Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 190 - 190 189 Linjing Assassination 2

190: Chapter 189 Linjing Assassination 2 190: Chapter 189 Linjing Assassination 2 “Is there a small trading session you might be interested in?”

A broker who often lingered around the Gu Family’s shop intentionally struck up a conversation with him; in reality, he was a lackey of the Gu Family’s shop, specifically engaged in the dirty work of connecting deals and setting traps.

Should he succeed, he’d earn a small fortune, and if he failed, he’d take the fall for his employers, assuming all the responsibility.

Outsider cultivators who had been duped wouldn’t always stay around to seek redress.

Once the dust settled, with the Gu Family smoothing things over, he could continue his business.

In the Cultivation trading market, there were many such people, tangled in a web of interests, their affairs indecipherable to those outside their circle.

“Don’t try to snare me with those tricks.

The last few items I sold were undervalued; when I inquired at other shops, their prices were more than thirty percent higher than what you offered!

I won’t be coming back to the Gu Family shop.

It’s nothing but a rip-off.”

The broker was unfazed, “If you ask them, of course they’d say that; they deliberately inflate the prices just for the sake of competition.

When you actually sell a treasure, you’ll find that what they can offer isn’t necessarily higher than here.

All crows under the heavens are equally black, all businesses want to make money.

Raising prices is merely to lure you into a trap.”

Hou Niao turned to leave, “No, I’ll look elsewhere.

Linjing City is so vast, there must be a shop with some conscience.

Why should I hang myself on a single tree?”

The broker, unwilling to give up, was eyeing this plump fish they’d been fattening for some time, and now was the moment to cast the net.

How could he let him slip away so easily?

Those few items, though not top-tier, were worth several hundred Spirit Stones, a significant sum among the low-rank cultivators.

He whispered mysteriously, “Have you heard of the auction?

You set the reserve price, and if no one offers that much, the deal won’t go through.

Someone will connect with those wealthy buyers and as you know, once buyer and seller make a match, the prices can soar beyond the ordinary.

If more people take an interest and compete with each other, it’s not just a matter of selling for a bit more; doubling the price is not out of the question!”

Hou Niao was clearly tempted, but still feigned resistance, “Why are you dragging me into this?

Are you thinking of a forced sale?

I set the price of those ten Soul Beads at two hundred Spirit Stones.

You dare to accept?”

The broker snickered internally.

Ten low-quality Soul Beads would at best fetch no more than a hundred Spirit Stones; a bid of two hundred was simply plucking figures from the air.

But to keep him on the hook, the broker didn’t mind agreeing, since he wouldn’t get a single Spirit Stone in the end!

“Certainly, why not?

The worst that can happen is the item doesn’t sell, and you can try again.

Our fees are only taken after a successful trade; if it fails, we won’t collect a single Spirit Stone.

What are you worried about?”

Hou Niao wavered, “Aren’t you afraid that we buyers and sellers will make contact after the auction?

Ruining your business?”

The broker scoffed, “You wish.

Covering their faces, concealing identities – where’s the chance for private contact?

Your thinking is dangerous, you really shouldn’t harbor such thoughts, it’s asking for trouble.

These merchants live off those commissions; if you break their rice bowl, wouldn’t they respond with violence?”

Hou Niao remained unconvinced, “I won’t just hand over my treasures to you, only to find they’ve been switched when I get them back.

Who will I turn to then?”

The broker vehemently shook his head, “It seems this is your first auction experience, and you’re unaware of the process.

Your treasures will stay in your possession from start to finish, only to be exchanged on the spot for Spirit Stones once a buyer agrees to pay.

So, where’s the chance for swindling?”

Hou Niao’s wariness persisted, “Once the price is agreed upon, we can just exchange directly.

Why should it go through your hands in the end?”

The broker laughed breezily, “We have to protect ourselves too!

We’re worried you won’t follow the rules and pay the commission.

Sure, you might complete the trade, then run off, leaving us who to find?

All our hard work, seeking out both buyers and sellers, providing a venue and guaranteeing safety, would amount to a waste of effort.

Daoist, if you don’t trust us that much, then I really can’t help you with this transaction!

The Gu Family shop has a reputable name in Linjing City, having endured for hundreds of years; do you think it would stoop to thievery?”

Hou Niao was wholly tempted, “When is it?

I need to think more about this…”

The broker knew the trap was set, “Three nights from now.

The reason for choosing nighttime is to avoid the Daoist Palace’s taxes.

Otherwise, you’d have to hand over another ten percent of Spirit Stones.

Who would want that?”

…

Hou Niao made his final preparations, his eye set on such underground deals.

Despite Gu Xiqiao’s audacity, he wouldn’t dare emerge and openly do business half a year after the incident.

If he couldn’t stand loneliness, then his only option was to fish in these murky waters.

Based on Yu Zhengxing’s description of this person’s past, he loved auctions and that feeling of controlling everything – maybe this was his chance.

It wasn’t definitive.

If he didn’t encounter him, then he would devise another plan.

With the plan in place, he began arranging his escape and spreading confusion; Daoist Sect Tracking Techniques were quite miraculous, especially with the possession of Divine Sense.

Hou Niao had his own insights into this subject, from years of Criminal Investigation work he had done.

Tracking and counter-tracking were fundamental skills, and Yu Zhengxing’s guidance on the Jade Scroll had given him some understanding of the Tongxuan Cultivator’s Tracking Techniques.

Of course, if a higher-level Great Cultivation came after him, then they would surely find him without fail.

But if the Gu Family had the means to connect with such an exalted level, why would they stoop to selling fake Elixirs in Miao Gao Town?

After spending over ten days in Linjing, things were finally taking shape.

In a great mood, he began to relax and enjoy himself in this magnificent city.

Historical landmarks, culture, exquisite food and wines…

Learning to unwind before battle was a skill in itself.

Those who were always high-strung couldn’t handle such jobs and would inevitably wear themselves out.

But he steered clear of the Cultivation markets; as much as he wanted to scour for items here, the moment he made a purchase, those countless hidden brokers and shop assistants would scrutinize what he bought and discover his identity as a Quanzhen Sword Cultivator.

This was the dilemma of a Sword Cultivator’s identity – their specific needs for Cultivation Tools made it easy for others to detect their lineage.

On the third evening, he made his final preparations in his guest room, displeased with his reflection in the mirror, though it was a necessary precaution.

From the day he set foot in Linjing City, he had slightly altered his appearance, not by using any instant magical changes, but by relying on the traditional methods of his old profession in public service.

Raising his nose, adding a mole, using deer glue to slant his eyes, and growing a beard – these seemingly ordinary measures were quite effective and possessed a touch of turning the decayed into the miraculous.

Since he didn’t use Cultivation methods, cultivators couldn’t easily see through his disguise,

even though it was uncomfortable, especially the constant tug at the corners of his eyes.

He worried that even after removing it, things might not return to normal.

Thankfully, he wasn’t just a pretty face relying on looks to entertain others.