Chapter 52: I am Really the 6th Prince!
Chapter 52: I am Really the 6th Prince!
“I am Shen Ao, the 6th Prince of the Country of Fire. I came here to pick a present for my Master.
“I saw that you had quite some crowds just now. It seems like business is brisk at your shop, so I came here to have a look.”
After Shen Ao finished his sentence, he saw Shopkeeper Song looking at him weirdly.
“Wh... what? Is there something on my face?”
Shopkeeper Song broke out of his daze and put on a bright smile.
“If I didn’t hear wrongly, did you just say you are the 6th Prince of the Country of Fire... Shen Ao?”
Shen Ao looked rather alarmed. “Why? Do I not look like a prince?”
Shopkeeper Song smiled and said, “Oh, of course not. It’s just that you don’t have any evidence...”
Shen Ao’s face blackened. “I never have and will not change my name for anything.
“And I am the disciple of Perfected Zi Yang from Grand White Grotto-Heaven. Who dares to impersonate me!?”
...
Shen Ao was extremely displeased.
After all, he was the long-sought-after genius from the Country of Fire’s royal family, and in no time, he would break through the Foundation Establishment stage. He could then be accepted into the Grand White Grotto-Heaven.
As long as he could be accepted into the Grand White Grotto-Heaven, the greatest of the 36 Grotto-Heavens, it wouldn’t be far from him getting to the Golden Core stage.
It might even be possible that he could become a Nascent Soul Supremacy eventually!
Somebody like him—a Heaven’s favored person—was destined to achieve success no matter what.
Yet now this mere Spirit Ore shop’s shopkeeper dared to suspect his identity.
To be honest, he would dearly love to know who had the guts to impersonate him in the whole Country of Fire!
Shen Ao took out a golden token and showed it to Shopkeeper Song.
This token was made of gold, and there was a red dragon imprinted on it.
The red dragon looked very majestic with its terrible claws, and one could feel a strong sense of Fire Divinity emanating from the pure gold token.
Shopkeeper Song’s brows creased. “Sir, can you let me examine this token more carefully?”
Shen Ao felt even more uncomfortable. “You are suspecting that this Royal Token is fake?”
He snorted and flung the token on the table, “Hmph, examine it closely then!”
Shopkeeper Song nodded and scrutinized the token. “Sss, this craftsmanship, these engraving skills... Such great imitation!”
Shen Ao’s lips twitched. “What did you say?”
Shopkeeper Song coughed and said, “Cough, I mean, this token is real indeed.”
Shen Ao kept his token. “Hmph, that’s right. How disappointing all this is!”
After that comment, he turned and proceeded to leave the shop.
After all, there were Spirit Ore shops all around offering the services he required. Why must he choose this shop?
This shop’s shopkeeper was not only naggy but even dared to suspect his identity. This was an insult which Shen Ao had never, ever felt in the whole of his life before.
And for the rest of his life, he decided he would never think any good of this shop again!
...
Shopkeeper Song was visibly anxious when he saw Shen Ao turning to leave.
He hurriedly blocked Shen Ao’s path, smiled apologetically, and said, “Your Highness, pray don’t be angry with me!”
Shen Ao let out a cold laugh and said, “Ha, I am not angry. I just have a very ‘deep’ impression of you now.”
Shopkeeper Song started apologizing continuously. “I am really very sorry, my intentions are just to be extra cautious when it comes to matters concerning the 6th Prince of the Country of Fire.
“Actually, not only is the Country of Fire’s 6th Prince—Your Highness, Shen Ao—the glory of our country, you are also my idol.
“Yours truly here has always been an admirer of the 6th Prince. As such, I am too excited to see Your Highness in real life.”
When Shen Ao heard these words, the cold expression on his face was replaced with a genuine smile.
Curving up his lips contentedly, Shen Ao asked, “Oh, I see? Tell me then, why do you idolize the 6th Prince?”
Shopkeeper Song commented, “Well, everybody knows—the 6th Prince is a genius, a talent whom the Country of Fire’s royal family has been waiting for in almost 100 years!
“Not only that, but he also has divine eyes and is especially good at judging ores. He can see through all kinds of Spirit Ores and knows what they contain just by taking a mere look!
“He’s such a rare talent in the Spirit Ore Appraisers’ industry!”
...
Shen Ao beamed with pride upon hearing every sentence of Shopkeeper Song’s praises.
Well, I didn’t know that I already had such a great reputation in the Myriad Spirit Garden!
After all, only those most influential and wealthy figures were able to become famous in the Myriad Spirit Garden—because one could never afford those Spirit Ores, which required Spirit Stones in exchange if they did not have that kind of wealth or fame.
It was especially satisfying to hear the shopkeeper of Sky Spirit Pavilion sing praises of him. This gave Shen Ao a better sense of accomplishment compared to being praised by those lowly eunuchs in the palace.
The puzzling part is—who spread the rumors that I am skilled at judging ores?
I am always concentrating on cultivating and improving my Qi Refinement. Where do I have time to learn those skills?
However, since this shopkeeper has such a misunderstanding of my true skills... Well, I don’t mind letting him continue having this impression!
In that case, I doubt he will dare to cheat my money!
Shen Ao shook his head in a humble manner while these thoughts raced through his mind.
“Oh, where did you hear that? I only know a little bit about judging ores.”
Shopkeeper Song smiled and said, “Well, may Heavens punish me for being so rude to Your Highness just now!
“How about this? All these ores that are displayed here, they are not befitting of your status.
“Please make a move to the rooms in my shop. I will offer you some superior tea, and at the same time, Your Highness can choose any one item from my personal, precious collections of Spirit Ores. This will be compensation for my rudeness just now.
“What do you think of this suggestion, Your Highness?”
To be offered tea and then be allowed to choose an item from the shop’s most precious collections as compensation?
That sounded pretty good. In any case, Shen Ao was planning to choose a treasure for his future Master, Perfected Zi Yang, as a present.
Since this shopkeeper claimed that he’s my fan and is so earnest to give me a treasure... then I shall accept it gladly!
“That’s too courteous of you. How can I do that!”
Shen Ao turned back from the shop’s entrance and tried to reject Shopkeeper Song’s request a few times courteously.
“You brat, you look after the shop while your father here is serving His Highness!”
Shopkeeper Song handed the shopfront’s matters to his son before leading Shen Ao to the interior rooms.
...
Mist rose up from the hot tea while the tea’s aroma covered the room in no time.
Shopkeeper Song poured tea for Shen Ao in a slow but calm manner.
Shen Ao sniffed the tea, smiled, and said, “This is one of the best grade green teas from Bi Luo Peak.”
Shopkeeper Song put up his thumb at that comment, “Your Highness is indeed an expert in the Way of Tea, I am marveled by you!”
Shen Ao drank the whole cup of tea and commented, “Shopkeeper, may I know where your collections are?”
Shopkeeper Song curved up his lips. “Please, don’t be impatient, Your Highness. Good things come to those who wait.”
Shen Ao was rather puzzled by this comment. “You mean I still have to wait for an auspicious timing before I can get to see the treasures?”
“Your Highness, please don’t be impatient. Let’s count to 10 with me.
“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...”
The smile on Shopkeeper Song’s face disappeared gradually.
Shen Ao realized something was wrong. He felt giddier and giddier.
At that moment, he seemed to finally get it, and his face darkened.
“Spat! You unscrupulous merchant, you poisoned the tea!”
Shopkeeper Song took out a whip and a bunch of ropes while sneering all the while. “How dare you puny and ugly fellow, the audacity of you to impersonate Sir Master Celestial!
“It’s quite amazing how you managed to get that counterfeit of the token. I was almost taken in by it! If not for the fact that I am blessed to have seen Master Celestial’s handsome looks before, you might really have fooled me!
“Lads, come on in, tie up this paltry scarecrow for me! I am going to question him with the most devilish of means and force the truth out of him as to why he is impersonating the 6th Prince! Meanwhile, confess now—do you have any accomplices?”
...
Shen Ao felt his head getting heavier and heavier.
Right before he lost consciousness, a desperate thought flashed past his mind—
But I am really the 6th Prince, Shen Ao!