The man brought over the manager, who could be considered his superior, and even the manager gawked at the Purple Spirit Pill with a stunned expression before calling in someone else.
And soon enough, a wizened old man arrived. He examined the Purple Spirit Pill for a long while before finally exclaiming in admiration.
"This is... my goodness! It's the real deal! Undoubtedly authentic!"
Yeah, it had to be. If this wasn't genuine, then nothing in the world could be called a spirit elixir.
In any case, upon hearing the old man's words, the manager clasped his hands together and spoke to me politely.
"I've been terribly rude. Would you please continue our transaction in my private room?"
"Why bother moving? Let's just keep going here."
"I'm truly sorry. To treat a distinguished guest so carelessly leaves me speechless, even if I had ten mouths. So please, give this Jang Mo a chance to make amends. I beg you earnestly."
It was annoying how they treated people differently based on status, but honestly, it was the same everywhere.
So this wasn't solely this guy's fault.
Besides, he'd bowed his head so quickly—there was no need for me to be petty about it.
I'd come to do business, not to torment these folks.
"Fine. Let's see what you've got."
As I gathered up the Purple Spirit Pill and stood, Manager Jang's face lit up with relief, and he led the way ahead of me.
Before long, he ushered me into a lavish room.
It looked like a place reserved for high officials or honored guests.
Even I, who knew nothing about such things, could tell the decorative items and furniture were extravagantly ornate.
The moment Manager Jang and I sat down, tea and refreshments were promptly served.
The teapot hadn't even been poured yet, but a subtle fragrance already wafted through the air.
And there was a tray neatly arranged with dried fruits and pastries.
"I hope it suits your taste."
With that, Manager Jang personally poured me a cup of tea.
Hmm. Up close, the aroma was even better. But was one Purple Spirit Pill really worth this level of hospitality?
I could understand the manager coming out himself.
Typically, these merchant houses had a chief manager under the head, with several managers below him.
In other words, this man held one of the top ten positions of authority in the house.
So it was appropriate for someone of his stature to handle this.
But this room felt a bit excessive.
His own office would have sufficed. This was VIP treatment on another level.
"It's fine."
"I'm glad to hear that. Then... may I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Might you tell us where you obtained this item? Oh, no, I'm not doubting you, great hero. As someone in the merchant trade, I simply need to verify the provenance."
Well, any merchant house would have to check that.
Handling stolen goods could spell trouble for them later.
"Well, I've had it for a while."
"For a while... you say?"
"I don't know where it came from. But I can assure you I've possessed it for at least sixty years."
"Ah, so it's a family heirloom passed down through generations? Understood. But why would you part with such a precious treasure?"
"I don't need it."
"Pardon?"
No wonder the manager was shocked.
We were martial artists. For one to declare they had no need for a spirit elixir like the Purple Spirit Pill was absurd.
Even a farmer on the brink of starvation would die clutching his seeds.
A martial artist claiming no need for an elixir? And selling it off? That was exceedingly rare.
"I no longer need to take things like Purple Spirit Pills, so why keep it?"
Manager Jang lived up to his position as the top manager of Chang'an's largest merchant house.
He seemed to grasp exactly what I meant by "things like Purple Spirit Pills."
"I see. Understood. We're simply grateful that you chose our house. Then, what price would you like... may I ask?"
"Let me say this upfront: I have no idea what it's worth, and I don't plan to haggle for an exorbitant sum. So offer whatever you think is fair."
Sheesh. Who does he think he's dealing with, trying to play the "make an offer" game? He was underestimating a gamer from South Korea.
"You know full well that spirit elixirs can't be priced conventionally. Especially now, when they're rarer than stars in the sky—it's whatever the seller asks. That's why it's hard to put a number on it..."
I mulled over the manager's words. Rarer than stars in the sky?
True, I knew spirit elixirs were inherently scarce.
They weren't mass-produced on an assembly line.
But this extreme?
The thought led me straight to the reason.
The Righteous-Demonic-Evil Great War. And the righteous sects of the orthodox schools, nearly annihilated and close to extinction.
That was it. Countless masters had died, and the orthodox sects had lost their dominance.
Thus, elixirs were precious. They were essential for nurturing new masters.
Moreover, they probably lacked the leisure to produce such elixirs right now.
So they couldn't even calculate a price.
The manager's attitude told me a lot.
He didn't want to set a price.
He couldn't lowball a martial artist who spoke of "things like Purple Spirit Pills."
Yet his merchant pride wouldn't allow an inflated price either.
And there was no easy compromise.
"Alright, Manager Jang. Let's do it this way."
"Yes, please speak."
"I'll consign the sale of this Purple Spirit Pill to you."
"Consign... the sale?"
"Have the Xi'an Merchant House find a buyer. I'll take eighty percent of the final sale price."
It stung to give up twenty percent as commission, but I had no way to sell this elixir myself.
Even Chang'an's biggest merchant house was like this.
So no one else could get full value for it. This was the best option.
"Will I need to consult the higher-ups?"
"No, no. I can handle this at my level. Of course! Haha. I've met a true benefactor today and received such great fortune."
Manager Jang didn't hide his joy, speaking openly.
Yeah, I figured as much. Giving twenty percent ensured his motivation.
He'd probably pocket around five percent for himself. He had the chops for it.
So all I had to do was sit back. People hustle hardest when there's profit in it for them.
"Is one Purple Spirit Pill really such great fortune?"
"One Purple Spirit Pill? Perish the thought!"
"Really? How about this, then?"
With that, I rummaged through my bundle and pulled out a few more elixirs.
Shaolin Great Return Pill. Mount Hua Purple Harmony Divine Pill. Beggars' Sect Intoxicating Bone Pill.
Manager Jang's eyes widened, his jaw dropping in shock.
"These go for eighty percent too. You get it, right?"
"Gr-Great hero, how did you come by these..."
"You'll verify them yourself, but they're all genuine. Find them worthy buyers to the best of your ability. And though I doubt it'll happen, I'd prefer word about me doesn't spread. Understood?"
"How could I ever!"
Manager Jang bowed so low it was like he'd offer up his liver and gallbladder.
Yeah, from his perspective, it was like a phoenix had flown right into his lap.
Wait, not a phoenix—a feng shui treasure?
"Oh, and one more thing."
"Yes! Speak!"
"Do you handle items like this too?"
I pulled out the Night-Luminescent Pearl from my bundle.
Manager Jang's face lit up like the happiest man alive, looking ready to shout "hurrah" on the spot.
I rode leisurely through the streets of the Xi'an Merchant House's main avenue.
The sun was setting over Chang'an's streets, lanterns flickering to life one by one.
The Xi'an Merchant House servant gripped the horse's reins, nimbly weaving through the crowds before halting in front of a grand, ornate building.
"Great hero, we're here."
"It wasn't far enough to warrant a horse."
"How could we make you walk? Haha. This way, please enter."
The servant led ahead into the building.
A sign reading Jade Radiance Pavilion.
Chang'an's finest pleasure house, on Manager Jang's recommendation.
A gracefully dressed woman approached lightly upon our entry and bowed politely.
"It's an honor to serve you, young master. I am Jaun, your guide. Might I have the honor of your name?"
"Kang Jeong-un."
"Master Kang, then. Shall we proceed inside right away?"
"Yes."
"Understood. This way, please."
Jaun glided ahead gracefully, and I followed.
Hmm. Her scent was tantalizing. And nothing had even happened yet.
She didn't look a day over thirty. But despite her refined beauty, she didn't seem the type to embrace intimately.
More like a madam? A mid-level manager, not active frontline?
That sparked some anticipation.
If even a retired woman was this impressive, how stunning would the others be?
The Jade Radiance Pavilion proved quite expansive once inside.
A pond and pavilion in the inner courtyard? Several buildings dotted the grounds.
Jaun led me along the pond to one building.
A sign reading Luminous Jade Pavilion. It looked fairly opulent.
"This is where you'll be hosted, young master. Please enter."
Upon stepping into the Luminous Jade Pavilion, a woman looked at me, clasped her hands, and bowed deeply.
"I am Seolha, here to serve Master Kang."
"I am the girl Seolha. It's my privilege to attend a noble guest."
The woman named Seolha... was breathtakingly beautiful.
Her looks made you wonder why such a girl would be a courtesan.
It was enough to stir a subtle tension below at the mere mention of serving me.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Jaun bowed and departed.
Seolha stepped closer and spoke deferentially.
"This way, please. I'll prepare the drinks."
Up close, her fragrance hit like a wave.
It ignited desire far beyond what Jaun had evoked.
Wow. Manager Jang was a real gem. Great service. I liked it.
As I eyed Seolha with a touch of lewd curiosity, something odd caught my sense.
Huh? What was that? No way...
"Seolha, was it?"
"Yes, young master."
"Are you a martial artist?"
Her eyes widened, and she swallowed hard.
Ah, no need for an answer. That reaction said it all.