Chapter 1028: Tang Wannian
Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
The dagger Xia Fei had just put on display was none other than that basic soul weapon he created two days ago, the October Flying Snow.
This chilling dagger held little value to Xia Fei at this point. His level had been crazily climbing over the years. In addition, he now did not just have a mystical armament but also three soul weapons. Thus, the October Flying Snow had become a mere display piece, which spent all day lying in Xia Fei’s spatial ring.
After getting a Soul Mark and learning the Feather Wing Codex, Xia Fei had become a Spiritualist who could create soul weapons, and October Flying Snow was his very first work. Alas, as he lacked skill and his level was low, though the October Flying Snow had become a soul weapon, it was only the most basic of its kind. Let alone the White Dragon’s Screech and Nirvana, it could not even compare to Green Jade. After thinking about it, he decided that he still could not use it .
Today, he came to this weapon exhibit, only to realize that not a single soul weapon had been put up for sale; as such, the moment he learned that he could put items up for consignment, he decided to sell off the October Flying Snow . After all, he was very short on money, and more importantly, he needed to know how much the soul weapon he had made was worth.
The warrior profession always burned through money freely, and it was difficult to get anywhere without money. If he could fetch a good price for the October Flying Snow, then he would have a path toward making money in the future.
*Pa!*
Xia Fei closed the display case, letting October Flying Snow quietly lay inside, drawing little attention.
“Thank you, Boss Xiang,” Xia Fei smiled and said.
“It’s nothing, nothing.” Xiang Beiyang smiled. Turning to the manager, he said, “Old Pang, tell my little brother the rules so that we avoid any misunderstandings.”
Manager Pang smiled. “Brother Xia, since you are consigning this item but haven’t put up a price, can I presume that you intend to negotiate the price with the interested buyers?”
Xia Fei replied, “Precisely. It’s hard to put a price on this item, and it will differ depending on the person.”
Manager Pang and Xiang Beiyang shared an understanding smile. Xia Fei’s intentions were obvious. The price would depend on the buyer’s power, and if some bigshot came, Xia Fei would naturally demand the world of them. This was why most would say all businessmen were evil.
“Since that’s the case, stay here Brother Xia so that you can negotiate with the potential buyers. Even if you have something else to do and must leave, each display case has a code, so if someone wants to find you, we can have them go look for Brother Xia to discuss the price. As for the commission, out of respect for Boss Xiang, we won’t take a cent,” said Manager Pang with a smile.
Normally, selling items on consignment at Tai Ning Company would yield to a 10% commission, but this Manager Pang did not think that this snowy-white dagger could sell for much, probably several thousand pearls at most, and the fee would likely not exceed one thousand pearls.
Tai Ning Company was incredibly wealthy, so rather than taking this paltry sum of money, it preferred to win Xiang Beiyang’s favor. Over the last few years, Xiang Beiyang had been rising in the exotic beast trade and was about to become one of the top-cla.s.s businessmen of Red Dwarf Star. Getting on good terms with him would be a boon to Tai Ning Company.
Manager Pang left after saying his piece, telling the exhibit employees to keep a close eye on Xia Fei. After all, Xiang Beiyang had personally led this young man here, and he had even asked for a display case for him. Manager Pang wanted to know Xia Fei’s secrets and the true value of the little dagger.
As for Xiang Beiyang, he kept Xia Fei company and tried to strike up a conversation. Alas, the latter was impervious to his advances, giving no response regardless of what he said. Seeing that the time had come and there were still no bidders for the October Flying Snow, Xiang Beiyang bid goodbye, saying that there was someone upstairs whom he needed to discuss business with.
Xiang Beiyang had only just left when a stocky middle-aged man, his hair tied into numerous little braids, came over. He was wearing good-fitting clothes and appeared to be someone of status. Bystanders all smiled at him and called him Third Master Leng.
Third Master Leng stared at the October Flying Snow for several minutes and then told Xia Fei with a smile, “This dagger’s material and workmans.h.i.+p are both excellent, and it even has a cold aura. It must possess a cold attribute, but for some reason, this dagger seems to have lost its most outstanding trait and no longer has that cold energy. It’s truly a great pity.
“Normally, a dagger like this won’t sell for more than two thousand pearls at this exhibit, but I can feel its murderous aura. It must’ve been through quite a few big battles in its heyday, and while the cold energy is gone, the murderous aura is still there. It’s perfect for warriors who are lacking in killing intent. I’ll give you four thousand for it.”
The bystanders who heard this all voiced their approval.
“Third Master Leng truly deserves his reputation as a weapons specialist. It’s a clear and logical a.n.a.lysis.”
“Naturally. Third Master Leng runs his own weapon store, so how could he be wrong?”
Xia Fei shook his head and replied softly, “My apologies.”
Seeing how polite this person was and how logical his a.n.a.lysis was, Xia Fei did not feel that it was right to speak too frankly. Third Master Leng was correct on all points; The October Flying Snow had accompanied Xia Fei in killing many people, so it naturally had a ruthless aura. Four thousand for this murderous energy was quite reasonable as a starting price.
Alas, Third Master Leng had failed to see how October Flying Snow had actually been altered. It was no longer a simple dagger but rather a basic soul weapon! For four thousand pearls, Xia Fei was not even willing to help him take a look.
Third Master Leng was taken aback, not expecting for Xia Fei’s refusal to be so determined. However, after thinking it over, he chuckled.
“Ah, forget it. I just had to take a liking to this dagger. This dagger hasn’t just been through some big battles, its master’s probably also an expert with a firm att.i.tude. After being in his hands, it stands at the apex of daggers among its peers. I’ll offer ten thousand pearls to satisfy my little fancy.”
Third Master Leng was rather easy to work with, immediately raising his price to ten thousand.
“Ten thousand pearls? Is this dagger really worth that much?”
“Of course not. Didn’t Third Master Leng already say that it’s to satisfy his fancy? It seems like Third Master really like this dagger.”
Everyone felt that Xia Fei had to be satisfied now. Anyone who could enter Tai Ning Company’s weapon exhibit was a person of some caliber. Third Master Leng offering ten thousand for a dagger that probably did not have a market price of more than five thousand, Xia Fei had to sell it.
However, Xia Fei did not say a word, only shaking his head, his att.i.tude even more determined than before.
“Are you trying to mess with me?!” Third Master Leng felt like he was being humiliated. By offering ten thousand for this dagger, which should have a value of less than five thousand, he was already letting Xia Fei take advantage of him, but the latter still did not agree. Third Master Leng felt like Xia Fei was just trying to play with him.
Everyone gasped and shot strange gazes at Xia Fei.
“Twenty thousand pearls!” Third Master Leng’s face darkened as he raised two fingers.
“Sir, I’d advise you to look elsewhere,” said Xia Fei firmly.
As it was said, goods were sold to those people who could use their heads. Since Third Master Leng could not tell that this was a soul weapon, he would never be able to give a price that satisfied him, so Xia Fei could not be bothered to negotiate with the man.
“You!” Third Master Leng went pale. He then waved his sleeve and left in a huff.
The crowd also disapproved of Xia Fei, and as they chatted over what had just happened, they soon decided that Xia Fei was a fellow who did not know what was good for him, treating trash as treasure. The entire exhibit soon knew about this weirdo Xia Fei.
“There’s nothing to be done. Red Dwarf Star isn’t one of the core regions of the Alpha Universe, and the people who live here don’t have the experience. I can’t believe that they don’t even recognize a soul weapon,” said Radix, shaking his head.
Standing around was rather boring, so Xia Fei went to the entrance to smoke two cigarettes. When he came back, he saw that there were two people in front of the display counter, an elder and a thin, energetic, middle-aged man. They were staring at the October Flying Snow and occasionally whispering to each other.
The elder had an unusual bearing, having an att.i.tude that only a man of great wealth and status could possess. As for the middle-aged man, he radiated energy pulses that Xia Fei was very familiar with, so he was probably a warrior.
“I can’t see through that old man, but the middle-aged man is certainly a Soul Hunter. Still, his level is very low, and he’s not that powerful,” Radix concluded.
Xia Fei stood behind the display counter, not looking at the pair.
“Little Brother, is this dagger yours?” asked the middle-aged Soul Hunter.
“Yes. It’s name is October Flying Snow.”
“October Flying Snow? A good name! Would you mind letting us take a closer look and hold it?”
Since this was a Soul Hunter, he had presumably discovered that the October Flying Snow was a soul weapon, so Xia Fei was happy to let them hold it. After all, they were professionals and would not give a joke of a price like twenty thousand pearls for a soul weapon.
Opening the display case, Xia Fei took out the October Flying Snow and handed it to the middle-aged man. The moment the man touched the dagger, his wrist trembled—a detail that failed to escape Xia Fei’s eyes.
“What about it?” the elder whispered.
“Master Tang, I can guarantee you that this is a soul weapon!” the middle-aged man said sternly.
“It’s really a soul weapon?!” This elderly Tang’s eyes exploded with the light of excitement.
“I’m sure of it. It’s not just a soul weapon; this dagger also has some strange energy that I can’t understand.”
Old Master Tang was startled, hastily asking, “There’s a soul weapon that even Mr. Song can’t see through? Then this item must be incredible!”
This Soul Hunter Song nodded. “Incredible! It’s definitely acceptable to purchase.”
Xia Fei, who had closely been listening this entire time, could see that this Red Dwarf Star was truly lacking in masters. A soul weapon that Xia Fei had casually created was being called incredible by this Soul Hunter.
At this moment, there was a clamor from outside.
“Greetings, Boss Tai!”
“Boss Tai, today’s weapon exhibit is incredible! Tai Ning Company deserves its reputation! Yours is the only trading company on Red Dwarf Star that can invest so much!”
Xia Fei looked up. It seemed like the boss of Tai Ning Company was here. The surrounding people all stood aside while greeting him. Upon seeing Old Master Tang, Boss Tai cast aside his dignity and jogged over.
“Master Tang, why are you here?” Tai Ning hurriedly bowed, treating that Old Master Tang with utmost respect. Master Tang ignored him, so clearly, they were not on equal standing with each other.
“Little Tai, I’d like to borrow from you somewhere quiet so that I could discuss some business with this young man,” said Master Tang without averting his eyes.
Tai Ning was deeply moved and hurriedly ordered his employees to open up a VIP room and then respectfully escorted Master Tang inside. Tai Ning also treated Xia Fei with utmost respect.
Everyone only knew that Tai Ning was a top-cla.s.s businessman on Red Dwarf Star and had never seen him attend to someone so a.s.siduously before. They grew even more confused and could not help but wonder where the elderly Tang and Xia Fei had come from.
Xiang Beiyang happened to see all this transpire. He had come here to talk business with Tai Ning, as it was his company that had sought the ten Diamond Dragonflies.
“Boss Tai, where did this Master Tang come from?” whispered Xiang Beiyang. He was immensely curious after seeing Xia Fei follow this extremely revered elder into the VIP room, so he hastily ran over to gather information.
Tai Ning called Xiang Beiyang over to the side and then told him sternly, “That man is Old Master Tang Wannian.”