Old Kuang adjusted his glasses and scrutinized Li Xin under the lamp light, "Why are you buying this?"
"Old Kuang, once the stuff is bought, it's ours to do with as we please. Seems like it's none of your concern, right?" Qi Badao said.
Old Kuang shook his head, "The information cos from , I have to ensure its safety." He said, tapping the table.
Qi Badao was speechless, glanced at Li Xin, and could only fork over a Silver Lira, feeling the pinch.
Li Xin was silent for a while, "I have a stable relationship, but recent events have made suspicious, so I want a change of identity to personally verify. I need a mask that can transform into a woman, one with a good and youthful aura. My partner is in the black market business with many enemies, sothing for self-defense, no special requirents."
Old Kuang kept staring at Li Xin, nodding slowly, "You're a student at the Canon Law School, right? And this scar-faced guy is a small-ti hoodlum. Quite a strange combination you make."
Qi Badao's eyes bulged out, nearly drawing his sword in anger, thinking, "You're the hoodlum, your whole family are hoodlums."
"Two Gold Coins," Old Kuang said slowly.
Qi Badao's eyes nearly popped out, "Old man, are you taking us for fools? I've been in the Black Market long enough, you think my knife is just for show?"
"Rules are rules. Everyone who cos here is a guest. I know you prefer at to vegetables, two Gold, two Silver," Old Kuang said slowly, as if speaking any faster would kill him.
Qi Badao was furious, about to draw his sword, "This old bastard is clearly gauging the custor."
Li Xin held Qi Badao back, "Pay up."
Qi Badao, brimming with anger, pulled out two Gold Liras and two Silver Liras, reluctantly dropping them on the tray, Old Kuang's hand swiftly skimd over them, then leisurely wrote a note.
"At this address, you can buy what you want."
Li Xin took the note, realizing it's not within the Black Market but outside.
"Thank you." Li Xin put the note away, "Old Kuang, one more question, I'm looking to buy a Secret Treasure. Price is not an issue, any channels for that?"
Old Kuang smiled at this, "Secret Treasures are fortuitous finds, you might want to stroll around the Black Market more. Perhaps it's destiny. This question is on the house."
Li Xin and Qi Badao left the small room, noticing that the soundproofing was surprisingly good; outside was noisy again. In truth, those involved in secret dealings aren't much different from regular people when it cos to haggling. Extravagant spenders are ultimately rare.
Qi Badao saw Li Xin was quiet and remained silent as well. Li Xin pondered for a mont, "Do you know this place?"
"In the Beijing lody House in the South Second District, never been there, looks like a place for listening to music, with both at and vegetarian options."
Li Xin nodded, finding a Mask Maker isn't a common occupation. Although the inquiry wasn't about human skin, finding a Mask Maker would be a breakthrough. The Night Patrol's files naturally included a thorough investigation into Mask Makers. The culprit hadn't been caught, but life for Mask Makers in Dragon Capital was certainly tough; a few had been apprehended, but interrogation revealed they were all new Mask Makers, lacking such capabilities.
However, the territory of Mask Makers within the files didn't include this Beijing lody House. Old Kuang knew sothing.
Even though he felt his reasons and identity were plausible, he didn't think people involved in secret affairs over long periods would easily believe his story. They could only hope the other party was simply doing business for money, not concerned with anything else.
Li Xin made a judgnt, Beijing lody House possibly had masks for sale.
The dice gave a nine-point valid judgnt.
It ant a favorable direction for the investigation, indicating the money wasn't wasted.
"Brother Li, where to next?" Qi Badao asked upon seeing Li Xin relaxing.
"The Gourt Association," Li Xin replied.
"Alright!" Qi Badao bead, eager to follow Brother Li for so new experiences. The Gourt Association, he'd soon be soone who'd been to the Silver Market twice and visited the Gourt Association.
The pair reached the boundary between the Copper Market and Silver Market. The Silver Market manager appeared, and Li Xin took out a spoon, to which the manager promptly and respectfully allowed them through. Today's Silver Market was livelier than the last visit. Shopping thrived on bustling crowds; when the Copper Market was busy, the Silver Market would be too.
Although he'd only been once before, Qi Badao navigated as if he'd been a hundred tis. He always had a vivid mory of places that made an impression on him. The classiness and order of the Silver Market truly stood head and shoulders above the Copper Market. The attire and bearing of passersby were different here, hardly any haggling-like vegetable markets, mostly people admiring items and chatting. While the Copper Market had an air of hidden bosses, most people in the Silver Market were quite low-key.
Li Xin and Qi Badao arrived at the Gourt Association. The subchair of the Gourt Association, Lan Yue, promptly appeared at the door. This ti, in a light yellow chiffon cheongsam, the color highlighted her cool white skin, and the loose fit still accentuated her proud figure. The distinctive print broke the monotony, the petal sleeves added a touch of tenderness, and a set of exquisite jade earrings paired with a pearl necklace enhanced her aura, her fair legs faintly visible with every step, catching the eye.
"Mr. Li, welco. How may I assist you?" Lan Yue's refreshing smile carried a faint fragrance, like eting a friend from long ago.
"There's sothing I'd like to ask you about," Li Xin said, glancing around.
Lan Yue smiled slightly, "Please, co inside."
Lan Yue led them into a gorgeously decorated room, its interior filled with Beijing-style flair. The porcelain ornants looked extrely exquisite. Li Xin and Qi Badao, though unversed, knew they must be expensive.
"Mr. Li, this room is insulated from external presence. Please speak."
"I'm dealing with a problem, a tracking technique close to the Gourt's ability. I wish to consult the Gourt Association on how to counter it," Li Xin said.
For a regular person, Lan Yue might not respond, but this man was different. Not only was he a VIP, he seed to bring about change in the Gourt Association. Elder Alain suggested granting the supre VIP treatnt to him, sothing that hadn't been proposed for a hundred years within the Gourt Association. While it hadn't been approved yet, the proposal itself carried significant weight.
"Could you elaborate? My abilities aren't the best within the Gourt Association, but as a sub-chair, I'm acquainted with most forces." Lan Yue dared not put on airs.
Li Xin requested a drink, dipped a finger in the glass, and pointed it at Lan Yue. The "Two Lives" ability allowed replication, though so powerful abilities fade over ti, rendering Li Xin unable to use them anymore. However, abilities of relatively lower complexity, once used, Li Xin would rember most aspects and still use them, albeit not as fluently as a master.
A shot of spiritually-infused alcoholic aroma struck Lan Yue. Her first instinct was to dodge, but she only moved her gaze slightly before accepting it calmly. A force touched her body, her spiritual ability naturally reacting without clash or resistance, directly absorbing it.
A faint whiff of alcohol.
"This thod tracks targets through alcohol scent. How can one quickly remove such a mark?" Li Xin looked at Lan Yue, coming straight to the point; the Night Patrol case wasn't ant to spread.
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