The man was stunned upon hearing Zayden ask such a thing.
He did not expect Zayden to know about the Spider Net Pavilion, much less to directly guess that he was a member of that organization.
The man thought that Zayden, as someone who had a connection to the dragons, must have come from outside the continent.
Zayden was not supposed to know about the Spider Net Pavilion.
But then, how could this outsider confidently ask if he was a member of the Spider Net Pavilion?
Unbeknownst to the man, Zayden was actually familiar with this special organization in the Vermion Empire.
The Spider Net Pavilion.
An underground organization whose existence was famous for its ability to gather information.
Even information that was only known to the nobles could fall into their hands.
Because of their extensive information network, which was like a spider’s web capable of catching everything, even the imperial family was wary of them.
However, the imperial family also recognized the benefits of having such an organization within the empire. Because of that, they simply allowed the Spider Net Pavilion to exist.
They only kept them under close watch.
As long as the Spider Net Pavilion did not interfere with the imperial family’s interests, create chaos within the empire, or work together with forces from outside the empire, the imperial family would not take action against them.
In certain cases, the imperial family even used the Spider Net Pavilion’s services.
The Spider Net Pavilion was a double-edged sword that could be extremely dangerous, and this also applied to Zayden.
He realized that.
They would likely put him under their attention because they would become curious about him.
He might even get tailed by them simply because they wanted to gather more information about him.
But for his current situation, asking the Spider Net Pavilion for information was a much safer option than simply asking people on the streets or somewhere else.
If he asked for information from random people while he did not know the real situation in the empire, he might attract attention or suspicion from them.
They might even report him to the officials because he was asking too many questions, especially regarding his family.
He still remembered how Devron seemed to have a plan to frame his family.
If Devron succeeded, then Zayden did not know what the people’s opinion of his family would become.
Now, why did Zayden believe that the man in front of him was from the Spider Net Pavilion?
First, he had come to that conclusion based on the movement technique the man had used while following him.
Actually, Zayden could not be certain that the man was from the Spider Net Pavilion just from his movement technique alone.
The same type of movement technique was also used by assassins, so the man could easily be mistaken for one.
But Zayden believed that the man was not an assassin.
It did not make any sense for an assassin to be looking for him when he had just arrived in the empire.
If he was not an assassin, then he must be from a certain organization that maintained secrecy in whatever they did.
And the Spider Net Pavilion fit that description.
The second thing that made Zayden certain was the way this man acted.
It reminded him of someone from that same organization.
The person he knew seemed to be full of curiosity.
For that person, information was a great treasure. The more information he received, the happier he became.
"From your subtle reaction, it seems I’m right," Zayden said to the man.
The man came out of his thoughts and released a sigh.
If Zayden was already confident that he was right, then there was no point in denying it.
If he kept denying it, he was afraid that it might raise hostility from this man called Frederick, a name he believed was also fake.
"You are right. I came from the Spider Net Pavilion. But who are you? How could you just guess that I’m from the Spider Net Pavilion? I could be from any organization, right? Did you already live in this empire for a long time?"
"I have my ways. Let’s just say that I know many things regarding this empire," Zayden replied.
The man frowned.
He heard Zayden continue.
"If you really came from the Spider Net Pavilion, then it’s truly a coincidence. I’m on my way to visit the Spider Net Pavilion branch in Bakdum. There is some information that I need to know."
The man raised his eyebrows.
"Some information?"
Zayden nodded.
The man became even more curious about Zayden.
"Now that I’ve met someone from the Spider Net Pavilion, could I ask you for some information?" Zayden asked.
The man smiled.
"If you know about our organization, then you should know how we operate. How could I just—"
"If it’s about the payment, you don’t have to worry. But the information that I want to know is something that is supposed to already be known by everyone. So you don’t have to gather the information anymore."
Zayden cut off the man’s words, leaving him silent.
But then, the man felt something strange.
’If the information you want to know is already known by everyone, why would you come to us? You could just ask anyone on the street.’
The man became thoughtful for a moment before speaking to Zayden.
"I see... But still, you have to follow me to our branch in Bakdum to receive your information. Whatever your questions are, they can only be answered at our branch. If you don’t want to do that, then I’m sorry, but I can’t help you even if you pay for the information."
Zayden did not change his expression, but inwardly, he snorted.
’He’s wary of me. There is no such rule as far as I know.’
He thought to himself.
But he did not mind going to their branch.
It was something that he initially wanted to do anyway.
"Alright," Zayden answered shortly.
The man thought that Zayden would refuse, but it looked like things were much easier than he had expected.
’It’s getting more interesting.’
He thought.
Without saying anything else, the man moved first, followed by Zayden.
As they moved in the same direction, the man glanced at Zayden with a smile.
"Oh, by the way, you can call me Rick. I’m curious, where did you come from? I know you lied to the border guard when you said you came from the Illumination Mountain Sect. There’s no way you came from that place."
He asked with a smile.
Zayden did not say anything and simply kept looking forward.
But Rick continued to smile.
"I sensed your aura earlier, and I know that you have the aura of a dragon. Are you a real dragon, or are you one of their followers who cultivates a dragon cultivation technique? Did you come from outside of the continent then?"
"I never thought that a member of the Spider Net Pavilion would be this talkative. Is this how you people gather information? It’s a miracle that your organization still exists until today."
Zayden finally spoke.
"Of course not. I’m just like this because I found you interesting. It’s truly a rare chance for me to meet face-to-face with someone who has the aura of a dragon. You know that it’s rare for dragons to visit this continent. I couldn’t help but want to know more about you."
Rick replied with a smile.
"I’m not interested in answering your questions. I’m only interested in your information," Zayden said with a calm expression.
"Is that so? I’m sorry to disturb you, then."
Although Rick said that, his smiling expression showed that he did not feel bad about it at all.
They continued moving toward Bakdum in silence for the next fifteen minutes before they could finally see the city itself.
The glimmering lights from the big city created a beautiful sight. The vast and grand city was surrounded by a massive defensive wall.
They then joined a queue before the city gate, just like when they were at the border. To enter the city, they had to show some kind of identification.
They also had to pay one silver coin.
After they successfully entered the city, Rick brought Zayden to the entertainment district.
It was a district where all kinds of establishments meant for entertaining visitors were located.
Brothels, opera houses, various taverns and restaurants, and many others.
As they walked toward the entertainment district, Zayden looked at the nightlife of the city.
The streets were still packed with many people.
People wore happy expressions as they enjoyed their time together with their friends or loved ones.
When they finally reached the entertainment district, Zayden could see many prostitutes, both women and men, offering their services along the sides of the streets.
They were doing their best to attract customers by showing how attractive they were. Through their gestures, their voices, and their revealing appearances, they truly did their best to draw people’s attention.
Zayden couldn’t help but remember the past, which made him smile slightly.
His wife did not like it at all whenever they had to pass through this kind of place.
He still remembered how she would show her displeasure whenever she tried to stop him from looking at the prostitutes.
He remembered her touch on his face and her pouting expression.
Those were some of the precious moments when they were enjoying their time together.
Zayden’s thoughts were interrupted as he was then guided toward one of the brothels.
"Sir, would you like to taste the heavenly night with me? I guarantee you will never feel the same again after tonight."
"Handsome sir, would you like to spend your night with me? We can experience many new things together."
Some women immediately offered their services to Zayden. Their voices were sensual, while their revealing robes were enough to make any man fantasize about them.
However, Zayden ignored them.
Rick, who was walking in front of him, smiled and spoke to the women.
"Ladies, could you give us some private time? This gentleman here is my guest, and I’ve already reserved the Crown Room for us, so you may look for other customers."
The women were stunned and fell silent.
They quickly bowed to Rick before leaving them alone.
Rick then guided Zayden to the second floor and deeper into the building.
"There are four low sixth-stage cultivators hiding in those chambers," the dragon said.
Zayden nodded.
It was as expected. This was a branch of the Spider Net Pavilion, after all.
Those must be the guards of this branch.
After walking for a moment, they entered one of the rooms.
The room was a luxurious guest room furnished with several sofas and a woman servant wearing a sensual robe.
After they entered, the woman served them tea before Rick gave her a sign to leave them alone.
Rick smiled at Zayden again.
"Then, what kind of information do you want to ask for?"