Misty Rain of the Old Times

As night deepened, Chen Xuan took Zhou Qianning's small hand and escorted her back to the princess's residence.

Her cheeks were flushed from a little wine, and she was breathtakingly beautiful under the lamplight. As we parted, she asked reluctantly, "Where are you going next, Brother Xuan?"

"Of course I'm going back to my room to sleep. Qian Ning, you know I'm home. What am I doing not sleeping so late? After all, I'm not a thief who goes out at night," Chen Xuan said confidently, getting more and more comfortable with himself as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, the little princess, who was almost speechless, asked with a mix of laughter and tears, "So, Brother Xuan, you're going to travel thousands of miles back to sleep?"

"Qian Ning, don't worry about being thousands of miles away. This is just like visiting someone's home. It's very convenient," Chen Xuan said nonchalantly.

That being said, the little princess knew that Chen Xuanxiu was highly accomplished, though she had no idea how accomplished he was. But treating someone thousands of miles away as a mere visit was something she found hard to accept. She wouldn't even dare to write something like that in a storybook, but at least she had some material to write about.

Without thinking too much about it, she said "Oh" with a slightly downcast tone, "When will Brother Xuan come to visit again?"

"Anytime, I could come anytime. Alright, it's getting late, Qian Ning, go and get some rest," Chen Xuan said, squeezing her little hand.

She immediately replied happily, "Okay, then Brother Xuan, you should get some rest too, and remember to eat well. I'll be waiting for you!"

As she spoke, she gave Chen Xuan a gentle hug.

Watching her sway gracefully into the house, and having had a few drinks, Chen Xuan felt a surge of attraction and couldn't help but say, "I'm about to go home, Qian Ning, won't you give me a kiss? Like last time would be perfect."

He dared not make excessive demands. Girls in this era were very conservative; even holding hands and hugging before marriage was considered extremely impolite.

To be honest, it's nonsense to not have any romantic feelings for someone you like. You can't even have any romantic feelings for someone you don't like or even hate, let alone Chen Xuan, who is a hot-blooded young man.

Hearing this, the little princess's cheeks flushed even more, and she ran away as if fleeing, saying, "Brother Xuan, you're dreaming! No way! Last time it was because I didn't know when I'd see you again, and I couldn't help myself, so you tried to tease me. I won't let you succeed!"

"Just kidding, you should go to sleep early," Chen Xuan waved his hand. He wasn't exactly disappointed, but his plan to get a kiss next time had fallen through. The little princess was shy, so it seemed he would have to work harder.

As he turned to leave, the little princess's voice, barely audible, came from inside the room as she mustered her courage to say, "I'll kiss you next time!"

"Okay, it's settled then, let's go!" Chen Xuan said cheerfully and expectantly, though only the two of them could hear her.

After a while, there was no more noise outside. The little princess went out with a slightly downcast mood, but as expected, she didn't see Chen Xuan. Instead, she looked at the bright moon in the sky and smiled slightly. Brother Xuan said that she could come to visit anytime, just like she hadn't left. That's so nice.

'I also want to write more stories and earn more money so that I can live a good life with Brother Xuan in the future.' In a good mood, she suddenly had inspiration. Unable to sleep, she cleaned up and wrote more manuscripts.

Writing stories was just a personal hobby for her. Little did she know that her connection with Chen Xuan would bring her fame. This was something she hadn't anticipated. However, as a princess, she didn't rely on royalties to make money. The income from her fiefdom was enough to keep her wealthy for life. But in her opinion, being able to earn money by writing stories was her true skill, not just being a pretty face in the eyes of many others...

After seeing the little princess off, Chen Xuan didn't actually return to his home in Yang County to sleep. One reason for coming to the capital was to let the little princess know he was safe, but his main purpose was to collect materials to make the Mist Array Flag. Although Gao Jingyu would most likely try to win him over and pester him, he didn't care. Out of respect for the Gao family, he wouldn't bother with her. He simply went out to avoid her. After a while, she would probably understand his thoughts and give up. If she didn't know what was good for her, she shouldn't blame Chen Xuan for not giving her face. He hoped that Gao Jingyu would have some sense of propriety.

There's no curfew in the capital now, so Chen Xuan was a bit conflicted as he strolled around the streets. He went out without a penny to his name, and he couldn't very well sleep on the street.

Going back to Xiaomingju would be a good choice, but he's already home, and Xiao Gao even took the money. If he goes there now, wouldn't he be walking into a trap? It's better to forget about it.

So where to go? Are you really going to use Gao Jingming's reputation as a top scholar to go to brothels and solicit prostitutes for free?

Although somewhat tempted, Chen Xuan decisively dismissed the idea. He thought that while getting something for free might be enjoyable for a while, it would come with serious consequences later.

These are minor issues. What Chen Xuan cares about most is where to get the materials for the battle flags. Most of them are quite common, but there are two or three that are extremely rare. I estimate that not many people have even heard of them, and you might not be able to buy them even if you have the money.

In fact, if he were to ask, given his relationship with the little princess and his familiarity with the old emperor, the royal treasury would be a good option, and he would likely be able to gather the necessary materials. But he's not really a freeloader.

Just consider it saving face, I'll do it myself.

Furthermore, even if he can live off her this time, what about in the future? Will he still be able to live off her for higher-level formation materials and weapon-refining materials? If the little princess feels guilty for not being able to help him then, it will be a loss.

'Let me think. The three rare materials are fire copper, ice silkworm silk, and white cloud wood. Fire copper is a mineral resource, usually controlled by the imperial court. Ice silkworm silk is difficult to obtain. The name sounds common, but it is silk spun by ice silkworms containing the bloodline of exotic beasts. Is it possible to find a way to get some in some large weaving workshops? As for white cloud wood, if it weren't for the detailed information left by Lao Liu, I would never have heard of it. I have no idea where it grows. Is it possible to get it on the market?' After thinking it over, Chen Xuan suddenly realized that his thinking had fallen into a trap. That is, everyone in the world is driven by profit. As long as there is something valuable, there will be people engaged in that industry. Rather than searching for a needle in a haystack, it is better to find a professional organization.

That would make things much easier.

In a place like the capital, many major sects and powerful forces have their own businesses. People in the martial arts world are usually very curious and often manage to get their hands on some strange and unusual things. Otherwise, where would they get their cultivation resources? People in the martial arts world also need money.

But how can the businesses run by people in the underworld compare to those of professional merchants who have a wide range of connections and a complete selection of goods?

"After much thought, as far as I know, the Zheng Family Chamber of Commerce seems to be one of the top in the entire Jing Kingdom. The popular saying that the Zheng family is richer than a country might be an exaggeration, but it's true that their businesses span all aspects of life, and their influence in neighboring countries' chambers of commerce is not to be underestimated. So, perhaps we should inquire at the Zheng Family Chamber of Commerce?"

With this thought popping into his mind, Chen Xuan didn't seem to have a better choice for the time being. His understanding of the Zheng family was only from a few words he overheard from the streets after he had met Zheng Wanqian.

To be fair, the Zheng family is truly wealthy. Gao Jingming's neighbor, the Wu family, is also quite luxurious, but they are far inferior to the Zheng family.

Well, perhaps fate is fair. The Zheng family possesses unimaginable wealth, but on the other hand, their population is dwindling. By the time of Zheng Wanqian's generation, she was the only heir left. She was seen as a fat pig by many, waiting to be slaughtered.

Speaking of which, Zheng Wanqian ranks even higher than the little princess in the list of men who want to marry her, because her family is rich. She is a true "rich, beautiful, and successful" woman and a businesswoman. If you marry Zheng Wanqian, her family's wealth will be yours, and you won't have to lose your freedom.

While there was still some time, Chen Xuan recalled the map of Beijing in his mind and headed straight for the Zheng Family Chamber of Commerce's headquarters in the capital. He wanted to see if they had any goods before making any plans. Although Chen Xuan didn't have a single coin on him at the moment, it didn't stop him from going to the Chamber of Commerce to browse around. Just like in his previous life when he didn't have any money, he went to the supermarket to enjoy the air conditioning on a hot day. As long as he was shameless, others could still kick him out, provided that he didn't look like a beggar.

The Zheng Family Chamber of Commerce is headquartered in the western part of the capital city of Jing Kingdom, not in the southern part where the Zheng family is located. In this prime location, the Chamber of Commerce occupies more than a thousand acres of land, which shows how wealthy and powerful the Zheng family is. It seems that the Zheng family also runs a money exchange. The Sihai Money Exchange is run by the Zheng family, and most of Chen Xuan's silver notes were issued by the Sihai Money Exchange.

With a business this big, the Zheng family alone certainly couldn't manage it. There must be countless interests involved behind the scenes; otherwise, there wouldn't be the "Chamber of Commerce" suffix.

Even late at night, the Chamber of Commerce was brightly lit and bustling with people coming and going. Everyone coming and going was dressed in glamorous attire, and you could hardly see any ordinary people.

The compound was surrounded by high walls and numerous guards. Chen Xuan could sense the aura of three innate masters. He wondered how much money they had spent to hire them. Back when Zheng Wanqian went out, she didn't even have an innate master as a bodyguard... Well, making innate masters as bodyguards is an insult to whom?

The chamber of commerce is divided into several areas. You can go directly to the corresponding area to buy or sell anything. There are detailed maps at the entrance.

Chen Xuan needed raw materials, so he went straight to the corresponding area.

Upon arrival, although he had no money, he was very presentable and had an extraordinary air about him. He received a warm welcome, and was even greeted by a junior manager who served him a table, chairs, and tea.

Zheng Wanxi had long since gone south to trade grain and make money. Although she had told Chen Xuan that she had informed him, it was impossible for her to inform the entire Zheng family business association. Therefore, the person who received Chen Xuan did not know him.

Chen Xuan stated his purpose directly: "There is a saying among the people that as long as you can afford the price, your Zheng Family Chamber of Commerce can get anything. I need a few things. I wonder if you have them here?"

"You flatter me, sir. It's all just a rumor. What would you like to order?" the manager said modestly, but his expression was anything but modest. As a businessman, he certainly wouldn't make definitive statements. However, he probably realized at this moment that Chen Xuan was a big customer.

With a smile, Chen Xuan said, "Fire copper, ice silkworm silk, and white cloudwood—does your esteemed merchant guild have them in stock? Or are you able to procure them? Money is not an issue."

The problem is that we don't have the money.

Never mind, let's find out first. Once we have some clues, there will be plenty of ways to deal with it.

Upon hearing this, the manager was startled and pondered for a moment before saying, "Honorable guest, please allow me to inform you that of the three items you requested, we do not have fire copper in stock. If you need it, you will have to place an order in advance. We can get it for you within a month at most, but the price..."

"Speak freely," Chen Xuan said nonchalantly. He was just putting on a brave face. He didn't know the market price of the materials that existed only in the information left by Lao Liu, but that didn't stop him from being confident. Strength is confidence.

After a moment's thought, the steward said, "Since our esteemed guest knows about fire copper, he must be aware of its value. Mining it is difficult, refining it is even more difficult, and storing and transporting it is even more difficult. Therefore, it is 10,000 taels of silver per tael!"

"Hmm..." Upon hearing the price, Chen Xuan nodded calmly, speechless. Why not just rob someone? But he wouldn't react with surprise like someone who had never seen the world before.

...(End of chapter)