Buying Cards

In fact, Lin Feng had never met a card maker either, and he had even less idea how cards were made.

But he knew that only card makers could produce higher-quality cards, so in his eyes, Lin Qi's ability to fuse cards was a skill exclusive to card makers.

Lin Qi picked up the Skeleton Warrior card, which glowed green, and waved it in front of Lin Feng.

"Dad, I only used five one-star Skeleton Minion Cards to fuse this two-star green card. It cost just 1,500 Ka'en.

"But a two-star green Summoning Card sells for at least 3,000 Ka'en at the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion. We can make 1,500 Ka'en on every card we sell! What do you think? Should we start selling cards at our Wonderful Tales Shop?"

"Yes, we absolutely should!"

At that, Lin Feng perked up at once and sprang to his feet with a kip-up.

His spine was ramrod straight now, and he looked just like an emancipated serf singing with joy.

"I'll go find my old brothers in the mercenary group later and pitch them the Mercenary's Saber! And this Skeleton Warrior can dish out damage and take a beating. It'll be a great help too!"

Lin Qi smiled and nodded, but he still had one concern.

He looked at Lin Feng and gave him a serious reminder. "Dad, there's something I need to make clear. If anyone asks where these cards came from, tell them you made them yourself. Whatever you do, don't mention me."

"Huh?"

Lin Feng looked surprised and pointed at his own nose.

"I made them? But I can't even recognize all the materials used to make cards!"

Lin Qi had already prepared an explanation.

"Just tell everyone that ten years ago, you met a reclusive master card maker who took you on as his disciple. You've been secretly training hard in Stone Iron City all these years, and now you've finally learned enough to make cards."

Lin Feng scratched the back of his head, still lacking confidence.

"Will anyone believe that?"

"Of course they will," Lin Qi said confidently. "Because you have the aptitude for it."

"Ah! Really?"

Lin Feng had never known his son held such a lofty image of him in his heart.

"Of course. Ever since you broke through to Four-Star Card Master ten years ago, there hasn't been any sign of another breakthrough.

"Even a normal Card Master whose aptitude is as bad as a salted fish's should have made a little movement over ten years.

"But you, Dad, have been as solid as a rock. Your Source Power hasn't increased one bit. That's your best explanation!"

"Uh..."

Lin Feng was left staring blankly.

It didn't sound like a compliment no matter how he heard it, but on second thought, it seemed to make sense.

He opened his mouth, but in the end he could only agree helplessly.

"All right, we'll do as you say!"

Lin Qi patted him on the shoulder, his tone turning serious.

"Dad, I'm not asking you to make up a story just to brag. If you pretend to be a master card maker's disciple, it'll make people think our family has someone backing us. That's the only way we can sell cards safely.

"After all, the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion used to be the only place selling cards in Stone Iron City. If we suddenly jump in, we'll be stealing their business. Without some kind of backing, they'll definitely come looking for trouble."

Lin Qi explained the stakes clearly, and only then did Lin Feng fully understand.

He clenched his fists, his eyes full of determination.

"That's right! You're still too weak to let anyone know you can make cards.

"Let your dad bear this pressure! From now on, I, Lin Feng, am a master card maker's disciple!"

He straightened his back, the dejection on his face vanishing completely. With a little more confidence and swagger, he looked every bit like a card-making heir who concealed his true abilities.

Lin Qi smiled in satisfaction at the change in his father.

"That's it, that's the air you need! Practice getting into character at home. I'll go to the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion to buy some card-making materials so we can stock the shop."

Lin Feng waved him off, his voice full of energy. "Hurry back! Once you're home, we'll make a plan for selling cards and try to get the business going next month!"

The Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion.

"Huh?"

Kane was just about to hand over his shift and go to lunch when he spotted Lin Qi and stopped in his tracks.

"Sir, have you come to buy cards again?"

Seeing that he was the card salesman who had sold him cards that morning, Lin Qi nodded.

"That's right, I'm buying cards again, but this time I'll be buying more."

Kane's eyes lit up. He could tell this was going to be another big sale.

"This way, sir. Let's talk in the VIP room inside. It's quieter there."

Lin Qi followed Kane into a small, elegantly furnished room with a soft sofa and a refined coffee table.

Before long, an attendant brought in fresh fruit and chilled drinks, treating him with the utmost respect.

Kane placed a thick card catalogue on the coffee table and presented it to Lin Qi with both hands.

"Sir, take a look and see what cards you need. If you buy a large quantity, I can apply for a discount for you. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Lin Qi opened the catalogue and found that it had one more page than the one from that morning. Several two-star cards were printed on it, including both Implement Cards and Summoning Cards, but their prices were frighteningly high.

As he flipped through the catalogue, he asked casually, "You only recently started working at the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion, right? I haven't seen you here before."

Before awakening his Natal Card, Lin Qi had often accompanied Lin Feng to browse the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion. He recognized most of the card salespeople here, but Kane's face was completely unfamiliar.

"You're right, sir. I was transferred here from Black Iron City two months ago," Kane answered truthfully.

Lin Qi's eyes flickered. "Oh? So you're a resident of Black Iron City?"

Although Kane didn't know why Lin Qi was asking, he nodded and answered honestly.

"Yes. My home is in Black Iron City. I also wanted to gain more experience by transferring here, so I could try for a promotion later."

A smile curved Lin Qi's lips. He closed the catalogue and pointed to the cards in it.

"All right, I'll take these cards."

After some deliberation, he had settled on several hundred Dust Star Cards, twenty one-star Summoning Cards of Skeleton Foot Soldiers, and ten each of two other kinds of one-star cards.

Kane hurriedly took the catalogue and looked at the cards circled in it, his eyes full of delight.

Those cards added up to no small sum, and he was sure to receive a generous commission.

He hurriedly said, "Please wait a moment, sir. I'll go prepare them right away and bring them to you as quickly as possible!"

"There's no rush. Take your time."

Lin Qi picked up a sunset fruit and ate it leisurely. It was free, so he might as well eat it.

Kane worked quickly. About ten minutes later, he walked in carrying an exquisite wooden box.

"Sir, all the cards you wanted are here. There are 140 in total. You can count them."

Lin Qi glanced at the box. "There's no need. I trust your professionalism."

The smile on Kane's face grew wider.

"Thank you for your confidence. These cards come to 15,300 Ka'en in total. The greatest discount I'm authorized to offer is five percent, which brings it to 14,535. I'll round it down to 14,500 Ka'en. What do you think?"

That was 800 Ka'en less...

Although Lin Qi knew he could haggle further, he didn't do so.

In fact, he didn't even want the five percent discount.

"15,300 Ka'en. No discount and no rounding down."

Lin Qi handed over his stored-value card.

Kane was left dumbfounded by the move. He opened his mouth, but for a long moment he couldn't react.

"This..."

In all his time on the job, this was the first time he had seen someone voluntarily turn down a discount!

"Of course, you can also apply the five percent discount and take the remaining five percent as your tip."

Lin Qi's words thrilled Kane, but he had his limits. He knew what money he could take and what he couldn't.

"You're joking, sir. I'll charge you the full price, then."

After swiping the card, Kane carefully returned it to Lin Qi and even offered to see him out.

Even without that five percent tip, his commission this time would be at least 1,000 Ka'en!

A thousand Ka'en!

An ordinary person could only earn 300 Ka'en a month, and Ka'en's own salary was just 500 Ka'en.

But the commission Lin Qi had brought him today was already 1,200 Ka'en, equivalent to two months' wages!

"Kane."

Outside the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion, Lin Qi looked at the young man, who was only a few years older than him.

"Sir, is there anything else you need?"

Sensing Kane's noticeably respectful attitude, Lin Qi nodded.

"I heard that once a card salesperson at the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion has made a cumulative total of 100,000 Ka'en in sales, they can be promoted to apprentice steward. Is that right?"

Kane was a little surprised. He had thought Lin Qi was just an ordinary customer, but he hadn't expected him to know about that.

He nodded quickly, his voice tinged with anticipation. "Yes, sir! That's the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion's rule. I've been working toward that goal too, hoping to earn a promotion soon."

Lin Qi patted him on the shoulder, a meaningful look in his eyes. "I have high hopes for you. Actually, you could set your sights further ahead. For example, you could become the person in charge of the Ten Thousand Cards Pavilion in Stone Iron City."

Sunlight fell on Lin Qi's face, and his smile carried a power that was impossible to refuse.

Kane looked into his eyes and seemed to hear his own heart beating rapidly.

He had a vague feeling that the young man before him was no ordinary card apprentice. If he could build a good relationship with him, his future might be bright.