Jade fiddled with the whip again and again, but still couldn't figure out how this blue Curio was supposed to work.
No matter how much Path power she infused into it, the whip remained unresponsive. Not only did it fail to unleash any impressive might—it couldn't even extend or retract.
Was there some hidden trick to it?
She studied it for a while longer, but to no avail. Finally, she turned to Sylvester for help.
"Shopkeeper Sylvester, what kind of weapon is this whip?"
Sylvester sat with his arms spread in under his chin resting firmly atop them. Sunlight streamed in through the window, blocked by his back. In the shadow, his eyes shimmered with a profound glint.
This image of deep contemplation gave Jade immense confidence.
Ah, I see!
It must be an extraordinary blue Curio. Its function was so unique that even its creator had to give it due respect.
A fine deal indeed.
In truth, Sylvester was simply realizing how woefully shallow his knowledge was.
This thing was unique.
But the problem was—it was toounique.
How could he describe such an item in a way that was elegant and dignified?
This kind of object, it… ahhhhh~~
Sylvester clenched his teeth in silent fury.
System, why in the stars would you stuff this kind of thing into a Trash Can?
If word got out, those rumors about him "breaking curses" and "summoning spirits" would soon be joined by an even more outrageous one:
[Selling Adult Products!]
His shop's image would collapse from a mysterious purveyor of great Curios… into a shameful storefront of unspeakable items.
Most people could hardly bear their browser history being leaked—did he really have to broadcast his entire catalog to the galaxy?
O Reignbow Arbiter! What kind of store operates so blatantly?
No—his shop wasn't that kind of shop at all!
This was a proper, legitimate business selling Trash Cans. A serious and respectable trade.
If rumors like that spread, how would he ever sell another Can?
Sure, the allure of Curios might compel people to ignore worldly judgment and shamelessly line up every morning.
But what about Fu Xuan, Feixiao, and Jingliu?
If they found out…
His chances of marriage—
Would have to wait until his next life.
For the first time, Sylvester truly understood the meaning of crying without tears.
Thankfully, Jade didn't recognize the item, which left him with some wiggle room.
He rubbed his hair, pinched his cheeks, and finally pulled himself together.
"Ms. Jade," he said, pausing to gather his words. "The Curio you've acquired is… exceptionally special. That is why I remained silent for so long."
He drew a deep breath and spoke gravely: "It's because I hold deep feelings for it."
I wish it had rotted in the Trash Can forever, never to be seen again, he thought bitterly.
"What makes this blue Curio so special, that Shopkeeper Sylvester finds it so hard to part with?" Jade asked, intrigued by his pained expression.
Though his reaction seemed mismatched to the item's rarity, Sylvester had dismissed gold Curios without batting an eye. Why would he fake such grief over a mere blue one?
To Jade, there was only one explanation: it must hold immense personal meaning to him. And that alone made it priceless.
Speculation about Sylvester's source of Curios was endless. With this whip, research into his origins could advance by leaps and bounds!
Even if it didn't yield much direct knowledge, it was like the first chemical rocket breaking free of gravity for a low-tech civilization—one scoop of lunar soil was already a treasure.
Jade had already decided: if Sylvester confirmed this whip was tied to his past, she would immediately send it to the Genius Society. Every professor and scholar there would be tasked with an in-depth study using the most advanced relic-analyzing equipment available.
Then she would commission the most professional and detailed report, to be presented at the Strategic Investment Department—and even before the IPC Board itself!
With Sylvester's current fame across the galaxy, countless scholars would leap at the chance to present it.
Hmm… Professor Ratio, Aventurine's acquaintance, known as the "Doctor of Truth"—he would surely be honored to lead such a study.
Sylvester, of course, had no inkling of Jade's thoughts.
Her guess wasn't prophetic—it was completely off the rails.
If Sylvester could read minds, her inner monologue would have made his scalp explode.
Sister! How could you be so ruthless toward yourself? Hand this thing to the Genius Society? Publish a paper? Present it to the entire IPC leadership?
If Professor Ratio heard of this, he'd drop dead on the spot.
That man might faint at the sight of such idiocy—if something this absurd happened, his plaster bust would crack from the sheer outrage.
Unaware of her schemes, Sylvester stuck to his prepared story.
"This was the first Curio I ever forged, back when I was just starting out. It wasn't meant to be powerful—only to test my abilities."
He shifted tone. "It's one unique trait is that it absolutely cannot harm anyone."
"Cannot harm… anyone?"
Jade was stunned. A whip was, by nature, a weapon. For its defining feature to be harmless was astonishing.
And somewhat disappointing. Though she had already decided its fate, this meant it truly had no practical use outside of research and collection.
Still, she had gained something.
"You mean to say, Shopkeeper Sylvester… you have a master?" she asked curiously.
This was the perfect opening into his secrets.
"But of course." Sylvester nodded, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply toward the distance. "Without my master, how could I be here today? He…"
He launched into a tale: "A young orphan on the Luofu, parents gone too soon, stumbling upon a ragged beggar of a man. One warm meal in exchange for a priceless martial art. A story of twists and turns, stirring the heart."
Even the wishing-pool koi fishes, upon hearing it, would gladly carry coins to him in their mouths.
The only flaw of this statement: it had never happened.
But it wasn't exactly a lie. On the Xianzhou, they called it "fictional narration"—shortened to fic…
Jade, however, took it very seriously, nodding in agreement.
Of course someone like Sylvester wouldn't appear from nowhere. He must have lineage, a heritage.
And perhaps…
Her eyes swept across the shelves.
Perhaps many of these items were the handiwork of his master.
The more she thought about it, the more sense it made.
Otherwise, how could someone so young possess such a trove of powerful Curios?
His background would be something the IPC would have to investigate thoroughly.
"Shopkeeper Sylvester, you are surely blessed. Even through tragedy, you found such fortune. Your current achievements are truly well-deserved."
She praised him at the perfect moment.
"You flatter me."
Sylvester gulped down tea, relieved.
After spinning such a long tale, he had finally managed to trick her.
By painting the whip as a non-combat Curio, Jade wouldn't think of wielding it in battle. And outside of battle… it was utterly useless. The risk of exposure was nearly zero.
Perfect.
Jade carefully stowed the whip away, her resolve firm.
Even if the Genius Society had to suspend all other projects, this research must begin immediately!
She offered Sylvester a polite smile, and he returned it with a professional one.
Both were satisfied with what they had gained.
"Shopkeeper Sylvester's Trash Cans truly live up to their reputation." Jade offered a courteous line, before turning back to the shelves to open five more Cans.
"Please, go ahead."