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Chapter 14: I'll Cover You
"Pharmacy?"
Tang Ya thought for a moment before answering."If you're looking to buy medicine, you should go to Heaven Dou City's finest medical hall. They have the widest range of herbs and elixirs available. I happen to be free later — I can take you there."
"Then I'll have to trouble you for that, Sister Xiao Ya."
The moment she heard that form of address, Tang Ya's eyes curved into cheerful crescents. She gave Huo Yuhao a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"Just for calling me Sister Xiao Ya, from now on, your stall is under my protection! Come on, I'll take you to the medical hall."
Under the complicated gazes of the surrounding stall owners, Huo Yuhao followed Tang Ya out of the market.After realizing that he truly only sold fifty grilled fish a day, the other stall owners finally relaxed.
The first day had already been that popular — one could imagine how things would go from here.If he had chosen to sell without limit, the rest of them might've starved to death sooner or later.
What's more, this boy had been personally brought in by Huang Yu, the man in charge of the entire street market. That alone made everyone quietly dismiss any thoughts of causing him trouble.They were all just common folk trying to make a living — if they truly had that kind of backing, they wouldn't be here running stalls in the first place.
Of course, the moment they learned that the grilled fish was limited in quantity, all their discontent vanished like smoke.After all, there were only so many portions available each day. Those few stall owners who had been lucky enough to taste it already knew — this was something that would soon be in short supply.
And when those drawn by the aroma of grilled fish came flooding in, the whole street market would benefit from the increased traffic.
"Sister Xiao Ya, there's another place I'd like to visit besides the medical hall. Do you know where I can buy rare metals?"
Looking at Tang Ya, an idea suddenly surfaced in Huo Yuhao's mind.He realized his soul tools could be produced in cooperation with the Tang Sect!
Purchasing rare metals in small amounts by himself wasn't a problem.But once he started buying in large quantities, not only would people get suspicious — he might even draw unwanted attention from the wrong sort of individuals.
The Tang Sect, though long in decline, had once been a major sect specializing in hidden weapons. They still retained a few connections in the rare metal trade — enough to serve as a discreet cover.And unlike other factions, they wouldn't develop ill intent toward him just because of his talent.
If he sold his soul tools under the Tang Sect's name, it would draw far less attention.
Of course, many of those old contacts had distanced themselves from the sect after its downfall.But that was only because the current Tang Sect had long lost its worth.If there was profit to be made, those same merchants wouldn't refuse to sell a batch of rare ores to them again.
After all, business is business — and they did have a bit of shared history.Turning down easy money would be foolish.
Even if Tang San himself might have grudges with him, that wouldn't extend to an unrelated sect that merely shared the same name.Besides, Huo Yuhao had interacted with Tang Ya quite a bit in his previous life — cooperating with her would certainly be easier than working with strangers.
Still, since Tang Ya didn't know him well yet, it would be better to let some time pass before bringing up the idea.
"Rare metals?" Tang Ya frowned slightly, her cheerful tone fading a little."That's not easy. The prices of rare metals on the open market are usually sky-high."
Her expression dimmed as she spoke.The decline of the Tang Sect had been deeply tied to the three great empires' policies on rare metals.
As the empires placed increasing importance on soul tools, the demand for rare metals had soared, and their prices with it.Production costs rose endlessly, while their own weapons became harder to sell.Caught in this vicious cycle, the Tang Sect fell into ruin — a downfall that seemed inevitable.
If only thousands of years ago, when soul tools from the Sun and Moon Continent had first spread to the Douluo World, the Tang Sect had chosen to adapt — things might not have ended this way.
Unfortunately, the sect had clung stubbornly to its traditions to a pathological degree.For the sake of commemorating their so-called First Sect Master, Tang San, every generation insisted on appointing someone with the Blue Silver Grass martial spirit as the next Sect Master.It was madness beyond comprehension.
Even if this generation wished to change course, it was already too late.The Tang Sect now lacked the resources to even nurture a single Soul Engineer.
"I just enjoy collecting interesting metals," Huo Yuhao explained softly, his tone calm."Heaven Dou City is a large city — I'm sure it has many rare types I've never seen before. I'd like to buy a few, just as a personal hobby."
He wasn't lying.To a Soul Engineer, rare metals were like beautiful women stripped bare, waiting to be cherished.There wasn't a single Soul Engineer alive who could resist their allure.
"I see," Tang Ya said, relaxing a little."I do know a few shops that might have some rare metals for sale. I'll take you by on the way later."
"Thank you, Sister Xiao Ya. Tomorrow, grilled fish is on me."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up instantly.She grabbed his arm and quickened her pace."Then what are we waiting for? Let's go, hurry!"
After turning two corners, they finally arrived at the medical hall Tang Ya had mentioned — the best in all of Heaven Dou City.
From afar, Huo Yuhao raised his head and looked up.The entire building radiated an ancient, dignified air.People came and went through its doors, yet there wasn't a single signboard outside.If not for Tang Ya's words, anyone passing by might never realize this was a medical hall.
Suddenly, Huo Yuhao stopped in his tracks and gently pulled Tang Ya back.
"Wait."
"Mm? What's wrong?" Tang Ya turned around instinctively — only to see Huo Yuhao frowning, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
At that very moment, a familiar figure caught his eye at the entrance.It was the same youth who had gotten into a conflict with the blacksmith's shop yesterday.The boy carried a large bundle of medicinal herbs in his arms, and after stepping out of the hall, he didn't pause for a second before striding off into the crowd until he disappeared from sight.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
Huo Yuhao shook his head and released Tang Ya's hand.If that person truly was Tang San, he definitely didn't want Tang Ya getting involved with him.If not, all was fine — but if yes... then the outcome would not be pleasant.
Just recalling the fate of those members of the God Realm from his previous life made Huo Yuhao's expression turn strange.
The Tang Sect had been founded by Tang San himself.With his personality, could he ever tolerate calling someone else Sect Master?
If he truly joined the Tang Sect, then within days, every senior member above him would likely die one after another under mysterious circumstances — until he naturally became the Sect Master once more.
Fortunately, the current Tang Sect was too far gone to be of any use to him.To Tang San, it was nothing more than a worthless, rotten burden.If that youth really was him, judging from yesterday's situation, he could barely take care of himself — let alone concern himself with the Tang Sect's affairs.
"So mysterious," Tang Ya muttered softly behind him, unaware that she had just narrowly escaped disaster.Then she followed Huo Yuhao inside.
"Welcome. Are you here to see a doctor?"
A young man in a cyan robe approached them the moment they stepped in, asking politely.
"I need to buy some medicine," Huo Yuhao replied directly, listing out his requirements one by one.Some were for nourishing Huo Yun'er's body, while others were to stabilize his foundation and strengthen his meridians.
After hearing the long string of names, the young apprentice's face turned a little awkward.He fumbled for paper and pen before speaking cautiously,"Uh… could you… Say that a bit slower?"
At that moment, a middle-aged man came over and patted the apprentice's shoulder.
"That's enough. Leave these two to me — go handle the others."
"Yes, sir." The young man heaved a visible sigh of relief, bowed, and left.
The middle-aged man, meanwhile, studied Huo Yuhao curiously before smiling faintly.
"I did not anticipate encountering two customers in a single day who requested nearly identical medications while accurately reciting the ingredients from memory. May I inquire, young man, whether you have previously studied medicine?"
(End of Chapter)