Ch 82: Intermediate Armor-Piercing Arrows
"Is this the new currency?"
Most were purple banknotes with 100 yuan denominations, accompanied by two or three light blue ten-yuan bills.
Seeing Chen Fan hesitate, the group mistook his silence for modesty and urged:
"Xiao Fan, take it. You've earned this."
"Without you, we'd have starved long ago."
"Truthfully, all this money should be yours. We're just riding your coattails."
By comparison, the others only received about ten yuan each as hardship compensation.
Yet even this paltry sum marked vast improvement - previously they'd bartered valuables for scraps, never eating their fill.
Gu Ze gulped audibly beside them. Fifteen hundred yuan! More money than he'd ever seen!
"Very well, I'll accept." Chen Fan nodded, extending his hand.
This was his rightful due, nothing to feel ashamed about. Moreover, he intended to visit the weapons shop - perhaps acquire new gear or martial manuals to strengthen himself further.
Chen Guodong scanned the group. "You've got one hour for market shopping. Watch for pickpockets in the crowds. Regroup at the grain store in sixty minutes."
"Understood." Gao Yang and Gu Jianghai nodded. As seasoned veterans, they needed no reminders about basic precautions.
Soon only Chen Fan, his father Chen Guodong, Liu Yong, Gu Jianghai, and Gu Ze remained. The five moved toward the weapons shop with shared purpose.
The same female clerk greeted them, smile blooming. "What can I help you gentlemen find today?"
"I'd like to examine your bows."
The clerk's eyes widened at Chen Fan's voice before dropping to the bow strapped across his back. The youthful tone didn't match the weapon's imposing presence...
"Right this way!" She recovered swiftly, guiding them inward. "I'm Zhu Yan - call me Xiao Zhu. Perfect timing! We just received new bows and arrows from Anshan City."
"What luck," Liu Yong chuckled.
They arrived at the northeast section where walls displayed longbows of every size - from arm-span compact models to towering specimens taller than a man.
"Your arrows cost too much! Any discounts?" complained a nearby customer.
A business-suited clerk offered apologetic smile. "These are genuine armor-piercing arrows. Fixed pricing, I'm afraid."
"But two hundred yuan each?" The archer pleaded. "Be reasonable!"
His companions joined:
"Cut regulars some slack, will you?"
"We'll take two if you lower the price!"
The clerk shook her head helplessly. Mere employees couldn't alter prices, and Song Family Fortress held regional monopoly on armor-piercing arrows - take it or leave it.
The group exchanged defeated looks before purchasing two arrows at full price.
Chen Fan turned to Zhu Yan. "What are these 'armor-piercing arrows' they mentioned?"
Her eyes lit up. "This way!" She led them to a wall-mounted quiver, withdrawing a meter-long projectile.
The arrow's chisel-shaped tip gleamed coldly, its shaft unnervingly slender. Chen Guodong's group stared like country bumpkins seeing fireworks.
"Never underestimate these." Zhu Yan tapped the arrowhead. "Forged from first-grade Origin alloy."
"Origin alloy?" Gu Zé breathed.
Chen Fan frowned. Origin alloy? First-grade?
Zhu Yan produced a half-centimeter steel plate. "Test it yourself."
Liu Yong examined the metal. "Genuine steel."
She dragged the arrowhead across the surface, leaving a deep furrow.
"My weak woman's strength did this. Imagine your draw power."
"Let me try." Chen Fan accepted both items. The arrowhead sank into steel like warm butter, punching through with wet schluck.
"Remarkable." His eyes kindled. Against mid-tier magical beasts, these would be devastating.
"Terrifying power!"
"So this is armor-piercing..."
"Even an Ironhide Rhino couldn't withstand this!"
Zhu Yan nodded. "These intermediate armor-piercing arrows specialize in mid-tier beasts. Paired with a hundred-pound bow? Ironhide Rhino dies within hundred meters."
The group inhaled sharply. Ironhide Rhinos were walking calamities - creatures they'd flee from normally.
"Two hundred yuan each?" Chen Fan verified.
"Worth every fen," Zhu Yan insisted, eyes bright with commission dreams.
Chen Guodong hissed through teeth. A single arrow cost double a hundred-pound bow!
"I'll take three." Chen Fan decided after brief pause. Money existed to be spent, and these arrows guaranteed Ironhide Rhino kills within two hundred meters. Other mid-tier beasts would fare worse.
Chen Guodong's group exchanged glances but voiced no objections. Chen Fan's money, Chen Fan's choices - and the arrows' efficacy justified the cost.
"Thank you, sir!" Zhu Yan bowed repeatedly. Six hundred yuan sale meant hefty commission! "We also just received heavy arrows. Would you like to see?"
"Heavy arrows?" Chen Fan's interest piqued. "Show me."
(End of Chapter)
