Ghostly Demon Burial City (4)
In response to my question, a woman emerged from the darkness.
She appeared alongside the fragrance of wildflowers—it was Bing Hae-rin, the Young Palace Lord.
"Just as I suspected, you're planning to go alone."
"……."
She continued.
"This concerns the North Sea Ice Palace. I can't just sit back while leaving it all to you, Young Branch Leader Eun."
"So, you're saying you'll come with me?"
"Yes."
But there was a reason I hadn't brought Bing Hae-rin, the Young Palace Lord, along.
"That place is rife with illegal dealings. If you can't pretend not to see them, it's better not to go."
That was why I'd left Jeong Ho behind too.
Jeong Ho was too righteous; he definitely wouldn't be able to stomach the sight.
Bing Hae-rin let out a smirk at my words.
"You think too highly of me as some upright person, Young Branch Leader."
"Pardon?"
"Fine, I'll be honest. Do you remember that masked figure we saw at Yeonhwa Pavilion before? That's right—it was me."
I already knew that.
She'd denied it, but I'd caught the wildflower scent.
"Sneaking around rummaging through buildings—isn't that hardly an upright thing to do?"
Her words made me burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing?"
"It's just... it reminds me of a kid who's just become an adult, having a few drinks and insisting they're grown-up now."
"Pardon?"
My words might have been a bit too direct.
But there was no other way to put it.
"Anyway, are you really set on coming along?"
"Yes."
She nodded firmly. Her resolute gaze suggested no amount of persuasion would sway her.
No helping it, then.
"Very well. But on one condition."
"What is it?"
"Once we're inside the Gui Demon Burial City, you must obey my every word without question."
"I promise."
"No, that's not enough."
I shook my head.
"Swear it on the North Sea Ice Palace."
"Do you... realize what that means?"
"Of course."
For someone of the North Sea Ice Palace to swear on their sect meant forfeiting all their martial arts if they broke it.
"The Gui Demon Burial City is no place for rash actions. What say you?"
After a moment's thought, Bing Hae-rin nodded.
"Fine. I swear it."
"Then let's go. But change into these clothes first."
A short while later.
Bing Hae-rin had also changed into black attire.
We moved briskly, as it had taken a bit longer than expected.
Soon, we arrived before a grand gate.
At the forest entrance, men in red robes wearing goblin masks stood like gatekeepers, blocking the way.
They eyed us intimidatingly.
"This isn't a place for humans."
With their towering frames over eight feet tall, anyone faint of heart would have backed off in fear.
To enter the Gui Demon Burial City, one needed black attire—plus two more conditions.
The first was a dark code phrase.
"We're no humans ourselves, so it shouldn't matter, right?"
"Hm, true enough?"
"Then cover those human faces of yours."
The second condition: a mask.
Entry required donning a goblin mask without fail.
These were hood-like masks that covered the head completely, provided by the Gui Demon Burial City itself.
Of course, they had to be returned upon exit.
We accepted the masks, put them on, and passed through the gate into the forest.
As we headed toward the true entrance of the Gui Demon Burial City, I cautioned Bing Hae-rin once more.
"Whatever you do, do not remove this mask inside. Take it off, and the enforcers of order there will eject you."
"Understood."
The Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior nodded as well.
Soon, dazzling lights came into view.
There lay the Gui Demon Burial City.
Thousands of red lanterns created a dreamlike, hazy atmosphere, as if wandering through a fantasy.
It's been a while.
This place hadn't changed from my previous life or now.
Guests in goblin masks and black attire, the Blood Sea Hermit King's red-clad private soldiers.
And merchants in blue robes.
To trade in the Gui Demon Burial City, one needed the Blood Sea Hermit King's permission.
Caught selling without it meant death.
Not figuratively—literal death.
That permission was a pledge to hand over half the sales proceeds. In return, they turned a blind eye to what was sold.
As we strolled past the endless line of merchants' tents,
"Is that... real?"
I turned at Bing Hae-rin's question to see what she pointed at.
Bottles presumed to contain poisons were on display before it.
"Yes, probably real."
"They can sell poisons so openly?"
"In the Gui Demon Burial City, anything goes. Fakes, however, are forbidden. Get caught with fakes, and you die."
"……."
"And this surprises you?"
She hadn't seen anything yet.
We pressed on, but Bing Hae-rin occasionally halted.
All illegal contraband.
Thank goodness I hadn't brought Jeong Ho; he'd have freaked out.
Deeper in, women who appeared to be courtesans called out to passersby.
Their outfits were rather revealing, but the masks spared us embarrassment.
Alcohol in this era, though...
Well, they sold poisons, so booze was fair game.
Amid all this illicit trade, order was strangely maintained because...
"This is daylight robbery! Five taels of silver?"
"Sir, you must be new here. We charge exactly as priced."
"No way! Three taels, take it or leave it."
"Can't do that."
"What's stopping you? Here!"
"Sigh. We've got someone who doesn't know the rules!"
Red-robed men rushed over at the shout, beat the man soundly, and dragged him away.
That was how order was kept here.
"No haggling here?"
I nodded at the Seo-u Warrior's question.
"Nope. That's the rule. Exact prices only. No gouging, either—if it's outrageous, the owner deals with them before the sign even goes up."
"I see."
A bitter taste filled my mouth.
Having received the title of imperial inspector from the Emperor, yet forced to turn a blind eye to this...
But stepping in now would just drive it underground, worse than before.
Illegality persisted no matter how hard you stamped it out.
Best to leave it as is for now.
Then, drums resounded.
Dung-dung-dung!
Someone bellowed.
"The auction begins in half an hour! Those interested, head to the central courtyard!"
I turned to my group.
"Let's go."
We soon reached the central courtyard, where a soldier handed us numbered flags.
Mine was number sixty-two.
Quite a crowd had gathered.
"Thank you for waiting!"
A goblin-masked man mounted the platform.
"We've got some fantastic items today. No long intro—let's start."
He gestured, and a man wheeled out a cart.
"This one's made of thousand-year silkworm silk..."
"Oh! Thousand-year silkworm silk!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
I was tempted briefly, but with the Emperor's gift already in hand, I passed.
"Starts at one hundred taels of silver."
"Number five! One hundred thirty taels!"
"Seventy! One hundred fifty!"
It sold for two hundred taels.
Several items passed...
"Next: Ice Lotus Core, a spirit herb from the North Sea only. As experts know, it's perfect for burns from Fiery Flower Arts. Boosts inner energy by a full jiazi for yin-based martial artists!"
Bing Hae-rin's body trembled.
"What's wrong?"
"That... it's definitely the item we handed over."
"Any proof it's that spirit herb?"
"The Ice Lotus Core isn't fully transparent yet—that means harvested less than a month ago."
I knew that too.
Just confirming; I'd already deduced its North Sea Ice Palace origin.
"Starts at five hundred taels."
Bidders clamored for it.
I needed it for my plans regardless.
"Three thousand taels! Three thousand! Going once?"
I raised my flag.
"Sixty-two! Three thousand five hundred!"
"Three thousand five hundred entered!"
The three-thousand bidder shouted back.
"Four thousand!"
I raised again.
"Sixty-two! Five thousand!"
"Five thousand! Five thousand! Anyone higher?"
At five thousand, my rival hung his head.
"Sold!"
Bing Hae-rin stared in shock.
"Y-you said it was for our cause, but... five thousand taels? You didn't have to go that far."
Even for her, it was a fortune.
I just smiled. This was just the start.
"Next spirit herb: Snow Ginseng, fifty taels start."
"Sixty-two! One hundred!"
"Forty-one! Two hundred!"
"Sixty-two! Three hundred!"
"……."
I snagged the Snow Ginseng for three hundred, then Snow Plum Core for three thousand.
Bing Hae-rin's eyes darted wildly, mask or no.
I followed with Ice Dew Plum and Frost Leaf Herb.
Total spent: nearly ten thousand taels.
No wonder her reaction.
My guards remained unfazed.
Auction over, a red-robed man approached.
"Come claim your items. And as you know, no payment now means..."
"No worries. I've brought ample bills of exchange."
"This way, then."
We followed to a building—likely for auction item storage.
Security was tight.
After a wait, a red-robed man entered with a box.
"Sorry for the delay."
"No matter."
"Your winning lots, sir."
I opened it.
Ice Lotus Core, Snow Ginseng, Snow Plum Core, Ice Dew Plum, Frost Leaf Herb.
Five spirit herbs total.
Now for Gold Spirit's turn.
Pretending to inspect, I slipped both hands in.
Then transmitted:
—Gold Spirit, can you store these?
—Kui?
Asking if just storage. She wanted to eat them.
—One Silver Origin Pearl later.
—Kui!
Gold Spirit loved pricey herbs, but money most.
Peeking from my sleeve, she gulped them down in seconds.
A recent discovery: she could store valuables in her belly.
Only valuables, though.
Spirit beasts gonna spirit beast.
Confirmed swallowed, I swapped in fakes from my other sleeve.
Feigning close look, I scowled gravely.
The watching Seo-u Warrior, prepped, asked cautiously.
"Something wrong, my lord?"
"Is there a problem?"
Jin Yu followed.
I sighed, shook my head, and asked the bearer.
"Can you vouch for these as genuine, on the owner's name?"
"Of course."
"All authentic."
"Then why are the items I just received fakes?"
"Pardon? Fakes? Impossible."
"I can hardly believe it myself. The Gui Demon Burial City's reputation precedes it—no fakes traded. And yet... sigh."
I explained in detail why they seemed fake.
"If you doubt me, call an appraiser."
Face full of disbelief, he summoned one.
The result was obvious.
The appraiser examined, stunned.
"They were real when I appraised them..."
"Real for appraisal, fakes for delivery, then."
"Inform the owner at once!"
I smirked inwardly at their exchange.
The handler of those herbs was in deep trouble now.
Time for the next phase?