Chapter 1078

Just like scientific research—without that grey information prompt, one can only keep trying.

Shopkeeper Wanyan continued: "Those few masters can barely produce rough-quality items, but they make them very slowly, and the output is too low. Most importantly, the attributes simply can't compare. We've never had any clue about this."

Of course they had no clue.

It would be strange if they did.

The attributes were entirely obtained through Zhao Chi's information conversion.

Knowing about Spider Woman Silk and Spider Maiden Silk could only give them a few more points for improvement.

Unable to transfer information, they naturally couldn't achieve the effect Zhao Chi had produced.

Shopkeeper Wanyan said: "So when I saw this kind of silk stocking in the Exchange today, I immediately knew Miss Zhao Si had arrived. I went out to look for her right away just now, but couldn't find her. I thought I'd missed her, but I never expected you to come find me on your own—I'm truly thrilled!"

Shopkeeper Wanyan held Tang Ruan by both shoulders, speaking excitedly.

Zhao Chi said: "Miss Zhao Si still has some silk stockings in reserve, quite a lot. Do you want them?"

Shopkeeper Wanyan laughed: "Of course, I want them all!"

"The price."

"Um… regarding the price, what does Miss Zhao have in mind?"

Zhao Chi was silent for a moment, then asked: "Are you still planning to give them to others?"

Shopkeeper Wanyan smiled helplessly: "Not possible now. War broke out last month—several human cities were affected. We had to pull out, losing outposts in five cities in a row. The losses were huge. And right now the financial pressure is too great; we really can't manage it. But we will still sell to them at cost."

"Can you say specifically who?"

"…Mostly people from the Resistance."

"Which factions are all included?"

Shopkeeper Wanyan hesitated a little, puzzled: "Does Miss Zhao have some concerns? Or is there someone you don't want to sell to?"

Zhao Chi said: "No, Miss Zhao didn't say, but I need to report to her."

Shopkeeper Wanyan nodded: "Basically, we provide for everyone in the Resistance—mainly the World-Breaking Army, the Blade Army, and a few other weaker ones. We also absorb some internally."

"Not the Heavenly King Army?"

"I'd never give anything to the Heavenly King Army! Why give it to those bandits?"

Shopkeeper Wanyan's voice suddenly rose a few notches, but she quickly covered her mouth after speaking.

But the surroundings were very noisy, and no one paid any attention to her words.

Zhao Chi actually didn't care who she sold to—he just wanted to learn a bit more information.

After all, Zhao Chi was about to register at the Exchange anyway; anyone could buy, so there was no need to start putting on airs now.

Still, hearing that Shopkeeper Wanyan's targets for gifting or selling aligned with what Zhao Chi hoped for made him happy too.

"Miss Yin, I'd like to know which faction you belong to—can you say?"

Shopkeeper Wanyan laughed.

She pointed at the signboard of the Ruby Exchange.

"Isn't it written right there?"

"Your faction is the Ruby Exchange?"

"No, I'm from the Ruby Merchants' Guild. Our guild belongs to the World Abandoners Alliance—we're one of the Alliance's members."

Zhao Chi had heard of this alliance.

It was something like a merchants' alliance.

It included traveling merchants, caravans, guilds, black markets, and so on.

Together they formed a loose alliance—a factional alliance led by Feng Nan's Storm Island Merchants' Guild.

They had money, and could convert money into strength, so their power was in no way inferior.

But they didn't start many wars.

As for this Ruby Merchants' Guild, Zhao Chi had never heard of it at all.

But it didn't matter—he hadn't heard of many factions to begin with.

He'd learn slowly.

Zhao Chi said: "4 gold coins a pair, how's that?"

Shopkeeper Wanyan considered briefly, then nodded: "Alright. You… can set the price?"

"This is what Miss Zhao Si told me. How much cash do you have?"

"Ah? We have quite a bit of cash… How many silk stockings does Miss Zhao Si have to sell?"

Zhao Chi checked the system space and the goods registered at the Exchange.

A total of 140 pairs had been sold.

3,087 pairs remained.

But Zhao Chi was still a little hesitant about whether to say so many outright.

Shopkeeper Wanyan asked: "Oh dear, look at me—chatting away and I still don't know what to call you, little sister."

Zhao Chi thought for a moment.

Gu Qing's alias was Zhao Si, so what should Tang Ruan be called?

Tang Ruan's ability was being able to take a hit.

Then call her Zhao Kang?

Zhao Dun?

That name… didn't sound great.

Tang Ruan had another trait—she could condense white jade-like skin armor.

Then call her Zhao Yu?

That one works.

Want to change the surname?

No need, after all there are too many people surnamed Zhao.

Then it's settled.

Zhao Chi said: "Zhao Yu."

Shopkeeper Wanyan nodded and said: "Understood, also surnamed Zhao... but I can't call you Miss Zhao again, so may I call you Sister Yu?"

What the heck...

Way too awkward...

But Zhao Chi endured it — after all, it was only for a little while.

Zhao Chi said: "Any form of address is fine. As for the quantity... Miss Zhao didn't go into too much detail with me, but there might be 500 to 3,000 pairs."

"Ah—!?"

Shopkeeper Wanyan let out a dolphin-screech shriek.

It stood out clearly even on this noisy street.

Ignoring the gazes of the people beside her, she immediately covered her mouth: "3,000 pairs?"

What's going on?

I clearly said 500 to 3,000 pairs — how did this Shopkeeper Wanyan jump straight to 3,000?

But Zhao Chi didn't correct her again, since the number she stated was close to the real quantity.

Zhao Chi nodded: "Is the money enough?"

Shopkeeper Wanyan bit her lip: "Sister Yu, could you give us a bit more time? To be honest, at 4 gold coins a pair, 3,000 pairs comes to 12,000 gold coins. We... really don't have that much cash on hand."

Zhao Chi shook his head: "No, Miss Zhao will be leaving tonight."

"Ah, what do we do then?"

Shopkeeper Wanyan was so anxious she stamped her foot.

Then she suddenly asked in a rush: "Could you help me ask — does it absolutely have to be cash? Can we pay with goods instead?"

Zhao Chi nodded: "Of course, it's just that... there might not be what Miss Zhao wants."

Shopkeeper Wanyan said confidently at this point: "That's fine. As long as it's something Black Crystal Town has, I can get it brought over, and I won't add a markup."

Zhao Chi asked: "I just heard that staff member say you're the supervisor? Can a supervisor really do that?"

Shopkeeper Wanyan laughed: "I'm only the supervisor of this exchange, but I do have other positions and connections. But that... is a bit inconvenient to talk about. Still, I really can get the vast majority of items brought over."

Zhao Chi nodded.

He did believe that much.

Shopkeeper Wanyan asked: "Does Miss Zhao have any target items? Magical beasts? Divine artifacts? Blueprints? Bloodlines? Or... a fully tamed male incubus? Of course, I don't have an incubus on hand — I'd need to have one brought over."