"Two Gold Soul Coins! I'll take that ancient book!"
It was Qian Renxue in another disguise, playing the part of a white-clad young man with a white fan in hand.
Yu Dash had never encountered a shill before, and had no idea this one was there to trick him into paying a high price.
Seeing someone willing to buy it—and offering so much—Yu Dash immediately grew anxious.
That thing might really contain knowledge he needed. If someone else bought it, he wouldn't even have anywhere to cry.
The Monkey Mask Li Pu's mask took on the familiar, crafty look of Yu Dash's old buddy Flender whenever he spotted a business opportunity.
Rubbing his hands together with a sly grin, he said, "Young master, you certainly have a sharp eye to be willing to pay so much for this ancient book. I guarantee it won't disappoint you."
Yu Dash wasn't pleased. "I saw this ancient book first."
"Highest bidder wins. Why don't you offer more Gold Soul Coins?" Young Master Qian Renxue said with a smile, opening his fan.
To be fair, Yu Dash did have some money. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was keeping him fed like a pig, so he'd grown plump and well-fed. But he still collected his Spirit Master's allowance from Spirit Hall every month. It wasn't much, but ten Gold Soul Coins a month was enough to buy plenty of things.
Books, for example. Rare ancient books, which he hoped would reveal unknown knowledge he could pass off as his own and use to make a name for himself.
Monkey Mask Li Pu didn't immediately sell the book to Young Master Qian Renxue. Instead, he shot Yu Dash a crafty look and asked, "So, how much are you offering, sir?"
Yu Dash held up five