Chapter 42: Perfect Timing
After buying the most crucial item.
Fu Shaoguang hid among the Goat Demon's wool curls.
The Three Demons began to wander aimlessly.
Zhu Yun and Gongyang Yang looked around excitedly.
But their emotions were not as volatile as Fu Shaoguang's.
He was overwhelmed, trying hard to blend in so as not to seem abnormal, continuing to reset his values; at the same time, he was excited and nervous. Although he had already bought a few things and partially accepted the environment, overall, there was still a unique sense of novelty and stimulation.
Although the Demon Market stalls were packed with demons, to better display the goods, every stall sign was enchanted with the Profound Light Technique, projecting specific images in front of the stall to showcase the human treasure in all its aspects.
The night was pitch black, and green flames flickered faintly.
The Three Demons walked through the bustling Demon Market, stopping at various stalls. While observing the goods, they listened along with other demons to the noisy discussions, the sounds of fighting and cursing, the gnashing of teeth, and old demons introducing human treasure to young demons. They also participated, chatting and commenting.
Whenever she spotted a gap, Zhu Yun, quick of eye and hoof, suddenly stretched out her pig tail, wrapped it around one of Gongyang Yang's hooves, and plunged headfirst inside. After squeezing through many twists and turns to the front, she then pulled Gongyang Yang, who was stuck in the middle, in with force, like pulling up a radish.
Immediately, the Three Demons observed closely, their eyes glued to the items. Occasionally, if they encountered something interesting that hadn't sold out, they would purchase some.
Zhu Yun bought human blood, intending to make blood tofu; Gongyang Yang also bought some, planning to use it to make ink.
Fu Shaoguang bought some Brain Paste.
Brain Paste was not something found in the human brain, but rather earwax.
Because the ears are close to the human brain, earwax is called Brain Paste by the Demon race. This item is extraordinary and highly sought after by demons and ghosts, capable of inducing madness within a reasonable scope. Mixed into wine, the flavor is even more intoxicating, and few demons or ghosts can resist it.
Seeing this item, Fu Shaoguang was reminded of the worry-forget pill he used to sell. Inspiration burst forth in his mind like bamboo shoots after rain, and ideas for getting rich appeared one after another.
As he walked and observed, Fu Shaoguang's knowledge greatly increased, and he actively tried to verify what he saw against the Records of One Hundred Human Treasures he had read.
The placenta is called Purple River Cart by the Demon race, nourishing the demon body and strengthening Qi and blood. It was later gradually accepted and studied by Human Race physicians.
Human fingernails are called Human Slough by demons. Ground into powder, they are suitable for feeding Demon race cubs.
The umbilical cord is Kan Qi in the eyes of the Demon race, containing Kan Water Spiritual Qi. It can assist in cultivating Water-attribute techniques and improve the efficiency of absorbing Water Spiritual Qi, making it popular among aquatic demons and creatures like ducks and geese.
The sediment in old chamber pots, commonly known as urine scale, is called White Autumn Frost by the Demon race, and can treat malignant sores and wounds on demons. Human feces also have an easily understood name, called Human Yellow, favored by Pill-Rolling Masters and plant demons.
During this time, Gongyang Yang also bought several straw mats that had been slept on by humans for several years. They carried a strong smell of sweat and were even soaked black by it. This item helps demons like cattle, horses, and goats transform their shape, and since it is relatively easy to obtain, there is no need to fight too fiercely for it.
Although he is currently in the first heaven of the Technique Realm, he is not far from breaking through, so naturally, he must prepare in advance.
Approaching midnight.
The Three Demons returned when their excitement was spent.
———
The morning sun shone brightly for thousands of miles, the mist dispersed, revealing glistening dew.
Ankang Alley, Ancient Pine Courtyard.
After gathering the Morning Sun Purple Qi and finishing his morning meal, Fu Shaoguang took out a three-inch ceramic jar from his identity bamboo token. The jar had a blurred pattern that was no longer clearly visible.
He had heard the Demon Academy Instructor say that the Underground Demon Markets in the three counties near Yu Mountain were managed by a Great Demon, who commanded a group of demon craftsmen specializing in making various spirit-sealing artifacts.
Empress Yuli also had a similar industry, but outside the mountain, the items were made of pottery or porcelain, whereas in the Yushan Demon Market, they were made of bamboo or other wood, offering mediocre sealing effects and a shorter time limit.
The ceramic jar before him was a Spirit Sealing Jar. Once the pattern completely disappeared, the jar would become ineffective.
Before that happened, Fu Shaoguang planned to mix the innate red lead stored inside with spirit wine, roll it into red pills, and then seal them with spirit honey wax. This would both enhance the nourishing effect of the red lead to a certain extent and better lock in the Spiritual Qi and blood Qi, making it easier to store and consume.
No sooner said than done!
He added firewood and lit the fire.
Fu Shaoguang was just about to open the jar.
A knocking sound came from outside the door.
Who would come calling this early in the morning?
Shouldn't they be sleeping?
He temporarily added some water to the pot, letting the fire simmer, treating it as cleaning and sterilizing the pot. He went to open the door while thinking.
Oh my!
It was both a familiar demon and a rare visitor.
A two-inch Termite Demon.
The Ant Craftsman Leader who built his Immortal Cave.
Inviting the demon inside, Fu Shaoguang was about to offer a cup of Spirit Honey Dew to his guest when he was stopped.
"Demon Friend Fu, there's no need for trouble. I've come this time because I have a favor to ask."
Fu Shaoguang asked, "May I know what it is?"
Besides being confused, he also felt relieved.
Since they showed up in broad daylight, he originally thought there was a problem with the Immortal Cave construction. Now that it seemed to be for personal matters, he felt instantly reassured, even a little expectant.
This demon held a prominent position in the White Ant nest. If he could help solve its problem, his own plan for the wu ling shen would proceed with greater ease and efficiency.
"Did Demon Friend purchase a jar of innate red lead last night?"
"That is correct. Does Demon Friend Bai Jing need this item?"
The Termite Demon nodded: "To be honest, our Queen needs this item to break through. Items like innate red lead and Wisdom Fruit are limited in quantity, so the Demon Market issued a purchase limit to prevent a single entity from monopolizing them.
Our Queen requires three jars of innate red lead and three jars of Essence Fluid to break through. Last night, our Clan purchased one jar of each, and we had already made arrangements with familiar demons for the remainder, but we didn't expect..."
Fu Shaoguang understood.
They didn't expect him to suddenly appear and snatch it away.
No wonder the Pitcher Leaf Moth Demon and the Leech Demon fought until they were completely red, refusing to back down no matter what.
No wonder the two demons teamed up against him.
No wonder the historical records of the Demon Market clearly stated that the price of innate red lead ranged from three to six liang, yet he had to pay eight liang to secure it.
So, both demons had a prior agreement with the White Ant Clan.
———
After explaining, Bai Jing stood up, lay on the ground, and stamped his six legs, creating rhythmic tapping sounds, even performing a tap dance.
Fu Shaoguang knew this was the Ant Clan's etiquette.
While tapping, he said:
"Demon Friend Fu, the agreed-upon reward this time is the wu ling fruit. The mother wu ling shen only produces five ginseng fruits every thirty years, and each one can extend life by three years. They will ripen on the first thundery day this summer."
"The Queen's breakthrough is vital to our Clan. If Demon Friend Fu is willing to part with the item and, like the other Demon Friends, act as a Protector for our Queen, the agreement will be equally effective for you."
"Our Clan is willing to offer one ginseng fruit."
Fu Shaoguang resolved the last trace of doubt in his heart.
It all made sense, completely!
No wonder the Pitcher Leaf Moth Demon and the Leech Demon glared at him with eyes full of "hatred for stealing a wife" after he snatched the innate red lead.
So, he had blocked their path to longevity.
But if he had the chance again, Fu Shaoguang would still snatch it.
He would even fight more fiercely for it!
He also needed longevity.
Even more urgently than those two demons.
Consequently, Fu Shaoguang naturally agreed with pleasure.
Bai Jing came prepared, immediately taking out a Jade Edict Contract from his identity bamboo token. The White Ant Queen had already left her mark on it, and the contract content was largely the same as Bai Jing had stated.
After careful inspection, Fu Shaoguang left his own magical power imprint and aura, allowing Bai Jing to take the innate red lead.
He saw the Termite Demon out.
After the demon walked away, he returned to the courtyard.
Fu Shaoguang couldn't help but hum a song.
It truly was a case of finding something without effort that one searched far and wide for—longevity spirit objects were priceless and rare.
Trading one jar of innate red lead for one wu ling fruit, even if it required acting as a Protector for the Ant Clan Queen, was not just a break-even deal, but a massive profit.
Returning to the kitchen, Fu Shaoguang couldn't help but feel lucky. It was better to arrive at the perfect time than to arrive early. If Bai Jing had arrived a step later, the wu ling fruit would have been lost.
As for why the White Ant Queen couldn't wait a few more years to gather the necessary resources, instead being extremely urgent and willing to use the wu ling fruit as compensation...
Bai Jing didn't say, and Fu Shaoguang didn't ask.
As long as the final outcome was good, that was all that mattered.
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