Volume One: The Emperor’s Sword Chapter 99: The Special Talisman

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Chu Hu simply couldn’t produce two thousand spirit stones. Yet the current round of bidding had ended with no further offers, so the water-repelling talisman, valued at two hundred spirit stones, was his. The auction had its own rules: once the gavel fell, the decision was final and unchangeable.

Chu Hu’s broad face flushed purple with suppressed anger. After an awkward pause, he stubbornly declared, “I’m not buying! A talisman not worth even three hundred spirit stones—don’t expect me to pay two thousand! My grandfather is an elder of the Sword Palace, a foundation establishing expert! The Chu family doesn’t suffer such losses!”

With no other recourse, Chu Hu invoked his family’s name. Everyone present knew that the Sword Palace elders were foundation establishing experts, so when Chu Hu revealed his lineage, many instinctively shrank back. The Chu family was a formidable force in the Yan Kingdom, not to be trifled with.

Many eyes then turned to Yu Qingfu, the shop owner of Qingfu Tower, eager to see how he would handle the situation.

Yu Qingfu’s expression darkened as he shouted, “I don’t care if you’re from the Chu family or the royal house. My rules do not bend for anyone. Since you maliciously raised the bid to disrupt the auction and then refuse to pay, Qingfu Tower will no longer welcome you. You will never set foot in my auctions again! Now, get out!”

His voice was stern, and a faint foundation establishing aura emanated. He glared fiercely at Chu Hu.

Chu Hu wanted to retort but was cowed by the overwhelming presence of a foundation establishing cultivator. Under all eyes, he slunk away in humiliation, shooting a venomous glare at Yun Que, full of threat.

Yu Qingfu’s handling earned the approval of all in attendance. The shopkeeper gave an impression of fairness, refusing to yield to a powerful family. Such a shop was truly trustworthy.

Yun Que thought it only right; this was the best way to handle the matter. If Yu Qingfu had allowed Chu Hu to stay out of fear of the Chu family’s powerful elder, Qingfu Tower’s reputation would have suffered greatly. Pleasing the Chu family would bring no real benefit, only the loss of long-standing patrons, a terrible trade-off.

If Yu Qingfu kept Chu Hu just to avoid offending the Chu family, that would be short-sighted and self-defeating.

After Chu Hu left, Yu Qingfu’s expression softened as he cupped his fists and addressed the crowd, “Apologies for the interruption. The auction will continue. This water-repelling talisman will be re-auctioned.”

The starting bid remained two hundred spirit stones.

No one raised the price, and Yun Que remained indifferent. In the end, it was passed in.

The talisman’s owner had high hopes but was deeply disappointed. They expected at least double the price, yet not a single spirit stone more was offered.

The auction reached its final item: Yun Que’s soul stone.

Yu Qingfu personally displayed it again, carefully examining its quality and explaining its many uses with great enthusiasm. With this expert endorsement, everyone was convinced of the soul stone’s value.

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Starting at one thousand spirit stones, the price quickly climbed to one thousand two hundred, then one thousand three hundred.

Ultimately, it sold for one thousand five hundred spirit stones.

Qingfu Tower was supposed to take a commission of one hundred fifty spirit stones, but Yu Qingfu only kept one hundred, leaving Yun Que with one thousand four hundred spirit stones. Whether this was to curry favor with a major client or to establish connections, no one knew.

Yun Que’s act of gathering the pile of spirit stones drew envious gazes, some even covetous.

Han Jiao and Luo Xiaoyu stared wide-eyed.

They could barely imagine over a thousand spirit stones.

Han Jiao had spent all her savings on a near-death pill, and Luo Xiaoyu didn’t even have a single spirit stone.

Yun Que himself did not want to flaunt his wealth, but he had no choice. First, to get Chu Hu gone quickly, and second, because he was running low on spirit stones. The spirit stones he exchanged from the Mu family’s belongings were nearly spent after buying a few talismans and pills.

He still had plenty of soul stones—twenty-two after selling one—so it made more sense to convert some into spirit stones to buy what he needed.

Adding the two hundred spirit stones he had left, Yun Que carried a total of sixteen hundred spirit stones, far more than many foundation establishing cultivators.

The auction ended there.

As people were about to leave, Yu Qingfu signaled them to wait a moment.

“I have been entrusted to purchase a certain material. If anyone has it, I can offer a very reasonable price,” Yu Qingfu said with a smile.

“Shopkeeper Yu, what material is it?”

“If Shopkeeper Yu collects it, you’ll definitely get a good price.”

“Tell us quickly! If I have it, I’ll sell it!”

The crowd buzzed with eager chatter.

Yu Qingfu smiled and said only two words: “Sophora Crystal.”

Yun Que had not planned to pay attention—such consignment buying was common and unremarkable—but hearing the name Sophora Crystal, his eyes flickered.

He glanced at the shopkeeper on the platform.

Suspicion and curiosity stirred in his heart.

Could Yu Qingfu be the ‘wealthy buyer’ who was purchasing Sophora Crystals in large quantities throughout the market?

The pill shop owner had never revealed the identity of the ‘wealthy buyer,’ and Yun Que had not pressed further, intending to investigate later. Unexpectedly, he had now received a clue to the ‘wealthy buyer’ at Qingfu Tower’s auction.

Upon hearing Sophora Crystal, everyone else deflated and shook their heads.

No one had any to offer.

Not only was Sophora Crystal rare, but whatever existed had long been bought up, as many big shops in the market paid handsomely for it.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

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As Yun Que hesitated, wondering how to find an excuse to inquire about Sophora Crystal, Yu Qingfu approached him.

“Lord Yun, please stay.”

Yu Qingfu smiled warmly. “At the auction, I noticed your interest in the water-repelling talisman. Though I cannot forge such talismans, I do have water-repelling talismans. Would Lord Yun be interested?”

It was no surprise Yu Qingfu recognized him.

Yun Que had been in the imperial city for a month, and anyone with even a little news knew that the Yan Kingdom’s jinx had entered the Sword Palace.

Especially a shopkeeper like Yu Qingfu, who possessed extensive connections and information.

Just as Yun Que was pondering how to strike up a conversation, Yu Qingfu offered the chance on a silver platter. Yun Que naturally nodded and followed him to the first floor of Qingfu Tower.

The main hall on the first floor was lined with shelves, each covered with expensive glass domes.

Inside each dome lay a talisman, identical in shape but varying in color—a dazzling array with myriad effects that dazzled the eyes.

Han Jiao and Luo Xiaoyu immediately became captivated, pressing against the glass to examine them.

“Lord Yun’s two young friends may each choose a low-grade talisman at half price,” Yu Qingfu smiled, offering a generous discount that made the girls’ eyes shine.

Half price!

Even low-grade talismans usually cost several spirit stones, sometimes over ten.

But after their excitement, Han Jiao and Luo Xiaoyu became listless.

The reason was simple: no money.

One had spent all her savings at the pill shop, and the other had never even held a spirit stone.

“Choose,” Yun Que nodded and said to Han Jiao, “I was planning to give you a birthday gift. Other things are too expensive, but these are affordable. Pick a talisman, and you too, Xiaoyu. Happy birthday.”

Han Jiao was deeply grateful, and Luo Xiaoyu nodded vigorously.

“Yes, yes, yes. Just tell me when my birthday is, and I’ll celebrate it every day.”

The two girls resumed chattering happily as they examined the glass cases.

“I have a special talisman here that is connected to you, Lord Yun. Would you like to take a look?” Yu Qingfu smiled.

“Connected to me?” Yun Que was somewhat surprised.

Yu Qingfu gestured toward a quiet room in the back of the hall. “Please, Lord Yun, come with me a moment.”

Filled with questions, Yun Que followed him out of the hall to a private chamber.