Chapter 98 — The Hidden Waters
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 4
How would a little cloth shop like mine carry such superior stuff? " Feng Xiuyun smiled. "Incense Master Qu, this is the Young Master. " The proprietor gave a start and made haste to bow low, but Shen Mu raised him up.
"This is Mishui Pass, crowded and full of eyes.
There is no need for ceremony. " Incense Master Qu, the cloth-shop proprietor, smiled. "This subordinate did not know the Young Master, and was remiss.
One moment, Young Master. " Shen Mu stroked the cloth lightly: smooth as satin, with a cool touch, pale gold in color and marked with strange patterns. He gave it a tug, and it would not budge at all; he could not help but voice his admiration. Well pleased, he asked, "How much?
" Shen Mu laughed.
"If you will not take payment, I still cannot fail to give it. Ling'er, find the money pouch. " Snow Fox had been in the bundle on his back all along, only its little head showing; at these words it hastily dived into the bundle, and before long produced a money pouch.
Shen Mu said, "This is dragon coin, which likely does not circulate in Jingping. Take it all.
" Incense Master Qu had no choice but to put the pouch away. "Jingping uses Dafeng coin, which is indeed different from the coin of the Wasteland. There are several thousand in this pouch of yours, Young Master. Let me exchange some Dafeng coin for you — you may have need of it on the road.
" Shen Mu thought it over, then nodded. "My thanks.
This cloth woven of golden silkworm silk — how is it to be cut? " Incense Master Qu smiled. "Common blades cannot cut this bolt at all. This shop has a pair of Dragon-Fang Shears that can just barely manage it.
One moment, Young Master. " He went to the front hall, took out three sticks of incense, and lit them. In the hall stood a small shrine, and enshrined within it was, of all things, a pair of shears. Incense Master Qu bowed to the shears, then carefully took them down and handed them to Shen Mu.
"This is my offering to the Young Master, a small token of respect. .
. " Shen Mu did not know whether to laugh or cry.
"Incense Master, I will not take your shears. .
. Eh? Fine shears!
" Astonishment showed on his face. The shears felt as though they were made of warm jade, smooth and mild; when yuanqi seeped into them it was like an extension of his own body, with no obstruction at all.
And he could sense a fearsome energy stored within them, stirring, straining to move. That power was exceedingly terrifying, utterly savage. Shen Mu tried cutting a corner of the cloth, and the extraordinarily tough golden-silkworm fabric was snipped apart with a snick. It took some effort, but the keenness of the shears was plain to see.
"Truly fine shears," Shen Mu said in admiration again.
Incense Master Qu brought needle and thread; the thread too was hundred-poison golden silkworm silk. Shhk — Shen Mu swept out a hand, yuanqi bursting forth, and at once the whole bolt of cloth floated into the air, hanging down. Then, driving the shears with his qi, he cut the fabric; at the same time the needle Incense Master Qu had brought rose into the air, carried by his yuanqi, threading itself and stitching the cut cloth in midair.
This feat drew every eye, and the people who had come into the shop to choose cloth all stopped to watch.
Before long Shen Mu put away shears and needle, and a set of garments drifted lightly down: first a brocade robe of the deep-gown cut, buttoned straight down the front, narrow-sleeved and bordered along the placket; second a waist sash; third a brocade inner shirt; and fourth a pair of inner trousers for the lower body.
Incense Master Qu raised a hand.
"Pray go inside and change, Young Master. " Shen Mu went into the inner room. Incense Master Qu and Feng Xiuyun waited outside. Feng Xiuyun frowned and muttered, "How did the Young Master come to learn tailoring from the Hierarch's widow? Is that a thing the Young Hierarch should be doing?