※ Shanran was silent, clutching something tight in Gandalf’s aging palm, examining it closely. It was a rust-pitted circular disk. The disk, palm-sized, was etched with bizarre, dark patterns on both faces; from a distance, it resembled a piece of moldy mooncake.
Zhong Shenxiu stared blankly at Gandalf, clearly perplexed by his sudden agitation.
Regarding this disk, Zhong Shenxiu had observed it before. Apart from a faint magical fluctuation, it seemed unremarkable, and he had no idea what it was used for. He had assumed it was some kind of equipment utilized by mages and hadn't paid it much mind at the time.
However, Gandalf’s reaction immediately piqued Zhong Shenxiu’s curiosity. Could this unassuming disk hide some unknown secret within?
Gandalf suddenly realized the audacity of his actions. He quickly darted a glance and saw, as expected, that Zhong Shenxiu was watching him. In that instant, his prior courage vanished completely, replaced by a surge of tension and a nervous tremor.
Laurie, standing nearby, was utterly bewildered; it was the first time he had ever seen Gandalf lose his composure like this!
“Hey, old man,” Zhong Shenxiu suddenly called out, “What exactly is that thing you’re holding?”
Gandalf’s eyes darted evasively; he dared not meet Zhong Shenxiu’s deep gaze, stammering out his reply, “N-nothing useful!”
Bah, as if anyone would believe that! If it were useless, why would he be so agitated?
Zhong Shenxiu knew instantly that Gandalf was hiding something. Furthermore, having spent some time with him, he understood the old man’s ways—the more he acted like this, the more interesting the secret he was concealing must be!
What exactly was the secret?
And so, Zhong Shenxiu narrowed his eyes, revealing a very gentle smile, and said, “Old man, tell me the truth!”
Gandalf instinctively flinched. He knew the weight of those words too well! If a smile could hide a knife, then Zhong Shenxiu’s smile absolutely concealed a ‘weapon of mass destruction’!
That smile clearly conveyed a single message: If you don't cooperate and tell the truth, don't blame me later; I gave you a chance!
At that moment, Gandalf recalled those few days spent with Zhong Shenxiu, and cold sweat involuntarily beaded on his forehead.
“Th-this might be related to the ‘War’... I haven't figured out the specifics yet!” Unable to withstand the pressure, Gandalf confessed the secret.
At this revelation, everyone else was stunned, looking at Gandalf in disbelief. Even the appraiser busy examining equipment paused his work.
But compared to them, Zhong Shenxiu remained remarkably calm. His expression was like a glass of plain water, showing not a single ripple.
Although he didn't know much about the ‘War,’ Zhong Shenxiu knew it was a conflict. What truly puzzled him was why everyone in this world seemed obsessed with pursuing a war that had ended countless years ago? What was it that attracted them so much?
War is war. Regardless of who was right or wrong, or who initiated it, it was long gone—just history!
Of course, studying history wasn't inherently bad, but one needed moderation. These people here had reached a state of frenzy. Could a single ‘War’ really hold such immense appeal?
Despite these thoughts, Zhong Shenxiu extended his small hand towards Gandalf and stated flatly, “Hand it over!”
Preposterous! Trying to snatch something from his ‘genius’ hands would be a miracle amongst miracles! Usually, he was the one doing the snatching!
Gandalf looked at the disk in his hand with profound reluctance. This item was something he had acquired through immense hardship, traveling dangerous terrains, nearly losing his life in the process; only he knew the difficulty involved.
People have emotions. Honestly, Gandalf did not want to give up the disk. He felt that if he could thoroughly research it, he might uncover what the ‘War’ was truly about! That conflict held too many secrets, and revealing them might bring earth-shattering change to this world!
But refusing now was simply impossible. To use the professional jargon from a political textbook: This matter was not subject to his will!
He knew how terrifying Zhong Shenxiu was. This little demon could instantly cast a Level Seven spell, and he was apparently a swordsman with monstrous strength—perhaps even a Necromancer. If he dared utter the word ‘No,’ he was certain to be lying on the floor in the next second, and whether his body would remain whole was debatable!
Zhong Shenxiu took the disk from Gandalf’s hand and studied it closely for a moment, still finding nothing particularly special about it.
“Um, could I perhaps appraise the item in your hand for you?” The appraiser, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up as Zhong Shenxiu was examining the object.
It was understandable; anyone with an interest in the ‘War’ would lose control of their excitement upon hearing something related to it. This appraiser was clearly one of them.
However, what felt utterly humiliating to him was that Zhong Shenxiu merely glanced up at him, then inexplicably tucked the disk back into his magic ring.
A famous saying holds true: It's not being afraid of thieves stealing, but being afraid of thieves coveting! Although Zhong Shenxiu feared neither theft nor robbery, he detested being bothered by tiresome people!
What did that mean?
Even the well-traveled appraiser was momentarily stunned!
Ignoring the appraiser’s questioning gaze, Zhong Shenxiu turned to the dazed Norikye and asked, “Now, can you tell me how much you plan to offer for these items?”
Norikye snapped back to attention and glanced at the appraiser beside him. The appraiser understood, but he seemed displeased by Zhong Shenxiu’s previous actions, so he replied in a detached tone, “We can offer you four Diamond Coins for this staff!”
Zhong Shenxiu’s expression remained placid. Since he was unfamiliar with the staff’s level or market price, he thought four Diamond Coins was a reasonable sum.
But someone else couldn't stand it—that someone was Gandalf.
“H-how much?”
Gandalf’s eyes nearly bulged out. He remembered buying this very staff from the ‘Wu Mei Magic Shop’; although not in this location, it had cost him nearly seventy thousand Diamond Coins!
And because he often engaged in research, he rarely used the staff, meaning it should qualify as at least ninety percent new. Yet, such a staff was offered only four Diamond Coins? How could he not be agitated?
Black shop... Even the ‘Wu Mei Magic Shop’ is a black shop!
This thought flashed through Gandalf’s mind!
Hearing Gandalf’s inquiry, the appraiser looked at him confusedly but said nothing.
In his mind, the kid is the one selling things here; you’re not the guardian, old man, why are you stirring up trouble?
When Gandalf saw the appraiser ignoring him, his anger flared even more!
But while Gandalf was angry, Zhong Shenxiu was delighted—a bit smugly so, and perhaps a bit relieved!
“Old man, if you were buying this staff, how much would you offer?” Zhong Shenxiu asked, smacking his lips.
It went without saying; he had guessed what the old man was plotting!
Gandalf was currently consumed by indignation and answered without suspicion, “If it were me, I’d offer at least ten thousand Diamond Coins.”
“And these?” Zhong Shenxiu’s smile became even more pronounced as he gestured toward the other magical equipment on the counter. “What about these?”
“That magic crystal is worth at least five thousand Diamond Coins, and that magic robe…” Gandalf proceeded to list the prices for each piece of equipment.
“Old man, how about this: I’ll sell all this stuff to you. As the saying goes, keep the profit within the family—since we know each other!”
Upon hearing this, Gandalf finally realized what was happening; he hadn't expected Zhong Shenxiu to set his sights on him again.
What nonsense was this, ‘keep the profit within the family’? These things were originally his!
Gandalf almost roared out loud. He was even more frustrated now than before, inwardly cursing himself for opening his mouth!
Seeing Gandalf hesitate, Zhong Shenxiu decided to press his advantage and quickly added, “How about this: you buy all of this, and I’ll give you a fifteen percent discount. What do you say?”
Old Danny remained unmoved, wearing an expression that suggested, Whatever you say, I won't listen.
Zhong Shenxiu gave a wicked smile, and unexpectedly pulled out that circular disk again, saying with ill intent, “Old man, you better think this over carefully. My items are sold as a bundle. Whoever buys them, I sell this disk along with them.”
“Really?” Gandalf’s eyes immediately lit up.
“Of course,” Zhong Shenxiu replied with a smile, though his expression clearly broadcasted: Little punk, you dare challenge me? You’re still too green!
“Th-then how much are you asking for that disk?” Gandalf had learned to be smarter; he asked for the price first, so Zhong Shenxiu wouldn't demand an exorbitant amount.
“What price range would you buy it for?” Zhong Shenxiu countered.
Gandalf struggled for a long moment before uttering something that nearly made Zhong Shenxiu stumble in shock.
“I don’t have any money!”
Gandalf had only just realized that the money in his magic ring had been confiscated by Zhong Shenxiu; he was currently penniless.
Of course, he had some money in his bank card, but since he had filed a loss report, the new card wouldn't arrive for at least another week!
Zhong Shenxiu hadn't anticipated Gandalf giving him that answer. While he understood, making him pay upfront was out of the question!
However, this didn't stump Zhong Shenxiu; he quickly thought of a solution for Gandalf. And this solution directly involved Laurie, who was standing next to Gandalf!
Yes, Zhong Shenxiu had set his sights on Laurie. One wondered if this vice-principal could withstand Zhong Shenxiu’s torment!
A child isn’t scary, what’s scary is when they’re educated!