Chapter 12: What a Magnificent Patron!

“You want to buy everything?” The burly man wondered if he’d heard correctly.

“Yes, is that a problem?” Wang Chen thought to himself, If I don’t buy them soon, you’ll dig out every long-forgotten trinket your ancestors ever owned.

“No problem at all, sir! You truly have an eye for treasures!” the man rumbled.

“I much prefer you when you’re this eloquent,” Wang Chen replied with a sly smile.

“Certainly, my good sir! I’ll tally up the total right away!” The man’s face lit up in fawning delight.

“The boots and bracelet are one hundred forty thousand, the longsword and shield are one hundred sixty thousand. I’ll even throw in complimentary delivery, just for you!”

“That won’t be necessary.” A white gleam flickered at Wang Chen’s fingertip.

He promptly tossed the card he’d swindled from Cai Kun to the big man, and, in a flash, stowed all four pieces of equipment into his ring.

“Pleasure doing business!” Wang Chen turned to leave.

“Of course! Take care, sir!” The burly man fondled the card with glee, then fished out his phone and sent a message: “Easy marks with deep pockets here, come quick!”

Task complete, he planted two triumphant kisses on the card. Suddenly, a thought struck him.

“Wait a minute, that guy just used a storage ring, didn’t he? He can’t be short on money—so why buy such cheap junk?”

“Could it be… just a rich man’s quirk?” The man mused, his mind turning.

He resolved to pick up a heap of low-grade goods wholesale after closing up shop, hoping to make a windfall.

Sometimes, misfortune isn’t caused by butterfly powder—it’s born of greed.

…

Wang Chen was no fool.

The bronze equipment he’d chosen came at a bargain price.

Therefore—

He intended, after using the system’s reversal ability, to profit from the difference.

Next,

Wang Chen slipped into a secluded alley and summoned the system.

“Traitor, reverse these items for me!”

[Reversal effect activated. Please inspect the results. Reversal can be undone to restore the original effect.]

[Swift Boots]

[Type: Footwear]

[Level Requirement: 7]

[Durability: 30/30]

[Effect: +10 Agility when equipped]

[Additional Skill: When facing a lethal threat, slows the pursuing target three times!]

“This is practically the perfect escape tool. Compared to the original, which only offered a modest speed boost, slowing an enemy at a critical moment is far more useful. The only drawback is the high threshold for activation—it only triggers with a lethal threat.”

Still, for the price he’d paid, Wang Chen was more than satisfied.

He continued examining the rest of the equipment.

Time was short, so he focused only on the new additional skills.

[Swift Bracelet]

[Additional Skill: When activated, reduces the opponent’s attack speed!]

[Watershade Sword]

[Additional Skill: Offers some ability to penetrate water-element defenses.]

[Watershade Shield]

[Additional Skill: Provides a certain chance to negate attacks from water-element sources.]

“Not bad—these pieces are sure to fetch a handsome price!”

Next,

Wang Chen emerged from the alley and made his way to the trading street, heading straight for the largest exchange house in Luzhou.

“Hello, I’d like to sell some equipment,” he said to the clerk at the counter.

The clerk had straightened up at the sight of a customer, but upon seeing Wang Chen’s plain attire, her interest visibly waned. She barely looked at him.

“Take a number. Come back when you’re called,” she said, fussing with her nails.

The largest exchange house used number tickets during busy periods to keep things orderly. But today, the place was far from busy.

Wang Chen had noticed this particular window had been idle for quite a while before approaching.

As he observed the lethargic clerk, he understood at once—he was being dismissed simply for his appearance. Truly, the world respects the robe before the man.

He said nothing more.

Instead, he walked to the next window.

This clerk was at least polite—perhaps not enthusiastic, but she didn’t speak to him with icy disdain.

“Sir, what equipment would you like to sell?” she asked, her professional smile fixed in place.

Wang Chen smiled faintly. With a flick of his finger, a pile of equipment landed on the counter.

The clerk’s practiced smile froze. Her eyes widened at the sight.

“Sir… all of this is for sale?”

“Yes. Please hurry,” Wang Chen replied coolly.

“My apologies, just a moment!” The clerk immediately left her seat and hurried into the office behind her.

Moments later,

A portly man with a side part emerged from behind the counter. The moment he saw Wang Chen, he plastered on a dazzling smile—far brighter than the clerk’s earlier mask.

“Sir, may I have your name?” he asked.

“My surname is Wang.”

“Mr. Wang!” The man shook his hand warmly. “I’m Liu, the manager here.”

“It’s an honor to have a client like you, Mr. Wang. Forgive us if our reception was lacking.” With a gracious gesture toward the inner hall, he invited, “Please, allow me to show you to our VIP lounge for the transaction.”

Wang Chen had no objection and allowed himself to be led away.

…

Inside the VIP lounge, the décor was opulent. By a fireplace of stacked volcanic rock, two lush broadleaf plants stood in elegant pots.

A solid wood coffee table sat before a genuine leather sofa, and a cup of fragrant tea, freshly steeped, awaited Wang Chen.

The tea’s color was rich and inviting.

Wang Chen lifted the fine bone china cup for a sip.

On a large round table nearby, all the equipment Wang Chen wished to sell was spread out. Manager Liu and the clerk were busily tallying the items.

After a brief, whispered exchange, Manager Liu approached, beaming.

“Mr. Wang, you have four bronze items here, all with additional skills. We’re prepared to offer you—”

Wang Chen cut him off, suddenly remembering the surplus gear and skill book he’d acquired while leveling.

With a flick of his finger, a water-element skill book and an Iron Lizard Dagger landed on the table. “Almost forgot—add these as well.”

“Of course!” Manager Liu’s heart skipped a beat.

The bronze equipment, each with impressive added skills, was already highly valuable. He hadn’t expected Wang Chen to produce more.

As he examined the two new items, Manager Liu was taken aback.

“This is a silver-grade weapon, and it comes with an exceptional assassin’s skill!”

He looked at Wang Chen with new respect—clearly, this was a distinguished client.

“With these two items included, we’re prepared to offer you five million Tianlong coins,” he declared.

He instructed the clerk to fetch the funds, and produced a black card from his inner pocket.

“This is our exchange’s VIP black card, Mr. Wang. It comes with a credit limit of one million. We hope you’ll do business with us again.”

“I’ll gladly accept.” Wang Chen took the black card.

He left the VIP lounge with Manager Liu.

After receiving a card loaded with five million from the clerk, Wang Chen, still pressed for time, politely declined Manager Liu’s invitation to stay, and departed.