ATPnovel Chapter 71 Changes in the Water Area
Chapter 71 Changes in the Water Area
"Steward Qian, how have you been? Since moving to Tingchao Lane in the market, I have been in seclusion, studying puppetry. I have been busy with external affairs and rarely go out... I have come today because I have some stock that needs to be dealt with and I also need to replenish some materials."
Yang Changsheng returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his expression calm, and briefly explained the current situation.
Currently, compared to selling puppets, upgrading waste pills into inferior pills is the main source of income.
However, this is a dishonest business, and most legitimate shops would not sell substandard pills, as it would damage their reputation.
"Inventory?" A glint flashed in Deacon Qian's small eyes, and his smile widened, like a blooming chrysanthemum.
He was deeply impressed by Yang Changsheng, who was already a mid-level fisherman at a young age.
What's even more remarkable is his exceptional talent in puppetry. The Xuan Tie Woodcutter Puppet he sold three years ago was of superior quality among its peers, bringing considerable profits to the pavilion.
"I remember Fellow Daoist Yang's puppets very well; they are of excellent quality! Please, please, let's discuss this in a private room!"
Steward Qian warmly led Yang Changsheng into a quiet room with an elegant decor and a strong spiritual atmosphere.
The interior is equipped with soundproofing and anti-peeping arrays to ensure the privacy of the transactions.
As soon as he sat down, Yang Changsheng didn't waste any words. With a flick of his sleeve, a storage bag embroidered with evergreen tree patterns flashed with spiritual light.
The next moment, thirty-four black iron puppets, wearing bamboo hats and wielding steel swords with gleaming star patterns, appeared neatly in the center of the quiet room.
These puppets are made of refined black iron, with hard lines and finely polished joints.
Although it stood still, it exuded a mixed aura of being as heavy as a mountain and sharp and intimidating. Its quality far exceeded that of an ordinary first-tier low-grade puppet, clearly making it a top-tier item.
The smile on Deacon Qian's face faded slightly, replaced by the scrutinizing gaze characteristic of an expert.
He stepped forward slowly, his fingers carefully examining the joints and core runes of each puppet, occasionally injecting a wisp of magic to feel the smoothness of the flow of spiritual energy within them.
The more he examined it, the more surprised he became.
These puppets are not only made of superior materials, but also crafted with extremely skillful techniques. The spiritual energy pathways are precisely engraved, and the core driving array is stable and efficient.
In particular, eight of them, whether in terms of the purity of the black iron, the complexity of the runes, or the overall spiritual energy fluctuations they exude, have all subtly surpassed the category of low-grade and have already touched the threshold of mid-grade first rank!
"Good! Good! Good!"
Deacon Qian exclaimed "Good!" three times, then turned to look at Yang Changsheng with fervent eyes and exclaimed in admiration:
"Fellow Daoist Yang is truly remarkable. In just three years, your puppetry skills have improved so much. This batch of Xuan Iron Woodcutters, especially these eight, are already close to the middle grade. Fellow Daoist is probably only one step away from becoming a true first-grade middle-level puppeteer!"
He was even more convinced that this boy had great potential and was worth befriending for the long term.
"It's still a bit lacking; it needs some more polishing. Let's talk about the price first," Yang Changsheng said politely with a smile.
In fact, he was already a true first-tier mid-grade puppeteer, and his skill level was quite good.
However, this promotion is too fast, so try not to reveal it too early.
He hesitated for a moment, then quoted a price: "Fellow Daoist Yang is a shrewd man. You are also aware of the current situation. Once war breaks out, weapons will be in high demand. Your batch of Xuan Iron Woodcutters is of superior quality, far superior to ordinary goods. According to wartime market prices, such combat puppets are worth 40% more."
"The original purchase price for a first-tier, low-grade, top-level puppet was around nineteen to twenty spirit stones. Now... I, Qian, will decide to purchase them for twenty-nine low-grade spirit stones each! How does that sound?"
He emphasized the word "in charge," as if he were offering a tremendous discount.
Yang Changsheng quickly made a mental calculation.
This price was indeed far beyond his expectations, much higher than three years ago, and the 40% premium was true.
The extra spirit stone that Deacon Qian gave him was both a gesture of goodwill and an indication that he valued the boy's future potential.
His expression remained unchanged as he nodded and said, "Steward Qian is straightforward. I think this price is acceptable."
With a broad smile, Steward Qian immediately took out a jade tablet to record the event.
Thirty-four puppets, totaling nine hundred and eighty-six low-grade spirit stones.
"In addition, we need to purchase a batch of materials for crafting puppets from your esteemed establishment. These materials mainly consist of first-tier low-grade main materials such as black iron, star pattern steel, and Yin Soul wood, supplemented with some first-tier mid-grade materials such as red copper, cold jade, and Yin-Yang glue, to research higher-level puppetry techniques."
Yang Changsheng then spoke.
The art of puppetry remains a stable source of income, with a greater future than the business of selling inferior pills; it should be continued to be studied.
"No problem! Just give me the materials list."
Deacon Qian readily agreed, but added, "However, as Fellow Daoist Yang has also seen, these materials are in short supply these days, with a 20% markup. This is a unified price set by the Pavilion, so please forgive us."
He handed Yang Changsheng a jade slip containing the latest material price list.
Yang Changsheng quickly glanced at the document and understood.
War consumes a huge amount of basic raw materials, so a 20% premium is reasonable.
Based on his experience in crafting the two types of puppets he had created, and his plans for further improvement, he quickly identified the materials he needed.
After some calculation, the total cost of the materials was as high as five hundred low-grade spirit stones.
The transaction was completed quickly.
Deacon Qian waved his hand and took away all the puppets, then ordered the servants to fetch materials from the storeroom.
A short while later, the waiter returned carrying a bulging storage bag.
Yang Changsheng scanned the materials with his divine sense, confirmed that the types and quantities were correct, took the items, and also obtained his own 486 low-grade spirit stones.
The air in the quiet room was filled with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
In seemingly casual conversation, Deacon Qian said, "Fellow Daoist Yang's decision to move to Tingchao Lane is truly a wise one."
"Oh? What makes you say that, Steward Qian?" Yang Changsheng asked with a hint of doubt on his face.
Deacon Qian lowered his voice, leaned forward slightly, and said with a grave expression, "Fellow Daoist, you have been focused on your cultivation and may not know this, but just half a month ago, another incident occurred in the outer and middle sections of Azure Lake!"
Yang Changsheng frowned slightly; he hadn't received this news from Su Wanqing or Li Qingshan.
He paused, his voice lowering further: "Overnight, nearly a hundred fishermen and farmers were killed, including several experts at the mid-to-late stage of Qi Refining! According to scattered descriptions from the survivors who escaped, the perpetrator was at least at the ninth level of Qi Refining, with bizarre and insidious techniques, and his movements were elusive. Even the Supreme Elder of the Lu family, who was overseeing the operation, failed to detect his aura fluctuations beforehand!"
"This matter has been strictly kept under wraps by the Lu family's higher-ups, for fear of causing panic. It has not circulated in the public eye. I only learned a little about it because of the well-informed information within the sect... Fellow Daoist, please remember this and never spread it!"
"Nearly a hundred people are all dead..."
Yang Changsheng's pupils contracted slightly, and he felt a chill instantly rise from the soles of his feet to his spine.
An unknown and powerful assassin silently slaughtered numerous fishermen and farmers in the outer and middle sections of the waterway, without even being noticed by the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Lu family!
If I hadn't decisively followed Liu Xiaoying's advice and broken the spiritual contract to move into the market, I would probably be an unnamed corpse at the bottom of that cold lake now.
The images of the storms in the Bingyin 73 waters and the fishermen still toiling there flashed through his mind, and a strong sense of lingering fear and relief welled up in his heart.
At this moment, his gratitude towards Liu Xiaoying became even more genuine and profound.
"Thank you for informing me, Deacon Qian! This matter... is indeed quite shocking."
Yang Changsheng took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent emotions, and solemnly expressed his gratitude.