227: Expensive enough to touch a blind spot in knowledge

Indeed, the news Zheng Jinfeng heard was correct: there were quite a few people coming to the Mall at the Guild every weekend to buy rare ores.

And this was only a little past four in the morning; if they waited until dawn, there would probably be even more people… It was fortunate they came early.

Zheng Jinfeng had found out that the Mall opened earlier on weekend mornings than usual, at 7 AM, but because everyone who wanted to buy rare ores would line up in advance, they set off at 4 AM.

The three of them waited in line, and by the time the Mall opened at 7 AM, a long line of people had formed behind them.

“Sister-in-law, it’s all thanks to you! Your information is really well-connected,” Liu Ling'er couldn't help but say to Zheng Jinfeng.

Zheng Jinfeng smiled slightly and said, “Let’s go. I hope there’s still stock when it’s our turn.”

“Mhm!”

After the Mall’s main doors opened, staff came out and placed a sign at the rare ore sales window, which read:

“Today’s rare ore sale: a total of six catties, limited to four taels per person.”

Only four taels?

Xiao Shen hadn’t expected the Mall to have such a rule, but thinking about it, the per-person limit seemed to benefit them, because they were ninth in line, and if the first eight people bought all six catties of rare ore, it wouldn't be their turn.

However, the middle-aged man at the front of the line was dissatisfied again: “I’ve waited in line for so long, and now you’re telling me I can only buy four taels? I insist on buying one catty today, are you selling or not?!”

The man who had previously refuted him frowned slightly upon hearing this but did not speak to stop him.

“Sorry, these are the Mall’s regulations. This week’s stock is only six catties, and each person can buy a maximum of four taels. If you want to buy one catty, please bring two more people.”

The staff member at the Mall window was neither servile nor overbearing, presumably accustomed to being challenged by such customers.

The middle-aged man wanted to say more, but the people behind him started urging: “Hey, big guy at the front, are you buying or not? If not, move aside!”

“Exactly, exactly, hurry up and move aside, we still need to buy!”

“Don’t waste everyone’s time, okay?”

“…”

Those who arrived late were already worried that they wouldn't be able to buy any of the six catties of rare ore, so when the middle-aged man made a fuss, he naturally became their target.

Despite his extreme displeasure, the middle-aged man knew he couldn't fight the Mall alone, so he said, “Fine, four taels it is.”

He took out his storage bag and pulled out several Spirit Stone Vouchers. Xiao Shen had good eyesight and could see, even from a few people away, that the denominations on these Spirit Stone Vouchers were all one hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones, and the stack in his hand had at least ten.

That was one thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

With so much money only able to buy four taels, rare ores were indeed valuable.

“Sorry, this batch of rare ores is rarer than usual. One thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones can only buy two taels,” the staff member said, still expressionless.

“What?!”

The middle-aged man was greatly surprised, followed by a face full of anger: “Normally, one thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones could buy six taels! What kind of rare ore are you selling that it’s so expensive?!”

It was clear he was a regular customer here, which was why he immediately offered one thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

This price also made the people waiting in line behind him gasp.

Apparently, none of them had expected the rare ores sold at the Mall this weekend to be so expensive.

For a time, many people began to back out.

Xiao Shen also hesitated: “What should we do, should we still buy?”

“One thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones for only two taels is indeed a bit expensive. How about we come again next weekend?” Liu Ling'er was also undecided. The money they had was borrowed from Old He, very precious, and should be spent wisely.

One thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones indeed touched a blind spot in Zheng Jinfeng’s knowledge, so she couldn't offer an opinion.

Finally, Xiao Shen gritted his teeth and said, “Since we’re already here, let’s buy!”

“Okay, then let’s buy it,” Liu Ling'er also clenched her teeth. Having too many Spirit Stones always made her feel uneasy, so it was better to spend some.

“Sister-in-law, the staff inside said each person is limited to four taels, we…”

Liu Ling'er pulled Zheng Jinfeng aside and whispered to her, asking her to help buy four taels of rare ore, and also took out a stack of large-denomination Spirit Stone Vouchers, secretly handing them to Zheng Jinfeng.

Seeing the amounts on those Spirit Stone Vouchers, Zheng Jinfeng almost gasped aloud.

Fortunately, she held it in: “Where did you get so many Spirit Stones?”

Liu Ling'er blinked and said nothing.

She didn't want to lie to Zheng Jinfeng, but she also couldn't reveal Old He’s hidden strength, so she simply left it a mystery.

“Alright then, I won’t ask. When it’s my turn later, I’ll use these Spirit Stone Vouchers to buy four taels of rare ore.” Zheng Jinfeng was also unwilling to probe further; after all, who doesn't have a few secrets?

At the window, the staff member was unyielding. The middle-aged man at the front of the line said with a dark face, “Two taels it is then, I’ll buy it!”

“Alright,” the staff member put on a characteristic smile, weighed out two taels of rare ore, and completed the transaction with the other party, “Please hold onto it.”

“Hmph!”

Even after buying the rare ore, the middle-aged man was still very angry, but the Mall was backed by the Guild, and the Guild was backed by… In short, he couldn't afford to offend them, so he might as well leave!

Xiao Shen looked back at the end of the line and found that quite a few people had already left. It seemed the price of this batch of rare ores had indeed deterred many.

They had initially thought the first eight people would all buy four taels, but in the end, they only bought a total of two catties. When it was Xiao Shen’s turn, four whole catties remained in stock.

“Hello, how much would you like to buy?” The staff member was expressionless, as if he had long been worn down by this job.

“I want four taels.” Xiao Shen took out two thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stone Vouchers. Although it pained him, it was worth it to buy rare ores!

The staff member paused slightly and glanced at Xiao Shen, but that was all: “Alright.”

After packaging four taels of rare ore and handing it to Xiao Shen, the staff member said indifferently, “Please hold onto it.”

Next was Liu Ling'er, who also bought four taels.

Adding Zheng Jinfeng, the three of them together bought one catty and two taels of rare ore, which would definitely be enough for refining weapons.

“Let’s go to the forest,” Xiao Shen said.

It was just past 7:30 AM, so the green train shouldn’t have appeared yet, but by the time they reached the forest, it would be almost 8 AM… 155 Fortress, Martial Artist Training Base.

“The martial arts competition among the younger generation of the Three Great Powers is about to begin. Does anyone from our class sign up?”

“No, right? What grade are we in?”

“I heard that Senior Liu Chen, our principal’s son, will be participating. If only I could follow Senior Liu Chen…”

“What beautiful dream are you having? Does Senior Liu Chen lack a follower like you?”