Du Chengfeng, having read some books, naturally wouldn't put all his eggs in one basket.
Although he did entrust the Yang family to help him look for weapons, it didn't mean he completely trusted them. Especially regarding matters of improving his strength, it was generally better to keep those channels in his own hands.
After finding Li the Carpenter, he actually inquired about some methods.
"I also heard this when I used to buy axes and planes. At the market in Ji Town, some people set up stalls in the corners to specifically sell old weapons... But those things shouldn't be bought. It's said those have killed people, and anyone who bought those weapons always ended up in trouble. Who knows why people set up such stalls, can they really make money?"
Du Chengfeng still remembered, this is what Li the Carpenter said at that time.
The information wasn't very accurate, more akin to a countryside tale. Even Li the Carpenter himself wasn't very sure about its authenticity. However, to Du Chengfeng, this seemed quite possibly true.
Though he didn't know much about the world he was currently in, Du Chengfeng was already quite familiar with the concept of Evil Qi in weapons – this stuff influences people's minds, and the more it kills, the greater the influence becomes. So here comes the question, might there be some smart people who decided to ditch the weapons before the Evil Qi completely invaded their bodies?
There were similar examples. Before, when he was grinding that Unlucky Curved Saber, that unfortunate blacksmith could be considered one. And during subsequent sharpening processes, he saw quite a few similar examples.
The fact proves, folks aren't fools. Since they already know the Evil Qi accumulates on the weapons, why not just toss the weapon away?
But such talks are like the principles in those books; everyone knows it's right, and can understand them while learning. But when it comes to doing it themselves... it does become somewhat difficult.
The reason is nothing else but the value of the weapons.
A weapon itself is quite valuable, and a handy weapon is even more expensive. Even if these weapons are stained with Evil Qi and become extremely dangerous, not everyone can make up their minds to throw such valuable assets away.
Unless someone offers a good price.
Even if sold at half price, after pooling some money, they could buy a new blade. Besides, these weapons stained with Evil Qi may not necessarily just be bought at half-price.
Although Evil Qi is indeed dangerous, it's risky only for ordinary people. There will always be people who specifically collect such items, like those soldiers in charge of combat. They would bring these weapons back to find the grinding Master Craftsman in camp to help them polish it. Or some Martial Artists who wouldn't be affected by Evil Qi; a vicious blade might actually enhance their prowess.
And now, there's a third category, people like Du Chengfeng who want to grind and fight.
Whether it's grinding opportunities or enhancing combat strength, he wants it all.
Where there's a need, there's a market. So this kind of trade, which in Li the Carpenter's perspective might seem like losing business just to make a name, is judged by Du Chengfeng as a feasible good deal.
As for the supply of goods…
Ji State is right on the border of the Southern Chen, a battlefield land, with valiant folks. Though not to the point of drawing swords over a word, when people here hold grudges, they seldom let bad blood simmer overnight.
In such places, there may be a shortage of money, grain, or teachers to guide children in literacy, but weapons that have seen blood are never in short supply.
"So, brother."
Du Chengfeng put an arm around Li the Carpenter's shoulder.
"Do you know when the big market in Ji Town opens?"
"It's open today."
Feeling the weight of gold and silver in his arms, and looking at the big hand on his shoulder, Li the Carpenter eventually sighed.
"Though it might be a bit late to go now, if you're in a hurry, Brother Du, I'll drive you over right away."
"Then, many thanks, brother."
Upon hearing that Li the Carpenter was even planning to personally drive him over, Du Chengfeng clasped his hands in gratitude.
But after Li the Carpenter retrieved that horse-drawn cart, Du Chengfeng took the whip himself. Naturally, because his hands were itching to try his skill, after all, he'd never handled such a big beast. Fortunately, after sharpening those swords of nomadic people, at least in knowledge reserve, he had become a true North Desert warrior, his understanding of horses allowing him to easily manage the draft horses and drive the cart smoothly.
This made Li the Carpenter sitting on the cart click his tongue in wonder, even praising that Du Chengfeng's skill was more than sufficient to drive for those wealthy families.
But despite Li the Carpenter's praise, Du Chengfeng shook his head gently.
To drive for the wealthy, this might be considered a lucrative job by Li the Carpenter or most people.
But for himself, it was more enjoyable to drive for his own brothers.
The cart moved without stopping, soon arriving at Ji Town under Li the Carpenter's guidance. It was Du Chengfeng's first time entering the city and it opened his eyes — though this Ji Town didn't seem much different from Yang Family Fort in his eyes, except the Dock Fortress in the town was a bit larger, bearing some semblance of city defense. The surrounding buildings and population were also more, which in Li the Carpenter's eyes might already be considered a nice big city, but to Du Chengfeng, it still felt a bit desolate.
It even fell short of the Ji Town in Yang Fat's memories.
At least back then, Ji Town still had the basic appearance of a city.
"The big market generally opens in the south of the town. We just need to walk through the town."
In Ji Town, only the defending soldiers were qualified to gallop on horses, hence Li the Carpenter also suggested Du Chengfeng get off, and the two led the draft horses ahead.
"But Brother Du, you need to be cautious. Ji Town is different from Yang Family Fort. At Yang Family Fort, everyone is local, and whoever does something wrong gets found out immediately. But in Ji Town, with so many people around, even if someone tricks you, by the time you realize it, that person will be long gone."
Hearing this, Li the Carpenter couldn't help but sigh as if recalling some unpleasant past.
But Du Chengfeng didn't care much about it.
He understood Li the Carpenter's nagging concern, but given his age and skills, any swindler trying to fool him was unlikely. And even if he did get tricked, his wrestling skills were more than enough to beat the crap out of the fraudster.
Just like now, even without turning back, he already sensed a hand trying to pull at his clothes.
"Is there something you need?"
Du Chengfeng suddenly turned around, his eyes fixed on the figure in front of him.
"What do you want?"
"I, I, I... "
The figure wrapped in heavy clothing seemed startled by Du Chengfeng and couldn't say a complete sentence for a while.
"I-I-I... I just wanted to ask."
"Ask? Ask what?"
Seeing this person concealing their face, acting suspiciously, Du Chengfeng quietly adjusted his stance, ready to slam this person onto the ground.
"What do you need to ask me?"
"I-I-I-I... I just wanted to ask."
While saying this, the person wrapped in heavy clothing started to open their coat.
"Sir, do you want a knife?"
"... Knife?"
Du Chengfeng couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
Inside the cloak of the person in front, there hung more than ten glittering sharp blades!
Each blade carried dried bloodstains and a faint sense of chilling Evil Qi.
All these more than ten knives had evidently seen blood.