After finishing his conversation with Old Man Ming, Taf's mind was filled with thoughts of what lay ahead.
"The road of a cultivator is not easy, after all. If only a few people are selected yearly, the odds are not in my favor," Taf wryly laughed as he sought the funny side of his plight. "How can you give up on anything you want due to a mere setback? Even if I am not seen as worthy, there must be another means to gain strength when the cultivators descend. Who says a mortal can't become as strong as those so-called cultivators?"
As Taf pondered, he still did not lose sight of his surroundings, bustling with excitement and intrigue.
The streets were flooded with merchants, some with store doors opened, while others were more mobile, with stalls packed with varying items for sale. This was all in hopes of grabbing the attention of the numerous prospective customers who window-shopped in sheer delight. These events frequently occurred in the city, so he was familiar with this scene.
Still, Taf knew he was a walking target, and complacency might lead to an early visit to the morgue as his enemies fought to dig his grave. Therefore, his eyes scoured all corners and alleys to remain inconspicuous.
With this being such a well-attended event, he knew this was a perfect time for the city's gangs to conduct their sinister acts. There were far too many targets for extortion. They weren't averse to threatening merchants to pay protection fees against vandals. The irony behind this was that they were the vandals, and if their fees were not paid or they felt shortchanged, Mr or Miss Merchant would find a pile of ashes as the remains of their once-prominent business.
Still, excitement filled the narrow streets as all merchants sought to outdo their rivals.
"Haha! You dare to show that fine lady counterfeit glass as fine jewelry, Madam! Behold the Bonita Diamond necklace, an item so rare that only a few had even seen its existence," a Jeweler exclaimed, hoping to garner a woman's attention close by. She marveled at a diamond showcased by one of his fierce competitors.
"Pretty lady, do you want to look like royalty and have all the young fellows marvel at your beauty? Come in and get a makeover. Visit our clothing store next door, where we will show you the finest clothes within one thousand miles. Come, do not be shy," a female owner of a boutique tried to enchant another patron.
All over the streets, store owners and stall merchants were trying to get the attention of the streams of potential customers, who walked past the stores with wondering eyes and ears.
Then Taf's attention was suddenly piqued when he heard a commotion at a health, strength, and body store. He knew this store belonged to Mr Lou, a man similar in age to Mr Ming. Their ages were not the only thing they had in common, however.
"Are you serious? This will help me recover from my bad back in several nights?" asked an anxious middle-aged man.
"Yes, indeed it will. My dear friend, you underestimate this elixir of mine. I stated that minutes after ingesting, all back ailments would cease. Buy our patented Back Pain Begone and see the results in minutes. Do you not believe my words? Seeing is believing. Come buy a bottle and allow the crowd to observe its wondrous effects," Mr Lou persuaded as he eyed the intrigued crowd.
Still, the prospective patron was evidently apprehensive, gingerly making his way over before taking the bottle.
Three silver coins were paid before he looked at the man selling the elixir and said, "So if this has no effect, I get my money back, right?"
"Of course, you will get your money back if you're unsatisfied with the results," Mr Lou once more encouraged.
The crowd looked on expectantly as the man drank the small bottle of liquid. He waited for two to three minutes without moving, keeping the crowd in suspense. An impatient observer shouted out, "Does the damn thing work or not? Stop being dramatic and tell us!" His words were heard by the man, yet he acted obviously to the anxious fellow.
Soon, his previous awful posture became altered. His back straightened robustly, and a smile gathered on his face.
"Oh! Oh! I'm healed. My God, there is no pain anymore. I feel rejuvenated, and my back feels like I'm back in my youth. It does indeed work; It's a miracle. I've been to doctor after doctor, who said nothing could be done. Thank you! Thank you! You're a saint of a man," the man went down on his knees, kissing Lou's boot, who had sold the elixir.
Seeing the result, Mr Lou then looked at the growing crowd with his sincerest of smiles and responded, "I am just a humble man, selling a product to the benefit of my fellow citizens at a price that offers the meagrest of profits. Does anyone want one?"
"I do! I want two!" shouted an eager watcher. "I also want three. This would help me in my after-hours activities," another man cheekily uttered, giving his wife a knowing glance. Having gathered the crowd's attention, Mr Lou displayed a pitiful look as he responded, "I am both ashamed and awed at everyone's willingness to buy, but unfortunately, the quantity of the product seems to be limited.
Therefore, my apologies as we seem to have an issue with the supply and demand."