Chapter 95: Trading

"Hello, this is a private club; please present your qualification certificate."

Just as he approached the gate, Chen Shicheng was stopped by two security guards in suits at the entrance.

In fact, when he was still far away, the guards had already guessed his identity, since no normal person would wear a mask in broad daylight; only a player needing to hide his identity would do so.

However, this was no ordinary club; even with their suspicions, the proper procedure still had to be followed.

Qualification certificate?

Not something like a membership card? Chen Shicheng instantly grasped what they meant; with a thought, the silhouette of the Evil Ghost Pill flashed behind him and vanished.

Although brief, his massive form was still seen directly by the two; the snarling ghostly face made them shiver, and they quickly cleared the way, "Please, come in!"

"Thank you."

Having just shed his part‑time worker status, Chen Shicheng naturally wouldn't trouble them; he smiled, nodded, and walked inside.

Inside, the greeter immediately opened the main door; four young women in red cheongsams surrounded him with bright smiles, and the leader asked politely, "Hello sir, is this your first visit?"

Chen Shicheng glanced at her, feeling a bit impressed; the Money Guild truly lived up to being the only offline trading platform accepted by players—the service was simply superb.

A greeter at the entrance, whose looks could rival a filtered‑beauty influencer, had a fine figure; the cheongsam was ultra‑short, the slits on both thighs nearly reaching the waist, and the bright white hips swayed, making his eyes spin.

However, there was no True Essence fluctuation on her, so she seemed ordinary, yet appearing here meant she must be aware of players.

Thinking it over, it's not surprising; regardless of what one did before, or even being a level‑0 player, once one becomes a player some pride inevitably follows, and no one can humble themselves enough to do this kind of seductive service work.

"First time here, I have some items to sell," Chen Shicheng said, calming his mind.

"Very well, sir, please follow me to the second floor."

As she spoke, the greeter sidestepped to lead the way, dutifully adding, "What a coincidence you're here; a appraiser just arrived from Shanghai, and your items will surely fetch a good price."

Chen Shicheng awkwardly shifted his gaze from her gracefully cinched waist and asked, "I heard there's a commission for trading here; what's the exact rate?"

"To keep the club running smoothly, both buying and selling require a 3% commission; this is already the lowest rate, leaving no profit margin at all," the greeter explained patiently.

"Three percent isn't much."

Regarding her words, Chen Shicheng could not deny them, yet he didn't think the fee was unreasonable; after all, the Money Guild isn't a charity.

While speaking, the two walked up the central staircase to the second floor, which appeared to be the players' leisure‑trading area; the spacious, quiet hall was tastefully furnished with sofas, and variously styled patrons sat, chatting softly, drinking and having fun.

It was still Chen Shicheng's first time encountering so many players in person, and he followed the greeter, curiously looking around.

"This is it; please wait a moment."

At the doorway of a private room on the inner side of the second floor, the greeter stopped, knocked gently, and said, "Mr Liu, sorry to disturb you; a new client wishes to sell items."

"Come in."

After receiving permission, the greeter pushed open the door and led Chen Shicheng inside.

The absurdly large private room held only two young men; when Chen Shicheng entered, both fixed their gaze on him. "Sir, this is our club's manager Cui Jingli, and this is the appraiser I mentioned to you," the greeter quickly introduced them, then gestured, "And this is the new client."

"Hello, welcome to Xianglan Private Club; we will certainly not disappoint you," Cui Jingli stood up, shook Chen Shicheng's hand, and said enthusiastically.

"Please sit." The appraiser also smiled and invited him to take a seat.

"You go ahead and talk; I have something outside, so I won't intrude," the greeter, perceptive, found an excuse to leave, and made sure to close the door behind her.

Seeing the outsider gone, the appraiser wasted no time and got straight to the point, "May I see what items you wish to sell?"

"Of course."

Chen Shicheng nodded, retrieved several prepared incenses from his storage compartment, placed them on the tea table before him, and gestured to the two that they could examine them freely.

The appraiser, unceremoniously, formed a hand seal; a blue aura flickered across his eyes, and he then picked up each incense in turn to appraise them.

When he lifted the first—Concentration Incense, which can speed up cultivation—he was somewhat dismissive, glanced at it, and set it aside; but the next, Qi Supplement Incense, which accelerates True Essence recovery, made his expression turn serious.

Upon seeing Incense of Nourishment and Exorcising Incense, his previously composed demeanor vanished entirely, leaving only astonishment on his face.

As for the final piece, Soul-Attracting Incense, it made him spring up from the sofa, anxiously asking, "These incenses… their functions are similar to Elixir? That's impossible! May I test it first?"

"Feel free."

Chen Shicheng said casually.

"Sorry to trouble you."

Since there was no test setup for the Soul-Attracting Incense, the appraiser set it aside; he then lit the Incense of Nourishment, grabbed the bewildered Cui Jingli's arm, and thrust a wine opener into it.

"Hey, hey, hey, stop playing!" Cui Jingli shouted, dissatisfied, as he looked at his injured arm.

"No nonsense, you already said sorry; quickly feel whether the wound's healing speed is okay," the appraiser urged impatiently.

Though unsure what the Shanghai appraiser meant, he was clearly sent from above to assist, so Cui Jingli suppressed his irritation, closed his eyes, and began to sense the wound.

"Hm?"

In almost an instant, he felt a difference at the wound; the healing speed was comparable to taking a standard healing potion in a game.

Although it can't match the instant effect of an Elixir, it lasts longer; as long as the incense isn't burnt out, the effect persists! "Sir—"

"Zishu."

"Alright, Mr Zishu, how many incenses do you have, and how many will we take? The price will surely satisfy you!"

Although unaware of the other incenses' functions, based solely on that one's effect, the merchant Cui Jingli decided they must acquire them all, even if the rest can only repel mosquitoes.

(End of Chapter)