Many didn't see clearly what it was, merely mistaking it for a gust of wind.
Beneath the city gate, Yun Que finally came to a stop. He had covered a journey that usually took at least half a day in less than an hour, arriving drenched in sweat.
Beside the gate stood a large stone disk engraved with the twelve double-hours, with a five-foot-tall iron needle at its center. This was a sundial used to determine the time for opening the gates. Soldiers stood guard on both sides of the gate. The one in charge was a young lieutenant, barely twenty years old, wearing light armor. With his broom-like eyebrows and eyes slanted upward, he wore a cold expression, his massive chest guard polished to a gleaming, imposing shine. By his looks alone, he was clearly not a man to be trifled with.
Yun Que glanced at the sundial; there was still nearly half an hour until the hour of the Dragon, when the gates would open. The snake venom was in his blood, and the longer it was delayed, the more dangerous it became.
After the bumpy journey, Mu Qingyao slowly regained consciousness. She could no longer see; her vision was a blur, and she could only hear sounds—much like the final flicker of a dying lamp.
"Open the gate," Yun Que said, staring at the lieutenant.
The lieutenant gave a cold laugh, lazily pointing at the sundial. "It will open in half an hour."
"I have an urgent matter," said Yun Que.
The lieutenant gestured with his chin at the long line of people waiting. "Everyone here has an urgent matter. Unless you have an imperial decree or a transit permit stamped by the Six Ministries, you’ll have to wait like everyone else."
"This is a matter of life and death. If you delay, you won't be able to bear the responsibility!" Yun Que retorted.
"I am under orders to guard this gate," the lieutenant replied coldly. "Your life-and-death matter has nothing to do with me."
Hearing this, Mu Qingyao fell into total despair. She felt her heartbeat growing increasingly violent—a sign that the snake venom was about to invade her heart meridian. As an expert in medicine, she could estimate the time until the poison took effect. It wouldn't be long; in a quarter of an hour, she would be dead.
Just as she was about to lose consciousness again, she heard the dialogue between Yun Que and the lieutenant, though it sounded somewhat strange this time.
"Stop the nonsense. Name your price," Yun Que said.
"The usual rate. Five taels," the lieutenant replied.
"Deduct it from the tab. You still owe me one hundred and ninety-five taels of silver," Yun Que stated.
"The hour of the Dragon has arrived. Open the gate," the lieutenant’s voice now carried a hint of satisfaction.
Hearing this, hope rose within Mu Qingyao’s despair. Things had taken a sudden turn; it seemed getting into the city wasn't so difficult after all.
The soldiers received the order and immediately prepared to open the gate. This, however, didn't sit well with the people waiting in line. Checking cargo for entry took time; with a line this long, it would take at least an hour to clear, and no one wanted someone cutting in.
"What right does he have to cut in line!"
"He arrived last, he should be at the back!"
"Is there no order left? If anyone can just cut in, we wouldn't have had to get up at the crack of dawn to wait!"
Yun Que frowned. He was in a hurry to enter the city and had no time to argue with these merchants, especially since they were experts at bickering—the more you engaged them, the more entangled you became.
The young lieutenant let out a cold snort and waved his hand, signaling to stop opening the gate. Then, he walked to the sundial and bent the iron needle on it, extending the time until the gate would open from half an hour to a full hour.
"Official protecting official! Is there no justice?"
"Fine, we won't enter the city! We'll just wait here today and see who's more anxious!"
"No, don't! If it takes too long, the fish in my basket will rot!"
"I recognize him! That’s a demon hunter from Qinghu Mountain! He must have an urgent matter. Let him in first. If it weren't for him, our Zhiyuan County wouldn't be this peaceful."
"So what if he's a demon hunter! Being able to hunt demons doesn't make him superior! Does it mean he doesn't have to follow the rules?"
In the crowd, some were indignant, some conceded, and others were cursing. For a moment, the area outside the gate was filled with noise. Amidst the chaotic sounds, the hope that had just risen in Mu Qingyao dissipated, her vision went black, and she lost consciousness again.
The scene was nearly out of control. The young lieutenant said nothing more and bent the iron needle even further, pushing the opening time back by two or three hours. The crowd quickly quieted down.
The young lieutenant stood with his hands behind his back and spoke in a leisurely, bureaucratic tone: "Who was here first?"
*Swish, swish, swish!*
Finger after finger pointed at Yun Que. The crowd spoke in unison: "He was here first! Let him in!"
People didn't care about a delay of an hour or so, but once it stretched to half a day, no one wanted to wait. The lieutenant waved his hand, and the soldiers immediately threw open the gate. Yun Que was the first to rush into the city. Even the registration book for entering the city was filled out on his behalf by the slant-eyed lieutenant.
...
Mu Qingyao slowly regained consciousness in a small room smelling of medicinal herbs. She lay still, not rising immediately. The steady rhythm of her heart pulse indicated that the snake venom had been neutralized. The setting sun outside the window signaled that it was dusk. Judging by the furnishings and the scent, she determined she was in a private room at a medical clinic.
Only after deducing her surroundings did she attempt to sit up. She moved her limbs; apart from a slight heaviness in her head, she was fine.
"Running so fast..." Mu Qingyao whispered to herself, marveling at Yun Que's speed. Had he not arrived in Baiyu City in time to have the poison treated, she, Princess Lingyun, would have perished.
"How did he get into the city?"
Before she lost consciousness, the gate was in chaos. The fact that she was now safe meant Yun Que had managed to enter the city despite the turmoil. This left Mu Qingyao both grateful and curious.
The door opened, and a young maidservant walked in. "You're finally awake. The doctor said you should be waking up about now." She set down a bowl of medicine. "This is the last dose. Once you drink this, the remaining poison will be fully cleared."
Mu Qingyao thanked her, took the bowl, sniffed it, and drank it slowly. It was a genuine antidote. The choice and dosage of the medicinal ingredients were incredibly precise; with her own knowledge of medicine, she could tell the doctor who prescribed this was a master.
After finishing the medicine, Mu Qingyao left the room and finally saw the doctor in the front hall. He was an elderly man, over sixty, with hair as white as snow and wearing a clean, simple cyan gown. He was writing a prescription for a patient. Once the patient left, Mu Qingyao stepped forward to thank him.
"Thank you for saving my life, sir."
"It is merely a doctor's duty. You pay for treatment, there is no need for thanks."
"Might I ask your name, sir?"
"I am a mere quack; a common name is not worth mentioning. Since you are recovered, you may settle the bill."
"What about the person who brought me here?"
"He left long ago."
"Did he say anything?"
The old doctor recalled for a moment and said, "He first asked me if you could be saved. After I gave him an affirmative answer, he did leave one sentence."
"What was it?"
"He said, 'When she wakes up, have her pay the bill.'"
Mu Qingyao’s arched eyebrows twitched slightly.
After paying the bill, Mu Qingyao left the clinic. She looked back at the name of the place, which was somewhat unique: *The Quack Clinic.* There were countless clinics under heaven, yet no one dared to add the character for "quack" to their name, as it was essentially ruining one's own reputation. Yet, this "Quack Clinic" in Baiyu City had a steady stream of patients, all of whom treated the old man with great respect.
The long street was bustling with people coming and going. Mu Qingyao stood in front of the clinic, looking left and right, her beautiful face showing a hint of annoyance.
"Running so fast!"
Mu Qingyao had prepared for the possibility of being hunted down or dying from snake venom, but she never expected to be dumped at a medical clinic while Yun Que vanished without a trace. Biting her lip, she made a decision. She would find him! She hadn't finished hearing his story, and she wanted to know the secret hidden within that long blade. She also wanted to rebuild the Demon Slaying Division of the previous dynasty to purge the world of evil.
Her turbulent emotions soon calmed. The young princess quickly analyzed the situation and guessed that Yun Que might still be in Baiyu City. After making some inquiries on the street, her conviction grew. Today was the monthly grand market in Baiyu City, attracting countless folks and merchants from surrounding villages and towns. The most lively time wasn't during the day, but the night of the market. What was sold during the day were local specialties; the real treasures didn't appear until nightfall.
Following the information she gathered, Mu Qingyao arrived at the North Street market. It was a sea of people, brightly lit, with stalls lining both sides—no less bustling than the Imperial City.
On the last day of every month, the North Street market was the most vibrant place in Baiyu City. And the most bustling spot in the North Street market was undoubtedly the Old Tree Trading House. It was the largest trading house in the city, named after the thousand-year-old tree beneath which it was built.
The Old Tree Trading House sold everything, catering mainly to cultivators: spiritual medicine, weapons, cultivation techniques, even tamed demon beasts. They also bought a variety of miscellaneous goods—beast hides, materials, gold, silver, iron, jade, swords, and spears. Anything of value could be appraised there. Of course, the buy-back price for even the best items was never very high. Buying low and selling high was the way of merchants.
The trading house occupied a massive space, like an upscale restaurant. On the day of the market, the entire first floor was cleared out and converted into an auction hall. The entry fee wasn't expensive—one tael of silver—but the house took a commission from the auctioned items. With an auction held once a month, twelve times a year, the Old Tree Trading House made a fortune. After all, the most profitable business was one with no cost.
When Mu Qingyao entered the trading house, the ground floor was packed. The second floor consisted of a circle of private booths, shielded by gauze curtains so they couldn't be seen into, but from which one could see out. A booth cost thirty taels—quite expensive—yet most were filled. Mu Qingyao went up to the second floor, paid, and took a booth, which came stocked with premium tea and exquisite snacks.
As soon as she sat down, the auction was announced. It was simple and rugged; an auctioneer stood in the middle, and sellers could bring up items on the spot. The auctioneer would estimate a base price, and the bidding would begin. The man was seasoned, sharp-eyed, and experienced. He could glance at an item and price it instantly. He was also good at banter, often making witty remarks that kept the hall laughing.
Mu Qingyao watched the auction with great interest. Halfway through, her target finally appeared. The auctioneer held up a complete wolf hide.
"A hide from a Rank 8 three-eyed blood wolf! The fur is flawless and exceptionally rare. It can be made into three wolf-fur coats: one for the first wife, one for the second, and one for a mistress kept outside. Harmony in the household brings prosperity! Starting bid: three hundred taels of silver!"
Seeing the blood wolf hide, Mu Qingyao slightly curved her lips, showing a hint of girlhood pride. She couldn't find Yun Que, but she could deduce his whereabouts. He would definitely come to the auction to sell that hide.
After the auctioneer announced the starting price, the hall erupted in surprise. Three hundred taels was no small sum; ordinary families couldn't earn that in decades. Such a rare item was not something commoners could afford. Fine furs were the favorite of the wealthy, symbolizing status. Especially the fur of a demon beast.
Several wealthy figures in the crowd were piqued, but just as someone was about to bid, a discordant voice rang out.
"The blood energy of a three-eyed blood wolf is too intense. Normal people can't wear it; it’ll make them weak at best and bedridden at worst. Selling this kind of fur is harmful. I’d say two hundred taels at most, no higher."
There were too many people in the hall to identify the speaker. The crowd began to murmur, and the wealthy bidders became hesitant.
In the second-floor booth, Mu Qingyao’s eyebrows twitched. There were too many people for her to see who spoke, but she remembered the voice. With her photographic memory, identifying voices was effortless. The voice belonged to that same lieutenant from the city gate earlier that morning!
Mu Qingyao didn't know the relationship between Yun Que and the lieutenant, but their encounter that morning proved they knew each other. Yet, this backstabbing during the auction left her baffled. If they were acquaintances, why point out the flaws in the hide?
The auctioneer laughed upon hearing this. "Indeed! The three-eyed blood wolf is known for its fierce blood energy. Ordinary people indeed cannot handle it. However, those who can afford this hide are hardly 'ordinary' people! Once the hide is obtained, one only needs to have someone cleanse the blood energy, and it becomes the ultimate winter wear. Especially since it’s a red hide—such coats are rare even in Tianqi City."
The auctioneer paused, then added, "Our trading house can cleanse the blood energy from the hide for a reasonable fee of fifty taels. If any discomfort arises after wearing it, our Old Tree Trading House takes full responsibility."
With the backing of the trading house, the wealthy bidders who were worried felt reassured. Bidding began. Ten taels at a time, it soon reached four hundred. After four hundred, the bidding slowed significantly.
The auctioneer nodded slightly. He estimated the final price wouldn't exceed five hundred taels. It was nearly finished.
"I bid five hundred taels!" A cold voice rang out from the crowd.
Mu Qingyao frowned again. The voice bidding five hundred taels was none other than the lieutenant who had just disparaged the hide. Even as intelligent as Princess Lingyun was, she was now confused. Why disparage it only to drive up the bid himself?
Not only did Mu Qingyao recognize the voice, the auctioneer did too. He asked, puzzled, "Didn't you just say this hide was worth at most two hundred taels? Why bid five hundred now?"
"For something I have my eye on, what’s wrong with using a few tricks? I am a Rank 8 Martial Artist. This blood wolf hide can be used to temper blood energy and strengthen bones—it’s just what I need. I bid five hundred taels. Give me some face, everyone!"
As soon as he spoke, the crowd and the auctioneer realized what was happening. People didn't care much about his tactics; such "price manipulation" was common at auctions. What intrigued them was the benefit of the blood wolf hide for a Rank 8 Martial Artist. Rank 8 Bone Refining Realm martial artists needed immense resources to temper their bodies, and the hide actually had benefits.
Amidst the discussion, someone raised the bid to five hundred and fifty taels. Then someone bid six hundred. In a small place like Cangshi Town, a Rank 8 martial artist might be a local tyrant, but this was Baiyu City, a vital frontier stronghold. A Rank 8 martial artist didn't carry enough weight here.
The lieutenant snorted and stopped speaking, clearly giving up. The blood wolf hide sold for a high price of six hundred taels.
The auction was halfway through, and the auctioneer announced a break. The hall became boisterous. This break was also a time for people to trade privately. Mu Qingyao stared at the lieutenant through the gauze curtain and watched him stand up, leave his seat, and enter a small room.
The first floor was lined with small, sealed rooms with only a door and no windows. These were for private transactions. Mu Qingyao immediately went downstairs, wove through the crowd, and arrived at the door of the room the lieutenant had entered. Pretending to pass by, she squatted down to tie her leather boots.
The door wasn't thick. Leaning against it, she could faintly hear the voices inside. Two people were talking.
"Selling a four-hundred-tael hide for six hundred—I get half of the two-hundred-tael difference."
"Forget it! You almost ruined it. You should have just said it was good for martial artists and stopped there. Why did you have to put on a show and drag out your 'Rank 8 Martial Artist' status? Aren't you afraid of scaring people off?"
"Baiyu City isn't like your Cangshi Town. There are plenty of rich people who don't care about Rank 8 martial artists. Declaring my status makes the demand seem authentic. Stop talking nonsense; the money is in your hands, give me a hundred taels."
"Do you have any professional ethics? We agreed on fifty. Not a cent more. Take it or leave it."
"In the face of silver, I don't even recognize my own parents. You think I have ethics? Final price: eighty taels."
"Seventy. Deduct it from the tab. If you raise the price again, I’m finding someone else. There are plenty of people who can sing a duet."
"Fine, seventy it is. But I want cash. Give it to me."
"You still owe me one hundred and ninety-five taels!"
"That’s a separate matter. Put it on the tab, give me the cash first."
Hearing this, Mu Qingyao couldn't help but laugh out loud. She quickly covered her mouth. So the two of them had been putting on a show at the auction!
Despite her best efforts to stifle the sound, she made a slight noise. The room went silent instantly. Then, the door opened. It was the lieutenant in his light armor, his chest guard polished spotless. He swept a cold gaze over her.
"Young lady, is there something you need?" the lieutenant asked coldly.
"I'm looking for someone. He should be in this room," Mu Qingyao said openly.
"Then come inside."
The lieutenant ushered her in and locked the door. Once inside, Mu Qingyao saw the black-clad boy sitting opposite, who was also stunned to see her. Mu Qingyao bit her lip.
"Hiring someone to maliciously inflate prices and cheat outsiders... if this were reported, your reputation would be ruined, and you’d have a hard time doing business in the future."
Yun Que looked awkward. He turned to the lieutenant, furious. "Didn't you activate the sound-dampening array?! You couldn't spare two taels of silver? Now look—walls have ears. What are you going to do about it!"
These trading rooms came equipped with small sound-dampening arrays to isolate the voices within.