Put away your magical powers now!.

Chapter 297 [Grandma Jade] (6600)

Chapter 291 [Grandma Jade] (6600)

Chen Yan was familiar with this kind of tactic used in lawless, lawless places like this.

First, look around the market. Target a customer who seems to know a thing or two, someone who is unfamiliar with the place and is from out of town.

Then, assess the other party's financial situation—how much cash they have on them.

Too much is not good, or you'll run into trouble! Those who are too rich may have an extraordinary background, and you shouldn't mess with them.

Of course, it can't be too low either, otherwise there won't be any profit.

The people who organize these kinds of gatherings are those who aren't poor, have a little money, but are far less well-off than the real big shots.

Then, offer something great at a price far below the market value to attract the other party.

A bid of one thousand, perfect!

It is used to assess the other party's financial resources.

A true master wouldn't stoop to such a damaged, low-grade magical artifact.

Even a thousand coins wouldn't be enough for this poor wretch.

If you can afford a thousand coins, that would be best. Generally speaking, if you can carry a thousand coins with you when you go out, you should have at least three to five thousand in your pocket.

The moment you buy it, it becomes a target.

Here, it's a cash-on-delivery transaction. Once you leave with the goods, your accomplices will be watching you.

They went to a secluded place and committed murder and robbery!
They will take back your belongings, including your money and valuables.

My life is left here!

·
Chen Yan placed his hand on the box containing the knives, deliberately feigning a conflicted expression. In reality, he secretly released his divine sense to sense the surroundings.

Sure enough, he noticed that to his left rear and to both sides in front of him, there were several people who looked like guests, all pretending to look at him casually.

The other person was very discreet; their gaze seemed to sweep over you casually, not lingering on you for long before immediately looking away.

A gang... and a gang that preys on others.

Chen Yan wasn't so arrogant as to think he was invincible—in the real world, he could walk sideways.

This is the realm!
As a cultivator at the third realm, his primary concern was to prioritize safety.

A gang that dares to do such things must have one or two ruthless people in charge, and most likely there are also cultivators at the third realm.

Moreover, I am an outsider, while they are locals.

Thinking of this, Chen Yan seemed completely unaware, his face full of conflicted and helpless expressions.

"Can you make it cheaper... I'll pay three hundred."

The stall owner chuckled coldly, "You must be joking, customer. You know exactly how much this thing is worth. Three hundred coins... just for a scabbard!"

He lowered his voice and said, "Let's not beat around the bush. If this thing weren't of unknown origin, I would have had to sell it on the black market. Otherwise, I could easily get five or six thousand dollars for it in a proper shop!"

Chen Yan sighed helplessly, his face contorted with struggle: "Then... I'll add some more, four, um... five hundred, five hundred is the most!"

The stall owner frowned.

Chen Yan smiled wryly and said, "Boss, the item is good, but unfortunately... I'm short of money. I only have a little over five hundred on me. If I can buy it for five hundred, I'll still need to keep some money for food and travel expenses."

"Yes, I couldn't even get food; for the next few days I had to rely on fasting pills."

The stall owner glanced at Chen Yan, and the eagerness in his eyes slowly faded.

He shook his head, snapped the box shut, and quickly made a few discreet hand gestures behind his back.

Soon, Chen Yan sensed that the few people who had pretended to surround and approach him earlier all turned around and left without prior arrangement.

They probably felt they were too poor... so they gave up.

A few hundred coins isn't worth them making a single move.

Chen Yan chuckled inwardly and prepared to leave.

Just then, a strong voice suddenly came from behind.

"Boss, open the box again, let me take a look!"

Chen Yan's heart skipped a beat. He turned around and saw a tall, burly man standing behind him.

This person was dressed modestly, not as extravagantly as Young Master Yun Zhao, but still quite neatly.

He was tall and strong.

He also carried a knife on his back.

The knife faintly emitted a precious light. The blade was not clearly visible, but one could tell at a glance that the scabbard was made of white sharkskin.

As the burly man spoke, he reached out and touched the box. He was tall and strong, with large knuckles and a milky-white thumb ring on his thumb.

Judging from their attire, demeanor, and most importantly, their accent, they were clearly from out of town and not locals.

The burly man had an arrogant look in his eyes. After walking over, he frowned, glanced at Chen Yan, and said coldly, "If you can't afford it, then get out of the way!"

Chen Yan was not angry when he heard this, and took two steps back.

The burly man opened the box himself, glanced at the short knife, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. He smirked and said, "Good stuff, really good stuff!"

As he spoke, he looked at the stall owner and asked, "How much was it again? A thousand, right?"

"Exactly, is the customer interested?" The stall owner's eyes flickered, and he subtly put one hand behind his back again.

Soon, Chen Yan noticed that three or five more people were heading this way from the crowd.

"One thousand, I'll take it!"

The burly man grinned broadly, but a hint of undisguised greed shone in his eyes.

He quickly pulled out a jade tablet and tossed it to the stall owner: "The money's in there, a thousand!"

The stall owner accepted the box with both hands, and the burly man opened it again, took out the knife, and examined it in his hand.

Suddenly frowning, she turned to look at Chen Yan and said coldly, "What, you can't afford it yourself, so you just look at other people's things to satisfy your eye candy?"

These words were even more arrogant and rude, but Chen Yan was not angry. He cupped his hands and smiled, his smile still carrying a hint of helplessness and annoyance, and said with a wry smile, "Excuse me, farewell."

After saying that, he turned and left.

The burly man behind him snorted coldly.

Chen Yan just smiled; there was nothing to be angry about.

Why get angry with someone who's about to die?
`
Sure enough, after Chen Yan left, he deliberately walked to the door of a shop on the edge of the market.

This shop sells spices made from various medicinal herbs, and he pretended to stop here to rest.

The shop also had cheap drinks, including spiced tea to refresh the mind. Chen Yan bought a bowl and stood there sipping it.

His eyes scanned the market.

Sure enough, not long after, Chen Yan saw the burly man who had bought the magic weapon dagger swaggering towards the market entrance with an air of arrogance.

This guy was clearly unaware that four or five people were secretly following him from all sides.

After the burly man left, four or five other people clearly followed him out at a rapid pace...

Chen Yan sighed upon seeing this.

Suddenly a voice came from behind, it was the owner of the spice shop—an old woman who looked very old.

The old lady sighed softly, "Don't look, don't look. When you're out and about, don't cause trouble."

Chen Yan felt a chill run down his spine!
The old woman who owns the shop actually noticed where he was looking?
He pretended to be stunned for a moment, turned to look at the old lady, and smiled, "The shopkeeper was talking to me. I was lost in thought and didn't hear what you said clearly."

The old woman's face was full of wrinkles, and her eyes were cloudy. She shook her head and said, "The guest is a careful and cautious person. Please feel at ease and drink tea here. If you stand at the door of my shop, those people will not dare to come and cause trouble."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yan almost lost his composure, but he suppressed his emotions and whispered, "Shopkeeper..."

The old lady shook her head, slowly walked over, picked up the large teapot, and poured Chen Yan another half bowl.

"Young man, you're from the Hehuan Sect, aren't you?"

Chen Yan took a deep breath!
"Don't panic, don't panic." The old lady smiled and said, "I recognize the boots you're wearing. They're issued to outer disciples of the Hehuan Sect."

Chen Yan frowned and looked down at his shoes.

I changed my clothes, but not my shoes.

Normally, cultivators in the realm wear wide robes and long sleeves, with their shoes half-hidden under the hem, so few people notice them. Therefore, Chen Yan did not change his shoes.

Unexpectedly, the old lady noticed it and was even able to recognize it as equipment from the Hehuan Sect at a glance.

"Old woman, you knew one or two friends from the Hehuan Sect in your younger days. Don't worry, I won't harm you."

After saying that, she touched her pocket, and a pair of hands that looked like chicken claws came out, but what she actually pulled out were two big, round, and plump red dates.

"Young man, come, this old woman will treat you to a date." The old woman's eyes were cloudy, but her smile was broad. "I just don't know if you dare to eat it?"

Chen Yan's heart stirred, and after glancing at the old lady, a smile suddenly bloomed on his face: "I dare not refuse such a gift from an elder."

He readily accepted the dates and, without hesitation, popped one into his mouth.

After chewing a couple of times, he smiled with his eyes narrowed and gave a thumbs up: "It's very sweet!"

After taking a bite of the jujube, I immediately felt a refreshing energy rising from my abdomen, and my limbs and bones gradually felt comfortable, instantly driving away all the fatigue from the day.

The old lady seemed even more satisfied, looking at Chen Yan and smiling, "You're quite good, young man. You dare to venture out at such a young age, and you even know how to judge people—as expected of a disciple of the Hehuan Sect, a disciple of a sage, you're no ordinary person."

She bent down and pulled two small stools from the shop, sat down on one, pointed to the other empty one, and looked up at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan immediately understood and sat down next to the old lady.

The old lady touched her pocket, and Chen Yan's heart skipped a beat. He quickly pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

The old lady took one look and laughed, "Oh my, young man, did you bring this cigarette in from the outside world?"

Chen Yan smiled faintly and said, "I have a few friends in the Inspection Division, and I got some rare items."

The old lady took it, lit one with practiced ease, took a puff, and chuckled, "Things from the outside world are rare, that's all about scarcity, but the taste isn't that great. It's just for the novelty. They lack vitality..."

As she spoke, she looked at Chen Yan and then slowly smiled and said, "You're a smart one. You didn't provoke those people just now, and you even knew to show weakness and extricate yourself. You're a good kid with good judgment. You know how to avoid trouble and trouble when you're out in the world."

Chen Yan whispered, "Shopkeeper, those people..."

"You're right not to mess with them. There are three main henchmen behind that group who are at the third level. Don't mess with anyone below the Celestial Realm."

Of course, those at the Celestial Realm wouldn't buy their goods; they wouldn't even consider them worthwhile.

Chen Yan nodded.

"This group has been entrenched here for years, and nobody's done anything about it. They have powerful backers." The old lady waved her hand, then looked at Chen Yan: "I saw you buying that pestle just now. What, did you get some benefits?"

"I wouldn't dare, and there wasn't much benefit to it, just a small advantage," Chen Yan replied cautiously.

The old lady smiled and said, "Don't worry, I, this old woman, won't take advantage of you. When it comes to buying things, if I buy good stuff based on my good judgment, then that's yours."

Zuo Youchen didn't plan to buy anything else—he had already made a great haul today; that broken bronze mirror was like winning the lottery!
Moreover, what Chen Yan just experienced made him realize that this place was not a safe place, and since he had already gained something, there was no need to take any more risks.

So I simply sat down and started chatting with the old lady who owned the shop.

As expected, the old lady recognized people from the Hehuan Sect and actually asked about one of Chen Yan's acquaintances—Elder Qian from the Jing'an Hall.

Her description of Elder Qian's appearance was so accurate that Chen Yan believed her completely. However…

The old lady didn't use that title when she talked about Elder Qian.

But...

"Little money."

This title immediately made Chen Yan even more respectful—he had encountered another master!

However, the old lady noticed that Chen Yan's tone was deliberately ingratiating, but she waved her hand and said, "Young man, you don't need to treat an old woman like this."

The old woman was only a few years older than Xiao Qian, and she had always called him Xiao Qian back then.

He should have reached the level of a transcendent being by now—the old woman has no chance of reaching that level.

In his twilight years, he remains lingering in the Three Realms.

"Sigh, I'm afraid I'll never have a chance to break through in this lifetime."

Although she said that, Chen Yan dared not be presumptuous and remained extremely respectful.

Besides, he grew up with his grandmother, so getting along with the elderly is something he excels at.

After a casual chat, the elderly shop owner beamed with joy.

The two chatted for a while, and suddenly, Chen Yan's gaze toward the entrance tightened abruptly!
·
The men who went out with the burly man have returned one after another!

Although these people did not walk together, but returned separately one after another, one person walked at the very front.

This man was thin and bony, yet he exuded a chilling aura of menace.

As I walked into the market, I stayed close to the edge, but I ended up heading straight for this spice shop.

What made Chen Yan's gaze turn stern was...

Behind this man, there was a knife strapped to his back!

A faint, precious light shimmered on the white sharkskin scabbard!
It was the knife that the burly man had been carrying earlier!

Chen Yan, with his sharp eyes, also noticed a trace of blood on the scabbard!
·
Chen Yan sighed inwardly.

Indeed, the world is dangerous. When traveling, one should not be too ostentatious—especially in such remote and chaotic areas. Keeping wealth hidden is the best policy.

The man carrying the knife walked along, passing a spice shop, but suddenly stopped and nodded to the old lady who owned the shop.

"Grandma Yu, are you having tea?"

The old lady smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. Her face was smiling, but her gaze was cold: "Brother Xue, you've opened for business."

Boss Xue said indifferently, "It's just good luck. Unlike Granny Yu, who can sit back and sell her goods without any shortage, my brothers and I are just trying to make a living."

Grandma Yu sighed and muttered something under her breath. Chen Yan, who was sitting close by, seemed to hear the old lady muttering something like "What a tragedy."

However, this Boss Xue suddenly turned his gaze to Chen Yan, and his eyes held a more complicated meaning.

He had secretly observed Chen Yan when he was at the knife shop, so he recognized him at a glance.

Boss Xue's gaze turned meaningful, and he chuckled coldly in a low voice, "This brother is..."

Before Chen Yan could speak, Granny Yu said calmly, "This is my god-grandson, who came from out of town to visit this old woman."

Old Master Xue was taken aback, then withdrew his cold gaze and smiled again: "Grandma Yu has quite a few godchildren."

"Would Old Master Xue be envious if I, an old lady, raised a few more grandsons?" Grandma Yu smiled.

"I wouldn't dare." Boss Xue quickly nodded and said, "Since you are Granny Yu's family, then brother, let's just consider what happened earlier a misunderstanding. Next time you come to the market, I'll treat you to drinks when I have time."

The offer to buy drinks was just polite talk, and Chen Yan wouldn't take it seriously.

After Xue finished speaking, he nodded politely to Granny Yu, then left with his knife on his back.

"Alright, young man." Granny Yu suddenly stood up and said with a smile, "Next time you come here, as long as you don't provoke them, they won't bother you."

Chen Yan, of course, understood the ins and outs, and respectfully bowed to the old lady, saying, "Thank you, shopkeeper..."

The old lady smirked and said, "Was my advice just now wasted?"

Chen Yan immediately understood and smiled, "Thank you, Grandson!"

Chen Yan didn't feel like he was at a disadvantage at all... even though he was aloof and didn't like calling others by their elders' names like "uncle" or "grandma" for no reason.

But this person did my family a huge favor! And they're so much older than me, maybe even a hundred years older.

She called him "mother-in-law" willingly.

"Now that you've called me Grandma, this old lady will teach you another good thing."

Granny Yu smiled at Chen Yan: "In a little while, you'll probably be going to that meeting underground to see what's going on, right?"

Chen Yan nodded: "When I came in, I heard from the people at the door that I was originally going to go and see what was going on."

"It's fine to watch the show, as long as you don't cause trouble or start anything, you won't get into any trouble."

As Grandma Yu spoke, her tone became more serious: "But remember this at today's meeting, just look, don't buy anything."

Take only what you bring with you; don't spend a single penny.

Although Chen Yan did not understand her meaning, he would not refute the words of this knowledgeable old lady.

He immediately and earnestly agreed.

A moment later, the figure of Young Master Yun could be seen swaying and staggering as he walked over from afar.

He seemed to have lost interest in browsing and was looking for Chen Yan all over the place. When he saw Chen Yan in the distance, he waved to him and then strode over.

Granny Yu curled her lip and said, "Pah, you hairy beast, I dislike you the most."

After saying that, she stood up, turned around, and went back into the shop to get busy.

Chen Yan felt a surge of joy.

This old lady is interesting; why is she being racist?

·
Yun Zhao walked over, saw the bowl of tea in Chen Yan's hand, smiled, and without any hesitation, took it and gulped it down in a few mouthfuls. He wiped his mouth and said, "It tastes pretty good, very thirst-quenching. Is there any more?"

Chen Yan pointed to the sign next to him: "I bought it with money."

Is Young Master Yun the kind of person who cares about money?

He immediately pulled out a few jade coins and slammed them on the table: "Boss, have some tea!"

Inside, Granny Yu was busy picking out spices with her head down, not even looking up: "Pour it yourself, just leave the money on the table."

Yun Zhao wasn't annoyed. He personally poured two bowls of tea, gave one to Chen Yan, and then drank the other himself.

He finally breathed a sigh of relief and laughed, "That feels better!"

"So thirsty?" Chen Yan chuckled.

"It's not that I'm thirsty, it's just that it's too salty." Yun Zhao clicked his tongue and said with a wry smile, "I just tried a couple of bites of some food that someone was drying at a stall, and it was so salty it tasted bitter!"

As he spoke, he tugged at Chen Yan's sleeve: "Judging by the time, that underground trade fair is about to start. Let's go take a look."

Chen Yan was actually reluctant to go after hearing what Granny Yu said. Just as he was about to say something, Yun Zhao quickly spoke first.

"I just heard from a stall owner that there are some good things to sell at today's underground fair!"

I heard that a leader from one of the demon tribes has come to auction off three spots for the Heaven-Smashing Ceremony!

Chen Yan's heart skipped a beat!
The auction at Sifanglou will be auctioning off five spots.

They're selling three here too?
Is this... a competition with Sifanglou to steal business?

Or... is there another purpose?

However, he still remembered Granny Yu's words and frowned, saying, "You're not human, do you want to buy this spot? It's useless for you even if you buy it."

The secret rituals of the Ghost Clan allow people to begin their cultivation journey, and only Ghost Clan members and other human beings with Ghost Clan blood can participate.

But not the demon race.

"I have no interest in that spot, but I've heard that the tribal chief sent by the Ghost Clan has quite a background."

I've heard that she's a disciple of the sage ancestor of the Ghost Clan, revered within the clan as some kind of holy son or holy daughter.

He had barely finished speaking when he heard Granny Yu in the shop say calmly, "You're so ignorant."

The Ghost Clan has no holy sons or daughters; that's just a saying from your northern lands.

The ghosts here call them cave masters and cave ladies.

Yun Zhao had a good temper, and he didn't get angry even after the old lady's few sharp words. He just smiled and said, "Yes, yes, it seemed to be something about a young cave master or a cave maiden. I must have misheard."

He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Go and see the people close to the Sage. See what kind of geniuses have won the Sage's favor and been taken under his wing to serve him."

Chen Yan's heart also stirred.

He came to southern Xinjiang hoping to find a way for the Ghost Clan to see his old lady.

However, he also knew that this matter was too difficult.

That was a saintly being!
Where can one easily find such a thing?
He had already become a disciple of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Joyful Union Sect, let alone having met the sect's ancestral saint—the Venerable Shanxiang.

He rarely even gets to see the sect leader!

He even learned that, within the Hehuan Sect, none of the disciples, except for the sect leader, had ever seen one of the sect's saints in the past hundred years!
He even asked Dongfang Sheng about it after he was drunk.

At that time, Dongfang Sheng smiled with drunken eyes and said, "See the Sage Ancestor? My grandfather was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of him from afar, a hundred meters away, kneeling on the ground, not daring to breathe loudly."

How difficult is it for someone with no background to meet a saint?

Even if you rashly go to the Ghost Clan and reveal your identity, they will most likely think you've lost your mind.

Even if you believe it, how can you report it up the chain of command?

Think more!
Moreover, this would expose his identity!

Compared to seeing the old lady, the secret of being able to "freely enter and exit the realm" is far more deadly!
Aside from the old lady, no one else should ever know!
Can one see the close disciples who serve under the sage?

Although I can't say for sure what the chances are, it's good to go and see... just in case!
·
Chen Yan stood up, and before being pulled away by Yun Zhao, he didn't forget to bow to Granny Yu in the spice shop.

"Grandma, I'm going now."

Grandma Yu raised her head, waved to Chen Yan, and smiled broadly.

·
After Chen Yan and Yun Zhao left, Granny Yu got up and walked back to the shop entrance. She pouted and muttered under her breath, "You little bastard, you've made this whole place smell like a bird."

After saying that, she casually picked up a palm-leaf fan that was placed next to her and fanned herself around.

After putting down the palm-leaf fan, Granny Yu turned and went into the shop. With a wave of her hand, the shop door closed automatically, locked shut silently by a copper lock.

Grandma Yu then turned around and went into the shop through the side door.

Walking to the back, Granny Yu opened a door, revealing a cramped little room.

As soon as the door opened, a short figure could be seen kneeling obediently on the ground.

The person on the ground raised their head, revealing a wrinkled old face that was exactly the same as Granny Yu's!

The standing "Grandma Yu" smiled and said in a gentle tone, "Grandma Yu, I'm sorry to have troubled you by hiding inside these past two days."

When she was laughing, her originally cloudy old eyes suddenly turned into clear eyes with a flick of her eyelids!

·
(End of this chapter)