Chapter 39: I Have Cheap Ones.

Jiang Taixuan guarded the doorway. The three Gods and Demons who had just finished bullying Ximen the Fatty returned.

“Bro… Brother Xuan, I’m ho-ome,” mumbled Ximen the Fatty, his face battered and bruised, making his speech unclear.

Jiang Taixuan wore an expression of pity. “You’ve suffered, Fatty.”

“Wuwu…” Ximen the Fatty burst into tears instantly. Suffered? This was torture! Think about it: since Wu Song showed up, had there been a single day he hadn’t been beaten?

“Alright, alright, I’ll talk to them,” Jiang Taixuan said, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. Ximen the Fatty was a newly bloodline-awakened nobody who hadn’t started cultivation yet. He mustn’t get damaged.

“Field Master, Ximen Qing has only just awakened his bloodline. We are not tormenting him, we are helping him stabilize it. Otherwise, it might seal shut, making it far harder to awaken later,” Wu Song stated nonchalantly.

Li Guang and Li Yuanba nodded simultaneously, stating with utmost seriousness, “Indeed. Especially since he hasn’t cultivated a Martial Arts Technique tailored to his bloodline yet. The risk of his bloodline closing is even greater.”

“I…”

Ximen the Fatty opened his mouth, then shut it. So, you beating the crap out of me was actually for my own good?

“You’ve… taken it hard, Fatty. For the future, you need to endure,” Jiang Taixuan patted Ximen Qing’s shoulder and sighed.

“Hmph!” Ximen the Fatty wiped his tears. For his dream, he could only endure. “I have a technique. I know my Ximen family’s basic foundation Martial Arts Technique. I will cultivate hard, become a Martial Artist. Then you won’t need to ‘help’ me anymore.”

Wu Song grinned widely, a knowing smile stretching across his face. Ximen Dog-Thief, still trying to escape my torment? You wish! Even if you become a Martial Artist, I can still squash you flat!

“Haha! Xiao Cheng, you little brat, just wait for your Grandpa Wang to come deal with you!”

From within the Dojo came a loud, excited laugh, brimming with triumph and elation.

“Martial Arts Seventh Stage. Congratulations.” Jiang Taixuan turned with a smile. Wang Mingming had broken through. Though switching to a Divine-level Cultivation Method consumed a lot of energy, with the God-Demon Pill and his father helping by channeling its power, Wang Mingming had successfully leapt two minor realms.

“Brother Xuan, I feel full of power!” Wang Mingming clenched his fist, dense Primeval Qi gathering around it.

“Such a waste.” Li Guang suddenly spoke up.

“A waste? Of what?” Wang Mingming was stunned. He’d broken through two realms; his physique was strong too. What could be wasted?

Wang Yuan was also puzzled. His son had gotten stronger, so what was so wasteful?

Li Guang shook his head. Wu Song stepped in, “The most miraculous aspect of the God-Demon Pill is tempering the physique and unblocking the meridians within the body. But you just let his father refine that unblocking part instead. As a result, only half of his meridian system is open.”

“This…” Wang Yuan stared dumbfounded. This God-Demon Pill could unblock meridians?

Jiang Taixuan blinked, a hint of apology surfacing. “Ah, I forgot to specifically mention it. Yes, the God-Demon Pill does indeed have the effect of unblocking meridians. I assumed you would discover it naturally.”

Wang Yuan: “…”

Wang Yuan hadn’t believed Jiang Taixuan at all, thinking him a fraud pushing false goods. He’d bought the pill just to make his son face reality, learn a lesson, and then force Jiang Taixuan to give it back. He hadn’t paid attention to the explanation. So, he barely registered the pill’s effects, only hearing it could boost cultivation. That was it.

“Never mind. Half is still half,” Wang Mingming waved his hand dismissively, a proud tilt to his chin. “After I defeat Xiao Cheng, display my mighty power, protect… won’t the money come pouring in quickly enough, right?”

Jiang Taixuan was taken aback. This kid is still thinking about collecting ‘protection fees’? Lucky for him he caught himself in front of his old man, otherwise another beating was imminent.

“Old Man, see for yourself. I’m heading out to test my cultivation level,” Wang Mingming threw out the words and made to dash away.

“Hold on.” Jiang Taixuan quickly grabbed him. “The best way to test cultivation… is through combat…”

“Brother Xuan, I’m broke! Innate Realm or Foundation Building? I can’t rent any of them!” Wang Mingming cried out. His own goods had been bought by his father. He was tapped out.

“No problem, I have cheap ones. See Ximen the Fatty? Not a Martial Artist yet. But he possesses a Top Grade Bloodline. Guaranteed you won’t beat him to death!” Jiang Taixuan pointed directly at Ximen the Fatty. “Just one Yuan Coin!”

Ximen the Fatty stared dumbfounded. Damn it, why is it me again?! Why does every damn beat-down fall to me?

“Top Grade Bloodline?” Wang Mingming was shocked. This fat guy actually had a Top Grade Bloodline? Though, after hearing about the Divine-level Bloodlines for sale inside, it somehow seemed less surprising.

“A Top Grade Bloodline? Worth the coin! Here, one Yuan Coin. Train properly with my son,” Wang Yuan cheerfully tossed out a single coin.

My damn Top Grade Bloodline is only worth one Yuan Coin?!

Ximen the Fatty’s mind was shattered. I have a damn Top Grade Bloodline, and you want me as a sparring partner? Fine, be the sparring partner, but you bid only one lousy coin?!

As Wang Mingming headed out, Wang Yuan perked up. “Field Master, tell me about these goods.”

“Of course. This is the Divine Martial Scripture…” Jiang Taixuan quickly launched into introductions, showing not the slightest impatience.

This time, Wang Yuan listened intently, memorizing carefully. As he looked over item after legendary item, his breathing became labored. If I could buy all this, who in the world could stand against me? Pity he lacked the funds.

“[I’ll pick] the Martial Arts Technique too, the Divine Martial Scripture. Don’t need the basic version, my son has that,” Wang Yuan murmured to himself.

Jiang Taixuan simply smiled, watching the greedy spark in the man’s eyes. This client is hooked.

“We have God-Demon Pills for tempering the body and unblocking meridians… Getting old, need one myself to improve…”

“And Innate Spiritual Energy for purefying and tempering Primordial Energy… and Divine Blood Pills… and… Shit! Wallet’s empty.”

Wang Yuan mentally tallied each treasure only to tragically realize he seemed to be broke. The money for Wang Mingming’s purchase had come from selling Wang Mingming’s rewards, which he’d confiscated. Buying more required dipping into his own funds, and his own reserves weren’t deep. Being a top-tier family member in Clear Moon City and a Martial Artist at the Innate Realm didn’t matter – his wife controlled the money. He just had petty cash.

Jiang Taixuan’s face darkened. Seeing the man’s conflicted, awkward expression made one thing clear: He. Was. Broke.

“Wang… Hmm, how should I address you?” Jiang Taixuan paused, unsure how to address him directly. Calling by name felt rude; using formal titles lowered his own prestige.

“Just call me Wang Yuan,” Wang Yuan stated. Facing this mysterious Field Master, he dared not put on airs. “Field Master… have something to say to me?”

“Then Wang Yuan it is,” Jiang Taixuan nodded. “Actually, I need a favor. Could I ask you to arrange a meeting with the heads of the few major merchant guilds in Clear Moon City?”

“Merchant Guild Heads?” Wang Yuan blinked, then shook his head. “They are top figures in Clear Moon City. I get no chance to meet them. Unless it was my family’s Ancestor…”

“Forget it then,” Jiang Taixuan shelved the idea. No meeting? Fine, he’d develop slowly. “The Dojo isn’t going anywhere. If you’re short on money, you could go earn some first.”

Wang Yuan’s old face flushed. “Right. I’ll wait for Ming’er to return, come again next time.”

“Actually, if the goods are too pricey, you can try betting on your luck.” Jiang Taixuan steered Wang Yuan back to the Turntable, pointing at its prizes. “Look! Divine Martial Scripture! One Gold Coin per spin! Land it, and you get the whole book!”

“The whole book?!” Wang Yuan’s eyes bulged. He glanced back at the shelf. One Gold Coin for a gamble? Hitting the jackpot sounded like multiples…

“Wang Mingming must have mentioned Tang Yuelu to you? Her Divine Bloodline came exactly like that,” Jiang Taixuan said.

Wang Yuan was no greenhorn, but facing such temptation, his resistance faltered. He felt in his pocket – there was his usual stash of pin money. Bet? Or not?

Catching up after a moment: “Bet!” He tossed the Gold Coin onto the counter, his voice thick with anticipation.

Jiang Taixuan finished his introduction and deliberately stepped aside. No further luring was needed now.