"Taoist Friend Qin, what brings you here?"
A figure in a plain robe quickly walked up to the stall, smiled with a sweaty face upon seeing Qin Gengyun.
This was a female cultivator, with phoenix eyes and slightly broad cheeks; her lips were rather thick, not what you would call pretty.
But her legs were long, her figure nimble, and beneath her radiant smile were gleaming white teeth. Her long hair was tied in a single ponytail, swaying with her movements, exuding an air of charisma.
Her plain robe was quite ordinary, the cheapest kind you'd find at a clothes stall in the night market.
However, there was a small orchid embroidered on the left shoulder of the robe, giving the cheap garment a touch of charm and adding a spark to her smile.
This lady was Qin Gengyun's neighbor across the street, at the Second-Layer of Qi Cultivation and a First Tier Talisman Master.
Mo Xiaolan.
Her name mirrored her character as she loved orchids, always embroidering one on each of her garments.
In her words: when tired, looking down at the blooming orchid gives her the energy to keep going.
Seeing her forehead drenched in sweat, Qin Gengyun smiled and clasped his hands in greeting, "Taoist Friend Mo, you go ahead with your work, we can talk later."
Mo Xiaolan raised her sleeve carelessly to wipe off the sweat, smiling as she said:
"Someone just ordered ten Breath Concealment Talismans from me and asked for delivery. I'm free now, you surely have something for me, say it."
Qin Gengyun chuckled. He was quite acquainted with Mo Xiaolan, so he did not hesitate and pulled her aside, whispering:
"Taoist Friend Mo, you are familiar with the night market; could you help me find out if there's anyone selling second-hand Pill Furnaces and Spirit Fans?"
And he added: "Preferrably, something cheap and usable, aesthetics and quality aren't major concerns."
Mo Xiaolan scrutinized him for a moment and asked, "Taoist Friend Qin, have you made a breakthrough?"
Qin Gengyun glanced around and whispered, "Yes, I've recently gained some insight and just broke through to the Third-Layer of Qi Cultivation, advancing to a First Tier Alchemist."
Mo Xiaolan clasped her hands and said with a smile as radiant as an orchid bloom, "Congratulations, Taoist Friend Qin!"
Qin Gengyun also clasped his hands, "Thank you! But you're aware of my situation; even with the breakthrough, I can't afford a Pill Furnace or a Spirit Fan."
"Understood." Mo Xiaolan stroked her chin, thought for a moment, and said to Qin Gengyun:
"Taoist Friend Qin, come with me."
After asking Taoist Friend Huang next door to look after her stall, Mo Xiaolan led Qin Gengyun through the bustling crowd to the eastern side of the night market.
The East Market was more secluded, with fewer people. The two arrived at the innermost stall where Mo Xiaolan pointed at a shabby cultivator, unkempt and lounging on a rocking chair asleep, whispering to Qin Gengyun:
"This man has the broadest connections in the night market, let me inquire with him."
She then approached with a cheerful shout, "Taoist Friend Zheng, business is booming, I see."
The slovenly cultivator opened his eyes and yawned, "Taoist Friend Mo, why are you here? Is that mid-level cultivator who wants to marry you as a concubine here again?"
Mo Xiaolan glanced back at Qin Gengyun and said to the sloppy cultivator, "Taoist Friend Zheng, I'm looking to buy a second-hand Pill Furnace and lower grade Spirit Fan, do you have any leads?"
"Pill Furnace? Spirit Fan?"
Taoist Friend Zheng suddenly sat up from the rocking chair and took a closer look at Qin Gengyun:
"He's buying?"
Mo Xiaolan chuckled, "Taoist Friend Zheng, I'm the one buying, make the price reasonable."
"Haha, Taoist Friend Mo, it's your lucky day then. Just yesterday someone hung a bronze furnace and a lower grade Spirit Fan for sale here."
Taoist Friend Zheng got up, and leaned over to Mo Xiaolan's ear, whispering:
"This seller wants to let go quickly, both Pill Furnace and Spirit Fan are only forty Spirit Stones."
Mo Xiaolan giggled, "Taoist Friend Zheng, don't deceive me; the things you have for sale here often have dubious origins. If I buy them, it's risky. With forty Spirit Stones, I'd rather go to Blessing Pavilion where the origins are clear and there's no need to worry about trouble later on."
Taoist Friend Zheng chuckled, "Taoist Friend Mo, a second-hand bronze furnace in Blessing Pavilion costs at least a hundred Spirit Stones, go see for yourself."
Mo Xiaolan stroked her chin in thought, seemingly making up her mind:
"Alright, spending a few more Spirit Stones is better than causing trouble, I'll head to Blessing Pavilion then."
With that said, she tugged Qin Gengyun, ready to leave, but a voice soon called out from behind:
"Hey, hey, hey, no need to rush, the price can still be negotiated."
Mo Xiaolan winked at Qin Gengyun, showing a trace of mischievousness in her phoenix-like eyes, placing a finger on her lips to indicate he should stay silent, then turned around to return.
"Taoist Friend Zheng, I've got matters back at my stall and can't stay long, a flat rate: Pill Furnace and Spirit Fan, ten Spirit Stones."
Qin Gengyun almost let out a gasp, quickly bowing his head to stifle it.
Taoist Friend Zheng's eyes, still crusted with sleep, widened:
"Taoist Friend Mo, your bargaining is a bit too extreme, selling them for ten Spirit Stones means I'd have to pay back the seller, you're killing me!"
"Taoist Friend Zheng, life is hard for me, scraping together ten Spirit Stones is also killing me!"
Mo Xiaolan didn't press further, her face showed a hint of bitterness, looking pitiful:
"Taoist Friend Zheng, can't you allow me a way out for the sake of our long acquaintance?"
The slovenly vendor was speechless, raising a finger at Mo Xiaolan:
"Taoist Friend Mo, truly you live up to your name in the night market for bargaining, fine, I'll let both go for twenty Spirit Stones, no less!"
"Thirteen Spirit Stones!"
"Eighteen!"
"Fourteen Spirit Stones!"
"Fifteen!"
"Deal!"
"..."
Mo Xiaolan clapped her hands, smiled at the exasperated vendor, and said:
"Taoist Friend Zheng, this price is based on the condition that both the Pill Furnace and Spirit Fan are undamaged, let me examine the goods first."
"I naturally understand that, wait until the seller finds time to bring them here, then you can bring your partner to inspect."
Taoist Friend Zheng seemed indeed a bit perturbed, casting Qin Gengyun a sideways glance and sniping with words.
"Ha, Boss Zheng, don't be mad, I'll certainly seek you out next time when opportunities arise."
Mo Xiaolan did not dwell further, pulling Qin Gengyun along to leave, explaining once out of the East Market:
"Taoist Friend Qin, although Zheng Baopi is tight-fisted, his reputation has always been reliable. Don't worry, even if there's an issue with his goods, you won't be implicated."
Qin Gengyun promptly said, "I certainly trust Taoist Friend Mo. Without you earlier, how could I have obtained the Pill Furnace and Spirit Fan at such a low price! Thank you!"
"No need for thanks, Taoist Friend Qin. By the way, what materials do you need for alchemy? I can keep an eye out for you."
Mo Xiaolan shook her head with a smile, still radiantly sunny.
"I'm planning to make Clear Wind Powder, I need a Clear Spirit Grass and Detoxifying Insect Flower," Qin Gengyun replied.
These two kinds of herbs are available at the Pill Talisman Tower, supplying materials for alchemists and talisman masters, but at considerable prices. Naturally, they're cheaper at the night market.
Mo Xiaolan tilted her head in thought, "I can ask Taoist Friend Huang, he should have them, don't worry about the price."
"Then thank you so much!" Qin Gengyun exclaimed joyfully.
Mo Xiaolan playfully waved her hand, "I'll return to my stall, if there's any news about the Pill Furnace, I'll inform you right away."
"Great, Taoist Friend Mo, I'll head back then."
Parting with Mo Xiaolan, Qin Gengyun left the night market and returned to Narrow Rain Lane.
Upon entering, a strange smell hit him, reminiscent of a blend of phoenix flower fragrance and stinky tofu from his previous life.
"Back already?"
Qiu Zhihe was seen standing gracefully from the table, clad in a black velvet plum blossom dress, her petite yet curvy figure appearing ever more prominent.
"Time to eat."
Qin Gengyun noticed that she had brought the entire large pot used for cooking straight to the table.
The pot was steaming hot, the thick purple liquid bubbling within.
Qin Gengyun wiped the sweat from his forehead, pointing at the mysterious sticky liquid in the pot:
"This is... what?"
Qiu Zhihe replied expressionlessly:
"Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Porridge, it's good for replenishing blood and improving physical strength."