The new clothes draped over him, Du Chengfeng finally felt a bit of the spirit of going out shopping.
Buying what he wanted, eating what he craved, that's how life should be. Thinking back to those days before, life barely seemed livable. Heaven knows why, with just one sudden disaster, he had to grab his large saber and fight desperately, even inexplicably forming a mortal grudge with a humanoid monster, where only one could survive.
So, to be able to survive, he had to risk his life, just to accumulate even a bit more strength.
But was this really the life he wanted?
"Here, old brother, one for each of us."
Seeing a stall by the roadside selling braised pork head, Du Chengfeng went forward, asked someone to cut two servings, just enough for him and Li the carpenter, one package each.
The braised pork head was rich but not greasy. Du Chengfeng and Li the carpenter ate as they walked, their mouths full of oil, which forced them to find a stall selling wine, each having two liang.
The cheap wine washed away the greasiness in their mouths. Chewing the meat and sipping the wine, the intoxicating feeling soon made Du Chengfeng fully relaxed.
Yes, this was what he wanted.
Buying what he wanted, eating what he craved, that's how life should be. Anyway, Li the carpenter didn't know where that weapons vendor had set up, so Du Chengfeng decided to wander the market with him. Occasionally finding interesting trinkets, he would buy them, planning to give them to Li's two kids at home as decent toys.
Besides that, Du Chengfeng also bought some household items for himself. Though tables, chairs, and stools could be made by Li the carpenter, pots, bowls, and pans had to be bought, as well as some brooms, dustpans, bedding—starting a home from scratch required quite a few purchases.
After a couple of rounds, the once-empty cart was fully loaded.
Even Li the carpenter was lying in the cart.
It was only then that Du Chengfeng realized his old brother could only handle two liang of alcohol; after a few sips of cheap wine, he passed out completely.
Li the carpenter was knocked out drunk, so the market trip had to end. Although they couldn't find the weapon vendor Li mentioned, which was somewhat a pity, Du Chengfeng thought about it: anyone able to handle such trade likely wouldn't set up a stall at an ordinary market.
After all, buyers willing to acquire such murderous weapons are not ordinary people. Since they're extraordinary, the price won't be ordinary either. Such large transactions wouldn't appear at a civilian marketplace selling daily goods, just as heavy machine guns wouldn't appear on a convenience store's shelf.
Speaking of convenience stores, he really had thought about doing that. Originally, his plan was to settle at the Yang Fortress, then attempt to sell a few things. He had many ideas in his mind that could exceed the times—not seeking great wealth, but comfortable modest prosperity seemed achievable.
But now, Du Chengfeng wasn't so sure. Life-and-death battles could come at any moment, leaving him no time for such plans. Additionally, after learning the weapon vendor's story, he suddenly realized his ideas might not truly surpass the times.
Snakes have their paths, and mice have theirs. Peaceful times have their lifestyle, and turbulent times have their ways of living.
"Still, one needs power."
He took out the silver coins from his clothes and put them back in his pocket.
At this moment, he comprehended the way to survive in these chaotic times.
However, increasing strength can't be rushed.
"Let's go back."
He led the horse and prepared to take Li the carpenter back to Yang Fortress.
Finding a mythical weapon vendor was less important than getting this drunk old brother home safely. Besides, today wasn't fruitless; he got more than a dozen blades and even an extra piece of clothing.
This round-collared robe may look old, but it was much better than his own clothes. The inside of the robe had a few pockets, where he placed the knives he bought earlier. Du Chengfeng tried wrapping the robe around him; the knife blades didn't cut him and instead covered his chest, as if he was wearing a layer of armor.
Du Chengfeng patted his chest, clearly feeling the hard steel inside.
With such a protective layer in front of his chest, he wouldn't fear most swords or knives.
However, against cursed blades with Evil Qi, it would be a different story.
For instance, He Xixuan's armored Hu General's axe could crush the Dock Fortress gate with one swing; no armor would stand a chance against such a direct strike. Similarly, Du Chengfeng had done such deeds. Even if He Xixuan was armored like a humanoid war chariot, he was still beheaded by Du Chengfeng.
Against opponents wielding cursed blades, armor protection was meaningless. Evil Qi entering the body would give the weapon holder inhuman strength in an instant.
Moreover, Evil Qi operates in more ways. Like the Unlucky Curved Saber from an unfortunate blacksmith or the cursed kitchen knife Li the carpenter mentioned that almost scared his entire family to death. Though these two unlucky items affected the holders, they showed that the complexity of weapon Evil Qi exceeded Du Chengfeng's current understanding.
Fortunately, this protection wasn't entirely useless. At least he wasn't afraid of ordinary weapon strikes, and a solid robe gave a proper sense of security.
It also helped him truly integrate into the desolate northern land.
Wrapped in the old robe and driving the fully loaded cart, Du Chengfeng finally looked like a true citizen of Jizhou.
Before the sun set completely, Du Chengfeng returned to the Yang Fortress, sparing the drunken Li the carpenter from getting scolded by his wife. He gave toys to Li's two kids and, after a word with the freshly awakened Li the carpenter, borrowed his cart to haul the load back to his small yard.
But just as the cart arrived at the small yard gate, Du Chengfeng suddenly frowned.
Because there was a figure kneeling outside the small yard gate.
With the moonlight, Du Chengfeng saw the visitor's face clearly.
It was none other than Yang Sanlang, whom he nearly beat the crap out of before.
"What, want another beating?"
Du Chengfeng couldn't help but shake his head.
"I don't have time to play with you today."
"Give me back the saber."
Hearing Du Chengfeng's voice, Yang Sanlang unexpectedly turned around and knocked his head on the ground.
"Please return the ancestral saber of my Yang family, I beg you."