Do You Have Any Spare Stock?

Since Xiao Mingshu left Spirit Creek Market with Shen Jingchuan Huan'er, Zhou Meng, the leader of the market patrol team, has disappeared.

For the first day or two, his subordinates assumed he had gone to some brothel again and didn't pay much attention. But when he still hadn't returned by the third day, and several tasks had been delayed, they panicked and quickly reported to the manager, Wang Cheng'an.

After listening for a moment, Wang Cheng'an recalled that the day Zhou Meng disappeared was the same time Xiao Mingshu and her group left the market.

His heart sank at that moment—he knew Zhou Meng was greedy for profit.

He might not care about small, trivial benefits in the past, but if there were big profits to be made, he might actually go out of the market to intercept and kill merchants, which would be tantamount to destroying Spirit Creek Market's livelihood.

Zhou Meng was on duty that day, and he even gave him a special warning:

The market thrives on the trust of its merchants. If security is compromised, no one will dare to come, and even the best business won't last. Don't do something as foolish as killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

At first, he speculated that Zhou Meng might have succeeded in stealing the money and, fearing being held accountable, had simply absconded with the valuables.

But after he secretly sent someone to investigate the background of the three people in the group, his thoughts became more complicated.

The identities of those three people were not difficult to ascertain:

Leading the group was Princess Xiao Mingshu of the Great Qian Kingdom, the young man's surname was Shen, and there was also a maid named Huan'er; on the surface, they were all members of the royal family.

Wang Cheng'an assumed Shen Jingchuan was Xiao Mingshu's bodyguard and attendant, and didn't think much of it.

If Zhou Meng were to act rashly and lay a hand on the princess of the Great Qian Kingdom, it would cause some trouble, though it wouldn't be considered a major disaster.

The Great Qian Kingdom's patriarch was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, not much higher than him. With Golden Core True Person cultivator standing behind Spirit Creek Market, there was no need to be afraid of him.

But ultimately, the market town is located within the borders of the Great Qian Kingdom. It's never good if the emperor's daughter gets into trouble on your territory.

He had been running Spirit Creek Market for many years and valued its reputation above all else. Within a radius of hundreds of miles, this place had the strictest rules and the most stable public security, which was why merchants from all walks of life were willing to come here, and why their businesses were so prosperous. He would never allow his subordinates to ruin this foundation.

So when he received a report from the patrolling cultivators early this morning that Xiao Mingshu and her two companions had entered the market again, he was overjoyed and immediately ordered his men:

"Go and invite them to the hall of affairs. Be polite to them."

Wang Cheng'an wasn't surprised at all when the two sat down and simply placed their teacups beside them. People who travel in the world of cultivation are naturally wary when they go out, so being cautious is perfectly normal.

He didn't beat around the bush, holding his teacup and speaking casually, as if it were a casual chat:

"I heard that you two were robbed and murdered on your way out of the neighborhood last time? Is that true?"

Xiao Mingshu was slightly taken aback, then understood—with patrols everywhere in the market, the sounds of people coming and going couldn't be kept secret. She didn't deny it, and calmly nodded:

"That did happen, but it's already been resolved."

Wang Cheng'an lowered his eyes, took a sip of tea, and his mind raced.

Zhou Meng was at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, and was considered one of the best in the market patrol team. He saw that Xiao Mingshu was only at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, the young man surnamed Shen beside her looked to be only at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, and the maid Huan'er was only at the Qi Refining Third Layer. Logically speaking, their strengths were quite different, so there was no reason for Zhou Meng to fail.

But then I thought about it again. Although the Great Qian royal family is not ranked among the top in the cultivation world, it is still Aristocratic Clan that has been passed down for hundreds of years. It is common for its members to have a few hidden life-saving methods. It is not surprising that they can fight back.

He never intended to seek any explanation for Zhou Meng. The patrolmen's violation of the rules by intercepting and killing merchants outside the market was already damaging the reputation of Spirit Creek Market. Being killed in retaliation was entirely their own fault.

If Zhou Meng were to succeed in killing these three, and the merchants were to die on the outskirts of the market, it would ruin their reputation, and no one would dare to do business with them in the future. That would be a real problem.

Thinking of this, he looked up and smiled, his tone softening:

"That's good, that's good. I only heard about it by chance and was just worried that something might have happened to you, so I was just concerned."

Changing the subject, he smiled and said:

"Speaking of which, the timepiece and portable makeup mirror that Fairy Xiao sold at the market a while ago, although they were of mortal form, were exquisitely and ingeniously made. Both cultivators and mortals could use them, and I heard that their business was booming."

Xiao Mingshu felt a slight tightness in her chest; she hadn't expected that even these small, scattered businesses were so thoroughly investigated by the other party.

There's no point in hiding it now that things have come to this, she replied calmly:

"They're just some mundane trinkets, enough to exchange for Cultivation Resources."

"You're too kind, Fairy Xiao. Anything that can be exchanged for Spirit Stones is a good thing."

Wang Cheng'an waved his hand, then suddenly changed the subject:

"To be honest, our market has shops in several surrounding markets. I've looked into it, and your item is a novelty; it's not common elsewhere. I wonder if you brought any new stock this time? If it's convenient, could you spare a batch for me? I'd like to try selling it in other markets."

Xiao Mingshu was taken aback upon hearing this. She didn't know how much stock Shen Jingchuan had brought with him this time, so she subconsciously turned her head to look at Shen Jingchuan beside her.

Shen Jingchuan understood, rose slightly, cupped his hands, and spoke in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant:

"How many do you need, Steward Wang? Do you just need the timer, or the dressing mirror as well?"

"Both are fine, I want them both."

Wang Cheng'an laughed heartily:

"If the quantity is sufficient, please send two thousand of each item first. I'll test the waters in other markets. The price will be based on your market price in the market; I won't lower your price. Cash on delivery."

Shen Jingchuan quickly calculated in his mind:

Two thousand of each item, at two Spirit Stones each, totaling eight thousand Spirit Stones, this is indeed a big deal.

However, the other party is Foundation Establishment cultivator and the person in charge of Spirit Creek Market. They shouldn't be capable of double-crossing.

He glanced sideways at Xiao Mingshu, and seeing her nod almost imperceptibly, he turned back to Wang Cheng'an, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and spoke in a steady tone:

"Of course I brought the goods. Steward Wang wants a lot, so I'll give you a fair price: two Spirit Stones each, plus an extra two hundred of each item. Is that acceptable?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Cheng'an immediately smiled, stroking his knees as he said:

"Good! Young man, you know how to do business, you're decisive! Deal."

He naturally knew the market price of these two items, and now that they were not only giving him a bulk price but also giving him an extra two hundred, it was already a huge concession.

Shen Jingchuan didn't hesitate. With a flick of his wrist, boxes of tightly sealed watches and portable makeup mirrors appeared out of thin air and were neatly stacked along the corner of the wall, filling almost half the room in the blink of an eye.

A hint of surprise flashed across Wang Cheng'an's eyes. He had previously assumed that this young man was Xiao Mingshu's bodyguard, whose cultivation was only at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Logically, he should have been somewhat reserved in front of him.

But at this moment, the other party was calm and composed, taking the goods worth eight thousand Spirit Stones without hesitation, not at all afraid that he would take advantage of his cultivation and status to swallow the goods.

A transaction of eight thousand Spirit Stones was not a small sum even for a market manager at the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet the young man showed no sign of wariness whatsoever.

Considering that Zhou Meng, who Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, had gone out of the workshop to intercept these three people a while ago, but had instead disappeared without a trace, it was likely that he had fallen into their hands.

It seems this young man surnamed Shen is no ordinary follower; he must have some powerful backing.

He pondered inwardly, but his expression remained warm. He turned and called out loudly towards the door:

"Someone, go and fetch Mr. Wu, the accountant,."