C18 Qiao Xueer

Chapter Eighteen: Qiao Xueer

Soul Coins are the official currency issued by an entity known as Spirit Prison on the continent. Each Soul Coin bears the distinct mark of Spirit Prison, effectively eliminating the risk of counterfeiting.

The coins are circular, featuring an emblem of a crossed saber and sword on the front, with a book beneath them, symbolizing a mastery of both the literary and martial arts. On the reverse side, a lotus flower serves as the backdrop, with inscriptions such as 'Copper', 'Silver', 'Gold', and 'Jade' to denote the denominations.

Lu Feng didn't stand on ceremony with Jiang Ruoyun. After accepting the Soul Coins from her, he quickly estimated their value to be around seven to eight hundred Copper Soul Coins, more than sufficient to purchase a bow and arrows.

Despite the fact that bows and arrows aren't widely used in the marketplace, this doesn't translate to a higher price. In fact, they are significantly less expensive than common swords and sabers, typically trading for around a hundred Copper Soul Coins.

"Take the rest to get yourself some new clothes, and put away the ones you're wearing now. Once you've washed them, return them to me," Jiang Ruoyun suggested, eyeing Lu Feng. He was wearing clothes that had once belonged to her father, the only set of men's attire she had at her disposal.

Lu Feng smiled knowingly, his gaze falling on his outdated garb, now understanding its significance.

Upon their arrival at the teahouse, 'Ms Qiao', whom Jiang Ruoyun had mentioned, was already seated and waiting.

The woman appeared more mature than Jiang Ruoyun, dressed in a flowing gauze dress, sitting serenely. Her exposed skin was as smooth and delicate as cream, her figure elegant and lithe. Her silky hair cascaded gently over her shoulders, the ends curling softly. Her delicate brows, tender eyes, perfectly sculpted nose, and soft pink lips all exuded an intellectual beauty.

"Ms Qiao, sorry to have kept you waiting," Jiang Ruoyun greeted her with a warm, affectionate smile.

"And who might this be?" Qiao Xueer inquired, her gaze subtly appraising Lu Feng.

"His name is Lu Feng. I saved him by accident," Jiang Ruoyun whispered, leaning in. Noticing the skepticism on Qiao Xueer's face, she realized her friend was concerned about the stranger's intentions. "Don't worry, Ms. Qiao, I've secretly bound him with a Contract Array."

Qiao Xueer paused, then her lips curled into a smile, her brows easing their furrow. She addressed Lu Feng earnestly, "Ruoyun is my dearest sister. I can't bear the thought of her coming to harm. Please, look after her."

Her plea was heartfelt, and despite Lu Feng's status as a slave, she spoke without a hint of command, only a gentle request. This earned her Lu Feng's respect.

Lu Feng smiled reassuringly, "Absolutely. I owe a life debt and will repay it with gratitude. Besides, the Contract Array links us—if Miss Jiang is at risk, so am I. It's only right that I protect her with my life."

"Just call me Ruoyun, no need for formalities," Jiang Ruoyun interjected with a smile.

Qiao Xueer knew all too well that Jiang Ruoyun's status had diminished. Though she bore the title of the Jiang Mansion's daughter, she was no longer accorded the respect due to a lady of her standing.

"Let's put that aside for now. How about we grab some breakfast and discuss where you'll be staying? I'm about to be thrown out," Jiang Ruoyun lamented, signaling the server to come over and casually ordering some morning fare.

"It's your Second Grandpa again, isn't it? At his age, he should be above such pettiness with you!" Qiao Xueer exclaimed, visibly annoyed.

She was referring to Jiang Aotian, the Second Mansion Lord of the Jiang Mansion, who was always at odds with the Great Mansion Lord, Jiang Batian. The old adage 'the friend of my rival is my enemy' had gradually led to Jiang Ruoyun being targeted. Without Jiang Aotian's tacit approval, Jiang Caiyun, Jiang Ren, and the rest wouldn't dare stir up such trouble.

"In a world ruled by strength, if I've grown weaker, who else is there to blame?" Jiang Ruoyun said with a hint of resignation. She might resent the Jiang Mansion's actions, but if she was powerless to change her situation, perhaps moving away was for the best.

"I've found a few places for you to live," Qiao Xueer said with some hesitation, looking at Jiang Ruoyun, "but the rent for these places is quite high. I can support you for a year or maybe two, but it's not a sustainable solution."

As the daughter of Jiang Mansion, Jiang Ruoyun was entitled to a monthly allowance from the estate. But as her abilities waned, the mansion began to withhold a significant portion of her funds. Now, she received a mere thousand Copper Soul Coins each month from Jiang Mansion.

Even with her past savings, Jiang Ruoyun had no more than ten thousand Copper Soul Coins at her disposal, having spent quite a bit on living expenses over the years.

Jiang Ruoyun inquired with a hint of embarrassment, "How much is the rent, approximately?"

"The least expensive one is between two and three thousand Copper Soul Coins a month," Qiao Xueer replied with a touch of reluctance.

Considering that Qiao Mansion's livelihood came from selling and renting out inns, Qiao Xueer's quote was clearly the lowest possible in Azure Dragon Town.

Jiang Ruoyun did some quick mental math. If she lived frugally, she could manage for a few months, but then what?

"Isn't there anything cheaper?" Jiang Ruoyun's voice dropped slightly, her expression one of quiet desperation.

"There is one more option. It's only one thousand five hundred Copper Soul Coins a month, but..." Qiao Xueer paused, uncertain.

"What's the catch?" Jiang Ruoyun asked, her interest piqued.

"Well, there was a death in that annexe. The landlord's son drowned in the well, and because of the bad luck associated with it, he's offering a low rent," Qiao Xueer explained, clearly reluctant to recommend such a place to Jiang Ruoyun.

"I'll take it," Jiang Ruoyun decided promptly, unfazed by the history of the house.

"If you're short on cash, I have plenty. Let's find you a nicer place..." Qiao Xueer suggested, trying to be helpful.

"Ms Qiao, this place will be fine. It'll save a lot of money. A death in the house isn't something to be afraid of," Jiang Ruoyun replied cheerfully.

Lu Feng listened intently to the conversation between the two women, surprised to learn of Jiang Ruoyun's financial struggles. He was moved that she could still afford to give him nearly seven hundred Copper Soul Coins. Although there were some Soul Coins in his Qilin Ring, they were insufficient to make a significant difference in his situation. He regretted not having saved some instead of exchanging them all with Elder Bai for Array Making Material.

Qiao Xueer reluctantly agreed, "If you're set on this, I'll make the arrangements. Once everything is settled, I'll let you know when you can move in."

Jiang Ruoyun pulled out sixty Silver Soul Coins from her Storage Ring, equivalent to six thousand Copper Soul Coins, and handed them to Qiao Xueer. "Ms Qiao, could you help me rent the place for... four months? I'll catch up on the rent in a few days."

Qiao Xueer accepted the coins, fully aware of Jiang Ruoyun's personality and integrity. She knew it was impossible to decline, and though she wished to help, she couldn't do so openly with money.

After a modest breakfast together, Lu Feng excused himself, leaving the two women to continue their chat.

Upon departing from the Fragrance Gathering Garden, Lu Feng headed straight for the Weapon Shop. He didn't need to buy a bow; he could simply use the Nether Bow from his Qilin Ring. Despite its unique design, it wasn't much different from the other bows on the market.

Lu Feng's primary goal at the Weapon Shop was to stock up on arrow feathers, as a bow is useless without arrows. To his dismay, the shop's inventory was low, with barely a hundred arrows available. Following some haggling, he purchased the lot for two Copper Soul Coins each, totaling just over two hundred Copper Soul Coins.

After Lu Feng had gone, the shopkeeper chuckled as he gazed at the now-empty display, "I never expected anyone to buy these arrows off-season."

Lu Feng, too, allowed himself a smile. While others might not see much value in these arrows, he recognized their fine craftsmanship. The harmonious integration of the arrowheads, shafts, and fletching made them an excellent batch indeed.

Although the arrow feathers in the Qilin Ring were somewhat simple in design, they were certainly sufficient for the time being. In the future, with more funds available, Lu Feng could consider crafting special arrows, as each type has its unique effects.

While visiting the Weapon Shop, Lu Feng gathered information about Azure Dragon Town. He learned from an assistant that there was an Azure Dragon Statue at the town's center, which sparked his curiosity.

Upon leaving the Weapon Shop, Lu Feng made his way to the town center. The circular plaza was bustling with vendors, encircling the space. At the heart of the plaza stood a dark gray Azure Dragon Statue, impressively lifelike yet devoid of any Spiritual Energy. Lu Feng couldn't detect the slightest hint of Dragon Qi. It seemed to be nothing more than an ordinary structure.

Having uncovered nothing of interest, Lu Feng decided to move on. After casually purchasing some clothing with his last four or five hundred Soul Coins, he set out to acquire Array Materials. He inquired for directions and headed toward a shop named 'Array Heart Wish Fulfillment.'

Before he could enter, an eager shop assistant greeted him warmly. Lu Feng noticed the obsequious glint in their eyes and chuckled to himself, recognizing their mistake. His attire, though worn, retained an air of sophistication that likely led them to believe he was a wealthy patron.

Lu Feng saw no reason to correct their assumption, as it would only dampen their enthusiasm.

"Our shop spans two levels," the shop assistant explained with zeal. "The first floor offers common Array Materials, which may not meet your standards. Please, allow me to escort you to the second floor, where you'll find our more exquisite and costly Array Materials."

Lu Feng gestured for the assistant to pause and surveyed the shop. 'Array Heart Wish Fulfillment' was meticulously organized, with the first floor divided into nine distinct sections, each labeled with varying price points.

The tags indicated that all Array Making Materials on the first floor were priced under 1000 Copper Soul Coins. Given the clear delineation of prices, it was evident that the second floor housed materials priced above 1000 Copper Soul Coins. With Lu Feng's current budget, those were beyond his reach.

Disregarding the waiter's warm welcome, Lu Feng made his way to the section labeled "Below 100 Copper Soul Coins." Beyond that were the 200, 300, and up to 900 Copper Soul Coin areas.

After surveying the surroundings, Lu Feng gained some insight into the first floor. True to the waiter's words, it was stocked with common Array Making Materials such as rough pine stones, obsidian, jade, and also included weaker Beast Cores from Rank One Spirit Beasts.

Noticing that Lu Feng remained on the first floor, the two waiters couldn't help but look down on him, murmuring to each other.

"Dressed to the nines, yet he's all show and no substance."

"Looks like he's not the big spender we thought he was."

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