# Chapter 14: Peerless Enchantress
"Master Zhang, are you only buying this broken sword?"
Qin Ya walked over to Zhang Ruochen, her voluptuous body almost pressing against his, exuding a captivating fragrance.
Zhang Ruochen gradually pulled himself back from his past-life thoughts. As he looked up, he saw a large expanse of snow-white skin exposed on Qin Ya's chest. Even through her clothes, it was still incredibly alluring.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes narrowed, his breath caught, and his heart pounded wildly. He immediately pinched his fingertips, forcefully averted his gaze, and stared at the sword hanging on the wall.
Steadying himself, Zhang Ruochen pointed at a sapphire-blue battle sword and asked, "Boss Lady, what grade of True Martial Treasure is this sword?"
A flicker of disappointment passed through Qin Ya's eyes again. "That is a fourth-grade True Martial Treasure called the Flash Soul Sword. The blade contains fourteen inscriptions: four 'Power Inscriptions,' four 'Ice Inscriptions,' four 'Lightning Inscriptions,' and two 'Light Inscriptions.' It can be said to possess three special attributes: ice, lightning, and light."
Generally speaking, a first-grade True Martial Treasure contains only one inscription.
Only when the number of inscriptions reaches ten or more can it be considered a fourth-grade True Martial Treasure.
With each additional inscription in a True Martial Treasure, its power increases to varying degrees. Moreover, depending on the attributes of the inscriptions, the True Martial Treasure will exhibit different properties, suiting different martial artists.
For example, a martial artist who awakens the Blazing Flame Divine Martial Mark will have true qi infused with a blazing flame aura. Using a fire-attribute True Martial Treasure would allow them to unleash even greater power from it.
"How much?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"Thirty thousand silver coins," Qin Ya said.
"Fine! I'll take it!"
Zhang Ruochen held the Flash Soul Sword in one hand and the Abyssal Ancient Sword in the other, walking briskly toward the exit of the weapon vault as if fleeing.
Staying alone with this seductive boss lady was far too dangerous. Even Zhang Ruochen couldn't handle it.
After all, he had already retrieved the Abyssal Ancient Sword. Buying any other True Martial Treasure-grade battle sword would be more than enough for his current needs.
"Running away quite fast, aren't you? Hehe, do you think you can escape from big sister's palm? There will be plenty of fun ahead!" Qin Ya revealed a charming, playful smile, her interest in Zhang Ruochen growing even stronger.
...
While Zhang Ruochen and Qin Ya were in the weapon vault, an elderly steward from Qingxuan Pavilion led a man and a woman to the outside of the vault.
The man and woman seemed to be of very high status, as even the elderly steward bowed slightly before them with a fawning smile.
The young man was Zhang Ruochen's eighth brother, the Eighth Prince of Yunwu Commandery, Zhang Ji.
The woman accompanying the Eighth Prince was one of the Four Young Beauties of Yunwu Commandery, the beloved daughter of the Red Cloud Sect's leader, Shan Xiangling.
Shan Xiangling had an outstanding temperament, as pure and elegant as a lily. She appeared to be sixteen or seventeen years old, with bright eyes and a lovely figure. Wherever she went, she would undoubtedly be the center of attention.
The Eighth Prince smiled and said, "Mother instructed me to take good care of you, Junior Sister, since it's your first time in the royal capital. Qingxuan Pavilion is one of the largest shops in the Martial Market. If you fancy any weapon, just tell me."
The Eighth Prince's mother, Consort Xiao, was once a disciple of the Red Cloud Sect and the junior sister of the sect's leader.
That was why the Eighth Prince called Shan Xiangling his junior sister.
Shan Xiangling smiled slightly. "Thank you, Eighth Prince! Actually, Xiangling came to the royal capital this time mainly to meet the talented young heroes of the city, especially the number one prodigy of Yunwu Commandery, the Seventh Prince. I have heard of his great name many times and admire him greatly. Many female disciples of the Red Cloud Sect worship him, but it's hard to even get a chance to see him."
The Eighth Prince said, "If Seventh Brother were in the royal capital, I could certainly help fulfill your wish. Unfortunately, you've come at the wrong time, Junior Sister. Seventh Brother is not in the capital."
A hint of disappointment appeared in Shan Xiangling's eyes. "I recall that the royal clan's year-end assessment is a grand event second only to the sacrificial ceremony. Won't the Seventh Prince return for it?"
The Eighth Prince laughed. "Seventh Brother was already the champion of the year-end assessment when he was ten years old. Do you think the assessment still holds any value for him to participate in? However, the year-end assessment is indeed a grand event. Only members of the royal clan and noble families under the age of twenty can participate. Seventh Brother might return. If Junior Sister wishes to observe this grand event, I will certainly secure an entry spot for you."
"Then I thank the Eighth Prince once again!" Shan Xiangling said with a smile.
While the Eighth Prince and Shan Xiangling were conversing, the elderly steward walked up to the Simpleton and asked, "Simpleton, who went into the weapon vault? Why are the doors closed?"
The Simpleton's expression was somewhat strange, and he lowered his voice. "It's the Boss Lady and a young gentleman."
Hearing this, the elderly steward was also slightly startled. He drew in a cold breath and muttered to himself, "The Boss Lady actually... I hope no lives are lost!"
The Eighth Prince and Shan Xiangling naturally overheard the conversation between the elderly steward and the Simpleton.
Shan Xiangling asked in surprise, "Does Qingxuan Pavilion engage in murder and robbery?"
The Eighth Prince shook his head. "That's not it. It's just that there are many rumors about this Boss Lady. They say she is extremely beautiful, and any man who sees her will surely fall at her feet."
"There are also rumors that she is ruthless and venomous, a snake-hearted woman who has killed many men."
"There are even rumors that she is actually very promiscuous and keeps many men. Moreover, she enjoys torturing men, cutting off their hands and gouging out their eyes."
"Of course, these are just rumors. I have never met this Boss Lady myself, so I don't know what kind of woman she really is."
After hearing the Eighth Prince's words, Shan Xiangling's favorable impression of the Boss Lady diminished considerably.
In broad daylight, taking a man alone into the weapon vault and closing the doors tightly—one didn't need to guess what was happening.
That Boss Lady was certainly no good woman. And the man she took into the vault was also disgusting.
"Whoosh!"
The weapon vault doors were pushed open. Zhang Ruochen walked out quickly, carrying two battle swords. Seeing the Eighth Prince standing in the distance, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
When the Eighth Prince saw Zhang Ruochen emerge from the weapon vault, he was also slightly taken aback. Then his expression turned cold and dark. "Ninth Brother, why are you at Qingxuan Pavilion? This is no place for you!"
Hearing the Eighth Prince's address to Zhang Ruochen, the Simpleton and the elderly steward were both slightly startled. So this Master Zhang was indeed of significant background—he was the son of the Yunwu Commandery King.
At the same time, they breathed a long sigh of relief, glad that the Boss Lady hadn't laid a hand on him. If the Ninth Prince had met with trouble at Qingxuan Pavilion, the establishment would likely have to close its doors tomorrow.
Shan Xiangling had also heard some rumors about the Ninth Prince. He was said to be the only one among the nine princes who couldn't awaken his Divine Martial Mark—a waste.
She hadn't bothered to inquire specifically about Zhang Ruochen, so she didn't know that he had already awakened his Divine Martial Mark half a month ago.
How could such a useless prince have come out of the weapon vault?
Could it be...
Connecting this with the Eighth Prince's earlier words, Shan Xiangling looked at Zhang Ruochen again, and this time, her eyes held a hint of contempt.
Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly, looking quite displeased. "If you can come to Qingxuan Pavilion, why can't I?"
The Eighth Prince sneered. "I came to Qingxuan Pavilion to buy weapons. What did you come for? Can you afford a True Martial Treasure-grade sword? Where did you get those two swords in your hands?"
Zhang Ruochen found this baffling and replied bluntly, "You're meddling too much! Even if I picked up these swords, it's none of your business, is it?"
"Stop right there!" the Eighth Prince shouted sternly. "If your talent for cultivation is poor, then stay obediently in the palace. Don't come out here doing shameful things, or I'll break your legs on behalf of Father."
Zhang Ruochen understood the Eighth Prince's words less and less. "Do you even have the ability to do that?"
Hearing this, the Eighth Prince was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.
He clapped his palms together, flexing his ten fingers, and laughed. "Ninth Brother! Today, I'll show you what real ability looks like!"
Zhang Ruochen stood tall and composed, his gaze calm. He clenched his five fingers together, circulating his true qi through six meridians.
If it was a fight, then so be it!
"Hehe! Eighth Prince, what do you think you're doing? This is Qingxuan Pavilion, not the royal palace. The Ninth Prince is an honored guest of Qingxuan Pavilion. If anyone dares to lay a hand on him here, I will have to intervene, you know." Qin Ya walked out of the weapon vault, a seductive smile on her face.
When the Eighth Prince saw Qin Ya, he too was struck by her stunning beauty, his heart stirring slightly.
If not for Shan Xiangling standing beside him, keeping his nerves taut and preventing him from doing anything improper, he would not have been able to remain as composed as he was now in the presence of such a enchantress.
The Eighth Prince averted his gaze and glared coldly at Zhang Ruochen. "Hmph! You've brought shame to the royal clan!"
In the Eighth Prince's view, Zhang Ruochen couldn't possibly afford a True Martial Treasure-grade battle sword. The only way he could have obtained those two swords was by becoming the Boss Lady's kept man.
Serving the Qingxuan Pavilion's Boss Lady with his body in exchange for martial arts cultivation resources.
Standing nearby, Shan Xiangling's thoughts were similar to the Eighth Prince's.
"Sigh! Both are sons of the Yunwu Commandery King, yet the Seventh Prince is an unparalleled prodigy, while this Ninth Prince willingly debases himself as a plaything for a promiscuous woman. One is a dragon among clouds, the other an earthworm in the mud!" Shan Xiangling stared at Zhang Ruochen, shaking her head gently and sighing.
Zhang Ruochen had no idea what the Eighth Prince was talking about. He had a clear conscience and couldn't be bothered to argue. Carrying his two battle swords, he walked toward the outer courtyard of Qingxuan Pavilion.
Qin Ya, shrewd as she was, seemed to discern what was going on. She understood what the Eighth Prince and Shan Xiangling were thinking.
A sly glint flashed in her eyes, and the corner of her mouth curled up. She called out, "Ninth Prince, do come again! I will certainly treat you well! If you need any other cultivation resources, feel free to come find me! Hehe!"