Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Do you want it or not_1
Three monks, clad in tight-fitting mage robes, gathered around, bending over to examine the items laid out on the blue stone slabs.
"Oh, a Concealing Qi Talisman. Good stuff! How much for one?"
"Five Spirit Stones each. Essential for home and travel, hunting in the mountains. In a critical moment, activate this talisman and even a Thorny Wolf won't be able to sniff you out!"
"That expensive? You're basically robbing us blind."
"Just say whether you want it or not!"
"Could you lower the price? We're about to go into the mountains and still need to purchase many other talismans. We could even buy a whole stack from you."
"You didn't inquire about my reputation in The Great River District's market, or the craftsmanship of my talismans? If I cut the price of my talisman, can it stop a demon beast from biting you?"
"Three Spirit Stones for this Concealing Qi Talisman, plus three Earth Thorn Talismans and six Fireball Talismans."
"Four! I can't go any lower. This Concealing Qi Talisman is exclusive to my business, and I only produce one a month!"
After some deliberation, the three monks decided to purchase the Concealing Qi Talisman.
Once they had settled the bill, they turned their attention to the jade vases in the corner.
"The Fasting Elixir?" The inception of this content can be traced to n0ve1bin★
Luo Chen brightened up, "One pill can keep you full, ten for three days and three nights without hunger. How many bottles do you want?"
"What's the price?"
"Let me tell you, I prepare this Fasting Elixir mainly using superior first-order beef combined with ginseng and dong quai... And finally, it's refined with the Medicine King Sect's signature Hundred Flowers Honey. Excellent stuff at low prices!"
"Is it really that good?"
"Here, take a whiff of this aroma, doesn't it smell delicious? And look at that color, absolutely no flour. The color can't be better in this area, I assure you!"
"Big brother, it does seem more fragrant than the Fasting Elixir we bought before."
"Exactly. This friend clearly has discerning tastes. You've been scammed before, weren't you? Does the Fasting Elixir you bought taste like flour? That's definitely fake meat."
"What's the price?"
"Four bottles for just one Spirit Stone!"
"You might as well just rob us."
"Just say whether you want it or not! If you pass this stall, you won't find such good stuff. I'm telling you, I have many regular customers. In a bit, I'll be sold out and going home."
"Can you go a little lower?"
"Seeing that you three friends are sincerely interested, how about one Spirit Stone for five bottles? Deal? Consider it a friendship token and when I make new elixirs, I'll give you discounts!"
"Alright, we'll take ten bottles. We still have some stock left from before, so we'll give your stuff a try."
"Scram!"
Luo Chen gave a mischievous grin, quickly melding into the crowd and vanished.
....
He was still in the southwestern corner of the rogue cultivator's area, but now he was in the area where herbal medicines were gathered and sold.
Having spent years here, he knew the ins and outs of trading all sorts of goods.
"Sister Wang, are these freshly picked from your husband's trip to the mountains? They don't seem properly dried yet, the discerning ones won't appreciate these."
"Today, I want to do a good deed. I'm willing to reluctantly take ten pounds!"
"This piece of ho shou wu, I suspect that it isn't even ten years old! Make it cheap, and I'll take it."
"Jade Mountain Medicine, yes, give me fifty pounds. I used to purchase at twenty pounds per Spirit Stone, and now it's all doubled, you should give me a discount!"
"I give up bargaining. Just throw in a Redwood Fruit, this one—the one that's big enough."
...
Luo Chen spent the afternoon traveling around the herb area, making large-scale purchases of the herbs he needed.
As these were small stalls set up by rogue cultivators, the quality of the goods relied on his eyes, and the prices relied on his bargaining skills.
His lips were dry from all the haggling, and Luo Chen managed to gather most of what he needed.
Next, he needed to make a trip to the city center in the Inner City.
The Spirit Medicine Hall, one of the six top stores in The Great River market, was situated at the most eye-catching location in the city center.
With its five floors, flying eaves and painted walls, carved rails and jade masonry, it was truly pleasing to the eye.
However, this place only dealt in refined elixirs, which were currently out of Luo Chen's price range.
His destination was the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, located next to the Spirit Medicine Hall.
It was said that both the Spirit Medicine Hall and the Hundred Herbs Pavilion were run by the Medicine King Sect. It was unknown why they split into two storefronts.
Compared to the grandeur of the Spirit Medicine Hall, the Hundred Herbs Pavilion looked considerably more mundane.
A single row of flat-roofed houses extended into the back, looking rather nondescript.
However, as soon as one got close, they would be hit with a strong aroma of herbs.
Luo Chen felt invigorated, carefully placing his large bag at the door.
The Fat Shopkeeper eyed the large bag, his eyes slightly narrowed and his nose twitched, then he shook his head.
Luo Chen didn't mind and approached the counter.
"Senior, do you still have Dendrobium and Fire Dog Tail here?"
Hearing these two names of medicinal ingredients, the Fat Shopkeeper gave Luo Chen an amused look.