Human Clan Defender

Unlike yesterday's visit to the Demon Slaying Hall, having accrued three hundred more Merit Points made Shen Changqing walk with much more confidence.

He entered the Hall of Merits.

It was still the same person as yesterday.

Upon seeing Shen Changqing, a smile appeared on his face.

"Lord Shen, what brings you here today?"

"I'm planning to exchange some things."

"Oh? May I ask what Lord Shen wishes to exchange for?"

The old man looked surprised and, following procedure, glanced at Shen Changqing's Identity Token before returning it. Subsequently, he retrieved the exchange list again.

To an Earth Rank Demon Hunter, especially one as promising as Shen Changqing, the old man showed great respect.

Looking at the list before him, Shen Changqing didn't browse through it. Instead, he took out a pale golden Demon-Subduing Coin from his robes and placed it on the counter.

"I want to exchange for one hundred grams of Enlightenment Tea!"

Enlightenment Tea! This Spiritual Tea was said to be grown in the depths of the vast mountains, nurtured by the essence of nature's spiritual energy. Consuming it could supposedly nourish a Martial Artist's spirit and help them comprehend the ultimate principles of Martial Arts.

It was obvious. This was a kind of Spiritual Tea that could restore one's spirit. As for comprehending the ultimate principles of Martial Arts, Shen Changqing remained skeptical. If it truly could help one comprehend the ultimate principles of Martial Arts, the price of Enlightenment Tea wouldn't be excessive even if it were increased tenfold or a hundredfold. However, it might require long-term consumption to achieve such an effect, or perhaps not. For him, whether or not he could comprehend the ultimate principles of Martial Arts was a minor matter. On the contrary, its ability to nourish the spirit was what truly mattered.

Seeing the pale golden Demon-Subduing Coin, the old man's expression shifted slightly. One Demon-Subduing Coin was equivalent to one hundred Merit Points. Not everyone could produce one hundred Merit Points; among the many Earth Rank Demon Hunters, those who possessed pale golden Demon-Subduing Coins were few and far between.

But he didn't hesitate, promptly grabbing the pale golden Demon-Subduing Coin.

"For Enlightenment Tea, one Merit Point can be exchanged for one gram. Since Lord Shen is using one hundred Merit Points, you can exchange them for one hundred grams."

After this customary remark, the old man turned and walked into the storeroom, where the treasures were kept.

A moment later, he re-emerged, holding a jade-green jar that resembled an emerald.

"Enlightenment Tea is a Spiritual Tea and must be stored in jade to ensure its spiritual energy doesn't dissipate. This jar contains one hundred grams of the Spiritual Tea. Lord Shen, please take a look."

The jade-green jar was only about the size of two adult palms.

After Shen Changqing took it, he opened the lid.

Instantly, a rich spiritual energy mingled with a fresh fragrance wafted towards him. Looking closely, he saw numerous leaves inside. The leaves were the size of a little finger, a vibrant, dewy green as if freshly picked, their veins clearly visible.

After a brief look, he sealed the jar again.

Just as the old man had said, the Enlightenment Tea was rich in spiritual energy and required a jade container for storage. If too much spiritual energy escaped, the efficacy of the Spiritual Tea would be greatly reduced.

"By the way," Shen Changqing began, placing the jar to one side as something occurred to him. "Can Merit Points be exchanged for Silver Taels here?"

Hearing this, the old man paused for a moment. He quickly understood and put on a professional smile. "Lord Shen, you must be joking. Merit Points are an exclusive resource of the Demon-Subduing Division. How could they be used for trade? That is not permitted within the Demon-Subduing Division."

"I see." Shen Changqing nodded, understanding.

He understood the implication in the old man's words: if it's not allowed *within* the Demon-Subduing Division, then trading *outside* of it must be permitted.

A faint smile touched his lips, and he lowered his voice. "Perhaps you could tell me the exchange rate?"

At this, the old man glanced around. Confirming no one was watching, he replied cautiously, "If Lord Shen is truly interested, the black market rate is roughly one to one hundred."

One to one hundred, Shen Changqing thought. One Merit Point for one hundred Silver Taels. The price didn't surprise him much. Merit Points were inherently hard to come by. It made sense that the few points awarded for slaying a Demon Evil would be equivalent to several hundred Silver Taels.

After a brief pause, the old man added mysteriously, "Actually, Merit Points are practically priceless on the black market. Silver Taels can't buy anything truly valuable, but most items exchangeable with Merit Points in the Demon-Subduing Division are treasures. Never mind other things; even the Enlightenment Tea Lord Shen is holding would fetch an exorbitant price on the outside. Heh, if Lord Shen really intends to sell Merit Points, this old one might be able to help you. Selling them at a rate of one to two hundred isn't impossible."

One to two hundred. One hundred Merit Points would be twenty thousand Silver Taels, Shen Changqing calculated.

Looking at the man before him, who seemed so selfless a moment ago only to completely change his tune, Shen Changqing shook his head and chuckled. "I was merely asking. I barely have enough Merit Points for myself, let alone any to spare for selling."

The old man smiled. "No matter. With Lord Shen's talent and strength, earning Merit Points in the future will be as easy as turning over your hand. If Lord Shen has any such inclinations later on, you can always find me. By the way, this old one is called Ji Qu."

Ji Qu, Shen Changqing mentally noted the name and nodded.

"I've noted it. I'll take my leave now!"

"Oh, by the way, Lord Shen, if you wish to brew the Enlightenment Tea, it's best to use jade teaware. That will best preserve the Spiritual Energy for optimal effect when consumed."

"Very well."

After leaving the Demon Slaying Hall, Shen Changqing first returned to his room, set down the Enlightenment Tea, and then left the Demon-Subduing Division to visit the Treasure Pavilion.

It was not his first time there.

Just as he arrived at the Treasure Pavilion, someone approached him.

"May I ask if this is the young hero's first time visiting our Treasure Pavilion?"

He eyed Shen Changqing, who had a saber slung at his waist, and instinctively regarded him as a young Jianghu hero. From his appearance, Shen Changqing, dressed in a green robe, didn't look very old.

"I am looking for Huang Yan."

"Ah, you're looking for Steward Huang! Please, come inside and have a seat. I'll inform him right away."

The man's expression immediately turned respectful. To ask for Huang Yan directly, and with such an authoritative tone, clearly indicated this visitor was no ordinary person. He dared not offend such an individual.

The attendant quickly escorted Shen Changqing to a private room to wait, then hurried off to pass on the message.

About a quarter of an hour later, there was a knock on the door.

Shen Changqing gave a soft "Come in," and someone pushed the door open and entered.

The visitor was Huang Yan, whom he had met once before.

Upon seeing Shen Changqing, the Steward of the Treasure Pavilion initially looked puzzled. However, in less than a breath, recognition dawned, and an expression of astonishment crossed his face.

"I, Huang, didn't realize Lord Shen was visiting! My apologies for not coming out to greet you sooner. I hope Lord Shen won't take offense!" As he spoke, Huang Yan bowed repeatedly, his hands clasped, his attitude bordering on sycophantic.

Shen Changqing simply smiled. "Steward Huang, there's no need for such ceremony."

"Haha, I am well aware of Lord Shen's heroic deeds! Spectacular, truly spectacular! Throughout history, those who could single-handedly charge into enemy lines and slay a Barbarian Clan General amidst an army of thousands are few and far between. Moreover, that Barbarian Clan General was a renowned Grandmaster. Lord Shen, you have truly become famous with this single battle! Your presence here at our Treasure Pavilion brings us great honor."

Huang Yan's words were filled with adulation. It couldn't be helped. Shen Changqing's actions had shocked many. Now, in the Jianghu, there were few who didn't recognize his name. Ever since he heard the news, he had thought of the Shen Changqing who had previously visited the Treasure Pavilion.

It was possible for people to share the same name. However, for someone from the Demon-Subduing Division, also named Shen Changqing—it was too much of a coincidence.

Thus, Huang Yan was convinced that the Shen Changqing of Jianghu renown was the very same expert he had previously received at the Treasure Pavilion. What he hadn't expected was for Shen Changqing to visit the Treasure Pavilion again so soon.

Faced with such flattery, Shen Changqing maintained a faint, polite smile, not letting much show. "Steward Huang, you're too kind. It's merely a bit of a reputation."

"Lord Shen, what brings you to the Treasure Pavilion today? Please, tell me what you need. If it's within my power, I, Huang, will certainly not refuse," Huang Yan patted his chest as if offering a guarantee.

Hearing this, Shen Changqing got straight to the point. "I wish to purchase a set of jade teaware, preferably of high quality."

Since Ji Qu had said that jade teaware was best for brewing Spiritual Tea, he might as well buy a set. He had some Silver Taels on hand, and it would be a waste not to use them. At his current Realm, that amount of Silver Taels wasn't particularly useful anyway. Most things purchasable with silver had little effect on a Grandmaster. Items like Qi and Blood Pills or True Qi Pills were only effective in large doses. But who would carry around vast quantities of Elixirs daily? Even if he stuffed all his pockets, he couldn't carry that many.

"Jade teaware," Huang Yan murmured, then asked tentatively, "We do have some jade teaware at the Treasure Pavilion. May I be so bold as to ask if Lord Shen intends to use it for brewing Spiritual Tea?"

Shen Changqing looked surprised. "Steward Huang is also knowledgeable about Spiritual Tea?"

He had thought Huang Yan might not know much about Spiritual Tea. It seemed now that others were quite familiar with it, while he himself had only just learned of such things.

"Lord Shen jests. The Treasure Pavilion does sell some Spiritual Teas, so I have a little understanding."

Shen Changqing's interest was piqued. "The Treasure Pavilion sells Spiritual Tea as well? What kinds do you have?"

If the Treasure Pavilion also sold Spiritual Tea, that would be much more convenient. In the future, if he lacked Merit Points, he could simply buy it with Silver Taels. Compared to the difficulty of earning Merit Points, Silver Taels were far easier to come by.

Huang Yan said, "In the Treasure Pavilion, we have the Five Treasures Tea that nourishes the Flesh, the Qi-Nurturing Tea that nourishes True Qi, and the Mind-Nurturing Tea that nourishes the spirit. All three types of Spiritual Tea are priced the same — one hundred Silver Taels per gram. Since Lord Shen is a valued customer of the Treasure Pavilion, I can personally authorize a discount for you: eighty Silver Taels per gram will suffice."