This was truly shocking; after a quick flip through, even Gu Sheng felt embarrassed for him!
This martial arts manual wasnât just incompleteâit was utterly shattered! Based on its content, it could only be cultivated to the entry-level realm. Even if this martial arts technique had been outstanding when complete, with so much missing, its power wouldnât even qualify as second-rate nowâitâs value was dubious. Naturally, Gu Sheng wasnât naĂŻve enough to be easily duped!
Listening to the stall owner lavishly praise the manual, Gu Sheng put it down and prepared to leave. Seeing this, the stall owner panicked and grabbed Gu Shengâs arm: "Hey, brother, donât go! This martial technique is truly incredible. Buy it, will you?"
Gu Sheng rolled his eyes and said, "Youâve got a lot of nerve asking for fifty thousand for this broken martial arts manual! Why not just rob me outright?"
The stall owner had a unique skill: he could estimate bone age. The reason he persisted in holding on to Gu Sheng was that from his young age, he figured Gu Sheng would be inexperienced and easy to trick. However, he didnât expect him to be so savvy. Still, the owner didnât let go but instead smiled brightly and said, "Come on now, no need to talk like that. Business is businessâIâll name my price, and you counteroffer! Name an amount; if I think itâs acceptable, you can take it with you!"
Gu Sheng couldnât help but laugh as he responded, "Forget it. The price Iâd offer would definitely not meet your expectations."
The stall owner waved nonchalantly and said, "Thatâs fineâjust name it! Buying and selling, after all, is a matter of mutual agreement. Go ahead, give me your priceâIâm listening."
This martial arts manual was too incomplete to be worth anythingâit could only be cultivated to the entry-level stage, which made it practically useless for the average person. Yet for Gu Sheng, this wasnât an issue!
Thanks to his system panel, he only needed to cultivate to the entry-level stage to record it, then he could progress methodically. The subsequent techniques wouldnât matter, as his system panel would automatically fill in the gaps.
Even so, Gu Sheng wasnât overflowing with money to squanderâhe had no intention of being ripped off.
Seeing the stall owner refuse to let go, Gu Sheng grew impatient and said, "Three hundred taels! Take it or leave it. If you refuse, Iâm walking away!"
"Deal! Pay up!"
The stall owner, afraid Gu Sheng might change his mind, hurriedly grabbed a manual from the stall and stuffed it into Gu Shengâs hands, extending his hand eagerly for payment.
"What theâ? Did I pay too much?"
Seeing Gu Sheng hesitate to pay, the stall owner became anxious and said, "You offered your price! Here, if you name an amount and I agree, youâre obligated to buy it! Breaking this rule carries serious consequencesâso donât think a measly three hundred taels will get you out of trouble!"
There was indeed such a rule in the black market. For the black market to reach its current scale, the power behind it must be significant. Gu Sheng naturally wouldnât push his luck over a mere three hundred taels.
He pulled out three hundred-tael silver notes and handed them over to the stall owner, who finally let go of his grip.
Holding the silver notes, the stall owner wore a triumphant smile and didnât even bother to remind Gu Sheng about any resale restrictions or conditions.
Though, even if he had, it wouldnât have matteredâafter all, selling such a manual required a solid knack for swindling.
At this moment, Mu Qinghe had already completed his transaction and left, prompting Gu Sheng to head straight to Mu Qingheâs previous stall.
The stall owner there beamed with delight upon seeing Gu Sheng: "Looking to shop? All my poisons and hidden weapons are genuine Thousand Poison Sect productsâtop-notch quality at fair prices. Care to buy some?"
The two sects and three factions within the Red Cloud Prefecture domain were akin to a golden brand. Anything associated with these powers had its price inflated by ten or twenty percent.
The stall was stocked with numerous hidden weaponsâthrowing knives, sharp needles, dartsâand many bizarre items that even Gu Sheng couldnât name. These weapons were painted with vibrant colors, clearly coated with potent toxins, reflecting Thousand Poison Sectâs distinct style.
In addition, the stall displayed countless bottles and jars. Gu Sheng casually opened one, and immediately, an overpowering stench assaulted his senses, almost making him retch!
"Hey! My goodness! Sir, this is Ten Veins Soft Bone Powder! Opening it like thatâarenât you afraid of being affected?"
The stall owner, alarmed at Gu Shengâs recklessness, quickly snatched the bottle back and capped it. With a glare, he shoved the bottle into Gu Shengâs hand and said, "Since youâve opened it, you have to buy it! Eight hundred taelsâno negotiation!"
Gu Sheng stared at the stall owner in disbelief: "How much?"
The stall owner replied irritably, "Eight hundred taels! This is an authentic Thousand Poison Sect formula, with devastating effects. Even anyone at the Bronze Bone Realm who ingests this powder will lose their combat ability within ten seconds. Eight hundred taels is a fair price! Now hurry up and pay!"
Then, the stall owner pointed to some black-armored enforcers in the distance and said, "Iâd advise you to pay quickly! Those enforcement teams donât mess around. Without my permission, you opened the poisonâif you bring them into this, eight hundred taels wonât be sufficient to settle the matter!"
Gu Sheng pulled out eight hundred-tael silver notes, yet he didnât hand them over immediately. Instead, he asked, "Is this powder truly from the Thousand Poison Sect?"
The stall owner visibly brimmed with pride: "Of course! My cousin is an official inner sect disciple of Thousand Poison Sectâthese goods were handed down from him!"
Gu Sheng nodded thoughtfully and continued to ask, "What did that person before me buy from you?"
Upon hearing this, the stall owner looked at Gu Sheng meaningfully and replied, "Two hundred taels!"
Without hesitation, Gu Sheng pulled out two additional hundred-tael notes and handed them over to the stall owner: "Now will you tell me?"
The stall owner hadnât expected Gu Sheng to be this agreeable, handing over two hundred taels for such a simple piece of information. Flashing an ecstatic grin, he said, "That guy was generousâhe bought a bottle of my signature Gut-Wrenching Poison and some hidden weapons."