Capítulo 30: Deal
As dawn breaks, Li Wei notices a figure approaching his cave. It's a neighbouring disciple, a young man with a lean build and an uncertain expression. His attire, slightly dishevelled, suggests he's come in a hurry. As the disciple nears the entrance, Li Wei's instincts kick in. "What's this about?"
"Why is he here? It's not common for others to visit unannounced," he thinks, his curiosity piqued yet tinged with suspicion. His body tenses subtly, preparing for any unexpected move. He ponders, running through potential scenarios. He remains on high alert, ready to defend himself if necessary, yet open to a peaceful interaction. "Best to stay cautious," he concludes, watching the disciple intently. His posture subtly shifts, readying for a potential confrontation. The disciple hesitates at the cave's mouth, clearly wrestling with his purpose for visiting. Li Wei keeps his expression neutral but alert, prepared for whatever may unfold.
The disciple stands hesitantly at the entrance of Li Wei's cave, his voice conveying hope and anxiety. "Brother, brother, are you in there?" he calls out tentatively, his eyes scanning the shadows within the cave for a sign of Li Wei.
Hearing the call, Li Wei, reassured of no immediate danger, strides towards the entrance. He emerges from the cave, his presence commanding yet non-threatening. He observes the disciple's anxious demeanour as the young man quickly gets to the point.
"Sorry to disturb you, brother," the disciple starts, slightly quivering. "I heard you work at the Pill Hall. Do you, by any chance, have Verdant Moonleaf?" He fidgets, his hands clasping and unclasping, as he waits expectantly for Li Wei's response.
Li Wei quickly assesses the disciple. Noticing his less formidable stature, he thinks, "He looks weak, no threat to me." A plan starts to form in his mind, seeing an opportunity in this unexpected visit. "Maybe I can sell him some bone pills," he muses internally.
Li Wei responds calmly and persuasively, masking his internal calculations. "No, I don't have Verdant Moonleaf. But would you be interested in bone pills? I'm selling them below market price." His offer is casual yet enticing, a strategic move to initiate a potential transaction.
The disciple's expression shifts to wariness as he processes Li Wei's offer. "Bone pills? What would you want in exchange?" he asks cautiously, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Sensing the disciple's hesitation, Li Wei replies, "I'm looking for cultivation techniques." He maintains a steady gaze, gauging the disciple's reaction.
The disciple considers this, his wariness giving way to contemplation. "Techniques? I might have something," he muses aloud. His demeanour softens as he sees a potential benefit in this exchange.
"I do have the Basic Bone Armor manual. It's yours for a bone pill."
"Hahaha, just Basic Bone Armor? Come on, you can do better than that."
The disciple quickly adds, "How about I include the Bone Shield technique as well? And some daily necessities. I can provide you with a supply of firewood, tea, and some basic goods." He waits anxiously for Li Wei's response, hoping the enhanced offer will seal the deal.
Li Wei nods in approval. "That's more like it. The techniques, firewood, tea, and herbs for my bone pills. We have a deal," he agrees, seeing the practical benefits of the trade.
"How do I know these pills are any good?" he asks, scepticism apparent in his tone.
Li Wei replies calmly, "They're as good as they get. Wait here, I'll show you one." He disappears into his cave and quickly returns, holding a pill between his fingers.
The disciple takes the pill, inspecting it closely. After a moment, he nods in approval, "Nice, nice, we have a deal."
As the disciple turns to leave with the pill, Li Wei interjects, "Uh, no, no, no. Goods first." He swiftly takes the pill back from the disciple's hand, maintaining control of the situation.
The disciple's face brightens with relief and gratitude. "Ok! I'll gather everything and bring it to you before nightfall," he promises, leaving.
"These poor dogs," he thinks, "salivating over a bone pill like it's a rare treasure. Little do they know, I can easily produce hundreds, even thousands."
"Watching these lower-level cultivators, it's like observing dumb animals," Li Wei thinks, his disdain palpable. "These dumb fucks, they're pathetic, pawing at the ground for a single bone pill. They're just mindless creatures scrounging in the dirt."
Li Wei settles comfortably within his cave and continues his cultivation practice with a mixture of bone essence and water. He carefully measures the essence, mindful of the balance needed to avoid further straining his body. The liquid, once mixed, appears cloudy and potent. He drinks it slowly, savouring each sip while focusing on the flow of Qi within him.
The quiet and isolated cave provides the perfect backdrop for his deep concentration. He sits cross-legged, eyes closed, the essence's warmth spreading throughout his body. The subtle sounds of the cave – the gentle drip of water and the occasional rustle from outside – blend into the background as he immerses himself in the cultivation process.
Li Wei's mind is clear, free from distractions, allowing him to focus solely on the flow and refinement of his Qi. His breathing is steady, each inhalation and exhalation measured and deliberate. He can feel the energy circulating through his meridians, growing stronger with each cycle.
Li Wei, sitting in his cave, hears footsteps approaching. He turns his head towards the entrance as the sound grows closer. A figure appears, carrying a large sack over his shoulder. It's the neighbouring disciple returning as promised.
The disciple, slightly out of breath, steps into the cave and gently sets down the sack. It lands with a soft thud, its contents shifting slightly. "Brother, I've brought everything," he announces a hint of pride in his voice.
Li Wei's gaze shifts to the sack, curiosity evident in his eyes. The disciple eagerly begins unpacking, revealing the items they had agreed upon. The Basic Bone Armor and Bone Shield techniques are there, along with bars of soap, flint and steel, linen, herbs, rope, and dried meats. Last, he pulls out a sword and two daggers, laying them out for Li Wei's inspection.
Li Wei briefly glances over the items brought by the neighbouring disciple. He gives a cursory look at the Basic Bone Armor and Bone Shield manuals, careful not to open them, respecting the etiquette of such transactions. He then quickly checks the bars of soap, the flint and steel set, and the linen, noting their quality. The medicinal herbs and sturdy rope are also given a quick look. He pays more attention to the dried meats, appreciating their addition. Lastly, he examines the sword and two daggers, assessing their make and balance with a practised eye. Satisfied with the overall quality and utility of the items, he nods in approval.
After presenting all the items to Li Wei, the neighbouring disciple hesitantly says, "I was thinking... maybe three bone pills for all these?"
Li Wei looks up, feigning contemplation. Internally, he chuckles, "He could've asked for ten pills. I really have no clue about the exchange rate. Three seems fair, especially for the sword and daggers. They might be low quality, but everything should be close to 50 silvers in total. Only about 10 silvers off the market price for bone pills. I'm giving him a better deal than the sect would, that's for sure."
After a brief pause, he nods and agrees, "Yes, we have a deal."
Li Wei walks over to the cup where he stored the extra pills, picking out three. He extends them to the disciple, who eyes the pills with eagerness and scrutiny. "Thank you, thank you, brother," the disciple nods, accepting the pills. He pockets them carefully, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.
Li Wei watches as the disciple leaves, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Two more techniques to my collection," he muses internally, a hint of triumph in his thoughts. "Today was indeed fruitful." His gaze lingers on the new items, already contemplating how best to utilise them.
"I just hope these new techniques aren't as disappointing as Bone Blade."
Li We immediately takes a soap bar to the stream. The cold water is invigorating. He lathers the soap, appreciating its pleasant scent. He washes his skin, feeling rejuvenated as the soap cleanses away dirt and grime. He then turns his attention to his robe, scrubbing it thoroughly with the soap. The fabric, heavy with water, becomes clean and fresh-smelling. He rinses himself and his robe in the stream, enjoying the feeling of cleanliness. After wringing out the robe, he lays it out to dry, satisfied with the effectiveness of the soap.
Li Wei returns to his cave.
Back in the cave, he then turns his attention to the linen. He spreads it over his bedding, appreciating its texture and quality. The added comfort is noticeable, and he looks forward to a more comfortable night's sleep.
Li Wei briefly inspects the medicinal herbs and rope, deciding to keep them stored in the sack for the time being. However, he can't resist sampling the dried meats. He takes a few pieces, savouring their rich, savoury flavour. It's a delightful change from his usual diet.
Finally, he examines the sword and daggers. While they're of a lower quality, they are serviceable. He tests their balance and sharpness.
"Not the finest weapons, but they'll do the job."
He places them within easy reach in his cave, just in case.
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