The Master of Beasts

"Fellow Daoist, did you cultivate these?" Lin Ziyuan asked, barely managing to regain her composure.

"Indeed, it was I. Please refrain from asking to recruit me. I only sell the Spiritual Beasts on my stall; I do not engage in any other type of business," Chen Jiuge stated, immediately shutting down Lin Ziyuan's potential line of inquiry.

"Alright. How much for one of these Sword Scabbard Demons, and also for these Grinding Stone Demons?" Lin Ziyuan asked, her expression struggling to return to calm.

Chen Jiuge quickly estimated. A common Third Rank Sword Scabbard Demon would probably cost a few dozen Top Grade Spirit Stones. Although the Sword Scabbard Demons and Grinding Stone Demons were a bit more special, their price shouldn't exceed one hundred Top Grade Spirit Stones. Multiplying the price a few times wouldn't be excessive, right?

"Three hundred Top Grade Spirit Stones each."

Chen Jiuge felt he was already being quite extortionate. Unexpectedly, the Female Cultivator across from him immediately said, "I'll take them all."

Chen Jiuge was stunned for a moment. The Female Cultivator before him was already at the Returning to Void Realm. Why would she want so many Third Rank Spiritual Beasts? Besides, if she bought everything, wouldn't his fledgling career as a stall owner end prematurely? There was still a good while before the market reached its busiest period.

"Fellow Daoist, I have a rule: each person can only buy one of each type of Spiritual Beast. Of course, since you are the first customer, you can buy double that," Chen Jiuge said, still wanting to experience the feeling of running a stall.

Lin Ziyuan was so angered by this stall owner that she laughed. "Rules? Where are these rules?"

Da Bai, understanding implicitly, presented the door-panel-sized sword, upon which was engraved: "Limit one Spiritual Beast of each type per person."

"Fine, you're tough. Give me two of each type," Lin Ziyuan said through gritted teeth, feeling helpless. Luckily, I'm disguised as a man. I'll change clothes when I get home and come back to buy more, she secretly thought.

Chen Jiuge was unaware of Lin Ziyuan's little schemes and happily selected the four best-looking Spiritual Beasts for her.

***

Lin Ziyuan's patronage caused Chen Jiuge's stall to start bustling. As the saying goes, with enough traffic, even a pig can fly.

So, as the 'pig' of the trio—the one who could fly thanks to the high traffic—Da Bai also managed to sell many bizarrely shaped sword-type artifacts. At this moment, it was enthusiastically pitching its masterpiece, the Flying Wings Sword, to a young Cultivator before it.

The most outrageous part was that the young Cultivator, who didn't seem very old, actually took out his money and bought it.

Chen Jiuge watched, astounded.

When Lin Ziyuan returned for the second time, the stall was already surrounded by many people. However, these were all ordinary Sword Cultivators who dared not block the way of Miss Lin Ziyuan from the Lin Family.

"I'll take them all!" Lin Ziyuan declared, looking triumphantly at Chen Jiuge. Now you know my status isn't simple, let's see if you still dare not to sell to me!

"One of each type of Spiritual Beast per person."

"Fine, wrap them up for me—wait, what did you say?" Lin Ziyuan looked at Chen Jiuge, somewhat surprised. He truly doesn't yield. Very good, this Young Miss quite admires you.

"Just one of each kind then. Pick out some good ones for me."

Chen Jiuge looked at the Female Cultivator who had previously been disguised as a man, feeling quite speechless. However, he didn't refuse the sale. As he handed over the Spiritual Beasts, he whispered, "Young Miss, I'll let it go this time. But you can't buy twice again next time."

Lin Ziyuan's little face flushed red. She snatched the Spiritual Beasts and fled.

Aaargh! I've been exposed! This is mortifying! No Cultivator has recognized me for so many years; why could he tell? Lin Ziyuan felt as if she had just experienced a social death.

If other Cultivators knew what Lin Ziyuan was thinking, they would definitely retort: It's not that we can't recognize you; we just don't dare to point it out.

Upon returning to the Lin Family estate, Lin Ziyuan became increasingly puzzled as to how that stall owner had recognized her. She then summoned her personal Maid and asked, "Xiao Cao, is my disguise as a man not convincing?"

"It is, Young Miss. Very convincing," Xiao Cao flattered.

"But I was recognized today! Go deliver an invitation card to that stall owner. Tell him I wish to see him," Lin Ziyuan instructed.

When Xiao Cao heard that the Young Miss had been recognized, a cold sweat broke out on her back. Oh no, could it be that the Young Miss has found out about me...?

However, upon hearing that the Young Miss herself wanted to invite the person, she instantly breathed a sigh of relief. Good, good, there's still a chance to fix things. It's not a major problem.