"Ninth Prince, there are only two seventh-rank True Martial Artifact-level refining furnaces in all of Yunwu Commandery. One is in the possession of the Inscription Guild's president, and the other is the one before you," Qin Ya said, leading Zhang Ruochen into the weaponry vault, where a massive bronze furnace over three meters tall stood.
This time, they weren't alone; Ninth Princess, Dan Xiangling, and Mo Hanlin were also present.
Zhang Ruochen observed the large furnace, nodding in satisfaction. "This bronze furnace is perfect. It must be expensive, right?"
If it weren't costly, it would have already been bought by another refiner.
Qin Ya smiled slightly. "Of course, it's extremely expensive. I've told other refiners the price starts at two million silver coins. But since it's for the Ninth Prince, I'll offer it at half price—one million silver coins. No less."
"One million silver coins? That's outrageous! Are you robbing us?" Ninth Princess, who had a poor impression of Qin Ya, said with displeasure.
Dan Xiangling was also shocked. The entire Chi Cloud Sect's annual revenue was around five hundred thousand silver coins. For a single furnace to cost a million was astonishing.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "It's not expensive. In fact, it's quite reasonable. A seventh-rank True Martial Weapon typically starts at one million silver coins. A refining furnace of this level is even more expensive, often around two million. Madam, aren't you worried about losing money?"
Qin Ya's eyes gleamed as she replied, "No amount of silver can fill the void within. If the Ninth Prince were to spend a night with me, this furnace would be yours for free."
Zhang Ruochen coughed awkwardly and said, "I will raise the one million silver coins as soon as possible. I hope you can hold onto the furnace for me in the meantime. I'll take my leave."
He quickly walked out of the vault as if fleeing.
Ninth Princess caught up to him. "Ninth Brother, are you really going to buy that furnace? One million silver coins is not a small sum. Even though the royal family provides monthly allowances to princes and princesses, there's no way to gather such a large amount."
"I receive three thousand silver coins a month, the highest among the princesses. I suppose you receive at most five thousand silver coins per month?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Don't worry, Ninth Sister. I'll gather the million silver coins soon without relying on the royal family's allowance."
A seventh-rank True Martial Artifact-level furnace isn't available everywhere, so he couldn't miss this opportunity. Once he owned the furnace, he could mass-produce spatial rings. After that, he would never lack money.
He currently had eighty thousand silver coins stored in the Martial Market Bank. Now, how would he come up with the remaining two hundred thousand?
Looking at the spatial ring on his thumb, an idea sparked, and he smiled. "The Martial Market Bank!"
Qin Ya emerged from the weaponry vault, her smile fading as she watched Zhang Ruochen, Ninth Princess, and Dan Xiangling leave. "He could already multitask during the year-end evaluation, indicating that his spiritual power has likely surpassed the twentieth level."
Mo Hanlin, standing behind Qin Ya, was taken aback. "He's only sixteen; it's unlikely he's reached the twentieth level."
"At first, I thought so too. But considering his extraordinary martial talent, it's not impossible for his spiritual power to be exceptional. The fact that he's purchasing a refining furnace suggests he's planning to become a refiner. His spiritual power might be formidable," Qin Ya mused, narrowing her eyes. "Mo Hanlin, investigate at the Inscription Guild. The Ninth Prince has likely visited there recently. I want to know his spiritual power level."
"I'll go immediately," Mo Hanlin said, bowing before he departed.
Qin Ya licked her red lips seductively, smiling like a cunning fox. "This little one keeps intriguing me."
Riding in the carriage, Zhang Ruochen, Ninth Princess, and Dan Xiangling headed toward the Martial Market Bank.
Ninth Princess asked, "Ninth Brother, why are we going there? Do you have a million silver coins stored there?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "I used to have a million silver coins, but I've spent quite a bit. Now, I have about eighty thousand left."
Dan Xiangling's eyes twinkled when she heard this.
"Eighty thousand silver coins? How is that possible? Ninth Brother, how did you accumulate so much wealth?" Ninth Princess was shocked, finding it hard to believe.
It wasn't just her—no family head in the royal capital could easily gather eighty thousand silver coins at once.
Even though the Lin family could offer 1.2 million silver coins for a lower-grade spirit-level sword manual, that represented the family's total wealth, not Lin Fengxian's personal fortune.
Lin Fengxian would be doing well if he could raise fifty thousand silver coins by himself.
Zhang Ruochen didn't try to hide it, as his wealth would be exposed anyway once he bought the furnace. Besides, with his current status, few people in the capital would dare to rob him openly.
Dan Xiangling spoke softly, "Even if Your Highness has eighty thousand silver coins, you'd still be short of two hundred thousand for the furnace."
"That's why I'm going to make a business deal with the Martial Market Bank. I can't reveal the details just yet," Zhang Ruochen replied.
The bank would undoubtedly be interested in the spatial ring. A spatial storage item was invaluable for their operations, and partnering with them could maximize its value.
The Martial Market Bank was an imposing structure, heavily guarded by soldiers in armor stationed at every corner.
Its defense was second only to the royal palace itself.
As Zhang Ruochen, Ninth Princess, and Dan Xiangling disembarked, a figure approached them.
"Greetings, Ninth Prince, Ninth Princess! I am the bank's ninth steward, and I welcome you," an elderly man with a goatee said as he respectfully bowed to Zhang Ruochen and the Ninth Princess.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "You know me?"
The steward smiled. "If I didn't recognize the Ninth Prince, I wouldn't be fit to serve as the bank's steward."
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "Good. I have a business proposal for the bank's master. I'd like you to introduce me."
"Hmph! Who do you think you are? A mere prince daring to ask the bank master for a personal meeting? Even Yunwu Commandery King would have to request it," Liu Chengfeng scoffed as he strutted out of the bank, his expression arrogant and hostile.
Liu Chengfeng appeared to be trying to compete with Zhang Ruochen, as he also had two young maids by his side, both around fourteen or fifteen and quite attractive.
However, compared to the Ninth Princess and Dan Xiangling, these maids fell far short in both beauty and elegance.
"You want to make a deal? Given my status, I can negotiate with you myself," Liu Chengfeng said arrogantly.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Liu Chengfeng and responded indifferently, "The business I'm proposing is likely beyond your rank."
"What? Do you even know who I am?" Liu Chengfeng's face darkened.
"Not really." Zhang Ruochen replied plainly.
Liu Chengfeng sneered. "Listen well! I am Liu Chengfeng, son of the bank master. Even if you've never met me, you should have heard my name."
"Sorry, I haven't." Zhang Ruochen ignored him and turned to the steward. "Please inform your master. If he declines to meet me, I'll leave immediately."
"Please wait, Your Highness." The steward hurried off to report to the bank master.
In the past, Zhang Ruochen wouldn't have received such attention. However, after his performance in the year-end evaluation, he had garnered the interest of major powers in the capital. No one would underestimate such a prodigious talent; he might one day become the ruler of Yunwu Commandery.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen ignore him, Liu Chengfeng grew even more furious, feeling humiliated in front of Dan Xiangling.
"Just you wait! My father will definitely refuse to meet you. With your meager martial skills, you're nothing but an insignificant bug to him," Liu Chengfeng sneered.
Zhang Ruochen remained calm, crossing his arms as he waited, completely ignoring Liu Chengfeng.
Ninth Princess and Dan Xiangling looked at Liu Chengfeng with disdain, finding him arrogant and unsophisticated, a stark contrast to Zhang Ruochen.
"The Ninth Prince wants to make a business deal?"
Liu Chuanshen stood by the lakeside, exuding an aura as towering as a mountain, making those around him feel insignificant.
"Indeed. If you do not wish to see him, I will send him away immediately. However…" the steward hesitated.
"What is it?" Liu Chuanshen asked.
"Regarding the mysterious buyer who purchased the lower-grade spirit-level sword manual at the central auction, we have confirmed that it was the Ninth Prince. He has accumulated eighty thousand silver coins in the bank."
"Oh? Such vast wealth at such a young age! What kind of fortuitous encounters has he had these past months?"
Liu Chuanshen smiled. "Very well, I'll meet him. He might just surprise me."