Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 148 Enough said, let's make money!

The two left the hustle and bustle of the central square and returned to the surrounding area of ​​stalls, which were filled with all sorts of people.

The atmosphere here is completely different from that in the central area.

There weren't many powerful experts; there were mostly independent cultivators and small merchants.

The things they sell are all kinds of things, and it's hard to tell if they're genuine or fake; they're full of the atmosphere of a rough and tumble gangster.

"What are we doing here?" Su Yuan asked curiously.

"Find an opportunity," Chen Ye said succinctly.

As he walked, he carefully scanned each stall with his Asura Eye.

He wants to stick to his old ways: finding bargains.

Although I walked around yesterday without finding much, there are even more people today, so maybe something new will appear.

Unfortunately, he was soon disappointed.

He carefully examined dozens of stalls. Although he found a few items that seemed good and contained an energy aura, the stall owners were all as shrewd as monkeys, holding firm on their prices and not giving him a chance to bargain.

Moreover, even if the other party were willing to sell it cheaply, he still couldn't afford it now.

"Ugh……."

Chen Ye sighed inwardly, feeling the embarrassment of being broke once again.

Having eyes that can see through treasures but lacking the means to buy them is incredibly frustrating.

"What are you looking for?" Su Yuan couldn't help but ask when she saw him staring at a pile of scrap metal.

"I'm looking for something that can be exchanged for money," Chen Ye replied casually.

"What money can you get for this junk?" Su Yuan asked, puzzled.

Just then, Chen Ye stopped in front of a stall selling various monster materials.

The stall was huge, with a massive animal hide spread out on the ground, covered with the bones, fur, teeth, and inner cores of various demonic beasts.

The stall owner was a burly man with a face full of scars, and he carried a strong smell of blood. He was clearly a ruthless character who had been fighting in the mountains for many years.

Chen Ye's gaze was drawn to a palm-sized, jet-black scale in the corner of the stall.

Under the Asura's Eye, inside that scale, there lingered an extremely pure and chilling aura of energy, of higher quality than all the other materials on the stall combined.

"What is this scale from?" Chen Ye asked, pointing to the scale.

The burly stall owner glanced up at him, and seeing that he was just a teenager dressed plainly, he said lazily, "The scales of the Blackwater Serpent are incredibly hard and are excellent materials for making armor. What, young brother, would you like to buy some?"

"How much?" Chen Ye asked calmly.

"One hundred taels of silver, no bargaining," the stall owner casually quoted.

Chen Ye frowned.

He can't afford one hundred taels right now.

Moreover, he knew very well that the stall owner was definitely unaware of the value of the item; otherwise, the scale would be worth far more than a hundred taels.

He had heard of the Blackwater Serpent; it was a powerful demonic beast that lived in cold, dark waters, and its strength after adulthood was comparable to that of a cultivator at the Sea Condensation Realm.

The energy contained in this scale far exceeds that of an ordinary Blackwater Serpent, and it is very likely that it fell from a mutated serpent king, or one with a purer bloodline.

Therefore, its true value is at least five hundred taels or more.

The problem is, he has no money.

"Too expensive." Chen Ye shook his head and prepared to leave.

"If you think it's too expensive, don't ask." The stall owner waved his hand impatiently.

Chen Ye turned and left, but his mind was racing with calculations.

He had to find a way to get his hands on this scale, because it was the only potential bargain he had seen all day.

"Hey, you've got your eye on that broken scale?" Su Yuan caught up and asked curiously.

"Ah."

"Then why don't you buy it?"

"I have no money," Chen Ye replied curtly.

Su Yuan blinked, then suddenly said with a grin, "I'll lend it to you."

Chen Ye paused, turning back to look at her with some surprise.

"Are you rich?"

"Of course!" Su Yuan patted her little purse proudly. "When I left, my master gave me a lot of money."

Chen Ye looked at her smug expression and felt speechless.

Is this the difference between sect disciples and independent cultivators?

He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "No need."

He disliked owing favors to others, especially to a strange and enchanting woman like Su Yuan, who knew what odd conditions she might propose.

"Why not?" Su Yuan looked at him, puzzled. "Aren't we friends? Isn't it natural for friends to help each other?"

"I don't like borrowing money either!" After saying that, Chen Ye continued to wander around aimlessly.

Seeing this, Su Yuan pursed her lips, but did not insist any further.

Chen Ye's mind was preoccupied with the scale of the Black Water Serpent.

Directly robbing is definitely not an option. Putting aside whether we could beat that burly stall owner, even if we could, making a move in Qingzhou Prefecture would be tantamount to courting death.

Are we just going to watch our precious child slip away right before our eyes?
Chen Ye was very unwilling.

Just when he was at his wit's end, he suddenly stopped because he remembered the cubicle he had seen on the second floor yesterday. So he turned around and walked towards the second floor of the central square.

Su Yuan followed behind, unaware of what was going on.

After arriving on the second floor, Chen Ye went to a private room.

The words on the wooden board at the entrance still read: "Seeking to purchase all ancient books, insights, and secrets related to swordsmanship. Price negotiable."

What Chen Ye lacks most right now is money, and the most valuable thing he has, besides the long sword he is currently nurturing, is probably the knowledge of swordsmanship in his mind.

Although his Needle Blade Technique was only a basic sword technique, after being enhanced by the Asura Blade class and through his own comprehension, it was far beyond the reach of ordinary sword techniques.

Moreover, Chen Ye was not worried that this thing would be leaked and cause him harm, because the reason why the Needle Blade Technique could be so powerful in his hands was mainly because he had the blessing of the Asura Eye, which allowed him to see the opponent's weaknesses and flaws at a glance.

Without this, even if you know the principles of knife techniques, it's useless.

So if I were to exchange these things with that Mad Swordsman, I wonder if he would be interested?
Thinking of this, Chen Ye glanced at the tightly closed door, then without hesitation, walked forward and knocked on the door.

Beneath, bee, bee.

"Who is it?" A hoarse and deep voice came from inside the door.

The voice carried a sharpness that seemed capable of slicing through the air.

Chen Ye felt a chill run down his spine, realizing he had come to the right place.

The sword intent contained in that voice alone is enough to prove that the owner of this house is definitely a powerful expert who has been immersed in the way of the sword for many years.

"I have some secrets about swordsmanship that I would like to trade with you," Chen Ye said in a deep voice, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

There was a moment of silence inside the door.

"Come in."

With a creak, the door opened automatically.

Chen Ye turned and glanced at Su Yuan: "You wait for me here."

"Oh." Su Yuan nodded obediently, her big eyes filled with curiosity, wondering what Chen Ye was up to.

Chen Ye straightened his clothes and stepped into the cubicle.

The room was dimly lit and simply furnished with only a table and two chairs.

A tall, middle-aged man dressed in black was wiping a long knife lying across the table.

The knife is about four feet long, with a wide blade and a bright red color, as if flames are flowing within it.

Even just looking at him, Chen Ye could feel a scorching and domineering aura emanating from him.

It is clearly a weapon of extremely high quality.

Chen Ye's gaze fell on the man.

This was a figure as imposing as a mountain; simply sitting there gave off an unshakeable sense of oppression.

His aura clearly indicated that he was also a master of the Sea Condensation Realm, and a top-tier one at that.

"Sit." The Mad Swordsman didn't look up, but simply said one word.

Chen Ye sat down in the chair opposite him as instructed. "You said there were secrets about swordsmanship?" the Mad Swordsman asked, meticulously wiping the blade with a piece of deerskin.

His movements were slow and focused, as if the knife was his entire world.

"Yes." Chen Ye nodded.

"Tell me about it," the Mad Swordsman said calmly. "If your information satisfies me, the price is negotiable."

Chen Ye pondered for a moment before speaking, "I have a sword technique called Needle Point, which emphasizes breaking through the surface with a single point, concentrating all the strength of the body into a single point at the tip of the blade to achieve the ultimate penetrating power."

The Mad Swordsman paused slightly as he wiped the blade.

"Using a specific point to break the whole picture? That's interesting. Go on."

Chen Ye then briefly explained his understanding of the Needle Blade Technique and some of his cultivation insights.

He explained it in great detail, from how to channel his energy, to how to exert force, and how to combine sword intent with sword techniques, without holding back a single word.

Of course, he omitted the bonuses that the Asura class of Killer Blade provides to swordsmanship, only saying that it was his own insight.

For a moment, only Chen Ye's steady narration could be heard in the cubicle.

The Mad Swordsman never looked up, but Chen Ye could sense a slight fluctuation in his aura.

Clearly, his words piqued the other party's interest.

After a long while, Chen Ye finished speaking.

He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and waited quietly for the other person's reaction.

"Your swordsmanship, although somewhat unorthodox, does have its unique aspects."

Finally, the Mad Swordsman spoke, and then slowly raised his head.

Chen Ye then got a clear look at his face.

He had a weathered, square face, thick eyebrows that slanted upwards towards his temples, and sharp, piercing eyes. A menacing scar ran from the corner of his eye to the corner of his mouth, giving him an air of fierceness.

"Did you create this sword technique yourself?" Mad Swordsman stared at Chen Ye and asked.

"Yes," Chen Ye replied without changing his expression.

A hint of surprise flashed in the Mad Swordsman's eyes.

He could tell that Chen Ye was not very old, at most twenty years old.

To be able to create such an imaginative sword technique at such a young age and to comprehend it to this extent is truly astonishing.

"Not bad." The Mad Swordsman nodded, acknowledging Chen Ye's value.

"What do you want?" he asked directly.

Chen Ye was overjoyed, knowing there was a chance.

"I need money."

Chen Ye didn't mention a specific price because he wanted to see how much the other party was willing to pay.

Upon hearing this, the Mad Swordsman raised an eyebrow.

He hadn't expected the boy to be so direct, but he still nodded. "Alright, your swordsmanship is a bit extreme, but it's a good idea and it's helpful to me. I can give you five hundred taels."

Chen Ye's eyes lit up.

To be honest, he didn't expect to make so much money, so he was quite delighted.

"But I have a condition!"

"What conditions?"

"Let's spar a move."

Without waiting for Chen Ye's agreement, the mad swordsman grabbed a pen from the table and, using it as a weapon, stabbed it straight at Chen Ye's forehead.

Although it was just an ordinary, worn-out pen, in Chen Ye's eyes it seemed like a giant sword that could split the heavens and the earth, heading straight for him.

Even before the knife arrived, the area between his eyebrows was already stinging painfully, and he even felt as if his entire being, including his soul, had been cleaved in two.

Faced with this earth-shattering strike, Chen Ye remained calm despite the shock. He instantly activated the Eye of Asura, took three steps back, drew his sword, and thrust forward!
A cold, sharp glint of light flashed across the room, and then the Mad Swordsman's surging, boundless sword intent burst forth like a ball pierced by a needle.

Not only that, several brush bristles flew off, clearly injured by the blade.

The Mad Swordsman's eyes lit up, and then the way he looked at Chen Ye changed.

You see, he has been immersed in the art of swordsmanship for decades and feels that he has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. However, he has recently hit a bottleneck, so he set up a stall here, hoping to learn from the strengths of swordsmanship from all over the world, and finally break through the bottleneck and enter another vast world.

As a result, most of the swordsmen he encountered in the past few days were mediocre; some couldn't even withstand his attacks, let alone keep up with his own momentum.

This greatly disappointed him, making him believe that the swordsmanship had indeed declined, falling far short of the flourishing swordsmanship, and even compared to other schools.

Until today, when I met Chen Ye, the first thing that struck me was his swordsmanship, which was quite refreshing. You know, swordsmanship has always been about wide, sweeping movements, slashing and chopping, with very little use of thrusting. This is more like the training method of sword cultivators.

That's why he was so eager to test whether Chen Ye had truly mastered the art or was just spouting empty talk.

The result was quite unexpected for him. Although he was not injured, cutting off a few pens was tantamount to proving that he had lost.

After all, he was at the Sea Condensation Realm, while the other party was only at the Unobstructed Realm, and the difference in their realms was enormous.

But even under these circumstances, the opponent not only did not back down, but also successfully counterattacked and killed them, which is enough to prove that the opponent's swordsmanship is indeed amazing.

"Excellent, excellent swordsmanship!" the Mad Swordsman couldn't help but exclaim.

At the same time, Chen Ye remained unmoved, holding his long sword and coldly saying, "You attacked without asking any questions. Is this the behavior of a swordsman?"

The Mad Swordsman blushed and finally said somewhat embarrassedly, "I'm sorry, I'm just too obsessed with swordsmanship. Seeing how amazing you were, I wanted to try it out. I was wrong this time. To express my apology, I'm willing to give you another five hundred taels as compensation, making it a thousand taels in total. What do you think?"

To be honest, Chen Ye was indeed very angry just now. Even though he didn't sense any killing intent from the Mad Swordsman, the fact that the other party attacked without asking any questions was really disrespectful.

But upon hearing that he would be given an extra five hundred taels, his anger quickly vanished.

If he had known that one cut was worth five hundred taels, he would have wished the other party would cut him a few more times.

Seeing Chen Ye remain silent, the Mad Swordsman handed over a money pouch without saying a word. "Silver is too heavy. This contains gold of equal value, more than enough. Are you satisfied?"

Chen Ye picked up the money pouch and weighed it in his hand. His expression softened considerably. He then clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Thank you."

"Haha, no need to thank me. You deserve it. After all, I witnessed a sword technique I admired today, which will greatly help my future breakthroughs. So, if anyone should be thanking someone, it should be me thanking you," the Mad Swordsman said excitedly.

Looking at the man with a face full of sincerity and fervor, Chen Ye realized that the man's nickname was indeed accurate; he was truly a man obsessed with knives.

However, dealing with such people is relatively reassuring because they are often not very cunning.

"Senior, you're welcome."

"Hey, don't call me senior, just call me Lao Xue." Mad Swordsman clearly admired Chen Ye, so he said directly.

"Then thank you very much, Brother Xue."

"Hahaha, good!" the Mad Swordsman said with a smile.

He wasn't just pretending to be generous; he genuinely valued Chen Ye highly. After all, to create such a sword technique at such a young age, and even hold his own against him in a single exchange, meant that if Chen Ye didn't perish, his future achievements would be limitless.

At this time, cultivating good relationships only costs a little money, making it an extremely profitable business.

Meanwhile, Su Yuan was anxiously waiting outside the cubicle, which was designed to prevent prying eyes, so she had no idea what was happening inside, which made her somewhat irritated.

Just then, the cubicle door opened, and a rugged-looking man with scars on his face was chatting very warmly with Chen Ye and then escorted Chen Ye out.

"Brother Xue, please go back," Chen Ye said.

"Alright, Brother Chen, if you ever need anything in the future, feel free to come to me anytime. I, Old Xue, still have some influence in Qingzhou," the Mad Swordsman said with a smile.

"must!"

After bidding farewell to the Mad Swordsman, Chen Ye pulled a bewildered Su Yuan out of the second floor. Once outside, Su Yuan couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"

Chen Ye gave a brief account of what happened.

Su Yuan couldn't help but widen her eyes, "So you earned a thousand taels of silver just like that?"

Chen Ye nodded.

"So this money is so easy to make?" Su Yuan murmured.

Chen Ye: "..."

This time, earning a thousand taels was due to a combination of factors. First, this mad swordsman was obviously not short of money. Second, he was obsessed with swords and extremely passionate about swordsmanship. At the same time, he was not very cunning, which made him able to make such a big deal.

Such opportunities are rare and hard to come by, so Chen Ye didn't bother explaining to Su Yuan and went straight to the stall that sold monster materials.

The burly stall owner with a face full of scars was dozing off in his chair.

"Boss." Chen Ye tapped on his desk.

The burly man opened his eyes impatiently: "What? I said it's not cheap. If you don't have the money, then don't..."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Ye threw a money bag onto his stall.

"I'll buy that stuff you just bought!"

(End of this chapter)