Chapter 3978 — The North Island Auction
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
Wei Zhao did not rush to answer. Instead, he handed Hong Zhong the blank sheet of paper Scrap King had written for him and said, "Steward Hong, aside from the matter of the Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass, I've also come this time to inquire about purchasing the items listed on this sheet. Does the guild happen to have any in stock?"
"Oh? Young Hero Lin, please wait a moment. I'll have someone check." Hong Zhong gestured for Wei Zhao to drink his tea and gave an instruction to the serving boy at the door.
A short while later, the boy returned and reported, "Of the seven materials, our guild currently has only the Mystic Water Drop in stock, priced at six hundred and forty-nine spirit jades. The other six are all unavailable."
Just as expected! Wei Zhao had anticipated this, so he showed no sign of regret. He said at once, "Then please pack up the Mystic Water Drop and the two plants of Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass together for me. That comes to a thousand spirit jades in total—would that be acceptable, Steward Hong?"
Hong Zhong laughed at once and waved his hand. "Young Hero Lin jests. I know you mean well, but in business one speaks of business. Since I quoted a hundred spirit jades per plant of Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass, I will not take half a piece more from you. Otherwise, where would a merchant's integrity be? If word got out, who would dare do business with the Hong Clan Merchant Guild in the future?"
Wei Zhao realized he had misspoken and could only say, "Very well then. I'll use the surplus spirit jades to purchase other spirit herbs—that should be acceptable, shouldn't it?"
Wei Zhao had never liked being in anyone's debt. Since Hong Zhong refused to take the extra spirit jades, he would simply go back and refine some pills, then bring a few top-grade Foundation-Establishment Barrier-Breaking Pills to him next time. Hong Zhong would surely be eager for them and would no longer refuse so adamantly.
Hong Zhong seemed to see through Wei Zhao's intentions and said with an understanding smile, "Then I thank Young Hero Lin for his patronage. If you are not in a hurry, I can have someone keep an eye out for the remaining six materials as well. Like the Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass, given some time, there may well be results."
"Thank you, Steward Hong. But I've heard people say there will be a North Island Auction next month?" Wei Zhao asked tentatively.
Hong Zhong immediately understood his meaning and nodded. "That's right. This auction is of no low a caliber. The things you want, Young Hero Lin, should all be findable there. Do you intend to go and have a look?"
"Exactly so. I was just worrying about how to obtain admission, and I wondered whether Steward Hong might be able to help?" Wei Zhao said at once.
Hong Zhong could not help but laugh. "Young Hero Lin need not worry. Though admission to the North Island Auction is hard to come by—unless one is a mighty power of some region, ordinary folk truly cannot get in—fortunately, our Hong Clan Merchant Guild is one of the auction's sponsors, so we naturally have the right to bring additional guests. If it is convenient for you, Young Hero Lin, why not come along with me when the time comes?"
Wei Zhao was overjoyed beyond expectation. Before coming here, he had thought it would take no small effort to obtain this qualification, yet he had never imagined that Hong Zhong would resolve it effortlessly with a single sentence. Connections, indeed, were priceless treasures in times of need.
"Then I thank you here and now, Steward Hong," Wei Zhao said gratefully.