The next morning, Clearwater Town was bustling again.Merchants shouted their prices, the smell of sizzling oil hung in the air, and the chatter of bargaining filled the streets.
Li Han moved with purpose, the heavy crate of healing salve balanced across his shoulders. His destination was a small herbal shop near the east gate — a place he remembered from his previous life.
In that life, the owner, Madam Xue, had a reputation for fair prices… and discreet dealings.
A chime rang as he stepped inside.The air smelled of ginseng, dried petals, and bitter medicine.
Madam Xue glanced up from behind the counter, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. She was in her forties, hair pinned neatly, wearing plain but elegant robes.
"Outer sect disciple?" she asked, her tone polite but wary.
Li Han set the crate down gently. "Mid-grade healing salve. Full batch. Interested?"
Her eyebrows rose. "That's… not something an outer sect disciple usually carries."
"Let's just say," Li Han replied smoothly, "I know where to find value."
She inspected one jar, twisting the lid open. The faint, cooling scent of high-quality medicine filled the room. She closed it and looked up.
"I'll pay 80 silver for the lot."
Li Han smiled faintly. "120."
Her eyes narrowed. "Bold."
"Fair," he countered. "You know you can sell this for 150 to the right inner sect buyers. I'm letting you keep the bigger slice."
They stared at each other for a moment.Then, slowly, Madam Xue's lips curved. "100 silver. Final offer."
"Deal."
[System Notification]Side Quest Progress: 100 / 200 silver+10 FP for profitable trade
As the coins clinked into his pouch, the shop door swung open.
Three men stepped in. They weren't merchants — their leather vests, scarred knuckles, and cold eyes screamed trouble.
The tallest of them, a wiry man with a jagged scar across his cheek, looked from Li Han to the crate."Madam Xue," he said with a mocking smile, "I heard someone brought in a shipment that wasn't theirs to sell."
Her expression darkened. "Hao, my shop doesn't welcome your games."
But Scarface Hao ignored her. His gaze locked on Li Han."You. That salve belongs to the Black Serpent Gang. Hand over the silver, and maybe you walk out of here with both legs intact."
Li Han's mind raced.In his past life, this gang had been a constant thorn in the side of the town's merchants — small-time compared to sect forces, but deadly to anyone without backing.
In this life… they were just an obstacle.
He stepped forward, meeting Hao's gaze without flinching. "If it's yours, you should've guarded it better. Now it's mine."
The room went still.
Hao's grin widened, revealing yellow teeth. "Brave. Stupid, but brave."
He lunged.
Li Han sidestepped, twisting his torso just enough for Hao's punch to whistle past his ear. His palm snapped forward, striking Hao's ribs with a controlled burst of Qi. The older man staggered back, eyes wide — clearly not expecting an outer sect "nobody" to hit that hard.
One of Hao's men charged. Li Han's foot hooked the leg of a nearby stool, sending it crashing into the thug's shin. The man yelped, falling forward, and Li Han used the momentum to drive his elbow into the back of his neck.
Two down.
The third hesitated, glancing between his groaning companions and the calm young man in front of him. Then he bolted.
[System Notification]Minor Combat Victory – +15 FP
Hao coughed, clutching his side. "You've just made an enemy, boy."
Li Han crouched, looking him in the eye. "No. I've just made an example."
With that, he turned to Madam Xue, tossing her two silver coins. "For the trouble."
She stared at him, something like respect flickering in her eyes. "You're going to stir up this town, Li Han."
"Maybe," he said, stepping into the sunlight, "but only enough to get what I need."
[System Notification]Special Quest Progress: 100 / 200 silverTime Remaining: 5 days, 18 hours
Far across the street, in the shadow of a teahouse balcony, a man in plain brown robes watched Li Han leave.
His lips curved in a faint smile. "Interesting. Very interesting."