Chapter 51: Chapter 50: Even the Landlord Has No Surplus Grain

Eager to leave the troublesome place, the group hastened their journey.

The Wu Family Collection, originally a three-day trip, was reached on the afternoon of the second day.

The "Collection" in Wu Family Collection’s name might suggest a rustic country town, and the name itself had a certain backwater feel to it.

But in reality, the Wu Family Collection was not rustic at all.

Looking from afar, tall city walls and a grand gate came into view, and one could faintly hear the clamor from within.

On the wide, sand-and-gravel-paved road, caravans of merchants from various villages came and went in a ceaseless stream.

Walking through the city gates,

a wide street paved with massive green flagstones stretched out before them into the distance. The streets were lined with shops, and the air was filled with the unending sounds of hawking and haggling.

Its prosperity was no less than that of some important county seats from the feudal eras of his past life.

’But that makes sense.’

’It is, after all, a territory occupied by Cultivators. No matter how remote, it wouldn’t be too shabby.’

However, the shops lining the streets mostly sold mortal goods, catering to the large number of Mortal Martial Artists and guards who escorted the caravans from various villages.

Occasionally, some items used by Cultivators would flow out from these shops, traded from the Mortal Martial Artists in exchange for treasures they had obtained by chance.

After all, even though they were Mortal Martial Artists, with such a large population, it was inevitable that some of them would come across good things through sheer luck.

As for the market catering to Cultivators, it was the designated Workshop located in the northern part of the city.

That place was practically forbidden to mortals.

It was the forbidden ground of the Immortal Family, as mortals called it,

and only those with Cultivation could enter.

All business conducted within was for Cultivators.

On every market day, large merchant caravans from Qing City would travel great distances to gather here.

This also attracted numerous small, traveling merchants, all hoping to get a slice of the pie at this rare, grand event.

Shen Changchuan and his group had arrived neither too early nor too late.

When they arrived, the major caravans from Qing City were already there.

A massive square was packed with individual stalls, while the multi-story buildings on either side housed the storefronts of various merchant groups.

As far as the eye could see, the crowd was a bustling sea of people.

And these people,

were all Cultivators.

Although their Cultivation levels were not high—most were at the Qi Introduction Third and Fourth Layer, and there were even quite a few who had just achieved Qi Introduction Success working as assistants or laborers.

But regardless, the sight of so many Cultivators gathered together, creating a deafening clamor, was still extremely shocking.

This was also the first time Shen Changchuan had ever witnessed such a scene.

In his two and a half years in Tian Nan City, he had been so focused on avoiding entanglement with the outside world that he had never even visited a nearby Workshop.

"I never expected it to be so prosperous. This way, the chances of achieving my goals within this Workshop are much higher."

Gazing at the numerous Cultivators in the vast Workshop, Shen Changchuan’s spirits lifted considerably.

More merchant caravans

meant a greater variety of goods.

The probability of finding what he needed would be much greater.

’Maybe I can even get lucky and find some hidden treasure, just like in those old-school fantasy web novels.’

Although it was just a fantasy, it didn’t stop Shen Changchuan from daydreaming a little.

However, he was also well aware,

’The foundation for all of this is money!’

’Or rather, Spirit Stones!’

Shen Changchuan quickly reined in his thoughts and decided to first sell the Spirit Grain for Spirit Stones.

The group went to the area where the grain merchants from the Qing City caravans were located.

Shen Changchuan casually found a grain merchant’s stall and asked about the price.

But the answer he received made his eyes widen in disbelief.

"What? Ten jin and five liang of Spirit Grain for one Spirit Stone? Wasn’t it supposed to be ten jin of Spirit Grain for one Spirit Stone?"

"Young Master, Spirit Grain is a commodity. Its price naturally fluctuates; it can’t possibly stay fixed."

"Besides, there are risks in transporting large quantities of Spirit Grain, not to mention the costs. We also have to pay a portion of our rent to the Wu Family for trading here, to say nothing of the cost of our time... Taking all these miscellaneous expenses into account, offering one Spirit Stone for ten jin and five liang of your Spirit Grain is already a high price."

"If you don’t believe me, feel free to ask at the other shops. We didn’t just pull this price out of thin air."

The shop assistant explained patiently, a look of helplessness on his face.

But as for how much of that "helplessness" was genuine, only the heavens knew.

Shen Changchuan couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Although he hadn’t frequented Cultivators’ Workshops very often, some principles were universal. His experience buying and selling things in his past life could be applied to this world as well.

’Since he put it that way, the other grain merchants will surely offer the same price.’

The thing was, to avoid paying Shen Shiyin the five percent transit loss fee, he had opted to directly pay a hundred Spirit Stones up front.

But now the grain price wasn’t ten jin of Spirit Grain for one Spirit Stone,

but ten jin and five liang for one.

’By that calculation,’

’didn’t I go through all this trouble for nothing?’

’Ah, forget it. When I do the math, it’s not that different from the transit loss fee anyway.’

’I have to sell it regardless, so I might as well just do it.’

Shen Changchuan gave a bitter smile inwardly, doing his best to console himself.

’Besides, the Cyan Essence Purifying Spirit Pill I obtained is worth far more than all this Spirit Grain.’

’Is it really necessary to pinch pennies and calculate a profit or loss of a dozen or so Spirit Stones?’

’No need!’

’Absolutely no need!’

’My assets already put me in the wealthy category among Cultivators of the Qi Introduction Realm.’

’There’s no need to fuss over this.’

Thinking this way, Shen Changchuan felt much better.

His brow barely unfurrowed, however,

and a hint of sighing regret remained on his face.

"Well then..."

Just as Shen Changchuan was about to speak to the assistant and sell all the Spirit Grain he had,

at that moment,

Guo Cheng and the other Patriarchs behind him, who had been observing his expression, took the initiative to step forward and pull him aside.

"Young Master Shen, could we have a word in private?"

"What is it?"

Puzzled, Shen Changchuan followed them out of the shop to a nearby corner.

"Um, Young Master Shen, these grain merchant assistants are the type to size people up and act accordingly. For strangers they don’t know, they’ll all quote this same low, unified price. But if you’re an acquaintance, you can get a slightly higher internal purchase price."

"This humble one, Guo Cheng, has made some minor connections over the years from my business selling refined charcoal. I should be able to get us the internal price. If Young Master Shen finds it too troublesome, you can leave the selling of the Spirit Grain to us."

Guo Cheng said, stammering a little.

However, despite what he said, getting that internal price wasn’t so easy.

It was just that they had all been carefully observing Shen Changchuan and had seen his frown after he heard the price.

And two days ago, when the men in black had attacked, they had fled before even engaging the enemy. There was no way that could have left a good impression on this incredibly powerful young man.

Throughout the journey, it could be said that every Patriarch had been feeling worried.

’If we don’t take this opportunity to proactively help Young Master Shen solve a small problem and leave a good impression, then when will we?’

"Is that so?"

Shen Changchuan was a little stunned to hear this.

He couldn’t help but curse inwardly,

’Fuck,’

’Even in the Immortal Cultivation World, you can’t escape the whole song and dance of personal connections in business!’

"Wait a second. You’re not planning on paying the difference out of your own pockets and just telling me you got the acquaintance price, are you?"

"If you feel bad about running away when the men in black attacked and are trying to make up for it by covering the difference, there’s really no need."

Shen Changchuan suddenly thought of something and glanced at them.

He said directly,

"I didn’t blame you for what happened that day. After all, you’re only at the Qi Introduction Third and Fourth Layer of Cultivation. Staying behind wouldn’t have made much of a difference."

"In fact, if the enemy were too strong, I would have also fled without a moment’s hesitation."

"Ah, Young Master Shen, how can you say such a thing?!"

Shen Changchuan’s words moved Guo Cheng, Patriarch Li, and the others.

"Rest assured, Young Master Shen. Our families have been operating in the Border Desolate Land for decades, even centuries. We still have some connections, more or less. We can definitely get a higher price."

"Then I’ll have to trouble you all."

Having said that,

Shen Changchuan no longer refused and accepted their offer.

What?

You say his one Cyan Essence Purifying Spirit Pill is worth many times more than the Spirit Grain,

that he’s a rich man to whom a dozen or so Spirit Stones are nothing?

You’ve got to be kidding.

Even a landlord runs out of grain, you know!