The Stone Cauldron Alms in the Qingyang Tribe wasn’t particularly special when compared to the Stone Cauldron Alms in Donglin City.
The entrance was a grand and gorgeous palace-like hall, and not only was the space tremendous, but the furnishings and decorative items were also all carefully selected antiques.
Beautiful maids escorted each customer into the hall like butterflies fluttering through a bed of flowers. They all wore a warm smile and their manner was neither overbearing nor humble.
Even Lin Xun, who was dressed in simple and plain clothing, was treated with courtesy. Their manners were excellent in every respect.
A maid led Lin Xun to the treasure exchanging zone.
Not long afterwards, a treasure appraisal master came out, chatted with Lin Xun and took the Explosion Blade for evaluation.
After a long while, Wang Lin raised his head and exclaimed. “This Explosion Blade isn’t bad. The condition and appearance is excellent. It’s a top quality item among lower human grade aeth tools. Young Master, do you really intend to sell this treasure?”
Lin Xun nodded with a smile.
Wang Lin thought for a moment and then said, “This treasure is worth forty silver coins. Would you be satisfied with this price.”
Lin Xun had just checked the Stone Cauldron Alms’ aeth tools sales counter and noted that, in general, lower human grade aeth tools were roughly between ten to thirty silver coins.The price that Wang Lin quoted him was neither high nor low.
But Lin Xun didn’t particularly care about the price. The main purpose of his trip to the Stone Cauldron Alms was to establish a long term cooperation with them.
However, a maid suddenly rushed over and gestured Wang Lin to one side. She whispered something to him and Wang Lin quickly went back over to apologize to Lin Xun. “Young Master, please wait a minute, I have an urgent matter to attend to.”
Lin Xun nodded.
Wang Lin hurried away. Lin Xun didn’t have to wait long before he returned. Though he seemed a little distracted after his return.
After a thought, Lin Xun directly asked, “Big Brother Wang, about the aeth tool—”
Before Lin Xun could finish his sentence, Wang Lin waved dismissively and said, “Apologies, the Stone Cauldron Alms will not be making the transaction. Young Master, I hope you understand.”
“You won’t?” Lin Xun raised his eyebrows, looking a little surprised. Why did this guy’s attitude change so drastically after he came back?
“I’m sorry. Young Master, please understand.”
Wang Lin’s attitude also turned lukewarm. Lin Xun’s heart sank. As though he had speculated something, he forcibly suppressed his discontent, sprang up and said out loud, “If that’s the case, I won’t bother you anymore.”
“Young Master, take care.” Wang Lin’s voice sounded cold and detached.
“Did Mu Wansu tell you to do that?” Lin Xun suddenly asked.
Wang Lin froze and his countenance changed. “Young Master, what do you mean?”
Lin Xun took in his expression and came to an answer in his mind. He shook his head. “Never mind.”
Without any hesitation, he walked out the store in large strides.
Wang Lin sat dazed for a while. Then, he let out a long sigh and got up.
As Lin Xun walked along the bustling street, he turned his head back to look at the grand building of Stone Cauldron Alms. The corners of his lips quirked upwards in one corner.
Lin Xun knew that Mu Wansu had always seen him as an eyesore, especially after he used Yan Zhen to suppress the Wu Corporation.
But no matter what, he owed the Stone Cauldron Alms a favor. The favor could be regarded as the Stone Cauldron Alms and could also be regarded as Mu Wansu’s.
Therefore, Lin Xun wouldn’t resent them just because he had received the cold-shoulder treatment. He just wanted to do business with them. He could just sell his blade to other people.
“Mu Wansu is too petty. Is she not worried that I could shamelessly use Shi Xuan’s badge to bother her again and again. What can she do to me then? Unfortunately, I’m not that thick-skinned.”
Lin Xun shook his head in disappointment. “Never mind. From her attitude, it seems that she intends to draw a clear line with me. If that’s the case, I should keep away from the Stone Cauldron Alms in the future.”
Lin Xun didn’t worry too much about his situation. He strolled along the Great Hundred Street, surveying the various shops on both sides of the street.
Very soon, someone called out to Lin Xun. He was an average-looking man but he exuded capability and steadiness.
“Young Master, if I’m correct, you just offered your treasure for sale to the Stone Cauldron Alms.” The man smiled as he gave a cupped fist salute. His voice, gentle and clear, gave a comfortable and refreshing feeling.
The ordinary-looking man’s amiable bearing, which was inadvertently revealed from his words and mannerism, made him seem very approachable and likable.
“Correct.” Lin Xun nodded.
“Let me guess again, you must have disagreed with the price that the Stone Cauldron Alms gave you so the transaction didn’t go ahead in the end, is that right?” the man continued, speaking clearly and smiling kindly.
“Correct.” Lin Xun nodded again. He had just carried a sack into the Stone Cauldron Alms and then came out with the same sack. Anyone who paid attention to his movements would have guessed what had happened.
The man introduced himself with a smile. “I am called Gu Yanping. I have just opened a store called the Golden Jade Hall. If you don’t mind, why don’t you take a look at my shop.”
Lin Xun also smiled. “Shopkeeper Gu is so enthusiastic, I don’t dare to decline your offer.”
The two smiled broadly.
The Golden Jade Hall was located on the west end of the Great Hundred Street and was relatively quiet compared to the bustling central core area.
The Golden Jade Hall wasn’t particularly huge and only consisted of a two-storey tiled building. But even if it couldn’t be compared to the Stone Cauldron Alms in size, it was tidy, elegant and every part was original and unique.
The only embarrassing aspect of the Golden Jade Hall was that Lin Xun saw not a single customer besides himself.
Gu Yanping calmly smiled. “The store only opened less than ten days ago so we still have a small customer base. Please don’t laugh.”
It not only had few customers, but the number of items in the store could also only be described as sparse.
Some counters were empty and had only the name tags of some items.
Anyone who walked into the shop would wonder if it was just an empty shell.
Those observations made Lin Xun deduce that the Golden Jade Hall couldn't be compared to the other businesses in terms of financial resources and background. The only benefit it had was that it was located on the Great Hundred Street.
However, Gu Yanping’s next sentence surprised Lin Xun.
“Young Master, I know you have a lot of doubts in your mind. To tell you the truth, I rented this store, and the money I currently have could at most pay half a year’s rent,” confessed Gu Yanping.
Lin Xun was stumped for words and could only respond a good moment afterwards. “Shopkeeper Gu, why did you tell me that?”
Gu Yanping said righteously. “Honesty is of utmost importance in business and my strongest point is my honesty. Honesty is a must if I want to expand the Golden Jade Hall so I don’t want to hide anything from you.”
Lin Xun nodded. He suddenly realized that Gu Yanping was a wonderful person. From the moment Lin Xun met him, he had shown an extraordinary power of observation. He treated people and served customers very well. He was sincere but careful, and nothing about him was unlikeable.
“In that case, Shopkeeper Gu, can you take a look at my blade?” Lin Xun handed over the Explosion Blade.
Gu Yanping received it happily, carefully examined the blade and nodded. “A superior aeth tool of the lower human grade. It should be worth between two hundred and three hundred silver coins.”
Lin Xun remembered Wang Lin’s appraisal from earlier, and so he couldn’t help but nod. It seems that Gu Yanping’s treasure appraisal skills are pretty good.
He said casually, “Forty silver coins and the blade is yours.”
Gu Yanping didn’t expect Lin Xun to be so direct and straightforward. After a little thought, he said unwaveringly, “Thank you Young Master, but business is business. If I were to make an offer, it would be at least fifty silver coins.”
He took out his coin purse and handed fifty silver coins to Lin Xun. “Young Master, please accept this.”
Lin Xun silently put the money away and said, “Shopkeeper Gu, I believe that you are sincerely doing business with me. If I have another aeth tool to sell, I will think of the Golden Jade Hall right away.”
Gu Yanping smiled with a cupped fist salute. “Then I have to thank you, Young Master, for taking care of the store.”
Lin Xun nodded and bid farewell.
“Father, we don't have much money.”
As soon as Lin Xun left, a young man came out and said helplessly, “Why are you still spending money like that? It won’t be long before we have to close our shop.”
The young man was called Gu Liang and was the only son of Gu Yanping. “Liang’er, remember that business is not only about boldness and long term-vision but you also have to have the courage to burn your boats.”Gu Yanping disagreed with his son’s view.
After a pause, Gu Yanping continued unwaveringly, “The resources we currently have can’t maintain our business through normal means. So we must take a risk. If we succeed then our Golden Jade Hall can establish a firm foothold on the Great Hundred Street.”
Gu Liang couldn't help but argue, “What if we don't succeed?”
Gu Yanping fell silent for a moment before he calmly replied, “Then we close up and leave. Ever since the old guys of Zijing City expelled me from the house, I have thoroughly understood one thing—I have to rely on myself to do anything.”
He picked up the Explosion Blade and went into the inner room.
The mention of being expelled from the house made young Gu Liang’s eyes suddenly blaze with fury. But it was only for a split second, and he very quickly restored tranquility to his features.
Inside the inner room.
Gu Yanping was focused and calm. He stood tall as he drew the blade with his left hand. As though he had become another person, his eyes glinted with absolute confidence like everything was under his control. A strange charm came to his average-looking face.
Suddenly, Gu Yanping’s hand opened up like a lotus flower and he folded his fingers together in a bizarre hand seal and pressed on the Explosion Blade.
With a clear ring, flames bubbled up to the blade’s surface like molten lava. They blazed brightly and dispelled the darkness within the inner room and made Gu Yanping’s face glow red.
“What an amazing blade.”
Although it was a compliment, his expression remained calm and indifferent, without the slightest ripple. It was as though he had witnessed such a scene in the past.
At the same time, he changed hand seals. He tapped his fingers against the Explosion Blade’s surface in a unique rhythm.
From the sharp tip of the blade, a shaft of gorgeous light burst forth like a sun pillar at sunset. It emitted an extremely dangerous aura as it flashed endlessly.
“What an amazing blade!”
Gu Yanping marveled out loud, his usual calm and composed expression changing drastically.