Grandeur

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Morning arrived and Lin Fei cracked open an eye. He could feel his heaven-defying tool raging beneath his garments, but he refrained from paying Elder Song a visit just yet.

Instead, he started to tidy his robe, knot his hair, and remove any crease or spot of imperfection on himself.

On due time, he heard the knock on his door and opened it to reveal Chen Wei standing with a thick bundle of cloth under his arm. Lin Fei pointed at the cloth and asked, "What's that?"

"These are cloaks," Chen Wei replied. "Those who enter the black market district usually try to remain anonymous, so as to avoid dealing with any hassle."

Lin Fei nodded and moved out, closing the door behind him. "Is there any requirement on entrance? Like cultivation level or wealth?"

Chen Wei shook his head. "There's none. So long as you don't make any ruckus in the market, no one will bother you."

"Alright, lead the way."

Chen Wei led him through the back mountains and down the White Crane Peak. The previous Lin Fei had only occasionally left his abode to travel down, but this was his first time traveling down the peak.

Void Sword Sect looked almost deserted on the White Crane Peak, and the reason became soon apparent. It was an isolated and desolate region with Qi quality and concentration that matched a mortal village.

The more populated sections of the sect resembled no different from a city. There were stone buildings, towering spires, and even jaunty halls.

Lin Fei eyed the plaque of one hall where the rush of Disciples was the highest. It read 'Void Defense Tower,' and in an instant he made the connection.

Within the sect existed a total of three famous 'Defense Towers.' One was exclusive to Inner Sect Disciples and above, one to Core Sect Disciples, and one for Elders.

It was said each of the towers housed an array of monumental value that was capable of generating beast projections. Each tower had a total of nine levels, and to go from Outer Disciple to Inner, a disciple had to prove himself/herself capable of besting the very first floor.

As a mere trial disciple, Lin Fei didn't even have access to enter the building, much less to say anything about the fee they demanded. After all, a Void Defense Tower could also be used as a whetting stone to hone one's combat skills.

Chen Wei led them past such buildings, through the bazaar with a variety of merchandise on sale, and into the more deserted part of the city. Lin Fei had never been there before.

"There's a brothel here?" Lin Fei asked, nonplussed.

"Of course." Chen Wei offered an impish grin and asked, "Do you want to pay a visit?"

Lin Fei shook his head. "Nah. Not interested."

Clicking his tongue silently, Chen Wei moved forward.

"This part of the city is under the jurisdiction of Elder Jin Hui. They say he's very strong and holds considerable power within the sect."

"Mm-hm." Lin Fei nodded, imperceptibly.

"The point is, the black market is run by him, and rules established are enforced by him."

"So, no one who's not an idiot will dare to mess with us."

"Technically, yes."

The duo found a deserted alley to drape dark robes over their bodies to hide their features. Lin Fei had to be extra careful lest anyone take interest in him. Everyone wasn't like Song Yi, who was influenced by her maternal instincts.

"Which way?" he asked.

Chen Wei pointed to the street right beside the curve of a brothel. "That way. Let's go."

As they marched into the shady corners of the district, an unnatural darkness shrouded their form. Lin Fei squinted his eyes at the phenomena and asked inwardly, It's the element of darkness, isn't it?

That's right, his mother replied. At Aspect Manipulation at the very least.

Since this entire market belonged to Jin Hui, the influence surrounding this place had to belong to him or someone close to him. That would certainly explain him being called strong.

Chen Wei didn't notice his change of expression, concealed as his face was. He led them to a stall where an excess of talismans covered the booth front.

"You're back again?" The man behind the booth spoke. His face was not covered, unlike many other vendors, and he had sickly pale skin with his face covered by a white scraggly beard.

"You recognize me?" Chen Wei asked in a calm tone, but Lin Fei felt he could almost smell panic wafting from him. No! He realized he could detect the small undulations in his aura—a thin, almost imperceptible field of energy radiated by a cultivator.

This must be an effect of the bloodline, he pondered. Marvelous.

"Of course you're that guy who sold me those talismans." The man answered with unnerving confidence.

Chen Wei stiffened. "H-How...?"

The man flashed a mischievous grin and leaned forward. "If you want to disguise your body and clothes, never forget to include your shoes."

Chen Wei stared down at his feet, a dumbfounded look etched on his face.

Lin Fei sighed and shook his head. He realized the old man was simply playing a game with him and decided to step in. "Ahem." He cleared his throat to draw attention and pulled out a bundle of 14 talismans from his pouch. "I heard you trade in talismans. Are you interested in buying some?"

The man shifted his gaze from Chen Wei to Lin Fei, the smile receding. "Considering this is not the first time you sold me those, you should know I would be interested in buying."

Lin Fei nodded. "If that's the case," he pushed the bundle in his hand forward, "I would like to sell these."

The man accepted and started sifting through the inscribed papers. After he had finished looking, he rested it on the booth and cleared his throat. "Let's put that aside for now and talk business."

"What do you mean?" Lin Fei quivered a brow.

"I would like to meet with the prime supplier."