Teacher by day, Farmer by passion - Chapter 169

Chapter 169: 169.
After watching her Master disappear down the academy halls, Liu Mei stood quietly for a moment, the soft breeze teasing the edges of her robes.

And then without hesitation, she turned and decided to leave the school grounds and look for her junior brother.

The streets beyond the academy bustled with life, but Liu Mei moved through the crowd like a silent current beneath a noisy river.

Soon, she arrived before a luxurious weapon shop. Massive in size, the building was a giant pagoda.

Its exotic sign outside reads ‘Tang Weapon Pyramid.’

Without breaking stride, Liu Mei pushed the door open, a soft chime announcing her entrance.

Rows upon rows of glittering swords, racks of gleaming spears, intricate crossbows, and all manner of exotic weaponry filled the space.

A soft hum of chatter and the clinking of steel filled the air as cultivators and merchants bustled from counter to counter, bargaining and boasting.

Liu Mei’s entrance barely caused a ripple in the busy atmosphere.

She walked with calm confidence, her white robes pristine against the backdrop of iron and gold.

Near the entrance, an elderly receptionist sitting behind a jade-inlaid counter glanced up and noticed her. His eyes narrowed slightly.

Another clueless child wandering in, he thought with a sigh.

Poor girl probably can’t even afford the cheapest iron dagger. What a waste of my time…

Still, his face wore the strained mask of professionalism as he forced a polite smile.

“Little miss,” he said in a falsely kind tone, “this isn’t a place for sightseeing. Perhaps you should try the toy vendors down the street?”

Liu Mei, hearing every scornful thought behind his words, didn’t even spare him a glance.

Her steps remained graceful and steady as she drifted past him like mist, utterly ignoring his existence.

Instead, her gaze fell upon a timid girl in an apprentice’s uniform, nervously rearranging a set of knives on display near the back.

Unlike the others in the shop, the girl wore an innocence on her face, untouched by the slyness of commerce or the arrogance of strength.

Liu Mei approached her without hesitation.

“Bring out your throwing daggers,” she said softly, her voice calm yet carrying a clear authority beyond her years.

“Grade 3.”

The timid girl blinked, startled by the sudden request. She hesitated, looking around as if seeking approval, but Liu Mei’s serene, unflinching gaze anchored her in place.

Flushing slightly, the girl bowed her head and scurried off into the back room to fulfill the request.

Behind her, the old receptionist frowned.

Liu Mei simply stood there, elegant and composed, as if she were the true master of the place.

Moments later, the timid girl returned, carefully carrying a long velvet tray covered in cloth.

She approached Liu Mei and set the tray down on a nearby counter, lifting the cloth with trembling hands.

Underneath, a neat arrangement of throwing daggers gleamed coldly under the lantern light.

Each one was different, some slender and sharp like fangs, others broader, designed to break through spiritual defenses.

The faint aura clinging to them made it clear that this was all grade 3 weapons.

The girl stood awkwardly after revealing them, shifting from foot to foot, unsure what to say.

Liu Mei’s gaze swept across the weapons, maintaining a calm expression.

Finally, she asked, her voice steady,

“Why don’t you give me a brief history about these daggers? I’m curious.”

The apprentice froze for a heartbeat, biting her lip.

Then, gathering her courage, she began to speak.

“This first dagger,” she said, pointing to a thin, dark-edged blade, “is crafted from Blacksteel Jade. It’s extremely light and carries well over long distances, but it chips easily if it strikes reinforced armor.”

She moved to the next.

“This one is made from Thunderstone Alloy. It has a high spirit conductivity, excellent for cultivators specializing in lightning arts. However, it’s slightly heavier, so it requires more arm strength to use effectively.”

Piece by piece, she described the strengths, weaknesses, and best uses of each dagger, her nervousness slowly giving way to quiet passion.

Liu Mei listened without interrupting, her expression serene.

When the girl finally trailed off, looking unsure if she had said too much or too little, Liu Mei gave a slight nod.

“Good,” she said simply.

A practical understanding is worth far more than empty history, Liu Mei thought to herself, the faintest hint of a smile playing at her lips.

Without another word, she began to examine the tray more closely, her slender fingers hovering above the blades, choosing.

Liu Mei lifted her gaze from the tray of daggers.

“I’d like to test their balance before I buy,” she said lightly, her tone brooking no refusal.

Before the timid girl could answer, the elderly man from earlier stormed over, his robes fluttering indignantly.

“Enough messing around, girl!” he barked, glowering at Liu Mei before turning a scolding glare toward the young apprentice. “And you! Entertaining brats as if they can afford anything here, have you forgotten where you work?!”

The reprimand was sharp, drawing the attention of nearby customers.

Liu Mei didn’t flinch.

Instead, she slowly turned to face him, her clear eyes indifferent, almost cold.

And I thought asking for the history would make me look more geniune in buying.

Without a word, she unleashed her soul aura.

The air grew thick, the scent of cold iron sharpening. Even the clinking of weapons seemed to hush, as if the entire shop held its breath.

The old man’s body stiffened instantly, his knees buckling as he dropped to the floor with a muffled grunt. His forehead pressed against the cool stone tiles, cold sweat soaking through his hair.

Around them, conversations in the shop stumbled into stunned silence.

The oppressive atmosphere seeped into the air, heavy and undeniable.

Whispers broke out almost immediately.

“Who… who angered a Dark Gold cultivator?!”

“Which fool was it?!”

“Is the Tang Weapon Pyramid crazy? Even offending a Dark Gold…”

“Wait, which Dark Gold? Could it be someone from a major sect?”

“No, no, I didn’t see any sect insignia… could it be someone hidden…?”

Customers instinctively began backing away, clearing a large space around Liu Mei, afraid to even breathe too loudly.

Meanwhile, at the center of it all, Liu Mei kept her soul pressure tightly focused, like a blade aimed only at the old man.

The timid apprentice in front of her stood untouched, feeling no weight at all, only confusion and fear at the spectacle unfolding.