"But, Shopkeeper Sylvester, just now you were actually…"
Yanqing, caught in the whirlpool of a reputation crisis, had no room for such thoughts.
His mind was entirely consumed by visions of his social death. And that was the lighter version. If things spread too widely and forced the General to intervene with administrative measures to quash rumors… the guilt would crush him.
He trusted in the General's protection, yes. But wasting resources over something like this? That was a line he couldn't cross.
"No problem, no worries, it's absolutely nothing," Sylvester said, grinning from ear to ear at Yanqing.
But rather than easing him, Yanqing only grew more frantic.
If someone had leverage on you and just kept smiling—smiling wider and wider—who would actually believe they meant no harm?
Yanqing regretted it so much his kidneys ached. Why did I let that slip? A single misstep, and now eternal regret.
He looked so distraught, like a Trailblazer who'd lost their trash can.
Sylvester shook his head in silence. This kid's mental fortitude is really lacking, to spiral so easily… Or is it truly that embarrassing? Come on—it's just his master's colleague catching him reading risqué stuff.
…Okay, fine. That really is embarrassing.
Yanqing was still in his early teens. Back in Sylvester's previous world, that was barely middle school.
If he had been caught in middle school, with a teacher pulling a copy of a HUSTLER or Playboy from his bag…
Just imagining it twisted Sylvester's face into a grimace.
Ugh… no, that's unbearable even in theory.
Forget it. Best to give the boy a way out.
Sylvester smoothed his expression and said, "As long as you buy more than three trash cans, I promise this matter won't leave my lips."
"Really?"
The panic in Yanqing's eyes melted away, replaced by a gleam of hope. What an easy condition! He had come here to buy trash cans anyway. Protecting his secret was practically a free bonus.
Sylvester watched the 180-degree shift in his attitude.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Xianzhou people really do love compromises. If I only sold him the cans, it'd just be a transaction. But tie it to keeping his secret, and suddenly he feels like he's struck a bargain.
"What… are you two doing?"
Feixiao frowned at their exchange, completely baffled.
What's going on? Is this really worth all that fuss?
"Ah, nothing, nothing. My thoughts just got jumbled for a moment—I said nonsense."
Good. The General hadn't noticed the truth. Best not to expose it further.
After brushing it off, Yanqing pulled out his Jade Abacus and checked his Credits—just over three million. Enough for three cans.
As for the rest of the month…
He clenched his teeth and handed the abacus to Sylvester. Decision made.
Guess I'll just eat and drink off the General's generosity! Oh, and I only bought one flying sword this month—if the cans don't yield one, I'll just borrow more from him. That'll work.
"Please."
Sylvester swiped the payment and returned the abacus.
Yanqing walked over to the neat rows of trash cans. He looked left, looked right, but they all seemed identical.
So, he simply grabbed the nearest one and yanked it open.
Green light burst out.
Yanqing's heart clenched. He could only console himself: Failure is the mother of success. Nobody starts lucky right away.
A silver-white sword clattered to the floor.
[Blunt Sword:A youth's dream, the thrill of embarking on a journey—if those two precious qualities aren't sharp enough, then let courage make up the difference.]
Yanqing picked it up and ran his hand along the blade, but disappointment soon followed.
Its power was negligible, its edge barely keen. Even the cheapest beginner's model from the Artisanship Commission was leagues superior.
A loss. A real loss.
He didn't even need Sylvester's commentary; his mood already darkened. Still, he asked, "Boss, what kind of curio is this?"
"The [Blunt Sword]," Sylvester replied. "The starter blade of adventurers from a certain world. It's always replaced quickly, but as 'the best sword in the village,' many keep it buried at the bottom of their packs. If you meet someone from that world, they might pay dearly for the nostalgia."
"I see…"
Of course, Yanqing could tell the shopkeeper was just comforting him. If that world began with this sword, it couldn't be very advanced. Meeting someone from there in the vast universe was harder than finding a needle in a galaxy—let alone one willing to buy it back at a high price.
Still, one bad can was trivial. But if all three million Credits vanished down the drain—that would hurt.
Even if he'd lived this way month after month…
That had always been with genuine flying swords in hand. This time was pure waste.
Fear crept in.
What if this shop's big trash cans are all scams—nine trash cans out of ten, just trash? After all, the shopkeeper has to make money somehow…
Frowning, his thoughts spiraled again.
He carefully selected another can.
Then, with a sudden jerk, he flung it open—eyes squeezed shut, refusing to see the glow inside.
Some unscientific part of him hoped this might improve his odds.
When he finally opened his eyes, a pale-blue crystal was glowing in his hand.
[Stone of Enlightenment:Enlightens the mundane, awakens wisdom. Transforms ordinary weapons into treasured artifacts, lifeless tools into sentient companions bound to their wielder in fortune and in peril.(Note:May also be used to treat congenital cognitive disorders—you only need a single crystal for it to work guaranteed.)]
"This time you got lucky," Sylvester said with a smile. "A blue-tier curio, the [Stone of Enlightenment]. It can awaken wisdom in objects. That [Blunt Sword] you just drew—can absorb this, and it'll become a flying sword, moving as if it were part of your own body."
"It can awaken the mind of inorganic objects? Such a thing exists?"
Yanqing was stunned. To his knowledge, the boundary between living and non-living was firm.
Even the Ten-Lords Commission's automata only worked by grafting human consciousness into them, never from nothing.
And the Intellitron race—yes, they had unique consciousness, but that required painstaking materials, circuitry, programming… a single misstep, and a living machine could fall silent forever.
Yet this tiny stone could create wisdom, independent of environment, material, or energy?
Too miraculous…
"This truly is a good thing," said Feixiao from her seat. She gazed at the crystal with keen interest, then closed her eyes, a touch of solemnity in her expression. "In the endless wars, countless Luofu heroes fell alongside their swords—some belonged to generals, even marshals. Those blades, tempered by their masters' blood and fire, formed mysterious bonds. Yet none reached true awakening. If enough of these stones existed… our heroes' weapons could live again. The Alliance's might would soar higher still."
"If only I had the right to inherit such relics…"
Yanqing's heart stirred at her words. To fight beside the relics of past heroes—what an honor that would be.
Sylvester chuckled. "Who's to say? Maybe the next can will grant your wish."
"Hah, you flatter me," Yanqing said, shaking his head. "I can't expect to be like that lucky star of Sigonia who gets whatever he wishes for."
Sylvester shook his head as well, but held his tongue.
If you're comparing yourself to Aventurine… let's just say luck isn't really his strong suit here.
He gestured. "Go on. The last can."
Yanqing's spirits had lifted.
The [Stone of Enlightenment] was more than enough of a surprise. As for a powerful sword, he trusted that he would encounter one someday.
Maybe, after becoming Sword Champion, he'd even qualify to inherit a predecessor's relic.
Buoyed by that thought, he casually opened the third can.
But then—a burst of violet light stabbed into his eyes.
"W-what is this?!"
He had already been satisfied with the crystal, but the sudden purple glow nearly made him faint with joy.
Of course, he knew what it meant. Purple-tier curios were either bizarre and powerful like [Zafkiel's Sixth Bullet – Vav]… or brutally overwhelming, like a battleship.
His anticipation soared. Moments ago, he couldn't bear to look; now he wished for eyes immune to blinding radiance, so he could drink in every detail.
As the light faded, he opened his eyes—and almost passed out from excitement.
It was a sword. A sword!