Chapter 57: Shadow, Highway Robbery
Chapter 57: Shadow, Highway Robbery
"I wonder, Young Master Lu, what kind of battle sword do you desire?"
Lu Qing pondered for a moment before asking, "Uncle Ma, how much does a battle sword usually cost?"
Ma Gu hesitated, "It's hard to say. A simple battle sword might only cost a few taels of silver, but a well-forged one could set you back a dozen or even several dozen taels."
"And if you're looking for something special, like a sword made with rare metals, then you're probably looking at a hundred taels or more."
"As for those who crave luxury and wish to adorn their sword handles and sheaths with jewels and fine jade, the price becomes truly immeasurable. There are even swords that sell for thousands or tens of thousands of taels."
Lu Qing quickly interjected, "I have no need for extravagant decorations. Uncle Ma, just help me purchase a well-forged battle sword. I prefer a simple and unadorned style as long as it's durable and sharp. Nothing too fancy."
"As for the price, anything within fifty taels of silver is acceptable to me."
Lu Qing then took out an ingot of silver from his bosom and continued, "Here's ten taels as a deposit."
Ma Ye's eyes fixed on the pure white silver ingot, and he thought to himself that the old physician must truly dote on Lu Qing to give him so much silver so casually.
Even in his younger days when his clan provided for all his needs, he rarely carried ten taels of silver on his person.
But then he quickly reasoned that it made sense.
With Lu Qing's extraordinary talent in martial arts, any major family would surely nurture him to the best of their ability.
It would be strange if the old physician didn't show such care for such a promising disciple.
"Fifty taels of silver can get you a really good well-forged battle sword. Rest assured, I'll choose carefully for you. Come back on the next market day, and it will be ready for you then." Ma Gu didn't refuse and readily accepted the silver.
"Thank you, Uncle Ma," Lu Qing said sincerely.
Although he knew that Ma Gu was helping him with an ulterior motive, he was also using the other man.
In this day and age, who would go out of their way to help a stranger without expecting something in return?
On the contrary, a truly benevolent person like his master was a rare gem, a unicorn.
"Young Master Lu, since you've come all this way to the grand market, why don't you pay a visit to my humble abode? It would be my pleasure to host you and return your kindness." Ma Gu invited, seizing the opportunity as he saw the two getting along well after the transaction.
"Well..." Lu Qing hesitated, "I would be honored to accept your hospitality, Uncle Ma, but don't you need to attend to that young noble back there? He seems to be of high status and importance."
Damn!
Ma Gu suddenly remembered, thanks to Lu Qing's reminder, that he had a young master waiting at his residence.
And who knew what new demands he might have after being left alone for so long.
If he threw a tantrum because Ma Gu wasn't there to attend to him, it would be a real headache.
With that in mind, Ma Gu reluctantly gave up on inviting Lu Qing.
"Perhaps next time. Young Master Lu, please join me for a drink when you come to pick up your sword next time."
"As long as you don't mind my company, I would be honored to accept your invitation."
"Then it's settled!"
Ma Gu was delighted to have Lu Qing's agreement and immediately called for one of his men. After giving him some instructions, he hurried back to his residence.
Lu Qing watched Ma Gu, a strong warrior at the Sinew Changing Realm, scurrying off in fear of the young noble in fine clothes, and couldn't help but shake his head.
The identity of this city's noble must truly be something extraordinary.
Chapter 57: Shadows and Highway Robbery
After seeing Ma Gu leave to handle the battle sword matter, Lu Qing's mood improved, and he continued browsing the grand market.
Before long, he had bought everything he needed.
Not only was the bamboo basket on his back filled to the brim, but he also carried several items in his hands.
Once he had finished shopping, Lu Qing didn't plan to linger. With his purchases in tow, he prepared to leave the grand market.
However, before departing, he noticed Ma Ye's men asking the villagers selling chickens, ducks, and pork to pack up their goods.
Recalling the behavior of the youth in fine clothes earlier, it was clear that Ma Gu was concerned about these villagers irritating the young noble again.
Shaking his head and once again aware of the class divide between the city's nobles and the villagers from the countryside, Lu Qing slowly made his way out.
As Lu Qing walked away, two figures emerged from the grand market, looking in the direction he had left and wearing puzzled expressions on their faces.
"Lao Qi, doesn't that kid look a little familiar?" asked one of the men, his brow furrowed.
"I think so too. He seems vaguely familiar," replied the other, a large mole marking his face.
"Do you think he looks like Lu Ming's son?" the first man asked.
"Lu Ming?" The man with the mole paused for a moment, then exclaimed, "Yes, he looks just like him, except that the little brat used to be skinny, and now he seems more robust."
"He must be eating and drinking well," the first man sneered. "Those old fogies from Jiuli Village claimed that the Lu family had sold all their land and had no more money to compensate us. Now it seems we've been deceived."
"Those old geezers must have withheld a lot of money and deliberately refused to settle Lu Ming's debt," the man with the mole added.
"Fifth Brother, are you saying the villagers from Jiuli Village deceived us?" The man with the mole glared.
"Of course," the other man replied. "Otherwise, how do you think this brat got the money to buy so many things at the grand market?"
"Are the people from Jiuli Village tired of living? How dare they deceive us?" The man with the mole felt a surge of anger. "I'm going to capture that little brat right now!" He turned to go in the direction Lu Qing had left.
"Hold on," the first man said, stopping him. "What's the point of just capturing the kid? If we're going to do something, let's make it big. Otherwise, people will think they can deceive us without consequences. How will we maintain our reputation in this area?"
"Fifth Brother, what do you have in mind?" The man with the mole's eyes lit up.
"Let's go. There are too many people here, and this is Ma Gu's territory. It's not a good place to talk," the first man said, glancing around the grand market warily.
The two men exchanged a look, their eyes reflecting a hint of wariness as they considered Ma Gu's influence in the grand market.
Ma Gu was no ordinary figure; even their boss had warned them to avoid provoking him if possible. If he truly lost his temper, even their boss might not be able to stop him.
After all, their boss was a formidable warrior. If even he was cautious around Ma Gu, then they certainly couldn't afford to offend him.
The two men quickly left the grand market.
On the other hand, Lu Qing remained unaware that he had caught the attention of these men. At that moment, he found himself confronted by another group of people.
"You mentioned robbing me?" Lu Qing asked.
(End of Chapter)
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