RISE OF THE ULTIMATE MERCHANT

CHAPTER 4

Yuchen frowned when he saw the small crowds that gathered around them.

“What the heck are you old geezers coming around for? It's just a simple appraisal.”

Taion, on the other hand, was holding a bag of popcorn.

The higher ups had given him the job to watch this particular person but he couldn't understand why.

So for now, he could only enjoy this comedy gold.

“Your money?” Flora stretched out her hand.

Yuchen could only succumb.

However he trusted his skill. There was no way that stuff could sell for so low.

He knew how hard he had played the game to get a spatial item.

Unless that stupid Taion and his team wanted to make fun of him.

“Wait. Why didn't I think of that? They could have sabotaged me.” Yuchen suddenly felt fear creep up his spine.

Taion sneezed on the other side and wondered who was talking about him.

It was hard to give out the silver coin now that Yuchen thought of this but Flora was faster and she snatched the coin out of his hands.

“Time for the appraisal, and in the witness of many eyes, the device was not tampered with.”

Yuchen swallowed. Now he was truly worried.

Those sick administrators and higher ups might have wanted to make a fool of him.

Flora placed the necklace on the appraisal, and the machine started to read.

“Why would he think of challenging Flora?”

“He's a newcomer. These youngsters think they know everything these days.”

The murmurs were said with laughter and Yuchen wanted to go further into the ground.

The appraisal machine rang with a chime and the number slot on the screen moved countlessly and then it slowly came to a stop.

“Woah? A gold coin?”

“That stuff is worth a gold coin?”

“The appraisal machine was created by Lupin Technology. Their products are always top notch.”

“Yeah they can't be a mistake.”

Yuchen felt his heart brighten up.

And Taion was almost about to choke on popcorn.

“Was this why they wanted me to watch him? What kind of unique skills was he given?” Taion narrowed his gaze.

Flora's face gave a different shade of red.

“I'm sorry.” She was quick to admit her wrong and quickly gave Yuchen a gold coin.

“You don't have to apologise. We are humans and it's okay to make mistakes.” He said with a polite tone and anyone would think he was an angel.

“Angel, my foot!” Taion spat but he kept watching.

“If Flora was wrong? Does that mean that she had been wrong all this time?”

“Hey! You can't say that. Show some damned respect.”

“Yeah I also used an appraisal machine even after Flora appraised my goods a week back and it was the same thing.”

“Good for you guys but I'm going to be sticking with the appraisal machine.”

Yuchen saw that the whole thing was getting heated, so he had to stand in.

It was said that a person's favour was wealthier than money, and this was his chance.

“You can't blame Flora! I even said it was worth five silver coins. The necklace wasn't properly prepared so it would confuse anyone. I'm even more grateful she allowed me to use an appraisal machine without sending me off.” Yuchen said, turning to give Flora a wink.

“This makes the perfect professional for this job. If you don't want to use her, you are free to take your work somewhere else. I would still keep on getting her appraisal.” Yuchen said.

Although he had made a mental note to get an appraisal machine for himself.

He would just have to make enough money to buy it.

“Thank you.” Flora whispered to him, and then she handed him both books. “I'd sell them both to you for one silver coin.” She smiled at it.

Yuchen grinned! The favour of a human was wealthier after all.

“Thank you so much!” He bowed to her, repeatedly, ensuring the other merchants could see.

This did well to raise the favour of those old geezers towards Flora.

Yuchen finally got the book, along with a bag of silver coins.

“There are ninety nine silver coins in here, as change for the single gold coin. Thank you so much help.”

“You are welcome, Flora, and thank you for your generosity.” Yuchen said with a small smile.

Now he could get a good place for himself while practicing on how to process the Ashen core.

It would also make it easier to pay his new parent’s debt.

This was simply perfect.

“My luck has been going wild these days.” Yuchen smiled to himself.

Yuchen went back home.

Even though they lived in penury, Yuchen felt glad that he had a roof over his head.

Pushing open the door, he thought about the looks that would be on their face.

Would they be happy about the change in their son?

Yuchen stepped in and the first thing he noticed was the metallic scent that filled his nose.

He looked down and his face turned pale.

“No–” A sob broke out from his throat and he rushed forward.

Lying in their own blood were his parents.

“Mother. Father.” Yuchen sobbed out, his hand hovering above their body.

Shock registered in his mind and the rest of his body became useless.

A sound came from the corner of the room, and Yuchen turned his head.

It was a sob.

“Yuling! It's me, Yuchen.” Yuchen rushed forward and went to the cupboard.

The girl came out of the cupboard at the sound of his voice and crashed into his arms.

Her sobs came out in a broken note and Yuchen swallowed hard.

“This isn't…” He couldn't wrap his mind around what had gone wrong.

“Yu…” It was his father, using the last of his strength.

Hearing that, Yuchen frowned and he snapped out of his shock.

It was time to be decisive and he was going to save his new parents.

In his past life, he couldn't prevent the death of his parents.

He would never let the same thing happen again.

Yuchen brought out the alchemy skill books.

There was no time to compare the pros and cons.

All he had was an inkling that the merchant class was worth it.

“Yuling, get me some pots.” Yuchen said, and opened the books.

A bright light filled the room and Yuchen looked at the books and before he could form his next thoughts, the two books vanished.

Yuchen turned to his new parents. Both of them were barely breathing.

“Please hold on, Father and Mother. I'll do my best.” Yuchen said with gritted teeth.

Once he was done with this, he would skin the culprit alive.

Yuchen brought out the Ashen core, and pulled one of the pods closer.

“It worked.” He sighed in relief and got to work.

The beauty of the Ashen core was that the effect could be greatly multiplied and still retain original quality.