I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality
Chapter 293 - 163: Generational Feud, Shedding the Golden Cicada’s Shell (Part 2)

Chapter 293: Chapter 163: Generational Feud, Shedding the Golden Cicada’s Shell (Part 2)

But although that insect is not a so-called treasure-seeking bug, it does have some other uses.

Among the onlookers, there were quite a few clever people. Before the vendor could finish his deceptive spiel, someone already pointed out his flaw.

Since you say you’re from the southern village, then speak a few words of the local dialect, instead of trying to get chummy with us speaking the local tongue.

The vendor naturally couldn’t speak the dialect, so he simply stiffened his neck and didn’t even pretend: "Shoo, shoo, buy it if you want, and if you don’t, don’t disturb my business! I say this is a treasure-seeking bug, so it is a treasure-seeking bug. If you don’t buy it, it’s because you lack the good fortune to recognize a true gem!"

Once the crowd dispersed, Mu Dian stepped forward and confidently asked in awkward official language, "I was born and raised in the capital, we are fellow countrymen. Can you sell me this insect for less?"

"..."

The vendor, being an experienced swindler, recognized from his accent that Mu Dian was truly a native.

A native, and you’re pretending to be a local? Come on!

"Oh! So we’re actually from the same place! How about this, I’ll level with you. I only ever deceive out-of-towners who don’t know the trade, but I never cheat fellow locals, that’s too unscrupulous! You’re a capital person, so am I. I’ll sell you this treasure bug for ten taels of silver, let’s consider it a friendly gesture, how about it?"

Mu Dian, a sincere person, displayed a satisfied smile and nodded, "You’re good, I like you a lot, then it’s ten taels of silver..."

"Great! This treasure bug is now yours!"

Just as Mu Dian was about to pay from his purse, a man wearing a melon-peel cap and dressed in a maroon-sleeved formal coat approached the stall.

"Oh wow! Such a big ground beetle, and it’s golden-skinned too."

"Hurry, hurry, Old He, bring the silver! Shucheng always runs about recklessly, has broken his arm. Let’s take this ground beetle to make a tonic for him."

Ground beetles are commonly used in traditional medicine for trauma and injury.

This insect not only helps in relaxing muscles and replenishing bones, dispersing blood stasis, but also has pain-relieving and swelling-reducing properties, nourishing the body.

This golden ground beetle, notably larger than ordinary ones, is particularly rare.

The servant called Old He immediately took out the purse and asked the vendor, "How much for this ground beetle?"

The vendor, upon seeing the gentleman’s attire—a maroon brocade coat—knew they weren’t ordinary folk. Coupled with the conversation earlier, it was evident their young master was injured and urgently needed the medicine as a tonic!

The vendor saw his chance to make a fortune after pondering slightly!

"It’s urgent to save lives and cure diseases! So, fifty taels of silver, I’ll sell it cheap to you both..."

"Fifty taels?" The servant He frowned, just about to object, when the gentleman interrupted:

"Hand him a silver note." As the vendor excitedly accepted the money, the gentleman added, "If you have more good stuff in the future, come to the Feng Family residence at Eight roads, we’ll not mistreat you."

Mu Dian, beside himself with anxiety, kept attempting to interject but was repeatedly cut off by the vendor.

Once the generous master and servant had left, he finally seized the chance to catch up with the vendor packing up.

"Fellow, we must keep our word as people. You agreed to sell to me, how can you go back on it!"

"Who’s a local with you, a native fellow? Without silver, you’re not even considered a person, and you expect someone to keep their word to you? Move along, don’t block my way!"

Mu Dian, now desperate, exclaimed, "I want the insect for my apprentice’s leg too. You already promised it to me, how can you change your mind just like that."

The insect vendor turned his head, finally noticing the youth limping beside Mu Dian, and upon seeing the uneven legs, realized he was disabled!

Oh, turns out to be another one desperate to cure an illness.

...

In the world of Jianghu, there are eight main sects. Let’s set aside the known sects for now and talk about the secret sects, one of them called the ’Ma’ sect.

The Ma sect refers to lone rogues wandering the Jianghu, these con men usually disguising themselves as monks, Daoists, or reclusive sages to swindle the wealthy.

This insect vendor is actually a Ma sect swindler, today using the guise of selling treasure-seeking bugs, but in truth engaging in deceptive trade.

Treasure-seeking bugs are not something regular folks can afford. Only those with purchasing intentions are likely to be wealthy magnates.

The Ma sect swindler intended to utilize the guise of treasure bugs to swindle money, but ended up unexpectedly encountering two people seeking remedies for illness.

Upon noticing Mu Dian’s limp, the Ma sect swindler felt inexplicably delighted.

An insect picked up on a whim suddenly turned into a highly sought-after medicinal ingredient, truly proving the saying ’blessings in disguise’ as fortune brought him monetary gifts with great fanfare!

"Fellow, I was just messing with you. Do you really want this insect?"

Seeing Mu Dian nod, the Ma sect swindler grinned, "To be honest, this golden beetle was part of a pair, I have another, but..."

"However, that one is already reserved, if I sell it to you, it would be hard to explain, and breaking a contract would mean compensating three times the reservation money."

Mu Dian, having had a limp since childhood and dreaming of curing his disability, was overjoyed to hear of the treasure bug.

"How much is the reservation fee? I’ll cover it for you."

"Not much, ten taels of silver, plus the cost of the insect, totaling fifty taels."

Mu Dian thought how coincidental, for he had just counted ten shallow taels of silver, which fit the payment perfectly.

The Ma sect swindler, after accepting the silver, softened his gaze towards Mu Dian considerably: "You keep an eye on the stall for me while I go fetch the insect!"

"I’ll go with you."

"That won’t do, it’s a trade secret, can’t let others see it, and besides, the stall is here, do you think I’d run off? Just wait, I’ll be back soon!"