C19 Zhang Xing Was Treated as a Fat Sheep

Zhang Xing mulled over his situation briefly before hatching a plan. At noon, a slender young man in a gray robe, leaning on a pair of crutches, entered an enchantment shop in West City. This young man was none other than Zhang Xing in disguise.

The shop clerk, upon seeing the newcomer was disabled, lacked his usual warmth. "Can I help you with something?" he asked, his tone indifferent, making no move to approach.

"I'm here to sell a bottle of high-level magic Spirit Potion," Zhang Xing said, altering his voice to sound deeper.

Surprise flickered in the clerk's eyes. Was this man a mage? But his robe bore no emblem; probably just an Apprentice Mage. Could someone with a disability also practice magic? The clerk shelved his skepticism and stepped forward. After all, as long as there was profit to be made, nothing else mattered to him.

He took the High-Level potion from Zhang Xing, uncorked the small vial, and inhaled its scent. A drop on the test paper confirmed its authenticity seconds later. "We can offer six thousand gold coins for this," the clerk said, his eyes glinting with guile.

Zhang Xing grabbed the potion bottle back and headed for the door, retorting, "It seems the shop next door is willing to pay eight thousand five hundred!"

"Wait! Sir, eight thousand five hundred is out of the question. The most I can do is six thousand five hundred," the clerk called out, hastily offering more upon realizing Zhang Xing wasn't easily duped.

"Eight thousand three. Take it or leave it, or I'll go elsewhere," Zhang Xing countered.

"My final offer is seven thousand. Take it or we're done here," the clerk said, upping the bid by another five hundred gold coins.

He had never encountered such an avaricious clerk. Zhang Xing knew he stood to gain a significant share of the remaining coins.

"Eight thousand two hundred gold coins!"

"Seven thousand five hundred!"

"Eight thousand one hundred!"

"Seven thousand eight hundred!"

Zhang Xing continued his way to the door, crutches in hand.

"Fine. Eight thousand," the clerk conceded, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"Deal," Zhang Xing said, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Watching Zhang Xing's retreating figure, the clerk huffed disdainfully and muttered under his breath, "He's nearly a mage, yet he's still such a penny-pincher!"

Zhang Xing made his way to a secluded spot and disappeared into the heart of the island, exclaiming to himself, "I've scored seven thousand gold coins!"

He then purchased eight more bottles of high-level spirit elixirs and proceeded to the largest potion shop in the area. In St. Roland's Castle, these establishments were predominantly family-run. They were competitors, yet they maintained a united front.

As Zhang Xing emerged from the shop earlier, he had caught the attention of several nearby stores. Upon inquiring, they learned of his trade in high-level magical potions. Seeing him again, they speculated whether the seemingly disabled man had an abundance of potions in his possession.

Having sold the seven potions, Zhang Xing felt a deep sense of satisfaction, as if he was sitting atop a mountain of gold. Strolling along, he sensed an odd presence behind him and let out a frosty chuckle. Were these people harboring ill intentions, plotting to rob and perhaps kill him?

Such wishful thinking! Did they really believe they could rob him just because he was a cripple with over 60,000 gold coins?

To them, an Apprentice Mage with no connections but in possession of high-level elixirs was nothing more than a plump lamb ripe for the taking.

Clutching his crutches, Zhang Xing left the city at a measured pace, all the while feeling the unwavering focus of mental energy tracking him.

Reaching a forest on the outskirts, he came to a halt and turned to face the six figures brazenly following him: one Advanced Warrior, two Intermediate Warriors, one high-level magician, and two Intermediate Mages.

They all thought it overkill to deploy such a force against a disabled man.

Yet the shopkeeper was inherently cautious. He was determined to recover the gold coins spent on the potions and was intent on reaping even greater rewards.

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