Now back in the market street, noticing Zhen Shi's frown Myne answered, "Idiot Brother of mine, it isn't like you think. I record everything so if someone ever does something against the law to me or if they blame me unfairly, I will always be ahead of lawsuits whenever I sue someone or someone else sues me!"
Zhen Shi spoke out in surprise, "NANI? Lawsuits and Suing? There really is such a thing? But how does that work? Doesn't power always reign supreme?" Although familiar with this concept, Zhen Shi wasn't familiar with it being applied in this world. This was because his memories did not contain anything regarding the law, possibly because the old Zhen Shi had always been within the Zhen Clan Mountains.
Myne grinned, "Of course there is such a thing. Do you think people are savages?"
Vivienne answered with a smile, "Just like little bro said power does reign supreme. Law and Order have been established by the unquestionable power of kingdoms, sects, and other such organizations. Thus most of the time commoners, as well as ordinary cultivators, can get fair results for any incident, as long as the law was broken within the area governed by the particular organization. But of course, even then, the law can be bent."
Zhen Shi nodded in understanding, "How interesting... But doesn't that mean Bro Myne has spent a lot of time in courts?" and said with a smile. Myne frowned and poked him saying, "Shut up... The law system was introduced in our time, and back then it was very fashionable for people to sue left and right. Thus I began to carry scrying crystals with me everywhere and in the end, it became a habit for me..."
Zhen Shi laughed at this and patted his brother in the back, while Vivienne giggled as well. Myne who felt uncomfortable said, "C'mon let's just go buy your stuff without wasting more time."
As such, Zhen Shi and the duo began walking about the market by themselves. Zhen Shi handed out some money to Myne when he came over and said he was 'dirt poor'. Now alone, Zhen Shi was using his appraisal skill to full effect while walking about and checking the wares among the poor commoners selling on pieces of cloth. Most of what he saw were everyday items and some were even fake items made to look extraordinary. Any time he questioned the price of some average herbs, those people would ask sky-high prices mentioning crazy tales of how good that item was. These people weren't fearful of cultivators at all, possibly due to the protection of the kingdom guard. Thus, Zhen Shi had straight out refused these highway robbers.
But as Zhen Shi continued to survey the market, his eye fell upon a small flat piece of clay. It wasn't that the appraisal skill had shown anything special, it was more the fact that it didn't. This piece of clay did not register as anything on the appraisal skill. This was impossible as he had already seen countless useless items labeled as [Brick], [Stone], [Ordinary Tulip], etc. being marketed for crazy prices. Thus Zhen Shi was rather intrigued.
He took the piece of clay onto his hand under the suspicious look of the mortal old man who was selling the clay piece. There were no carvings on it and looked just like an ordinary clay piece. But, Zhen Shi was dumbfounded as this clay piece suddenly resonated with his dantian. As a result, the primordial chaos base surrounding the planet in his dantian shook and expanded, simultaneously, the planet solidified further and formed a stable connection with the primordial chaos.
Zhen Shi who realized that this was some divine treasure hiding like a wolf in sheep-skin among the other useless junk immediately asked, "Hey... how much for this piece of clay?"
The old man smiled showing off his rotten teeth and raised his hands to show ten fingers, "Young man, you've got a good eye. I like you, so I'll sell it for the cheap price of 10 gold coins." Zhen Shi almost vomited blood at this statement and said, "Are you crazy? For a random clay piece?" The old man shook his head wisely, "I may not be a cultivator and may not know what that is... but my teeth never lies! That thing didn't break even after being bitten by me!"
FUCK!
Zhen Shi would've dropped the clay piece on the spot if it wasn't a divine treasure. Still, he took out a piece of cloth from his satchel and used it to hold the clay piece while saying, "How could it be expensive just because your teeth couldn't break it?"
The old man grinned while pointing at his yellowed teeth with brown patches, "These teeth of mine aren't ordinary. I have even bitten through gold. So I'm sure that clay piece is even more valuable than gold!" and said excitedly.
Indeed, Old man, I agree that your teeth are extraordinary! They might fall off on the spot!
Still, Zhen Shi sighed, either this man was a genius because he was actually saying the truth or he was a crazy old coot.
Zhen Shi shook his head, "How about 5 gold pieces?" and said. The old man contemplated for a moment and nodded his head saying, "Ok, I like you boy, you remind me of my grandson. So sold!"
Zhen Shi smiled and handed over the money while happily pocketing the clay piece. He would examine it later on. He got up to leave. But, the old man waved his hand while grinning and showing his decaying teeth, "See you later kiddo. If you have any more need for clay pieces come to me!" and shouted out.
Zhen Shi shook his head while smiling and walking away. Now that he had finished surveying the ordinary sellers, he walked over to the actual stalls. He surveyed the items with his appraisal skills. The items on these stalls were all mostly real unlike the fake ones sold by the majority of those peddlers. He noticed some fairly interesting stalls with pills and noticed that Vivienne was conversing with the salesperson of one of them. As such, he walked over to her.
Vivienne turned to him as he arrived and smiled saying, "Little Bro, it looks like we'll have to look for pill furnaces in the Main Market Island. But this place has pills for fair prices. Even if you can make pills, you're still learning and we probably won't be able to get the necessary ingredients easily. So it might be a good idea to buy some pills."
Zhen Shi nodded and noting that Vivienne probably won't be able to afford enough pills for all three of them just by the money she had earned from selling herbs, he turned to observe the wares of this pill stall. He spoke out to the salesperson, "I need 30 Qi expanding pills, 20 body strengthening pills, 30 soul pills, and 30 healing pills." The salesperson nodded and mentioned a price of 10 gold coins. Zhen Shi agreed and performed the exchange.
They walked away from the pill stall and to a side. Zhen Shi pushed the pill bag to Vivienne's hand saying, "Sis Vivienne, take it." Vivienne frowned while holding out the pill bag back at him and said, "Brother Zhen Shi you bought it with your own money. How could I keep all of it? It's fine just to get my portion." Zhen Shi laughed, "You're my sis right? So it's fine for you to keep it... More importantly, I don't want to carry it everywhere. That's the actual reason I gave that bag to you!" and said.
Vivienne couldn't help but smile at this. She smirked as she waved her other hand over the pill bag causing it to suddenly disappear. Zhen Shi gaped and muttered, "What? Do-Do you have a spatial treasure?" Vivienne's smirk grew wider as she spoke, "Of course. I and Myne have lived for so long, wouldn't it be pretty pathetic if we didn't even have spatial treasures? The problem is they have become pretty empty over those lonesome years in the valley. Thus we're pretty broke right now, More importantly, where did you think we got the clothes we gave you in the morning?"
Zhen Shi frowned in embarrassment. FUCK! System I thought I let you think of that part! You really disappoint me!
System: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Still, as a result, Zhen Shi looked all over Vivienne's body greedily, trying to figure out the location of the spatial treasure. But no matter where he looked he was unable to find it, even when he used the appraisal skill. Thus he looked at Vivienne in confusion expecting an answer.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
But instead of an answer what awaited him was the face of a she-devil. Vivienne was staring at him with great rage in her eyes. Zhen Shi who was completely clueless couldn't even react when Vivienne suddenly punched him in the stomach. This got him to gasp in surprise. It didn't particularly hurt, but he hadn't been expecting such a thing to happen so suddenly.
SHIET! I thought Sis Vivienne cured her sadistic side once she got rid of the divine curse, but I suppose not! I pity Myne for the nights they spend together...
While thinking so, Zhen Shi was looking at Vivienne as if he had been wronged. But Vivienne hurriedly spoke out, "Little Bro, I'm sorry! But it is improper to look at your big sister's body like that. I know that you're a growing kid, but still!"
Zhen Shi was even more confused, but immediately his eyes shone in understanding. Thus he pitifully spoke out while 'painfully' holding his stomach, "No, No, Sis you've got it wrong! You've truly wronged this poor me this time. I was only trying to find your spatial treasure because I also wanted to get one for myself."
Vivienne gaped and said, "Oh no! I am truly sorry Bro." But Zhen Shi continued to act like a hurt puppy while holding onto his stomach in 'pain'. Vivienne who was feeling very guilty hurriedly moved to hold her hurt brother, "I am really really sorry. I misunderstood your intentions."
Zhen Shi lightly pushed her off and said, "No, No, it's fine. Sis, it was my fault as well," while gasping for breath in 'pain'. Vivienne squinted her eyes in suspicion since her punch couldn't have been that painful and asked, "Okay Little bro, tell me, what can I 'give' to make you 'feel better'?" while emphasizing the word 'give'.
Zhen Shi smiled standing straight without any of the 'pain', "I might feel better... If I could get my own spatial treasure... Those things are really expensive but I've heard they're really good at healing punches to the gut."
Seeing this shameless brother of hers Vivienne laughed out loud unable to stop herself, causing several nearby people to look at them. But as if it did not matter at all, Zhen Shi continued to speak once again with painful gasps while holding his stomach, "Sis Vivienne. How could you laugh after hitting me? Are you actually a sadist?"
Vivienne shook her head and smiled while dragging Zhen Shi away from that place. Now away from prying eyes she smiled and said, "Alright, alright. I don't have any spares but Myne does. So I'll be sure to get you one from him later today!"
Zhen Shi grinned happily while now back in 'healthy' mode. HAHA! System see that? That's Oscar-worthy acting. Learn from the master!
System: "..."
Zhen Shi nodded at Vivienne in agreement. And Vivienne heaved a sigh of relief for 'curing' her brother.
But suddenly they heard loud shouting and thus turned around. What awaited their eyes was Myne facing off against a group of three people in front of an item and material stall. Zhen Shi was about to walk over to help him out when Vivienne grabbed him and shook her head with a grin. Zhen Shi frowned but deciding to trust her stayed back and watched the scene.
One of the three who were opposing Myne shouted out, "Oi! Do you know who you're dealing with? I'm the son of Adam Turnbull, Josef Turnbull. Do you dare steal the item I had already paid for?" and at the same time, the other two behind him laughed confidently.
Josef Turnbull, although only a core formation cultivator with the two-spirit transformation bodyguards behind him was confident, that he could turn this entire situation around with his reputation. Even in the face of a Nascent Soul cultivator, while within the Lyon City he was completely fearless.
Thus while this matter started to gather the attention of a large crowd he continued to shout out confidently, "How daring of you to try to bully me with your cultivation! Do you have no respect for the laws of the Lyonesse kingdom?" At the same time, even the salesperson started to shout, "Yes. What Master Turnbull is saying is indeed the truth. This person is a thief!"
These words moved the entire crowd as countless cultivators have tried to bully others with their cultivation even within the kingdom walls. Thus they thought that this middle-aged man had tried to force this young master and in the end, due to his bad luck had kicked an iron plate. By this time the kingdom soldiers had arrived and they hurriedly surrounded Myne. These soldiers were wearing metal armor and they were mostly soul transformation soldiers but there was one Nascent Soul soldier.
Josef looked on in confidence at this turn of events while the bodyguards behind him grinning happily.
The nascent soul soldier spoke out, "Nascent Soul Cultivator, you are under arrest for attempted stealing. You have the right to remain silent. What you say can and will be used in a court of law," confidently while drawing out his sword. The other soldiers followed his lead and almost as if in practiced synchronicity they unsheathed their swords as well.
Zhen Shi gaped at this turn of events. FUCK! Can you say that here? Won't the US sue you for copyright infringement?
But Myne wasn't worried at all as he nonchalantly raised his finger. This caused all the soldiers to tense up as they were wary of him. He was a nascent soul cultivator after all. But Myne put his finger in his nose and started picking it, and slowly spoke out, "What court of law? You didn't even properly investigate this matter, but like obedient dogs, you followed that idiot's words and immediately arrested me? Is this the Lyonesse kingdoms justice? Do you even have proof?"
The crowd looked in stupefaction. Uhhh, Brother, your words would probably be more striking if you weren't PICKING YOUR NOSE!
Josef was laughing in his inner mind at this 'poser' as he continued to watch in confidence for his ploy to become successful as usual. But the Nascent Soul soldier spoke out, "Indeed we did so. But that is because Master Turnbull has a record of being an upstanding and law-abiding citizen. Besides, the shop keeper has provided his testimony too. Thus as the outsider, you will be investigated and later released if proved innocent."
Myne grinned finally taking his finger out of his nose, "Oh really? Hmm... then what do you think of this?" and brought out a scryer crystal with his other hand. Immediately a mist poured out and showed the vision of Myne initially buying the items only to be barred by Josef and his two lackeys. The scene continued to show how Josef had started to shout out along with the shopkeeper.
Immediately, Josef Turnbull's face turned pale and the crowd gasped at this turn of events. But under the swift orders of the General, the soldiers hurriedly left Myne to surround Josef Turnbull and his lackeys. Myne looked at Josef with a smile and flicked the finger that had been in his nose at him. As the soldiers began to put him in chains and carried him away along with the two unfortunate lackeys, he shouted and struggled, "No. Let me go. That bastard framed me... If you don't let me go my father will hear of this! *Pu* Did you see that? He threw something into my mouth to poison me..." But his shouts fell on to deaf ears as the soldiers carried him away.
The crowd was unable to believe that this young master had tried to twist the law as such. And began to wonder if he had done it this time, then on how many occasions had he gotten away with it? As such, they were rather unsettled.
The nascent soul general walked over to Myne and bowed deeply. He spoke out, "I, Liam Burns, am deeply sorry for that mistake. I hope you can forgive me. Josef Turnbull will be punished under the law for this, and our guard will do an immediate review of all punishments handed out with relation to him," this instantly caused the crowd to calm down, and Liam continued, "As an apology, the Lyon City guard will provide your purchase free of charge." Myne laughed and waved his hand saying, "It's fine. Apology accepted." Liam smiled in gratitude and turned to the shopkeeper who had been fearfully standing at the corner of his stall. Liam grabbed him saying, "And you... You're under arrest as well." With one last bow at Myne, he left with the shopkeeper in tow.
Myne happily turned to the assistant of the stall who had now suddenly been promoted to the post of the shopkeeper and looked at him expectantly. The assistant-turned-shopkeeper understanding his intention smiled and handed out what Myne had paid before with a slight bow. Now with a beaming smile, Myne walked towards Zhen Shi and Isolde.
Myne confidently looked at Zhen Shi, "See that Bro? That is the power of scryer crystals! In law upholding organizations, they are more powerful than the strongest attack. So remember to not underestimate them! Here..." and said while throwing the scryer crystal to Zhen Shi. Zhen Shi caught the scryer crystal and nodded in agreement saying, "Now I know why Sis Vivienne didn't want me to help you out."
Myne waved his hand showing what he had obtained from the stall. It was a rather large but rusted and dejected-looking furnace. Zhen Shi frowned at it for a moment just before the appraisal skill revealed what it was. Myne spoke out in a satisfied manner, "I can't believe they were actually selling this. This is a Grade 5 cauldron for furnacing weapons or armor. But it has been damaged and thus can only be used as a Grade 2 cauldron for the moment. It's perfect for Bro Zhen Shi to learn item crafting and I'll be able to fix it pretty easily as well. But don't forget that due to the kindness of Josef Turnbull, I got it for free! And I made sure to 'thank' him." Zhen Shi and Vivienne couldn't help but laugh at this.
Vivienne smiled at Myne saying, "I guess all those years didn't change this part of you huh?" Myne grinned while saying, "Of course not, now come and give your hubby a hug!" and stretched his arms. But Vivienne frowned, "No. I don't hug idiots who shamelessly pick their noses in front of large crowds." Saying so she walked away towards the Main Market Area at the end of this path. Zhen Shi patted Myne on the back with a slight grin and followed her. Myne too followed them after a moment's pause to put back the item furnace, but rather dejectedly.