Chapter 412 288: Su Jian's Invitation, the Wind and Thunder Predicament! Han Feng Takes Action

A rare Tier Four ore.

Han Feng raised an eyebrow.

Although his Broken Star had already been upgraded to a Spiritual Artifact.

He would indeed need High Tier Materials to continue improving it or to forge other auxiliary equipment.

Besides, he was quite interested in the Su Family's so-called "private warehouse."

As the arms magnates of East Sea City, even the scraps that slipped through the Su Family's fingers were probably enough for an ordinary Martial Artist to live on for a lifetime.

'I'm not busy anyway.'

Han Feng stood up and casually flicked his clothes.

"Let's go take a look, then."

Su Jian was overjoyed. He shot to his feet with an agility that was completely unlike a pampered young master.

"Brother Han, you're so straightforward! The car is right outside, let's go now!"

Han Feng nodded and turned to Long Xiao, who had been standing on the side like a background decoration.

Long Xiao was trying his best to maintain a calm expression, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed his excitement.

Han Feng retrieved a heavy metal case from his Void Stone.

He casually placed it on the tea table with a dull THUD.

"Uncle Long, this is this week's order. It's all in here."

Han Feng's tone was casual, as if he were handing over a box of cabbages.

"You handle the delivery. For the order that requires the Earth Core Essence Liquid, remember to collect the final payment in full."

Long Xiao quickly placed both hands on the case as if it were his lifeline, nodding repeatedly.

"Don't worry! Don't worry! I know the rules. I won't give them the goods even if they're short a single coin!"

"I'm leaving."

Han Feng gave a wave of his hand without any further nonsense and followed the overly enthusiastic Su Jian out of the shop.

...

Only after their figures had completely vanished into the crowded throng of the Black Market, and the two rows of Su Family bodyguards reeking of Evil Qi had also withdrawn completely, did the tense atmosphere in the tea room finally ease.

"Phew..."

Long Xiao let out a long, turbid breath, his entire body slumping into the grand armchair as if his bones had been removed.

That last scene was even more intense than fighting Demon Beasts in the Fog Area.

'The young master of the Su Family!'

That was someone who could make all of East Sea City tremble with a stomp of his foot, yet in front of Han Feng, he was as well-behaved as a child asking for candy.

'This Han Feng... just what kind of monster is he?'

"Um... Shop-Shopkeeper Long?"

A timid voice came from the corner.

Long Xiao turned his head and saw Iron Hand—the same man who had previously demanded he address him as "master" with a forced smile—scrambling up from the corner and sidling over with a fawning expression.

Iron Hand's posture was now extremely low, his waist bent at a ninety-degree angle. His fleshy face was plastered with an obsequious smile, looking more deferential than if he were seeing his own father.

"Shopkeeper Long, about... what happened earlier?"

Iron Hand wrung his hands, his gaze fixed so intently on the metal case on the tea table it was as if he could burn a hole through it with his eyes.

He had seen it with his own eyes: even the young master of the Su Family had to suck up to Han Feng, even asking Han Feng to guide him in equipment forging.

What did that mean? It meant that Han Feng's craftsmanship was so good that even the Su Family felt inferior!

If he missed out on an order from a master of this caliber, he would regret it for eight lifetimes!

Seeing Iron Hand's demeanor, Long Xiao felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him, more refreshing than drinking iced plum juice on the hottest day of summer.

He leisurely picked up his teacup, skimmed the foam off the top, and said nothing, simply leaving Iron Hand hanging.

Iron Hand was a veteran of the streets; how could he not understand?

Gritting his teeth, he painfully retrieved a personally treasured Jade Box from his robes, placed it gently on the tea table, and pushed it in front of Long Xiao.

"Shopkeeper Long, I know I was out of line earlier. This is just a small token, for you to have some tea."

Long Xiao didn't even lift an eyelid.

"Old Huang, it's not that I don't want to help you."

"You saw it yourself. Master Han is someone even Young Master Su has to line up to hire."

"That little thing of yours... to be honest, it's barely an entrance fee."

A muscle on Iron Hand's fleshy face twitched.

He steeled himself and said in a low voice, "Shopkeeper Long, as long as you can get the master to accept the order, I'll double my previous offer!"

"I also have a Purple Jade Spirit Grass I just acquired—it's Tier Three Upper Grade!"

"This is a Top Grade item for healing hidden meridian injuries and Nourishing Acupoints!"

"As long as the master is willing to take the job, this will be part of the payment!"

CLINK.

The lid in Long Xiao's hand tapped against the rim of his cup, making a crisp sound.

'Purple Jade Spirit Grass!'

That was a priceless treasure, something you couldn't buy even if you had the money. For Martial Artists who were eager to achieve Enlightenment or had damaged meridians, it was practically a second life.

Han Feng had specifically instructed him before to keep an eye out for Spiritual Materials like this that could be used for Nourishing Acupoints.

Long Xiao's one eye gleamed for a moment, but his face remained troubled. After a moment of contemplation, he said:

"Sigh. For the sake of our many years of friendship, alright then."

"Leave the item here. I'll pass the message along for you."

"But whether Master Han accepts, and when he accepts, that will depend on his mood."

"Of course! Of course!"

Iron Hand was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly.

"Thank you, Shopkeeper Long!"

"If you need anything in the Black Market in the future, just say the word. I, Iron Hand, will be there without question!"

After sending off the profusely grateful Iron Hand, Long Xiao put the Jade Box in a drawer, pulled the shop's rolling shutter halfway down, and hung up a "Temporarily Closed" sign.

He sat back down at the tea table, took a cigar from his pocket, and lit it.

Shrouded in smoke, Long Xiao gazed at the metal case full of Spiritual Soldiers, lost in thought.

Just half a month ago, he had been nothing more than a second-rate peddler in the Black Market, guarding a pile of shoddy firearms and haggling with people all day over a few Spirit Coins.

He had a bit of a reputation, but he was really just a familiar face in this small corner of the world.