"Hah, you've got some nerve."
After reading the sign, Wang Zhi chuckled, his smile tinged with disdain.
As a Three-Star Dou Shi and a seasoned mercenary, what kind of weapon hadn't he wielded? The broadsword he currently used was inlaid with a Tier 2 Low-Rank Monster Core, yet even he wouldn't dare claim it could cut through iron like mud. What gave this stall owner the right?
In the face of Wang Zhi's contemptuous laughter, Zhou Changqing's expression remained unchanged. He sat steadily, showing no intention of even dignifying the man with a response.
Seeing this, Wang Zhi's smile gradually faded. He narrowed his eyes, studying Zhou Changqing. The young man's placid demeanor was unnerving, making him difficult to read.
"Could it actually be something special?"
The thought gnawed at him, an itch he couldn't scratch. Pointing at the long, cloth-wrapped object, Wang Zhi boomed, "Kid, is this thing of yours really that amazing? How much?"
Hearing the question, Zhou Changqing finally gave the rugged man a passing glance before stating calmly, "Four thousand gold coins."
"What? Four thousand gold coins? Are you insane, kid?!"
The price made Wang Zhi's face contort in anger, and he couldn't help but roar. Four thousand gold coins was nearly the value of two Tier 2 Low-Rank Monster Cores!
Wang Zhi was naturally loud, and his shout instantly drew the attention of every passerby within a hundred-meter radius.
"Four thousand gold coins? What costs four thousand gold coins?"
"Isn't that Old Wang? What's gotten into him?"
"It's him, all right. Looks like he found something he wants, but the price is sky-high. It must be four thousand, or Old Wang wouldn't be yelling like that."
"Something worth four thousand? Hiss... Do they think this is the Mittel Auction House? Damn it, this is just the marketplace!"
"Let's go, let's go check it out. I want to see what kind of treasure is worth four thousand gold coins."
Many people recognized the source of the commotion as Wang Zhi, their curiosity piqued. While not among the strongest mercenaries, his status as a Three-Star Dou Shi had earned him some renown. Quite a few people in the crowd either knew him or had teamed up with him before. For him to lose his composure like this meant something interesting was happening.
Even those who didn't know Wang Zhi were drawn in by the mention of "four thousand gold coins" and the sight of a gathering crowd. They began to drift toward Zhou Changqing's stall, eager to watch the drama unfold. One should never underestimate the human love for gossip.
In just a few moments, a crowd had formed around Zhou Changqing's stall.
Through it all, Zhou Changqing remained expressionless, completely unfazed by the onlookers. In fact, he welcomed the attention; the livelier the crowd, the greater the chance of selling his weapon. However, he failed to notice a scar-faced young man in the crowd staring at him, his eyes filled with schadenfreude.
Wang Zhi also ignored the gathering people, his furious gaze locked on Zhou Changqing. "Are you trying to make a fool of me, kid?!"
"If you think it's too expensive, you're free to leave. I'm not stopping you," Zhou Changqing replied flatly, glancing at the enraged man. "My treasures are only for those with a discerning eye."
The unspoken message was clear: if you can't afford four thousand gold coins, you're just a broke fool who isn't worthy. Get lost.
How could Wang Zhi not understand the insult? His teeth ground together in fury, his large fists clenching so hard the knuckles cracked. He desperately wanted to teach this arrogant kid a lesson, but this was the Xiao Clan's marketplace, not a place he could cause trouble.
The onlookers, having read the sign on the cloth and heard the exchange, now had a good grasp of the situation. Some, eager to stir the pot, shouted, "Quite the greedy little fellow, aren't you? What kind of weapon are you trying to sell for four thousand? Do you even know what that kind of money can buy? Enough to purchase a whole weapon shop!"
"Old Wang, this kid's obviously taking you for a fool, trying to rip you off! You're just going to let him?"
"Heh, but the kid looks so calm. What if it's the real deal? I say you should just buy it, Old Wang. If it's good, you've struck a bargain. If it's not, well, even if you beat him to death, you'd be in the right when the Xiao Clan guards get here, wouldn't you?"
Hearing the various comments, Wang Zhi shot a fierce glare at the heckler who was trying to incite him. But then, one of the suggestions made his eyes light up.
"That's right, that's a good idea. I can't lose, and I'll get to beat this kid up and vent my anger."
With that thought, Wang Zhi's indignant expression vanished, replaced by a sneer as he looked at Zhou Changqing.
"Kid, don't say I'm bullying you. Now, tell me again. How much for this thing?"
Zhou Changqing didn't even bother to look at him.
"Fine, fine. You asked for this. I'll buy it!" Seeing Zhou Changqing's dismissive attitude, Wang Zhi's anger turned into a cold smile, solidifying his resolve to teach the boy a lesson. He flicked out a gold card shimmering with green and silver light, tossing it onto the stall. "There are five thousand gold coins on this card. It can be used at any imperial bank in the empire."
The sight of the gold card made Zhou Changqing's previously calm eyes flash with a brief flicker of light. Fortunately, his self-control was excellent, and he maintained his composure. He nonchalantly picked up the card, tucked it into his robes, and gestured for the man to proceed.
"After you've inspected the goods, I'll go to the bank to withdraw the money and return your card."
Wang Zhi let out a cold snort, unconcerned that the boy might run off with the card. The kid was young; his strength couldn't possibly surpass his own. If he let someone like that escape, he'd have to hang up his broadsword as a Three-Star Dou Shi for good.
He crouched down, his hand closing around the long, wrapped object, ready to unveil it.
But the moment he lifted the package, a look of surprise crossed his face. Most weapons weighed around ten pounds, with heavier ones reaching fifteen at most. This bundle, however, was at least thirty pounds, maybe even more. An ordinary Dou Zhe could lift it, but wielding it would be incredibly draining. Only a Dou Shi could handle it with ease.
Of course, weight alone wasn't enough to justify a four-thousand-gold-coin price tag.
So, after only a moment of surprise, Wang Zhi tore away the high-quality cloth wrapping the weapon.
In the next second, a Ghost Head Blade appeared before his eyes. The design was domineering, and if nothing else, Wang Zhi found it quite to his liking. With that thought, he gripped the hilt, ready to draw it. He could hardly wait to start loosening the kid's bones for him.
Clang!
The blade sang as it left the scabbard.
A wave of frigid light instantly flashed from the blade's body, dazzling Wang Zhi's eyes.
The surrounding crowd saw only a flicker of cold brilliance, and in the next moment, a broadsword as white as snow appeared in their view.