Chapter 140 - 0140: Purchasing Materials (An update request for monthly tickets)
Su Lu waited for over an hour.
Just as he was checking his watch, Geli breezed over, threw a bright yellow leather document bag on the table before him, and whispered, “2,500 silver coins, count it!”
As if afraid Su Lu might feel short-changed, she added, “I wanted gold coins too, but the bank said for such a large amount they could only give me paper money. Thankfully, the black market here still recognizes this…”
Although one silver coin equals one silver hawk and ten silver hawks can be exchanged for one gold dragon, the reassurance from precious metal coins just outweighs that of paper money.
Su Lu slid his right hand into the leather bag, swiftly verified the approximate amount, and pocketed it without saying much more.
It’s indeed inconvenient to carry large amounts of metal money, paper money just works well.
‘Maybe… I should start collecting some spatial gear? But come to think of it…
does this world have that kind of thing?’
“Now… our contract is hereby terminated, good luck, Ms. Geli!”
After settling the previous reward, Su Lu stood up and slightly bowed.
The items he planned to purchase were a bit special, it would be better to act alone and in disguise.
“Is that so…”
Geli looked at Su Lu, her face a mixture of emotions.
She was about to go buy the rank advancement information for the [Cavalry], which was also inconvenient to do with an outsider present. This would make the seller extremely alert, hence destroying a hard-earned trust relationship.
But, seeing Su Lu’s impassive demeanor, for some reason, she felt uneasy, “I… I’m leaving!”
Before leaving, she couldn’t help but ask, “Sean the Folklore Scholar, is that your real name?”
By this time, Su Lu had already taken large strides, his figure disappearing around a corner.
“I knew it, the damned bastard!”
Geli stomped her foot in frustration.
In this way, he was no different from many other black market customers. Just go to a crowded place to mingle, and he wouldn’t be recognized at all.
‘I can feel… there is no such special detection force in this black market, otherwise wouldn’t they have to offend people on purpose?’
Of course, if there is such a covert arrangement, and it can be concealed from the [Mystical Scholar]’s Inspiration, then Su Lu can only accept his bad luck.
He noticed early on that there are two types of stalls in the black market, one occupying the huge stone buildings as shops, which are rather powerful.
The other are self-established roadside stands, where the quality of goods is mixed, completely relying on the buyer’s eyesight.
Su Lu stopped before a roadside stand.
They were selling various amulets, made from materials ranging from obsidian, bronze, black iron, silver, gold… everything was available.
But his Inspiration couldn’t sense the slightest hint of any transcendent breath.
“How about it? Want to buy an amulet that guards against evil spirits?”
The vendor, a fat man wearing a golden mask of a harpy, immediately introduced it enthusiastically to Su Lu, “It can protect you from the harm of Spiritual Bodies!”
‘You wish!’
Su Lu silently stared at the bone amulet in his hand, feeling that any wandering soul could take out the fat man in front of him within seconds.
Selling counterfeits on the side of the transcendent…. Was this meant to harm people?
He held back, waved his hand indicating disinterest, and after a lap around, he was even more speechless.
With the knowledge of [Mystical Scholar]’s profession and the information gained from the White Tower, he can now barely pretend to be a ‘scholar’.
But after one round of roadside stands, he discovered that real good stuff is scarce and especially expensive.
An ancient wreckage tile transported from the Chris Empire, these black-hearted vendors dare to sell it for 100 gold dragons!
As for stumbling upon a good deal scene that’s often depicted in novels, just forget it.
In this world, are there really so many good deals waiting for you? It’s not like you’re the protagonist or the child of fate.
After one round, Su Lu resignedly entered a proper shop.
Although the items in there are generally more expensive than those outside, they are well worth the money.
For example, the shop Su Lu entered, which had an insignia of plant and test tube at the door, was an apothecary and a materials store.
Although the space was small, they did stock some genuine materials.
In the semi-transparent glass counter, there were a good many transcendent materials that caught Su Lu’s eye. “Sir, what do you need?”
The shop owner asked.
Though it was hard to tell, Su Lu felt the youth who seemed to be the person in charge might have a profession level on him.
“I need some materials, you see…”
Su Lu passed him a parchment.
On it were materials for concocting a malicious potion, Su Lu had added other items he needed to it, making it look complex.
This was what he wanted, to prevent anyone from figuring out his intentions from the materials he was purchasing.
“Two-tailed lizard? Bitter Ding flower? Purple bauhinia essential oil?…” The youth took it, and his delicate face froze, “A large business, indeed!” A smile crept onto his tace, “The materials listed here… we have most ot them, but in terms of price, it is indeed expensive!”
Su Lu gave a sigh, and pulled out the stack of silver coins, “How is this?”
“Very good, please wait a moment!”
The youth quickly estimated the thickness and smiled very satisfied, quickly calling out the materials from the counter and storage.
“We have three living two-tailed lizards! Nine Bitter Ding flowers, a bunch of seeds, a pot of purple bauhinia essential oil…”
The shopkeeper quickly recited the prices, making Su Lu’s heart bleed.
In the end, the smiling youth said, “Sir, I can only gather so many of the materials you need… Unfortunately, others are very rare. I dare say other stores do not have them. They rely completely on luck! Especially this… Disguiser’s Face! I’m afraid it has never appeared in the black market.”
Disguiser!
This is a very special evil spirit which likes to kill people and take the faces of the victims to disguise itself.
This material is the most important ingredient for Su Lu to modify the Crow’s Mask.
If completed, the mask can be made to have a face-changing effect.
Unfortunately, it is very hard to obtain. “Forget it… That’s it. How much altogether?” Su Lu took out the silver coins to pay.
“778 silver coins, thank you!”
The young shopkeeper smiled and accepted the payment, “It’s rare to meet such a straightforward customer, I can give you a suggestion…”
Su Lu paused, “Go ahead!”
“In Charles City, a wealthy man is suffering from an attack of an evil spirit, and he has issued a reward for it… according to the task description, the evil spirit that invades him is suspected to be a Disguiser!”
The shopkeeper laughed, “If you are confident in your strength, you can give it a try… but the most powerful aspect of that kind of evil spirit is not their great strength, but their ability to impersonate any victim.”
Su Lu didn’t answer whether he would go or not, but picked up the complimentary travel case and left the shop..