An Astonishing Price Draws a Crowd

"Heh, big talk."

After reading the writing, Wang Zhi laughed.

There was a trace of disdain in his smile.

As a mercenary at the three-star Dou Shi level, what kind of weapon hadn't he used?

The weapon he currently wielded, for instance, was a broadsaber inlaid with a low-grade tier-two magic core.

Even then, he wouldn't dare claim that his magic core broadsaber could slice through iron like mud.

What gave this stall owner the right?

Faced with Wang Zhi's scornful laughter, Zhou Changqing's expression remained unchanged. He sat steadily, showing not even the slightest intention of responding or arguing.

Seeing this, Wang Zhi's smile gradually faded, and he narrowed his eyes at Zhou Changqing.

The boy seemed far too composed, making him difficult to read.

Could it really be something good?

At that thought, Wang Zhi's curiosity itched fiercely, as though a cat were scratching at his heart. Pointing at the long bundle, he demanded loudly, "Kid, is that thing really as impressive as you say? How much?"

Zhou Changqing gave the burly man before him an indifferent glance before replying calmly, "Four thousand gold coins."

"What? Four thousand gold coins? Have you lost your mind, kid?!"

The moment he heard the price, Wang Zhi's expression changed drastically, and he couldn't help shouting in anger.

Four thousand gold coins was nearly enough to buy two low-grade tier-two magic cores!

Wang Zhi already had a loud voice, and that shout immediately drew the attention of every passerby within a hundred meters.

"Four thousand gold coins? What costs four thousand gold coins?"

"Isn't that Old Wang? What's gotten into him?"

"That's him. Looks like something caught his eye, and the price is sky-high—four thousand gold coins. Otherwise, Old Wang wouldn't be shouting so loudly."

"Something worth four thousand gold coins? Hiss... does someone think this is a Mittel auction? Damn it, this is a market!"

"Come on, let's take a look. I want to see what could possibly be worth four thousand gold coins."

Once they realized that Wang Zhi was the one shouting, many people couldn't help looking curious.

Although Wang Zhi wasn't among the strongest mercenaries, his strength as a three-star Dou Shi had earned him a modest reputation.

Quite a few people present knew him or had teamed up with him before.

Anything that could make him lose his composure like this had to be out of the ordinary.

Even those who didn't know Wang Zhi began approaching Zhou Changqing's stall to watch the excitement after hearing "four thousand gold coins" and seeing others gathering around.

Never underestimate humanity's appetite for gossip.

In no time at all, a crowd had gathered around Zhou Changqing's stall.

Zhou Changqing remained expressionless, utterly unconcerned by the spectators.

He would have welcomed an even livelier crowd; the more people there were, the better his chances of selling his weapon.

However, he failed to notice a scar-faced young man in the crowd staring at him, his eyes brimming with delight at his predicament.

Wang Zhi likewise ignored the gathering crowd. Instead, he glared indignantly at Zhou Changqing and demanded loudly, "Kid, are you messing with me?!"

"If you think it's too expensive and can't afford it, you're free to leave. I'm not stopping you. I only sell treasures to those fated to possess them."

Glancing at the furious burly man, Zhou Changqing replied indifferently.

The implication was clear: You broke bastard, if you can't even cough up four thousand gold coins, you're not the one fate has chosen. Now get lost.

How could Wang Zhi miss the meaning behind those words? His teeth practically itched with fury, and his large hands clenched into fists with a series of cracks.

Clearly, he was itching to teach this arrogant brat a lesson.

Unfortunately, this was the Xiao Family Market, not somewhere he could run wild.

After reading the words on the stall's coarse cloth and piecing together the exchange between the two, the onlookers had roughly worked out what had happened.

Someone who enjoyed a spectacle and didn't care how much trouble it caused called out, "You're a greedy little thing, aren't you? What weapon could you possibly ask four thousand gold coins for? Does a brat like you even know what four thousand gold coins means? That's enough to buy an entire weapons shop."

"Old Wang, this kid's clearly taking you for a sucker and deliberately fleecing you. You're going to put up with that?"

"Heh, look how calm this kid is. What if it really is something good? If you ask me, Old Wang, you should pay for it. If it's good, you'll come out ahead. If it isn't, even if you beat this kid to death and the matter reaches the Xiao Family Guard Team, you'll still be in the right, won't you?"

Amid all the chatter, Wang Zhi turned and fiercely glared at the spectator who was egging him on to attack, eager to stir up trouble.

But after hearing one of the suggestions, his eyes lit up.

That's right. That's a good idea. I won't lose anything, and I'll get to beat this kid up and vent my anger.

At that thought, Wang Zhi's indignant expression instantly subsided, replaced by a mocking look as he regarded Zhou Changqing.

"Kid, don't say I'm making things difficult for you. Tell me again: how much does this thing cost?"

Zhou Changqing couldn't even be bothered to look at him.

"Fine, fine, fine. You brought this on yourself. I'll buy it! This gold card holds five thousand gold coins. You can redeem it for gold coins at any Royal Bank in any empire."

Seeing Zhou Changqing's attitude, Wang Zhi laughed in anger, even more determined to give the boy a beating. He flung out a gold card shimmering with blue-green and silver ripples and tossed it onto the stall.

At the sight of the gold card, Zhou Changqing's previously indifferent eyes couldn't help brightening slightly.

Fortunately, he had good self-control and didn't lose his composure. He calmly picked up the gold card, tucked it inside his robes, and made an inviting gesture as he said:

"Once you've inspected the goods, I'll withdraw the money at the bank and return your gold card."

Wang Zhi sneered at those words, unconcerned that the boy might run off with the card.

The boy was young, and his strength couldn't possibly exceed Wang Zhi's. If he let him escape under these circumstances, he might as well give up being a Three-Star Dou Shi.

Crouching down, Wang Zhi grabbed the long bundle and prepared to open it.

But the instant he lifted it, a trace of surprise appeared on his face.

Ordinary weapons generally weighed less than ten jin. Even slightly heavier ones only weighed a dozen or so jin.

Yet this bundle weighed at least thirty jin, perhaps even more!

An ordinary Dou Zhe could lift it, but wielding it would undoubtedly be exhausting.

Only someone at the Dou Shi level could handle it with ease.

Of course, that weight alone wasn't enough to prove that the weapon was worth four thousand gold coins.

Thus, after only a moment of surprise, Wang Zhi unwrapped the fine cloth covering the weapon.

The next second, a Ghost-Head Saber appeared before his eyes.

The Ghost-Head Saber had an imposing design. Leaving everything else aside, Wang Zhi rather liked it.

With that thought, Wang Zhi gripped the hilt and prepared to draw it.

He could hardly wait to give the brat before him a good beating to loosen up his muscles.

Clang!

The blade left its sheath with a ringing cry!

In an instant, a cold gleam flashed from the blade, dazzling Wang Zhi's eyes.

The onlookers saw a streak of cold light flash before them, and the next second, a broadsaber as silvery white as snow came into view!

I really don't want to rant about the currency system in Battle Through the Heavens, so just read along and don't take it too seriously.

(End of chapter)