WEAPON SELLER IN THE WORLD OF MAGIC

Mark's explanation of each model that was withdrawn from the display in the store earlier lasted for more than an hour.

After a while, the three of them came downstairs and Chang Bo helped Mark with the packaging of the weapons while the latter purposely gave the task of calculating to Song Yue so that she found herself doing her job.

Song Yue was an educated woman who was taught by the Royal Tutor. While she might not be as intelligent as Shen Ling, at the very least, she knew how to make calculations without making mistakes.

As Mark started to speak of the order, she opened her notebook where she recorded the prices of the weapons and explosives available in the store.

In the end, the bill totaled 10596 gold coins and Lan Jing paid the amount with medium-quality ether crystals of 10-carat sized, each one equivalent to 100 gold coins worth.

Mark was happy to receive 106 of them as he was in need of them more than the money anyway.

Once Li Cheng stored everything in his storage ring, Lan Jing said, "I'll be leaving, Lu Zhen. Be sure to use the communication talisman if you are in need of anything."

"Sure, I will," replied Mark while maintaining a genuine smile on his face.

Lan Jing then glanced around but didn't find his grandniece. Feeling that it is a pity to not meet her properly, he sighed inwardly and turned around to walk away.

Once they exited the store, the winged horses, which were just standing on the side like good pets, neighed and opened their wings before scurrying toward their owners.

Lan Jing and Li Cheng mounted on their horses and they flew into the sky.

Back to the store, after the guests turned customers left the store, Mark stored all the ether crystals in his inventory except for two. "Here, this is yours, Manager Song. Your 2% share." He moved the two scarlet crystals toward Song Yue.

She was naturally surprised by his move. "Why? I didn't sell them the weapons though."

"It doesn't matter. A contract is a contract." Mark refused to budge on his promise. He further added, "They might be able to increase your strength too. Now that you don't have bodyguards, it would be useful in increasing your cultivation realm for your protection."

She didn't take them and just let out a sigh, "There's a reason why my cultivation is only at 2-circle. Ether crystals are useless to me. Forget about 2, even if I have 2000, I won't be able to make a breakthrough. My father once said that my special constitution will not let my body absorb the ether energy from the crystals. I have to absorb the spiritual energy (natural energy) from the surroundings and refine it normally."

Usually, the Spirit Warriors cannot absorb the ether energy from the crystal and nourish their body when they reached their potential. But, here, the situation is slightly different. Her words implied that she can still make a breakthrough but cannot take the help of ether crystals.

Mark couldn't help but think of Alina's claims about being uncomfortable around her. Combined with the system's generosity, he wondered whether there's really some mystery to Son Yue.

And when he thought of the word mystery, he was also reminded of his biological mother who is known to be a civilian but was completely unaffected by his Absolute Freezing technique as well as the Sage Eyes' inability to find out details about her even though it worked on a Supreme Realm expert like Song Tai.

Upon remembering his mother, he also thought of his sister. Suddenly, it clicked on his mind. He looked around. She was nowhere to be found.

He asked Chang Bo, "Where is Shang Jiao?"

The welpire answered with a little bit of hesitation, "She told me that she remembered something and left home, about an hour ago."

"She left without telling me?" Mark furrowed his brows.

Feeling that Mark was displeased, Song Yue hurriedly covered for her, "She went upstairs to meet you but after realizing that you are having a serious conversation with the guests, she didn't disturb you and left."

Once again, Mark was taken aback, this time, it kinda spiked up his heartbeat for a moment, "If she came upstairs, then, did she listen?"

His face darkened as it was the worst thing that can happen to him. He doesn't want his real family to find out his secret before he made his preparations. But, then again, he cannot assume the worst without knowing the matter completely. Maybe, she could have reached upstairs when he is in the middle of a demonstration.

Mark thought of observing her behavior the next time they meet. Then, he will make his decisions depending on it.

Anyway, putting away the thought, Mark took back the ether crystals and said, "Manager Song, I will add 212 gold coins for your salary since you have no use of them."

Chang Bo couldn't help but stare enviously at Song Yue. His 120 gold coins monthly salary might be on the same level as decent-level officials of the Empire but Song Yue's earnings from one transaction were high enough that made him realize that she wasn't an ordinary employee like him.

But, why is there such a huge difference when both of them are low-level Spirit Warriors? Is it because she is a noble and he is a homeless orphan? Or is it because she is a beautiful woman? Chang Bo's bet is on the latter. As he doesn't know the events that transpired at the Song Clan, he can only suspect that the owner is trying to woo the beauty.

In the end, he could only be satisfied with the good treatment he was being given and took a seat nearby.

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace, it happened similarly as Mark feared it to be, although in just a different way.

She was about to confront her mother with a look of furiousness on her face but stopped in her tracks upon learning that her father is also inside.

Shang Jiao wanted to push the Imperial guard aside and break into the room but barely managed to control her impulse at the last minute and asked the guard to remind her parents about her arrival.

As the door was kept unlocked from inside, indicating that Shang Fu and Lan Jingyi weren't in the middle of any private discussion, it was easy for the guard to knock on the door and enter the chamber to report them. Of course, there are also maids and servants inside. So, one doesn't need to wonder what they are doing.

She was allowed in right away.

As she entered, the princess saw her parents were actually playing 'Go'. It's an ancient traditional game, which was invented in these lands, thousands of years ago, but at the moment, its popularity started waning during the past century after an unknown spirit warrior brought chess into people's lives. Still, the Emperor liked the traditional game more, not wanting to be influenced by chess strategies to apply in real life.

15-yr-old Shang Jiao had no idea how to play this game and neither does care about the moment. Consumed by anger, she put away her etiquette and walked toward them before turning the table upside down, taking her parents by surprise.

"What's with you, Xiao Jiao?" Her mother furrowed her brows in displeasure. She felt like her spoiled daughter is turning into more of a rascal these days.

On the other hand, Emperor Shang, who had observed her expression, asked in a bit of a soft tone, "What happened, daughter? Did anyone deeply offend you?"

Shang Jiao looked at the both of them and then glanced at the maids and servants around, "All of you get out for a moment. And send away those guards at the entrance."

As the servants and maids hesitated while staring at the Emperor for the order, Shang Jiao roared, "Get out."

Even the Emperor was flinched for a moment, feeling as if there was something wrong with his dear daughter.

As everyone was leaving the room to give privacy to the family upon getting the Emperor's permission, Lan Jingyi rose to her feet and tried to catch her daughter's ear to twist and pinch it as punishment for her rude actions, Shang Jiao swatted her arm. "You can do that after you answer my question about my brother."

Lan Jingyi doesn't know what happened with this brat but she doesn't want to open the topic before Shang Fu of all the people.

She hurriedly grabbed her arm tightly and looked at her husband, "Dear, I will just return in a minute."