In the underwater market, Crystal looked up at the massive enchanted array stretching overhead. The formation was incredible, a masterwork of cultivation engineering that held back countless tons of water through sheer manipulation of natural laws. Light filtered through the liquid above, creating shifting patterns of illumination that moved across the marketplace like living things.
Mari stopped walking and looked at Crystal, noticing her lady's upward gaze and contemplative expression.
"My lady, what is wrong?"
Crystal lowered her eyes from the array and looked at her maid. She smiled, though the expression carried weight that Mari couldn't quite interpret.
"Mari, how rich is the Asura Clan?"
The question seemed to come from nowhere, disconnected from their current purpose. Mari blinked behind her mask, considering how to answer.
"We are one of the most richest families in the kingdom, my lady. Only the royal treasury itself rivals our—"
"No," Crystal cut her off, her voice firm but not harsh. "Not that. I know about our official wealth, the assets that appear in records and tax documents."
She turned to face Mari directly, her posture shifting into something more serious.
"Don't play dumb with me, Mari. I know we are far richer than the whole kingdom combined when you count everything. The hidden assets, the resources stored in sealed vaults, the wealth my grandfather has accumulated through decades of military campaigns and strategic investments. Yes or no?"
Mari looked at her lady, and at this point, she'd stopped being surprised by Crystal's transformations. The young miss had become calculating in ways that went far beyond her years, asking questions and making statements that suggested knowledge she shouldn't possess.
After a moment's hesitation, Mari replied honestly.
"Yes, my lady. We have more wealth than even the royal family suspects. Your grandfather has been very careful about keeping the true extent of our resources hidden. If the crown knew how rich we actually are, it might create… complications."
Crystal smiled, satisfied with the confirmation.
"Good. I have plans to buy this palace."
Before Mari could process that statement, before she could even formulate a response to what seemed like an impossible declaration, Crystal was moving again. They both entered the shop where specialized services were arranged, where assassins and other dangerous resources could be contracted.
The same man who'd served them before appeared, recognizing them despite their masks. He smiled with professional warmth and gestured toward a side room.
Inside, five new individuals stood waiting. These were the assassins Crystal had contracted, their identities concealed behind masks, their postures suggesting readiness for violence.
Mari looked at the assembled contractors, her Master Phase cultivation allowing her to gauge their strength with a glance. The ability came naturally to someone of her level—reading the flow of qi in another person's body, sensing the density of their cultivation, understanding the depth of their foundation.
Three of them were at the Vital Vessel Realm, which was the fifth stage of the Mortal Phase. Respectable strength for hired killers, enough to handle most targets that didn't have serious cultivation backing them.
One was at the peak of that same realm, the eighth stage. Close to breaking through to the next major advancement, his power considerably above his three companions.
And the last was a Master Phase expert at the World Foundation Realm, middle stage. This one made Mari cautious—a cultivator at that level was no joke, capable of devastating techniques and possessing combat experience that came with surviving long enough to reach such heights.
Mari's own Master Phase cultivation was a bit higher than most practitioners at this level, which was the only reason she could read them so clearly. There was a story behind her unusual advancement, but that was for another time.
Crystal looked at Mari, who gave a subtle nod confirming the contractors' capabilities met expectations. Then Crystal addressed the assembled assassins.
"Follow me. We'll discuss specific contract terms elsewhere."
The five assassins bowed slightly in acknowledgment and moved to follow as instructed.
Meanwhile, Crystal looked back at the broker who'd arranged this meeting. She smiled and began walking closer to him.
The man took a step backward instinctively, his professional composure cracking slightly.
"I'm sorry, my lady, but if your business is concluded, I must attend to—"
Crystal cut him off by removing her mask.
The gesture was bold, reckless even. The entire point of the masks was to maintain anonymity in the black market, to conduct business without revealing identities. Breaking that protocol could have consequences.
But Crystal's smile suggested she knew exactly what she was doing.
"I know you already knew who I was," she said calmly. "The masks are theater, useful fiction for everyone involved. But I don't really care about that right now."
The broker said nothing, his eyes widening slightly as he looked at Crystal Aserra's uncovered face.
"I want you to pass something to your master," Crystal continued. "Tell them that I, Crystal Aserra, would like to purchase the Enchanted Palace. The entire establishment, all operations, full ownership transfer."
She paused, letting that sink in, then delivered the rest of her offer.
"And in exchange, I will give them what they've always wanted."
The broker's expression shifted to confusion mixed with concern. "My lady, I don't understand what you—"
Crystal just smiled and looked away, dismissing his confusion. She retrieved her mask and the scroll containing information about the assassins, then turned to leave.
"Just deliver the message. Your master will understand what I mean."
She walked out of the shop, leaving the broker standing there trying to process what had just happened.
Outside, Mari and the five contracted assassins waited. Crystal looked at the three Vital Vessel Realm cultivators—the ones at the lower power level compared to their peak-realm companion and the Master Phase expert.
She pointed toward a woman with distinctive purple hair wearing a mask, visible in the crowd some distance away.
"I want her injured," Crystal said flatly. "Not killed, just injured enough to slow her down and send a message. And go easy on her—you're a full realm above her cultivation level. Make it look convincing but don't permanently harm her."
The three assassins looked at each other, then at their target, then nodded understanding.
With that instruction delivered, Crystal left the Enchanted Palace with her maid and the remaining two assassins—the peak Vital Vessel cultivator and the Master Phase expert.
As they walked, Crystal spoke quietly to Mari.
"Arrange a secure location for these two to stay. Somewhere they can wait without drawing attention until I need them. And make sure it's not connected to the Asura Clan in any obvious way."
"Yes, my lady. I know a place that will serve."