Chapter 88: No Hidden Meaning
Compared to writing, speaking is much faster.
He could even sit down and listen to the old man talk from morning until afternoon.
Hearing this, the old man's eyes immediately showed evasiveness. "How about next time? I'm old now, my memory's failing. I can't recall everything at once. Give me a few days - come back then, and I won't disappoint you."
"Alright."
Chen Fan's face showed disappointment. "Take care of yourself, Uncle. I hope to see you again next time I visit."
"Hmm? What?"
The old man glared. Why does that sound like you're wishing death on me?
"Don't be angry, Uncle. I meant nothing by it - I just genuinely want to see you again next time," Chen Fan hurriedly explained.
"Don't worry." The old man waved his hand. "I'll still be here next time. Just come to this spot."
Watching Chen Fan leave, the old man sighed softly.
What a rare fool.
I only meant to cheat you once, but since you're asking for a second time...
I hope when you eventually learn the truth, you won't hold a grudge. Anger changes nothing anyway.
Of course, if you let yourself be cheated a third or fourth time... Well, then I might actually give you something real.
But...
The old man's eyes clouded with doubt.
Could anyone truly master these techniques?
"Chen Fan, are you sure there's anything genuine here?" Gu Ze asked skeptically.
Chen Guodong and the others remained silent but stared at Chen Fan.
"There's definitely real knowledge here," Chen Fan stated calmly.
"!"
The group gasped.
Gu Ze's eyes widened, though he seemed ready to argue further.
"Don't worry, I'll prove it later," Chen Fan added.
Currently, the Shadowless Quick Blade seemed easiest to unlock - it only required basic sword skills.
The Water Treading technique would be harder, needing foundational movement skills he didn't understand yet. He'd have to consult Uncle Zhang.
The Indestructible Golden Body Technique remained beyond reach - completing it would be extremely difficult. But mastering it would dramatically improve survival chances!
What could be more terrifying than a heavily-armored, high-damage archer?
"If Little Fan says it's true, then it must be!" Liu Yong laughed heartily.
"Exactly! Little Fan's a martial artist - his judgment surpasses ours completely!"
"Right, right," others chimed in casually.
After all, Chen Fan had provided all their game. His money was his to spend.
Gu Ze could only reluctantly accept this. Fine - I'll wait for your proof then.
The group continued toward the grain store.
Suddenly, Chen Fan stopped at a mask vendor's stall.
"What's wrong?" Chen Guodong asked.
The thin-fingered vendor behind the counter brightened. "Interested in masks, sir? All handmade, guaranteed authentic!"
Chen Fan examined the displayed masks - cartoon characters and zodiac animals crafted with striking realism.
"Masks? What's the point?" someone muttered.
"Only kids like these. Can't even fill your stomach!"
"Two yuan each? That's robbery!"
The vendor grew flustered. "Bulk discounts available!"
As a pre-Cataclysm artisan, he'd barely scraped by. Now his crafts were nearly worthless...
Chen Fan understood this well. But he considered the bandits watching the exits - even slight recognition risked complications. Better safe than sorry.
His gaze skipped past cheerful animal masks. Imagine slaughtering enemies while wearing a smiling rabbit face - you'd look deranged.
His eyes settled on three demonic masks at the back.
Nightmarish visages with curved horns and gaping maws filled with jagged teeth. Two upper fangs extended past the chin like sabertooth fangs. Black, red, and green variants.
"How much for these three?"
"Th-those Asura masks?" The vendor hesitated. "They're labor-intensive... Five yuan each."
"Five yuan? Highway robbery!"
"Bet these have been collecting dust for years!"
The vendor flushed crimson.
"Ten yuan for all three," Chen Fan stated flatly.
After brief hesitation, the vendor agreed.
Gu Ze watched silently. Wasteful... yet admittedly cool-looking.
Chen Fan continued shopping - soap, toilet paper, playing cards, chess set. Gifts for his family.
A telescope nearly emptied his funds. Chen Guodong, inspired, bought skincare products.
Approaching the grain store, they found armed guards scrutinizing entrants. Inside, a bald man read a novel behind the counter, chuckling occasionally.
"Rice and salt prices?" Chen Guodong asked.
Without looking up: "Standard rice - 1 yuan/jin. Premium 3 or 10 yuan. Salt - 5 yuan/jin."
"Five yuan? Last month was four!"
"Prices rising too fast!"
The bald man finally glanced up disdainfully. "Salt'll hit tens or hundreds after oceans freeze. Coastal beasts make harvesting suicidal. Buy or leave."
Chen Guodong's group exchanged helpless looks. They had to purchase despite inflated prices, meaning less rice.
Then Chen Fan asked: "What makes 3 or 10 yuan rice better than 1 yuan?"
