Chapter 97: The True Fixed Price

Hearing the number the other side said, Jiang Cheng inhaled a cold breath, then gave a wry smile and said, "Brother Shi, you're really overestimating me—100,000, even if you sold me, I can't come up with that much."

By any calculation, he only has a little over 30,000 on him.

Even if he handed over everything, it would still be short by more than half.

Shi Yan had anticipated this, and calmly said, "Xiao Cheng, I'm not demanding you produce the money all at once; you can pay me in installments, 5,000 each month."

Before he came, he had repeatedly inquired, even going out onto the street to tally Jiang Cheng's profits.

From his observations, Jiang Cheng makes about four to five hundred a day, yielding roughly 15,000 pure profit per month.

Even after subtracting the 5,000 he pays each month to the Martial Arts Hall, there's still about 10,000 left; considering Jiang Cheng also has expenses and some fluctuations, he feels that 5,000 per month is still very reasonable.

"Installment payment, huh."

Jiang Cheng was suddenly enlightened.

"Exactly."

Shi Yan laughed, "Don't think it's expensive; a century ago, a single Human Weapon cost several ten‑thousands, and with today's strict regulation, 100,000 is already cheap. At those Martial Arts Halls, even 100,000—or 200,000—might not grant access to Secret Martial Arts."

"That's true."

Jiang Cheng nodded.

It's like Lin Quanliang, who has been a Senior Member for over three years, paying 5,000 per month; over three years that totals 180,000, yet his Hope remains dim.

Of course, the money has other benefits; it can't be judged solely on that point.

But that doesn't mean the person in front of him is making a reasonable request.

"Brother Shi, I'd like to ask you a question."

"Xiao Cheng, go ahead."

Shi Yan wore a beaming smile.

"I've heard that Secret Martial Arts are great, but not everyone can master them, right? Out of a hundred people, having two or three reach Entry is already good—does that sound right?"

Shi Yan's smile froze.

"Yes, that's how it is."

He himself, for example, hasn't mastered it.

Otherwise, why would he be asking Jiang Cheng?

"If I spend 100,000 to buy it and can't reach Entry, isn't that just a pile of waste paper? Brother Shi, 100,000 isn't a trivial sum," Jiang Cheng squinted.

He has a Proficient panel, so he isn't worried about failing Entry with the Secret Martial Arts.

But to haggle, he has to say it like that.

Shi Yan bit his lip, hesitated, then said, "How about this, Xiao Cheng: I'll sell you the first volume for 50,000. If you can reach Entry, I'll sell you the second volume, making it a total of 100,000. What do you think?"

Seeing Jiang Cheng remain silent, he grew a bit anxious and quickly explained, "Xiao Cheng, it's not that I'm unwilling to break it down further; it's that it can't be broken down. If the Secret Martial Arts are cultivated incorrectly, it's no joke—making someone a waste is a minor issue."

"It's pricey."

Jiang Cheng uttered two words.

"Is that still expensive?"

Shi Yan's eyes widened; he wanted to ask what was expensive, since the price had been the same all these years, right?

"Brother Shi, may I ask—if I buy it and encounter something I don't understand, will you teach me?"

"Well…"

Shi Yan was embarrassed, but quickly said, "Don't worry too much; I still have my ancestors' cultivation notes, and you can copy them over when the time comes."

Jiang Cheng shook his head, "Even you, Brother Shi, have these things and still haven't entered; I'm no better than you."

Shi Yan heard this and felt a bit odd. "Also, I've heard that cultivating Secret Martial Arts requires a Secret Medicine that matches it; only then can the practice be efficient. Without Secret Medicine, progress is as slow as a turtle. Secret Medicine, Brother Shi probably doesn't have either, right?"

"As for Secret Medicine, I still have some leftover dry herbs that can make a few batches, but Xiao Cheng, you'll need to pay extra for them," Shi Yan whispered.

Jiang Cheng couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, alright, alright."

"Waiting here for me, huh?"

"Brother Shi, if I want the Secret Medicine formula, do I have to pay separately?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Shi Yan's face flushed, stammering, "Xiao Cheng, don't misunderstand—one Secret Medicine can correspond to several Secret Martial Arts; the principles are largely the same, so it's priced separately. Moreover, the Secret Martial Arts I'm selling you include not only techniques but also internal cultivation methods; everything you need is included."

Jiang Cheng frowned.

He raised a finger, "One‑price, 10,000—I'll take the whole Secret Martial Arts, the Secret Medicine formula can be omitted."

"What? 10,000!"

Shi Yan sprang up from his stool.

A century ago, a normal Human Weapon cost exactly this price.

But the past is past; the present is now!

Even the risk of him hiding this alone isn't the only concern.

"Xiao Cheng, this isn't bargaining; you're clearly looking at the ankle. 10,000 is too little. How about this: I can give you a discount of 10,000, making it 90,000. You can take the whole Secret Martial Arts plus my ancestors' cultivation notes."

Jiang Cheng was unmoved.

The other party's ancestors' notes have great value to others, but to him their effect is limited.

"Brother Shi, I'm not as wealthy as you imagine. How about this: you go back and think it over; when you're ready, come find me—no rush. Rest assured, I'll keep today's matter confidential and won't mention it to anyone."

"You!"

Shi Yan stared intently at Jiang Cheng, trying to read something in his eyes.

Unfortunately, there was nothing.

"Brother Shi, you don't need to keep looking at me; I've already made myself clear. I'm not sure I can reach Entry—what if I spend tens of thousands and end up with a pile of waste paper? Even in the Outer City District, not many can just pull out tens of thousands at once, right?"

Hearing Jiang Cheng's words, Shi Yan sagged like a deflated balloon and plopped back onto the bench.

Who knows when members of the Iron Fist Gang will show up? Who knows how much they will charge?

Jiang Cheng can afford to wait, but he cannot.

Moreover, Jiang Cheng is indeed right: spending tens of thousands of yuan to buy a Hope is far too expensive for those living in the Poor District.

But he is truly unwilling to accept it; this kind of thing can only be sold for ten thousand yuan.

Neither of them says a word, and the room is quiet save for the sound of breathing.

Jiang Cheng's gaze looks out the window.

The more moments like this arise, the more one must keep one's composure.

Besides, this isn't taking advantage of a crisis; after all, he's only copying a document, not taking the original outright.

After an unknown amount of time, a long sigh echoes through the room.

"Fine, you do have a point, but wanting to take the whole book for ten thousand yuan is too harsh. I can give you the upper half; if you can't get in, having the lower half is useless. That's my bottom line—if you disagree, then forget it."

By the end, Shi Yan himself has lost his confidence.

(End of chapter)