Chen Yi, dressed in short black clothes, wore a black mask that covered his face, revealing only a pair of eyes glinting with a crystalline shine even in dim light.
He glanced at Jiang Yunni, who was tightly wrapped in a white veil, pondered for a few seconds, chuckled softly, and said:
"Fairy Yunni, coming here alone disguised , it must not be just for the mission, right?"
Considering Ye Lin's actions towards Jiang Yunni during the day, instead of being fellow sect disciples, they seemed more like a master and servant relationship.
As master and servant, how could a servant make decisions privately?
Especially in a dangerous place like the black market.
If Chen Yi were Ye Lin, he would most likely ask that elder to come, or all three of them would come together, not that Fairy Yunni should come alone.
Of course, these were all guesses by Chen Yi.
But he didn't mind testing it out to see how Fairy Yunni would react.
Little did he know, just as his words fell, Chen Yi felt a sudden chill on his body that vanished in an instant.
"I advise you not to meddle in others' business!" Jiang Yunni glared coldly at him with her beautiful eyes and turned around to leave quickly.
Sun Zhengqiu, who was standing nearby, witnessed everything and his gaze turned slightly colder. He transmitted his voice: "Sir, should I follow her?"
Chen Yi watched the retreating figure for a moment, then shook his head.
"Let's focus on the main task."
He had already confirmed his previous guess was true.
And from Jiang Yunni's reaction, it was clear she came to the black market not for the Night Watch Department's mission.
Her purpose for coming here was therefore quite intriguing.
Chen Yi concealed a smile beneath his mask and opted not to delve deeper, gesturing for Sun Zhengqiu to lead him to the place where they could buy information.
The so-called black market was in reality a makeshift bazaar set up in a dimly lit patch of woods.
The perimeter was concealed with a Concealing Array, while inside, torches provided illumination.
Anyone wishing to enter the black market had to obtain the guards' permission at the edge of the forest.
The process was straightforward; they'd just take a glance, give out a token, and let them in.
There was no conversation, no "entrance fee" taken.
At the moment, there were already dozens of figures in the black market, all disguised and hiding their traces, moving silently.
Even when conversing, most relied on the Sound Transmission Skill without making a sound.
It was not difficult to deduce from this that their strengths must all be above the Fifth Grade Core Formation Realm; only Martial Artists above the Fifth Grade Realm were capable of using Sound Transmission.
This was also why Chen Yi was limited to speaking softly with Sun Zhengqiu.
Not long after, under the scrutinizing gazes of the others, the two made their way deeper, past several stalls to the very end.
There hung a sign on a conspicuous tree with the words, "Familiar with all matters in the Martial World."
Chen Yi noticed that people would suddenly emerge from behind the tree, as well as disappear into it— their figures concealed.
"Another Concealing Array."
Apart from this place, at the previous stalls, people engaged in face-to-face conversations.
Sun Zhengqiu pointed towards the tree and led Chen Yi straight through it after a moment's observation.
Chen Yi's vision blurred momentarily, and when it cleared, he realized he had entered another world— there was actually a wooden cabin here.
To be precise, it was like a shop made of wood.
Beyond the main hall Chen Yi entered, there were three wooden doors on each side, through which people came and went in pairs, appearing to be private meeting areas.
Inside the main hall, about a dozen figures sat on wooden stools surveying the surroundings or conversed with the person behind the counter directly opposite.
Despite the humble fittings of the wooden cabin, it was obvious that the place specializing in information trading held a unique status in the black market.
"Sir, this is the most lucrative spot at the black market— the Four Directions Building."
Sun Zhengqiu transmitted his voice: "Not only can you purchase information here, but you can also sell it. Four Directions Building will offer a corresponding price based on the content."
"If unsatisfied, they may also choose to wait here for someone in need and trade privately."
Chen Yi nodded slightly. Most people were coming and going in haste, with only four or five individuals standing quietly in a corner waiting.
His gaze swept around, eventually resting on a lovely silhouette in the corner.
Jiang Yunni, what a coincidence.
Chen Yi took a look and noted that she seemed to be preparing to sell information.
"Selling information..."
Remembering what Ye Lin said about his investigation earlier in the day, an idea sparked in Chen Yi's mind.
Could it be what he thought?
At that moment, seeing Chen Yi stopping in his tracks, Sun Zhengqiu transmitted his voice, asking: "Should I make some inquiries first?"
Chen Yi nodded, slapped a stack of banknotes into Sun Zhengqiu's hand, and walked over to Jiang Yunni, clutching the cloth-wrapped hilt of the Spring Rain Sword, a smile evident in his eyes as he spoke in a low voice:
"Are you here to sell information?"
A chill flashed across Jiang Yunni's eyes behind her veil, her voice transmitted in response.
"Do you think I would be wary of your Grand Void Sect's identity?"
Chen Yi smiled indifferently: "If it's about the location, I'll take it."
Jiang Yunni's eyes widened in surprise, looking at him.
"It's not hard to deduce."
Chen Yi looked at Sun Zhengqiu, who was still conversing with others, and gestured for Jiang Yunni to move to a private room for discussion.
Jiang Yunni gave him a deep look before turning silently and entering the nearest cubicle.