57 – Shadows, Robbery on the Road

“I don’t know, Young Master Lu, what kind of battle knife are you looking for?”

Lu Qing thought for a moment and asked, “Master Ma, how much does it cost to buy a battle knife?”

“That’s hard to say.” Ma Gu said with some difficulty.

“An ordinary battle knife might only cost a few taels of silver, while a better-quality Hundred Refined Battle Knife could start at ten to several dozens of taels of silver.”

“As for special battle knives with mixed metals or other specific requirements, you’d probably need at least a hundred taels of silver.”

“And for those who love luxury, with jewel and jade inlays on the handle and scabbard, the price is even more unpredictable. It could reach thousands or even tens of thousands of taels for a single knife.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Qing immediately said, “I don’t need any luxurious decorations. Master Ma, please help me buy a Hundred Refined Battle Knife. Keep the design simple and practical, as long as it’s tough and sharp. No need for extra requirements.”

“As for the price, anything within fifty taels of silver is acceptable to me.”

After saying this, Lu Qing took out a silver ingot from his pocket. “Here is ten taels of silver; consider it my down payment.”

Master Ma looked at the snow-white silver ingot and thought to himself that the Old Doctor really doted on Lu Qing, casually giving him so much money to carry around.

Even when he was young, with his family providing for his every need, it was rare for him to have ten taels of silver on him.

But then he reconsidered and thought it made perfect sense.

Given Lu Qing’s displayed martial talent, any large family would undoubtedly cultivate him with all their resources.

Such an outstanding disciple, it would be abnormal for the Old Doctor not to be attentive.

“Fifty taels of silver is enough to buy a very good Hundred Refined Battle Knife. Rest assured, I, Ma, will carefully select one for you. You can come to pick it up at the next Da Ji.”

Ma Gu did not decline, accepting the silver.

“Then I thank you, Master Ma,” Lu Qing said earnestly.

Although he knew that Ma Gu had ulterior motives in helping him, he was also using Ma Gu in his own way.

In these times, who among strangers would help others without any reason?

On the contrary, people like his master, who held great benevolence, were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

“Young Master Lu, since you seldom come to Da Ji, why not come to my place for a small gathering? It would also allow me to fulfill my duty as a host?”

After accepting the silver and seeing the two of them conversing cordially, Ma Gu took the opportunity to invite Lu Qing.

“This…” Lu Qing hesitated for a moment. “I would like to visit Master Ma, but doesn’t Master Ma need to attend to the noble young man who was here earlier? He seemed quite distinguished.”

Damn it!

Reminded by Lu Qing, Ma Gu suddenly remembered that he had a little ancestor back at his residence.

Moreover, he’d been away for quite a while, and who knew what demands that person might have by now.

If that young master lost his temper because he couldn’t find him, it would be troublesome.

Thinking of this, Ma Gu couldn’t bother to invite Lu Qing any longer.

He could only say, “Then let’s leave it for next time. When you come to pick up your knife next time, you must have a few drinks with me.”

“As long as Master Ma doesn’t mind, I naturally will comply.”

“Then it’s settled!”

Seeing that Lu Qing agreed, Ma Gu was pleased. He immediately called over a subordinate, gave a few instructions, and then hurried back to his residence.

Seeing that Ma Gu, a venerable Bone Refining Realm expert, was so fearful of that young man in fine clothes, Lu Qing couldn’t help but shake his head.

It seems the identity of that noble person in the city is truly astonishing.

Seeing that Ma Gu had left and had resolved the matter of the warblade, Lu Qing’s mood also greatly improved, so he continued to stroll around Da Ji.

It didn’t take long for him to gather all the items he needed.

Not only was the bamboo basket on his back packed to the brim, but both his hands were also carrying quite a number of things.

After buying everything, Lu Qing didn’t plan to stay any longer. He carried his belongings, ready to leave Da Ji.

But before leaving, he saw that Master Ma’s subordinates were instructing villagers selling chickens, ducks, and pork to pack up.

Recalling the earlier performance of that noble youth in fine clothes, it was clear that Ma Gu was also afraid these villagers might incur the noble’s displeasure again.

Shaking his head, he once more realized the vast class difference between the city nobles and the countryside villagers. Lu Qing slowly walked away.

Just after Lu Qing left, two people suddenly emerged from Da Ji.

Watching the direction where Lu Qing departed, they looked puzzled.

“Old Seventh, did that kid just now look familiar to you?” asked a man with sullen eyebrows.

“I also think so, felt like I’ve seen him somewhere before.”

Another man with a big black mole on his face seemed puzzled too.

“Do you think he looks a bit like Lu Ming’s son?”

The sullen-eyed man reminded.

“Lu Ming?” The man with the black mole was stunned at first, then quickly responded, “Yes, he looks a lot like him. But wasn’t that brat very weak and thin before? He seems to have grown stronger now.”

“Maybe he’s eating and drinking well.” The sullen-eyed man sneered, “The old folks from Jiuli Village said they sold all the Lu family’s land and had no money to compensate us. Looks like we’ve been deceived.”

“Those old folks must have pocketed a lot of money and deliberately didn’t clear Lu Ming’s debts.”

“Fifth Brother, you think the villagers from Jiuli Village cheated us?” The man with the black mole widened his eyes.

“Of course, otherwise where would that brat get the money to buy so many things at Da Ji?”

“Those old folks from Jiuli Village must be tired of living, deceiving even us?” The man with the black mole instantly felt a surge of anger, “I’ll go catch that brat right now!”

With that said, he started in the direction Lu Qing had left.

“Don’t rush.” The sullen-eyed man stopped him, “What’s the use of just catching that brat? If we’re going to do this, we might as well make a bigger deal out of it, so others won’t think they can deceive us without paying a price. How will we keep our reputation in this area otherwise?”

“Fifth Brother, you mean…” The man with the black mole’s eyes lit up.

“Let’s go back first; there are too many people and ears here. Also, this is Ma Gu’s territory, it’s not suitable to say too much.”

The two glanced at Da Ji, their eyes showing a hint of apprehension.

The Ma Gu of Da Ji wasn’t an ordinary person; even their boss had said to provoke him if necessary. Otherwise, if he truly got angry, even their boss might not be able to handle him.

One should know, their boss is a high-ranking martial artist.

Even someone as formidable as their boss was wary of Ma Gu, so he was definitely not someone they could afford to offend.

The two hurriedly left Da Ji.

On the other hand, Lu Qing had no idea he had already been targeted secretly.

At this moment, he was being stopped by another group of people.

“Did you just say you want to rob me?”

Not feeling too well today, headache, body is a bit cold, not sure if it’s a cold or what, and not sure if I can finish another chapter. If I can’t finish, I’ll update tomorrow morning, don’t wait up.