71 Merchant Of the Abyss (1/2)
The forest soon cleared up and they were met with the sight of a large plain. There was little to no trees in sight beyond this point. However, there was a large paved road stretching out from one end of the horizon to the other. The pavement seemed to be poorly maintained with cracks expanding like a spider web. Other than that, there didn't seem to be anything off about it. It didn't release some sort of aura nor did it contain formations within the cracks.
”A road, but to where?”
Chilong bent over and put his finger over it. The wind picked up blowing away the dust that accumulated along the pathway. A cloud of dust enveloped the team as all forms of sight seem to vanish. As the dust settled, it was replaced with a thick fog that covered the entire area.
”This road is used quite a bit.”
*Guk*Guk*Guk*Neigh*
Along the the shroud of fog, was a shadow slowly approaching. As it approached, the figure became more clear. At first, Xin Fan could not make out what it was. However, after a while, he started to make out the shape of a horse, then a carriage and finally a man driving the carriage. The hooded figure had his face covered so Xin Fan could not make out his facial features.
”Guk*Guk*Guk*Creak*
As it neared, the carriage started to stop until ultimately it ended in a halt right in front of the team. The man peered over his shoulder to stare at the children through the holes of a mask. The man was donned in an all white cloak with a white mask.
”I am the abyss merchant...Do you need anything?”
Xin Fan was hesitant about talking to this man. There was something about him that seemed off. It may be the uncaring air he was giving off but the blank stare was making him uneasy.
”What do you sell?”
The man stayed silent for a solid 30 seconds before replying.
”Everything.”
Xin Fan looked around at Chilong and Tianfei as if asking for ideas.
”What do you trade with?”
Once again, the merchant stayed silent before responding 30 seconds later.
”Everything.”
It was as if he was playing a recorded message. The intonation, speed, and volume of the response were unnaturally similar. As much as Xin Fan wanted to take no part in this, another part of him was telling him to go ahead. In situations like this, instinct and intuition are what decides something is the right choice. Xin Fan took out a portion of Fire Soul Rice and placed it on the platform that the man took out.
”Does this work?”
The man stared at it for a moment before nodding.
”Acceptable trade item.”
The man opened up the cover on the side of the carriage. Unlike the carriages that Xin Fan have seen before, this one had a sliding cover not unlike one would see at store fronts. It almost seemed like a portable shop, then again, it wasn't far from it. From under the covers were a wide variety of objects ranging from rare spirit herbs to materials and even elixirs. Each of the items had a name tag under it and a set number. From assumption, it meant how he could buy.
”Xin Fan what are you doing?!”
Tianfei shook him as if he was hallucinating.
”I'm buying things, can't you see?”
Tianfei stared at the carriage and then at Xin Fan again. She had quite the worried expression on her face.
”Xin Fan...there is nothing there?”
Xin Fan looked at Tianfei in confusion. He turned to Chilong who returned with a similarly worried expression.
”Please hurry and make a choice.”
The merchant spoke in a monotonous voice urging Xin Fan to hurry. Xin Fan stared at the pile of items and randomly picked one up. All the other items disappeared as did the rice he placed on the platform. All that was left was the item he took. The man bowed before returning back to the driver's seat.