X-Dragon Era

Clutching the Fiery Shuttle and followed by Yi Luo Xiang, Xin Yun swaggered about the Treasure Exchange Convention, pausing from time to time at various stalls, picking up treasures to look at, casually asking for prices, and then turning to leave.

Watching Xin Yun's actions, Yi Luo Xiang silently followed, constantly guessing his intentions through his behavior, thereby thoroughly deciphering the strategy Xin Yun was about to unfold!

"Eh?" While Yi Luo Xiang was deep in thought, Xin Yun suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes shining brightly at an item on a stall, his face undisguisedly showing elation.

Seeing this, Yi Luo Xiang smiled mysteriously. Having been with Xin Yun for so long, she knew him too well; he was definitely not one to wear his heart on his sleeve. By acting this way now, he was obviously planting the impression of being guileless or even naive within the market.

And with the first deal set to be a 500,000 gold loss, wherever he went after that would probably make him the most popular figure, but of course... in the end, who will have the last laugh was not at all a suspense.

Strangely enough, although Xin Yun was just a child of seven or eight years old and opposed by a whole host of slick veterans, Yi Luo Xiang had never once thought that Xin Yun would lose!

Sighing and shaking her head, Yi Luo Xiang didn't know what had come over her. If someone had told her in the past that a boy of seven or eight years old could play a group of adults like a fiddle, she would have laughed out loud, but now, when it all actually happened, she became the first and most believing one.

Standing behind Xin Yun, Yi Luo Xiang observed carefully; at the sight of Xin Yun, the stall owner became overjoyed. It was clear... he knew about Xin Yun, and what he had in his hands. Especially given Xin Yun's current expression, a good deal could definitely lead to a hefty profit. Cheating a child seemed way too easy...

"Hey! Boss... how much are you selling this dagger for?" Finally, Xin Yun's trembling voice rang out.

Looking at the glittering golden dagger, the stall owner chuckled and said, "It's not expensive... you can take it for a million!"

"Wow!" Hearing the stall owner's words, Xin Yun's eyes lit up with excitement, and he stammered, "That's so cheap, I'll take it... Hahahaha..." Xin Yun held the dagger in his hands, eyes sparkling as he turned it over.

Seeing this, the stall owner couldn't help but be ecstatic; the dagger wasn't worth a million—perhaps only five or six hundred thousand at most. Although one needed an item worth a million to enter the trade market, having just one was sufficient, and the rest were negotiable.

While the stall owner was in the midst of his ecstasy, Xin Yun turned his gaze towards a row of hairpins, then turned to Yi Luo Xiang and said, "These hairpins are pretty. See if you like any, I'll buy one for you!" As he spoke, Xin Yun covertly winked at Yi Luo Xiang, leaving everything unsaid.

Looking at Xin Yun, Yi Luo Xiang smiled warmly and said, "Sure, I'll take whatever you buy for me. All these hairpins are nice, you pick one for me."

Admiringly glancing at Yi Luo Xiang, Xin Yun then turned back and pointed to an exceptionally dazzling hairpin on the stall and asked, "Boss, how much for this hairpin?"

"Ah!" Hearing Xin Yun's words, the boss exclaimed, "Little brother really has good taste! This hairpin is carved from fine jade; not only is it beautiful, but it can also keep the mind clear and help maintain concentration when worn. Just give me two million, and it's yours!"

"Two million, huh..." Hearing the stall owner's words, Xin Yun made a hesitant expression, clearly able to afford it but seemingly finding it expensive.

Seeing this, the stall owner chuckled and said, "Of course, good things are always a bit pricey. Look... these hairpins next to it are much cheaper. This one is only one and a half million, this one just one million two hundred thousand, and especially this one with the red cotton fluff, you can take it for just a million."

Listening to the stall owner, Xin Yun frowned and gnashed his teeth, hesitating for quite a while before finally making up his mind. He pulled out a leather pouch from within his clothes, placed it on the stall, and said, "Alright, I'll trade this Fiery Shuttle for your dagger and the most worn-looking hairpin, is that okay?"

"The Fiery Shuttle!" The stall owner's eyes suddenly blazed as he snatched the pouch, opened it, and saw that it was indeed the Fiery Shuttle. However... the stall owner was evidently cautious, and even though he was dealing with a child, he didn't dare to take any chances. He thoroughly inspected it for a while and, once confirmed it was the Fiery Shuttle, did not say another word.

He immediately took the dagger and the green hairpin, mixed with a lot of cotton fluff, and handed them to Xin Yun, exclaiming, "Done, deal made, no returns or exchanges, and welcome to come again anytime!"

Watching the excitement of the stall owner, Xin Yun gave a sly smile, then took the bag and left the stall with Yi Luo Xiang, turning toward the market exit...

Following closely behind Xin Yun, Yi Luo Xiang didn't say a word until they reached a secluded spot. Then, Yi Luo Xiang cautiously asked, "How did it go? Did you score another treasure?"

Trembling with excitement, Xin Yun said, "A treasure, definitely a treasure! Only that fellow didn't recognize its worth. But that's not surprising, as this treasure is deeply concealed, and not something just anyone can discover."

Upon hearing Xin Yun's words, Yi Luo Xiang's excitement bubbled over, "Was it that dagger?"

Looking at Yi Luo Xiang, puzzled, Xin Yun asked in confusion, "Why would you think it's that dagger?"

Smiling at Xin Yun, Yi Luo Xiang began, "I do know a bit about jade, that red is called 'fei' and green is 'cui.' Your hairpin is indeed made of jade, but nothing out of the ordinary; while it's a fine piece, its price wouldn't exceed one million, so acquiring it merely means not incurring a loss, far from it being considered a treasure."

At this point, Yi Luo Xiang paused briefly, then continued, "As for that dagger, I don't understand it ... but precisely because I understand the piece of jade, I concluded that the dagger must be the treasure."

Casting a strange glance at Yi Luo Xiang, Xin Yun laughed and said, "I never would've guessed you knew about jade! How about this ... let's make a bet, shall we? I say ... this piece of jade is the real treasure!"

"Hm?" Yi Luo Xiang looked at Xin Yun with confusion and said cautiously, "I would love to take that bet ... but before we bet, can you show me that hairpin again?"

Without hesitation, in response to Yi Luo Xiang's request, Xin Yun handed over the red and green hairpin. Taking the hairpin, Yi Luo Xiang examined it carefully, but no matter how she looked, she couldn't see anything particularly special about it.

Glancing sideways at Xin Yun, Yi Luo Xiang declared, "Alright then, whatever you want to bet, I'm in. Do you really think I'd lose to you in something I know well?"

"Heh heh ..." With a mischievous smile, Xin Yun licked his lips and said, "You don't even ask what I want to bet on? Are you that confident in your judgment?"

With prideful defiance, Yi Luo Xiang responded resolutely, "Of course, you should know ... the women in the village all love to discuss these pieces of jade and jewelry. I've read many books on jade, and although I'm not an expert, I'm certain that what you have is definitely not a real treasure!"

"Alright!" Xin Yun exclaimed, moving closer to whisper in Yi Luo Xiang's ear, "If this hairpin turns out to be a treasure, then you'll have to let me kiss you once!"

"Ah!" Hearing Xin Yun's words, Yi Luo Xiang's face flushed with embarrassment. Although they had technically kissed in the dry well, which had even been a French kiss, it had been merely for feeding and didn't count. To this day, they hadn't had a proper kiss yet.

"What, scared?" Seeing Yi Luo Xiang's bashfulness, Xin Yun couldn't help but laugh.

Looking at Xin Yun's annoying expression, Yi Luo Xiang lifted her head proudly and said, "There's nothing I'm afraid to bet on. I'll take your bet! But ... what if you lose?"

"Me, lose?" Hearing Yi Luo Xiang's words, Xin Yun looked incredulous and said in disbelief, "Are you crazy? How could I possibly lose? You think I would make a bet I'm not certain about? Really ..."