Strongest Mage with the Lust system

Chapter 822: A Cowardly Merchant

Mana Stones Exchange Rates

Low Grade to Mid Grade: 400 Low Grade Mana Stones for 1 Mid Grade Mana Stone.

Mid Grade to High Grade: 250 Mid Grade Mana Stones for 1 High Grade Mana Stone.

Max’s expression frosted over instantly when he read the board and saw these outrageous, intent-on-extorting-them exchange rates.

He gazed down at the fat shopkeeper and asked in an emotionless voice, ”These rates—if I’m not wrong—all other shops are giving similar exchange rates, right?”

The fat shopkeeper was a peak Five Star mage. Seeing Max was just a peak Four Star mage, he was all smiles and completely at ease, unlike the times when he faced King and even Emperor mages who came to exchange their mana stones.

After all, even though he was a native of the central plains, he wasn’t too talented and had only managed to reach the Five Star realm by relying on alchemical medicine and natural treasures.

Therefore, he wasn’t strong enough, and because he wasn’t fearless like most mages, he always tensed up when facing stronger people—even if they were from the desolate region—afraid that they might attack him in anger.

But when he saw Max was weaker than him, he naturally didn’t feel the same. However... when he looked into Max’s eyes, he felt a chill in his heart and his body turned stiff.

”I asked you something.” Max frowned when he saw the fat man didn’t answer and was just staring at him with a wooden expression on his face.

”Ah, y-yes, yes. All shops have similar rates,” the fat man hurriedly nodded.

Max didn’t want to comment on their vicious methods but couldn’t help himself and said, ”You people are really ruthless.”

The fat man panicked, hearing the rage in his voice. He had already realized Max could easily kill him despite his low realm.

Though all the merchants had an accord with the town lord that she would ensure their safety—and there were town guards constantly patrolling the market too—unfortunately, they weren’t nearby at this moment.

So, if Max lost control and attacked him...

’No, no, no. I can’t let that happen,’ he screamed in his mind and quickly said, raising his hands in front of him as if in surrender,

”Please don’t get angry, young master. We aren’t ruthless, we are just trying to earn more—no, no, what am I saying. Yes, what I mean to say is that I’ll give you a good exchange rate.”

Max narrowed his eyes, surprise flickering within them.

How could a Five Star mage—especially someone from the central plains—become so scared facing a savage from the desolate regions on his home turf? It was inconceivable to him. Well, it was inconceivable until a few moments ago.

”Oh, so you are not as ruthless, huh?” he asked, his tone softening slightly.

The fat man’s eyes lit up seeing this and he immediately nodded, ”Yes, yes. I’m not ruthless at all.”

”I see. Then tell me, what rates do you offer now?” Max asked, staring at him with narrowed eyes.

”I... it’s three... no, two hundred low grade mana stones for one mid grade mana stone, and a hundred mid grade ones for one high grade one,” the fat man nervously answered.

Despite how scared he was, he didn’t want to reduce the rate too much and wanted to offer 300 low grade for one mid grade and 200 mid grade for one high grade mana stone, but when he saw Max’s expression becoming cold, he hurriedly reduced the price even more.

Max didn’t answer and silently stared at him, making him nervous.

”Y-Young master, it’s the best rate you would find in the entirety of the central plains, but if you are still not satisfied with it, then I will—”

He gritted his teeth and was ready to bear the loss, but to his surprise and relief, Max shook his head.

”No need. This rate is good.”

He knew the mid-to-high grade mana stone exchange rate he offered him was quite reasonable. And since he disliked them because of their extortion practices, he didn’t want to become like them and use this man’s fear to extort him—it was beneath him.

While the fat man heaved a sigh of relief, Max thought for a moment before taking out 900,000 mid grade mana stones.

Since there were many low-realmed people in his group like Ella, Maria, Esther, and others, who wouldn’t be able to use high grade mana stones—let alone mana crystals—to cultivate, he decided to keep 100,000 mid grade ones and all of the low grade ones.

Not only because the ladies would use them to cultivate, but also because he only had around half a million low grade ones, which would be converted into just 25 high grade ones—a pitiful amount.

After the fat shopkeeper scanned the mana stones and ascertained they were indeed 900,000, he stored them away and gave him 9,000 high grade mana stones.

Max stowed them away, satisfied.

Now, he had over 9,500 high grade mana stones—more than enough to rent the rooms on the third floor for several days if necessary.

Before he left the shop, he asked the fat man, ”What’s your name?”

”Samuel Reeds, young master,” the fat man answered.

”I see. It was a pleasure doing business with you, Samuel,” Max said and left.

Samuel walked out of the shop and looked around. After he was sure Max had indeed left, his expression turned ugly and he stomped his feet in rage. ”Pleasure, my foot!”

”Oh, what is it? Why do you look so angry?”

Right then, a group of three town guards appeared and asked him when they saw him shouting and stomping the ground in anger.

Instantly, Samuel’s expression turned dark and he lashed out, ”Where the fuck were you? Why am I paying the town lord protection fee? For you guys to disappear when I need you?”

The guards’ expressions turned dark. He was just a small merchant—where did he get the courage to scold them?

Samuel realized what he had done in a fit of anger, and his face turned pale.

”I-I’m sorry, respected sirs. I was angry because someone extorted me just a while ago when you weren’t here, so... I-I didn’t mean to shout at you,” he hurriedly stammered out the explanation.

Hmph!

The trio scoffed. They were still angry, but since he had been conned and had already apologized, they chose to forget it and asked,

”Tell us what happened in detail.”