5 Leaving the Mountain (2/2)
Having decided on leaving the valley, Fang Yuan had to prepare himself.
Firstly, he selected some exquisite and aged herbs to fund his trip expenses and changed into a new set of clothing. The most important thing, of course, was to bring enough food.
The normal rice from the outside world could never compare to his self-cultivated Pearl Jade Crystal Rice.
Being used to consuming his own produce, food from the outside world might as well be pigs' feed.
After Fang Yuan was done with his preparations, he equipped himself with a machete for self-protection and proceeded with his journey.
...
Clear Spirit Mountain was vast and stretched across several counties.
Qinghe County was the nearest to the secluded valley.
Fang Yuan rarely left the mountains, but he had accompanied Master Wenxin on his trips out a few times before, and therefore knew his way.
There were a few villages along the way and Fang Yuan approached one of them. Fang Yuan was relieved, ”If the Spirit Returning Sect really wanted to deal with me, with their vast capabilities, it would be difficult for me to move around… It seems like my guess was correct, was it the initiative of one of the low ranking sect cronies?”
The thought of being seen as a love rival and having to deal with this mystery opponent gave Fang Yuan the shudders.
”This will not do. I should look for Minister Lin and find out if it really is the Spirit Returning Sect making trouble for me. After all, they were the ones who created the problems. I doubt that he'll just stand by and watch the show.”
After paying the entrance fee to the town, Fang Yuan walked around aimlessly and did some deep thinking at the same time.
To him, he was willing to forgo his reputation in exchange for less trouble.
But to constantly trouble others was not a long-term solution. Furthermore, the meeting would definitely be an awkward one. It would be for the best if he could solve the problem by himself.
”Cookies!”
”Cosmetics and accessories!”
”Superior gold jewellery…”
...
Although it was a small town, there were many shops along the streets, and the noise created from all the shouting and bargaining made the town a lively one. It was a sight to behold for Fang Yuan, and there were people who looked at him like he was an alien, but all these did not bother him.
”The creation of the Still Fire Liquid requires some Leaving Fire Wood, water that comes from the sky, and Realgar powder… The first two ingredients can be found in the valley, but the Realgar Powder, I will need to buy it in bulk!”
Fang Yuan considered this for a moment and went into a grocery store.
”What would you like, Sir?”
A middle-aged cashier was at the counter, with a very warm smile.
”I want Realgar Powder of the best quality! By the way… do you accept mountain herbs as payment?”
Minister Lin had given some money to Fang Yuan, but he preferred to use his own medicine, and safekept the money for future use.
After all, if the situation escalated and worsened, and if he needed to run, then bringing money along instead of the miscellaneous stuff would be much more practical.
Fang Yuan was reluctant to leave the valley, but he was also not a fool and knew the obvious choice.
”We do accept medicines!”
The cashier smiled and said, ”Whatever mountain herbs you have, bring it to me, young boy!”
”Mmm!”
Fang Yuan knew that even though the cashier seemed friendly, the moment he handed over expensive medicine, the cashier would likely develop an ulterior motive.
Having the appearance of a poor boy, Fang Yuan looked like he did not have any backing.
After much consideration, he took out a cloth bag, which caught the attention of the cashier. Layer by layer he opened it and when the cashier saw that it was just Red Ginseng, disappointment was written all over his face.
”Red Ginseng, 20-year-old, of rather good quality! Let me take a closer look…”
Fang Yuan took out an inexpensive good, but it was still above average. The cashier wanted to look out for flaws in the red ginseng so as to lower its price but to no avail.
This Red Ginseng had no flaws in its appearance, preservation and colour… so the only thing he could say was, ”What a pity, its age is too young, I can only give…”
”Wait a moment, I want this!”
The cashier couldn't complete his sentence, and a stretched arm snatched the red ginseng from him, ”A pity… it isn't aged enough!”
The voice was like an Oriolus bird, high-pitched and tender. Fang Yuan turned around and saw this young lady dressed in a yellow dress. With unhappiness in his voice, he said, ”Lady, this is my Red Ginseng!”
”How much do you want for it?”
The lady was around 17 to 18 years old, around the same age as Fang Yuan.
”This isn't about money, instead I have been preparing to barter this with the cashier for something else. Your action is like extortion!”
Fang Yuan shook his head, and this angered the young lady, ”You!”
”Young man, this sister of mine is worried about her father's condition, which led to her being disrespectful, please do not hold it against her!”
At this moment, behind the young lady appeared an apologetic young gentleman clad in a green gown.
”It's nothing to worry about, your sister's filial piety will definitely touch the gods!”
The young gentleman seemed to be influential, as the cashier rubbed his hands and forced a smile.