After leaving the Lam family, we went straight back to the tattoo parlor. Nuwa's Forsaken Shade was insane—I truly wanted nothing more to do with her, nor to ever see her again. But I knew she wouldn't let me off so easily. For a moment, I'd even felt the urge to kill her. Yet ending her wouldn't be simple. Her sorcery still baffled me—unless I borrowed another Erebus-profiteer's hand to do the deed!
The thought lingered... but killing was never something I desired. Though perhaps one day, I'd have no choice but to kill to save my own life.
The next morning, I rose at dawn. Mount Zhongnan awaited—a sinister, haunted place. So I decided to visit Esteban's shop first to stock up on supplies.
I took a taxi directly to the Yin-Yang Artifacts Market. Stella had mentioned the market officially opened in the evening, but I'd arrived early in the morning, just as the vendors were closing. The streets stood empty, eerily silent—more like a graveyard than a marketplace. Compared to last time, the atmosphere felt even more unsettling.
Does this place even have city management? I wondered. And if it did, would they dare patrol here? The area was creepier than a cemetery in broad daylight—I couldn't imagine how terrifying it must be at night. Next time, I'd have to come after dark.
Unlike the other shops, Esteban's store stayed open 24/7. Business thrived, so they operated nonstop, with night shifts covering unless a VIP arrived—then Esteban himself would appear, even during the day.
Since my last visit with Stella, Esteban had remembered me well. He recognized me instantly, even recalling my name.
"Roger! How are you? What brings you in today?" Esteban flicked open his white fan, his demeanor every bit the elegant nobleman of old.
"Just browsing for bargains," I said. "If something fits, I'll take it. If not, no big deal."
"Ah, Roger, ever the straightforward one. Refreshing." Esteban chuckled.
I frowned. Refreshing my ass. For one, I was broke. For another, I had no time for games. Couldn't a man be practical? Besides, being thick-skinned had its perks—I'd laid my cards on the table. I was here to snag cheap treasures, nothing more.
Esteban's shop was massive. Surely, there had to be at least one or two overlooked gems like the Copper Coin Sword.
"Roger, any specific artifact you're looking for?" Esteban inquired.
I pondered for a moment. "Anything to ward off miasma?"
Mount Zhongnan was plagued by year-round miasma. Stein claimed it stemmed from overwhelming Yin energy. Was that why no one ever returned alive?
Esteban said they did have something, and produced a bead about the size of a marble - crystal clear, radiating a dazzling white light with an icy chill that pierced to the bone.
"This even glows at night," Esteban added.
The bead had been stolen from the mouth of a thousand-year-old female corpse, he explained - a one-in-a-million yin-yang treasure called the Shining God Night Pearl.
Kept in the mouth, it could prevent corpse decay, ward off malignant qi, contain yin energy, and repel miasma.
"Damn, that powerful?" Esteban's outrageous claims made me dizzy with excitement. I found myself handling the pearl with newfound reverence.
"Asking price: one hundred million," Esteban stated.
"Pfft—" I nearly spat blood. Are you fucking kidding me? Didn't I say I wanted cheaper options? Where would I get a hundred million? Do I look like I swim in that kind of money?
Esteban sighed sympathetically - this was actually the cheapest option. Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty had owned one, he claimed. Someone stole hers from the tomb and sold it for eight hundred million.
Eight hundred million? My hand trembled so badly I almost dropped the Shining God Night Pearl, barely catching it in time before hurriedly placing it back.
Holy shit! One careless move and I'd owe nearly a billion!
Though I had heard rumors about Cixi's corpse remaining perfectly preserved in her coffin, appearing almost alive thanks to a mouth pearl. I never imagined it might be true.
"Esteban... did you have someone rob Cixi's tomb?" I asked.
"Shhh!" Esteban pressed a finger to his lips. "If you want the story, keep your voice down."
"Fuck that, I couldn't afford it even if you gave me the family discount. Couldn't scrape together eight hundred million if I sold my organs. My budget's under three thousand," I admitted.
Esteban smacked his fan against his palm in clear frustration. Were it not for Stella's connection, I suspected he'd have thrown me out by now.
"Roger, how about this," he offered through gritted teeth. "I recently cleared a box of... miscellaneous items from the back warehouse. Unwanted, unremarkable trinkets. Yours for free if you want them."
"I couldn't possibly! I came to purchase, not beg for scraps. Wouldn't dream of taking advantage." I paused. "Tell you what - I'll give you a hundred bucks as courtesy." My moral compass had clearly flatlined. When you've got no shame, you're invincible! As long as I wasn't embarrassed, that was Esteban's problem.
Esteban: "......"
After a long, pained silence, he finally chuckled bitterly and ordered the box brought out.
The square box was wider than a person's shoulders and surprisingly heavy when I lifted it. Packed inside were numerous strange and peculiar dharma artifacts - most unrecognizable to me, all covered in dust. Some looked so worn and damaged I couldn't tell if they'd even function anymore.
"Well then, I'll gratefully accept!" With a laugh, I slipped Esteban the hundred-dollar bill and eagerly prepared to haul the box away. With so many items, even if just one turned out to be a top-grade dharma artifact, I'd hit the jackpot. Hell, I'd settle for medium-grade!
"Wait a moment." Esteban didn't take the money and instead pressed down on the box I'd picked up.
"What?" I eyed him suspiciously. Was he having second thoughts?
Esteban flicked open his white fan with practiced elegance, letting it flutter dramatically. "Roger, a hundred dollars might as well be pocket change to me. Don't insult me with it. There's no such thing as a free lunch - even trash has value."
I understood then - he wanted something else entirely. Of course a hundred bucks meant nothing to the son of Vervicety's wealthiest family.
"Name your price, Esteban." I happily pocketed the bill. If he didn't want it, more savings for me.
"I want ten portraits of Stella," he said suddenly, an uncharacteristically sheepish expression crossing his face.
Damn, this old pervert was playing coy now.
I'd always considered him a decent man, but never imagined... how base his desires were, lusting after someone's body like this. Though I had to admit - I liked that about him.
A true scoundrel beats a false gentleman any day. All men are the same at heart.
Problem was - where the hell would I get portraits of Stella? I didn't even have a normal photo of her! And in her current condition, would Stella even agree to pose?
"Esteban, it's not that I don't want to help, buddy. I know you're head over heels for Stella, but-"
Before I could finish, Esteban had already started pulling the box back. Message clear: no deal. He'd rather throw this junk away than give it up without getting what he wanted.
"Fine, deal! But I've got some urgent business first. Can I deliver the portraits when I get back?" I agreed through gritted teeth.