CHAPTER 6: I Knew Lucky Ping Is A Scammer

Ping An pouted, dramatically placing a hand over his chest like he'd just been stabbed.

"So cold," he whispered. "Older Brother's words are like tiny knives. Very sharp. Very cruel."

Lui Ming remained unmoved. "If a few words hurt you, you wouldn't have survived long in this world."

Ping An blinked at him, then grinned again. "Heh~ Older Brother speaks like someone who's been betrayed by everyone they ever trusted. We really *are* a good match!"

"…You're not helping your case."

"Then let me help with your *business*," Ping An said quickly, snapping his fingers with exaggerated flair. "Come, come, show me this secret treasure of yours. Is it rare spiritual jade? A pill recipe? Stolen sect techniques? Don't worry, I'm very discreet."

Lui Ming sighed and slowly pulled out one of the cloth bundles from his sleeve. He unwrapped it just enough to reveal a small paper packet labeled with his finest brushwork:

**Heaven's Wrath Rat Powder**

*"Fast. Clean. Quiet. Just like an assassin."*

Ping An stared at it for a long moment.

"…It's rat poison."

"Yes."

"You came here...," Ping An waved vaguely toward the alley, "To sell rat poison in the night?"

"Yes."

Ping An clapped his hands, delighted. "I love it."

"....?"

"It's bold! Strange! Mildly concerning! Perfect for the common folk with pest problems and a thirst for drama. Plus, the packaging is dramatic. Are these limited edition?"

"Limited to the number of sacks I could carry without rattling," Lui Ming replied blandly.

Ping An rubbed his chin. "Alright, I'll help you sell it."

Lui Ming narrowed his eyes. "For free?"

"Of course not." Ping An beamed. "I'm a businessman, not a monk. We'll split the profit. You're the mysterious craftsman. I'm the charming public face. People trust baby-faced salesmen with dimples."

"....."

"No no, trust me! I know the perfect vendor. Uncle Bao sells everything from snake wine to powdered deer antler. No one even asks if the goods work. If we pitch it right, we can make this *rat poison* sound like a household necessity *and* a luxury item."

Lui Ming didn't reply. He was busy calculating in his head whether the emotional damage of dealing with Ping An was worth the silver he might make.

Ping An, sensing a hint of hesitation, threw an arm around Lui Ming's shoulder.

"Come on, Older Brother! Let's bring death to rats and hope to the people!"

"…....."

Lui Ming stared at the arm slung over his shoulder like it was a poisonous vine. "Take that off before I throw you at a passing donkey cart."

Ping An only laughed, cheerfully clinging tighter. "So affectionate! We haven't even made our first fortune together and you're already threatening physical violence. This partnership is going *so* well."

"You're delusional."

"I prefer the term 'optimistically cursed.' Now, come on! Uncle Bao's stall is just around the corner. We'll make history—rat history!"

Lui Ming allowed himself to be dragged forward, only half resisting, because deep down… he *was* curious.

They arrived at a crooked, lantern-lit stall that looked like someone had lost a bet with a hoarder. Bottles of murky liquids, strips of dried animal parts, and jars filled with suspiciously floating objects lined the shelves. A faded sign overhead read:

**"Uncle Bao's Marvelous Remedies: If It Doesn't Work, You Probably Deserved It."**

A large man with a beard shaped like a broomstick and a mole that looked like it might be plotting something sat behind the counter, smoking a pipe shaped like a dragon's tail.

Ping An waved grandly. "Uncle Bao! I've brought you business!"

Uncle Bao looked up slowly, eyes narrowing. "…You again."

"Don't be like that! This time I'm not here to borrow money or convince you that chicken bones ward off bad luck—this time, it's *real* business!"

He shoved Lui Ming forward like a proud talent scout unveiling his latest star. "This is Su Feiyu, brilliant alchemist and creator of the miracle product we're about to bless your shop with!"

Uncle Bao squinted at Lui Ming, who squinted back in shared suspicion.

"…He doesn't look brilliant," Uncle Bao said gruffly.

"He's just shy. And moldy. But *brilliantly* moldy," Ping An chirped. "Now, behold—!"

He snatched one of the rat poison packets and slammed it onto the counter like it was a priceless treasure. "*Heaven's Wrath Rat Powder!* Guaranteed to rid you of rodents, ex-lovers, and possibly small ghosts. Fast. Clean. Quiet. Just like—"

"An assassin," Lui Ming absent mindedly finished, monotone.

Uncle Bao blinked at the packet. "…It's poison."

"Yes," both of them said in unison.

There was a long pause.

Then Uncle Bao picked it up, turned it over, sniffed it, then popped open the corner to inspect the powder. He dipped a pinky finger in—Lui Ming smacked his hand.

"Don't *taste* it," he snapped. "It works."

Uncle Bao grunted. "Hmph. Rats've been chewing through my dried scorpion tails lately. Alright. I'll take a dozen packets. Half copper each. Final offer."

"Three silvers each," Ping An shot back instantly, smiling.

Lui Ming blinked. "…Three silvers? That's robbery."

"Exactly. That's how profit works."

Uncle Bao narrowed his eyes. "Two silver."

"Deal!" Ping An grinned before Lui Ming could open his mouth. Then he turned and whispered, "We mark it up later as 'spirit-warding incense for rodent-repellent formation compatibility.' Trust me."

Trust? the poison is only for rats! How did ex-lovers and ghost join in!? 

Uncle Bao pulled a small pouch from his robe and tossed it over.

Ping An caught it midair with one hand and tossed it to Lui Ming. "Your first earnings! Look at that, Older Brother. We've made our first dishonest coin!"

"…I knew you were a scammer."Lui Ming muttered to himself

They turned to leave, Ping An already chatting about advertising slogans and market expansion. "Next, we find a desperate scholar, convince him rats are spiritually toxic, and boom—we're the *Saviors of the Streets.*"

Lui Ming followed silently, clutching the silver pouch with the expression of someone who knew exactly how close he a scammer himself for not saying a word.

Still…he got money 

___________

As they strolled back into the night market's chaos, Ping An bounced beside Lui Ming like an overcaffeinated squirrel.

"Think about it, Older Brother—this is just the beginning! Soon we'll have branches in every city. *Heaven's Wrath Rat Powder* will be a household name! We'll sell family-size jars, pocket travel packets, even a commemorative set for weddings."

"…Weddings?" Lui Ming looked at him sideways. "Why would anyone gift rat poison at a wedding?"

"Symbolism," Ping An said wisely. "To chase away pests. Like greedy in-laws. And clingy exes. It's beautiful, really."

Lui Ming said nothing. He was busy trying to figure out if this boy was a genius or if he had simply chewed on too many spirit stones in the womb.

Ping An reached into his sleeve, pulled out one of the remaining bundles, and handed it back with a dramatic flourish. "Keep this safe. That powder is now a *top-shelf* product. We might even start branding it as 'spirit-grade pest cleanser.'"

Lui Ming took it with dead eyes. "It's just mashed duan cao and stolen sedative powder."

"Exactly! And now it's the most luxurious mashed duan cao in the province!" Ping An grinned. "Marketing, Older Brother. If it sounds mystical enough, cultivators will eat it with tea."

Lui Ming rubbed his temple. "No one's going to eat rat poison with tea."

"You never know until someone rich makes the mistake first."

"…You're deranged."

Ping An beamed. "Thank you."

As they rounded a corner, the chaos of the market dimmed slightly. A few lanterns flickered overhead, and the scent of roasted chestnuts drifted through the air. They passed a stall selling spirit-roasted walnuts with names like *Dragon Crunch* and *Bone-Marrow Bliss*.

Lui Ming paused. "...How do you even *crunch* a dragon?"

Ping An waved dismissively. "Trade secret. Probably glue and lies."

They slowed as Ping An spotted a rickety bench beside a steaming dumpling vendor. "Let's sit, let's sit. Time to plan phase two."

Lui Ming reluctantly joined him, arms folded, silver pouch still tucked protectively against his ribs. "There's a *phase two*?"

"Of course!" Ping An leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Now that we've sold the first batch, we make people *desperate* for more. Scarcity, mystery, hype. Maybe we 'accidentally' start a rumor that our powder cures minor curses or makes your children smarter."

"That's not good," Lui Ming muttered automatically.

"Not good? We just say 'may increase spiritual clarity in mice.'" Ping An tapped the side of his nose. "See? Not a lie. Just selective optimism."

Lui Ming stared at the boy. "You came out of the womb with contracts, didn't you?"

"No, but I *did* sell my cradle for jade. Very good deal."

There was a brief silence.

Then, with a sigh while looking up at the sky, Lui Ming said, "…I'm Turning into a scammer."

When Lui Ming wasn't was looking Pang An secretly glanced at him up and down before frowning slightly