Gold Medal Peddler

By the time Fang Chen returned to the exit of Spirit Flame Valley, the sun had set, and its last rays had stained the western Yun layers crimson.

As soon as the Wind-Riding Crane landed, someone came over with a ledger. After counting the bamboo Fang Chen had cut, the person recorded the total and left.

Fang Chen headed straight for the Dining Hall. His stomach was nearly growling itself flat.

When he arrived, quite a few people were already eating. He joined a line and soon received a steaming meal with fish, meat, and vegetables. There was no limit, either—he could eat as much as he wanted.

By the time he had eaten his fill, darkness had fallen completely.

Fang Chen rubbed his round belly, his face full of contentment. He could not help thinking, Life as an Outer Sect Disciple really is good!

Just then, someone crept up to Fang Chen. He took a closer look and found it was the man who had tried to sell him the Mystic Ice Dharma Robe earlier that day.

He frowned at once. "Why are you here again?"

The man approached with a smile. "Brother, eaten your fill? I've got a Boat Ticket to Spirit River Market. It leaves in the time it takes a stick of incense to burn and returns tomorrow morning. Only twenty taels of silver. Want it?"

"Spirit River Market?"

Fang Chen frowned slightly. He had never even heard of the market.

"You don't know it?"

The peddler stared at Fang Chen, momentarily stunned. This was the first time he had met someone who had never heard of Spirit River Market.

He smiled and said, "Spirit River Market is the biggest market in the Glazed Sword Sect's outer sect. Outer Sect Disciples from all the main peaks go there. It's packed with fun things, good food, and useful goods. On a night like this, everyone wants to head over and enjoy themselves. Want to go? I've only got one Boat Ticket left. We seem to have hit it off, so if you're going, I'll let you have it for fifteen taels!"

"No thanks. I need a good rest. I still have bamboo to cut tomorrow!"

Fang Chen shook his head and turned to leave. He wanted to see Spirit River Market too, but he simply had no spare money.

Seeing this, the peddler hurried after him and held out a little Paper Crane. "Little brother, take this Paper Crane. If you ever need to buy or sell anything, you can find me anytime. My name's Wang Zheng—Wang as in 'king,' and Zheng as in 'unyielding as iron'!"

Fang Chen looked down at the Paper Crane but did not take it right away. He recalled being attacked by Zhang Tielin's lackeys that day. He still could not figure out how they had found him so precisely.

He asked Wang Zheng, "Senior brother, if I wanted to track someone, what would be the best way?"

The moment Fang Chen asked him a question, Wang Zheng perked up. "You've asked the right person. There are plenty of ways to track someone. The most common is to leave a mark or a distinctive scent on the target, then use something like a Scent-Chasing Insect. Huh..."

At that, Wang Zheng sniffed, as though he had caught a scent. He looked up at Fang Chen. "Why do you smell of Purple Cloud Incense?"

"What Purple Cloud Incense?"

Fang Chen fixed his eyes on Wang Zheng, his gaze sharpening at once.

Looking at him, Wang Zheng thought Fang Chen was an idiot. The kid really knew nothing.

Still smiling, he said, "Purple Cloud Incense is a special perfume. Its scent is faint, but it's one of the Scent-Chasing Insect's favorites. Were you followed today?"

"Yes."

Fang Chen gave a slight nod.

"There you go. Someone put Purple Cloud Incense on you, then used a Scent-Chasing Insect to find you!"

Wang Zheng smiled at Fang Chen.

Fang Chen lifted the fabric at his chest and sniffed it carefully, but he could smell nothing except sweat. He looked up at Wang Zheng and frowned. "Why can't I smell any perfume?"

Wang Zheng chuckled and shook his head. "Purple Cloud Incense has a peculiar scent. It isn't strong, and most people can't smell it. Once it gets on you, even bathing won't wash it off easily!"

"Then why can you smell it?"

Fang Chen stared at Wang Zheng, suddenly wary.

Wang Zheng smiled. "I was born with a keen nose. And because I have a wood-and-earth Spiritual Root, I'm especially sensitive to the scent of plants. That's why I can smell it!"

Fang Chen studied Wang Zheng closely. The fellow was young, probably about his own age, and he kept smiling as he spoke. He did not look as though he was lying.

After a moment's hesitation, Fang Chen asked, "Is there any way to get the smell off me?"

"Of course there is!"

Wang Zheng chuckled, rummaged inside his robe, and produced a black bottle. "This contains Invincible Odor Removal Powder, made by a senior brother in the Glazed Sword Sect's inner sect. It's the bane of every foul body odor, and the ladies at Hundred Phoenix Pavilion love it. Sprinkle a little on yourself, and it'll easily neutralize the Purple Cloud Incense. It is a bit expensive, though!"

"How much?"

Fang Chen asked without hesitation.

Wang Zheng held up one finger. "One Spirit Stone!"

"I'll take it!"

Fang Chen pulled out a Spirit Stone. He was poor, but he had no intention of letting anyone track him with a Scent-Chasing Insect again. When his life was at stake, one Spirit Stone was nothing. Fang Chen would not hesitate to spend money where it mattered.

Wang Zheng's eyes lit up at the Spirit Stone in Fang Chen's hand. "Excellent! Here's your powder!"

With that, he slipped the bottle into Fang Chen's hand and took the Spirit Stone at the same time. The whole exchange flowed as smoothly as drifting Yun and running water, so fast that even Fang Chen could not react.

Fang Chen opened the bottle and held it to his nose, but he could not smell anything.

He looked up at Wang Zheng. "You haven't sold me a fake, have you?"

"A fake? I'm Wang Zheng, the outer sect's famous Gold Medal Peddler! If I sold you a fake, wouldn't I be smashing my own signboard?"

Wang Zheng thumped his chest. "Brother, you can rest easy. If this powder turns out to be fake, come find me anytime. I guarantee a refund or replacement!"

Hearing that, Fang Chen relaxed a little. "All right. I'll trust you this once!"

"Thank you for your trust, brother!"

Wang Zheng bowed slightly to Fang Chen in thanks.

Holding the bottle, Fang Chen stared at Wang Zheng. "Can you help me kill someone?"