Chapter 7
The Surangama Sutra
Huizhou Prefecture, Shexian County, on the banks of the Lianjiang River.
The long street is paved with bluestone, and the walls are white and the tiles are black. The high gable walls separate the bustling crowds.
The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the steam from the Lianjiang River mingled with the smell of firewood. The faded banners of the teahouses at the alley entrance swayed gently in the wind, while the black lacquered signs of the shops gleamed brightly.
"Hey—fresh bamboo shoots picked from the mountains, and mushrooms glistening with celestial dew!"
"Freshly brewed Yunwu tea! One brew leaves a sweet aftertaste, dispels dampness and relieves fatigue—"
"These Huangshan sesame seed cakes smell amazing! Freshly baked, piping hot!"
Amidst the shouts of peddlers and laborers, Nanxu walked through the streets and alleys and entered a pawnshop.
With a soft "ding-a-ling," the copper bell on the door curtain rang, and a faint musty smell mixed with the scent of camphor wafted over.
Behind the tall mahogany counter, a shop assistant dressed in a dark blue robe was fiddling with an abacus. Upon seeing someone approach, he raised his eyes.
"Should it be life or death? How long is the redemption period?"
"No, I need to buy some things." Nan Xu walked towards the shelf by the wall without stopping.
Upon seeing that the newcomer was a seemingly unremarkable young man, the clerk immediately lost interest and said indifferently:
"Items past their expiration date are placed on the innermost shelf. For small transactions, just contact me; there's no need to find the shopkeeper."
Half an hour later, Nanxu came to Chaofeng carrying a pile of pawned items.
"Deerskin boots, wool blankets, machetes, tinderboxes, water bags, travel bags..."
As the shopkeeper inventoried the items, a sense of surprise arose in his heart.
That kid has a sharp eye!
Every item he selected for pawning was somewhat damaged or worn, but just enough to not affect its usability, achieving the ultimate in cost-effectiveness.
"So that's how it is. You're going to be a mountain herder, but you have limited funds, so you came to the pawnshop to buy a set of second-hand clothes?" Chao Feng pondered to himself.
Before the clerk could even offer a price, Nan Xu volunteered, "Seventeen taels of silver for deerskin boots, two taels for a wool blanket, ten taels for a machete..."
After finishing his sentence, he paused, then added, "This price is fair; it's my bottom line."
"If you don't sell it here, I won't take it. I'll go to another pawnshop."
His tone was firm, without any hint of probing. It was as if he would turn and leave immediately if he heard a "no."
Upon hearing this, the pawnbroker calculated in his mind that the market price of these pawned items was indeed this much, but if he encountered someone who didn't know anything about them, it was common for the price to increase by 30% to 50%.
He was surprised by the boy's experienced demeanor, and a smile immediately spread across his face:
"Young friend, what are you saying? If we were to ask for an exorbitant price from someone as discerning as you, wouldn't we be ruining our own reputation?"
Then, he showed a hint of embarrassment: "Everything else is fine, but these deerskin boots... As you can see, they are made of the finest leather, and the tanning process is impeccable. They are comfortable and breathable, and are what nobles and royalty wear when they go hunting in the mountains."
"Seventeen taels, perhaps that's not quite right?"
Nan Xu shook his head, pointed to the inside of the boot, and calmly said:
"It was taken from a dead person, so the price will be discounted."
"If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have chosen it."
Upon hearing this, Chao Feng could no longer hide the surprise on his face!
As a courtier, he naturally knew the origin of these deerskin boots, but he deliberately kept it to himself.
In order to fetch a good price, the bloodstains on the surface of the boots had long been cleaned up, but there were still a few hidden bloodstains inside the boot shaft that were difficult to completely remove.
If someone has excellent eyesight and is very knowledgeable, they can indeed tell from the blood splatter marks that the boots were once worn by a dead person.
But this scene happening to a young boy with a youthful face was far beyond his expectations.
"Indeed, I was mistaken," the clerk quickly admitted. "In that case, seventeen taels is just right."
It would be best to form a good relationship with such a discerning guest; if that's not possible, it's absolutely essential not to offend them.
Otherwise, if someone holds a grudge and tries to ruin your business, they'll find plenty of ways to do so.
"That's forty-seven taels of silver in total. Please check it. Is this the correct amount?" The clerk's voice now carried a hint of respect.
"That's right." Nan Xu nodded and placed five ten-tael silver ingots on the counter.
Then, he looked around and casually picked up a small booklet: "Keep the change, use this copy of the Surangama Sutra, which looks like it was handwritten by Zen Master Yin, to pay for it."
The clerk glanced at the booklet and gave a warm smile: "Young friend, you have a discerning eye; you can tell it's a fake at a glance."
"This forgery is really well done. The handwriting seems to show some of the style of a master. Even I was fooled at the time. No wonder you like it, young friend."
"It's a pity that no matter how well it's imitated, it's still just an imitation and not worth much. If you like it, young friend, I'll take the liberty of giving it to you!"
Nan Xu smiled and did not refuse: "Then thank you very much, Chao Feng."
The signature and seal were affixed, and the payment and goods were settled.
Nan Xu carried the bulging bundle out the door, finally unable to hide the burning passion in his heart, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
This book, the Surangama Sutra, may seem like just an ordinary Buddhist scripture, but it contains hidden mysteries.
In fact, it was indeed handwritten by Zen Master Foyin, and is not a forgery.
It looks like a fake because Zen Master Foyin cleverly concealed a sixth-grade internal martial art technique between the lines, causing the characters to become distorted.
Even disregarding the value of the original calligraphy by Zen Master Foyin, a sixth-grade internal skill is worth at least several thousand taels of silver!
Cultivating internal energy can provide Nan Xu with a large amount of attribute points, enabling him to more efficiently gain proficiency and use more advanced cooking skills.
The higher the grade of the internal skill, the more attribute values it provides.
Furthermore, after practicing internal energy cultivation, one can also activate the true energy gauge.
From then on, he could use his true energy to accomplish many things that were impossible for an ordinary person.
For example, using internal energy to force out impurities and blood from ingredients, speeding up cooking, and so on...
Furthermore, the use of many culinary techniques is also linked to internal energy. For these types of culinary techniques, the higher the quality and quantity of internal energy, the higher the upper limit of the technique's potential.
Therefore, high-grade internal skills have always been highly sought after by players.
A sixth-grade internal skill is considered a powerful weapon in the early stages of the game, giving players a significant advantage.
If someone had offered up such an internal skill manual when the game was first launched in the previous life, countless wealthy players would have spent a fortune and gone to great lengths to acquire it.
He actually got this internal skill for free without spending a single copper coin!
Thinking of this, Nan Xu became even more excited.
Of course, he knew in his heart that it was thanks to the small items he bought first that he demonstrated his discerning eye, which led Chao Feng to take the initiative to befriend him.
If he tries to buy the Surangama Sutra right away, he will definitely be ripped off.
It just so happens that purchasing those items was a necessary expense anyway, and Nanxu would have to buy them sooner or later, so he might as well just buy them at the pawn shop, killing two birds with one stone.
He bought these items in preparation for collecting rare ingredients in the future.
With the help of his memories from his previous life, he knew the locations of all the rare food resources by heart.
Before the players arrive and loot all the less dangerous food resource points, he must try to get as much as possible.
Unexpectedly, this purchase also allowed him to snag a decent piece of equipment.
Nanxu slipped into an alley, took off his straw sandals, and put on the deerskin boots he had just acquired.
Deerskin Boots
[Type: Armor - Boots]
[Rank: Mid-Level 8]
Defense: 12
[Attribute Bonuses: Agility +2, Composure +1]
[Equipment Effect: Trekking. When walking in the wild, your stamina consumption rate is reduced by 20%.]
This piece of equipment has average stats, but its special effects are useful, making it a decent early-game item.
Considering he bought it at almost a third of the original price, Nanxu felt he got a great deal.
Feeling the soft and comfortable texture under his feet, he nodded in satisfaction.
"So, what's next..."
Nan Xu's gaze slowly fell on the tattered copy of the Surangama Sutra.
The long street is paved with bluestone, and the walls are white and the tiles are black. The high gable walls separate the bustling crowds.
The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the steam from the Lianjiang River mingled with the smell of firewood. The faded banners of the teahouses at the alley entrance swayed gently in the wind, while the black lacquered signs of the shops gleamed brightly.
"Hey—fresh bamboo shoots picked from the mountains, and mushrooms glistening with celestial dew!"
"Freshly brewed Yunwu tea! One brew leaves a sweet aftertaste, dispels dampness and relieves fatigue—"
"These Huangshan sesame seed cakes smell amazing! Freshly baked, piping hot!"
Amidst the shouts of peddlers and laborers, Nanxu walked through the streets and alleys and entered a pawnshop.
With a soft "ding-a-ling," the copper bell on the door curtain rang, and a faint musty smell mixed with the scent of camphor wafted over.
Behind the tall mahogany counter, a shop assistant dressed in a dark blue robe was fiddling with an abacus. Upon seeing someone approach, he raised his eyes.
"Should it be life or death? How long is the redemption period?"
"No, I need to buy some things." Nan Xu walked towards the shelf by the wall without stopping.
Upon seeing that the newcomer was a seemingly unremarkable young man, the clerk immediately lost interest and said indifferently:
"Items past their expiration date are placed on the innermost shelf. For small transactions, just contact me; there's no need to find the shopkeeper."
Half an hour later, Nanxu came to Chaofeng carrying a pile of pawned items.
"Deerskin boots, wool blankets, machetes, tinderboxes, water bags, travel bags..."
As the shopkeeper inventoried the items, a sense of surprise arose in his heart.
That kid has a sharp eye!
Every item he selected for pawning was somewhat damaged or worn, but just enough to not affect its usability, achieving the ultimate in cost-effectiveness.
"So that's how it is. You're going to be a mountain herder, but you have limited funds, so you came to the pawnshop to buy a set of second-hand clothes?" Chao Feng pondered to himself.
Before the clerk could even offer a price, Nan Xu volunteered, "Seventeen taels of silver for deerskin boots, two taels for a wool blanket, ten taels for a machete..."
After finishing his sentence, he paused, then added, "This price is fair; it's my bottom line."
"If you don't sell it here, I won't take it. I'll go to another pawnshop."
His tone was firm, without any hint of probing. It was as if he would turn and leave immediately if he heard a "no."
Upon hearing this, the pawnbroker calculated in his mind that the market price of these pawned items was indeed this much, but if he encountered someone who didn't know anything about them, it was common for the price to increase by 30% to 50%.
He was surprised by the boy's experienced demeanor, and a smile immediately spread across his face:
"Young friend, what are you saying? If we were to ask for an exorbitant price from someone as discerning as you, wouldn't we be ruining our own reputation?"
Then, he showed a hint of embarrassment: "Everything else is fine, but these deerskin boots... As you can see, they are made of the finest leather, and the tanning process is impeccable. They are comfortable and breathable, and are what nobles and royalty wear when they go hunting in the mountains."
"Seventeen taels, perhaps that's not quite right?"
Nan Xu shook his head, pointed to the inside of the boot, and calmly said:
"It was taken from a dead person, so the price will be discounted."
"If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have chosen it."
Upon hearing this, Chao Feng could no longer hide the surprise on his face!
As a courtier, he naturally knew the origin of these deerskin boots, but he deliberately kept it to himself.
In order to fetch a good price, the bloodstains on the surface of the boots had long been cleaned up, but there were still a few hidden bloodstains inside the boot shaft that were difficult to completely remove.
If someone has excellent eyesight and is very knowledgeable, they can indeed tell from the blood splatter marks that the boots were once worn by a dead person.
But this scene happening to a young boy with a youthful face was far beyond his expectations.
"Indeed, I was mistaken," the clerk quickly admitted. "In that case, seventeen taels is just right."
It would be best to form a good relationship with such a discerning guest; if that's not possible, it's absolutely essential not to offend them.
Otherwise, if someone holds a grudge and tries to ruin your business, they'll find plenty of ways to do so.
"That's forty-seven taels of silver in total. Please check it. Is this the correct amount?" The clerk's voice now carried a hint of respect.
"That's right." Nan Xu nodded and placed five ten-tael silver ingots on the counter.
Then, he looked around and casually picked up a small booklet: "Keep the change, use this copy of the Surangama Sutra, which looks like it was handwritten by Zen Master Yin, to pay for it."
The clerk glanced at the booklet and gave a warm smile: "Young friend, you have a discerning eye; you can tell it's a fake at a glance."
"This forgery is really well done. The handwriting seems to show some of the style of a master. Even I was fooled at the time. No wonder you like it, young friend."
"It's a pity that no matter how well it's imitated, it's still just an imitation and not worth much. If you like it, young friend, I'll take the liberty of giving it to you!"
Nan Xu smiled and did not refuse: "Then thank you very much, Chao Feng."
The signature and seal were affixed, and the payment and goods were settled.
Nan Xu carried the bulging bundle out the door, finally unable to hide the burning passion in his heart, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
This book, the Surangama Sutra, may seem like just an ordinary Buddhist scripture, but it contains hidden mysteries.
In fact, it was indeed handwritten by Zen Master Foyin, and is not a forgery.
It looks like a fake because Zen Master Foyin cleverly concealed a sixth-grade internal martial art technique between the lines, causing the characters to become distorted.
Even disregarding the value of the original calligraphy by Zen Master Foyin, a sixth-grade internal skill is worth at least several thousand taels of silver!
Cultivating internal energy can provide Nan Xu with a large amount of attribute points, enabling him to more efficiently gain proficiency and use more advanced cooking skills.
The higher the grade of the internal skill, the more attribute values it provides.
Furthermore, after practicing internal energy cultivation, one can also activate the true energy gauge.
From then on, he could use his true energy to accomplish many things that were impossible for an ordinary person.
For example, using internal energy to force out impurities and blood from ingredients, speeding up cooking, and so on...
Furthermore, the use of many culinary techniques is also linked to internal energy. For these types of culinary techniques, the higher the quality and quantity of internal energy, the higher the upper limit of the technique's potential.
Therefore, high-grade internal skills have always been highly sought after by players.
A sixth-grade internal skill is considered a powerful weapon in the early stages of the game, giving players a significant advantage.
If someone had offered up such an internal skill manual when the game was first launched in the previous life, countless wealthy players would have spent a fortune and gone to great lengths to acquire it.
He actually got this internal skill for free without spending a single copper coin!
Thinking of this, Nan Xu became even more excited.
Of course, he knew in his heart that it was thanks to the small items he bought first that he demonstrated his discerning eye, which led Chao Feng to take the initiative to befriend him.
If he tries to buy the Surangama Sutra right away, he will definitely be ripped off.
It just so happens that purchasing those items was a necessary expense anyway, and Nanxu would have to buy them sooner or later, so he might as well just buy them at the pawn shop, killing two birds with one stone.
He bought these items in preparation for collecting rare ingredients in the future.
With the help of his memories from his previous life, he knew the locations of all the rare food resources by heart.
Before the players arrive and loot all the less dangerous food resource points, he must try to get as much as possible.
Unexpectedly, this purchase also allowed him to snag a decent piece of equipment.
Nanxu slipped into an alley, took off his straw sandals, and put on the deerskin boots he had just acquired.
Deerskin Boots
[Type: Armor - Boots]
[Rank: Mid-Level 8]
Defense: 12
[Attribute Bonuses: Agility +2, Composure +1]
[Equipment Effect: Trekking. When walking in the wild, your stamina consumption rate is reduced by 20%.]
This piece of equipment has average stats, but its special effects are useful, making it a decent early-game item.
Considering he bought it at almost a third of the original price, Nanxu felt he got a great deal.
Feeling the soft and comfortable texture under his feet, he nodded in satisfaction.
"So, what's next..."
Nan Xu's gaze slowly fell on the tattered copy of the Surangama Sutra.