"Young Master Zhang, are you only buying this broken sword?" Qin Ya walked over to Zhang Ruochen, her voluptuous body nearly pressing against him, exuding an alluring fragrance.
Zhang Ruochen snapped out of his reverie from his past life. As soon as he looked up, he saw a large expanse of Qin Ya's snowy white skin exposed at her chest. Though clothed, it still appeared incredibly seductive.
His eyes narrowed, and his heart raced wildly. He quickly pinched his fingertips and forced his gaze away, focusing instead on the swords hanging on the wall.
Composing himself, Zhang Ruochen pointed to a sapphire-colored battle sword and asked, "Madam, what grade is that sword?"
Qin Ya's eyes flickered with disappointment once again as she said, "That's a fourth-tier True Martial Treasure Weapon called the Flash Soul Sword. The blade is engraved with fourteen inscriptions: four strength inscriptions, four ice inscriptions, four lightning inscriptions, and two light inscriptions. In other words, it possesses three special attributes—ice, lightning, and light."
Typically, a first-tier True Martial Treasure Weapon only has one inscription.
Only when the number of inscriptions reaches ten or more can it be classified as a fourth-tier True Martial Treasure Weapon.
The more inscriptions a True Martial Treasure Weapon has, the more powerful it becomes. Furthermore, depending on the inscriptions' attributes, the weapon will suit different types of martial artists.
For example, a martial artist with a Fiery Divine Martial Seal will naturally have fire-infused true energy, allowing them to wield a fire-attribute True Martial Treasure Weapon to its fullest potential.
"How much?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"Thirty thousand silver coins," Qin Ya replied.
"Alright, I'll take it!"
Zhang Ruochen grabbed both the Flash Soul Sword and the Chenyuan Ancient Sword and swiftly headed for the exit of the armory, as if fleeing.
It was simply too dangerous to stay alone with this alluring madam, and even Zhang Ruochen found it difficult to resist.
After all, he had already reclaimed the Chenyuan Ancient Sword. Any other True Martial Treasure Weapon would be enough for him at his current stage.
"He ran off quickly, didn't he? Haha, but you think you can escape from my grasp that easily? There's plenty of fun to be had in the future!" Qin Ya grinned coquettishly, her interest in Zhang Ruochen growing even stronger.
...
While Zhang Ruochen and Qin Ya were in the armory, an older shopkeeper from Qingxuan Pavilion led a man and a woman to the armory's entrance.
The man and woman seemed to be of noble standing, as the elderly shopkeeper bowed slightly to them, smiling obsequiously.
The young man was none other than Zhang Ruochen's eighth brother, the Eighth Prince of Yunwu Commandery, Zhang Ji.
The woman accompanying Zhang Ji was none other than Shan Xiangling, one of the Four Great Beauties of Yunwu Commandery and the beloved daughter of the master of Chiyun Sect.
Shan Xiangling exuded an air of elegance, like a fresh lily. She appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with bright eyes and a graceful figure. Wherever she went, she undoubtedly became the center of attention.
The Eighth Prince smiled and said, "Mother instructed me to take good care of you on your first visit to the capital. Qingxuan Pavilion is one of the largest shops in the Martial Market. If you fancy any weapon, just let me know."
The Eighth Prince's mother, Consort Xiao, had once been a disciple of Chiyun Sect and was the younger martial sister of Shan Xiangling's father.
This was why the Eighth Prince addressed Shan Xiangling as his junior martial sister.
Shan Xiangling smiled gently. "Thank you, Your Highness! Actually, my main reason for coming to the capital this time is to meet some of the brilliant young talents, especially the first genius of Yunwu Commandery, the Seventh Prince. I've heard his name many times and deeply admire him. Many of the female disciples in Chiyun Sect adore him, but it's been difficult for us to even catch a glimpse of him."
The Eighth Prince replied, "If Seventh Brother were in the capital, I could easily help fulfill that wish. Unfortunately, you came at the wrong time, and Seventh Brother isn't in the city."
A hint of disappointment appeared in Shan Xiangling's eyes. "I thought the royal year-end assessment was one of the grandest events, second only to the sacrificial ceremony. Will the Seventh Prince not return for that either?"
The Eighth Prince chuckled. "Seventh Brother won first place in the year-end assessment when he was just ten years old. Do you think the assessment still holds any value for him? However, it is a grand event nonetheless, and only royal family members and nobles under twenty can participate. Seventh Brother may still return for it. If you wish to watch the event, I can certainly get you an invitation."
"Thank you once again, Your Highness!" Shan Xiangling said with a smile.
While they were conversing, the elderly shopkeeper approached Hanzi and asked, "Hanzi, who went into the armory? Why is the door closed?"
Hanzi's expression was somewhat odd as he whispered, "It's the madam and a young man."
Hearing this, the shopkeeper was startled and sucked in a cold breath, muttering, "The madam... Let's hope this doesn't end with a dead body."
Both the Eighth Prince and Shan Xiangling overheard this exchange.
Shan Xiangling asked in surprise, "Does Qingxuan Pavilion resort to murder and theft?"
The Eighth Prince shook his head. "Not exactly. It's just that there are many rumors about the madam of Qingxuan Pavilion. She's said to be exceptionally beautiful, and any man who sees her inevitably falls under her spell."
"There are also rumors that she is ruthless and cruel, with many men having met their end at her hands."
"Some even claim that the madam is quite wanton and has kept many men as lovers. She supposedly enjoys torturing them, with many losing their hands or even their eyes to her."
"Of course, these are just rumors. I've never met the madam myself, so I can't say for sure what kind of woman she truly is."
After hearing the Eighth Prince's words, Shan Xiangling's impression of the madam soured considerably.
In broad daylight, alone with a man in the armory, and with the doors closed—it was clear what was going on.
The madam was definitely not a decent woman. And the man who went in with her? Well, that was disgusting too.
Suddenly, the door to the armory swung open, and Zhang Ruochen walked out holding two swords. He spotted the Eighth Prince in the distance, his expression showing a hint of surprise.
The Eighth Prince also looked slightly taken aback upon seeing Zhang Ruochen but quickly recovered, his gaze turning cold. "Ninth Brother, what are you doing here in Qingxuan Pavilion? This isn't a place for you!"
Upon hearing the Eighth Prince address Zhang Ruochen as his brother, both Hanzi and the elderly shopkeeper were startled. It turned out that this young master was none other than the Ninth Prince of Yunwu Commandery.
At the same time, they both breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the madam hadn't done anything to him. If something had happened to the Ninth Prince in Qingxuan Pavilion, the shop would be shut down by tomorrow.
Shan Xiangling had also heard rumors about the Ninth Prince, mainly that he was the only one among the nine princes who had failed to awaken his Martial Soul, rendering him useless.
She hadn't bothered to learn more, so she didn't know that Zhang Ruochen had recently awakened his Martial Soul.
But what was a useless prince like him doing coming out of the armory?
Could it be...
Recalling the Eighth Prince's words from earlier, Shan Xiangling glanced at Zhang Ruochen again, her eyes now filled with disdain.
Zhang Ruochen frowned, clearly displeased. "If you can come to Qingxuan Pavilion, why can't I?"
The Eighth Prince sneered. "I'm here to buy weapons. What about you? Can you even afford a True Martial Treasure Weapon? Where did you get those two swords from?"
Zhang Ruochen found the Eighth Prince's accusations absurd and retorted, "You're overstepping your bounds. Even if I picked these swords off the ground, that's none of your concern."
"Hold it right there!" the Eighth Prince barked. "With your lack of talent, you should stay in the palace where you belong and stop doing shameful things outside. Otherwise, I'll personally break your legs in Father's name."
Zhang Ruochen had no idea what the Eighth Prince was going on about and shot back, "Do you think you can?"
The Eighth Prince was momentarily stunned but then burst into laughter.
He clapped his hands together and cracked his knuckles. "Ninth Brother! Today, I'll show you what real strength is!"
Zhang Ruochen stood firm, his gaze calm, as his fingers clenched into a fist. The true energy in his body began to circulate through his six meridians.
If it's a fight he wants, then so be it!
"Haha! Your Highness, what's going on here? This is Qingxuan Pavilion, not the royal palace. The Ninth Prince is a distinguished guest of Qingxuan Pavilion. If anyone dares to lay a hand on him here, I'll have to step in," Qin Ya emerged from the armory with a charming smile on her face.
The Eighth Prince's eyes flickered with admiration upon seeing Qin Ya, and his heart skipped a beat.
Had it not been for Shan Xiangling standing beside him, keeping him on edge, he would not have been able to maintain his composure in front of such a captivating woman.
The Eighth Prince averted his gaze and shot Zhang Ruochen a cold glare. "You've brought shame upon the royal family!"
In the Eighth Prince's mind, Zhang Ruochen couldn't possibly afford the two swords he was holding. He must have seduced Qingxuan Pavilion's madam to get them in exchange for physical favors.
Selling his body for martial resources? What a disgrace!
Shan Xiangling's thoughts mirrored the Eighth Prince's.
"Alas! Both sons of Yunwu Commandery's king, yet why is one the unrivaled prodigy Seventh Prince, while the other has sunk so low as to become a plaything for a debauched woman? One is a dragon among clouds, the other a worm in the mud," Shan Xiangling thought to herself, shaking her head in disappointment as she looked at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen had no clue what the Eighth Prince was talking about. He had nothing to be ashamed of and had no interest in arguing further. He simply carried his two swords and headed toward the outer courtyard of Qingxuan Pavilion.
Qin Ya, ever perceptive, seemed to understand what the Eighth Prince and Shan Xiangling were thinking. Her lips curled into a sly smile, and she called out, "Ninth Prince, be sure to come back often! I'll make sure to take good care of you! And if you ever need more resources for your cultivation, feel free to come to me anytime! Haha!"