Chapter 353: Chapter 170: Exchange
Shi Ziyi observed everyone’s reactions, nodding slightly. She said nothing more, seemingly having already formed a preliminary judgment.
Nie Shanshan, on the other hand, maintained her cool and pensive expression.
Chen Qing’s expression was as placid as ever.
"In that case, we will take our leave for now. This matter requires further deliberation," Fang Rui said, cupping his fist.
"Farewell."
Shi Ziyi also cupped her hands in return.
Yan Yaoyang also said, "I have some matters to attend to. Junior Brother Chen, Senior Sister Nie, I’ll see you later."
Chen Qing and Nie Shanshan returned the gesture.
Just like that, the group parted ways outside the Prefecture City, each with their own thoughts.
After parting with Nie Shanshan and the others, Chen Qing returned to his small courtyard and gathered all the savings he had accumulated recently.
He then activated the Golden Cicada Transformation Technique. A series of faint, crisp cracks echoed from his joints, and his facial features blurred as his aura circulated.
In just a moment, he had transformed into a man with a stern face.
He then donned a wide cloak, pulling the hood low. Only then did he silently leave the sect gates and head for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion on the edge of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp.
The Hundred Treasures Pavilion on the edge of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp was unchanged. The massive dock-like structure stood tall, bustling with a motley crowd of people coming and going.
The faint stench of blood and the unique odor of rotting mud filled the air.
Chen Qing strode into the seemingly ordinary main hall with practiced ease.
The hall was dimly lit. All sorts of Treasure Hunters and Jianghu People conversed in low voices, their gazes warily sizing up everyone who entered.
Most of them, like Chen Qing, concealed their faces with cloaks, hoods, or masks, so his attire didn’t attract any particular attention.
A young, pretty woman in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s uniform immediately came forward with a smile. "Welcome, sir. Are you here to store a boat or to buy and sell goods?"
Chen Qing lowered his voice, making it sound hoarse. "I’m here to sell some goods. A rather large quantity."
The woman’s smile widened. "Of course. Please follow me to a side hall to wait, sir. I will ask an appraiser to come over."
Chen Qing was led to a small side hall. After serving him a cup of tea, the woman withdrew.
Before long, footsteps approached. The person who entered was not the old master he had expected, but a middle-aged woman. "Sir, I hear you have some fine goods to sell? Might they be Treasure Medicines, materials, or...?"
Chen Qing said nothing. He simply placed a plain-looking burlap sack on the table with a dull thud.
He then took out several Jade Boxes and Porcelain Bottles of various sizes from his robes, along with the Weapons and Inner Armor.
As he began to take out the items, the middle-aged woman’s smile gradually turned to surprise.
First came the valuable materials from the Red-eyed Poison Python—its scales, Poison Sac, and fangs—all properly processed. Then came the Weapons and Inner Armor; though somewhat damaged, their materials were all extraordinary.
The surprise on the middle-aged woman’s face had now become shock.
She had originally thought he was just an ordinary Embrace Pill Realm Loose Cultivator selling some goods. She never expected that the mysterious, black-cloaked man before her would produce a haul that looked like he had just robbed the Treasure Vault of a minor family!
’The items here are so varied, their origins are probably...’ But she immediately suppressed the urge to investigate. The rule of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was to never ask about the source.
"Your goods... are astonishingly valuable. They are beyond the scope of my authority."
The middle-aged woman’s tone became extremely respectful. "Please wait a moment, sir. I will immediately go and invite the Steward to come!"
Chen Qing gave a slight nod, remaining silent and taciturn.
Soon, an old man in a brocade robe walked in briskly.
He first glanced at the small mountain of treasures on the table, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He then cupped his hands to Chen Qing with a smile. "My surname is Qian. I am the Steward of this Hundred Treasures Pavilion. My apologies for the poor reception, esteemed guest."
Chen Qing stood and returned the gesture, his voice a bit hoarse. "Steward Qian, thank you for your trouble."
"It’s my duty."
Steward Qian, beaming, personally stepped forward to carefully inspect each item.
His technique was masterful and his eye was sharp. He only needed to give each item a brief look, occasionally weighing it in his hand, to accurately state its material, quality, and approximate market price.
"A complete Red-eyed Poison Python Poison Sac, Upper Grade quality... A Profound Iron Heavy Saber, a pity the blade is damaged, its value is reduced by thirty percent... Three bottles of Truth Condensing Pills, the Pill Grade is not bad..."
As he inspected, he muttered the prices, and an attendant at his side naturally recorded them quickly.
It took nearly a full hour before Steward Qian finished cataloging all the items.
He calculated swiftly in his head and finally announced a number. "Your goods are quite varied. The total price I can offer is... two hundred eighty-seven thousand taels of silver. What do you think?"
This price was quite a bit lower than Chen Qing’s own estimate, but that was to be expected. This place dealt in goods with unknown origins, so the prices were bound to be much lower than through legitimate channels like the Liu Family Commerce Association.
Without hesitation, Chen Qing nodded. "I’ll take it all in silver notes, redeemable on sight."
"Excellent!"
Steward Qian’s smile grew even wider, and he immediately ordered an attendant to process the transaction.
Soon, a thick stack of large-denomination silver notes, stamped with the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s unique seal, was delivered into Chen Qing’s hands.
Chen Qing carefully counted them to ensure the amount was correct, then tucked the silver notes away securely against his body.
This huge sum, added to his existing savings, amounted to a considerable fortune.
After all this, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he asked, "Steward Qian, your pavilion is well-informed and has extensive channels. I was wondering... do you have any natural Exotic Treasures of the Five Elements Attribute for sale? Something like the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl?"
Upon hearing this, Steward Qian shook his head.
"Treasures with a Five Elements Attribute are exceedingly rare. Every single one is a priceless gem that one can only hope to stumble upon by chance."
He paused for a moment before continuing his explanation. "Such Exotic Treasures mostly come from certain deadly lands, or places guarded by powerful Exotic Beasts. They are extremely difficult to obtain. Once one appears in the world, it often attracts the attention of powerful experts and is rarely sold on the open market for silver."
Chen Qing had expected as much, but hearing the definitive answer still left him slightly disappointed.
’It seems many true treasures can’t be bought with mere silver.’
No wonder Yan Yaoyang and the others were so focused on the items exchangeable for Military Merit.
Steward Qian added, "However, if you are truly determined to find one, it’s not entirely without avenues. When such major treasures are sold, it’s usually in one of two ways: first, by bartering for another rare treasure or Cultivation Technique of equivalent value that the seller urgently needs; second, through a high-profile auction."
"An auction?"
A flicker of interest showed in Chen Qing’s eyes.
"Correct."
Steward Qian nodded. "Some large commerce associations with deep backgrounds, or organizations like our Hundred Treasures Pavilion, will occasionally hold high-level auctions. The invited guests are either rich and powerful or individuals of exceptional strength."
"It is only at such events that a Five Elements Treasure might appear. If you are interested, sir, you can pay more attention to related news in the future."
Hearing this, Chen Qing nodded.
"Thank you for the information, Steward Qian. I will keep an eye out."
He cupped his hands. "That will be all for today. Farewell."
"Take care, sir! If you need anything, you are always welcome at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion!"
Steward Qian personally escorted Chen Qing out of the side hall, his attitude extremely cordial.
After leaving the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Chen Qing glanced at the distant, mist-shrouded Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, recalling the mysterious golden light he had glimpsed on his last visit.
’There must be a coveted treasure hidden in its depths.’
"I should wait until I’m strong enough," Chen Qing muttered to himself.
With his current strength and trump cards, if he were careful, it wasn’t impossible for him to make some gains in there.
But the thought was fleeting, and he quickly suppressed it.
He was currently in possession of the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl and had just acquired a huge sum of money. This was a time to lay low, consolidate his gains, and improve his Cultivation.
Plunging into a dangerous land right now was fraught with too many variables.
Chen Qing turned, executed the Startled Swan Escape Shadow Technique, and left the outer area of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp.
.....
