Borrowing Money

The wedding-cancellation uproar had passed several days ago. In most people's eyes, it already seemed like a distant memory. After all, it had nothing to do with them. Most people had merely watched the excitement—who would actually take it to heart?

"Xiao Yan, what brought you here?"

Xiao Heng had just finished cultivating and was about to go out for breakfast. The moment he opened the door, he ran into Xiao Yan.

"Um, Xiao Heng, aren't we good brothers?"

Xiao Heng looked at Xiao Yan in confusion. "Of course we are! Why are you acting crazy so early in the morning?"

"Then lend me some money!"

"What did you just say?"

"Lend me some money!"

"No, I mean the sentence before that."

"Oh! Aren't we good brothers?"

"No."

"Hey, hey, hey! You can't do this!"

"I was joking. You're the Clan Leader's son, and you're asking me for money? Have you gone crazy? Wait! Xiao Yan seems to be broke right now! But I'm broke too! I haven't even gotten the money for my sword scabbards yet! Hmm... Wait, I might suddenly have a solution." Xiao Heng's eyes suddenly lit up, and he stared intensely at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan had failed to borrow any money and was already somewhat disappointed. But then he suddenly noticed Xiao Heng looking at him strangely, and he immediately got goosebumps.

"What are you trying to do? I'm telling you, I sell my skills, not my body." Xiao Yan folded his arms over his chest, looking ready to die rather than submit.

Xiao Heng rolled his eyes at the idiot. "What are you imagining? I'll take you to find someone. I guarantee you'll get some money. You might not even need to repay it."

"No, no! How can a grown man like me borrow money from a girl? No, no!" After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yan immediately realized who Xiao Heng meant. As he spoke, he shook his head frantically, looking as though it was absolutely impossible...

The scene shifted:

"Thanks for lending us the money, little sister Xun Er. Don't worry, Xiao Yan will definitely repay it. If he really can't, he can repay it with his body."

"You shameless bastard! You borrowed even more than I did, so why should I repay it?" Xiao Yan looked at the shameless fellow. Although he had borrowed money too, he had been forced into it.

Xiao Heng draped an arm around Xiao Yan's neck. "You fool, we're brothers! We share blessings and face difficulties together! Right, little sister Xun Er?"

Watching the two of them fool around, Xun Er did not respond to that. Instead, she said, "Then, would you like to go shopping with me? I haven't gone shopping in a long time!"

"Sure, I agree!" Xiao Heng waved his hand grandly and immediately agreed.

"Hey, hey, hey! I haven't agreed yet!" Xiao Yan looked at the fellow in dissatisfaction. He was just about to continue mocking him when a sweet voice rang out.

"Then... Brother Xiao Yan, you don't want to go?"

"Uh! I'll go, I'll go!" How could he dare refuse Xun Er? Left with no choice, Xiao Yan could only pay the debt with his person for now.

... Scene break

"Third Young Master, Young Master Xiao Heng, Miss Xun Er, I was personally appointed captain of the guards by the Clan Leader last year. My name is Payne! If anything happens, just call for me."

The Xiao Family's market was very lively, with almost everything imaginable for sale. Xiao Heng was dazzled by the sight. Unfortunately, he had a clear goal, so he could not buy anything else. He merely looked around casually. Of course, the main reason was that he was poor.

"Eh, isn't this Miss Xun Er? Hehe, I never expected to encounter you here. What a coincidence!"

Xun Er's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she looked toward the voice. She saw a crowd surging over, surrounding a richly dressed young man like stars surrounding the moon. The young man appeared to be around twenty and was rather handsome, though his face was somewhat pale. His eyes were fixed fervently on the graceful young girl in the distance, filled with undisguised affection.

The moment Xiao Xun'er saw him, she immediately turned around and tried to leave. Seeing Xiao Xun'er attempt to leave, he grew anxious and tried to block her path. But just as he moved, someone stopped him.

"Master Galeo, harassing a girl in the street isn't very nice, you know! Xiao Yan, where the hell did you go? Didn't you see little sister Xun Er getting harassed? Are you dead?" Seeing Xiao Yan still picking through the stalls, Xiao Heng could only shake his head helplessly. He really wanted to kick the guy. He could not even protect his own girlfriend and still needed Xiao Heng to step in. What a nuisance!

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan's reaction caught him off guard. Xiao Yan merely said with an indifferent expression, "Oh, I know. Deal with it, then. I'll take Xun Er over there to look around. Xun Er, come on. Let's go over there."

After saying that, he waved to Xun Er, signaling for them to go browse elsewhere. Just as Xiao Heng was about to scold the shameless bastard, Xun Er suddenly said with an innocent expression:

"Mm! Brother Xiao Yan! I'm coming. Then, Brother Xiao Heng, I'll leave this to you!" With a sweet smile, she headed toward Xiao Yan.

"You three! How dare you!" Seeing their attitude, Galeo felt that they completely disregarded him. Dou Qi surged from his body as he prepared to attack.

Seeing that the fellow was about to make a move, Xiao Heng's gaze turned cold.

"Young Master Xiao Heng, has something happened?"

Uncle Payne walked over with several people and glared at Galeo with unfriendly looks.

Galeo was about to say something, but the person behind him tugged at his sleeve.

"Young Master, this is the Xiao Family's territory. We aren't their match. We can look for another opportunity next time."

Galeo looked at Xiao Yan and the others, who had already gone far away, then glanced at Payne and the others.

Gritting his teeth, he said, "Let's go!"

Seeing Galeo leave, Xiao Heng did not provoke him further. After all, he was not yet a match for Galeo's father. But it would not be long before that man was gone. Xiao Heng did not bother arguing with someone who was about to die.

"Young Master Xiao Heng, Young Master Xiao Yan and the others have already gone over there." Payne assumed Xiao Heng was going after them, so he spoke up.

"No need. Let them browse around. Uncle Payne, do you know where there's a blacksmith shop? I want to buy something."

Although he did not know what Xiao Heng wanted to buy, Payne enthusiastically told him where the blacksmith shop was and even sent someone along to guide him.

"Then, Young Master Xiao Heng, I'll head back first." The guide was a youth a few years older than Xiao Heng. He had a stern, old-fashioned appearance and had barely spoken to Xiao Heng along the way.

"Mm! Go back. Tell Xiao Yan and the others that I'll return later, so they don't need to wait for me."

"Yes, Young Master Xiao Heng." The youth nodded to show that he understood.

The moment he entered the blacksmith shop, a wave of heat rushed toward him. There was no receptionist. A Middle-aged Man was hammering metal inside. When he saw Xiao Heng enter, he immediately stopped his work and came over.

"Young Master, are you looking for a weapon? My weapons are the finest in all of Wutan City."

"I don't need weapons. I need two sword scabbards." As he spoke, he took Black and White Profound Cut out of System Space. The blacksmith had seen Storage Rings before, so he was not overly surprised.

"These... these two swords are at least Mystic Grade. Young Master, may I examine them carefully?"

The blacksmith was somewhat flustered. The moment he saw Black and White Profound Cut, he became excited. He had not seen such fine swords in a long time. Even the best weapon his father had forged seemed inferior to these two.

Xiao Heng made an inviting gesture, then quietly watched the blacksmith carefully examine the Two swords.

After quite a while, the blacksmith finally spoke excitedly. "I've never seen swords made with such craftsmanship. These are the finest swords I've ever seen in my life."

After another while, Xiao Heng finally asked, "So, can you do it?"

It was not that Xiao Heng wanted to interrupt him. The way he was looking at the swords made Xiao Heng feel that he could stare at them for an entire day.

"Yes, yes, I can. It's just..."

Seeing the blacksmith hesitate, Xiao Heng said, "As long as you can make them, that's enough. Money isn't a problem. Tell me first—how much will it cost?"

"About five thousand Gold Coins!"

The blacksmith blushed slightly, seemingly embarrassed. Given Wutan City's level of consumption, people would laugh themselves to death if they learned that two sword scabbards cost five thousand Gold Coins. But he truly was not overcharging him!

"No problem. How long will it take?"

"I know it may sound a little excessive, but if they're to be worthy of these two swords..."

The blacksmith looked at Xiao Heng in surprise. He had not expected Xiao Heng to agree.

"Boss, I'll pay you two thousand as a deposit first. When can I collect them?" Xiao Heng could not be bothered with unnecessary words and got straight to the point.

The blacksmith froze for a moment, then said solemnly, "Ten days. Give me ten days! I'll definitely satisfy you."

After leaving two thousand Gold Coins, Xiao Heng headed in another direction. By the time the boss had finished measuring every dimension, it was already noon. The man had been far too meticulous, not overlooking a single corner. Even Xiao Heng was nearly out of patience from waiting.

"Ah! It's finally done. It's time to visit the Mittel Auction House." The next things he needed to buy were directly related to whether he could make money in the future. He squeezed the card Xun Er had given him that morning, and confidence immediately filled his heart. Otherwise... to be honest, he truly had no confidence walking into the Mittel Auction House.

"Hello, welcome to the Mittel Auction House. May I ask whether you're buying or selling?"

The moment Xiao Heng entered, a fairly attractive Girl approached him. Clearly, she had received excellent training.

"Buying!" Xiao Heng said.

"This way, please!" The Girl led the way, swaying her hips. To be honest, Xiao Heng's eyes nearly went crooked watching her. He admitted that he had reached puberty.

Xiao Heng was brought into a room. A Middle-aged Man was sitting behind a desk inside.

"Please have a seat, Young Master Xiao Heng. What would you like to buy?"

In Wutan City, Xiao Heng had become somewhat recognizable over the past two years, so it was no wonder the Middle-aged Man knew him.

"Thank you!" Xiao Heng sat down, thanked him, and took out a sheet of paper.

"Everything I want is written here. I wonder if you have them in stock?"

"One hundred Purple Vine Flowers, eighty White Fruits, fifty stalks of Alum Grass, eighty stalks of Su Ye Grass, twenty stalks of Green Luo, ten Magic Cores!... And also, one Two-Mouth Cauldron and one Low-grade Storage Ring."

The Middle-aged Man slowly finished reading everything on the paper before slowly saying, "Young Master Xiao Heng, the things you want aren't cheap. I wonder if Young Master Xiao Heng...?"

The Middle-aged Man did not finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: he doubted Xiao Heng's financial ability. After all, Xiao Heng was merely an adopted child. Even a legitimate young master would find this sum difficult to produce!

"You don't need to worry about that. I'm still sitting right here. Just bring the things over, and whether I can afford them will naturally become clear. Right?"

Xiao Heng picked up the tea on the table and took a small sip before speaking calmly.

The Middle-aged Man stood up and said, "Young Master Xiao Heng, please wait a moment. The items will be here shortly."

Xiao Heng did not answer. He merely took another sip of tea.

"Xiao Min, take good care of Young Master Xiao Heng." Before leaving, the man did not forget to give the maid a special reminder.

In another resplendent hall, a woman dressed in purple was looking at Xiao Heng's list. She appeared young, at most sixteen or seventeen, yet her proud figure already surpassed that of countless others. "Interesting. A child picked up by the Xiao Family. Interesting."

"Then, what do you mean?" The Middle-aged Man who had just received Xiao Heng respectfully reported the situation to the woman. Clearly, her identity was extraordinary.

"Give them to him."