Chen Feng stepped out of the trading post and into the throng of people. Dressed as he was, he didn't exactly stand out among the crowd on the street.

But his clothes were terribly dirty and ragged now. After days walking through the mountain forest, followed by a fight in the trading hub, many seams were coming undone, and large patches were covered in dust. Even if he was going for revenge, he couldn't possibly go looking like this!

Spotting a large clothing store by the roadside, Chen Feng didn't hesitate; he walked right in.

The scale of the shop was quite formal. The floor was paved entirely with polished stone—a material less sturdy than bluestone, and considerably more expensive. However, when polished, it gleamed brilliantly, exceptionally beautiful.

Chen Feng was immediately stunned by the interior's luxury. Illuminated by colorful magical light fixtures, the inside was a riot of color. Various types and hues of clothing were exceptionally eye-catching under the specialized lighting, especially the metallic armors, which reflected the light with dazzling intensity.

The polished stone floor was bright but not slick, making for a very comfortable walk. A faint, delicate fragrance—like orchid or iris—pervaded the room, intoxicating the senses.

The variety of clothing styles inside was immense, most of it being ladies' wear. Beyond being exquisite and luxurious, these garments exuded an air of opulence, clearly designed for noble young mistresses. On the opposite side of the room was a dedicated men's counter. Though the men's clothes hanging there were also worn, compared to the women's selections, they seemed somewhat meager.

Chen Feng’s eyes fixed on the men's section. After gazing for a moment, a strange smile touched his lips.

In one corner of the men's counter hung clothes identical to what he was currently wearing: pitch-black suits, oversized shirts, and shockingly bright red trousers... varying in size, but identical in style and color to his current attire.

With a wry shake of his head, Chen Feng walked over. It seemed that the local fashion had somehow incorporated his style, even turning it into a trend. No wonder so many people on the streets looked exactly like him.

Just as Chen Feng was lost in thought, a sharp voice cut in from behind him: “Where did this ragamuffin come from? Get out immediately!”

Chen Feng turned toward the sound. It was a young shop assistant, looking rather scrawny, with triangular eyes that slanted upward and thick lips that made his expression utterly unpleasant.

“Oh dear, I just finished mopping, and you’ve dirtied it! Go on, get out! Is this a place someone like you can afford to shop in?” The young assistant, holding a mop, stood behind Chen Feng and spoke with mounting anger.

Chen Feng glanced at him briefly before turning away. He thought, such people exist everywhere. Earlier, upon entering "Kè Lái Lín," he was discriminated against by the server; now, he was being looked down upon by this shop boy. It seemed that regardless of the world, judging by appearance was far too common.

He sighed internally, deciding to ignore the shop boy’s prejudicial attitude. Judging by appearance was a matter of personal character, not something the boy was intentionally doing to cause him trouble.

“Hey! Are you deaf? I’m telling you, this is a place for nobles! Not for beggars like you! Leave now, or I’ll have someone throw you out!” The boy, seeing Chen Feng ignore him, became furious.

Chen Feng shook his head and walked toward the rack displaying his "signature" attire. His voice lowered slightly as he asked, “How much is one of these outfits?”

“Don’t touch that… Don’t you dare dirty it! Can you even afford it?” The assistant rushed forward, alarmed, as Chen Feng reached for a garment. He quickly tucked the clothing away and looked at Chen Feng with contempt. “How much is one? Even if it were five copper coins, could you afford it?”

He circled Chen Feng, sneering, “Tsk, tsk, you think you’re quite the trendsetter, do you? Look in a mirror! Is this kind of clothing meant for someone like you? This one you’re wearing—you probably picked it up off the street, right? Well, it is practically falling apart, and you’re still wearing it. Where else would you get it?”

Hearing such torrents of ridicule, Chen Feng felt a flicker of anger. He said gravely, “Call your owner!”

“Out, out!” the assistant snapped impatiently. “You want to see our boss? Do you think someone like you can just waltz in and see him? Go splash some water on your face and look at yourself…”

“Agh…” Before the assistant could finish his sentence, a sharp scream tore out. Chen Feng strode forward and lifted him up by his arm.

“You… what are you doing?” The assistant, faced with Chen Feng’s sudden aggression, lost all his earlier arrogance. His face turned pale yellow as he cried out.

“I said, bring your boss here,” Chen Feng growled fiercely.

“The boss, the boss isn’t here… He went to the Iron Sword Merchant Guild…” The assistant began to fear Chen Feng’s ferocity.

“Hmph!” Chen Feng tossed him onto the ground carelessly. Against such petty men, a small show of force seemed necessary.

“What’s going on? What’s the trouble?” A distinguished, middle-aged man walked in from the doorway.

The assistant, still on the floor, scrambled toward the newcomer. “Boss! This penniless vagrant—wherever he came from—is messing with the clothes and trying to hit me…”

The middle-aged man frowned. He glanced at Chen Feng’s tattered clothing, then back at the self-pitying assistant. He approached Chen Feng and stated firmly, “This establishment is a VIP store, open only to the nobility of Middle Commerce Town. If you wish to purchase clothing, I suggest you try another shop.”

Chen Feng was surprised the owner spoke the same way. No wonder the assistant was so brazen; it seemed the quality of the general reflects the quality of his troops.

Seeing Chen Feng remain silent, the owner knitted his brows tighter.

“We do not welcome guests like you. Please leave.” He then gestured to the assistant to escort Chen Feng out, adding under his breath, “Then clean up, bring out the Silver Heron Tea I’ve cherished for fifty years, and also my hand-carved Feathered Brocade Robe…” With that, he strode toward the door.

“Boss, this…” The assistant frowned, looking troubled. “I don’t think I can drive him away…”

The owner stopped and turned back to Chen Feng. “I must ask you to vacate our premises. We are expecting a highly esteemed guest. We are closed for business today!”

Chen Feng sighed, about to speak, when a series of footsteps echoed from outside. An elderly man strode in—it was none other than the Guild Master of the Iron Sword Merchant Guild, the very man Chen Feng had encountered earlier at the Leif family’s trading post.

The Guild Master entered with a smile. “Just passing by, I thought I’d drop in to see Proprietor William’s establishment.”

The middle-aged owner, William, rushed forward eagerly. “Guild Master, your personal visit honors me greatly! Please, come in and sit!” He led the Guild Master toward the stairs.

Just then, the Guild Master’s sharp eyes caught sight of Chen Feng standing on the side of the room. His expression immediately became comically awkward, and he quickly turned and walked toward Chen Feng.

William saw the Guild Master approaching Chen Feng, his face flushing with mortification. He roared at Chen Feng, “Did you not hear what I just told you? Get out!” He then plastered a smile on his face for the Guild Master. “Just some ignorant street urchin, Guild Master, doesn’t know any better. Shall we go upstairs?”

The Guild Master looked at Chen Feng, his mouth dropping wide open. Did William have a death wish, speaking to such a formidable figure that way? He pointed a slightly trembling finger at William and said, “You… you are entirely too bold…”

Without waiting for a reaction, he swiftly walked to Chen Feng, bowed deeply, and said, “Lord Chen Feng Kaint. I… on behalf of every establishment under my jurisdiction, I apologize for the rudeness shown to you just now.”

This turn of events was sudden. The Guild Master of the Iron Sword Merchant Guild personally bowing and apologizing to Chen Feng made William and the assistant stare in disbelief.

Chen Feng snorted coldly and ignored him. The Guild Master, however, showed no displeasure at Chen Feng’s hauteur, viewing it instead as perfectly understandable.

“W-what is going on?” William and the assistant exchanged a look filled with shock. Seeing the stark contrast in attitude between the Guild Master and Chen Feng, they would have to be complete fools not to grasp the situation now.

William was no fool; on the contrary, he was quite astute. His expression shifted rapidly between uncertainty and aggression. He suddenly whirled around and delivered a sharp slap to the assistant’s face—slap!—then hurried over to Chen Feng. “Your Excellency… I was truly blind earlier, misled by that boy’s nonsense. If I have caused any offense, I beg your forgiveness…”

Chen Feng sneered. “No need. Take these clothes down for me; I’ll take them.”

He barely spared a glance for their sudden reversal from arrogance to deference. He pointed to a dozen outfits hanging on the rack, stating mildly, “I measured them mentally just now; these should fit perfectly.”

“Yes, sir…” William hastily began folding the clothes and bundling them together. Just as he was about to speak again, he heard the Guild Master interject, “William, I’ll pay for these clothes. You can collect the funds from me later.”

Chen Feng said coolly, “I can afford these few outfits myself!” He casually took out a merchant card and tossed it over. “There is one hundred thousand gold coins inside. I believe that should suffice. Go to the bank, deduct the cost of the clothes, and bring the rest back to me.”

“One hundred thousand gold coins…” William’s mind reeled; he nearly fainted. Good heavens, a young man who casually tossed out a card worth a hundred thousand gold—and he had just told him he couldn’t afford the store’s cheapest items…

The assistant, clutching his stinging cheek, stood frozen like a statue, seemingly stunned into silence. He couldn’t believe the youth he had just cursed like a beggar was so wealthy. Furthermore, judging by the Guild Master’s deference, his status must be considerable. To think he had offended such a person—the young man felt dizzy, on the verge of collapsing.