101: Chapter 100: Wilderness Pursuit 6 101: Chapter 100: Wilderness Pursuit 6 To avoid any awkwardness, Hou Niao deliberately changed the topic.
He knew that the little Immortal had ill intentions back then, but in the end, they didn’t make a move, so it was better to forget some things, no need to hold grudges.
“What are these items of Daoist Huang?
Excuse my poor eyesight, but they seem not to be of this world?”
Finding a topic of interest to everyone was good.
The little Immortal, Huang, carefully picked up his items and handed them over generously,
“Daoist Hou has a discerning eye.
Indeed, these are not worldly items; they are Soul Beads from Wandering Souls and wild ghosts!”
When someone offered something openly, Hou Niao accepted it just as openly.
It was an act of goodwill from both sides, and there was no reason to refuse.
Holding it carefully in his hands and pondering deeply, he felt a stirring in his heart.
He gently activated his Dantian and a vortex appeared in his Purple Mansion, only to discover, to his shock, that the vortex actually felt a desire for these Soul Beads!
“These items must be rather rare.
I remember destroying many Wandering Souls under the old locust tree, and it seemed that not a single one left behind such a Soul Bead.
Could Daoist Huang enlighten me about the reason behind this?”
It didn’t matter whether one was a buyer or not; since they admired his objects, the little Immortal, Huang, was pleased and of course willing to explain,
“Daoist, you may not know that not every Wandering Soul or solitary ghost can condense such a bead.
It must be that the soul, before its passing, was a practitioner, or after becoming a soul, through serendipity, gathered souls into a bead—it’s unknowable how many ordinary Wandering Souls it would need to swallow.
I also stumbled upon these items by chance.
Since they’re of no significant use to me, I came to see if there were any connoisseurs around?”
The weasel possesses a mysterious charm—why did it stumble upon it and not those uncouth fellows?
But such hidden details shouldn’t be directly pointed out; it’s better to unravel them slowly.
Otherwise, startling this cunning creature and letting it know that one can make use of these Soul Beads would make it harder to learn anything more.
Fondling them carefully and reluctant to let go, but such behavior appeared contrived to the cunning little Immortal, Huang.
He wondered, perhaps this swordsman from the Shan Sect needed something from me, which is why he is trying to cozy up?
“I really item, and to be frank, it could fetch a good price in the human Cultivation markets, and even higher if it’s acquired by those who specialize in the Soul Path.
This being the case, I’ll take it, but I’m not sure what Daoist Huang desires.
Is there a general category of what you need?”
Huang, the little Immortal, showed a hesitant expression.
He couldn’t speak plainly but wanted to see what treasures the swordsman might have in his gourd.
It’s just in the weasel’s nature to seek an advantage, always fearful of being at a loss.
“I don’t have a fixed need for anything…
It seems like I lack nothing, yet at the same time, I lack everything?”
You are quite straightforward!
Hou Niao thought with amusement.
Trading is all about this game of deception; that’s what makes it interesting.
The process itself is enjoyable and a way to understand the other party.
After some thought, he pulled out two items from his gourd: an Emei Piercing and a Night Silk Robe.
The Emei Piercing was a short sword, fine and narrow, suited for stabbing rather than slashing, but just right for the physique of Huang, the little Immortal;
Indeed, the little Immoral ignored the robe and focused on the Emei Piercing.
Made by Artifact Dao cultivators for defense and close combat, it was a common item among human cultivators but unique in the eyes of demons, as longswords are easy to find, but short pierces are not, especially those suited for him?
Itching with desire, he said, “This short pierce is passable.
Even though the material is average, and it’s just barely acceptable, I’ll make a concession and trade with Daoist, just to establish a friendship…”
Hou Niao intercepted his hand, “No rush, no rush.
I am always fair and would never let a friend suffer a loss, I’d rather take the loss myself!”
“Is there no interest in trying on the robe, Daoist Huang?”
Daoist Huang appeared puzzled, “This garment is so large, the majority of it will slump to the ground when I wear it.
It’s not appropriate, not at all…”
Hou Niao insisted, “How do you know it’s not suitable if you don’t even try?
Or are you worried that this robe might turn into a rope and bind you?”
Daoist Huang of course knew that the swordsman would not harm it now, as hundreds of the Demon Clan were gathered here, and it was not a place where humans could act recklessly.
Since the other party insisted, it reluctantly decided to indulge him and see what was odd about this robe.
As it took the robe and draped it over itself, who would have thought the garment would shrink upon touching, much like a rope…
Daoist Huang was shocked.
Before it could make a move, it felt that it might not be a rope after all.
Looking at itself, the robe seemed tailored just for it, fitting snugly in every seam and even leaving a hole for its tail at the back!
Hou Niao calmly introduced, “The Night Silk Robe, named after the idea of invisible travels at night; it is a treasure that can stretch and conform to the body.
Although it doesn’t offer much protection, it is impervious to wind and rain, stain-resistant, and can even prevent bites from mosquitoes, as well as the release of scents…
Well, I just thought I’d let Daoist friend have a taste.
If you don’t like it, I’ll take it back.”
He made a move to retrieve it, only to see Daoist Huang desperately clinging to the robe, “I’ll take the robe, I’ll take it, for a Soul Bead…”
For a monster, the biggest plight is how to disguise itself as a human for outings – appearance is very important.
If it were ordinary clothes, one would need to find a tailor to make adjustments, which is very troublesome.
Where else could one find such convenience?
This was the private stash of the third bandit.
It was insignificant for humans, just a flashy piece without value, but for demons, it was quite exceptional.
The so-called treasures are not entirely about their worth, but rather their utility to you.
If it’s something you desperately need, even a lump of excrement can be a treasure.
Hou Niao shook his head and laughed, “You want this and that too.
Decide which one you want first, then we’ll talk, Daoist friend.”
Daoist Huang no longer feigned restraint, pressing one hand on the robe on its body and grabbing the handle of the short sword with the other,
“I want them all, want them all.
I wouldn’t wrong you, Daoist friend.
To be honest, I still have one more Soul Bead on me.
Adding them together makes a pair.
We’ll trade with that.”
One couldn’t blame it for its lack of experience.
It hadn’t been long since it transformed and began to speak the human language.
Some of its body parts still couldn’t switch instantly, so it dared not venture into human towns for fear of immediate exposure and certain death.
That’s why it lacked proper knowledge about human treasures and was unaware that the value of such exotic and peculiar items paled in comparison to the pure Soul Body Energy of Soul Beads for humans.
It considered itself quite knowledgeable.
If it were a more naive demon, a single robe could have emptied it of all its treasures!
Watching Daoist Huang fumble to produce another Soul Bead, even more powerful than the previous one, Hou Niao chuckled inwardly.
This sly creature indeed had more stash.
No, it must continue to probe further!
It wouldn’t stop until it had squeezed this fellow dry!