James Stefflon The Gifted Heir

Chapter 06

"Scram out of the way ant!"

 Looking over, James saw the one who had just spoken. It was an arrogant looking man with an upturned brow. He was standing in front of seven hefty looking men who were carrying a luxurious palaquin on their shoulders.

 Seeing this strange entourage, James lips curled up into a small smile of amusement.

 "You bastard! why are you still standing there smiling like an idiot?! scram out of the way!" the arrogant looking messenger cried out, feeling irritated at the smile on James lips.

 "The path is obviously wide. Why do I have to make way for you? aren't you just intentionally looking for trouble?" James questioned back, stunning both the nearby passerbys and the arrogant messenger.

 "You! you dare speak to me like that?!"

 The arrogant messenger pointed at James with trembling fingers. It was like he had just seen a ghost.

 "Who the hell do you think you are? aren't you just an errand boy?" James shrugged before losing any further interest in the other party.

 "You!!" the eyes of the arrogant messenger became bloodshot as he attempted to lash out when a soft voice suddenly rang from the palaquin.

 "Leave him be. You shouldn't be bothered with such a small fry. Our target is the Alchemy Competition"

 "Yes Miss Sasha!" the arrogant messenger nodded respectfully..

 Giving James one last look, he snorted before leading the entourage behind him through the gate. Upon passing by, he couldn't resist saying;

 "Thank your lucky star brat"

 James merely pretended to have not heard this as he attempted to pass through the gate when suddenly two of the security guards there blocked his path.

 "I am sorry but no vehicles or mounts is allowed through the gate" one of them informed him expressionlessly.

 "What kind of rule is that? what about the errand boy with the palaquin?" James whined stubbornly..

 The arrogant messenger who was leading the entourage behind him in the distance almost vomited blood when he heard James statement. 

 However recalling the earlier warning he had received, he managed to calm down, while inwardly scheming of how he was going to make James pay if they ever ran into each other again.

 "Their case is different. I am sorry but these are the rules. If you don't want to comply then you can scram" the other security guard was more direct.

 "Fine" James found a spot to park his scooter and successfully passed through the gate. Upon doing so, he was met with a bustling scene.

 "Young man! this tree sprout is the ancient bodhi tree of legend! planting this in your home would attract good karma to you and endless success would be at your home " James had just arrived when an old looking peddler blocked his path, showcasing his product 

 It was a plant that was in its early stage of growth within an ancient looking vase covered with dust.

 Seeing James curiously appraising the vase, the old peddler cleared his throat as he continued speaking.

 "This bodhi tree has an ancient origin. It was found upon the collapse of a popular Buddhist temple in the West. This vase is made out from the roots of an undying willow. You might not know this but an undying.."

 The old peddler was about to continue when James shut him off 

 "You can carry your marketing somewhere else " James gave the vase one last look before losing interest.

 "You! do you know how valuable this bodhi tree is? truly blind!" the old peddler cried.

 "Hmpfh. What nonsense bodhi tree. That is just a brown sesame root oak tree sprout. Although during its earlier period of growth it bears a slight resemblance with a bodhi tree, you can differentiate the two. A brown sesame root oak tree sprout normally has tree criss crossed veins on both sides while the bodhi tree sprout does not. So tell me, how can this be a true bodhi tree sprout?" James sneered.

 Perhaps if it was others they would be fooled. However James had spent the last three years journeying the world with his mysterious master. During that time he had learnt about ancient alchemy as well as identifying real herbs and rare materials from fakes.

 "Damnit! you win!" a hint of panic flashed in the eyes of the old peddler as he quickly ran away.

"Nice. This is the first time I have seen a newbie not get fooled by that bastard old man" a string of clapping rang out from behind James..

 "You are?" James turned towards the culprit.

 It was a fattie with two dimples on both sides of his cheeks. He had thick eyebrows and a naughty glint would occasionally flash past his eyes. One look at him and one would quickly conclude that he was a bad person.

 "My name is Lucas. Might I know who this young master is?" the fattie asked James respectfully.

 "James. I noticed you wanted to tell me something when that old scammer first approached me?" James smirked.

 "Ah. Since you already know, asking me about it would be embarrassing " Lucas scratched his head awkwardly.

 "Is this how the place is on a normal day?" James scanned his eyes around before shaking his head.

 A majority of the peddlers advertising their wares were fakes. Unfortunately, many ignorant people kept on patronizing them.

 "Old Wu Town is a dangerous place. The fake and the real stuffs are mixed up so it would depend on your luck. Sometimes you might spend all your fortune only to buy fake goods " Lucas sighed before giving James a look.

 "However people like you are different. You are capable of spotting the real from the fakes " he gave James a thumbs up.

 "People like me?"

 "Yep. Aren't you a Divine Physician? only Divine Physicians can spot fake herbal materials. As such they don't usually stick around the outer region for long" Lucas explained as he licked his lower lips.

 "Judging from your behavior, you must be new here right? why don't I show you around the inner region before the Alchemy Competition starts?"

 "Alright. That works fine " James agreed. Although he was curious regarding the Alchemy Competition Lucas mentioned, he didn't ask him about it.

 He was just interested in purchasing the herbs for Mr. Krios treatment. After that, he would leave.