C15 You You What Kind of Demonic Technique Are You Using?(1)

Krokridge, as a remote town, was modest in size.

Passing through the city gate inspection, one could see a thoroughfare wide enough for two carriages to travel side by side, effectively splitting the town in half.

Perched atop a One-horned Horse carriage, Zhong Wen often felt he could see clear across to the other end of the town, which left him feeling somewhat let down.

It was early, and the streets were not yet bustling. A handful of breakfast vendors attracted a sparse gathering of townspeople, with the inviting aroma of their food permeating the air.

With Zhao Gen's guidance, Zhong Wen quickly gained a general sense of Krokridge's layout.

Despite its size, the town had all the essentials: taverns, grain stores, apothecaries, stables, blacksmiths, and tailor shops. It seemed nothing was amiss in terms of amenities.

"Here we have 'Prime Bank'," Zhao Gen said, gesturing to an elegant two-story building. "Zhong, just wait here a moment while I go exchange these Psicrystals for currency."

"Hold on, I'll join you," Zhong Wen interjected, reminded of the substantial amount of Psicrystals in his ring.

The bank's lobby was clean and spacious, with six sets of tables and chairs neatly arranged for waiting customers. At the far end, behind the counter, sat a young woman in a pale red uniform. While she might not have been as striking as Liu Qiqi, she was certainly beautiful.

"Good day, sir, how may I assist you?" she greeted Zhao Gen warmly, her tone gentle and devoid of any disdain despite his tattered clothes.

"Miss, I'd like to exchange this for a Psicrystal Ticket and receive ten silver coins, please," Zhao Gen requested, handing over the Psicrystal and the note he had received from Zhong Wen.

"Certainly, just a moment," the young woman replied, her eyes brightening.

The bank offered both Psicrystal and silver coin services, yet in a small place like Krokridge, clients needing Psicrystals were rare. The prospect of Psicrystal business so early in the day instantly invigorated her.

Zhong Wen listened intently to the exchange between the two individuals, his mind abuzz with thoughts.

Shortly thereafter, Zhao Gen, clutching a Psicrystal Ticket and ten silver coins, left the Prime Bank brimming with contentment.

"Uncle, please head back to the carriage and wait there for a bit." Stepping out the door, Zhong Wen bid farewell to Zhao Gen, then turned on his heel and slipped into a secluded corner. From his ring, he withdrew a heap of Psicrystals and filled a cloth bag to the brim before re-entering the Prime Bank.

"Hello, how may I assist you today?" The young woman greeted him with an undiminished sweet smile.

"I'd like to exchange for some Psicrystal Tickets," Zhong Wen replied, smiling instinctively at the attractive teller.

"Certainly, how many Psicrystals would you like to deposit?"

Zhong Wen, naturally handsome, seemed even more charming to the teller as he mentioned the prospect of a Psicrystal transaction.

"I need to exchange 300 Psicrystals. Could you please issue me two one-hundred Psicrystal Tickets and ten ten-Psicrystal Tickets?"

"Of course, I'll get that for you right away... Wait, how many?" The teller paused, questioning whether she had heard him correctly.

"Three hundred," Zhong Wen confirmed, opening the bag and spilling out a cascade of Psicrystals.

"Sir, are you certain you wish to deposit all of these?" The teller was so astonished she began to stutter.

"What's the matter, is it too little? I just saw that uncle deposit a single Psicrystal, and you processed it without issue," Zhong Wen said, puzzled by her reaction.

Too little? In all my life, I've never seen so many Psicrystals. I'd love to marry this dashing magnate, the teller thought, utterly smitten.

"Esteemed customer, please hold on for a moment. I need to consult with the manager," the teller said, rushing upstairs.

Soon after, a suave middle-aged man in white descended the stairs with her, greeting Zhong Wen with an unreserved handshake and engaging in a warm conversation, displaying more enthusiasm than one would for a long-lost father.

As Zhong Wen left the Prime Bank, he held not only the Psicrystal Tickets for three hundred Psicrystals but also a jade token. The middle-aged man had explained that this token signified VIP status at Prime Bank. With it, Zhong Wen could bypass queues at any Prime Bank branch throughout the Puidorin Kingdom and even enjoy preferential interest rates on loans.

"Let's head to the trading company!" With cash in his pocket, Zhong Wen felt a surge of confidence.

As the carriage rounded the corner, they were greeted by the sight of a resplendent three-story building.

"This is the Krokridge branch of Hosmu Trading Company," Zhao Gen said with a tone of awe. "I've heard it's one of the top companies in the entire Puidorin Kingdom. They're incredibly powerful."

The trading company had just opened for the day, and the assistants were bustling with energy. The saleswomen were notably attractive. Upon Zhong Wen's arrival, a lovely young lady approached to welcome him.

"Esteemed customer, are you here to buy or to sell?" she asked, her demeanor especially warm towards the handsome man.

"I'm looking to purchase some panaceas and rune materials." Zhong Wen, opting for caution on his first attempt at alchemy, decided not to use the rare panaceas from his ring.

This handsome man is a cultivator!

The thought crossed the girl's mind, fueling her eagerness.

"What materials are you interested in purchasing? I'll get them ready immediately," she offered, pen and paper in hand, ready to jot down his list.

"I'll need top-quality White Cloud Wood, Spirit Ink Charcoal, Rune Disks, Aether Quills..." Zhong Wen listed off a series of rune materials as per the 'Aether Quill Crafting Guide,' followed by a litany of medicinal ingredients. "Also, high-grade Spiritbloom, Melting Spirit Leaf, Mud Dragon's Beard, and Four-Nine Roots."

This was shaping up to be a significant sale!

The girl's excitement grew with each item she noted.

"That will do for now. Please bring the items so I can inspect their quality," Zhong Wen concluded, his expression betraying his lingering enthusiasm.

"Certainly, sir. If you'll follow me," she replied.

With careful steps, the girl led Zhong Wen to a private compartment and quickly excused herself.

The table in the alcove was set with an assortment of snacks, and a waiter soon arrived to serve tea, the attention to detail in their service quite impressive.

I wonder if a girl might come to give me a shoulder massage? Zhong Wen mused hopefully.

But instead of a girl, the next visitor was a portly middle-aged man.

"Welcome, esteemed guest. My name is Wang, and I have the honor of managing this establishment," said the middle-aged man with a warm demeanor that instantly put Zhong Wen at ease, dispelling his initial disappointment.

"Wang Luye, may I inquire if the goods I seek are in ample supply?"

"Rest assured, distinguished guest. Rune materials are not scarce," Wang Luye assured, patting his chest confidently. "While the variety of panaceas is somewhat extensive, fortunately, Whispering Peak in the vicinity is abundant with medicinal herbs. You've certainly come to the right place. Elsewhere, even in the imperial capital, you might not find such a complete selection."

"That's a relief," Zhong Wen acknowledged, visibly reassured.

"The variety of items you've requested is quite extensive. I've dispatched someone to gather them. In the meantime, please enjoy some tea while you wait."

Zhong Wen nodded and sipped his tea, engaging in casual conversation with Wang Luye.

Wang Luye, a seasoned manager, was adept at social interactions and could quickly build rapport with anyone. Noticing Zhong Wen's youth and potential for restlessness, he entertained him with amusing local anecdotes and gossip.

"Are you planning to stay in Krokridge?" Wang Luye inquired suddenly. "The city is currently unsafe. If you need accommodation, our company can make arrangements for you."

"What happened?" Zhong Wen asked, intrigued.

"Last night, the vice leader of the Elysian Gang was assassinated, and the leader was gravely wounded."

"The Elysian Gang?" Zhong Wen looked puzzled.

"You're not from around here, so you might not know. The Elysian Gang isn't a major force, but it holds significant sway in Krokridge. Both the leader and deputy leader are formidable experts at the Sacral Chakra level, with the leader, Duan Changhong, having advanced to the Sixth Realm."

Noticing Zhong Wen's confusion, Wang Luye explained further, "It's said that the assassin was injured during a counterattack by Duan Changhong. The Elysian Gang is now scouring the city for the assailant. Given your notable background, I advise caution to avoid any unintended entanglements. The Elysian Gang is not known for their benevolence."

"Thank you for the reminder, Manager," Zhong Wen acknowledged with a nod, wholeheartedly concurring with the description of being an "aristocrat."

At that moment, several attractive women entered the private room, carrying trays crafted from delicate peach heart wood. Neatly arranged on the trays were the items Zhong Wen was interested in purchasing.

"Please have a look, sir."

Zhong Wen rose to his feet, his gaze instinctively appraising the women before him.

He sighed inwardly; they paled in comparison to Liu Qiqi.

After silently assessing their beauty, his attention finally shifted to the merchandise.

The quality of the rune materials was standard, meeting his requirements for crafting the elixir's pyre runes, while the various panaceas were of a superior grade.

These herbs were not cultivated by a master grower but rather by ordinary farmers, which spoke volumes about the exceptional quality of the soil around Whispering Peak.

"Very well, I'll take the rune materials. And for the panaceas, I'll purchase whatever quantity you have. Please provide me with a quote."