Chapter 60 Black Market

Soon, the three companions and the beast were all well-fed and thoroughly satisfied after a hearty meal.

The Fourth Senior Brother readily paid the bill and then led the group to look for a place to rest nearby.

Before long, they discovered a place called the Peaceful Inn. The three of them decided to spend the night there and search for a black market intelligence broker the next day to inquire about the exact timing of the cultivators' gathering.

Night had fallen deeply, shrouding the land like thick ink. Amidst the flickering lights, the Peaceful Inn stood quietly.

At this moment, the Fourth Senior Brother stood outside the door with a meaningful smile, his gaze landing with great interest on Liu An and Jian Yi.

"Are you two little fledglings interested in coming with me to broaden your horizons?" the Fourth Senior Brother asked, the corners of his mouth curving upward in a teasing tone.

Hearing these words, Jian Yi's expression instantly turned serious. He straightened his posture and refused righteously, "No need, I'd rather go back to my room and rest early." With that, he strode forward without hesitation, walking straight into the inn and ignoring the Fourth Senior Brother entirely.

Seeing this, the Fourth Senior Brother shook his head helplessly. However, he had no intention of letting his other target—Liu An—off so easily. He swiftly reached out, grabbed the still-hesitant Liu An, and dragged him off toward the brightly lit and bustling pleasure house without giving him any room for argument.

Upon entering the establishment, a melodious tune of strings and bamboo flutes immediately drifted into their ears. Accompanied by the pleasant music, women in light, gossamer garments danced gracefully on the stage like celestial beings. Amidst the interwoven light and shadow, these beautiful and moving women smiled charmingly, their eyes shifting with alluring glances that seemed capable of capturing one's soul.

Liu An could not help feeling somewhat nervous and uneasy; after all, this was only the second time he had ever set foot in such a place of debauchery.

Although he had some experience last time, he had been far too preoccupied to appreciate the beauty and lovely women around him.

This time, however, was different. Free from any threat of danger, his youthful heart began to stir...

His footsteps unconsciously followed the Fourth Senior Brother as they wove through the crowd. The surrounding air was heavy with the rich fragrance of cosmetics and powder, making him feel both fascinated and somewhat awkward, his heart beating like a drum as if every step were treading on clouds.

Fine grape wine gleamed with a charming luster in luminous cups, resembling brilliant stars in the night sky. Meanwhile, the beauty in his arms was as warm and soft as fine jade, exuding an intoxicating and mesmerizing fragrance. In an instant, the entire atmosphere turned ambiguous, as if time itself had frozen.

The Fourth Senior Brother sat there with an air of complete composure, showing no fear whatsoever in the face of the women who actively came forth to serve him, even revealing a hint of anticipation and excitement. His poised demeanor made one couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect for his boldness and self-assurance.

Liu An, by contrast, appeared somewhat flustered, his face flushed as red as a ripe apple. A woman dressed in scant clothing sat unreservedly on Liu An's lap, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck like spiritual serpents as she coquettishly asked, "Young Master, is this humble concubine beautiful?"

Liu An was caught completely off guard by this sudden display of intimacy. He stammered in reply, "Beautiful... beautiful..." His voice was so soft that only he could hear it. Seeing Liu An look so shy, the Fourth Senior Brother burst into hearty laughter that echoed throughout the room.

"Ha-ha, my fair beauties, don't just cling to me. Go over to my little junior brother and keep him good company!" the Fourth Senior Brother said with a laugh, waving his hand to signal the women to move closer to Liu An.

Nourished by a night spent in the land of tenderness, the next morning, when the first ray of sunlight streamed across Liu An's face, he slowly woke up, feeling refreshed and full of vitality.

Liu An stretched lazily and pushed open his door, immediately catching sight of the Fourth Senior Brother, Du Jin, who was standing in the corridor and greeting him with a radiant smile. Du Jin was dressed in a green robe, his posture as upright as a pine, with handsome features and a bright, spirited expression amidst his sharp brows and starry eyes.

"Little Junior Brother, did you sleep well last night?" Du Jin asked with a smile.

The corners of Liu An's mouth curved upward as he replied, "Thanks to Fourth Senior Brother's concern, I slept quite soundly and peacefully last night."

With that, he remembered Jian Yi and the mythical beast, and hurriedly said to Du Jin, "Fourth Senior Brother, I'm afraid Senior Brother Jian Yi is already waiting anxiously by now. Let's hurry and find him and the beast."

Du Jin nodded slightly in agreement, and the two of them hurried downstairs toward the Peaceful Inn.

By now, the street was already bustling with a surging crowd, full of lively activity. Various breakfast stalls were neatly distributed on both sides of the street, sending forth mouth-watering aromas.

Clouds of steam billowed from the bamboo steamers, where plump, white steamed buns were arranged in neat rows, making anyone who looked at them instantly crave a bite.

Passing by a bustling bun shop, Du Jin paused in his steps, turned to Liu An, and said, "Little Junior Brother, these buns look genuinely tempting. Why don't we buy some and take them back for Jian Yi to try?"

Thinking this was a good idea, Liu An nodded and replied, "Alright."

Shortly after, carrying an oiled paper package filled with steaming hot buns, Liu An walked side by side with the Fourth Senior Brother Du Jin back toward the Peaceful Inn.

In the morning light, as the two of them stepped across the threshold of the inn, a chilling atmosphere washed over them.

Jian Yi was sitting in a corner of the main hall, his expression stern and his eyes filled with blame and disdain.

He glanced up as the two returned. Feeling Jian Yi's gaze, Liu An's footsteps faltered involuntarily, and the package of buns in his hand suddenly seemed to grow heavy.

Du Jin, however, paid it no mind. He walked straight over to Jian Yi, a wide smile on his face as he placed a hand on Jian Yi's shoulder, breaking the frozen air: "Hey, Jian Yi, stop wearing such a long face. Come on, try the pastries from this place—the taste is not bad at all!"

Afterward, Jian Yi, Du Jin, and Liu An—holding the beast in his arms—sat around a table, quietly chewing on the buns in their hands.

Once they finished eating, Du Jin rose to his feet and walked toward the counter, preparing to leave.

"Innkeeper, I'd like to ask you about the black market in Sishui City."

At first, the innkeeper's eyes flickered and he stammered evasively, seemingly reluctant to say much.

Seeing this, a smile touched the corners of Du Jin's mouth as he nonchalantly slid a piece of silver forward.

The innkeeper's eyes instantly brightened, staring greedily at the silver. His expression shifted immediately as he lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "If you gentlemen wish to find the black market, go out the front door, turn left, and walk through three alleys. There's an old locust tree at the end, and someone beneath the tree can point the way..."

When the group arrived beneath the locust tree, they found only a single disheveled and unkempt beggar.

Liu An stepped forward to speak, "Are you the guide for the black market?"

Initially, the beggar showed no intention of paying attention to Liu An, not even lifting his eyelids. The corners of his mouth merely turned down slightly, revealing a trace of disdain and arrogance.

Seeing this, Liu An retrieved a small piece of shattered silver from his robes and gently placed it into the broken bowl before the beggar. The crisp sound of the silver seemed to touch a nerve in the beggar, who slowly opened his eyes. A sharp gleam flashed through his murky pupils, and he finally spoke: "Follow me."