Chapter 28: Strolling Through the Market
“Fairy Fan... Who is this person?”
After reading the notice, Wang Chu continued toward the market with Chu Xue. As they walked, he stroked his chin thoughtfully, muttering to himself.
Chu Xue was quite surprised.
“You don’t even know Fairy Fan?”
Wang Chu shook his head.
“No, who is she? Some big shot?”
Chu Xue asked in return,
“Then do you know Fairy Nangong?”
Wang Chu smiled faintly and nodded.
“Yeah, I know her. The most beautiful woman in the world, with an incredible singing voice.”
Chu Xue explained,
“That Fairy Fan is actually Fairy Nangong’s newly accepted disciple. Although she’s only been out of the Music Sect for a year, her superb mastery of the path of music has already made her famous throughout the land.”
Wang Chu looked at Chu Xue with some puzzlement.
“How do you know that?”
Chu Xue replied,
“It’s written in the book.”
Wang Chu stopped walking and smiled.
“Looks like she’s learned how to market herself.”
“What?” Chu Xue didn’t quite understand and asked, “What’s marketing? And who is she referring to?”
“Heh, it’s nothing,” Wang Chu said without answering, then asked, “Chu Xue, do you want to go see her?”
Chu Xue thought for a moment and said,
“Yes, I want to. I’ve heard the Music Sect disciples’ songs can bring both mental and physical joy and greatly aid cultivation. It’s rare to encounter this before death; I want to see for myself.”
Wang Chu took a small step forward.
“Alright, then we’ll go listen at the Drunken Heaven Pavilion tonight.”
Chu Xue quickened her pace to keep up.
“How many spirit stones does it cost to enter the Drunken Heaven Pavilion? If it’s too expensive, forget it.”
Wang Chu said,
“Don’t worry, just two high-grade spirit stones. Though expensive for an ordinary family, compared to the supreme spirit stones you gave me, two high-grade ones are nothing.”
Hearing this, Chu Xue finally relaxed.
“Oh, that’s good.”
Though it was winter, cold and harsh outside, making it hard for anyone to feel like strolling about, the streets of Ling City’s market were bustling.
Vendors selling snacks, jewelry, and clothing shouted loudly, vying for the attention of passersby.
---
Wang Chu and Chu Xue blended into the crowd, becoming part of it.
Wang Chu’s gaze mostly focused ahead, casually observing the people passing by.
Chu Xue’s eyes darted left and right, intently watching the stalls and shops, never turning away.
After a while, they passed a store selling women’s clothing. Chu Xue stopped in her tracks, unable to move, her eyes seemingly glued to the shop.
Wang Chu smiled slightly as he looked at the plain clothes Chu Xue wore.
“Want to buy a few pieces?”
Chu Xue struggled to withdraw her gaze and waved her hand.
“No, just looking.”
Wang Chu took her hand and gently pulled her toward the shop.
“Come on, it won’t cost more than a dozen mid-grade spirit stones at most. That’s nothing compared to the two supreme spirit stones you gave me.”
Wang Chu’s reassurance eased Chu Xue’s mind, and she finally stopped refusing.
“Alright then.”
Inside the shop, Wang Chu noticed a woman with her back to him and Chu Xue, browsing clothes.
He was slightly surprised to sense the aura of an old acquaintance from this woman.
Before he could place who it was, the woman turned around, holding a garment.
Before his eyes was a stunningly beautiful face, with crystal-clear eyes.
The woman and Wang Chu locked eyes for a moment, then she smiled sweetly, withdrew her gaze, and passed by them to enter the fitting room, closing the door behind her.
At that moment, Chu Xue exclaimed,
“That girl is so pretty.”
Wang Chu turned to her and said,
“You’re pretty too.”
A faint smile curved Chu Xue’s lips.
“The book said sometimes people feel happy even when they know the other is lying. I didn’t understand before, but now I do.”
Wang Chu looked serious.
“I’m not lying.”
Chu Xue’s features were delicate and petite. Though not as striking as the other woman at first glance, her beauty was enduring.
Wang Chu truly wasn’t flattering her.
Yet having never received genuine praise since birth, Chu Xue was not suddenly confident because of a few words from Wang Chu.
She still suspected he was teasing her but decided not to dwell on it.
“Okay, let’s pick some clothes.”
Wang Chu hesitated briefly but said no more, simply agreeing.
Just then, the shop owner approached with enthusiasm, showing Chu Xue various garments.
Guided by the owner’s introductions, Chu Xue examined each piece carefully.
After a while, she chose a pale white pleated silk skirt.
Holding it, she asked Wang Chu’s opinion.
He also found it beautiful.
---
Chu Xue decided to try it on.
Just as she entered another fitting room, the previously seen woman emerged wearing her chosen outfit—a purple cloud-patterned dress.
The radiant woman looked more elegant and graceful in it, her beauty enhanced.
She admired herself in the full-length mirror, clearly pleased with her choice.
After a moment, she approached the shop owner.
“How much for this dress? I’ll take it.”
The owner beamed with joy.
“Madam has excellent taste! This dress is a new style just tailored, selling fast. Since you’re a visitor from out of town, I’ll give you a discount—twenty mid-grade spirit stones. How’s that?”
Twenty mid-grade spirit stones?
Wang Chu internally scoffed.
“What a rip-off!”
But despite his thoughts, he chose not to inform the young woman.
Sometimes being overly helpful only causes trouble; Wang Chu understood this well.
The radiant woman’s reaction was the opposite of Wang Chu’s.
“Only twenty mid-grade spirit stones? That’s so cheap—much cheaper than where I’m from.”
The owner suddenly regretted her price.
If only she’d charged more!
“Hehe, our shop prides itself on honesty and fairness. As long as you’re satisfied, that’s what counts.”
The woman nodded and slipped her hand into the sleeve of the dress.
“Alright, I’ll give you the spirit stones now.”
But after fumbling for a while, she withdrew her hand empty.
Embarrassed, she laughed awkwardly.
“Sorry, boss, I was in such a hurry when I left, I think I forgot to bring the spirit stones.”
The owner’s smile stiffened.
“What do you mean by that?”
The woman tilted her head, thinking.
“Tell you what, come with me to get the money. How about that?”
The owner’s smile vanished.
“Better come back when you have the money.”
The woman looked frustrated, thinking,
“I finally managed to sneak out... I wonder when I’ll have another chance like this.”
...