Chapter 186 - 185: Trading with the Star Martial Police Bureau, Selling the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle

"You want to buy the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle?"

The sudden news stunned Qin Yang for a moment. He couldn’t help but size up Xia He. He looked utterly exhausted, and the faint smell of blood clung to him.

He scanned him with his Spiritual Power.

’Extremely weak. He might have been at a murder scene last night!’

"Yeah, Old Qin. I’ll buy as many as you have! Money is no object."

Xia He nodded, taking out his phone and opening the payment screen. "As long as you’re willing to sell, I can pay right now!"

"It’s fine. If you just want a few, I can give them to you," Qin Yang said, shaking his head. "These Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles aren’t a big deal."

"But..."

His tone shifted as he continued, "If you want to buy in bulk, like a wholesale deal, then the price might be a *tad* bit more expensive."

After all.

Giving them to his brother, Xia He, was a matter of friendship.

The number didn’t matter.

But if we’re talking about a bulk purchase... that’s a different story entirely!

"I get it, Old Qin. You’re the one I can count on!"

Xia He was touched by Qin Yang’s words, and his bloodshot eyes trembled slightly.

’Sure enough!’

’My own brother is the most loyal!’

This was a Hidden Weapon that could instantly kill someone in the Innate Realm!

It was far beyond any ordinary concept-grade Star Artifact. If it were actually sold on the open market, its price would be astronomical.

After all, how many Innate experts were there in all of Jianghai City?

One artifact for one life!

Such value demonstrated its immense preciousness. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was beyond what money could buy... yet Qin Yang was still doing him a favor, willing to treat it as a monetary transaction!

"Just name your price, Old Qin. I’m set on getting these Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles. Just give me a number."

Xia He swiped on his phone, pulling up his account balance. "Any price is fine. I’ll buy them all from you, wholesale."

"Any price is fine?"

Hearing this, Qin Yang frowned. He looked Xia He’s blood-stained police uniform up and down and suddenly asked, "The Star Martial Police Bureau sent you, didn’t they?"

Jianghai City was currently in turmoil.

’The Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles I gave him before should have left him with a few to spare.’

’It should have been enough for his own use.’

The moment he finished speaking, Xia He’s expression changed drastically. His face flushed red, and he quickly turned his head to avoid eye contact with Qin Yang. "Old Qin, you’re getting sharper and sharper... you saw right through it..."

"..."

At that, Qin Yang rolled his eyes and said irritably,

"Did I even need to guess?

You suddenly came to me to buy Pear Blossom Needles wholesale. It must have been an order from the Bureau."

"Heh heh... you’re right, Old Qin..."

Xia He gave a slightly awkward laugh and nodded guiltily. Seeing Qin Yang’s wary expression, he quickly added, "Hey, don’t worry, Old Qin! Your bro didn’t sell you out!

I haven’t said a single thing about you!!"

"Then what did you say?"

"It’s a long story. I used a Pear Blossom Needle to take down an Innate Demon last time, in self-defense... you know how it goes. The Bureau launched a routine investigation afterward, and I just spun them a tale... said I had a master."

At this point, Xia He’s eyes darted around. He craned his neck to look at Qin Yang and said,

"I know your personality, Old Qin! Don’t worry!

I didn’t bring you up at all! I swear, if I did, may Celestial Thunder strike me down..."

"Alright, alright. I trust you on this."

Hearing this, Qin Yang chuckled and waved his hand to cut him off, teasing, "But I don’t recall having a troublesome disciple like you..."

As soon as he said that, the tense, heavy atmosphere lightened.

Xia He’s heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled. Looking at his familiar brother, he felt a mix of emotions, but gratitude was the strongest among them.

No matter what, Old Qin never changed... still a slacker, but always reliable.

"Hehehe, yeah, you’re right, Old Qin."

Xia He scratched his head. "Alright, no more joking around. So, about the price... what are you thinking? If it’s okay, why not just sell them all to me? I’m not asking for a freebie; I definitely won’t shortchange you on the price!"

"I can sell them to you, but you have to give me a reason."

Qin Yang’s eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Xia He’s expression. He pondered for a good while before speaking slowly,

"You weren’t like this before..."

"Mm..."

The two of them fell silent.

A wordless atmosphere spread between them.

Xia He shook a cigarette out of its pack, stuck the unlit cigarette in his mouth, and sighed. "I told you before, didn’t I? The city has been a mess these past few days, Old Qin."

He gazed at the daylight outside the window. "The Beast Tide is coming. The whole city is in chaos, the citizens are struggling, and the Star Martial Police Bureau has lost a lot of people...

Do you have any idea what I’ve been through these past few days?

Squad after squad has been wiped out. Those brothers died right in front of me...

We don’t just have to guard against the Star Beasts outside, we also have to watch out for citizens stabbing us in the back... You never know who’s actually one of the Cult Demons!"

As his voice fell, he slumped into his chair dejectedly. "I’m really scared. Scared that one day it’ll be my turn. No one can say for sure.

Thugs wearing the masks of citizens, ready to stab us to death at any moment. I’m afraid of dying!"

"If you’re so afraid of dying... can’t you just quit?"

Qin Yang frowned, patting him on the shoulder. "Stay off the front lines. There are places that can keep you safe. If all else fails, just come back to the library and go back to slacking off."

At his words, Xia He fell silent again.

He fiddled with the filter of his cigarette.

His heart was in turmoil.

After a long silence, he finally looked up at Qin Yang. "Old Qin, a man has to do something with his life, right?"

"I’ve slacked off my whole life. I’ve watched my brothers at the Bureau fall one after another... I just have some regrets..."

Hearing this, Qin Yang didn’t say anything, just listened quietly.

After Xia He joined the Star Martial Police Bureau.

The change in him was far greater than expected...

"I have to step up. Maybe one day I’ll regret dying on the battlefield, but that’s still better than... regretting it for the rest of my life, living out my days in misery."

"Alright, enough of this. It’s getting all sentimental..."

Xia He, the cigarette still in his mouth, looked at Qin Yang and asked, "So, what have you decided?"

"How many do you need? Give me a number."

Then, looking out the window, he added, "Of course, if you don’t want to sell, I won’t force you. It’s fine, Old Qin..."

"I’ll sell them. It doesn’t matter to me either way."

Qin Yang shrugged, scooping up Xiaobai from the floor and holding her in his arms. "I’m not short on resources anyway."

"Really!?"

Hearing this, Xia He’s eyes lit up, and he said with delight, "Come on, let’s discuss the price then. Your brother definitely won’t rip you off!"

"Mm, we can discuss that later. There’s one condition..."

Qin Yang looked at him and said calmly, "After I sell them to you, you can’t reveal anything else about me."

As he finished speaking, Xia He puffed out his chest and said with a sigh of relief, "Hah, don’t you worry about that! My lips are sealed! No one can pry them open!!!"

"Alright then. Come see me tomorrow morning."

"Deal! Old Qin, you’re the man!!"

...

「Meanwhile.」

In his arms, Xiaobai listened to their conversation, tilted her head, and shivered for some reason...

’Strange...’

’Why does this Fairy suddenly feel a chill?’