Chapter Six: Finding Comfort Backed by the Imperial Merchant

The woman before him was backed by the royal family—surely the greatest patron he could find at the moment.

“Since you don’t mind the price, I’ll sell you this lighter. But it’s a delicate device, so I must personally teach you how to control the flame to avoid injuring yourself.”

Lingyu Cheng nodded slightly, her gaze fixed on the flickering flame in his hand, tinged with a hint of anticipation.

She approached slowly, watching Chu Nan’s movements intently. Though a powerful figure in the Great Wilderness, he showed remarkable patience handling this small tool, which captivated her full attention.

Holding the lighter, Chu Nan carefully demonstrated its use: “Simply press here, and it will ignite. Though the flame is small, the heat is intense. It should never be directed at skin or aimed carelessly at others.”

Cheng’s eyebrows twitched slightly in surprise at the flame’s potency. She couldn’t help but praise, “This device is truly extraordinary. If employed in the border troops, it would make lighting fires and sending signals at night much easier.”

Chu Nan smiled faintly but remained cautious inwardly, pondering the lady’s identity, as she spoke knowledgeably about frontier military matters.

Such familiarity suggested she was someone with far-reaching influence.

A glint of meaning passed through his eyes as he casually asked, “You seem well acquainted with border affairs. Are you from the military?”

Lingyu Cheng’s lips curved with a subtle smile; she shook her head lightly. “My family has served the court for generations. Though not directly involved in frontier matters, I am somewhat familiar with them.”

Her ambiguous reply deepened Chu Nan’s suspicions. He had initially thought her a mere royal merchant with powerful backing, but now it seemed she was far more.

Though curious, he concealed his thoughts and smiled gently. “Regardless, if I can help you master this fire tool, it’s a pleasure for my humble shop.”

Lingyu Cheng put away the lighter, sighing softly with a trace of resignation. “Your craftsmanship, Mr. Chu, makes one wish to buy everything at once and clear your shelves. Were it not for the ties between royal merchants and the court, I would gladly claim such fine devices for myself alone.”

Chu Nan chuckled quietly but feigned humility. “Though small, these are my exclusive creations. If you kept them all, my shop might lose its very foundation.”

Cheng smiled softly and responded in a low voice, “In that case, Mr. Chu, you are indeed a clever businessman. It makes me regard your little shop with newfound respect.”

Chu Nan’s faint smile deepened with pride. Despite her extraordinary background, she remained his customer.

No matter her true identity, winning her satisfaction meant he had firmly established himself in the capital.

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Calmly, Chu Nan placed the demonstrated lighter on the table, spinning it thoughtfully, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he glanced at Lingyu Cheng.

His eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity as he studied this elegantly dressed noblewoman before him.

The lighter seemed to have stirred a hidden curiosity within her; he wondered if she would ask more.

Sure enough, her eyes drifted back to the lighter. After a moment’s reflection, she looked up at him, a flicker of amusement in her gaze.

“Mr. Chu, you truly are talented. Having such a fire-starting device, I wonder if you have other intriguing items in your shop?”

“I do have some curiosities, but…” Chu Nan smiled mysteriously, casually touching the triangular military dagger hidden in his sleeve. His expression was teasing as he glanced sideways at her. “I’m but a humble merchant. Are you genuinely interested in good goods, or merely seeking novelty?”

Lingyu Cheng’s lips curved in a faint smile, her tone calm. “Mr. Chu, our acquaintance is no brief affair. The border troops still rely on such supplies. Do you doubt my sincerity?”

Her words carried a certain authority, stirring a thought within Chu Nan that her status must be considerable.

He nodded slightly and pointed to another small item on the table. “This spray bottle is called tear gas—unique to my shop. If faced with ill-intentioned foes, just press the nozzle, and it will cause unbearable eye pain.”

Lingyu Cheng’s surprise was subtle but genuine. Such a compact device could instantly blind an attacker—truly formidable for self-defense.

She weighed the spray bottle quietly in her hand before smiling lightly. “Though small, this tear gas is a fine defensive tool. Mr. Chu, your unique creations are truly admirable.”

She turned slightly, her eyes thoughtfully fixed on the items before her, as if lost in deep consideration.

Suddenly, she picked up the lighter again, scrutinizing the flickering flame with unhidden curiosity.

“Mr. Chu, do you realize what great power such a small flame could wield if mass-produced and distributed among the Great Wilderness army?”

Chu Nan felt a slight jolt inside. Though prepared, he hadn’t expected her to think so profoundly. He silently acknowledged this woman was no ordinary figure.

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Smiling faintly, Chu Nan lightly tossed the lighter in his hand and spoke casually.

“An item is only valuable when used properly. These devices are not easy to make, and not everyone understands their subtleties. If rushed into widespread use, they might inadvertently cause trouble.”

Lingyu Cheng nodded, looking at him with approval. “Mr. Chu’s insight is indeed beyond that of a common merchant. However, if I am not mistaken, the lighter and tear gas, if popularized, would greatly benefit the frontier defenses.”

Chu Nan glanced at her with a playful look, his mind now certain of her noble status, though he still pretended ignorance.

Bowing slightly with a smile, he said, “It’s an honor to have your appreciation, milady. But may I ask if you truly intend to purchase these?”

Lingyu Cheng chuckled softly and, after a moment’s thought, replied, “I will take fifty of these lighters, and please prepare some of the tear gas as well.”

Her eyes held a serious gleam, though her lips bore a gentle smile.

“You are indeed generous,” Chu Nan remarked, raising an eyebrow as he tallied the considerable order in his mind. Yet he demurred with modesty, “However, my stock is limited, and I may not have so many ready immediately. If you are not in a hurry, please allow me some time to prepare them for you.”

Lingyu Cheng nodded slightly, her deep gaze fixed on him, the smile in her eyes growing more profound.

“If such support is available, there is no rush.”

She looked at Chu Nan meaningfully and said leisurely, “Mr. Chu, with so many wondrous items in your shop, I suspect there must be extraordinary power behind you.”

Her words were direct, both probing and sincere.

Chu Nan was momentarily taken aback, thinking how clever this woman was to have already guessed he was not a local.

Still, he remained composed, a faint smile on his lips, and replied frankly, “My shop is but a small business relying on some foreign techniques.”

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