Chapter 169

Andre·Laven.

Ta Ke, in a hazy dream state, spoke somewhat stiffly.

Andre·Laven?

The fourth-rank dreamweaver paused.

Isn't your name Andre·Lamoer?

Andre·Lamoer is the name I use to disguise myself as a Lamoer employee.

That way I can obtain an official Shengland identity.

Then how do you have such an authentic Lamoer accent?

I have long herded sheep in the Black River Valley and among the Lamoer.

I know both accents; to disguise myself as a Lamoer resident, I deliberately used the Lamoer accent.

How did you fool the truth-seeing interrogations of Shengland's constables?

The fourth-rank dreamweaver's eyes narrowed slightly, becoming wary.

My paternal uncle's eldest cousin holds the position of Shengland City Defense law enforcement officer.

That day, it was my eldest cousin who interrogated me.

This...

The fourth-rank dreamweaver couldn't help but freeze.

During this period, they received a mission to investigate that mysterious blasphemer.

After the lower-level investigators gathered information, they reported it upward for analysis.

Once the analysis is complete, they will send these dreamweavers out to conduct dream interrogations.

If they find they cannot invade the dream, they will submit it upward, and stronger ones will come down to investigate.

This time, the fellow named Andre·Lamoer they discovered still seems promising.

The result...

This damn thing is a fake.

Clearly a person from the Black River Valley, yet posing as a Shengland resident to directly reap the benefits of identity.

This is practically shearing Shengland's wool.

Even if you were just shearing Shengland's wool, you ended up deceiving them.

This bastard! the fourth-rank dreamweaver's eyes twitched.

Are you a steam mage? the fourth-rank dreamweaver also stopped hiding and began an in-depth interrogation.

I very much want to become a steam mage; my eldest cousin told me that if I work hard for 500 years, there is still hope to purchase a steam sequence core.

Work hard for 500 years?

The second-rank young dreamweaver beside them nearly laughed out loud.

But after a fierce glare from the fourth-rank dreamweaver, he swallowed it back.

Then do you know Mage Ta Ke?

The blasphemer Mage Ta Ke? Who doesn't know him; everyone in Shengland knows.

Damn it! I'm asking whether you personally know Mage Ta Ke, not whether you've heard of him.

I don't know him!

Ta Ke responded in a dull, sluggish tone and demeanor.

He was completely sunk in the state fabricated by the opponent's dream.

After conducting a detailed inquiry in many aspects,

the fourth-rank dreamweaver finally gave up further questioning of this second-rank mage before him.

This guy is just a lazy idiot who actually has less than a hundred magic gold in his pocket.

Um… this guy's cousin is a Shengland law enforcement officer, and a fourth-rank one at that; forget it, we shouldn't touch his magic gold—it's risky and not worth it.

Fortunately he has a good cousin; otherwise, in this man-eating Shengland, his bones would have been smashed to pieces.

After the interrogation, the fourth-rank dreamweaver simply shook his head.

If I had such a good cousin back then, I might have been able to advance to fifth rank by now.

As the two dreamweavers departed,

Ta Ke, having left the dream layer, slowly woke up.

The dream consciousness driven by the fourth-rank dreamweaver told Ta Ke to forget what happened in the dream.

But that method had no effect on Ta Ke whatsoever.

Whether it was Ta Ke's own crimson flame dragon scale armor's dream-resistance ability,

or the natural formidable uniqueness of Ta Ke's steam sequence,

or Ta Ke's powerful steam mage ecosystem,

even the final layer's four-ring state soul rune ring could likewise neutralize the dreamweaver's interference with dream memory.

As a mage, Ta Ke possesses many abilities to counter such dream techniques.

As my use of steam·primal spirit state and precision·correction becomes ever more proficient and deep,

As long as I do not actively drive the steam sequence, others cannot detect my steam sequence at all.

By conventional mage means, my strength is likewise not weak.

At least, in the fourth-rank dreamweaver's home dream domain, I can likewise remain perfectly hidden.

When the fourth-rank dreamweaver probed Ta Ke, Ta Ke was likewise testing his own concealment ability.

These two dreamweavers also don't know which faction they belong to.

They obviously haven't been contaminated by the Eclipse.

Moreover, there's no malice; it's mostly a pure investigation.

Hmm… that fourth-rank Dreamweaver has some ill intentions.

I didn't even think about asking you for a little gift or something, yet you actually want to make a fortune off me.

If there's no effective way to make money, even a moderately strong mid-tier supernatural being isn't necessarily wealthy.

The supernatural materials needed for a mid-tier supernatural state are quite a lot.

But no matter what, those two Dreamweavers definitely have some mysterious organization behind them, or rather, members of the Eclipse Church.

For now they're investigating, so it's inconvenient to act; as long as they aren't discovered, it's a victory.

When the opportunity arises, I can investigate slowly at my leisure.

Taku also understands that for now concealment must remain the priority.

If possible, avoid taking action, and try not to damage your current identity.

At the same time, with this identity, Taku can continuously fish.

Gradually uncover the power of the Eclipse Church hidden in Holy Orchid Virtue.

While they investigate Taku, Taku is likewise investigating them by this very means.

After confirming that those two Dreamweavers have left.

Only then does Taku go out as usual.

In a concealed corner downstairs, Taku phases through and enters the secret room.

About two hours later.

After Taku finishes refining a batch of elite materials in hand, only then does he slip out silently.

Soon after, Taku quickly disappears at the end of the alley.

…………

With Holy Orchid Virtue launching the steam lighthouse plan, after the war arrives.

Tree Heart City has become relatively much quieter.

But the Underground City not only isn't quiet, it's become even livelier.

Within Tree Heart City.

Under the watch of order and law, wanting to legitimately open a shop for business.

You need a clean identity, complete shop permits, a storefront that can attract customers, and even you need to recruit a pretty, eloquent female attendant.

Occasionally you encounter some clueless idiots who, although a slap could wake them up, you instead have to act like a grandson, coaxing them to be happy, otherwise they'll go complain to the street's commercial enforcement bureau.

For minor offenses, three to five days of rectification, troublesome and laborious.

For serious ones, fines, and a month's work for nothing.

And in the Black Market!

There aren't nearly so many troublesome matters.

You only need a piece of ragged cloth and a sign.

As for those idiots.

If they want to buy, they buy; if not, they scram—no need to put up with their bad tempers.

Of course.

There are also plenty of drawbacks.

The Black Market lacks any kind of security guarantee.

Selling goods while risking one's life is all too common.

Of course.

The Underground City's Black Market also has rules.

In the streets outside, thieves and scouts can 'feel out' stalls.

But inside the Black Market market, that's not allowed.

Once discovered, it means chopping off the hand.

Chopped off on the spot.

And it's done with a dull axe.

One swing of the axe, and an arm will shatter.

Afterward, in front of everyone, the hand is fed to those bloodthirsty arena beasts.

It's an extremely bloody and cruel practice.

But that's the Black Market's rule.

Except for those who truly have strength or don't know the ropes, who set up stalls outside.

Generally speaking, they'll set up stalls inside the Black Market market.

At least… there won't suddenly be a crowd aggressively gawking, and when the crowd disperses, nothing will be left on the stall.

Star Orbit Market.

This is the Star Orbit Market, one of the few managed black markets within Holy Orchid Virtue's Underground City Black Market.

Before, Taku has come here twice.

He's also quite familiar with its rules.

After paying five pieces of magic gold.

In a semi-transparent state, like a mass of shadow, Taku's shadowform obtained a stall that isn't too remote but also doesn't see much foot traffic.

On the stall, he anchors over a dozen second-rank elite materials with puppet silk thread.

Ta Ke simply sat cross-legged quietly behind the stall, waiting quietly.

As a refiner, Ta Ke definitely needs his own distribution channel.

Opening a shop oneself is purely asking for trouble.

And the black market.

Without a doubt, it is a very good place.

Moreover, there are not few wealthy people here.

Besides this, the information density in the black market is very high.

Werewolves, vampires, supernaturals contaminated with Dark Sun power, as well as some fugitives and other such supernaturals, are all present here.

In this place where light and darkness intertwine.

It is easier to understand the situation of the Dark Sun Church opposing Saint Lande.

Of course, Ta Ke came here for a more important purpose.

The supernatural beings' exchange meeting of the "Star Track Market", which opens only once per Ash Cycle, is about to begin.

Ta Ke came mainly for this.