Versatile Sword Cultivator

Chapter 10 – Lin Jichen, the unscrupulous merchant

Wang Jinghao's gaze was icy as he asked, "Are you sure you want to oppose me?"

The short-haired woman glanced at him and said, "The highest bidder wins, we're all free to make our offers. How is that opposition? Just because you're interested in something, does that mean no one else can be?"

"Who bids like you do?"

"How I bid is my business."

"Fine! Very well!" With those cold words, Wang Jinghao turned to leave.

To him, five hundred thousand was a mere trifle, but spending that much on a piece of beginner's equipment, as a scion of a business family, he didn't want to be taken for a fool.

Besides, he had the feeling that even if he was willing to pay five hundred thousand, the other party would continue to raise the price.

"Brother Wang, wait a moment," Lin Jichen suddenly called out to him.

Wang Jinghao turned around, and Lin Jichen said with a look of 'sincerity', "After all, we are friends. If you're willing to pay five hundred thousand, I'll sell the bow to you."

Wang Jinghao was overjoyed and immediately agreed.

The short-haired woman was taken aback and angrily said, "How can you go back on your word? Didn't we agree the highest bidder wins?"

Lin Jichen said apologetically, "Sorry, beautiful, I know Brother Wang. He just helped me out, and I owe him a favor. Please understand."

The short-haired woman clenched her teeth but said no more. After all, from the conversation between Wang Jinghao and Lin Jichen, it was clear they knew each other.

"Brother Lin, I'm definitely making friends with you! Send me your account, and I'll transfer the money right away. Once the money is in, you can hand over the equipment to me."

Wang Jinghao was smiling proudly, feeling that the money was well spent.

"By the way, I have quite a bit of copper coins. Early in the game, a guild like yours must need game currency, right? How about I sell those to you as well?"

Wang Jinghao was even happier, nodding repeatedly and saying, "These copper coins are a godsend. I'll take them and add another fifty thousand."

In reality, the copper coins weren't worth fifty thousand. Wang Jinghao was simply trying to get closer to Lin Jichen.

Lin Jichen didn't waste words and sent his account to him. One of Wang Jinghao's subordinates immediately logged off.

In less than a minute, Lin Jichen's phone received a bank message notification: five hundred and fifty thousand had been transferred into his account.

After getting the money, Lin Jichen handed over the Green Bamboo Snake Bow, over a hundred poison arrows, and more than a hundred copper coins to Wang Jinghao.

Seeing the transaction, the short-haired woman knew she couldn't object and left with a cold face.

Wang Jinghao was very happy and wanted to bond with Lin Jichen as sworn brothers to foster their relationship.

But Lin Jichen excused himself again, leaving Wang Jinghao somewhat disappointed.

He still wanted to ask if Lin Jichen's storage bag was for sale.

Once out of everyone's sight, Lin Jichen followed the direction in which the group of beautiful female players had left.

The stalker's program officially begins... Just kidding.

In the wild boar forest outside the village, Lin Jichen saw the short-haired woman leading her subordinates in leveling up and grinding monsters.

Lin Jichen approached, and they quickly noticed him.

"What are you doing here?" The short-haired woman looked at Lin Jichen with some disgust.

It wasn't because Lin Jichen didn't buy her equipment that she disliked him, but she disdained the way he was chummy with people like Wang Jinghao.

Anyone close to Wang Jinghao was either his lackey or just as crooked.

Such a waste of a good-looking guy! Hmph!

Lin Jichen didn't mind her look and got straight to the point, "Can we talk alone? It'll just take two minutes of your time."

The short-haired woman thought that Lin Jichen had just met Wang Jinghao and was probably deceived by his facade.

With the intention of warning him, she nodded and said, "Let's talk over there."

The two walked aside.

"What is it? Just tell me."

"I have information for you, for five hundred thousand."

Lin Jichen sounded like a shrewd businessman right from the start.

The short-haired woman's expression turned sour as she scoffed, "Are you playing me? What kind of information is worth five hundred thousand?"

"Information that will put your guild ahead of other players. Aren't you curious how I could part with such good equipment?"

Lin Jichen's words made the short-haired woman's expression soften slightly.

"Tell me the information first. If it's worth the price, I'll pay you five hundred thousand."

Lin Jichen didn't even think before refusing, "That won't do. I could sell this information to Wang Jinghao for at least a million."

"How can I trust you without knowing the information?" the short-haired woman retorted.

Lin Jichen played the rogue and turned to leave, "If you don't trust me, forget it. I'll sell it to Wang Jinghao."

"Wait, come back!" The short-haired woman was frustrated but had no choice but to call him back.

She didn't trust Lin Jichen, but she was more afraid that what he said was true and would end up selling it to Wang Jinghao, giving him an advantage.

Lin Jichen was waiting for this. Hearing her call, he immediately turned back, grinning at the woman.

The short-haired woman looked at Lin Jichen's smug face, grinding her teeth in anger.

"If you've deceived me, I'll make sure you understand the consequences of angering the Moon Shadow Guild. Send your account."

Lin Jichen was unfazed and cheerfully sent his account.

Shortly after, his account was credited with another five hundred thousand.

Less than an hour into the game, Lin Jichen had made a million.

If this had been before his rebirth, he would have been excited enough to sing. But now, he wasn't interested in money.

Because once the game merged with reality, real-world money would be worthless.

But for now, he still needed money.

He still owed Ren Lan money. He couldn't really be a gigolo, although he did kind of want to...

"What quest did you take on?" Lin Jichen didn't reveal the information but instead asked the short-haired woman.

The short-haired woman, suppressing her doubts, replied, "The village butcher's quest. We need wild boar meat. Why?"

"Don't do it. Give up that quest."

"Why?"

The short-haired woman stared into Lin Jichen's eyes.

She suspected this guy was sent by Wang Jinghao to trick her.

If that was the case, she would chop him up right now.

"Go to the weapon shop and take on a quest there."

"You can't get any quests at the weapon shop. Who are you trying to fool?"

The short-haired woman retorted, her staff already itching to strike.

"That's because you're not doing it right. The shop owner is forging. You just need to help him operate the bellows for five minutes, and you'll get a quest," Lin Jichen explained.

"Really?" The short-haired woman was skeptical.

"Don't believe me? Send a subordinate to try it out. But be discreet, don't let other players find out, or the information won't be worth anything."

The short-haired woman, half-convinced, called over a beautiful subordinate, who immediately rushed to the village after receiving the order.

Lin Jichen waited with the short-haired woman.

"This information is worth five hundred thousand? You're making money too easily."

The short-haired woman still felt cheated, thinking the quest wasn't worth that much.

Lin Jichen smiled and said, "The quest itself isn't worth much, but the reward is very valuable."

He took out the letter, and the short-haired woman exclaimed in surprise, "This is... a sect invitation?"

Lin Jichen nodded, "That's right. Only with this can you find out where the sect is and be admitted."

"So doing these wild boar quests is useless. They'll only reward you with copper coins and cultivation."

The short-haired woman was puzzled, "Aren't copper coins and cultivation also important?"

Lin Jichen stretched lazily and replied, "Cultivation is indeed important, but you can get much more from sect quests, and there are many ways to increase cultivation. As for copper coins, they're just currency for mundane transactions. What's truly valuable are Spirit Stones."

The short-haired woman was slightly taken aback by the news.

"How do you know all this?"

"That's none of your concern. Just tell me if the information is worth five hundred thousand."

The short-haired woman thought for a moment and honestly replied, "If what you say is true, it's definitely worth the price."