Chapter 12 Medicinal Herbs

Inside the shop, a variety of goods were on display. What one could see outside and even what one couldn't, the shop essentially had it all. Compared to the bustling noises from outside, the inside of the shop seemed quite serene. Seeing someone enter, the shop's attendant merely lifted his eyelids slightly. Upon seeing the two young people, he seemed ready to dismiss them, but when his gaze fell on the attire they wore, he couldn't help but shiver. He quickly squeezed out from behind the counter, bowing slightly, "May I ask what the two of you need? Are you here to buy or sell?" Du Fei had encountered such attendants and shops before, so he wasn't overly courteous. He took out the jade hairpin from Little Ai's possession and gently placed it on the counter, saying, "How much can you offer for this item?" "Please wait a moment," the attendant said, frowning briefly. He picked up the jade hairpin and went into the back room. After a short while, he reemerged with a smile, "Both of you, our resident appraiser has assessed it. The hairpin has an ancient design and is exquisitely carved. At a glance, it's worth five hundred gold coins! Moreover, since both of you are from the Du Family, we wouldn't dare offer any less. So, how about six hundred gold coins?" "Six hundred?" Du Fei chuckled and casually took the jade hairpin back, saying, "It seems the owner of your shop has quite the courage. Let's not even talk about its design and craftsmanship, just the material itself is an extremely rare Cold Jade Stone Heart. When worn during cultivation, it has the effect of concentrating the mind and nourishing the Qi. Just this effect alone makes it worth a fortune... Even I know about this, wouldn't your appraiser know? It appears that my Du Family is truly underestimated..." "This..." The attendant's expression changed slightly, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. "Hahaha, the people of the Du Family truly are exceptional. It seems I was blind not to recognize!" At that moment, a hearty laughter came from the back room, followed by a middle-aged man with a very lean face walking out. He walked slowly up to Du Fei, slightly bowed, and said, "I am Huang Gui, the manager of this establishment. I've had the pleasure of meeting Young Master Du. Please don't be offended, Young Master Du. This item is quite valuable, and unless you confirm its worth personally, I dare not make any wild claims... Hehe, in that case, how about I start with an offer of five thousand gold coins here?" "Five thousand?" Du Fei thought for a moment, then nodded slightly. Although the price seemed a bit lower, there was no need to haggle too much at this moment. Thinking this, Du Fei gave a nod, then took out a yellow piece of paper from his sleeve, placing it on the table and calmly said, "Then, I'll also trouble Manager Huang to find these items for me." Upon hearing this, Huang Gui slowly picked up the yellow paper. With just one glance, the surprise in his eyes was impossible to hide. "What, is there a problem?" Seeing Huang Gui's expression, Du Fei slightly curled his lips and said coolly. "Oh, no issue, no issue at all. Staff, prepare these items for the Young Master of the Du Family!" Huang Gui was taken aback for just a moment, but his face quickly returned to normal. After handing the yellow paper to a servant behind him, he smiled and bowed slightly to Du Fei, saying, "I've been in Buyue City for over a decade, and I'm quite familiar with the members of the Du Family... However, this young master seems a bit unfamiliar to me. I apologize for my poor memory. May I ask for your name?" "Du Fei." After a brief moment of contemplation, Du Fei replied calmly. Initially, he hadn't planned on revealing his identity, but considering that he might need a large quantity of medicinal herbs if his pill refining is successful in the future, it might be necessary to deal with Huang Gui. Hiding his identity probably wouldn't help much. With that in mind, Du Fei candidly gave his name. "So it's Young Master Du Fei." Huang Gui's expression remained unchanged, and he simply nodded, "I heard a few days ago that the Du Family produced an outstanding young talent. Despite only being at the fourth level of body-forging, he managed to match the strength of Young Master Du Qing, who is at the seventh level, without being defeated... Meeting you today, you indeed live up to the reputation!" This guy was impressive! Du Fei couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, feeling somewhat astonished. He hadn't thought that someone would pay such close attention to news like this. But the fact that Huang Gui instantly recognized him spoke volumes about the man's ability to gather information, something that shouldn't be underestimated. People who could make a name for themselves in Buyue City were indeed not simple. With a silent sigh in his heart, Du Fei dared not to underestimate this person and replied with a smile, "Manager Huang is too courteous. Such minor skills of mine aren't really worth mentioning. Due to my inadequate strength, I had to come out today in search of some medicinal herbs, hoping that they might aid my cultivation after consumption. I would appreciate it if Manager Huang could keep this confidential." Various medicinal herbs, although their efficacy would increase several times, or even more than tenfold, after alchemical refinement, still have a similar effect when taken directly. So it was also within reason when Du Fei said this. Huang Gui's expression remained unchanged. He just nodded and said, "Young Master Du Fei, please rest assured. Our store never discloses any information about our customers. So, if you ever need anything in the future, feel free to visit our store." "Hehe, of course!" While the two exchanged pleasantries, an attendant brought out a jade box from the back of the store and respectfully placed it in front of Du Fei. Seeing the item, Huang Gui chuckled and said, "Young Master Du Fei, the four types of medicinal herbs you requested are inside this box. Each type has been prepared in the quantities you specified. As for the price, I'll give you a discount. How about one thousand and five hundred gold coins?" Although Du Fei knew the price wasn't cheap, he didn't want to haggle over such matters. He casually opened the jade box, giving its contents a quick glance. After the cold electronic sound in his mind faded, Du Fei smiled and said, "Manager Huang is indeed generous. Not only are the herbs of the exact quantity, but they are also fresh and potent. It seems I, Du Fei, got the better deal." "Hehe, as long as Young Master Du Fei is pleased." Huang Gui's expression remained unchanged. He then clapped his hands, and someone from the back room presented a palm-sized white crystal card. After taking the crystal card, Huang Gui placed it in front of Du Fei, smiling, "Our store doesn't have three thousand and five hundred gold coins in cash. However, there are three thousand and five hundred gold coins stored in this crystal card. As for the card itself, consider it a gift to Young Master Du Fei. What do you say?" Du Fei was familiar with these crystal cards. They were extremely popular on the Xuanwu Continent. Depending on their colors, these cards could store different amounts of gold coins. For example, this white crystal card was the most basic type, capable of storing up to a hundred thousand gold coins. However, even such a basic item could only be used by a Ninth-grade Martial Artist or someone of equivalent status. That Huang Gui managed to get this for him was indeed a great show of respect. Without any further ado, Du Fei took both the crystal card and the jade box, casually handing them to Little Ai behind him. He then gave a slight smile and said, "In that case, I must thank Manager Huang for today. If I need anything in the future, I will certainly not hesitate to trouble you." "Hehe, Young Master Du Fei, you're too modest. We are delighted to have distinguished guests like you. Why would we ever feel troubled?" Huang Gui responded without missing a beat. After some courteous exchanges, he stood up and escorted both Du Fei and Little Ai out of the store. Watching the retreating figures of Du Fei and Little Ai, Huang Gui's smile gradually faded only after they were out of sight. He walked slowly to a table near the counter, sat down, and tapped on its surface, his expression inscrutable. "Manager, is there something off about that young man?" The attendant standing by the side asked hesitantly after observing Huang Gui's actions. "What could be wrong?" Huang Gui paused for a moment before replying, "However, there is something peculiar..." "Peculiar?" The attendant looked puzzled, "I don't understand, what's so peculiar?" "It's indeed odd. The four types of herbs he requested, and their quantities, if I remember correctly, are exactly the same as what the Ninth-grade alchemist who visited us last time required... If my guess is correct, this Du Fei wants those herbs to refine pills... But since when did the Du Family have an alchemist?" Huang Gui mused softly, narrowing his eyes in thought. "Could it be that the young man himself intends to refine pills?" The attendant queried with uncertainty. "Refining pills himself?" Upon hearing the attendant's words, Huang Gui's expression changed. After a brief pause, he said in a hushed tone, "Don't be ridiculous! Do you not understand how rare alchemists are? Let alone in Buyue City, even our trade association, despite expending countless resources, hasn't managed to establish connections with an alchemist. Apart from the pinnacle forces, who among the common folks can afford to hire an alchemist for pill refining? And Du Fei, at such a young age, refining pills himself? How is that possible? You should know, the art of pill refining, without guidance from a renowned master, is absolutely impossible! Compared to what you're suggesting, I'd rather believe that the Du Family has somehow hired an alchemist... But even if the Du Family did bring in an alchemist... Why would they need to go outside to find herbs for pill refining? The Du Family should have these things in their own possession... Could it be that Du Fei really intends to directly consume them..." As he spoke, an even more mysterious look appeared on Huang Gui's face. After a moment, he slightly furrowed his brows and whispered, "Give the order, instruct the spies we have planted in the Du Family to pay more attention to this Du Fei..."