After demonstrating their artistic conception, the Mu family's trial was undoubtedly passed. Passing the trial not only meant receiving more resources, but also an improvement in their status.

If it weren't for the fact that the market trade was booming on this day of the Prosperous Moon Festival, not only would numerous merchant groups and chambers of commerce flock to the event on this day of reduced taxes and fewer restrictions on where to set up stalls.

Dao Chengyi estimated that he would carefully study and absorb the whole picture of this world in the Mu family's library, but books can always be read, while Gu materials are the rarest.

After politely declining the offers from those opportunistic individuals from the Mou family, Dao Cheng, along with his dog and the fortune-bringing boy Ma Yunlai, went to the market to scavenge for bargains.

To be honest, it truly lives up to its reputation as a planet blessed by the Pharmacist. After only a brief search, Dao Chengyi spotted a naturalized foreign merchant selling some interesting insects.

This large area of ​​southern Xinjiang was originally inhabited by native residents, but after Xin Su began to develop the area, these native residents only had two possible outcomes.

They were either driven into the mountains to become wild monkeys, or they were educated and became the basis for the Xin Su Dynasty's rule over the local areas. Among these assimilated people who accepted agricultural life, there were also some merchants.

They became profiteers operating in the gray area between Dashan and Xinshu, using their dual identities to resell Dashan's specialties and Xinshu's various daily necessities and luxury goods.

What interests Daocheng now are the peculiar insects they've obtained from the mountains, such as the wine insect that the naturalized merchant in front of him, who was drooling as he described it, can turn water into wine and make fine wine even more fragrant and mellow.

It was a two-inch long, red-fleshed animal with a mouth and eyes, and a fan-shaped tail, swimming in a low water tank filled with the aroma of wine.

"You make it sound so real, but who knows if you just poured the wine in early on to make up the numbers?"

Such a peculiar claim was naturally hard for others to believe, but the naturalization merchant was well prepared, having prepared a bowl in advance, allowing any guest who raised questions to scoop up a bowl of water.

After the water arrived, the merchant placed the wine bug into the bowl. After a while, the water slowly began to emit the aroma of wine.

"Wow! Amazing! It really does smell like alcohol!"

This is clearly a shill. Putting aside whether they are skilled enough to dare drink the bathwater from an insect of unknown origin, if it were truly a flawless and high-quality product, why would they sell it here instead of giving it to a distinguished person?

However, the onlookers were unaware of this. After seeing that some people had no problems drinking it, they all started to try it. Before long, the people smacking their lips were all saying that it tasted pretty good.

"How much is this wine bug?"

Dao Chengyi stepped out from the crowd and asked about the price. The naturalized merchant immediately recognized him as a big customer upon seeing his fine clothes and noble demeanor, and thus approached him with great enthusiasm.

"Young master, please patronize my stall more often, but I must first dampen your spirits, as this wine-loving fellow is neither for sale nor for sale."

The naturalized merchant bowed and spoke, and his question of whether it was for sale or not piqued the interest of the onlookers. After all, they had no say in the wine trade, but the question of whether it was for sale or not was clearly intriguing!

"You merchants, you either sell or you don't sell! Why are you asking 'sell or not sell'? Are you trying to make fun of my young master!"

Ma Yunlai was very aware of his role as a lackey, and upon hearing this, he immediately became displeased and was about to start cursing.

"Calm down! Calm down! Let me explain clearly: this so-called 'selling' is not a traditional transaction. It's not about using money, but about fate, courage, and knowledge!"

The two assistants behind the merchant also brought out writing implements, a small statue, and more than a dozen huge earthenware urns. As an expert who frequently concocted poisons, Dao Chengyi could tell that those urns contained a considerable amount of poison.

"Interesting. So, based on what you've said, what's your opinion?"

"It's very simple. It depends on fate. You draw lots in front of the statue of the Mysterious Female Daoist. There are three types of lots: superior, middle, and inferior. The superior lot means you get the best choice and don't have to pay. The middle lot means you have no chance, but you can still enjoy a discount on other items. The inferior lot means you have no chance and can only pay."

"Judging by the literary talent, today happens to be a day to celebrate the harvest month, so I will compose a poem on the theme of the harvest month for everyone present to appreciate. Those with outstanding literary talent will naturally enjoy this invaluable experience."

"It depends on your courage. Here are ten earthenware jars, each corresponding to one of ten different types of poisonous insects. The longer you can endure them without getting hurt, the greater the discount you'll receive!"

Aside from the wine bugs, the other items at this stall are equally interesting, such as mountain spring jade, magic bamboo, heat-absorbing stones, and dream bugs.

"Is that so? Then let's see if we're destined to be together."

An ordinary time traveler might write poetry, but Dao Chengyi happened to have a lucky subordinate by his side, so Ma Yun spontaneously went in and knelt down in front of the statue to draw lots.

"As a merchant, you can't possibly have absolutely no top-tier fortune sticks in your fortune-telling bucket, can you?"

"Honesty is the most important quality in business, and unscrupulous people will naturally not dare to engage in deception."

Just when the naturalized businessman thought this was another successful business opportunity, Ma Yunlai drew a fortune stick, and it was a very auspicious one!

"Thank the Daoist Master! Amazing! Amazing! A truly auspicious fortune slip has appeared!"

"Hahaha! What a show! What a show! The family treasure was stolen as soon as the door opened!"

"Just send it if you want! You businessman! Why make this whole complicated process here? It's so annoying!"

Some gamblers cheered, some superstitious people prayed for good fortune, some were happy for others' losses, and some cursed because they doubted the process. In short, everyone had their own unique expression, but none of them were as interesting as the ever-changing expressions on the faces of the naturalized merchants.

"He's an honest man. So there really is a lucky sign. Well then, as you said, I'll take this wine bug."

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