Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 311 - 311 310 Seeing Qingqian Again

311: Chapter 310: Seeing Qingqian Again 311: Chapter 310: Seeing Qingqian Again Hou Niao decided to first buy a map of the islands in the Outer Sea.

Maps of the overseas territories are hot commodities, everyone has one, the key point is that this item is not static, but constantly changing.

The prices range from high to low, with the cheapest being three low-grade Spirit Stones for one map, while the most expensive can sell for hundreds of Spirit Stones, and there’s even an automatically updating Lizhi Sea map treasure that sells for thousands of Spirit Stones.

Such a huge price difference in maps comes down to whether they are updated in real-time; the cheapest kind, at three Spirit Stones each, only lists the specific locations of the thousands of islands in the Outer Sea, which of course isn’t worth much since other than providing locations, they serve no other function.

The more expensive maps, on the other hand, are costly due to additional information, such as: Are they guarded?

By which Cultivator’s family?

Changes in the ocean currents?

Locations frequented by the Sea Clan?

Navigational information?

Resource distribution?

Even including various recent incidents?

Casualties?

Suspected culprits?

Areas of frequent pirate activity?

Possibly even the reefs where pirate groups might settle?

The newer and more detailed the information, the more expensive it gets, and as for the so-called Lizhi Sea map treasure, not only does it cost over a thousand Spirit Stones, but it also requires an annual fee, capable of real-time updates, constantly releasing the latest dynamics of the entire archipelago.

This business is done to the utmost attention to detail.

Hou Niao first bought one for three Spirit Stones, striving to understand the positional situation of the overseas islands, with the intention of looking for an opportunity to buy a more expensive one later; he cannot buy now because after a month, their group will be sent out, and there will be another round of changes.

He had to be careful with his spending, otherwise, just the map alone would be a significant expense for a Cultivator; it’s always necessary to know who your neighbors are?

Which power do they belong to?

Their temperament and character?

The ocean current situation nearby?

Any movements from the Sea Clan?

The likelihood of pirates visiting?

The sale of sea maps is exclusive to the Jiedu Mansion, and only they have the manpower and energy to monitor the Outer Sea for long periods and gather sufficient information, a task not achievable by individuals or businesses and requiring the support of a massive organizational system.

Somewhat bored, he wandered around Mirage City, not knowing how to proceed in such a foreign city where he had just arrived.

When a Cultivator immersed in cultivation suddenly finds themselves in a new place, they often have this feeling.

The local atmosphere isn’t very good; fraud and traps are rampant in the entire industry, which also reflects the inability of the Linhai Wo Sect to control such a scene effectively.

Turning this place into an adventurer’s heaven is probably not their deliberate intention but rather due to weakness and helplessness.

On this day, Hou Niao’s fifth day in Mirage City, he had already gained a general understanding of the city, and even identified a few shops that seemed decent, planning to unload his goods there before setting off for the islands.

After having lunch at the local specialty restaurant, filled with nothing particularly special from the sea, he was languidly strolling the streets, contemplating where to pass the afternoon, when a green-canopied sedan chair stopped beside him.

The sedan curtain was partially lifted, revealing a face that outshone the frost and snow with delight, “Sir, it seems you’re new to Mirage City.

May I have the chance to offer the hospitality due to a guest?”

Hou Niao immediately recalled the smiling florid-faced shopkeeper from the gathering in Jin City, these merchants really knew how to infiltrate every nook and cranny – their efficiency almost matched that of the Capital Commandant’s office.

He didn’t make a fuss, to avoid drawing unwanted attention, and ducked into the sedan.

The interior was different from what he had imagined, very simple, with cloth curtains and a locust wood frame, just like what ordinary people would use.

Noticing Hou Niao’s scrutinizing gaze, Bai Qingqian smiled, “A family in trouble should not display luxury, and I also quite like this simple sedan.”

With a gentle pat on the carriage, the old donkey started walking, moving slowly along the streets, blending into the mortal splendors of Mirage City.

Hou Niao looked at the woman’s complexion, “Are you getting by alright?”

Bai Qingqian responded with a smile, “Managing to cope, two great-uncle from the Divine City have been placed under house arrest by the Wu Sect, and we are still trying our best to rescue them; with our elders in misfortune, how can we younger ones dare to indulge in leisure and joy?”

“Fortunately, our clan was well-prepared for today’s changes, with ample preparation made in Linhai here, so the start has been relatively smooth.”

“May I ask what brings Sir here, and if there is anything in which my Bai Family can be of service?”

Hou Niao shook his head, He wanted to avoid the troubles of dealing with the two ladies of the Dugu Family, let alone the daughter of a merchant family—only more headaches, and for him now, the less involvement, the better.

“It’s nothing much, just waiting for the distribution of the islands, idly strolling around out of sheer boredom…”

Bai Qingqian’s eyes, clear-cut black and white, said, “Is Sir not seeing us as outsiders?

Or perhaps he fears being burdened by the Bai Family?

I have heard Sir is from Anhe, we are merely separated by a single province, with no difference in our local accents…”

Meeting a fellow townsman, Hou Niao gave a light cough and decided to speak more bluntly in a language a merchant could understand.

“The three treasures, their value has been acknowledged; we owe each other nothing, and Madam Bai need not brood over it.”

Bai Qingqian’s beautiful eyes danced, “In business, I can’t quite agree with Sir.

Are the safety and well-being of six people only worth three magic items?

In my opinion, even I alone am worth more than that.

“I understand Sir’s intent, not to mention the affair in the Poplar Forest again; however, if we are merely friends, in the way of business, if Sir has magic items to sell, my Bai Family’s shop in Mirage might not be the top tier, but we can still handle ordinary transactions—it would definitely be more reliable than Sir stumbling upon a deal, right?”

By calling him ‘Sir,’ Bai Qingqian chose a rather nuanced term, not desiring to constrain both parties with the hierarchies of Cultivation, yet maintaining a certain closeness, allowing for both attack and retreat.

She was a very astute woman, who would not put you in a difficult position, while also keeping hope for herself; of course, this ‘hope’ did not refer to romantic entanglements, that would be underestimating her too much.

Given the Bai Family’s status, wealth, and fortune, even in downfall, finding a Tongtian Realm partner for Dual Cultivation or a Golden Core Great Cultivator as a concubine would be no trouble at all.

What she valued was Hou Niao’s willingness to take responsibility, backed by a strong enough force; in the Cultivation World, there were far too many Cultivators without responsibility, who professed that those on the path of Cultivation should not indulge in grudges and affection, yet were in truth selfish.

In fact, the need was mutual, and Hou Niao realized he had been somewhat paranoid, with no need to be as wary as he would against a thief, Bai Qingqian was not like the two sisters of the Dugu Family.

“Isn’t it just the relics of those three Daoist friends from the Poplar Forest?

People pass on, after all, and their affairs must be settled cleanly, mustn’t they?”

Bai Qingqian beamed a smile, “Well then, my Bai Family is willing to take this order, responsible for erasing marks, removing the Wu Sect’s traces, giving them a new appearance, old wine in new bottles, guaranteeing no one will recognize their original source.

“As for the fee, I will charge the normal rate, with the price fluctuating down by twenty percent from the market rate, how does that sound?”

Hou Niao sighed inwardly, truly a shrewd woman, knowing what he wanted and what he avoided, so she offered exactly what would please him without causing resentment.

Indeed, as a collaborator, that is exactly what he needed; moreover, having such a reliable fencing operation in Mirage certainly made things much more convenient for him.

“That would be excellent!”