Negotiations and Revelations: The Game of Questions

  It was now nine at night. Elder Claudio said goodbye to Rafar and little Sári, who returned to her duties at the Di Restaurant. Huang Di was left alone with the Princess and Mustafa. Taking a sheet of paper, he wrote a list of rare ingredients, using both ancient and modern names, along with detailed descriptions and possible substitutions for the hardest-to-find components. Handing the list to Mustafa, he said:

  "As promised, here is a recipe for a Rank 6 pill. If you bring me the ingredients, I can refine it for you. This pill does far more than simply treat the symptoms of your body. It prevents and reverses the curse afflicting you. I don’t believe I need to explain that, since you know your condition better than anyone."

  He paused, letting the words sink in, then continued:

  "The pill goes further. It cures your condition and restores you to your original state. If you only wish to maintain this appearance, the first three ingredients will be enough. However, if you want to regain your lost vitality and your youth, every ingredient in the recipe is necessary. I’ll be in the city only for a short time, think in terms of a few months. That is how long you have to bring me the ingredients."

  Without hesitation, Mustafa took the recipe and hurried out, practically vanishing from sight. Once he was gone, only the Princess and Huang Di remained in the room. Huang Di then returned to his true appearance, though he still wore Elder Claudio’s clothes, and said:

  "Now we can finally talk about a few things. I don’t like interfering in other people’s lives, but since we’ll be tied together for a while, I propose a game. Each of us asks one question, and the other answers honestly. We start with simple things and move forward until one of us no longer wants to answer. I’ll begin. What is your name and origin?"

  The Princess fixed him with a meaningful look and replied:

  "Why should I answer your questions, even if you claim the scales are balanced? And what if I’m simply not interested in you?"

  Huang Di smiled and responded:

  "You’re not required to answer. But I could force you and give you nothing in return. As I said, it wasn’t my desire that we end up in this situation. Still, if you cooperate, at the end of my questions I will temporarily return control of your fox, as you requested. Otherwise, I will simply use my powers, and you will answer everything while receiving nothing. Think carefully before acting rashly. This is the last time I’ll be lenient with you. I don’t care about your origins or your name, but I’d rather listen to a thinking person than interact with a brainless doll."

  Insulted, yet fully aware of her opponent’s strength, Di Saba took a deep breath and answered:

  "I am the Princess of the Great Empire of the Blue Waters Continent. My name is Di Saba. Ah, right. You said I can ask questions too. Then I’ll ask the same."

  Huang Di smiled.

  "That’s better. My name is Huang Di, and my origin is quite humble. It seems I don’t know my parents, because I was born in an orphanage for mortals, or as you call them, non-cultivators, ordinary people. But to me, they have great value. Recently, I met my guide, one of the elders of the Golden Heron Sect, known by his title, the Supreme Emerald Elder. Funny. He wanted me to take the name ‘Di’ and call myself Di Huang, but I refused. It sounded strange. Hahaha."

  The Princess’s expression changed, revealing shock. The mention of the Supreme Emerald Elder struck deep in her heart.

  Huang Di continued:

  "I think that was a decent introduction. You can do better next time. Second question. If you are the Princess of an empire, what are you doing in a place as remote as the Golden Heron Sect? If I’m not mistaken, your empire’s capital is very, very far from the sect’s location. Even using the main teleportation terminals, it would take months. And if you traveled like mere mortals, it would take years."

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Di Saba fell silent, not because the question was difficult, but because of the answer to her own earlier question. Something inside her wavered. The reason she was there seemed directly connected to him. Her thoughts clashed, and she remained silent.

  Seeing her hesitation, Huang Di said:

  "That question was so personal you don’t want to continue our game? Fine. I’ll respect that. At least now I know your name. That’s progress."

  With a gesture, Di Saba was sent back into the grimoire. Huang Di left two hundred large stones on the table as payment for the banquet, and as thanks to little Sári he left a note instructing that part of the money be set aside as a tip for her.

  He dispelled the concealment formation and retrieved it, casting one last glance at the city’s beautiful view. Then he leapt from the pagoda’s balcony and flew toward the Boom Auction.

  The Uproar in the Sky: Arrival at the Boom Auction

  After leaving, Huang Di caused a genuine commotion by flying through the city’s skies, openly defying the no-flight order. Although the ban existed, enforcement was ineffective in practice due to the difficulty and high cost of policing it. Few individuals possessed the ability to fly, and oversight focused more on flying treasures and mounts. For ordinary specialists, the prohibition was more a formality than a rule that was actually enforced, given the scarcity of trained personnel and the resources required to impose it.

  Even so, the sight of Huang Di in flight sparked curiosity and speculation. His disguise as Elder Claudio quickly became a topic across the city, and many began discussing the mysterious figure, eager to discover his true identity. Meanwhile, Huang Di spent the night at an inn, waiting until the following morning.

  In the meantime, valuable information like that had a price, and two individuals in particular, Rafar and Mustafa, were willing to profit from it. Drinking and battle companions, the two spread word of the arrival of a new Rank 6 alchemist in the city, charging a fair price for the information.

  More cautious, Mustafa omitted the Princess Di Saba’s return, aware that she was tied to powerful figures who could destroy the city if anything happened to her. He also avoided mentioning Sári’s Special Body, his employee, so as not to draw unwanted attention. Rafar, on the other hand, less concerned with consequences, was willing to sell any information that earned him a profit.

  Meanwhile, Huang Di, either unaware of these developments or simply indifferent to them, had marked Sári with tracking runes, ensuring he could locate her even if she were kidnapped.

  The next morning, at nine o’clock on March 23rd, 1551 of the Empire calendar, Huang Di began his flight. After a few minutes, he spotted a large complex with multiple towers and a central hall, exactly as Rafar had described it: four towers forming a rectangle, positioned at the corners of the structure.

  Huang Di descended a few streets before reaching the Boom Auction, drawing many curious looks, but he maintained a lofty posture and walked with imposing authority toward the main entrance.

  Upon arrival, he was received by beautiful attendants of various races, including elves, dwarves, demon women, and humanoid beasts. The non-human attendants wore collars indicating they were contracted slaves hired to satisfy the exotic tastes of wealthy and powerful clients. Following Rafar’s guidance, Huang Di approached a passerby and asked about Madam Xue, the supervisor responsible for item appraisal.

  The man, of questionable appearance, demanded ten large stones for the information, shocking Huang Di with such audacity. Although he was playing a prestigious persona, he chose to pay, though not without feeling the urge to punish the man for his greed. Even so, he restrained himself, aware that he needed to keep his image impeccable.

  Following the directions, Huang Di approached a young woman of exotic beauty who stood out among the other attendants. She had dark skin, curly hair, brown eyes, and clothing that combined elegance with a touch of sensuality. With a confident smile, she explained:

  "Hello, dear customer. I’m not actually an attendant. I’m here to handle security for the little fairies. As for service, I recommend speaking with one of the receptionists inside. They’ll be able to guide you better regarding our services. By the way, my name is Jasmine. Have a good afternoon."

  Despite her youthful appearance, Jasmine was a fifth-level Earth Rank cultivator. She did not conceal her cultivation, which caught Huang Di’s attention. The other attendants had very low cultivation levels, or sealed cultivation in the case of the slaves. Jasmine was an exception, and her presence there, even after being approached by him, suggested she held a more important role than she appeared to.

  Thanking Jasmine with a respectful nod, Huang Di proceeded to the Boom Auction reception, where he was greeted by another young woman. When she learned he had been referred by Rafar and that he was bringing Rank 6 items for sale, she promptly guided him inside the establishment.