novelraw Chapter 212-1: Little Demon Shikigami Bell, Dragon Jade (1)
Chapter 212-1: Little Demon Shikigami Bell, Dragon Jade (1)
Lin Xun examined the remaining stalls in the marketplace, and sure enough, it was just as the Special Fishmonger had said.
The fish and shrimp being sold at the remaining stalls also bore the same names as the rare species, but the descriptions of the items were vague and evasive, using ambiguous language. There was no clear statement that consuming them would actually enhance one’s attributes.
If someone had never encountered genuine rare fish, they might well be fooled by these cheap imitations in a moment of carelessness.
Even that was tolerable, but what was truly outrageous was that the counterfeit fish were priced even higher than the real rare ones, truly as if some dog had run off with all sense of conscience.
[You head deeper into the Fish Market, following the directions given by the Special Fishmonger…]
[After weaving past stall after stall of broken-down vendors, you step into a dark, hidden alley.]
[At the end of the alley stands a dilapidated shop, above which hangs an old signboard reading: Dark Market Warehouse.]
[Below the signboard, a line of small characters is inscribed: Commoners and ninja dogs Forbidden Entry!]
[The characters for ninja dogs are smaller and look quite new, as though they were added only recently.]
???“So does ‘ninja dogs’ refer to ninjas, or does it really mean dogs literally?”
[You push open the shop’s little wooden door. With a creak, the scene inside comes into view.]
[The shop’s interior is not as ramshackle as you expected. Rather, it has a kind of quaint, old-fashioned air.]
[The most eye-catching feature is the wooden counter in the center of the shop. In front of it, thick iron bars provide protection. Through the small arched window, you can see behind the counter, where an old man in a kimono is reclining on a rocking chair.]
[He wears imported Western spectacles, holds a glowing gem in one hand, and a thick ancient tome in the other.]
[You have discovered the Fire-Worshipping Warehouse Merchant!]
[On the counter lie items like ink and paper, an abacus, and behind it are tall wooden cabinets, each containing dozens of small drawers labeled with slips of paper.]
[Just as you are about to step further inside, you are blocked by an invisible wall. You cannot proceed.]
[This small shop is also protected by a barrier.]
[A hoarse, aged voice calls out from behind the counter: “Can’t you read, or are you blind? Didn’t you see the sign out front? No ninja dogs allowed!”]
[“That worthless fish seller must have sent you, you mutt…”]
[Having spoken, the Fire-Worshipping Warehouse Merchant remains reclining in the rocking chair, waving you away dismissively.]
“Well now, so ninja is just ‘ninja dog’ here, is it?”
Even if the Chunin Shell’s status was not on par with the samurai class, it still far surpassed that of ordinary commoners.
But here, it seemed they were just considered dogs.
[You possess the Shell of the Fire-Worshipping Wandering Samurai!]
[You attempt to step inside the shop again. This time, you feel as though you are pushing through a curtain of water, and the barrier no longer impedes you.]
[The Fire-Worshipping Warehouse Merchant hurriedly rises from the rocking chair, claiming that just now, his old eyes had played tricks on him and he had mistaken a noble samurai for a mere ninja dog. He begs your pardon.]
[You let out a cold snort and fix him with a blazing stare.]
[The Fire-Worshipping Warehouse Merchant forces a sheepish smile and, through the iron bars, carefully inquires what you require.]
[He passes a list of goods through the small window. You take it and begin to read…]
[Tachi – Peony and Thousand Cranes (Rare+ Weapon): An exceedingly sharp, ancient-style tachi. The hilt is carved with peony motifs. This weapon has taken countless lives. Spirit Essence Cost: 45,000]
[Kyūbi Dōmaru Armor (Rare+ Armor): Lightweight armor crafted from iron bamboo and whale hide. While maintaining a light overall weight, it provides excellent defense. Spirit Essence Cost: 25,000]
[Nasu no Yoichi Longbow (Rare Weapon): A finely crafted bamboo bow, with a bow core made from Chinese sumac and layered with flexible bamboo strips on the exterior, giving it formidable shooting power. Spirit Essence Cost: 10,000]
[Uzuki-Kiri Spear (Rare Weapon): …]
The list was filled with weapons and equipment, so much so that Lin Xun thought he had walked straight into an armory.
However, none of the weapons and armor were of particularly high quality, the best among them only rated Rare+, leaving him somewhat disappointed.
[Seeing your expression darken, and noting that you had yet to choose anything, the Fire-Worshipping Warehouse Merchant ventured to ask. “Might the lord samurai be dissatisfied with the quality of the weapons?”]
[You nod slightly and toss the list back through the little window with a flick of your hand.]
[The Fire-Worshipping Warehouse Merchant adjusts his spectacles on the bridge of his nose and explains that this shop is essentially a pawnshop. All the weapons and equipment on the list had been pledged here by other customers.]
[But since the redemption periods had expired, they could no longer reclaim them.]
[Higher-quality weapons did exist, but their redemption periods had not yet expired, so he could not present them to you at this time.]
[He added that the warehouse held more than just weapons, some unusual items might interest a samurai lord such as yourself.]
[With that, he handed you a second list…]
[Imitation Yasakani no Magatama (Item): A small magatama bead with a hole that allows it to be strung on a cord and worn. A counterfeit of the renowned Yasakani no Magatama, but even as an imitation, it possesses considerable special effects.]
[While carrying this item, your damage against ghost-type monsters will be somewhat increased. Spirit Essence Cost: 50,000]
[Water of the Ever-Changing Divine Mountain (Item): A gourd containing the clear spring water said to flow from the legendary Divine Mountain. According to legend, drinking this water can cause a man to become a woman, or a woman to become a man. Rumor also speaks of another divine water known as ‘Water of Youth,’ which can restore one’s youth upon drinking.]
[Using this item will temporarily change the gender of your current Shell. Spirit Essence Cost: 30,000]
[Little Demon Shikigami Bell (Special Equipment): A small golden bell painted with eighteen blue-faced, fanged demon shikigami. By using this equipment, you can sacrifice a certain amount of Spirit Essence to ring the bell and summon eighteen demon shikigami. The more Spirit Essence you sacrifice, the stronger the demons you summon. The sacrifice cap is 10,000 Spirit Essence. Remaining uses: 10/10]
[This is special equipment. The summoned demons are special summons that do not conflict with your formal summons. Spirit Essence Cost: 50,000]
[Offering Purple-Red Incense (Item): A stick of purple-red incense infused with the power of incense (power of faith). Using this item to offer to the god you believe in will slightly increase your Devotion. Remaining quantity: 10. Spirit Essence Cost: 5,000]
[Roof-Beast Talisman for Household Protection (Item): …]
The list recorded rows upon rows of novel items, each with its own unique effect.