My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 317: Chapter 161: Overt Plot

...It was precisely because he’d seen this opening that Qin Fang went "seeking alms."

It was also a way to give them an out.

This way, Qin Fang obtained a round of "angel investment" through his "alms seeking."

Through this insane act, he let everyone know how troublesome he was. Yet, the conflict stopped short of becoming an all-out war, giving them a way to back down and saving things from escalating into a fight to the death. This would most likely reduce the chances of them targeting him again.

...At least, they most likely wouldn’t try anything before the Martial Arts Examination.

’With such a great opportunity, why wouldn’t I take it?’

Qian Ruhai’s eyes glinted. "Brother Qin, you caused such a huge commotion. I doubt it was just for that, was it? Were you also trying to... catch the eye of those bigwigs?"

Qin Fang smiled, neither confirming nor denying it.

’Either I keep a low profile so no one notices me, and then shock everyone at the critical moment...’

’...Or, if a low profile isn’t an option, then I might as well be as ostentatious as possible, to the point of madness. Only then will I be remembered!’

’Take Hundred Households Wang, for instance. Didn’t he only start paying attention to me after I became so high-profile?’

Qian Ruhai sighed. "In that case, I must congratulate you in advance, Brother Qin... on securing one of the twelve seats."

"It’s still too early for that."

But Qin Fang shook his head, perfectly calm. "The Martial Arts Examination is still two months away. There’s no telling if other experts will show up just before it starts."

Hearing this, Qian Ruhai nodded in agreement.

Although most people arrived early to prepare for the examination.

But with more than two months still to go, it was impossible to predict whether any other experts would arrive.

...In fact, many experts had already reached Lanyang City but chose not to come to the Post House...

Once they entered the Post House, they were required to stay. This meant facing all kinds of conflicts, which was not only dangerous but would also reveal their strength ahead of time.

Therefore, the more confident contestants would stay elsewhere first, only entering the Post House right before the examination began.

...There had been many such "dark horses" in past years.

...Until the Martial Arts Examination began, no one knew what was to come.

The two of them chatted idly for a while before Qin Fang glanced at the sky and said, "Let’s call it a day. I have some business to attend to. I’ll treat you to a meal some other time."

Qian Ruhai gave him a strange look. "This ’treating’ you keep talking about... when is it actually going to happen? I’ve heard that line quite a few times now..."

Qin Fang froze for a second, then burst out laughing. "Things have been a little dangerous recently, haven’t they? Don’t worry, I won’t forget about that drink I owe you."

Qian Ruhai laughed loudly, then took his leave.

After seeing Qian Ruhai off, Qin Fang let out a small sigh, his eyes flashing.

’I have enough silver!’

’Next, it’s time to buy the medicine!’

’This is enough to buy more than ten maces... It should be enough to cultivate my Contemplation to the peak!’

With that thought, Qin Fang no longer hesitated. He rose and left the Post House, heading toward Huichun Hall.

As soon as he left, someone immediately hurried off to make a report.

"Young Master, he’s left the Post House!"

Shen Han’s pupils constricted, and a cold glint surfaced in his eyes.

But after a long moment of hesitation, he let out a deep breath. "Understood."

Mo Zhu asked in a low voice, "Young Master, aren’t we going to kill him?"

"And what good would killing him do? This is Lanyang City, not the wilderness. The moment you make a move, the Black Armor Army would be on us... Forget it."

He ended with a sigh.

...After the dramatic ups and downs of the past few days, Shen Han’s mindset had unknowingly undergone a massive shift.

Similar conversations were taking place in several other locations.

But in the end, everyone chose to stand down.

And so, Qin Fang entered Huichun Hall without any trouble.

Seeing Qin Fang for the first time in days, Shopkeeper Cui immediately came out to greet him with enthusiasm.

After inviting him into the same back room as before, Shopkeeper Cui immediately lowered his voice. "Sir, that Bee Venom you brought last time... do you have any more?"

A flicker of light crossed Qin Fang’s eyes. "So you’ve determined its value?"

Shopkeeper Cui nodded at once. "Yes, the appraisal is complete. We can confirm it is indeed a unique type of Bee Venom. Not only is it incredibly toxic, but it also has immense medicinal value. Our owner has given the word: if you have more, we will purchase it without limit! The price... we can offer one thousand silver per drop. What do you think?"

"What constitutes a ’drop’?"

A drop could be large or small... In this era, units of measurement were not yet precise down to the milligram.

"This is the specialized syringe we use to measure liquid medicines. One fill of this syringe is considered a standard drop."

Shopkeeper Cui was well-prepared and took out a long, thin Silver Needle. The needle was hollow and had a squeezable bulb at the top. It closely resembled a modern eyedropper, only much thinner, so its capacity was smaller.

"How many drops did the amount I brought last time come out to?"

"The last batch was three and a half drops... We can round that to three thousand five hundred silver. How does that sound?" Shopkeeper Cui said with a ready smile.

Qin Fang thought for a moment before replying, "You can have that half-vial, and we’ll use the price you quoted. But I don’t have any more. I intend to keep what little is left for self-defense. My apologies."

Shopkeeper Cui was taken aback by Qin Fang’s response. After a stunned moment, he sighed. "Very well... But if you happen upon any other treasures in the future, Sir, please don’t forget Huichun Hall."

"Of course."

Qin Fang smiled and nodded. Only then did Shopkeeper Cui ask about the purpose of his visit.

Qin Fang stated right away that he wanted to purchase another nine maces of Soul Condensing Crystal Ointment.

The shopkeeper was visibly stunned, and then his eyes lit up. This young man truly was a major customer; he had already spent eight or nine thousand silver here.

And now he wanted nine maces of Soul Condensing Crystal Ointment... That was worth more than thirty thousand silver!

His eyes lit up, and he said, "No problem, but you’ll have to give me a day, Sir. I’ll arrange for a stock transfer tomorrow. After all, the ingredients for Soul Condensing Crystal Ointment are exceptionally rare, and this branch only has one portion left..."

"Alright. Give me this portion now as a direct trade for the Bee Venom. I’ll come back tomorrow to pick up the rest."

Qin Fang nodded.

"No problem!"

Shopkeeper Cui readily agreed.

He quickly had someone bring out the Soul Condensing Crystal Ointment. After a few more words of idle chat, Qin Fang departed.

After leaving Huichun Hall, Qin Fang glanced at the exquisite wooden box in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips.

’I didn’t expect the Bee Venom to be that valuable.’

’Such a tiny amount for one mace of Soul Condensing Crystal Ointment?’

The number of Poison Glands he’d brought was limited, but he still had a fair amount left.

Previously, Qin Fang would have agreed to Shopkeeper Cui’s offer without a second thought.

But now... he had money.

Plenty of it, courtesy of his "angel investors."

There was no need to reveal all his cards.

He returned to his own B Courtyard and sat down cross-legged. Gazing at the Soul Condensing Crystal Ointment in his hands, he let out a soft breath.

’All the miscellaneous tasks are done. Now, I can focus wholeheartedly on cultivating.’

’Once I achieve the Perfection of Contemplation, the next step is to break through the Divine Gate...’

’I’m eager to see what lies beyond the Divine Gate.’

’And True Essence... what kind of power is that?’

’Even just by reaching the initial stage of True Essence, my spot among the twelve seats should be guaranteed, right?’

His eyes flickered as he thought of his master, senior brothers, and the others, their fates still unknown.

But he quickly suppressed the thought.

He closed his eyes and consumed the Soul Condensing Crystal Ointment...

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