Chapter 157: Black Market (5)

"Shui Xiansheng, I know there are some businesses you do not conduct here," Du Zhengyi said solemnly, looking into the old man's eyes.

Luo Qi did not know what kind of clash he had sensed, nor did he know what kind of exchange had taken place between Du Zhengyi and the old man before him in that brief moment, even though neither of them were Telepaths. But regardless, he saw a gentle understanding on the old man's face, and only then did he realize he had been very nervous.

"I understand." The old man smiled slowly, a hint of feigned innocence in his eyes, a bit like an old urchin. He looked at Du Zhengyi, and Luo Qi did not know if he had perceived some unfathomable regret from his gaze, his expression, or his emotions. "Must Mage Pei really be that righteous?"

"Yes." Du Zhengyi pursed his lips for some reason; Luo Qi knew him well, and this was the expression he only wore when he was completely at his wit's end.

In such a setting, Luo Qi did not understand what this meant, nor did he understand what Shui Xiansheng had said. If they were still entangled in the question of the Great Civet King's identity, that underworld boss turned to him gently. "Then this Great Civet King will be a future VIP of Zhouqiao. For our first meeting, the shop offers a glass of wine as a token of sincerity."

Luo Qi lowered his head, watching an enameled high-stemmed cup appear on the table in front of him. Ice cubes floated in the wine, topped with mint leaves and two tiny, unfamiliar red berries. He couldn't help but look at Du Zhengyi; a glass of wine had also appeared in front of him, served in a glass, not as fancy as the one before him.

Du Zhengyi picked up his glass casually, a large ice sphere soaking in the light tea-colored wine. He glanced at Luo Qi's glass. "You are truly well-treated."

Luo Qi knew why he was being well-treated, and he dared to guarantee that once Du Zhengyi understood why, he would certainly be shocked. He smiled, picked up his wine glass as gracefully as he could, and took a sip.

The wine was clear and sweet with a slightly bitter aftertaste, washing softly over his throat, making him unable to resist taking a second sip. Listening to Du Zhengyi and the old man continue to chat, they talked for a while about the recent market, and Du Zhengyi asked the old man about several people Luo Qi had never heard of.

When Luo Qi's glass hit the bottom, Shui Xiansheng turned to him. "Mr. Li, you are welcome to visit our shop often. Your introducer is Mr. Du, so our little shop will naturally provide you with the highest quality resources. However, if you are willing to provide consultation for our shop, we would be even more willing to pay a high price."

Luo Qi was stunned for a moment by the address "Mr. Li." After he reacted, he still couldn't quite understand what he was talking about. He braced himself, sat stiffly holding his wine glass, and stared at the old man like an idiot.

The old man smiled politely and gestured vaguely; the wine and ice in his glass were suddenly refilled.

His mind stirred. Shui Xiansheng had said his identity could be sold for a high price, Du Zhengyi had warned him that there were businesses they didn't do here, and Du Zhengyi had been chatting with him, asking about the recent situation of some old acquaintances. With these associations piled together, Luo Qi was suddenly enlightened. The so-called tavern was indeed the first shop of the Black Market, but it didn't sell wine; it sold information. The shopkeeper welcomed him to buy news, but hoped even more that he would come here to sell it.

Luo Qi deliberated on how to answer; in fact, he had no idea how to answer at all. After a moment of nervous contemplation, he suddenly realized that telling the truth was actually the best way to answer.

"I cannot guarantee it," he said honestly.

He could see that Shui Xiansheng was not someone accustomed to accepting direct refusals, but he also realized that Du Zhengyi had no reaction at all, as proud as ever.

The young man beside him had not prompted him on how to answer from beginning to end, nor did he care if he had answered poorly, which in itself created a tremendous aura.

Luo Qi smiled, half-genuine and half-triumphant, and continued, "After all, my life goal is to be an ethologist. My career is all about cats, and Shui Xiansheng might not be interested in such knowledge."

The small black cat crawled out of Luo Qi's pocket at the right moment, grabbed his clothes, jumped onto his shoulder, lay down, and licked its paws with ease.

Shui Xiansheng laughed out loud, having grasped Luo Qi's joke. He amiably echoed Luo Qi's words, "Yes, who knows what the future will hold?"

Luo Qi breathed a sigh of relief and took a sip of his wine.

Du Zhengyi looked at him gently and swirled the ice in his glass. "He is telling the truth. If his Luck is high, perhaps he will not come here again."

"The current situation is not good; we all need some luck," Shui Xiansheng interjected.

"The situation..." Luo Qi had a flash of inspiration. "Shui Xiansheng, do you have any news about the Lotus Burners to sell me?"

Du Zhengyi suddenly turned his head to look at him. Luo Qi was instantly a bit nervous, worried that he had said the wrong thing or spoken at the wrong time.

Du Zhengyi said to him in a low voice, "The businesses Shui Xiansheng does not conduct include those related to the Lotus Burners."

Luo Qi understood and felt a bit embarrassed. It was likely that this old gentleman in front of him was able to profit from both sides of the law precisely by offending neither; he had asked something that was over the line.

"It does not matter," Shui Xiansheng smiled and said slowly, "Although it is sensitive, I am willing to offer a special service for old friends and new ones."

Luo Qi saw Du Zhengyi look surprised, his expression a bit confused, but it instantly became extremely serious as he looked at Shui Xiansheng sitting across the table.

"I heard they have dispatched a core member specifically to deal with the two people who escaped from Qionglin," Shui Xiansheng said, his light-colored eyes moving from Du Zhengyi to Luo Qi. "I think those two people must refer to you."

"What kind of core member?" Du Zhengyi asked. "I think Li Xu should also be a core member of theirs."

"I do not know the specifics." The old man shook his head and said, "I am about to set off. If I knew more, I would certainly tell you more. Unfortunately, I only know this person's name. Like our new friend here, he also operates under an alias. His name is Clownfish."

"Clownfish?" Luo Qi couldn't help but blurt out, "Like that tropical fish?"

"Yes," the old man said. He looked at Du Zhengyi. "Believe me, we want to know who he is even more. Unfortunately, he seems to have appeared out of thin air and does not match any known Mage. However, one of his legs is lame. In the Mage World, a cripple is very rare. I think you will be able to recognize him when you meet him."

"Thank you, though I think he has probably already appeared, just not willing to stand in the open," Du Zhengyi said. Without asking for more information, he continued, "This information is very expensive. How much should I pay?"

The old man raised a finger to stop his question. "This is a welcome gift for a new friend. According to the rules, the first time is always free."

"Thank you," Luo Qi said, flattered, while also feeling a bit panicked that someone was specifically out to get him. Just then, one side of the tavern suddenly became noisy, and someone shouted Du Zhengyi's name. Luo Qi was startled.