Gold Medal Peddler

As Fang Chen returned to the exit of Spirit Flame Valley, the sun had already set, its afterglow painting the western clouds a deep red.

After the Wind-Riding Crane landed, someone immediately approached with a ledger. They tallied the bamboo Fang Chen had cut, recorded it in the book, and left.

Fang Chen headed straight for the mess hall; his stomach was practically growling with hunger.

Upon arriving at the mess hall, Fang Chen found quite a few people already eating. He joined the end of a line and smoothly received a steaming plate of food – fish, meat, and vegetables. There were no limits; he could eat as much as he wanted.

After he had eaten his fill, the sky had completely darkened.

Fang Chen patted his round belly, a look of contentment on his face. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Life as an Outer Sect Disciple is truly good!"

Just then, someone furtively walked up to Fang Chen. Fang Chen looked closely and realized it was the same person who had tried to sell him the Mystic Ice Dharma Robe earlier that day.

He immediately frowned and said to the man, "Why are you here again?"

The man approached Fang Chen with a smile and said, "Brother, are you full? I have a boat ticket to the Spirit River Market. It departs in the time it takes for one incense stick to burn and returns tomorrow morning. It's only twenty taels of silver. Do you want it?"

"Spirit River Market?"

Fang Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He had never even heard of this market before.

"You don't know?"

The vendor looked at Fang Chen, taken aback. It was the first time he had encountered someone who didn't know about the Spirit River Market.

He smiled slightly and said to Fang Chen, "This Spirit River Market is the largest market for Outer Sect Disciples in our Glazed Sword Sect. Outer Sect Disciples from the major peaks often go there. The market has so many fun things, delicious food, and useful items. It's late at night, and everyone wants to go to the market for some entertainment. Are you going? I only have one ticket left. I feel a connection with you, so if you go, I'll give it to you for fifteen taels of silver!"

"No, I'm not going. I need to rest well. I have to cut bamboo tomorrow!"

Fang Chen shook his head and turned to leave. Although he really wanted to visit the Spirit River Market, he simply didn't have the spare cash right now.

Seeing this, the vendor immediately ran after him. He handed Fang Chen a small paper crane and said, "Little brother, take this paper crane. Whether you need to buy something or sell something, you can always find me. My name is Wang Zheng. Wang from 'king,' Zheng from 'unyielding.'"

Fang Chen looked down at the paper crane the man offered but didn't immediately accept it. He remembered being attacked by Zhang Tielin's lackeys earlier that day. He still couldn't figure out how they had found him so precisely.

He asked Wang Zheng, "Senior Brother, if I wanted to track someone, what would be a good method?"

Seeing Fang Chen actively asking him a question, Wang Zheng's interest was immediately piqued. "You've come to the right person! There are many ways to track someone. The most common method is to leave some kind of mark or a special scent on the target. For example, a Scent-Chasing Insect... hmm..."

As he spoke, Wang Zheng sniffed the air slightly, as if catching a scent. He then looked up at Fang Chen and asked, "Why do you smell of Purple Cloud Incense?"

"What Purple Cloud Incense?"

Fang Chen stared at Wang Zheng, his eyes instantly sharpening.

Seeing Fang Chen's reaction, Wang Zheng felt that this kid was an idiot, completely clueless about everything.

He looked at Fang Chen and said with a smile, "This Purple Cloud Incense is a special perfume. Although the scent is very faint, it's one of the favorite scents of Scent-Chasing Insects. Were you being tracked today?"

"Yes!"

Fang Chen nodded slightly.

"That explains it! Someone put Purple Cloud Incense on you, and then they could use Scent-Chasing Insects to find you!"

Wang Zheng said to Fang Chen with a smile.

Fang Chen grabbed the front of his clothes and sniffed them carefully. However, besides the smell of sweat, he detected no other scent. He looked up at Wang Zheng, frowning, "Why can't I smell any fragrance?"

Wang Zheng chuckled lightly, "The scent of Purple Cloud Incense is very peculiar and not strong. Most people's noses can't detect it. Once you're tainted with it, it's difficult to wash off, even with a bath!"

"Then why can you smell it?"

Fang Chen stared at Wang Zheng, becoming instantly wary.

Wang Zheng smiled slightly, "My nose is naturally sensitive. Coupled with my dual Wood and Earth Spiritual Roots, I'm quite sensitive to plant fragrances, which is why I can smell it!"

Fang Chen stared intently at Wang Zheng. He noticed that the man wasn't very old, likely around his own age. He maintained a smile throughout their conversation and didn't seem to be lying.

He hesitated for a moment, then said to Wang Zheng, "Is there any way to remove the scent from me?"

"Of course, there's a way!"

Wang Zheng chuckled softly, reached into his robes, fumbled for a moment, and then pulled out a black bottle. "This bottle contains Invincible Odor Removal Powder, refined by a Senior Brother from the Inner Sect of our Glazed Sword Sect. It's a nemesis to all sorts of foul body odors and is very popular among the ladies at the Hundred Phoenix Pavilion. Just sprinkle some on yourself, and it will easily neutralize the Purple Cloud Incense on you. However, it's a bit pricey!"

"How much?"

Fang Chen asked directly.

Wang Zheng held up one finger towards Fang Chen and said, "One Spirit Stone!"

"I'll buy it!"

Fang Chen immediately took out a Spirit Stone. Although he was poor, he didn't want to be tracked by Scent-Chasing Insects again. For the sake of his own life, spending one Spirit Stone was nothing. Fang Chen never hesitated when it came to spending money on what mattered.

Wang Zheng's eyes gleamed as he looked at the Spirit Stone in Fang Chen's hand. "Alright, here's the powder for you!"

With that, he quickly shoved the bottle into Fang Chen's hand and simultaneously took the Spirit Stone from him. The entire sequence of actions was smooth and swift, so fast that even Fang Chen didn't have time to react.

Fang Chen opened the bottle and brought it to his nose to smell, but he couldn't detect any scent.

He looked up at Wang Zheng and asked, "You're not trying to sell me fake goods, are you?"

"Fake goods? I, Wang Zheng, am a renowned Gold Medal Peddler in the Outer Sect. Selling you fake goods would ruin my reputation!"

Wang Zheng patted his chest and said to Fang Chen, "Brother, you can rest assured. If this medicine is fake, you can come find me anytime. I guarantee a refund or exchange!"

Hearing Wang Zheng say this, Fang Chen breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, I'll trust you for now!"

"Thank you for your trust, brother!"

Wang Zheng bowed slightly to Fang Chen in gratitude.

Fang Chen held the medicine bottle and looked at Wang Zheng, saying, "Can you help me kill someone?"