Sword Among Us c1-1268

by Black Swordsman Online

  It was an item protection quest, and it was for the birthday of the country's emperor!

  Because of the might of the emperor, all the respected and influential clans as well as most of the famous sects had to send their disciples to Beijing with tributes.

  This was what the quest to protect those tributes entailed.

  However, some of the people from less honorable factions seized the chance to target those tributes.

  Of course, aside from that, the sects and clans who were enemies with each other would also send people to target their enemy sect or clan's tributes in the dark. If they managed to steal them, not only would they be able to damage their enemy's reputation, they would also be able to sow discord between their enemy and the court.

  Eastern Green Gate was a disciple of Qingcheng Sect [1]. He had received a quest to steal the tribute of Sky Eagle Fortress, their enemy sect. The rewards for stealing their enemy's protected item were much greater than successfully protecting the item.

  Of course, there were more people than a single disciple from a sect assigned to steal from their enemy. Usually, the players who received this quest would have an equal number of enemies assigned to them.

  "Protecting the items is boring. I'd rather just continue training."

  Whirlwind Young Li did not have any interest in the quest after he swept another glance over its contents. He suggested for them to just give up on the quest and continue staying in this place to train. Based on their speed, they should soon be able to enter Blessed Realm, and the speed at which they earned money was also very fast.

  Azure Wolf and Eastern Green Gate quirked an eyebrow at it, unable to resist the temptation of his words.

  When he saw this, Happy instantly put on a wry smile, and he could not help but analyze the situation for the trio.

  "Don't you think it's strange? All four of us received the same clan quest at the same time. If my guess is correct, after this, World of Martial Arts will definitely launch some major event or storyline mission. Are you sure you want to give up on this grand banquet for the small benefit you can gain right now?"

  His words instantly made the trio waver in their decision.

  "At least I won't give up," Happy said decisively. "You can earn money at any time you want, and you can also practice martial arts anywhere you want. Don't be blinded by temporary comfort and benefits. To tell you the truth, even if they didn't launch this activity, I still intended to leave Gusu City to wander around the world outside. You'll have to be careful on your own in Gusu City in the future."

  "You're going to wander around the land?"

  "I like that!"

  The trio's eyes lit up.

  "Don't look at me. I like to challenge my own limits, and the places I go to will be very dangerous. It's not suitable for me to take you there." Happy immediately dispelled their ideas.

  "Oh."

  Once the trio thought about it, they understood.

  Indeed, Happy's abilities could not be regarded at the same level as other Gate Realm players. They could not compare themselves with him.

  "Then, shall we go back?"

  "Yup." Happy lowered his head and finished packing up his spoils. "We have over one hundred and thirty Great Wolf Pelts. Take one set each, and we can distribute the rest evenly. Everyone should get around thirty sets. The money you get from selling Great Wolf Fur Equipment Set should be enough for you to use for a long time."

  "But… we can't distribute this."

  The trio's expressions changed. Happy was the one who had contributed the most in killing the Great Wolves. The trio had just helped a little on the side, and they had even practiced their martial arts without having to pay with his assistance. When they put it this way, they had already taken advantage of Happy, so how could they split the spoils?

  "Enough with the nonsense. Even if I have a lot of money, I have nothing to spend it on. Just treat this small amount of stuff as an investment from a brother. Do well in Gusu City. After I leave, I don't know when I'll come back. You have to take care of yourself."

  When they heard Happy say that, the trio instantly stopped speaking, but they felt touched.

  Countless players carried all sorts of weapons on their backs and walked in and out of apothecaries and weapon shops. Practically all the players went about strengthening their equipment and weapons after they received the quest to protect their tribute, because the rewards for the quest were very great. Aside from receiving two thousand taels of silver crumbs and three martial arts manuals, they would also receive a relatively high-grade weapon as well as their clan or sect's reward, which would add a few points to their innate stats.

  They moved about like a storm. After all, all the players wished to use this chance to become outstanding in the game!

  When Happy and his group returned to the city, they managed to attract a lot of people's attention. They were noticed by people from Dragon Tiger Sect, Heaven Domination Sect, and many unfamiliar players.

  Everyone, without exception, stared at the Universe Bag hanging by Happy's waist. Their eyes flashed with greed, and they looked like bandits who had their eyes fixed on a car transporting money.

  Once they walked into a tailor's shop, there were quite a number of players who were dressed in outstanding gear following behind them.

  Happy did not pay any attention to them at the start. However, once the undamaged Great Wolf Pelts were handed over to the tailor, the heat in the gazes around them rose swiftly!

  "Brother."

  Right when one person wanted to approach Happy, he was blocked off by Azure Wolf. He stared at the player with wary eyes, while the latter had an awkward and nervous expression on his face.

  "Who are you?"

  "Brother, I-I have something I'd like to say to Happy."

  Happy was stunned. He turned around and sized up the player who approached him. The latter had a rather honest look, but there were small beads of sweat on his face. He tried his best to smile with his eyes, but that only made him look ridiculous. There was eagerness in his expression, however.

  Even though he did not know him, for politeness' sake, Happy still asked the person, "What is it?"

  "I—um, this humble junior is Ma Liang. I am a merchant. I bought a shop over there…" The plump player seemed to be very nervous in front of Happy, and he wiped his sweat repeatedly.

  Happy's eyes lit up, and he immediately paid a lot more attention to Ma Liang.

  "A player who conducts businesses?"

  It was clear from his tone that he was already a little interested. Merchants could be quite influential in the game. Their financial resources alone were something that could not be ignored.

  However, in Happy's memories of his previous life, Ma Liang was not among the Top Ten Rich Merchants, and neither had he ever appeared on the Extravagant Millionaires Ranking Board.

  "Yes, this humble junior came to see you to co-conduct a business deal, Eldest Senior Brother Happy."

  "Oh?" Happy said with a drawl. A thought appeared in his mind, and his eyes landed on the Great Wolf Pelts in his hand. A hint of a smile showed up on his lips.

  Chapter 84 - The Only Representative

  Ma Liang's appearance made Happy realize why so many people followed him into the tailor's shop. It was not because he had killed the people from Heaven Domination Sect, but because they had their eyes set on the Great Wolf Pelts in his hands.

  They were about to be faced with the era of banditry. The people's demands toward equipment and weapons had increased, which led to the price of Great Wolf Pelts increasing by leaps and bounds. The merchant named Ma Liang probably intended to monopolize the pelts in his hands and make a huge profit.

  Happy smiled in his heart, and an idea formed in his head.

  He handed over the pelts to the shopkeeper in the tailor's shop while asking calmly, "You want to buy the Great Wolf Pelts I have?"

  "Yes."

  When he heard Happy take the initiative to reveal his
intentions, Ma Liang actually let out a breath of relief. He wiped the sweat off his forehead, put on a flattering smile, and nodded.

  "Selling equipment is a matter that is filled with a lot of trivial things, and it is also something that wastes plenty of time. This humble junior also believes that haggling prices will make you waste a lot of time when you open a stall to sell your items. If you have the intention to sell, I can help you set a reasonable price and place all of them in my shop. My workers and I can sell them for an agreed on price for a small commission fee. What do you think?"

  Happy smiled faintly; he had been right. The merchant did not want to buy all of the materials he had. There could only be a handful of people in Gusu City who could buy all the pelts he had collected since the game had just launched. Ma Liang could only ask for a small bit of profit by taking commission.

  Once he thought things through, Happy's interest became much fainter.

  "How much is the commission?"

  The plump Ma Liang was stunned for a moment, then his face flushed red, though no one knew whether it was because he had been affected by Happy's indifferent tone or whether it was because of something else.

  Before speaking, he s.u.c.k.e.d in a deep breath. "You can set the commission. Even if you don't want to give us any… I have no opinion about it! The only thing that I would like to ask is that you would make me the only representative for all of your spoils this time," Ma Liang declared under Happy and his group's dazed eyes.

  All the people were stunned speechless. When Ma Liang finished speaking, the tailor's shop became so silent that a pin could be heard if it fell. All the people stared at Ma Liang, whose neck had become red, as if they were staring at a ghost.

  He wanted to sell the Great Wolf Fur Equipment Set for Happy for free? To become his only representative?

  Eastern Green Gate, Whirlwind Young Li, and Azure Wolf cast their gazes on Happy's face. They could not deny that with the help of Ma Liang's shop, the items would definitely be sold much faster than if they tried to sell them in a personal stall.

  When he snapped out of his daze, Happy frowned and stared at Ma Liang's face for a long time.

  "For free? Are you sure you're not pulling my leg?"

  This time, Ma Liang was the one who had a stunned expression. He only managed to murmur after quite some time, "Please don't joke around. There is no one who would dare to pull your leg in Gusu City, Blue-robed Noble Sword User. Heh, heh heh…"

  This was the truth. Ma Liang had his eye on the Blue-robed Noble Sword User's great influence and reputation in Gusu City, which was why he gritted his teeth and decided to get the right to represent him. He wanted to use Happy's name to get a good start for his shop and make it famous.

  Happy hesitated for a moment before he turned his head around to ask, "You said your name is Ma Liang?"

  The man nodded.

  "What is the exact location of your shop?"

  When Ma Liang heard this, a delighted expression appeared on his face. "The first shop in Central East Shop is mine. It's called Treasure Gathering Trove."

  The players who had been paying attention to the progression of events at the back could not hide the disappointment on their faces, since they had also come for Happy's Great Wolf Pelts. Even though they did not know how many he managed to get, but on that day, when countless players fought to buy high-grade equipment, the Great Wolf Pelts that had been on sale since yesterday had experienced an inflation and gone up to eight thousand taels of silver crumbs.

  Dragon Tiger Sect and Heaven Domination Sect had even said that they would pay fifteen thousand taels of silver crumbs for an entire Great Wolf Fur Equipment Set. This meant that the market price for the Great Wolf Fur Equipment Sets had increased to fifteen thousand taels of silver crumbs. If they did not include the five hundred taels of silver crumbs required for the cost of production to make the equipment, they would get a net profit of one hundred and forty-five thousand taels of silver crumbs.

  This high profit business was only possible because Happy, who was the strongest player in Gusu City, had just intimidated Heaven Domination Sect. If it had been anyone else, they might have already been ambushed by countless people, and all their stuff would have been stolen, including their u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r.

  Originally, everyone had wanted to buy Happy's pelts, but to their despair, Ma Liang had forced them into a corner with his reckless act, and right now, unless they were willing to suffer losses to buy the Great Wolf Pelts, it was impossible for them to suggest an even better offer.

  Happy cast a deep glance at Ma Liang and put the name of Treasure Gathering Trove to memory.

  "I'll look for you later."

  "Alright!"

  Ma Liang's expression filled with excitement. Once he nodded vigorously, he turned around and walked out of the tailor's shop.

  The other players who had come with hope in their hearts watched him leave with a complicated gaze. One by one, they turned around to leave as well.

  "What a guy. That person is quite bold. He offered a free service that makes it look like he just suffered a loss, but in truth, he's trying to get his shop famous…"

  "Yup, he's going to rely on the Great Wolf Fur Equipment Set to make his shop famous, and the sales for the other items in his shop will also increase. Who said he won't be earning anything?" Eastern Green Gate, Whirlwind Young Li, and Azure Wolf nodded while they whispered to each other.

  "No matter what, he has already achieved his goal."

  Happy quickly brought out new and exquisite Great Wolf Fur Coats, Great Wolf Gauntlets, Great Wolf Leather Boots, and Great Wolf Leather Pants…

  "Um… Brother, are you going to sell that gear?"

  Some players walked into the shop right on time to see the shopkeeper of the tailor's shop continuously bringing out the items. They s.u.c.k.e.d in a deep breath, and a player with a boorish face strode toward the four of them with a face full of delight.

  "Could you give me ten of them?"

  'What a guy, he's a big customer. He just asked for ten sets in one go. Even with the market price right now, that will cost at least one million taels of silver crumbs.' Happy cast a glance at the person who came over, smiled, and apologized, "I'm sorry. Someone has already reserved the items here. If you want to buy them, you can go to Treasure Gathering Trove at Central East Street."

  While he spoke, the shopkeeper of the tailor's shop gave him another stack of Great Wolf Fur Equipment Sets that numbered more than ten. When the "great customer" saw this, his eyes sparkled, and his gaze when he looked at Happy became grave.

  "Have we met before?"

  The person beside him quickly whispered in his ear. The great customer's expression instantly became weird, and he looked incredibly awkward.

  "I see, so it's you, Blue-robed Noble Sword User. This humble person is from Immortal Mountain Faction, and my name is Cloud Waves. I am sorry to have offended you!"

  "It's alright." Happy did not mind it. He continued taking his goods with the smile ever present on his face.

  The person hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he could not help but ask, "Sir, you just mentioned that these equipment have already been reserved by Treasure Gathering Trove. May I ask one more thing? What is the set price for these items?"

  "If it's a single item, then the fur coat is worth eight thousand taels of silver crumbs, and the other items are three thousand taels of silver crumbs each. If you buy the entire set, it will cost you sixteen thousand taels of silver crumbs." When he said this, Happy paused for a moment before he added, "If you want to buy in bulk, we can consider selling it to you for one thousand five hundred taels each, but you must buy at least fifty sets."

  A wry smile instantly appeared on Cloud Waves' face.

  Fifty sets would mean seven hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver crumbs! He was not that much of a big spender. When he saw Happy turn around without hesitation, he did not continue wasting Happy's time. He excused himself and apologized for
bothering Happy before he brought his people to Treasure Gathering Trove to queue up.

  Even though the equipment was a little expensive, when compared to the other equipment in the armor shops, its value was still the greatest. The defence of the Great Wolf Fur Equipment Set would greatly increase their chances of survival during any quest. Once the news leaked, the set would definitely become out of stock within a short period of time, so it was best to grab a spot in the queue early.

  Chapter 85 - Item Protection

  Aside from a Great Wolf Fur Equipment Set for Eastern Green Gate, Whirlwind Young Li, Azure Wolf, Qian Kunzi, Xuan Kun, and Xuan Zhong, the remaining one hundred and thirty sets were all given to Ma Liang, the merchant with an optimal contract.

  Within less than two hours, all the sets were prioritized as goods to be sold first, and the entire set were all sold at the price of sixty-three thounsand taels of silver. The net profit went up to one hundred and fifty-five thousand taels of silver.

  Aside from this, Happy also gave Ma Liang the Great Wolf's Wolf Tendons and Wolf Claws and had him set a slightly lower price for them. Since Ma Liang decided to serve as his representative, Happy considered it a little bit of compensation for all that the merchant had done for him.

  Ma Liang was incredibly excited. Due to the great sales, not only had he managed to build Treasure Gathering Trove's reputation, but practically all the players in Gusu City now knew of the existence of his shop. Even when he finished selling all the Great Wolf Fur Equipment Sets, there were still players who would go into his shop to take a look, because they wanted to see whether there was anything else they could use.

  "Thank you!"

  "Don't mention it. We're working together, after all," Happy said in a calm voice while standing under the signboard of Treasure Gathering Trove. He cast Ma Liang a profound glance. "Merchants are important characters that cannot be lacking in the world of martial artists. Work hard. Some day, your capabilities and influence might be even greater than mine."