The Prodigies War

The Qingyang Tribe was lit up by lanterns at night. Although it was not as busy as the day, there were still numerous people passing through the streets.

Stone Cauldron Alms was located in the Qingyang Tribe’s central district and occupied more than two hectares of land. Constructed from cut limestone blocks, the majestic building was three stories tall. It towered over the nearby buildings, making it particularly attention-grabbing.

When Lin Xun arrived, contrary to his expectations, he found the entrance rather busy as the store wasn’t closed. Numerous carriages were parked nearby and several cultivators could be seen entering and exiting.

Lin Xun tied the scale horse to a corner and walked into Stone Cauldron Alms with his giant leather sack.

The building’s interior was luxuriously designed and very spacious. Row after row of white stone exhibits stretched into the distance, and the place was divided into various sections such as medicines, ingredients, weapons, equipment, and other cultivation necessities.

Many attendants shuttled between the visitors in a respectful and professional manner.

There were also several guards scattered throughout the premises, calmly breathing as their sharp eyes vigilantly watched the surroundings. Their cultivation ranged between the True Martial fourth layer and sixth layer. An elder seated behind a counter in the hall stood out the most; a faint but oppressive dipper qi flowed around his body, showing that he was a Spirit Dipper stage existence!

This only emphasized the Stone Cauldron Alms’ foundations and how formidable they were.

Lin Xun silently took everything in as he inwardly sighed in amazement. He did not know that Stone Cauldron Alms was considered a first-class merchant group even in the Ziyao Empire, nor was he aware that its boss was a legendary figure known as Fortune God Shi.

However, from the many details Lin Xun had gleaned, he could tell that Stone Cauldron Alms was no ordinary merchant group.

An attendant soon approached and after some inquiries, brought Lin Xun to an exchange section. The section was comparatively empty and there were only a dozen figures scattered about the place.

“May I ask what the young master wishes to sell?” A middle-aged man in an embroidered gown stepped forward with a smile. He did not look down on Lin Xun or brush him off due to his age. However, the middle-aged man was also not very friendly, only showing courtesy where he needed to like a professional.

Lin Xun smiled and said, “I want to see your manager.”

The middle-aged man frowned, “Apologies, the manager is busy at the moment and can’t come out to meet with the young master.”

A thirteen-year-old boy who was wearing simple hemp clothes wanted to see their manager? This felt a little too arrogant and ignorant. Did the boy think just anyone could easily meet a Stone Cauldron Alms manager?

“Oh, that’s fine. I can wait.” Lin Xun casually said as if he was oblivious to the change in the middle-aged man’s attitude.

The middle-aged man’s frown grew deeper and his attitude became colder, “Young master, may I enquire what kind of rare treasures you have that require our manager to come personally?”

Lin Xun chuckled, “You feel that I don’t have the qualifications to meet your manager?”

The middle-aged man indifferently replied, “How would I dare to. I merely feel that the young master’s goods aren’t that valuable. If you wish to sell them, there’s no need for our manager to come personally.”

As he spoke, he pridefully pointed at Lin Xun’s large sack, “If my observation is correct, your bag contains thirty-one pieces of savage beast skin, some bones, claws, and other similar articles. There are also a dozen types of aeth resources, am I right?”

Surprised, Lin Xun said, “Good eye!”

The middle-aged man nonchalantly said, “Young master, those in our line of work have excellent eyes and sharp noses. You might feel these goods have high value, but in our Stone Cauldron Alms’ eyes, these goods will only add up to four thousand copper coins, an amount that could buy an ordinary aeth tool.”

After a slight pause, he continued, “So have you changed your mind young master?”

Lin Xun shook his head, “I feel that it will still be best for you to notify your manager. It’s not that I don’t believe you, but I have another matter to discuss with him.”

Upon seeing that the youngster appeared completely unteachable despite his patient explanation, the middle-aged man immediately became unhappy. With an icy snort, he said, “Please leave, we will not be sending you off!”

This was essentially chasing Lin Xun away.

Lin Xun was taken aback. He helplessly said, “Uncle, I don’t know why you must become so angry, but isn’t it a little too petty of you to do this?”

The middle-aged man in embroidered robes laughed in anger, “A mere youngster dares to call me petty?”

There was now a certain intensity in his voice.

Lin Xun smiled, “I just think that you can try to inform the manager first. If it turns out that I was really here to cause trouble, you guys can chase me out then. Isn’t that right?”

The middle-aged man was clearly out of patience. He ignored the proposal and waved his hand, “Someone come and escort this young master out!”

Two cultivators, who were stationed nearby, immediately began walking toward them.

Lin Xun felt helpless. He had already expressed his sincerity and did not expect the other party to completely ignore his request.

Lin Xun sighed, “Uncle, I feel that you’ll definitely regret this.”

The middle-aged man’s expression darkened and he raised his voice, “What are you waiting for? Throw this arrogant brat out!”

The two cultivators exchanged a look before abruptly lunging at Lin Xun from the left and right, their arms reaching out to grab him.

Thump!

Although they were fast, Lin Xun was faster. He suddenly stepped forward, hooked his arm around the middle-aged neck, and shouted, “I’ll snap his neck if anyone dares to try anything!”

The two cultivators immediately hesitated.

Despite being taken hostage, the middle-aged man was unafraid. Instead, he angrily roared, “Someone has come to cause trouble in our Stone Cauldron Alms!”

An uproar swept through the neighboring sections as numerous guards began to rush over. They surrounded Lin Xun, but no one dared to approach because of the hostage.

“Young man, this old man advises you to stop now and don’t make things worse for yourself!” An elder split the crowd and approached. It was the Spirit Dipper cultivator, who had been stationed in the main hall.

Lin Xun’s expression remained composed. He even chuckled and said, “Will you believe me if I said this was a misunderstanding?”

The elder was clearly taken aback, “Eh? What misunderstanding, let us hear about it.”

The middle-aged man swiftly cut in, “This punk only had some lousy goods but he wanted the manager to come out and meet him. Is this not trying to cause trouble?”

The elder’s eyes scanned the giant sack beside Lin Xun and frostily said, “Young man, is this the misunderstanding you were referring to?”

Lin Xun earnestly said, “Is wishing to meet your manager trying to cause trouble?”

The elder was stunned. “Regardless, let him go first.”

Lin Xun shook his head, “I cannot agree unless your manager comes.”

Murder flashed in the elder’s eyes, “It seems that you’re determined to reject my kind intentions?”

Lin Xun smiled, “Apologies old uncle, I’m not the type to be scared by threats.”

His fingers tightened around the middle-aged man’s throat, choking him till his face turned red. The threat was clear.

The middle-aged man urgently shouted, “No need to care about me, kill this punk!”

A stern and dignified voice rang out, “Making such a din, aren’t all of you ashamed of yourselves?”

The manager is here!

Respect immediately appeared on everyone’s faces, and even the elder was quiet.

“It seems that there’s really no way to meet the manager without creating a big enough commotion…” Lin Xun muttered to himself before looking in the direction the voice had come from.

He saw a man in a long navy-blue gown approaching. He had a mustache that pointed downwards and a beard, forming the shape of a trident. His face was scholarly and there was a certain dignity in every movement he made.

This was the Stone Cauldron Alms manager, Yan Zhen.

“Young man, let him go.” When Yan Zhen appeared, he indifferently said, “I will give you an opportunity to explain.”

“That works.” Lin Xun understood when to back down and released his hostage, making it seem as if he was not the least bit worried he would be killed immediately without one.

This surprised Yan Zhen. He waved his hand to tell everyone to withdraw before he said, “I hope your explanation will not disappoint me.”

Lin Xun chuckled. Instead of explaining, he tossed the manager a token, “Have a look.”

Yan Zhen frowned but his eyes immediately widened when he saw the token. An almost unnoticeable change occurred in his expression as he asked, “Where did you get this token?”

The nearby crowd was stunned. Did the token have some kind of astonishing origins?

Lin Xun’s reply was simple, “It was a gift.”

Yan Zhen was silent for a long time. He suddenly took a deep breath as sternness flashed in his eyes, “A gift? Do you think I’ll believe that? This token is not something a youngster like you can possess! Quickly tell me the truth or I will no longer be so civil!”

Yan Zhen was certain that the token was real because the unique symbol on it could not be faked. However, he did not believe this token would be given to a mere teenager.

Evidently, Yan Zhen already viewed Lin Xun as a despicable scammer.

Lin Xun could not help but feel somewhat angry. First, the middle-aged man had declared he had no right to see the manager and had come here to cause trouble. When Lin Xun was finally able to meet the manager, the other party suspected him of being a swindler. How could Lin Xun possibly remain composed?

Despite this, he maintained his smile and sighed, “It seems that Shi Xuan lied. His token is completely useless.”

Shi Xuan!

That’s the First Young Master’s name!

Yan Zhen’s expression changed slightly again and he began to doubt himself, “Young man, did the First Young Master send you?”

Everyone present was also shocked. This shabby boy knew their First Young Master Shi Xuan?

Impossible!

He must be trying to trick them!

Who was their First Young Master? How could he possibly be friends with a poor youngster?

Lin Xun was speechless. Did he look like some kind of messenger boy in their eyes?

Although they were not looking down on him, they clearly were not treating him seriously!

However, Lin Xun could understand their perspective. There were many people like this in the world and it was not something he would get angry about.

Lin Xun fell silent for a moment. Just as he was about to speak again, he inadvertently saw a familiar figure in the distance, causing a faint smile to appear from the corners of his mouth.

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