Chapter 002: Along the River During the Qingming Festival

We must have some wealth to exchange for food, don't we?" Lu Sen said with a smile, "Moreover, I need to change my clothes at the appropriate time; otherwise, it would be difficult to converse with outsiders

It is located at Hongqiao

The number of people on the street is increasing, especially when arriving at the riverbank, where one is met with a dense crowd of individuals.

Lu Sen did not explain either, but said: "Let's go eat something first. Where can we find some cheap yet delicious street vendors."

Yes, yes. The shop assistant nodded repeatedly, fearing that a slow response might provoke the anger of the enchanting figure before him: "As long as it is high-quality timber or rare wood, our shop will purchase it at a high price"

Heixu paused again, then displayed an expression of natural acceptance.

Watching Lu Sen walk out the door, the middle-aged shopkeeper let out a sigh of regret. He had been in the rare wood business for over ten years, and one could say he had seen and handled all the precious woods in the world.

There is none left," Lu Sen shook his head

Lu Sen looked at the wooden carving shop, which was clearly much larger than the surrounding stores, and then ascended the steps

Lu Sen felt helpless in his heart; he also knew what the other party was afraid of. He tried his best to present a more amiable smile and said, "I heard that the shop here purchases rare woods?"

Even more outrageous, Lu Sen also encountered some hard, flaky substances in the pancake that were difficult to swallow. Based on the texture and the slight astringent pain felt when his tongue came into contact with them, it is highly likely that they were crushed wheat husks.

Yes, of course. Are you planning to sell the rare wood from earlier, my lord

Even the rarest agarwood from cold pools has passed through his hands in considerable quantities

However, these three pieces of wood are completely different

Then he directed his gaze towards the wooden block placed on the counter, paused for a moment, walked over, and held it in his hands, flipping it over and over to examine it, the brightness in his eyes growing ever more intense

It is truly a pity

The crowd is bustling with voices

Three silver ingots were placed on the counter, and the middle-aged shopkeeper sincerely said: "Dear customer, if you ever have such rare wood again, please be sure to sell it to my shop, as I am eager to acquire it."

Lusen then asked, "Is there a place in the city where rare woods are sold? A place that conducts business fairly, please take me there to have a look."

The wooden cube that was just drawn into his palm is stored in the first compartment, marked with the number: 54

Heikong displayed a puzzled expression, unable to fully comprehend.

extremely excited

This wooden arch bridge is very long, wide, and also quite high

The interior of the store is spacious, with elegant decorations and books. What is even more eye-catching are the various wooden carvings displayed on the shelves.

There is no way; the black and white skull on Lu Sen's clothing is simply too avant-garde for the people of Bianjing City

At least the people of Bianjing City have not yet evolved to the point of appreciating this thing

It is a type of superior wood that he has never seen before

When he arrived at the store entrance, he noticed that Heizhu had not followed him. Turning around, he saw Heizhu remaining at the bottom of the hill, displaying an awkward smile.

Hongqiao

"Esteemed guest... how may I assist you?" The voice of the innkeeper trembled.

The middle-aged shopkeeper felt somewhat uneasy under the scrutiny, and within less than ten breaths, he awkwardly smiled and said: "Haha, it is my lack of consideration; such extraordinary treasures, the essence of the rarest woods, how could there possibly be too many? It is I who have been presumptuous. May I ask what price the esteemed guest has in mind?"

The middle-aged shopkeeper pondered for a moment and said, "These wooden blocks are indeed unique, but they are ultimately a bit small. How about ten taels of silver for one of them?"

Lu Sen remained silent, merely smiling, standing upright with his hands clasped behind his back, quietly gazing into the eyes of the middle-aged shopkeeper

The black pillar is not only dressed in tattered clothes but also lacks shoes

The gate of Sihaitongmu has closed, and Lu Sen and Hei Zhu have already walked far away

At this moment, the sun is slanting to the west, and on the river surface shimmering with orange light, the sound of the boatman's fishing call resonates, accompanied by the delicate laughter of the young women on the painted boat

May I ask if the official would allow a humble person to take a look at this extraordinary wood

Upon noticing the gaze of her master, Heizhu slightly lowered her head and approached to ask: "My lord, your hand is injured. Would you like to go to the clinic for a bandage?"

At this moment, the black pillar was already stunned with fear, and the nearly finished pancake fell onto the bridge surface

Especially on a large wooden arch bridge, it was packed with people, to the point where movement was nearly impossible

Overall, his expression is still well-controlled

A phoenix

Later, I bought myself three sets of comfortable everyday clothing and three pairs of cloth shoes

The archway beneath the bridge is vast, with a continuous flow of boats coming and going.

I will wait for you there

In Lu Sen's field of vision, there is a transparent window

The middle-aged shopkeeper approached, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and smiled as he asked, "Esteemed master, meeting you is fate; may I inquire your honorable name?"

Suddenly transforming into an object ... The bookstore assistant was taken aback, his body trembling even more violently, yet he dared not flee

He knelt down with a thud, clutching Lu Sen's legs and crying out desperately: "My lord, my lord, I beg you. If the flatbread does not meet your expectations, if it is too unpalatable, you may kill that old Zhang, or even kill me, but please do not vent your anger on this bridge, as there are at least a thousand people on it, my lord!"

The feathers on the phoenix are vividly detailed, appearing extremely lifelike. If it were merely a 'likeness', that would be one thing. However, this phoenix is carved with great artistry, truly embodying a sense of noble elegance, exuding the grandeur of a phoenix emerging among a hundred birds.

In fact, even outside the store, one can already smell the unique and elegant fragrance of the wooden products. Upon entering, this scent becomes even more pronounced, yet it does not become unpleasant.

Each time he shouted a word, his left hand, which was not holding the pancake, would heavily slap the railing of the bridge.

In the city, the most bustling place, on days without a curfew, there are always crowds of people from dusk until dawn, for twelve hours each day. There is a stall called 'Old Zhang's Pancakes,' known for its sesame and scallion pancakes, which are said to be the best in the entire city

"This is impossible," said the middle-aged shopkeeper, shaking the light yellow wooden block in his hand. "The length, width, and height are all six inches, and the three pieces of rare wood are exactly the same size. The surface is incredibly smooth, clearly polished. Such rare wood must have been cut from a large tree; it is impossible for there to be only three pieces. Sir, keeping them will not be of much use to you; it would be better to allow me to..."

In fact, Heizhu is already very hungry; he has only eaten a black moldy bun since this morning. Upon hearing this, he immediately took the lead ahead.

No wonder the shop can thrive; the wood carvings in this store are truly stunning, even for someone like Lu Sen, who has undergone a profound artistic awakening.

Unfortunately, there are only three pieces

"The Four Seas Connect with Wood." Lu Sen read out the name of this shop

Although it was unappetizing, Lu Sen did not spit it out or throw it away. He stood by the railing of the bridge, struggling to eat the flatbread while observing his surroundings.

Familiar voice and demeanor, familiar smile.

Clothing stores are easy to find; you can see one just by walking a few steps

The two individuals walked forward while engaging in conversation

Lu Sen imitated the other party by holding his right fist with his left hand, and similarly bowed in return with a smile, saying: "The mage does not dare to take such a title. The comings and goings are all business; why should the shopkeeper be concerned with names?"

Heike was almost choked with emotion as he changed into clean new clothes and put on his shoes inside www.hetushu.com.com

When he arrived, he kept scrutinizing Lu Sen, his gaze wavering, especially when he saw the skull design on Lu Sen's clothing, his pupils slightly constricted.

In the very center, there stands a large wooden sculpture over 2 meters tall, unpainted and purely crafted.

Chewing on the unpalatable flatbread, in a daze, Lu Sen felt as if he were in a painting

Returning to the street, the two once again enjoyed the cleansing effect brought by Lu Sen's peculiar attire. On the crowded street, it was easy to move forward, and in less than half a stick of incense's time, they arrived in front of their shop.

What do you think of this thing

Standing atop a massive mulberry tree, poised to spread its wings and take flight

At least there was no display of fear or panic.

For a beggar who has grown up in poverty, dressing him in fine clothes from the very beginning, akin to putting a crown on a monkey, undoubtedly harms him

The black pillar explained, "When I was begging in the city, I heard about the owner of this shop, who conducts business fairly and justly. The shop owner is named Huang Mugui, and it is said that in his youth, he intended to engage in commerce. Not knowing which trade would be profitable, he went to consult a well-known fortune teller in the city. The fortune teller said that since his name contains the character 'Mu' (木), he is suited for industries related to wood. The shop owner, not wanting to engage in the funeral business, started a wood carving business, and as a result, he truly established this wood carving shop."

The more he thought about it, the more heartbroken he became, and then he said to the shop assistant beside him: "Go and invite Master Kang over, let him handle the good timber. Also, close the door; we will not conduct business today."

Lu Sen wiped his right knuckle with his left hand, the bloodstains on it had already congealed. With this wipe, the blood marks disappeared, and the skin on his knuckle was as smooth as before, showing no signs of injury.

At the same time, two pairs of cloth shoes were also purchased for Heizhu

The black pillar is enjoying a delicious meal

This bridge is quite large. Upon reaching the top of the bridge, I found the stall of "Old Zhang's Scallion Pancakes" and ordered two pieces of scallion oil pancakes

Furthermore, this pancake has not been salted, lacking any hint of saltiness, and very little oil has been used, making it quite dry. While it is referred to as a scallion pancake, it would be more accurate to describe it as a baked dough piece with scallions.

Although the attire and customs of the people here differ from those before the transition, the vibrancy and liveliness have been consistently passed down through generations

"The public price will suffice," Lu Sen replied淡淡地.

At that moment, the shop assistant, who was busy dusting the shelves, heard footsteps behind him and immediately turned around, smiling and saying: "Good afternoon, esteemed guest..."

He glanced at Lu Sen, then turned over two newly appeared wooden blocks, took a deep breath, and said: "If the esteemed guest could provide a few more pieces of this rare wood, I would certainly be able to offer a high price"

A pair of feet as black as coal

Lu Sen nodded naturally and then placed the wooden block on the counter

Thanks to the skull design on Lu Sen's clothing, which instills fear in everyone, those around him instinctively avoid him, creating a small empty circle. As a result, the two of them find it easier to move around compared to others

Lu Sen was not particularly concerned; silver is a hard currency with strong purchasing power. Moreover, he only needed a small amount of capital to settle down and start his business, so the difference was not significant

Under the weight of five heavy slaps, a series of white streaks spread across the surface of this wooden arch bridge

I appreciate your assistance

Currently, he is the only person in the store. What if this wicked person has malicious intentions?

In contrast, the banyan tree is relatively light, while these three pieces are extremely heavy and have a very tough texture

Lu Sen flipped his left and right hands, and two identical wooden blocks appeared, which he then placed on the counter

The term "magician" is a collective designation for accomplished practitioners of various disciplines such as Taoism, Buddhism, shamanism, and divination.

A certain painting, deeply hidden in the mind and almost never truly forgotten, has resurfaced before my eyes with the revival of memories

Many pedestrians noticed these white, twisted markings resembling spider silk, but they were puzzled and felt no sense of crisis

The middle-aged shopkeeper was taken aback for a moment, then said with a hint of resignation: "Well, it's just business."

It is estimated that only three sets of tea utensils can be produced

Lu Sen flipped his palm, and a light yellow wooden cube appeared, resting in the center of his hand

The shop assistant timidly approached the counter, holding a wooden block with both hands, afraid of dropping it. After staring for a while, the fear in his eyes transformed entirely into curiosity.

If I change my clothes, it will not be very convenient for me to act. Lu Sen pointed to the black and white bones on his chest and said, The deterrent effect of this thing is now much greater than my own. Once I feel truly at ease, I will change into new clothes

The black pillar bowed and nodded

Only when he came out did he find that Lu Sen was still dressed as before, so he asked: "My lord, why do you not wear new clothes?"

After a while, he looked up and asked, "Sir, do you have any more of these wooden blocks?"

The middle-aged shopkeeper's eyes widened in surprise, and a look of emotion finally appeared on his face

Lu Sen almost shouted out this name word by word www.hetushu.com

Now that I have money, let's buy some clothes first

Lu Sen stepped into the shop

Although scallions and a small amount of oil were used to mask the flavor, the noodles themselves actually had a sour taste, likely because they had been left unsold for a long time and were reheated before being sold to customers

Lu Sen was waiting in place, and before half a stick of incense had passed, a middle-aged man dressed in silk finery emerged. He had a fair complexion and a long beard, and as he walked, he kept his hands clasped behind his back. He did not appear to be a merchant, but rather resembled a scholar.

Lu Sen turned his head and then saw Heizhu with a look of devout fervor.

Then the shop assistant swallowed hard, his expression turning somewhat fearful, as he felt that he had encountered a supernatural being

Line

I heard that you have never eaten black pillars

This time, Lu Sen did not make Hei Zhu wait outside, but instead took him inside, where, under the somewhat dissatisfied gaze of the waiter, he selected two sets of clean but not extravagant clothing for Hei Zhu

Behind me are the sounds of vendors and pedestrians enjoying themselves on the bridge surface

It has no discernible flavor; in terms of surface texture and grain, it resembles that of a banyan tree, but the color seems somewhat off

He simply does not want to reveal his name to strangers. Moreover, the shopkeeper did not introduce himself either, but instead inquired about others' backgrounds first

Qing, Ming, Shang, He, Tu

A gray interface composed of approximately one hundred squares forming a square

Both sides of the bridge are crowded with vendors, who are vigorously shouting about their goods

The black pillar shook his head apologetically: "I have been wandering and begging on the streets since I was young, how could I possibly have the money to eat such delicious food"

After examining the wooden block back and forth for a while, the shop assistant was now completely captivated by it, no longer feeling afraid. Excitement even appeared in his eyes: "Esteemed guest, this is indeed a remarkable piece of wood, but my knowledge is limited, and I cannot discern its value. Please wait a moment, I will go and invite the owner to come out and take a look for you"

The shop assistant immediately turned around and went to the backyard

The painting and reality gradually overlap

If there are a few more times, he could open several more branches, each equipped with a set of such treasures that serve as the hallmark of the store

However, Lu Sen found it to be mediocre, and even thought it was somewhat unpalatable

The shop 'Sihaitongmu' features a floor made of smooth wooden planks, polished to a shine, clearly indicating the use of precious timber

Small fishing boat, large pleasure boat

Chickens, ducks, birds, and fish are all common small animals

Lu Sen nodded, stored the silver coins in the system backpack, and turned to leave the shop

The esteemed guest is being overly courteous