The power map of the Frontier Town was gradually taking shape in An's mind, not as numbers, but as a network of relationships, conflicts, and interests. He had two crucial data points: "Myriad Treasures Pavilion," a power that seemed to oppose the Bai family, and "the warehouse at the port," a location that might hold secrets.
A good analyst never acts without sufficient information. Breaking into a Merchant's Guild warehouse without knowing anything was too risky. Therefore, his first target was the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. He needed to verify their relationship with the Bai family and, more importantly, assess the true value of the Demonic Crystals he possessed.
The Myriad Treasures Pavilion was located in the eastern part of the town, a stark contrast to the muddy alleys An was accustomed to. The road here was paved with flat stones, and the shop was an elegant and prominent three-story building of red-lacquered and gilded wood. Even the doorman wore a clean uniform, standing with a straight back, his gaze sharp but without the thuggish air of the Black Iron Guards.
An pulled his hood down low, trying to look more like a curious beggar child than someone with a purpose. He hesitated for a moment at the door, then gathered his courage and stepped inside.
Inside, the air was cool and quiet. The floor was polished to a shine, and the scent of sandalwood lingered in the air. Glass cabinets displayed all sorts of items—from exquisite pottery and intricately decorated swords to sparkling gems and ancient-looking parchment scrolls. A middle-aged man in a long robe saw An enter and was about to step forward to stop him, but a calm, steady voice called out from behind the counter.
"Let him in."
The speaker was an old man with graying hair, dressed in a silk robe, exuding a calm demeanor. He was wiping a jade vase, but his eyes never left An. An walked straight to the counter without looking around. He knew he was being watched.
"What are you looking for, young man?" the old man asked, his tone gentle.
An said nothing. He just silently reached into his pouch, took out one of the medium-sized Demonic Crystals he had obtained, and gently placed it on the velvet mat on the counter.
The smile on the old man's face stiffened slightly. He put down the jade vase, and a flicker of astonishment, quickly concealed, flashed in his eyes. He carefully picked up the Demonic Crystal, took out a small magnifying glass from his sleeve, and examined it meticulously.
"Pure energy... no impurities," he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. "Yin-attribute, yet incredibly stable. A good item, a truly good item."
He looked up, peering into the shadows of An's hood. "Do you want to sell this?"
An nodded.
"Fifty silver coins," the old man said directly, without a hint of hesitation.
This price was more than double the total amount of money An had ever earned. It confirmed his hypothesis: these Demonic Crystals were a real treasure.
"Deal," An replied.
The old man nodded, signaling for an assistant in the back to bring out a small money pouch. But before handing it to An, he paused.
"Young man," he said, his voice lowering. "May I ask where you found this?"
"In a cave," An answered, sticking to his old story. "By chance."
The old man smiled, a smile full of meaning. "This town has had many strange occurrences lately. An unknown G-rank adventurer suddenly resolves the disaster in the southern forest. And now, a 'young man' coincidentally finds a type of extremely pure, Yin-attribute spirit stone... a material that the Merchant's Guild and Young Master Bai are searching for everywhere."
An's heart skipped a beat. This old man knew more than he let on.
"I don't care who you are or where you found it," the old man continued, pushing the money pouch towards An. "But let me give you a piece of advice. This item... is not something an ordinary person should possess. Especially in this town. It will only bring disaster. If you have more, sell them all to our Myriad Treasures Pavilion. We pay a high price, and more importantly, we know how to keep a secret."
An silently took the money pouch. The old man's words were both a warning and an invitation to cooperate. He had confirmed that Bai Wen was searching for these exact items, and that the Myriad Treasures Pavilion was their rival.
"Thank you," An said, then quickly turned and left.
As he stepped out of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, An didn't feel the joy of having money. He felt an even greater pressure than before. He was sitting on a gold mine, but hungry tigers were lurking all around. He couldn't sell all the Demonic Crystals; they were his path to cultivation. But he couldn't keep them forever either. He needed to turn them into strength, and a portion into money to create a cover. And he needed to act before Bai Wen did.
His gaze turned towards the port. He needed to know what the Merchant's Guild was hiding there.