Chang'an Ghost Market —
It was the dead of night. Most people passing by were wearing masks, many with their arms crossed tightly, shielding their chests for fear of pickpockets.
Those who made a living here mostly set up small stalls, their surfaces covered in dust, who knows how long they had been there.
At this moment, a young man in brocade robes was walking around, glancing here and there.
Not long after, he arrived at a group of young beggars huddled together.
“I'm looking for someone. Five copper coins for anyone who finds them. Who's up for it?”
The little beggars, having gone a day without food, surrounded him instantly.
“Me, me, me! There's no one in the entire Ghost Market I don't know!”
“Let me go. I'll find them for you within a day!”
“They call me Know-it-all. I've been crawling around the Ghost Market since I was a kid. No one knows the people here better than I do!”
Seeing one kid even trying to reach into his pocket, Zheng Qing scattered the coins.
“You find someone in the Ghost Market called Fei Ji Shi. Whoever finds him gets ten more copper coins!”
The beggars scattered immediately.
Zheng Qing found a secluded spot to sit, secretly making plans.
He had been in this world for a while now. This was the same world as the Tang Gui TV series.
Zheng Qing, of the Zheng clan of Xingyang!
By his calculations, this was precisely when Chang'an Red Tea was just starting to gain popularity.
Wu Da Qi was still alive, the Su Wu Ming five-man group hadn’t formed yet, Fei Ji Shi was still stealing chickens in the Ghost Market, and Xi Jun was always threatening to starve himself to death.
Since he was already here, he decided to get acquainted with the future group. As for later, he would enjoy the feeling of holding the power of the court in his hands!
【You are generous and kind in the Ghost Market, gaining the favor of the beggars.
Favor from beggar Chen Liu, Fame +100
Favor from beggar Su San, Fame +100
Favor from beggar Xiao Er Gou, Fame +100
…】
He opened the system.
【Host: Zheng Qing.
Current Fame: 600
Martial Arts: None.
Skills: None.
After some exploration, he gradually understood how the system worked. He could gain Fame by helping others escape or by providing them with benefits.
Fame could then be used to exchange for items in the Store!
He opened the System Store.
A list appeared at the top.
【Chang'an Red Tea (Normal): 50 Fame per pack.
Chang'an Red Tea (Western Fantasy Herb): 100 Fame per pack
Soul-Returning Incense: 100 Fame per pack
…
Skill Category:
Silent: 1000 Fame per pack.
After exchanging, you can conceal your aura, move silently, like a ghost!
Hidden Trace: 1000 Fame per pack.
After exchanging, you can teleport to any location without being detected within a stick of incense.
Forging: 500 Fame per pack.
After exchanging, you can forge a superior quality broadsword!
Swiftness: 500 Fame per pack.
After exchanging, your movement speed will significantly increase!
…
Martial Arts Category:
Riding Mastery: 500 Fame
After exchanging, you will master riding skills, able to control any steed!
…】
The wide variety of items in the Store almost blinded Zheng Qing. Considering his current situation, Zheng Qing first exchanged for a pack of Soul-Returning Incense.
After thinking about it, he also exchanged for Swiftness.
Not long after, a beggar came with a message.
“Sir, we found Fei Ji Shi. He's a strange one, always acting sneaky, disappearing as quickly as he appeared. We’re afraid of spooking him, so we had someone follow him secretly.”
Zheng Qing nodded. He followed the beggars forward, buying two roast chickens from a stall along the way.
At a corner, a shadowy figure was observing their surroundings. After confirming no one was nearby, he cautiously moved forward.
Zheng Qing handed the beggars the ten copper coins.
“Split it evenly. I'll come to you again if I need to find someone next time.”
The beggars were overjoyed. They nodded their heads like drums.
【Favor from beggar Chen Liu, Fame +200
Favor from beggar Su San, Fame +200
Favor from beggar Xiao Er Gou, Fame +200
…】
Ten copper coins for a thousand Fame. This business was too good to be true!
Zheng Qing strolled forward, stopping behind Fei Ji Shi.
“Fei Ji Shi.”
The sudden voice startled Fei Ji Shi.
He turned around. The image of a raggedly-dressed man with a bulbous nose and small eyes that gleamed with shrewdness appeared before him.
“Who are you? I don’t think I know you.”
Fei Ji Shi was very cautious, but when he saw the chickens in Zheng Qing’s hands, his eyes lit up.
“My name is Zheng Qing. I’ve heard there's an old physician with the surname Fei in the Chang'an Ghost Market, and I admire his skill. I came to visit, hoping I haven’t disturbed you, old physician!”
He then handed him the two roast chickens.
His words pleased Fei Ji Shi immensely. He laughed, “You're an interesting one. Even though this is our first meeting, I can see… wait, you’re a Zheng? Could you be from the Zheng clan of Xingyang?”
Zheng Qing nodded, “To be honest, I am. I love making friends with famous people all over the world. I came in a hurry this time, and I don’t know what Fei Ji Shi likes. So, I just brought two chickens.”
Fei Ji Shi chuckled and accepted the chickens. "I’m a simple man. I just like this. Very good, very good!”
【Favor from Fei Ying Jun, Fame +200】
But after taking the roast chickens, his face suddenly changed.
“No, that’s not right. Ghost! You’re a ghost! You smell of ghost!”
Fei Ji Shi looked like he had seen something terrifying. He grabbed the two roast chickens and ran away.
…
I’ve saved up ten days worth of writing, 100,000 words. Enough for a while, I’ll be updating five chapters a day.
Two thousand flowers for one extra chapter, one hundred review votes for one extra chapter, five thousand rewards for one extra chapter!