The road to Stonehaven was long and treacherous.
The path wound through the mountains, its surface rough and uneven. The snow had melted in patches, revealing the frozen earth beneath. The wind howled through the passes, carrying the scent of pine and frost.
Shen Chen walked in silence, his mind focused on the journey. He had no need for conversation, no desire for company. The solitude was a comfort—a familiar presence that had become a part of him.
He encountered a few travelers on the road—hunters carrying their kills, traders leading mules laden with goods, a lone cultivator with a grim expression. He gave them a wide berth, his hand never straying far from Shadow's Edge.
"You there," a voice called out. "Where are you headed?"
He turned to see a merchant, his wagon laden with furs and dried meat. His face was weathered, his eyes sharp and assessing.
"Stonehaven," he said, his voice flat.
"Stonehaven? You're going the right way. Another day's journey, maybe two if the weather holds." The merchant studied him, his eyes lingering on Shadow's Edge. "That's a fine blade. Where did you get it?"
"It was a gift."
"A gift?" The merchant chuckled, a dry, rasping sound. "Must have been a generous giver. That blade is worth more than most men earn in a lifetime."
Shen Chen said nothing. He had no desire to discuss his affairs with a stranger.
"You look like a hunter," the merchant continued. "You carry yourself like one. If you're looking for work, there's a bounty on demon beast cores at Stonehaven. The blacksmith is paying good coin for them."
"I'll keep that in mind."
The merchant nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Be careful, friend. Stonehaven is not as safe as it seems. There are those who would take what you have, given the chance."
"I know." He turned and continued walking.
The merchant's words echoed in his mind as he walked. "Be careful." He had been careful his entire life. It had never saved him from loss.
Stonehaven. Two days. I'll find what I need there.
The city was smaller than he had expected.
Stonehaven was a collection of stone buildings clustered around a central square, their walls weathered by wind and snow. A wall of rough-hewn stone encircled the town, its gates guarded by a pair of bored-looking sentries. The streets were muddy, the buildings simple, but the town had a purpose—a trading post for those who ventured into the mountains.
"State your name and business," one of the guards said, his voice flat.
"Shen Chen. I'm here to trade."
The guard studied him, his eyes lingering on Shadow's Edge. "That's a fine blade. You a hunter?"
"Yes."
"Then you'll want to see the blacksmith. He's always looking for good materials." The guard gestured toward the square. "Second building on the left. You can't miss it."
"Thank you."
He walked through the gates, his eyes scanning the streets. The town was quiet, the people subdued. A few merchants hawked their wares from wooden stalls, their voices carrying across the square. Children played in the mud, their laughter a strange contrast to the grimness of the adults.
He found the blacksmith's shop easily—a squat building of rough-hewn stone, its chimney belching smoke. The sign above the door was faded, its letters worn by wind and age. He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The interior was hot and dim, lit by the glow of the forge. A man stood at the anvil, his hammer striking a piece of glowing metal with rhythmic precision. His muscles were thick, his arms covered in burn scars. He looked up as Shen Chen entered, his eyes sharp and assessing.
"You look like you've got something to sell," he said, his voice gruff.
"I have materials," Shen Chen said. "Wolf fangs. Panther claws. Bear hide. A serpent core."
The blacksmith set down his hammer, his interest piqued. "A serpent core? What kind?"
"Venom Serpent. Level seven."
The blacksmith's eyes widened. "You killed a Venom Serpent? By yourself?"
"Yes."
The blacksmith was silent for a long moment, studying him with new respect. "I'll need to see the materials. If they're good, I'll give you a fair price."
Shen Chen placed the materials on the counter—the fangs, the claws, the hide, and finally, the serpent's core. The blacksmith examined each one carefully, his fingers tracing the edges, his eyes appraising their quality.
"These are good," he said, his voice filled with grudging admiration. "The fangs are sharp. The claws are intact. The hide is clean. And the core..." He held the serpent's core up to the light, its surface gleaming with a faint, golden light. "The core is excellent. I'll give you 200 spirit stones for the lot."
Shen Chen's mind calculated quickly. 200 spirit stones was a fair price. It would buy him the supplies he needed and leave enough for the journey back.
"Deal," he said.
The blacksmith nodded and produced a pouch of spirit stones, counting them out carefully. Shen Chen pocketed the coins without a word.
"If you come across more materials," the blacksmith said, "I'll pay the same price. There's a market for good demon beast parts."
"I'll keep that in mind."
He turned and left the shop, the pouch of spirit stones a comforting weight in his pocket.
Now I need to find the alchemist. I need pills. Something to accelerate my cultivation.
The alchemist's shop was smaller than the blacksmith's, tucked away on a side street. The door was covered in faded runes, their meanings lost to time. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and strange chemicals, a mixture that was both pleasant and unsettling.
A woman stood behind the counter, her face lined with age, her eyes sharp and knowing. She wore robes of deep green, her fingers stained with the residue of her work.
"You're a cultivator," she said, her voice flat. "I can tell by the way you carry yourself. What do you need?"
"Pills," he said. "Qi Condensation pills. Something to accelerate my cultivation."
The woman studied him, her eyes appraising. "I have what you need. But it won't be cheap."
"I have coin."
"Coin is good. But I'll need more than coin." She reached beneath the counter and produced a small vial, its contents a deep, crimson liquid. "This is a Blood Qi Pill. It will accelerate your cultivation, but it comes at a cost."
"What cost?"
"It will drain your vitality. You will need to rest for a day after consuming it. If you take more than one without resting, it could kill you."
Shen Chen studied the vial, his mind calculating. "How much?"
"Fifty spirit stones."
He nodded and produced the coin. He didn't haggle. There was no point.
"If you need more," the woman said, "I'll be here. But I'd suggest you find a safe place to consume that pill. You won't be able to move for a while after."
"I'll keep that in mind."
He pocketed the vial and left the shop. The cold air hit his face, and he inhaled deeply, the scent of snow and pine filling his lungs.
I have what I came for. Now I need to return to the mountain.