Chapter 214: The Black Market of Feng City
“System, you’re really amazing. Why are you so easy to talk to now? You’re giving me benefits without even assigning tasks?”
This surprise was completely unexpected. Yu Luo had originally planned to ask the system about this once it had fully recovered, but she hadn’t expected the system to bring it up so soon on its own.
[At first, the system assigned tasks because I was worried that the host wouldn’t follow the system’s planned path. But over the past few months, I’ve realized that the host has not disappointed me. I believe that in this desolate land, the host will surely carve out a place of her own.]
So, it was afraid she would slack off?
Heh…
“Alright, from now on, within my capabilities, I’ll help those I can. I understand what you’re getting at.”
After finishing her conversation with the system, Yu Luo immediately closed her eyes and went to sleep.
The system’s marketplace would definitely need to be unlocked, but not right now. With her current 9,000 points, she could allocate some to her parents, ensuring they had enough to safeguard themselves in case of danger.
The next morning, Yu Luo changed into a luxurious brocade robe and styled her hair like a noble young master, securing it with a jade crown. Then, she put on a mask she had bought the day before and stepped out of her room.
Seeing the “man” walk out of Yu Luo’s room, Tao Ming was so startled that he almost drew his sword!
Just as his hand touched the hilt, Zhang Hu grabbed his arm.
“Haha, looks like my disguise is spot on. If even Tao Ming didn’t recognize me, then I have nothing to worry about.”
With that, Yu Luo removed her mask, unable to hide her smug expression.
“Young master, why are you dressed like this? Is it because of what that waiter said yesterday?” Tao Ming looked confused. When had the young master prepared such an outfit?
“Heh, do you really think I care about other people’s opinions? I have something important to do today. You all stay inside the inn. Here’s some money, Zhang Hu—use it to have the waiter bring food to your room.”
The moment Yu Luo said she was going out alone, the group immediately became anxious.
Even Ming Ye looked at her with concern, his eyes full of reluctance.
“Young master, why not bring us along? How can we feel at ease letting you go alone?”
“That’s right! Tao Ming is right, young master. You know this city isn’t like other places. Just last night, someone tried to rob you.” Zhang Hu also voiced his disapproval.
“That’s exactly why I dressed so differently from yesterday. If I don’t return by noon, you all should wait for me at the city gates.”
With that, Yu Luo took out a small box and looked at Ming Ye. “This is a mask I prepared for you. You must wear it when you go outside. And this—I’ll help you put it on now. This way, no one will notice your purple eyes.”
As she spoke, Yu Luo took out a pair of brown-colored contact lenses. She had specifically requested them from the system the night before.
Without them, Ming Ye’s striking violet eyes would immediately attract attention the moment he stepped outside. It wouldn’t take long for people to recognize him as the boy auctioned off last night.
When Yu Luo opened the box, revealing two round, glass-like objects, the others stared in curiosity.
Ming Ye obediently walked up to Yu Luo. As she carefully explained how to wear contact lenses, she gently placed them onto his eyes.
The moment Yu Luo’s hands cupped Ming Ye’s face, his ears turned slightly red. He lowered his gaze, not daring to look directly at her.
At that moment, Ming Ye could smell a faint fragrance emanating from her—subtle and soothing. He suddenly found himself unwilling to move away.
“This… This is amazing! What is this? Young master, where did you get it? It’s like it was made just for him! Now his eyes look completely normal!” Tao Ming exclaimed in astonishment.
Yu Luo shot him a glare. “Who said he wasn’t normal? You’re making a fuss over nothing. Just because Ming Ye’s eye color is different from ours, does that make him abnormal? I’ve even seen people with green and blue eyes!”
Hearing her words, a faint smile played on Ming Ye’s lips.
“Really?”
“Oh? Now you’re willing to talk?”
Ming Ye’s sudden response delighted Yu Luo, who had been playfully pouting.
Her bright, cheerful smile made Ming Ye’s now-darkened pupils shimmer with a hint of warmth.
“Of course, it’s true. Across the ocean, there are people who look very different from us. They have golden hair and blue eyes, and they are just as beautiful.”
Seeing Ming Ye fall silent again but still gazing at her intently, Yu Luo continued with a smile.
“Across the ocean? That sounds so far away… Young master, you really are knowledgeable to even know about things like that,” Tao Ming remarked.
Yu Luo smirked and patted Ming Ye’s shoulder. “Alright, I have business to take care of. Remember to wear this mask whenever you go out. But I should be back before noon. Unless absolutely necessary, none of you should leave the inn. Understood?”
Seeing that Yu Luo had made up her mind, Zhang Hu had no choice but to comply. After all, as subordinates, they couldn’t disobey their master’s orders.
Yu Luo picked up the bundle of paintings wrapped in coarse cloth, put on her mask, and left the inn.
On the bustling streets, there were actually many people wearing masks. Yu Luo’s disguise didn’t attract any attention at all.
After all, this was Feng City—there were many visitors from various countries who wished to remain anonymous.
Yu Luo also took note that there were children in the city, but not many. Unlike ordinary towns where children were a common sight, here they were scarce. This reassured her that when she eventually left the city with Ming Ye, he wouldn’t stand out too much.
After gathering some information, she finally arrived at the so-called black market.
The black market resembled an ordinary street market, with an open-air layout and several rows of shops. Opposite the storefronts, vendors had set up ground stalls, selling all sorts of items.
There were clothes, leather boots, daggers, swords, axes, herbs, jewelry, antiques, and calligraphy scrolls—an assortment of everything.
Yu Luo wandered around until she reached the far end of the market, where she saw several iron cages.
Inside these cages were people—men, women, and children alike.
Each face bore a numb, vacant expression, as if they had long resigned themselves to their fate. They leaned lifelessly against the metal bars, waiting to be picked.
To be honest, Yu Luo had no impulse to buy any of them at first glance.
She was looking for people with fire in their eyes, people who still held onto hope.
If she was going to spend silver to buy them, she didn’t want to waste effort trying to earn their loyalty from scratch.
Unless, of course, they were exceptionally skilled or possessed extraordinary martial prowess.
