Within Chiyang County Territory, three people rode Spirit Beasts known as Flying Star Horses along the edge of the Tianyang Mountain Range.
They were Meng Haoran, Meng Bohai, and Meng Luohai, who had departed from the Xinghua Village Meng Family.
Meng Haoran raised his head to glance at the sunrise on the horizon and asked, "Clan Uncle Bohai, how much farther until we arrive?"
Hearing this, Meng Bohai took out the map of the Chiyang County Black Market that Gray Robe Jiang Lao had given him and studied it carefully for a while before replying, "It should not be much farther. If we continue ahead for another half an incense stick's time, we should arrive."
Meng Haoran nodded lightly.
Meng Luohai, beside him, said, "Haoran, if we encounter Gray Robe Jiang Lao later, be more careful."
Meng Luohai had traveled the martial world for many years and had managed the Xinghua Meng Pavilion on multiple occasions. Naturally, he was more guarded against strangers.
Meng Haoran said in a deep voice, "Clan Uncle Luohai, I understand. Gray Robe Jiang Lao's cultivation is likely at least above the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm. If he intends to rob and kill us, I will surely be his target, since my cultivation is the weakest. I will be careful."
This time, the three of them had come to the Chiyang County Black Market with hearts full of anticipation, but also with a trace of concern toward Gray Robe Jiang Lao.
No matter where a black market was, incidents of killing for treasure and murder for wealth were commonplace.
Gray Robe Jiang Lao was no exception.
When traveling outside, it was always better to be cautious.
As they spoke, the three arrived at the location marked on the map.
Meng Haoran stood quietly beside Meng Luohai, while Meng Bohai surveyed the surroundings, guarding against Gray Robe Jiang Lao having summoned companions for support.
Just then, a whistling sound suddenly arose not far away.
"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Bohai, no need to keep looking. This time, only I, Jiang Lao, have come!"
Gray Robe Jiang Lao's voice suddenly rang out from there.
Covered in grime, Gray Robe Jiang Lao instantly leaped down from a large bluestone and landed several yards away from the three of them, his eyes carrying an indescribable meaning.
Meng Bohai clasped his fists and smiled. "Jiang Lao, it has been many days since we last met. I trust you have been well?"
Gray Robe Jiang Lao likewise clasped his fists. "Thanks to Fellow Daoist Bohai's good fortune. After I sold the Six-Pattern Wheat from last time, I made a killing. Even plain soup tasted especially flavorful afterward!"
Turning to the unfamiliar man beside Meng Haoran, Gray Robe Jiang Lao asked, "Fellow Daoist Bohai, this gentleman is...?"
Meng Bohai replied, "He is my friend. Jiang Lao may call him Fellow Daoist Luo."
After saying this, Meng Luohai lightly clasped his fists and smiled. "Greetings, Jiang Lao."
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Luo," Gray Robe Jiang Lao replied.
Gray Robe Jiang Lao thought, What friend? Isn't he just worried that I might kill them and steal their goods? He specifically brought along a helper.
With the unfamiliar Meng Luohai present, Gray Robe Jiang Lao was even less likely to make any other moves against Meng Haoran's group.
His gaze swept over Meng Haoran once more, and Gray Robe Jiang Lao was slightly startled. He asked, "Has this young fellow Daoist broken through again?"
Meng Haoran looked up at Gray Robe Jiang Lao and answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Just luck."
"Judging by the fluctuations of your aura, this young fellow Daoist's cultivation is at least at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining, or perhaps the fifth layer!"
Gray Robe Jiang Lao praised, "To cultivate to such a level at such a young age—you could truly be called exceptionally gifted!"
"Hehe, Jiang Lao, there is no need to say more meaningless things. Let us get to business."
Meng Bohai slowly stepped forward, cutting off Gray Robe Jiang Lao before he could continue questioning.
He did not want Gray Robe Jiang Lao's attention lingering on Meng Haoran for too long, lest something unexpected happen.
Hearing this, Gray Robe Jiang Lao nodded lightly. He understood the meaning behind Meng Bohai's words.
"Good! Then let us get to business. Fellow Daoist Bohai, have you brought everything I wanted?" Gray Robe Jiang Lao asked.
Meng Bohai patted his sleeve and smiled. "Since we came here, naturally we brought what Jiang Lao needed. Jiang Lao, have you prepared enough Spirit Stones? Today, we are bound to make your heart bleed!"
Gray Robe Jiang Lao caught the teasing in Meng Bohai's words and laughed. "Haha, the more goods, the better. I, Jiang Lao, can swallow anything!"
After hearing this, Meng Bohai instantly took five Storage Bags from his sleeve and called out, "Jiang Lao, each of these contains Six-Pattern Wheat from a full mu of Spirit Plant Field. And its quality is no lower—only higher—than the Six-Pattern Wheat from last time!"
Gray Robe Jiang Lao recalled, "When Fellow Daoist Bohai came to trade last time, there were eight hundred jin of Six-Pattern Wheat. How much could you have brought this time? Four thousand jin?"
Meng Bohai made an inviting gesture and smiled faintly. "Jiang Lao, you will know once you look. It will surely give you a great surprise!"
At these words, Gray Robe Jiang Lao was immediately intrigued. Yet he also worried that the five Storage Bags might contain traps, so his vigilance deepened.
Gray Robe Jiang Lao opened one Storage Bag first and craned his head to look inside. With a thought, his spiritual sense instantly spread out and enveloped the Storage Bag.
In less than ten breaths, Gray Robe Jiang Lao rose and looked at Meng Bohai, asking in surprise, "There are actually nine hundred and thirty-seven jin of Six-Pattern Wheat in this Storage Bag?"
"Jiang Lao has sharp eyes indeed! You saw the weight of this Storage Bag clearly at a glance!"
Meng Bohai smiled. "Jiang Lao, there are five Storage Bags in total on the ground. Aside from the one you just examined, the remaining four contain eight hundred and fifty-three jin, one thousand and sixty-four jin, one thousand one hundred and forty-eight jin, and one thousand two hundred and twenty-one jin of Six-Pattern Wheat respectively, for a total of five thousand two hundred and twenty-three jin!"
Gray Robe Jiang Lao slowly rose to his feet and asked, "Five thousand two hundred and twenty-three jin of Six-Pattern Wheat? Fellow Daoist Bohai, do not deceive me. A mu of Spirit Plant Field can yield roughly eight hundred jin on average after ripening, and that is already the limit for a mu of Spirit Plant Field. By your account, your five mu of Spirit Plant Fields each produced over a thousand jin on average!"
Meng Bohai laughed heartily. "Why would I deceive you? There is no benefit in it for us. Could that information somehow make you raise the price of our Six-Pattern Wheat?"
Gray Robe Jiang Lao waved his hand and smiled. "Ah, Fellow Daoist Bohai, do not tease me. If I raise the price of your Six-Pattern Wheat again, I will be selling at a loss!"
"Just a joke, Jiang Lao. Since you have already counted the Six-Pattern Wheat we provided, please settle the payment," Meng Bohai said flatly.
"Tut, tut, tut! So much Six-Pattern Wheat, and of such high quality."
Gray Robe Jiang Lao chuckled softly. "Having to take out tens of thousands of Spirit Stones all at once truly makes my heart ache a little!"
The moment these words fell, the atmosphere turned icy!
Meng Haoran's fists suddenly clenched as well!
Ready at any moment to snatch back the five Storage Bags!
At this moment, Meng Luohai, who had remained silent for a long while, gave a light cough.
"Jiang Lao, food may be eaten carelessly, but some words cannot be spoken carelessly!"
Gray Robe Jiang Lao's vicious gaze instantly turned toward Meng Luohai!
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