fourth or fifth-tier internal power. Now, with a first-tier requirement, Zhang He had no reason to refuse—opportunities like this were fleeting.

Seeing Zhang He so decisive, the Drinking Cat’s confidence soared. “That’s all I have suited for you. My prices aren’t steep—one hundred gold for all three.”

Zhang He wasn’t yet clear about the value of a hundred gold in Fuling County, but he knew one thing: if he withdrew that much gold from the money house for the purchase, he’d once again become a penniless bachelor. Yet, given the Drinking Cat’s prices, honestly, one hundred gold was fair.

The items themselves perhaps didn’t merit such a sum, but for Zhang He’s current strength, they were worth far more.

Should he buy them? Too expensive! Should he not? Too much of a loss!

Such are the contradictions of life.

Staring at the stall’s advertisement, Zhang He had a sudden inspiration. “You accept all kinds of trades, right? How about I exchange equipment?”

The Drinking Cat replied, “Sure, show me what you've got.”

Zhang He quickly produced the rare Blue Flower Ring—a generous gift from Water Dream. Truth be told, if it weren’t for his current low level and class, Zhang He would have kept it for himself. But by the time he reached fourth or fifth-tier, the ring would have lost its value.

The Drinking Cat didn’t know it had dropped from a Tang Sect elder, but he understood its worth.

“You’re willing to trade?” The Drinking Cat couldn’t believe Zhang He was so foolish.

A sly smile crept onto Zhang He’s face. “You ought to add some money.”

The Drinking Cat muttered as he examined the ring, “Judging by its attributes, it’s unusable before fourth-tier... How about I add twenty gold?”

Zhang He grinned fiercely, “Brother, that’s a bit low, don’t you think?”

The Drinking Cat hadn’t realized young Zhang was a shrewd negotiator. After pondering, he said, “Alright, I’ll add twenty gold. I also have some throwing weapons—take a look.”

“Very well, let me see!” Zhang He’s heart leapt at the mention of throwing weapons—not that he didn’t want them, but their use was costly.

A golden lotus-shaped throwing knife appeared in the trade bar:

Golden Lotus Throwing Knife, Attack +10, Requirements: Initiation-level internal power + one throwing skill.

The Drinking Cat said, “These throwing knives are my exclusive product. No matter how many you want, I have them. When you run out, come buy more from me. I’ll add fifty to the deal.”

Now Zhang He truly hesitated. In his understanding, throwing skills depended on both weapons and manuals, with proper technique requiring long practice. The Money Dart itself presented no issue—so long as he had enough internal power and strength, it would wield considerable force. If he accepted the Golden Lotus Throwing Knife, he could pair it with the ‘Qi Breaks Gold’ manual Big Bull had given him. Yet, according to Jun Ruo’s insight, this would mean cultivating an entirely new skill tree for throwing weapons. Was this good or bad? It was impossible to say for now; at least, he couldn’t judge.

While Zhang He wavered, a voice sounded behind him, “If he doesn’t want them, I do. I’ll take as many as you have.”

Turning, Zhang He saw a stately white horse halted amid the bustling street. A long-robed man bearing a white fan dismounted, his clothes resplendent, his demeanor elegant—he looked every bit the noble young lord, strolling leisurely into the shop.

Zhang He held no particular resentment toward such aristocrats, but at this moment, he was in the midst of a negotiation—why intrude?

“Are you a shill?” Zhang He asked.

The young lord glared, “Do I look like I need to play such games?”

He waved his fan, “Shopkeeper, how many Golden Lotus Throwing Knives do you have? I’ll buy them all.”

The Drinking Cat, clearly accustomed to the role of cunning merchant, recognized the deep-pocketed buyer as someone best not to offend. Still, business thrives on harmony, and greed is taboo. So he said,

“My lord, I have two hundred throwing knives for sale. I can offer you one hundred fifty, at five taels of silver each.”

Zhang He was startled—the price was astonishingly high. Could these throwing knives have some hidden merit?

The young lord demanded, “And the remaining fifty? I said I want them all.”

The Drinking Cat explained, “I’m currently negotiating the sale of those fifty with this friend. If he doesn’t want them, I’ll sell them to you; if he does, I’m afraid I must apologize.”

“You think I lack the funds?” The young lord snorted, casually flicking a banknote over. “Issued by Liyuan Money House, Fuling branch. Cash it yourself.”

His showy gesture annoyed Zhang He. He hadn’t even decided whether to accept the deal, yet this man was so domineering—wasn’t that simply disregarding him?

“Fifty, then. I’ll take them. Deal,” Zhang He said grimly. Whether or not he wasted a skill tree was secondary; his pride demanded satisfaction. If someone snatched monsters or money, he could understand. But to hijack a transaction? That was intolerable.

The Drinking Cat hurried to please him. “Excellent, deal! Here you are. You’re a straightforward fellow—let’s be friends. Here’s my card, please!”

The young lord’s expression soured. He surveyed Zhang He, “Where did this pauper come from, daring to put on airs in front of me? Damn!”

Zhang He kept his composure, said nothing, packed his goods, and prepared to leave.

But after only a few steps, he sensed a disturbance behind him—a surge of force accompanied by a dull cry, sweeping toward his back.

He understood instantly: someone was attacking him. The young lord’s fan jabbed at multiple vital points along Zhang He’s spine.

Though Zhang He’s constitution was high, he had never expected anyone would dare strike in the city’s bustling marketplace. He lunged forward, easily dodging the blow.

The young lord did not pursue, merely stood, sneering, “So much for a master. All you can do is run.”

Zhang He was not afraid to retaliate, but his current ratio of chivalry to evil points was too high. Any action in the city would quickly attract the constables—a moment’s anger could lead to great loss, which would be foolish.

He chose not to act now. The deal was done, his mood was good, and with the new equipment and Iron Gongling’s upgrade points, Zhang He’s strength had risen greatly:

Level: 30; Sect: None; Title: None;

Physique: 143; Constitution: 68; Strength: (Initiation 55) + 15; Internal Power: (Initiation 48) + 26; Agility: 115; Internal Skill: 8; Courage: 13; Fortune: 0; Defense: 97; Chivalry: 4; Evil: 29...

Zhong Shuman and her companions were out shopping and thankfully didn’t witness these attributes—this was hardly what a first-tier wild player ought to possess. Agility over a hundred, defense nearly a hundred, internal power established, new internal and external skills providing excellent support—if leveraged well in combat, he could even take on second- or third-tier players.

Casting one last glance at the young lord in the shop, Zhang He memorized his appearance before turning to leave.