Check out my new translation!
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"From the Curio Trash Cans Shop, of course. Sister Lingsha, surely you've heard of it?"
Yunli replied crisply, then launched into a lively recounting of the morning's adventures. Most of it was truthful, with only a little embellishment, but overall she didn't stray far from reality.
"100% Bare-Handed Blade Catch? Super Lollipop? Unlimited Blade Works?!"
Hearing one unbelievable Curio after another, Lingsha's small mouth hung open in shock, unable to close for a long while.
"Uh… don't lump the first one with the other two." Yunli felt a bit embarrassed hearing that technique listed alongside the rest. Put together, they invoked a strange image.
Little March hurling flying swords at her nonstop, while she herself kicked them down one after another, metal piling into a glittering hill.
Why did it suddenly feel like a circus performance?
While Yunli was quietly roasting herself in her mind, Lingsha's feelings were wildly different.
She'd heard rumors of conceptual Curios before, and they were already shocking enough—but now they could be infinitely replicated?
The major collaborative project with Miss Herta hadn't even begun, and was already headed for the trash heap? This was a bit too fast…
Still… this could be a rare opportunity.
If she could borrow that [Hand of Deconstruction] just once, the research into conceptual power wouldn't just progress—it would advance by leaps and bounds.
She smiled at the pair. "Don't worry. These two ingredients may be rare, but I'll definitely find them for you. Just wait for my message."
Mm. She'd send two people to negotiate with the Luofu Zoo.
For the sake of the Luofu, the keepers would surely understand. The rhinos and ostriches… would also surely understand.
"Really? That's amazing!" Yunli cheered joyfully, relieved that her apprentice's dream might soon be realized.
Yanqing also smiled with relief. "We trouble you, Master Alchemist."
"No trouble at all." Lingsha folded her arms, tapping a finger on her sleeve with a mysterious grin. "But you two must put in a few good words for big sister."
Yanqing and Yunli instantly agreed. "Don't worry, Sister Lingsha."
…
The next morning, at dawn.
A woman with long brown hair compared the map on her terminal with the building before her. It matched the satellite projection perfectly, including the prominent signboard.
Sushang confirmed she had reached her destination.
"Little Gui, ready?" Sushang raised her spirits, pointed toward the arched entrance, and said, "As long as we can get the recipe for that elixir, we'll never have to fear injuries while performing again! Hard work, big money, a prosperous future—our rise to the top is right ahead!"
"Mm!" Guinaifen nodded firmly.
Walking side by side toward the entrance, Guinaifen suddenly had an idea. "Hey, Shang-Shang, wouldn't it be more direct if we just wished for a trillion credits?"
"Hmm…" Sushang's knocking hand froze mid-air.
Right… why not wish for money directly?
Why bother with unnecessary pain in between?
But if she agreed right away, wouldn't that make her look… not very smart? That wouldn't do!
After squeezing her brain for a justification, she said, "Little Gui, we have dignity. Overnight riches lack accomplishment. Money earned with your own hands—drenched in your own sweat—now that feels good to spend. Right?"
It was a very flimsy excuse. She had no idea if her best friend would buy it.
"Wow. Sushang, you're so noble." Guinaifen looked at her with deep admiration.
Feeling her image grow taller in her friend's eyes, Sushang puffed her chest proudly. "Ah, it's nothing. All the Cloud Knights are beautiful, kind, reliable heroes!"
"That's perfect!" Guinaifen clapped her hands in delight. "If we get the elixir recipe, you take it—you can use it for performing, and it can help heal your Cloud Knight teammates. If we get credits, I'll hold onto them, since you don't like money anyway!"
Having divided their spoils beforehand, Guinaifen was thrilled.
"This is perfect—each of us gets what we need!"
"Ah… yes." Sushang agreed with difficulty.
She had no choice. She couldn't break the noble image she'd just built—and definitely not by contradicting herself!
Besides, she really didn't care that much about money. Performing street shows with Guinaifen was more for companionship than income.
She, as a Cloud Knight, would never worry about food or shelter.
But Little Gui was different—street performance was a youth-dependent career; she needed to earn while she could.
Sushang was about to knock when the door suddenly opened by itself.
Sylvester welcomed them in with his signature greeting. "Welcome to the Curio Trash Cans Shop. Here, anything imaginable can be drawn. Standard Trash Cans costs one million credits each, limited to ten per person."
He gestured toward the shelf. "Today's new stock is over here. Choose freely."
Guinaifen waved cheerfully. "Hehe, Boss Sylvester, long time no see! This time I'm here to support your business too!"
"Long time no see, Miss Guinaifen." Sylvester smiled, then glanced at Sushang, pretending not to recognize her. "And this is your friend?"
Mentioning her best friend energized Guinaifen instantly. She announced loudly, "Her name is Sushang, my bestie! The famed young captain of the Cloud Knights! She's about to represent her squad in the Martial Exhibition. With just a bit of effort, she'll win champion easily! And—"
Once Guinaifen started praising Sushang, she became even more enthusiastic than when talking about herself, listing every glorious deed—from slaying Abundance monstrosities to making kindergarten teachers cry.
Her exaggeration was so over the top that even Sushang felt embarrassed.
She interrupted quickly. "Ahahaha… Actually, we came to ask whether Boss Sylvester has a trash bin that hides inexhaustible credits?"
"Oh, endless spending money?" Sylvester nodded with understanding—
Then immediately shook his head. "No."
It might have been the first time he'd ever said there was something his bins didn't contain.
"Huh? But shouldn't that be possible?" Guinaifen blinked. If legendary Curios could be drawn freely, why not money?
"There truly isn't." Sylvester repeated firmly. "It's not that credits don't appear. But massive amounts—enough for a life of luxury—are impossible. That would violate the essence of Curios. If you do draw credits, the amounts are usually things like seven-hundred-seventy-seven—numbers carrying symbolic meaning."
He wasn't lying. Credits had appeared before, but always from green bins.
There had even been a client who spent millions opening bins, only to end up with a 666 and an 777. He'd cried on the spot.
"If you want money, it's better to aim for high-grade Curios. Sell them at auction—you'll make a fortune. Or certain special Curios can meet that desire."
He continued seriously, "You've heard of the Cornucopia, right? Someone drew one just yesterday."
"Eh—that one sounds perfect!" Guinaifen's eyes lit up.
It could make her rich and serve as an amazing stage prop. She could claim to have learned ancient Xianzhou illusion arts—it would go viral instantly.
She decided on the spot. Lucky goddess, please bless Little Gui to be as fortunate as yesterday's customer!
"Hmm… if Little Gui can get a Cornucopia, then I won't need money at all." Sushang rested her chin in thought, then resolved, "I'd rather open a powerful sword manual—master a supreme sword art."
"If I can do that… Mother will finally stop scolding me!"