Chapter 165 - 137: Talent: Qi Blood Derivation
’As expected of a broker, this Yang Yan is quite knowledgeable.’
’He even knows a thing or two about the cultivation techniques of Qi Cultivators.’
"May I take a look?" Fang Yue asked.
"Heh, of course. Please, follow me." Yang Yan chuckled, leading the way for Fang Yue toward a house to the side.
About ten feet from the door, Fang Yue stopped.
"Bring it out. I’ll just take a look at it here."
’Who knows what’s really in that room? It’s better to be cautious.’
’From here, people outside can still see this spot through the crumbling courtyard wall.’
"Of course, of course. Please wait a moment." Yang Yan was taken aback for a second but didn’t insist, heading into the house.
A moment later, he came out with a book in his hand.
Qi Nourishing and Health Cultivation Skill
The moment Fang Yue saw the title, he had the urge to turn around and leave. ’Is this thing really a Cultivation Method?’
’No matter how I look at it, this doesn’t seem like a Cultivation Method.’
’It seems more like one of those phony health qigong scams from the streets in my previous life.’
As was customary, Fang Yue flipped through the first two pages.
The description seemed legitimate. Judging by the Secret Manual’s concept, it was designed to condition the body and help it better adapt to Primordial Qi.
’It’s probably real.’
"How much silver for this?" Fang Yue asked immediately.
"Two hundred taels. You know, while you can’t really cultivate with this kind of Secret Manual, they’re extremely rare. I guarantee this one is genuine. If it’s fake, you can come back anytime and take my eyes out."
Yang Yan immediately quoted the price. Afraid he might scare Fang Yue off, he repeatedly assured him that the Secret Manual was genuine.
Fang Yue nodded but proceeded to haggle with Yang Yan. It wasn’t that a little silver meant much to him now.
But it was always better to save where he could, especially since his current persona wasn’t that of some wealthy young master.
Besides, this Secret Manual didn’t look like a one-of-a-kind original. It had likely been copied countless times already.
An item that could be repeatedly sold and wasn’t particularly critical was definitely not going to be that valuable.
After some haggling, they settled on 180 taels.
After Fang Yue left, another man in a black robe emerged from the house.
"He’s pretty cautious. Didn’t come in."
The black-robed man spoke in a low, gruff voice, then added regretfully, "Should we follow him and take him out?"
Clearly, this place was not as safe as Yang Yan had claimed.
"No need. He just bought a worthless health manual. I was watching him. His hands aren’t rough, his skin is dark, and he has calluses from manual labor. He’s no Martial Artist, but he’s not a rich young master either."
Yang Yan smiled faintly. "He probably ’lifted’ some money from somewhere. He has little Martial Cultivator Talent and heard from who-knows-where that a Qi Cultivation Secret Manual makes Foundation Establishment ’easy,’ so he came here to try his luck."
Despite this, the black-robed man still looked eager for a fight.
Clearly, he wasn’t someone who could be easily dissuaded.
Seeing this, Yang Yan frowned slightly and continued,
"Just let this one go. Don’t forget our purpose here. The higher-ups need boys and girls. If we don’t hurry, we won’t complete this month’s mission. Tomorrow, I’ll contact the ’Scholar’ in the city. You go prepare the location."
The black-robed man finally relented upon hearing this. "Got it," he replied sullenly.
~~~~~~~
An hour later, the black market’s carriage dropped Fang Yue off in a town near the county seat.
The gates to the county seat would certainly be closed by now; he would have to wait until dawn to get inside.
After getting out of the carriage, Fang Yue glanced in the direction it had departed.
Fang Yue stroked his chin. "No one’s following me?" he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "That’s not how the script is supposed to go. Aren’t they supposed to see I’m a rookie, follow me, and then try to rob me?"
’According to the script in my head, someone was supposed to follow me. I’d pretend to be weak, then, when the enemy let their guard down, I’d turn the tables and kill them.’
’That would have been perfect.’
’It’s a bit of a shame that no one followed.’