Simply Trading

The Second Ducal Prince, of course, was the first to make a clarification regarding the issue. As well as to state his own particular preference:

"I will not bother to hide the fact that I have been searching for a Thousand Year Old Ginseng Root, so I will certainly be seeking to buy that off your hands. But ... I am uncertain with regards to what you would consider a ... item worthy of exchange? I have a number of weapons and armor that might ..."

Qin Feng, however, shook his head at the moment that the apparently younger man mentioned weapons and armor. "I am not the sort of person who uses brute force to achieve my aims, although I have a few tricks, as they say, when it comes to combat. However, items like swords and sabers, breastplates and helmets ... None of them appeal to me.

"So I would suggest that you refrain from mentioning these things. They are useless to me, and I shall not even bother to consider them."

The Second Ducal Prince nodded gravely, as soon as he heard that. And his mouth curled in a slight smile as soon as he did so. "In that case, what of other interesting treasures? My family is in possession of an unusual musical instrument, as you might have heard. Would you consider that? Or items of a similar nature?" he asked immediately.

"Perhaps. They may be considered, if I consider them interesting. You would do better to offer ... unusual medicinal herbs of your own. Or perhaps, cultivation tools and resources. Those would prove to be a little more useful, I think. Especially to ... younger members of my particular group."

This time, the Second Ducal Prince was not the only one who had a glint in his eye. The Hall Manager, who had been drooling over some of the other items, absent-mindedly nodded as soon as he heard that last qualifier.

As did Assistant Hall Manager Luo. Although he was in not position to participate, he did have a few suggestions, it seemed. Especially when he bent over to whisper something into Hall Manager Zheng's ear.

Who looked up at him with a look of surprise, before he turned back to face Qin Fang. Their antics had not failed to attract the attention of the man in the faded green robe. But he simply looked at the pair from Fu Lai Medicine Hall calmly, as though waiting for them to make an offer.

"I believe that we might have something to interest you, since you mentioned medicinal herbs earlier. From the records of our dealings in the past, you had purchased several stalks of Purple Blood Ginger. Well, we so happen to have about six stalks of the same right now, in our store. Of a similar quality to that you bought the last time you were here.

"And you had also asked if we could get our hands on some Crystal Ice Swallow Birds' Nest. Well, as it so happens, we have just managed to locate two of them. Whole nests, I mean. Would either of these two items be of interest to you?"

Hall Manager Zheng Zhanqi looked at him expectantly, and was gratified to see a spark in the green-robed man's eyes. There was no hiding the fact that he had managed to interest their unusual visitor!

And true enough, the man made no issue of telling him what he thought of the generous offer:

"The six stalks are barely able to meet the value of the Burdock Root. But the Crystal Ice Swallow Nests can be exchanged for either the Lingzhi mushroom or the Dragon Beard Grass. Or you could take both the Osmanthus Flower and the Laughing Buddha Leaf.

"That is, if you are not going to compete for the ginseng root, that the Second Ducal Prince is interested in?"

Hall Manager Zheng was naturally smiling as he agreed with the stranger's last statement. "You are correct in that. We shall definitely not interfere with the Second Ducal Prince's interest in the ginseng root. After all, we are here to supply our customers, not to make things more difficult for them," he said, with a nod in the Ducal Prince's direction.

"On that same note, we shall pick last, after he is done. So that no conflict arises."

The Second Ducal Prince, of course, bowed his head gravely, to thank the Hall Manager for his consideration. Then he turned back to the green-robed man.

"Well, since Hall Manager Zheng has already blazed the trail so clearly for me, I would be utterly blind if I cannot follow the road. Would you be willing to accept ... three drops of Golden Summer Eagle Blood Essence in return for your Thousand Year Old Ginseng and your Dragon Beard Grass?"

"Golden Summer Eagle ... Blood Essence? You managed to get your hands on that?"

Qin Feng could hardly control himself, blurting the question out as he did. But he couldn't be bothered to care how he looked. This was Golden Summer Eagle Blood! How did anyone get their hands on that? Those birds were almost impossible to find! And even if one did so, it was almost impossible to coax them to give up their Blood Essence!

"I have had the ... good fortune to ... form companionship with such an Eagle. Hence I am about to get my hands on the Blood Essence of the same, as you mentioned," the Second Ducal Prince declared, with a somewhat humble smile.

But Qin Feng was beyond caring. This was better luck than he had imagined! And he was already considering what he could do with the Blood Essence. It would certainly cut short the amount of time that he needed, to finish off the projects that he had on hand!

"Done! I agree to that trade! The ginseng root and the Dragon Beard Grass is yours!"

Then he turned to Hall Manager Zheng, who was still staring at the Second Ducal Prince in shock. Clearly, he had not been expecting the Ducal Prince to offer such a price. And from the look on the other fellow behind him, it seemed the whole of Fu Lai Medicine Hall had been surprised by the offer!

But Qin Feng was suddenly anxious to be gone, and wanted nothing better than to take hold of his newfound prizes immediately.

"As for the Medicine Hall, I presume you will take the Lingzhi mushroom and the Burdock Root then?" he asked quickly, as if he wanted to be done with the trade as quickly as he could.

But another unfamiliar voice suddenly called out, from the direction of the stairs, just at this moment:

"Wait a moment! Is that a Thousand Year Old Ginseng that I smell?"

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