Chapter 612
by fanqienovelChapter 612: Forced Trade
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the simple dinner.
According to Zhang Mushan, the Spotted Deer that Wang Chen had hunted, though not among the most precious magical beasts, was exceedingly rare within a thousand-mile radius and had been nearly hunted to extinction by Hunter Cultivators.
The deer meat was delicious, akin to beef tenderloin; when grilled and seasoned with salt and crushed spices, it was so flavorful that one could almost swallow their tongue.
The deer blood wine, blended with spiritual wine, was known for its nourishing and invigorating properties. Although Zhang Mushan was not a heavy drinker, he requested a jar from Wang Chen to take home and enjoy at his leisure.
Before departing, he specifically cautioned Wang Chen against venturing too far alone for hunting.
He also warned him to be wary of the slave-capturing teams from other immortal cities.
These teams were far more dangerous than any magical beast!
Wang Chen took this advice to heart.
The next morning, after completing his weeding in the spirit fields, Wang Chen took the chopped Spotted Deer meat and bones, mixed them with a proportionate amount of deer blood, and evenly spread them across the fields.
The spirit rice, sensing the smell of blood, extended countless roots from beneath the soil layer, wrapping around the minced meat and bones to drag them underground.
“Eat meat, eat meat!”
They joyfully expressed their gratitude and satisfaction to Wang Chen.
Wang Chen: “……”
In the days that followed, Wang Chen continued his reclusive lifestyle.
Heeding Zhang Mushan’s warning, he avoided hunting in distant areas and instead roamed around Dongli Mountain.
Though prey in Dongli Mountain was scarce and elusive, Wang Chen, with the aid of the Qing Qian Kun Mirror and his keen divine sense, always managed to uncover some hidden magical beasts.
He never returned empty-handed!
Wang Chen consumed the choicest parts of his prey himself or traded them for supplies at the market.
The remainder he chopped up to enrich the spirit fields.
Apart from tending to the spirit fields, Wang Chen devoted most of his time to cultivation.
He remained patient and focused, diligently practicing the Preheaven Five Element Technique and the Supreme Mysterious Spirit Dragon Technique, nurturing the Longyuan Sword day and night, and refining his swordsmanship skills.
His days were exceptionally fulfilling.
By the Mid-Autumn Festival, the dozens of acres of spirit rice Wang Chen had planted were nearing maturity.
Having missed the spring planting, he could only cultivate one season of green Japonica rice this year. However, due to meticulous care and ample meat fertilizer, a bountiful harvest was on the horizon!
At this point, Wang Chen ceased his outings, staying close to guard his spirit fields in anticipation of the harvest.
Inside and outside Feixu Valley were two different worlds; if he were to leave for hunting now, someone might stealthily harvest the spirit rice, leaving nothing behind.
However, to Wang Chen’s surprise, no rice thieves appeared.
Instead, three cultivators arrived.
Leading them was a benign-looking old man in green robes, whose cheerful smile made him seem harmless.
Upon seeing Wang Chen guarding the spirit fields, he immediately declared, “Fellow traveler, I wish to purchase all of this green Japonica rice.”
Wang Chen was momentarily stunned.
Wang Chen had encountered many business dealings, but never one conducted with such an air of certainty, as if the other party had him completely cornered!
Wang Chen calmly inquired, “What’s your offer?”
The old man in green raised a finger: “Three jins of rice for one spirit fragment.”
Damn!
Wang Chen fought back the urge to curse.
When selecting seeds earlier, he had thoroughly researched the market for various types of spiritual rice.
Green Japonica rice was easy to cultivate but difficult to yield abundantly; however, due to its superior taste and potent nourishing effects, it was highly sought after in the market.
The market price for one jin of unhulled rice hovered around one spirit fragment, and it was rumored that it could fetch an even higher price in Yongle Immortal City.
Yet this man had the audacity to offer three jins of rice for one spirit fragment.
“Too low.”
Wang Chen shook his head. “At this price, I might as well keep it for myself.”
His cultivation of the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method demanded significant energy, causing his food consumption to far exceed that of an average cultivator.
He needed to set aside a portion of the green Japonica rice he grew for his own use.
“Low?”
The old man in green regarded Wang Chen with a smirk. “Allow me to inform you, fellow traveler, I am Qian Wancheng, the humble manager of the Wine and Rice Shop in Feixu Valley.”
As he spoke, he flashed an identity token!
Wang Chen’s heart sank.
There was only one Wine and Rice Shop in Feixu Valley, specializing in spiritual wine and spiritual rice.
It was common knowledge that all establishments in the valley were under the ownership of Feixu Camp’s leader—Master Mu.
Wang Chen wasn’t intimidated by this man’s attempt to strong-arm him; even if the other party was a high-level Purple Palace cultivator, he was confident in his ability to prevail.
The real issue was that this man had the backing of a Golden Core true master.
That changed everything!
Wang Chen knew full well that a dignified Golden Core true master wouldn’t bother with such petty affairs—this bullying tactic was undoubtedly the work of their underlings, like this manager before him!
And the old man was utterly unafraid, clearly unconcerned about Wang Chen exposing him.
Wang Chen’s mindset raced, and he spoke in a deep voice, “I have always held Master Mu in high esteem and am willing to offer three thousand jins of green Japonica rice.”
“Bah!”
The old man in green spat on the ground, his expression turning vicious. “Does the master need such a paltry amount of rice? Don’t overestimate your worth; if you don’t speak carefully today, I’ll make sure you regret it!”
Wang Chen suppressed his anger and proposed, “How about this: I’ll keep five thousand jins of rice for myself and sell you the remainder at this price, as a token of respect for the master.”
A wise man knows when to yield; since this manager dared to invoke the master’s name, he clearly had no fear of escalating the situation.
If Wang Chen were to engage in a serious dispute with the manager, he would likely end up the one suffering.
“I’ll allow you to keep one thousand jins at most.”
Qian Wancheng snorted, looking down at Wang Chen with contempt. “What are you dreaming of? I’ll have you know, this rice is mine today!”
“Fine.”
Wang Chen conceded, “I’ll keep one thousand jins and sell you the rest.”
This was his absolute limit.
“Smart decision.”
Qian Wancheng smirked. “I’ll send someone to harvest it tomorrow; be ready!”
With that, he turned to leave with his men.
Qian Wancheng’s two companions exuded a fierce aura, unmistakably battle-hardened cultivators, their sharp eyes brimming with concealed killing intent.
“Wait!”
Wang Chen called out hastily. “You haven’t paid the deposit yet.”
Qian Wancheng turned back, incredulous. “What deposit? Are you seriously asking me for a deposit?”
He burst into laughter and waved his hand dismissively. “I’ll pay you; do you think I’d renege? You’re overthinking it!”
Wang Chen remained silent.
Qian Wancheng, believing Wang Chen had fully submitted, grinned. “I’ll return tomorrow, and I expect you to be prepared.”
After Qian Wancheng and his men departed, Wang Chen pondered for a moment, then sent a talisman to Zhang Mushan.
The latter arrived hurriedly only by dusk.
“I was out today,” Zhang Mushan explained. “I just saw your talisman upon returning. Has something happened?”
Wang Chen had indeed found himself in a predicament!