Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 280

The two women who had been put up for auction ultimately left the stage with disappointed expressions, having failed to be sold. Following them, rare items from the Inner Sea were continuously brought onto the stage, but Han Li had lost interest.

Just as he was contemplating making an excuse to leave, Heo Woon, noticing his expression, made a suggestion.

“There aren’t many worthwhile items at this auction. You should come back for the joint auction that’s held once a year. Now, let me show you around other parts of Black Stone City.”

With everyone’s agreement, Heo Woon led them out of the Guard Hall and through another passage, exiting the Myungju Pavilion.

“Those various houses you see over there are temporary residences for ordinary men and women. If they wish to live in Black Stone City, they must register there.

However, if no one hires them within a certain period, they must leave Black Stone City immediately. The ordinary women you saw at the Myungju Pavilion were all hired after going through that place.

That building is Chon Geum Gak, the largest raw material merchant in the city, specializing in the trade of rare materials. They claim that if you name a material, they can find it, though that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s a very reputable place. And that place with three connected buildings is…”

Heo Woon walked along the road, very familiarly introducing the various places. Han Li, who had been quietly listening to him, suddenly stopped walking, as if something had caught his interest.

Heo Woon, surprised, looked at him.

“Why, Fellow Daoist Gok?”

“I have some personal matters to attend to, so I think I should leave here. If fate allows, we shall meet again.”

Heo Woon and Daoist Yeok were both momentarily flustered.

“Well…”

When Han Li, a powerhouse, declared he would leave the group, Heo Woon and the Golden-Clad Daoist tried to stop him, but they soon noticed his cold gaze and shut their mouths. While they were murmuring about how they couldn’t help it, Han Li had already disappeared in the direction of Chon Geum Gak.

As his figure disappeared into the distance, Heo Woon and Daoist Yeok exchanged glances, cold sweat breaking out all over their bodies. However, the other Daoists didn’t quite understand the situation.

“That Daoist…”

“Since Daoist Gok said he would move separately, he must have his own plans. Then, I will continue to show you around other places.”

Golden-Clad Jang Han forced a dry laugh and was about to say something, but Heo Woon cut him off and turned in another direction. At the same time, Heo Woon’s voice echoed in Golden-Clad Jang Han’s ears through a sound transmission.

“Daoist Yeok! We can’t gauge his power, so it’s best not to get involved any further. Daoist Gok’s cultivation is clearly far beyond ours, so we should refrain from talking about him, even behind his back. If we say the wrong thing, we could be in big trouble.”

Golden-Clad Jang Han’s expression changed, and he nodded, but soon put on a nonchalant face and followed behind him.

Meanwhile, Han Li was already entering a neat room, guided by a handsome young boy. Chon Geum Gak looked like a huge stone building from the outside, but inside, it was divided into numerous rooms, each trading in raw materials of a specific field.

As soon as he entered, he boldly requested to see the manager. Any other Daoist would have had many questions, but when Han Li revealed his Core Formation cultivation, the servant immediately showed him to a VIP room with courtesy.

Even in Black Stone City, a Core Formation Daoist was not someone to be treated lightly. Not long after he entered the VIP room, an old man with a smile on his face came in.

The old man, who bowed to Han Li, was unexpectedly a Core Formation Daoist in the early stage.

“It seems this is your first time visiting our Chon Geum Gak. I am Li Sim, the manager here.”

“I came to your esteemed establishment because I have a few questions.”

Manager Li, quite bold, spoke without even hearing the questions.

“Please ask anything. I will do my best to help.”

This straightforward answer pleased Han Li. Manager Li had not seen through Han Li’s transformation technique, so he did not notice anything strange about his face.

“I am looking for spiritual herbs needed to refine pills, but I am having trouble because I only know their names from ancient times. I was wondering if I might be able to find the materials at your esteemed establishment.”

“Haha, if that’s the case, there’s no problem at all.”

He coldly ordered towards the door.

“Hey, go and tell Go Ok to come here at once.”

“Yes!”

A young servant’s voice was heard from outside the door, and Li Sim turned his head to speak to Han Li.

“Please wait a moment. Although Go Ok is only a Qi Condensation Daoist, he specializes in studying ancient herbal formulas and spiritual herbs, so he will be of help to you.”

Han Li was about to say something in delight when a red light entered from outside, circled the ceiling a few times, and landed precisely in the old man’s hand. It was a talisman delivering a message.

As a look of bewilderment crossed Han Li’s face, the talisman was already burning in the old man’s hand. Manager Li looked at Han Li with a surprised expression.

“I apologize for my rudeness. If I had known that Fellow Daoist Gok had just arrived in Black Stone City today, I would have shown you more of our establishment.”

The old man’s attitude became even more cordial.

In a short time, he had already found out that he had just arrived in Giyun Island. Han Li was a little surprised, but he did not show it outwardly.

“There’s no need for that. I don’t want to attract the attention of others after finally arriving in Giyun Island after much hardship.”

Since Han Li had said this much, the old man must have understood Han Li’s intentions. The old man immediately changed the subject and began to tell interesting stories about Giyun Island.

At this time, a man dressed as a scholar walked in from outside and bowed to the two of them.

“Go Ok greets the seniors.”

With a refined face and a black beard, he exuded the demeanor of a scholar who had left the secular world. Li Sim nodded slightly to him and said,

“Fellow Daoist Gok wishes to ask about ancient spiritual herbs, so answer him truthfully.”

“Understood! I will do my best to help the senior.”

“I wonder if Fellow Daoist Go has heard of the name ‘Thousand Leaf Dew’.”

“Thousand Leaf Dew, you say…”

Go Ok was momentarily stunned, then immediately replied.

“Thousand Leaf Dew is a spiritual herb that I have also seen with great interest. If you had asked a few years ago, I would have had no answer, but I happened to see a mention of Thousand Leaf Dew in an ancient scripture two years ago. I made a copy of it; would you like to see it?”

Having finished speaking, he carefully observed Han Li’s expression.

“It’s wonderful that you have a related book! If it really contains what I’m looking for, I will certainly reward you.”

Go Ok couldn’t hide his joy at those words. For a Core Formation Daoist to say he would give a reward, what a great opportunity! Without hesitation, he reached into his robes and took out a pale yellow book, offering it to Han Li.

“This is the book. Please examine it in detail yourself, senior.”

Han Li took the book and quickly infused his consciousness into it, beginning to scan the contents. In a short time, excitement and doubt alternated on Han Li’s face.

Li Sim, who was watching him from the side, was curious about what was going on, seeing these changes in his expression. Go Ok was also worried that the contents of the book might not be about the spiritual herb, Thousand Leaf Dew.

Finally, Han Li, having withdrawn his consciousness from the book, slowly murmured,

“It’s the information I was looking for.”

It was a positive statement, but the excitement that had been in his eyes had largely faded. The old man rolled his eyes and probed.

“Is there a problem with finding the Thousand Leaf Dew?”

“You could say that. Unexpectedly, it’s a spiritual herb that’s related to an Eighth-Order demon beast.”

“An Eighth-Order demon beast, you say?”

“The Thousand Leaf Dew is actually the sap of a ‘Companion Demon Herb’ [a plant that grows near a demon beast]. But it is said that only the Companion Demon Herb that grows near an Eighth-Order demon beast is effective.”

Li Sim was speechless. Companion Demon Herbs are spiritual herbs that grow under the influence of demonic energy near the dwelling of a demon beast.

Of course, these Companion Demon Herbs could be found anywhere demon beasts lived, but those that grew in the lair of an Eighth-Order demon beast were bound to be extraordinary.

Although there were stories of Ninth and Tenth-Order demon beasts in the Outer Sea, they were just rumors or records.

Even Seventh-Order demon beasts were considered the highest grade among those found in Black Stone City, so Eighth-Order demon beasts were out of the question.

Manager Li’s gaze towards Han Li changed. What kind of strange pill was he trying to make that required such a material?

Han Li fiddled with the book, then looked at Go Ok and opened his mouth.

“I’d like to study it in detail. Would Fellow Daoist Go be willing to give me the book?”

“If you need it, senior, of course I must give it to you.”

Go Ok was momentarily flustered, but he answered without hesitation, and Han Li nodded. Soon, a small medicine bottle and a talisman with a yellow sword drawn on it appeared in his palm.

“As a senior, I cannot take a junior’s belongings without compensation. These are pills and talismans that will help you improve your cultivation, so take them and use them.”

“I don’t know how to thank you for giving me such treasures.”

Go Ok received the pills and talismans, his face filled with joy, and he bowed repeatedly. Such items were nothing less than treasures to a mere Qi Condensation Daoist.

Li Sim was slightly surprised by Han Li’s generous reward, but he quietly sent Go Ok out.

“Then, Go Ok, you may leave now.”

Now, only the two Core Formation Daoists remained in the room.

“Is there anything else you need? Please tell me anything.”

“Since Fellow Daoist Li says so, I have one more request. Is it possible to obtain a Manosu horn at Chon Geum Gak?”

“Haha! You’ve really come to the right place. Although Manosu horns are rare, our establishment happened to purchase two of them last month. If you need one, I will have someone bring one right away.”

The old man clapped his hands and burst into laughter, then immediately gave orders to a servant. At that, a look of joy naturally appeared on Han Li’s face.

Not long after, a servant entered the room carrying a silver tray. On the silver tray was an intricately crafted wooden box.

“Please check it.”

Han Li nodded with a serious expression, picked up the wooden box, and opened the lid. A half-inch long horn with a dark blue glow revealed itself inside.

Satisfied, he closed the box and said,

“It will be very useful. How much can I purchase it for?”

“We purchased it for 5,000 spirit stones, but since you need it, senior, I will give it to you at the purchase price.”

Han Li expressed his gratitude and paid the spirit stones. The old man put the spirit stones into his ample sleeve, then asked with a smile on his face,

“So, what are Fellow Daoist Gok’s plans for the future? Even those with high cultivation like you can suffer serious injuries if they face the high-level demon beasts here alone. If you don’t mind, shall I introduce you to some people with similar cultivation to yours?”

Han Li smiled at those words. He had been welcoming him all along, and now he was finally bringing up what he wanted to say.

“I appreciate the offer. However, I have some pills to refine, so I plan to spend some time in secluded cultivation.”

He had no intention of going out to sea with unfamiliar Daoists. A look of disappointment briefly flashed in the old man’s eyes, but he did not show it.

“That’s understandable. It’s not too late to go hunting after you’ve improved your cultivation and become familiar with this place. However, if you need a group to go with, please don’t forget my offer.”

Han Li naturally replied that he would, and after chatting with the other party, he left the place.

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