Just how profound must one’s Inner Force be to wield such delicate tea leaves with such overwhelming force?
Shen Yue suddenly felt she had underestimated him.
That night in the study when she crossed hands with Xiao Yuheng, their combat skills had been equally matched. She hadn’t gained the upper hand, but neither had Xiao Yuheng managed to gain any advantage.
But now it appeared he hadn’t used his full strength—in fact, he hadn’t even employed his Inner Force at all.
Damn, this man was somewhat terrifying!
She twitched the corner of her mouth and sheepishly replaced the tile. Shortly after, Bai Yunfei crept over quietly.
“Director, you’re awake? Huh? Isn’t this the dagger the Prince lent you? Why haven’t you returned it yet?”
“What are you talking about? The Prince bestowed this to me.”
“Wow! That’s amazing!”
Seeing his envious expression, Shen Yue initially felt quite proud, but gradually began to feel somewhat embarrassed.
Yesterday’s mission had been completed by all three of them together, yet she was the only one who received a reward—it felt rather unfair.
She silently resolved to treat them better in the future.
After idling away most of the day, she finally made it to evening. After arranging the shift change for the shadow guards and eating her fill, Shen Yue changed into practical casual clothes and secretly scaled the wall to leave the estate.
The Black Market, as the name implied, dealt in goods that couldn’t see the light of day. Such places often had concealed entrances that were difficult for those not regularly moving in Jianghu circles to find.
Take the Black Market in eastern Sifang City for example—its entrance was hidden behind an inconspicuous fabric shop.
Shen Yue had done considerable preparation. After verifying the secret code three times and being forced to spend a silver ingot on an old man’s Devil Mask at the entrance, she finally gained entry.
Once inside the Black Market, she began looking around cautiously.
This place was a mixed bag—there were shady merchants specializing in fencing stolen goods with mysterious movements, ruthless fugitives carrying blood debts on the run, and Jianghu practitioners pretending to commune with spirits while telling fortunes. In short, everyone here was trouble.
Though Shen Yue wasn’t afraid of them, she didn’t want excessive contact either. After all, her time was limited and she had serious business to attend to.
Weaving through stalls both large and small, she reached the depths of the Black Market and finally spotted that discreet little shop—Wanbao Pavilion.
It was said that Wanbao Pavilion had everything you could imagine, and even if they didn’t have it, they could help you acquire it.
Shen Yue curled the corner of her mouth and strode through the shop entrance without hesitation.
Contrary to her expectations, there were no shelves filled with dazzling merchandise, nor the sounds of bustling transactions—only a simple wooden counter stood before her.
Behind the counter, a young attendant was dozing with his head tilted, drool threatening to drip from the corner of his mouth.
Shen Yue couldn’t help but frown as she stepped forward and rapped on the counter several times.
The awakened attendant seemed displeased at being disturbed. After stretching lazily, he drawled, “Young master, what would you like?”
“Can you get this?”
As she spoke, Shen Yue revealed the small pill between her fingers.
The attendant composed himself and peered closely at the object, then suddenly averted his gaze. “Sorry, we don’t have that.”
To recognize what kind of medicine this was with just one glance, yet claim they didn’t have it? Only a fool would believe that.
“Are you sure?”
Shen Yue’s gaze turned sharp as she drew the dagger from her lower back and slapped it onto the counter with a “smack!”
“Think carefully before you answer!”
The dagger gleamed with a chilling light, causing the shop assistant to tremble in fear as he stammered, “Young master, please don’t be rash. We can discuss this calmly…”
“So, do you have it or not?”
Having finally managed to get out, only to be entangled in negotiations with this shopkeeper, Shen Yue’s expression was far from pleasant.
Even through the mask, the assistant could sense her rising anger and softened his tone:
“Young master, the martial world has its own rules. What you seek can indeed be found in our humble shop. However, the Netherworld Hall’s influence is vast, spreading throughout all of Daqi. To risk our entire establishment for your single transaction… I truly lack the authority to make such a decision…”
“Is that so?” Shen Yue tapped the counter. “Then bring out someone who can make the decision.”
“This…”
The assistant sighed, finally reaching beneath the counter to twist a hidden knob.
With a faint mechanical whirring, a concealed door slowly opened behind the counter, revealing dim lamplight within.
“What is it?”
A cool female voice emerged from within.
Though the speaker couldn’t see him, the assistant still bowed deeply with respect. “Miss, there’s a young master seeking to purchase an antidote for Shi Gu San. What would you…?”
“Understood.”
Moments later, accompanied by the fragrance of rouge, a graceful figure in purple emerged gracefully from the secret door.
The newcomer possessed a slender figure, with a delicate brow and eyes like autumn waters, lips as red as lotus blossoms. Every movement exuded captivating charm—this was none other than Cheng Sijin, the courtesan of Mantingfang.
Shen Yue was momentarily stunned. “Miss Cheng?”
“Oh? You recognize me?”
Cheng Sijin seemed somewhat surprised.
“Uh… I’ve had the fortune of seeing you on several occasions.” Shen Yue chuckled awkwardly, attempting to brush past the topic.
“I just didn’t know whether Wanbao Pavilion is your main occupation or a side venture, hehe.”
Finding this person’s manner of speaking rather amusing, Cheng Sijin couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile.
“What if I told you both Wanbao Pavilion and Mantingfang are side ventures? Would you believe me?”
Without waiting for Shen Yue’s response, she continued:
“Let’s focus on business. Since you seek the antidote for Shi Gu San, you must have defected from the Netherworld Hall. If I sell you the medicine, it would mean making an enemy of the Netherworld Hall. And you—”
She circled around the counter to approach Shen Yue, meeting her gaze directly. “—aren’t worth that risk.”
Then, flicking her sleeve, she said coldly: “See our guest out!”
“Right away!”
The assistant moved forward but was shoved aside by Shen Yue, stumbling backward.
Shen Yue’s brows furrowed deeply, her eyes emitting a frosty gleam like a cold night.
“Apologies, but I must have that antidote today.”
Cheng Sijin paused briefly upon hearing this, then sneered: “Heh, very well. Come and take it if you can!”
As the words left her mouth, her right hand shot forward toward Shen Yue’s shoulder while her left swept sharply toward her ribs.
Unexpectedly, despite her delicate appearance, she was actually trained in martial arts. Unfortunately for her, she had encountered Shen Yue today and was destined to gain no advantage.
Over the years, Shen Yue had honed razor-sharp reflexes. She sidestepped effortlessly while forming her right hand into a claw, striking directly at Cheng Sijin’s face.
Cheng Sijin instinctively dodged backward, only to collide with the corner of the counter. A pained grunt escaped her lips as a hairpin fell from her head due to the momentum, followed by a strand of hair that draped messily across her cheek—a pitiful sight.
Having navigated Sifang City for years, when had she ever been so disgraced? Enraged, her eyes reddened as she drew a flexible sword from her waist, thrusting forward with lethal intent.
Seeing she was serious, Shen Yue also became more focused, swiftly dodging before kicking the sword from her hand with a swift right foot. Seizing the opportunity, he then ran his hand over her slender waist.
“Mmm~ Miss Cheng’s waist is so soft and smooth…”
“…You shameless rogue!”