The whole situation was strange... very strange.

Lian Cheng looked at the amicable young master, who did not seem angry at all over such a simple accident. The man had even asked the waiter if he was injured.

Lian Cheng was stunned. His eyes registered the anomaly, but his mind could not process it.

Was this young master not supposed to be angry? Should he not have caused a commotion, or at least arrogantly slapped the mortal waiter? Why was he so kind? Was he some kind of saint, or had he reached an ultimate understanding of the Dharma?

Wait... was this still Thousand Treasure City? The city ruled by the demonic path sect, the Sky Severing Demon Valley?

Why?

Lian Cheng’s mind nearly short circuited. He could not understand what he was seeing.

He looked around and noticed that the people nearby did not seem confused at all, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

If he did not know better, he might have thought he had been reborn into a different world. Fortunately, everything else was the same as in his previous life. The buildings, the clothing, the market.

"Hmmm... maybe this young master is a rare exception, someone truly kind and understanding," Lian Cheng muttered to himself, forcing an explanation. Such people were rare, but not unheard of.

The commotion quickly resolved itself, and Lian Cheng had no choice but to wait for another opportunity. He returned to his stall and continued waiting.

Three hours passed, yet no major incident occurred. There were a few minor ones, but the young masters did not seem offended by the mortals, or at least not deeply. The most severe case he witnessed was a young master simply advising a mortal to be more careful and mindful of others sharing the road.

And this came from a young master riding in a luxurious carriage pulled by four white tigers.

Was it just him, or had this city gone mad? Why did all the young masters seem so amicable, good natured, and gentlemanly?

This made no sense at all.

As Lian Cheng quietly questioned his own sanity, a young master stopped in front of his stall.

He looked up, and his eyes widened.

He knew this man.

The most unbearable and arrogant young master.

Ximen Hao of the Ximen Clan.

Why was he here? Should he not have already been crippled by Yun Feng, that mad dog? By this time, he should have been seething in rage and sending half his forces to hunt Yun Feng down.

He remembered clearly. This man had eventually died, and his clan had been annihilated. A true calamity. Yun Feng would later rise as a terrifying powerhouse, someone who would repay even the slightest offense a hundredfold.

Where was Yun Feng now? Could it be that he had miscalculated the timing?

If so... perhaps he could make use of this.

"Hello, young master. How may I assist you? Is there anything that interests you among my wares?" Lian Cheng asked, posing as a simple merchant selling trinkets and artifacts.

Ximen Hao smiled and crouched down, picking up one of the artifacts before setting it back. He took his time examining the items.

"What is this? It looks like a small pot for planting flowers," Ximen Hao said as he picked up a simple azure pot with a jade like texture.

"I must admit, it feels quite refined. You have my attention, shopkeeper. Tell me what it is and how much it costs," Ximen Hao said.

Hearing this, calculations and schemes raced through Lian Cheng’s mind. He smiled inwardly. If heaven did not grant him an opportunity, he would create one himself.

"Reporting to young master, this is a great flower cultivating pot. It can accelerate the growth of any flower planted within it, as long as there is sufficient spiritual qi and nutrients. However, it only works on flowers," Lian Cheng said with a smile, then continued.

"As for the price, its effects are comparable to a heaven defying treasure, and I personally used many rare materials to forge it. The price is ten thousand spirit stones. This is the lowest I can offer, young master."

His face showed reluctance, but inside, he was smiling wickedly. The price was nearly ten times the cost of the materials.

He knew it was expensive, even for a young master. Especially for someone as notoriously arrogant as Ximen Hao.

"Hmmm... if what you say is true, the price would be reasonable. Perhaps even cheap. You do not mind if I test it, do you? Do not worry. Even if I do not buy it, I will compensate you with one tenth of the price," Ximen Hao said with a shrewd smile as he took out a small bag from his storage ring.

"I happen to have some flower seeds. Let me test it now."

With that, Ximen Hao placed a seed into the pot and added soil he had taken from his storage ring.

Lian Cheng blinked.

What? Ximen Hao... had soil and flower seeds on him?

"May this humble one ask for young master’s name?" Lian Cheng asked, just to be sure.

At that moment, one of Ximen Hao’s attendants stepped forward with an arrogant smile.

"Be honored, shopkeeper. This young master bears the surname Ximen and the given name Hao, the current heir of the Ximen Clan," the attendant declared.

Ximen Hao said nothing. He simply focused on injecting his spiritual qi into the pot.

In an instant, a small sprout emerged from the soil. It rapidly grew, forming a bud before blooming into a pristine white flower. The petals unfolded beautifully, drawing gasps of awe from the surrounding crowd.

"Hahaha! It really blooms! Excellent!" Ximen Hao laughed.

Of course it blooms. This is one of my masterpieces, even if it is a downgraded version, Lian Cheng thought.

"You said ten thousand spirit stones, right?" Ximen Hao asked as he stood up.

"That is correct, young master," Lian Cheng replied, still acting reluctant.

Now was the moment. He expected Ximen Hao to throw a tantrum, create a scene, and attempt to seize the item by force. Then he would resist, drawing sympathy and attention.

That would surely reach Mo Xingyao’s ears.

Noticing the reluctance on Lian Cheng’s face, Ximen Hao’s smile widened.

"How cheap! I will pay double. No, triple the price, so no one can accuse me of taking advantage of a great artificer!" Ximen Hao declared loudly.

"Huh?"

"And what about the rest? Sell everything to me! I count about ten items. If the rest are as good as this one, I will take them all. Let us say... one million spirit stones. And you can come work for me as the chief artificer of the Ximen Clan!" Ximen Hao announced grandly.

Once the declaration ended, the clamoring grew louder. Many people nodded and began discussing among themselves. This was truly a diamond in the rough. Perhaps this man would become someone great in the future.

"Huh? What!?" Lian Cheng’s mind short circuited again.

Was this really Ximen Hao?

"Er... young master, your name is Ximen Hao, correct?" Lian Cheng asked again.

"Of course! There is only one Ximen Hao in this world. No one would dare use this name!" Ximen Hao declared confidently.

Wait... this guy is actually Ximen Hao?

No, no, no. This is not part of the plan. I cannot sell all of my artifacts to him, let alone go with him to become his chief artificer.

Wait... I can use this!

"Reporting to young master, this humble one cannot sell all of his wares to you. These items should be admired by many, as per my late master’s teachings. I also cannot go with you. My training as an artificer is not yet complete. I might bring shame to my master’s name."

How about that, Ximen Hao? I know your arrogant self cannot bear this kind of rejection. I said all of this for my master’s sake, and not a single word was directed at you.

Ximen Hao was stunned speechless. This was far beyond his expectations. He had thought this man would eagerly agree to work for him. After all, he had a great need for a skilled artificer like this.

Lian Cheng smiled inwardly. His plan had finally worked.

But after a brief moment...

"Hahahaha, fine! A great man can afford to be eccentric! I will just buy this flower pot. I will give you one hundred thousand spirit stones, as appreciation for your craftsmanship!" Ximen Hao said as he lightly patted Lian Cheng’s shoulder.

"Huh!?"

"Remember, the doors of the Ximen Clan will always be open for you, and the position of chief artificer will remain yours whenever you choose to take it. Finish your training, then come find me at the Ximen Clan," Ximen Hao said with a smile.

Why is he not getting angry... wait...

At that moment, Lian Cheng looked at Ximen Hao suspiciously. He instinctively tensed, forcing his butt to remain rigid like an iron gate.

Is this guy’s sexual orientation still... normal? .....Right?