Plundering the Heavens

Chapter 22: I Want Your Craft

Fang Xing sighed when he saw how frightened the man was. You dont have to be so nervous. I dont intend to expose you, I just really admire your craftsmanship. I mean, look at this Flying Swordits no different from a real one! And this spirit pellet, how did you do it? The color, the smell, andmy godis that a trace of Qi intertwined within? It seems more real than the actual thing.

What Fang Xing said was half true, half false. He really did admire the mans craftsmanship, and the counterfeits really could be passed off as genuine, but the items themselves werent perfect. For example, this Flying Sword was actually a real one with spells that no longer worked, but the man had used a unique technique to put in limited-use spells in case someone decided to test the Flying Sword out. The Flying Sword seemed to function just fine, but once the limited-use spells ran out, it would be left broken and unusable.

Not perfect, but impeccable for the sake of a quick scam.

As for the Spirit Pellet, although its look and smell was very close to the real thing and it was even overflowing with Qi, it wouldnt be difficult for someone with knowledge in alchemy to distinguish the difference. Even people who didnt know any alchemy could break open the pellet and see that the Qi within wasnt enough.

The man had no idea what Fang Xings intentions were and grew incredibly stressed. Shixiong, please stop mocking me. It was just a moment of weakness, thats all!

Fang Xing waved his hand. A moment of weakness? You mean these skills can be mastered half-heartedly?

The man was nearly in tears as he nervously looked around and began to softly plead, Quiet, just tell me what it is you want! Its my bad luck for running across an expert, so if you want something, just take it.

What I want is your craft, Fang Xing replied with sincerity. Ill tell you the truth. In my previous home, there was an elder who also specialized in this. He wasnt as good as you and could only counterfeit ordinary things from the mortal world, but I was reminded of him when I saw your work. Please be at ease; not only will I not tell anybody about this, I might also want to make use of your business. Theres plenty of money to be made, after all.

Uh. The man stared at Fang Xing, uncertain whether he was telling the truth.

Fang Xing whispered, Im planning something specific. Shixiong, please allow me to know your name.

What are you after? the man questioned nervously. Nobody in the Black Market ever asked for another persons identitythis was a rule that had existed from the beginning. Hed dared to sell these counterfeits in the first place because as long as nobody figured it out immediately, how would they find him later without knowing who he was? Furthermore, he never immediately took out his counterfeits right away; he always sold some real items first, and only started to mix in some fakes little by little when he was sure it was safe. For someone to ask for his name immediately put him on full alert.

Dont be so nervous. How else would I contact you?

The mans eyes shifted back and forth in hesitation before he whispered, Lets not do this then, Shixiong. The Black Market has its rules, and since youve seen through me, just take your pick of what I haveI do have some real things here, too. As for my name I dont intend on doing anything bigger than what I have, and I wont be selling anything at the Black Market anymore, either.

When the man refused, Fang Xing just gave low chuckle and asked, You really dont intend to continue?

The man was resolute and decisive. I will not!

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Fang Xing suddenly stood up and shouted out loud, Oh my! All of the stuff here

The market itself was quiet, and even if someone was to talk, it would be hushed down to almost a whisper. When Fang Xing abruptly raised his voice, the surrounding people were all shocked and a countless number of eyes began to look his way. The man in front of him was scared stiff and nearly fled then and there, but he stayed when Fang Xing continued.

is so good! It took me so long to finally find this! My dear, dear shixiong, you have been a great help! Thank you so much; here, please take this Spirit Stone! Fang Xing threw a Spirit Stone towards the man and grabbed a random item from one of the piles. Fang Xing pretended to be excited as he tossed the item back and forth between his hands while sending a meaningful look towards the counterfeiter.

Pfft, must be a country bumpkin! Getting so excited over a Slumber Pellet! Someone nearby cursed low before turning around in disinterest. Slumber Pellets were common medicinal pellets that helped improved sleep and restore energyit wasnt something worth getting so excited over.

While most of the people turned to continue on with their business, a guard walked forward and whispered, Please control your emotions, Shixiong. This is the Black Market and everyone is being cautious; you shouldnt be so loud.

Ah, yes, of course. Im sorry, Shixiong, I just got carried away, Fang Xing hastily apologized. Satisfied, the guard nodded and left.

As soon as the guard was gone, the man directly dropped to his knees in front of Fang Xing and looked up with helplessness. What will it take for you to let me go?

Without speaking a word, Fang Xing looked right back at the man and showed a meaningful smile.

Seeming to make up his mind, the man reached into his pocket and pulled out a woodblock before passing it to Fang Xing.

Fang Xing didnt even touch it. Give me the real one! he demanded directly.

The mans lips twitched and his face darkened beneath his black veil. After a long time had passed, he finally pulled out another woodblock and dropped his head in silence. Fang Xing grabbed it and immediately read out the information: Qing-Yun Sect outer court disciple Hua Qianzhi. Resident number twenty-one of Black-Rock Valley.

Fang Xing read through the mans identity and firmly etched the name and residence in his memory before handing it back.

What do you want me to do? Can you tell me? the man weakly asked.

Fang Xing grinned wide. Ill let you know when I know!

With this, Hua Qianzhi made a decision deep within his heart. After returning to his residence, hed destroy all of these counterfeit items and never do something like this again to avoid being threatened by this guy.

By the way, if youre planning on destroying everything and not making items like these again once you get back, I promise you that your trading of counterfeit items will spread throughout the sect. You think if theres no evidence, people will just let it go? When people get angry, they just want to find someone to vent their frustrations on; as long as they can get their vengeance, does it matter if theres no evidence? Besides, the items are very realistic because of how good you are, but thats only if you dont look too closely. I doubt everything youve made is flawless, so if someone decides to check.

Hua Qianzhi finally bowed and let out a long sigh. Then I shall await good news from Shixiong! The man packed up his items as he spoke. He really didnt want to spend any more time with such a horrible guy, but just as he was about to go, Fang Xing suddenly extended his hand and laughed, Return my Spirit Stone.

Furious, Hua Qianzhi whispered, But that Slumber Pellet is real.

True, but everything else isnt!

Hua Qianzhi was left speechless. He handed the Spirit Stone back to Fang Xing and left in a hurry with his belongings.

Fang Xing continued his stroll around the rest of the Black Market, looking for a Flying Sword while calculating in his heart. Hed never been someone who followed the straight and narrow path, so when he saw through Hua Qianzhis counterfeits, he immediately started to work out how to make use of him. After getting his hands on someone so talented, it would be a waste not to get something out of it. As for the Flying Swords Hua Qianzhi had been selling, Fang Xing had found even the real ones to be quite lacking and of poor quality.

The Black Market itself wasnt huge, so it didnt take too long before Fang Xing had seen everything up for exchange. As he rounded one of the corners, he suddenly heard a pair of agitated voices.

Shixiong, my offer of seventy Spirit Stones is already quite a bit. This pellet of yours is a rare find, but its quality isnt the best; my offer is already very generous!

Seventy Spirit Stones? Fang Xings ears subconsciously perked up, and he couldnt help but to lean in closer. Thats the amount an A-Rank disciple gets in three years! What kind of item would be worth so much?

Shixiong, seventy Spirit Stones is definitely a fair trade, but I have already told you Ill only trade this Demon Pellet for Ore Essence Powder!

When he heard the second voice, Fang Xing thought for a moment before he felt a sudden surge of anger. He knew who this person was: it was none other than Hou Qing.

Fang Xing was truly a vengeful person, the kind of person who wouldnt forget his grudges even after ten years. Although it had been over half a year since the recruitment ceremony, Fang Xing immediately recognized that voice and who it belonged to.

With a quick turn of his head, Fang Xing could see a male youth sitting atop a large rock near the mountain cliff. A white headscarf covered his face and the rest of his body was hidden in the shadows cast by the moonlight, making him hard to notice. It was difficult to recognize who was under such concealment, but Fang Xing had heard his voice and looked closer until he saw the shape of his brows and was certain of itthis had to be Hou Qing.

Wow, must be my lucky day to bump into this bastard. Lets see what hes after! So saying, Fang Xing sat himself not so far away to listen in.