30: Chapter 30: This is a steal for me!

Scanning his surroundings with Fire Eye, he confirmed that he was already within the Linshan Market.

Regardless of why the Blasphemers wanted to kill him, they likely had no reason to broadcast the matter to the entire world. Those chasing him probably didn't have time to return and spread the news either.

Therefore, in Linshan Market, as long as he didn't encounter any other Blasphemers, he should be safe for the time being.

By tomorrow, once the pursuers returned empty-handed or an acquaintance came to check on Mapu, the safety period would expire. His trail would still be discovered, followed by another round of pursuit.

He couldn't count on the same trick fooling them twice; to truly escape this predicament, there was only one path.

Become stronger, quickly!

Becoming stronger required resources, and the stock he had on hand was definitely not enough.

After some consideration, he scavenged a few more items from Mapu's body, changed into a hooded cloak, and left the tent.

There should be twenty to thirty thousand people around the market, yet there weren't many decent buildings; most were wooden houses or tents.

The wind was howling and rain was pouring at this late hour, leaving the simple, muddy roads almost devoid of pedestrians.

However, Tang Long soon spotted a patrol team carrying torches and immediately approached them.

“Excuse me, brother, where can I trade for spirit stones?”

“Spirit stones?” The leader of the patrol stepped forward, eyeing him up and down carefully.

“Such rare items, and in the middle of the night? Don't be ridiculous. Are you new here? Do you have identification?”

“Yes, the rain was too heavy and delayed my journey. I just arrived.”

Tang Long offered a polite smile as he handed over his identification, simultaneously casting Detection on the man.

[Ma Chi: Normal]

[Faction: Linshan Security Bureau]

[Realm: Sixth Stage Qi Manipulation]

[Life: 1099/1099]

[Psionic Energy: 589/589]

[Attributes: Strength 19, Agility 18, Spirit 17, Endurance 20]

[Cultivation Methods: Universal Breathing Method LV5, General Guidance Technique LV3]

[Skills: Spirit Astral LV2]

Officials were indeed different; not only did he possess a Guidance Technique, but his Spirit Astral was also leveled up.

“Your name is Tang Long?”

“Yes.”

“From Feng City. What are you doing here? Wandering around at night? Don't you know the rules?” Ma Chi asked in a slightly interrogative tone after checking the ID.

Tang Long didn't answer directly, but instead looked at him and asked suddenly.

“You... brother, is your surname Ma? Are you called Ma Chi?”

“You know me?”

“I wouldn't have that honor, but a friend of mine mentioned you, saying you helped him out a lot. His name is Chen Jinnan, do you remember him?”

Ma Chi saw hundreds of faces every day; how could he remember such a name? He simply assumed Tang Long was trying to get on his good side.

To his surprise, Tang Long immediately pulled a handful of spirit residue—at least a dozen pieces—from his waist pouch and forced them into his hand.

“Brother Ma, just a small token, please don't look down on it. I’ve arrived at an inconvenient time, so I beg you to point me in the right direction.”

With the tangible benefit in hand, Ma Chi's expression instantly softened.

“You want to trade for spirit stones? Can't it wait until dawn? In the middle of the night, things are hard to arrange.”

Tang Long quickly continued his fabrication. “I followed my boss to the Medicine Market to buy a batch of medicinal materials, but who knew they would insist on spirit stones? The deadline is extremely tight. My boss sent me here to trade for them; I had no choice. Brother Ma, you must help me out.”

Ma Chi asked hesitantly, “Then roughly how many do you need?”

“At least thirty fire spirit stones! More would be fine too; everything is negotiable.”

“Whoa—!”

Even the patrol members let out gasps of surprise, quite shocked by the amount.

Currently, the market price for a fire spirit stone in Linshan Market was around ten thousand. Thirty stones would cost over three hundred thousand; the net worth of people like them was nowhere near that much.

Ma Chi's attitude shifted rapidly. “I didn't realize you were so capable, brother! Thirty fire spirit stones is a major deal; only a few people in our Linshan Market can handle it. And at this hour, we can only look for the Liaison Officer. However, his prices will definitely be a bit higher, so you should be mentally prepared.”

“I'm just running an errand for my boss. As long as I can get them, a slightly higher price is negotiable! If the deal goes through, there will be another reward for you, brother!”

“Easy to say, come, I'll take you there!”

Half an hour later, at the Linshan Market Bounty and Security Bureau.

The security officer was a very fat man named Wei Baoquan, whose realm had actually reached the Eighth Stage of Qi Manipulation.

Having been woken up from his sleep by Ma Chi, he was originally very angry. Even with a large deal of thirty spirit stones, he was still quite unhappy.

But when Tang Long pulled out that glittering golden mask, his expression transformed within seconds.

After examining it closely for a long time, Wei Baoquan spoke again.

“Young man, do you know the true value of this item?”

Hearing this, Tang Long immediately knew the man didn't recognize the item's true nature, and the slight worry in his heart vanished.

He replied with a smile, “To be honest, Lord Wei, I lack worldly experience, but my boss said it's worth fifty spirit stones.”

“Anyone who can produce such an item is surely no ordinary person. Who is your boss?”

“Uh, please forgive me, I'm not at liberty to disclose that. Some business on the official side is inconvenient and needs to go through special channels. I hope you understand.”

Although Wei Baoquan was left in a fog of confusion, he felt that Tang Long seemed to have quite a background.

He thought for a moment. “This is made of extremely high-purity spirit gold. In the entire Dongyu Kingdom, perhaps only Huaidu has this kind of refining technology. The craftsmanship is undoubtedly a master-level work, a rare work of art in this world. If it were in a major city, it would certainly be worth fifty stones, and even more if you met a collector. But this is Linshan Market; pricing is local, and I can't give you that much.”

At this point, he held up three fingers.

“Thirty stones is the highest price I can offer.”

Tang Long immediately gave an awkward laugh. “Lord, you must be joking. That's too much of a cut. Please add a bit more.”

Wei Baoquan shook his head resolutely. “I can't add more; I couldn't produce any more even if I wanted to. You told Ma Chi earlier that you wanted to trade for thirty stones, so you probably estimated this amount. I'll be honest with you: basically no one else in Linshan Market can produce this many spirit stones at once.”

“Furthermore, let me give you a piece of advice. I am an official jointly appointed by the Feng City Jingan Division and the Bounty Headquarters, hailing from the Song City Wei Family. I wouldn't harm a citizen of the country for a bit of property, but others... Heh! Trading with others isn't as safe as trading with me.”

“Young man, walking alone with such a valuable item, you must be extremely careful.”

Tang Long's body trembled slightly, making him appear to be struggling and anxious.

In reality, he was very clear on this point: officials represented the government. No matter how greedy they felt inside, they wouldn't easily commit illegal acts; otherwise, if discovered, the punishment would be extremely severe.

If not for that, he wouldn't have specifically sought out such a person to trade with.

Wei Baoquan, however, chuckled inwardly, thinking: *A greenhorn like you wants to haggle with me? I've got you right where I want you!*

Besides, was this mask only worth fifty spirit stones?

Far from it!

Taking it to any auction house in Song City, the final price would be at least a million or more!

His wife's grand birthday was approaching. If he presented it then and won her praise, the Head of the Family would surely be very happy. His position as a minor official would likely be promoted, saving him from suffering in this godforsaken place.

This is a bloody profit!

“If you feel it's too much of a loss, then forget it. I can't force a purchase and take advantage of you. It's late, and I'm exhausted.”

Wei Baoquan made a move to leave. Tang Long appeared extremely flustered and quickly stopped him.

“Lord Wei, could you... could you... please add just a little bit more. I don't want much, just add a spiritual weapon for self-defense.”

Wei Baoquan knew the time was right and let out a sigh.

“Fine, I can manage a weapon. Consider it making a friend with your boss.”

A few minutes later, Wei Baoquan brought out a spiritual iron saber, thirty spirit stones, and a trade contract.

Both parties signed the contract, completing the transaction on the spot.

Once the trade ended, Ma Chi quickly entered from outside with a flattering look.

“Congratulations, Lord Wei, on obtaining this treasure.”

Wei Baoquan looked the mask over from all angles, very much pleased with himself.

“Where's that kid?”

“He left toward the south overnight, like a frightened rabbit.”

Wei Baoquan laughed loudly, then pulled out a stack of bills and handed them to him.

“You handled this matter well. Take this and split it with the brothers. Later, gather a batch of supplies; in a few days, I'll take the opportunity to send the treasure back to Song City.”

“Thank you, Lord!”

Though Ma Chi shouted the slogan loudly, in his heart, he was cursing Wei Baoquan's mother.

In fact, when Tang Long left just now, he had also slipped him some benefits—twenty pieces of spirit residue.

Meanwhile, this Lord Wei had surely made far more, yet the tip was only a thousand or so to be split among so many people. He was stingy to the extreme.