Two people had failed in succession, and both were warriors of considerable strength. Everyone's expressions turned uncertain and suspicious.
There was definitely something strange about this saber!
A hundred taels of silver was no small sum. It was enough to buy a fine refined-steel saber from the outer counter.
Seeing Shopkeeper Li sitting calmly as if he were angling for fish, without the slightest hint of panic, it was obvious he had pulled this "give, don't sell" routine plenty of times. He was simply waiting for some fool to take the bait.
For a moment, no one in the inner hall spoke up.
Seeing that no one else stepped forward, Shopkeeper Li's gaze fell on Fang Yuan, who had remained silent and observant ever since entering. He spoke with a genial smile.
"This young fellow carries himself remarkably. Why not come forward and give it a try? Perhaps you are the saber's fated master."
At this, Fang Yuan stepped forward and took a hundred-tael banknote from his robes, placing it on the table. "I'll give it a try, then."
Then his tone shifted, and he fixed Shopkeeper Li with a sharp gaze. "But let's get the ugly words out of the way first."
Shopkeeper Li's smile did not change. Clearly, he remained certain Fang Yuan could never lift it. "Speak freely, young fellow."
Fang Yuan stared directly at Shopkeeper Li. "If I am fortunate enough to truly lift this saber, your shop... won't go back on its word, will it?"
He deliberately paused. "A treasured saber of this quality would likely fetch no less than a thousand taels in the prefectural city.
Yet you are letting someone take it away for a hundred taels. Can Shopkeeper truly make that decision?"
Shopkeeper Li was briefly stunned, then burst into hearty laughter,