As the two strolled through Boro Arms Market, Lei Laohu suddenly said, "Good thing you came today. I'm going to play a proper trick on that old fellow." He yanked Luo Qian aside. Caught off guard, Luo Qian nearly crashed into a stall. The stallholder was about to flare up, but Lei Laohu glared at him and waved the gold plaque he had taken from Luo Qian. The stallholder shrugged and said no more.
"What are you up to, Old Lei?" Luo Qian asked. Lei Laohu smiled toward a distant stall. "See that long-bearded old man?" Luo Qian looked and could not help laughing. The old man's beard really was a sight: it was long, of course, and covered his entire face, but two tufts of white hair even grew from his earholes.
"That old fellow is as crafty as a monkey," Lei Laohu said. "He has plenty of treasures tucked away, but he refuses to sell them to me." "Why?" Luo Qian asked. Lei Laohu gave an embarrassed smile. "He knows my business. I buy things from him and auction them off for a hundredfold profit. He insists on fighting me over it. Even if he can't stop others selling to me, he won't sell me a thing himself. He's the shrewdest fellow in all Boro Arms Market. Of course, he has plenty of fine things too. He's never met you. Come here, I'll tell you what we'll do..."
Lei Laohu whispered his plan into Luo Qian's ear. Luo Qian smiled in understanding and nodded. "Leave it to me." Lei Laohu went off to hide, while Luo Qian wandered along the stalls. He gave each one a glance, then shook his head with open disdain and hurried past, as if he could not get away fast enough. Near the