Chapter 112: Chapter 112: Gold and Silver Gate... A Huge Pit
Although Lu Sangjiu was exasperated, she had to admit they were now completely at his mercy.
’We’ve already handed over fifty Mid-grade Spirit Stones. We can’t just get off the boat out of spite, can we? Wouldn’t that be an even bigger waste of Spirit Stones?’
’As for turning hostile... this is his territory, and there are only two of us. Aren’t we just asking to get screwed over?’
’Besides, with a money-grubber like Xiang Qian, he’s probably hoping we’ll start something.’
’That way, he wouldn’t even need to find more excuses to add charges. He could just rob us blind and throw us off the boat!’
Lu Sangjiu didn’t doubt for a second that Xiang Qian was perfectly capable of it.
So, in the end, Lu Sangjiu and Luo Linlang held their noses and put up with it.
This time, however, Lu Sangjiu had learned her lesson. She didn’t pay for the room and board upfront, stating that she wanted to see the three different levels before making a decision.
A look of regret couldn’t help but cross Xiang Qian’s face. ’Alas, the fat sheep have gotten smart. Can’t fleece them now.’
After that, he didn’t try any more tricks and honestly showed the two of them around.
In the end, they both chose the mid-tier options for the room and food, forking over another twelve Mid-grade Spirit Stones before they finally got rid of Xiang Qian.
Back in their room, Luo Linlang couldn’t help but complain, "Master was right. The people from the Gold and Silver Gate are just a bunch of money-grubbers. Their cultivation is nothing special; they put all their effort into figuring out how to make money!"
"It’s all my fault for not listening to Master’s advice. The moment we knew he was a disciple of the Gold and Silver Gate, we should have just turned around and left!"
Lu Sangjiu felt the same way. She had dealt with the Gold and Silver Gate in the past, but back then, her cultivation level was undeniable. Who would have dared to try and scam her?
Now, as a mere little cultivator, she was finally experiencing firsthand just how sinister the cultivators of the Gold and Silver Gate could be.
Moreover, her encounter with Xiang Qian gave her a bad feeling about the upcoming Sword Seizing Conference... ’I have a hunch they’re only holding this conference to gather a crowd and make a killing by ripping everyone off.’
Thinking of this, Lu Sangjiu said gravely to Luo Linlang, "Second Senior Sister, I think once we get to Muxian Town, we need to be on high alert. We absolutely can’t let ourselves get scammed again!"
"Otherwise... with our meager savings, I’m afraid we’ll be cleaned out by the time we leave!"
Luo Linlang couldn’t help but shiver. "Gods... People are so treacherous. The Gold and Silver Gate is truly terrifying!"
The two of them vented for a while, then opened the Jade Scroll that Xiang Qian had given them to examine it.
Xiang Qian might have been a black-hearted merchant, but the contents of the Jade Scroll didn’t actually cheat them.
It recorded the geniuses of the major sects who were in the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Stages. For most of them, details like their Spirit Root, Cultivation Technique, and combat techniques were listed with perfect clarity.
Lu Sangjiu even saw the names of a few old acquaintances inside.
Gu Jue and Ye Zhiyao were there, of course, but even Feng Lin and Chi Yan were included.
Lu Sangjiu was quite familiar with these individuals, so based on their descriptions in the Jade Scroll, she could tell the information was relatively reliable.
As for her own absence from the list, Lu Sangjiu found it completely understandable. After all, her aptitude wasn’t particularly outstanding, and she had yet to reveal her true strength to others. Naturally, she had slipped through the net.
After reviewing the profiles of these cultivators, Lu Sangjiu moved on to the rules of the Sword Seizing Conference.
These were also written in great detail, even clearly stating which master craftsman had forged the first-place prize.
After that, Lu Sangjiu and Luo Linlang mostly stayed in their room. Ten uneventful days later, they arrived safely in Muxian Town.
As they disembarked, Xiang Qian approached them with particular enthusiasm. "Would you two Immortals care to leave a Communication Talisman? I have quite a few businesses in Muxian Town. You never know when you might need my services."
Luo Linlang rolled her eyes dramatically and opened her mouth to refuse, but to her surprise, Lu Sangjiu nodded.
She wore a fake smile identical to Xiang Qian’s. "Of course. We’re unfamiliar with this place, so we might have to rely on Mr. Xiang’s care."
Xiang Qian’s smile grew even wider. "Easy to say! You’re valued customers, after all. I’ll naturally take good care of you."
After they left, Luo Linlang was still displeased. "That guy is so black-hearted. You’re not actually planning to look him up later, are you?"
Lu Sangjiu sighed. "I don’t want to, but we’re in an unfamiliar place. Who knows what kind of trouble we might run into later?"
"If it’s a problem that can be solved with money, that’s actually more convenient for us. So it’s better to be safe than sorry!"
Luo Linlang sighed theatrically. "Alas, Little Junior Sister, you’re so mature and sensible. You’re putting me, your Second Senior Sister, to shame!"
Muxian Town was incredibly lively now, with people packed shoulder to shoulder on the streets.
However, they were all cultivators at the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Stages. Those at the Nascent Soul Stage or higher were nowhere to be seen.
In addition to the crowds, Muxian Town was also filled with all sorts of shops and small stalls.
After all, the Gold and Silver Gate itself was famous for skills like making talismans, setting up Arrays, Artifact Refining, and Alchemy, so it was only natural that Muxian Town had many places selling such items.
However, after Lu Sangjiu asked about the prices at a few shops, she discovered everything was considerably more expensive than elsewhere.
Things like offensive talismans and healing Elixir Pills were especially overpriced.
Lu Sangjiu couldn’t help but exclaim, "Looks like the Gold and Silver Gate really did gather everyone here to make a killing... With so many people coming for the competition, forget about the merchandise; just food, clothing, and lodging will cost a fortune."
"By the time this competition is over, the Gold and Silver Gate is going to make an absolute fortune."
So, basically, the Muxian Sword was just a tempting piece of bait, luring countless fish to come and willingly hand over their Spirit Stones.
The two of them wandered through the streets for a while before arriving at an inn.
When she heard the price, Lu Sangjiu almost bit her tongue off.
"A low-grade room costs one Mid-grade Spirit Stone a night? This is highway robbery!"
’On Xiang Qian’s Immortal Boat, a low-grade room for ten days had only cost one Mid-grade Spirit Stone.’
’Back then, we thought that was too expensive. Now, seeing that the inn’s price was ten times that of the Immortal Boat, Xiang Qian suddenly didn’t seem so black-hearted by comparison.’
The innkeeper’s assistant was unfazed by her outburst, merely smiling as he said, "Ma’am, you can ask around town. All the inns have the same prices. We’re certainly not lying to you."
"Besides, we’re all out of low-grade rooms. We only have three superior rooms left at ten Mid-grade Spirit Stones a night. Will you be staying?"
Lu Sangjiu: "..."
’I’m so stupid. I really am.’
’Why did I ever get on Xiang Qian’s Immortal Boat? That’s when I started down this road of no return.’
’Not only did Xiang Qian scam us, but by taking his Immortal Boat, we arrived over ten days early. As a result, we now have to pay for over ten extra days of lodging!’
Lu Sangjiu turned to Luo Linlang, her face numb. "Second Senior Sister, I’m suddenly thinking we might as well skip the Sword Seizing Conference... Let’s just leave!"
