The martial market was the liveliest, most prosperous place in the royal capital.
Elixirs, weapons, spirit artifacts, heavenly herbs and earthly treasures, martial techniques and cultivation manuals—everything a cultivator could want was for sale here. The strength of a kingdom could often be seen in the bustle of its markets.
After more than two centuries, Zhen'nan was on the rise, and the market flourished. Merchants hauled resources from every corner of the land, and cultivators thronged the streets.
Having dealt with Xiao Cui, Jiang Ruochén blended into the crowd and finally stopped before a tall, stately pavilion. Four gilded characters gleamed on the great plaque above the doors: Constellation Chamber of Commerce.
It was the largest merchant guild in all Zhen'nan. Its business spanned not only the capital but every city and town in the kingdom—and even reached into neighboring nations. Its strength was such that even the royal house accorded it respect.
"The Marrow-Washing Pills here should be the best. This is the place," Jiang Ruochén said, and stepped inside.
"Welcome. How may I help you?" A neatly dressed attendant greeted him at once.
"Marrow-Washing Pills," he said directly.
"This way, sir." She led him to the elixir hall and introduced three grades.Top grade: four spirit stones, nourishes the meridians for two days.Mid grade: two stones, effective for one day.Low grade: half a day's effect, one stone apiece.
He quickly did the math. Between what the eunuchs had tossed at him and what Consort Wan had scraped together by selling her ornaments, he had ten spirit stones—enough for two top grade and one mid grade if he stretched it.
"Give me two top grade and two low grade," Jiang Ruochén decided, handing over his small brocade pouch—everything he had.
"Of course." After counting, the attendant passed him four boxed pills.
He stored them carefully. To others, this wasn't much; to him, it meant everything.
"Anything else today, sir? We've just received fine weapons and spirit tools—worth a look," she offered.
He shook his head. "I don't need weapons. Tell me—does your martial meet run today? I want to participate."
The martial meet was the Constellation Chamber's underground enterprise—much like the gladiatorial arenas of the western lands on Blue Star. Many ordinary cultivators had no steady source of resources and fought in the arenas to win them. Fighting was forbidden in the capital, so wealthy clans and bored dignitaries came to watch the bouts. The Chamber served as the bridge between spectacle and blood.
Jiang Ruochén had asked for it because he intended to earn spirit stones by fighting—something he'd planned before he left the palace.
"The martial meet?" The attendant hesitated. "That isn't my department. If you truly wish to enter, I can introduce you to the overseer."
"Please do," Jiang Ruochén said.
"At once." She hurried off.
While he waited, he let his gaze pass over the grand hall. For the largest guild in the kingdom, the Constellation Chamber did not disappoint—business bustled, and even the items openly displayed on the floor were impressive.
By chance, his eyes shifted to the entrance just as several familiar figures stepped in, talking among themselves.
He blinked. All of them were "acquaintances."
The Eleventh Prince, Jiang Li, Qin Qi, a few other princes and princesses, and several scions of great houses.
"What a coincidence," he thought, and looked away, not caring to engage.
"Jiang Ruochén!" The group had spotted him anyway and came over at once.
"You waste—what are you doing here? This isn't a place for you," Jiang Li said, first puzzled, then loftily derisive.
Jiang Ruochén had no wish to tangle with them, but if Jiang Li pushed, he wouldn't back down. "If you can be here, why can't I?"
"You awakened a trash soul and dare talk back now?" Jiang Li's face darkened. How dare a "waste" answer him bluntly?
The Sixth Princess glanced at Jiang Ruochén with disgust—then noticed the pill box in his hand and sneered. "Buying Marrow-Washing Pills, are you? With that trash soul, you think you can open your meridians? Keep dreaming."
Jiang Li followed her gaze and laughed. "She's right. Don't waste resources. Trash is trash. Pills won't change your nature."
Their lackeys chuckled along. Martial souls were the foundation of cultivation. In their eyes, Jiang Ruochén's was garbage—trying to force progress with pills was nothing but a fool's wish.
Qin Qi only shook her head, the contempt in her eyes heavier than any of their words.
"Idiots," Jiang Ruochén said mildly, unwilling to waste breath.
"What did you say, you waste?" Faces went stone-cold in an instant. A "waste" not only talking back but insulting them?
Jiang Li clenched his fists, ready to "teach him a lesson," when a hearty voice cut across the brewing storm.
"Well now, Eleventh Prince, Miss Qin—what an honor. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."
They turned to see a richly robed, round-bellied middle-aged man approaching with the same attendant at his side. His broad smile made him look like a laughing Buddha, but Jiang Ruochén knew better—no one became overseer of the arenas by being harmless.
"Manager Wang Fu," Jiang Li said, swallowing his temper for the moment.
The Constellation Chamber was a power even the royal house treated with courtesy. That wasn't an empty saying.
"Eleventh Prince, Miss Qin—when did you decide to join our martial meet? The rings can be… unforgiving. Best not," Wang Fu said with a genial grin.
Jiang Li and Qin Qi traded confused looks.
"Manager Wang, you misunderstand. We came to watch, not to fight," Qin Qi said.
"Not to fight?" Wang Fu turned to the attendant.
"Sir, it was this gentleman who asked to participate," she said, indicating Jiang Ruochén.
"What—the Fourteenth Prince?" Wang Fu stared. As arena overseer, he had long heard of Zhen'nan's most infamous "waste." To hear that such a person wished to step into the ring—how could he not be surprised?
Jiang Li and Qin Qi were stunned too.
And then, all at once, they burst out laughing.