Chapter 186 - 134: Jiangdong Furnace Master
"..."
Chen Fan looked at the old man before him with a slightly odd expression. After a moment’s thought, he accepted the brush the old man offered. He spread the blank couplet scrolls on the ground, pondered for a moment, then lifted the brush and began to write.
Upper Scroll: "The long night, though deep, will finally end."
Lower Scroll: "After the bitter cold, spring will surely arrive."
"Here you go."
He smiled and returned the couplets to the old man. The New Year was approaching, so he figured he could use them as New Year couplets. ’These couplets are missing the horizontal scroll. I wonder if this Exotic Treasure was designed that way, or if the vendor simply sold it incomplete.’
He then glanced over the few remaining Exotic Treasures on the stall.
His gaze landed on one of them, and he asked casually.
"This Exotic Treasure looks interesting. I’ll take it back and appraise it myself. What’s the price?"
"3,800 Ghost Stones."
The vendor replied sheepishly. In truth, his cost for this Exotic Treasure was exactly 3,800 Ghost Stones. It was a Green Level Exotic Treasure, and he normally wouldn’t sell it at cost. A man had to make a profit. It’s not like he was just out here for the experience.
But Chen Fan had just failed to open a previous item, which had already made the vendor feel awkward, so he didn’t dare ask for more. Although opening blind boxes always came with wins and losses, the man before him was, after all, the Lord of the Mortal Realm. If he got upset, the vendor might find it difficult to leave Jiangbei.
"I’ll take it."
It was a whistle.
An Exotic Treasure of a particularly peculiar shape.
This time, Lame Monkey didn’t hand over Ghost Stones. Instead, he produced several tokens marked with specific numbers. These tokens contained the aura of the Mortal Realm, making them impossible to forge. They could be exchanged for Ghost Stones at the Mortal Realm’s shops before leaving the city, or used for purchases at any establishment under the Mortal Realm’s name.
Chen Fan and his companions disappeared into the crowd.
Only then did the murmuring on the street begin to grow louder.
...
"..."
Chen Fan, with a satisfied expression, poured himself a cup of scalding tea and took a small sip. The weather was getting colder and colder. A cup of hot tea like this was very comforting at a time like this. It hadn’t snowed yet.
The New Year was fast approaching.
"Domain Lord."
As Mortal Realm Members passed by Chen Fan, they would all pause, greet him respectfully, and only then continue with their tasks.
"Mm."
Chen Fan nodded, meeting the Mortal Realm Member’s gaze. He vaguely recalled that this person seemed to be from the Hill and Valley Royal Family. He chuckled and asked, "Have you gotten used to the Mortal Realm?"
The Mortal Realm Member, who had just been about to walk away, had likely not expected Chen Fan to strike up a conversation. He froze for a second before hastily and respectfully replying, "Yes, I’m used to it, I’m used to it... I..."
In truth, he was still having a bit of trouble getting used to it.
’I used to be a stationmaster for the Hill and Valley Royal Family.’
’My monthly wage was only 10 Ghost Stones.’
’And now...’
’I’ve only been in the Mortal Realm for a month, and yesterday they gave out a bonus of 100 Ghost Stones—as much as I used to make in an entire year with the Wang Family. How could I get used to that? Who could possibly get used to something like this?’
’As far as I know, every single Mortal Realm Member received a 100-Ghost-Stone bonus.’
’There are over two hundred people in the Mortal Realm.’
’That’s over twenty thousand Ghost Stones given out in bonuses alone—and the Vice Pavilion Master and Pavilion Master got even more. That’s like giving away the entire fortune of two Hill and Valley Royal Families! When have I ever seen such a wealthy faction in Jiangbei?’
’If people joined the Mortal Realm before just to find a place where they could earn a living...’
’...then now, everyone works with incredible diligence.’
’We’re not afraid of anything else.’
’Our only fear is being kicked out of the Mortal Realm. Where else would we find such a good post?’
’Even setting aside the wages...’
’Being a stationmaster for the Hill and Valley Royal Family didn’t earn me any respect. It’s different in the Mortal Realm. Even though I don’t hold any official position, people from the major factions speak to me politely.’
’The prestige is maxed out.’
’Wages and prestige aside...’
’Let’s just talk about safety.’
’Being a stationmaster was hardly a safe job—how could stationing yourself in the Wilderness be safe? But things are different now. The Mortal Realm killed a Ghost King during the rainy season, then went south and wiped out the Pill Sect after it ended, single-handedly reshaping the trade structure of Jiangbei and the surrounding areas.’
’Staying here is countless times safer than being a stationmaster.’
’Good pay, respect, and safety.’
’I really can’t find a single reason not to be loyal to the Mortal Realm. Of course, I know I’m not particularly skilled. A big part of why I could join was just pure luck, getting recruited along with the rest of the Hill and Valley Royal Family. So, all I can do is work diligently and do the best job I possibly can.’
"It’s good that you’re used to it."
Chen Fan chuckled and patted the Mortal Realm Member on the shoulder. "Go on, get back to work. Xiaoyu is in charge of logistics. If you have any suggestions or ideas for the Mortal Realm, feel free to bring them up with Xiaoyu."
"Yes, sir!"
The Mortal Realm Member nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and awe. He had never expected the Domain Lord to speak with him so personally and at such close range. ’Now I have another reason to be loyal to the Mortal Realm,’ he thought. ’Not only is the Domain Lord incredibly powerful, but he’s also kind to his subordinates.’
...
"..."
Chen Fan chuckled as he watched the member’s departing back, marveling to himself.
’The people of this world are quite resigned to their fate.’
’Or rather, their tolerance for death is quite high.’
’Give them a meal to eat and a small wage, and they’ll risk their lives for you.’
’If the wages are a bit higher, with some other added benefits, they become your Death Warriors, ready to be dispatched at your command.’
He then looked down at the Exotic Treasure in his hand, the one he’d picked up for 3,800 Ghost Stones.
He had wandered around the entire street.
There hadn’t been many good Exotic Treasures.
Most of the "Miscellaneous" category Exotic Treasures didn’t have very good effects; it really wasn’t any different from opening blind boxes. The Green Level Exotic Treasure in his hand was the best item on the entire street.