The newcor had clearly mistaken Cheng Shi and Zhen Xin for his lackeys.
It wasn't as if no one had done that before, but the last person to treat both of them as lackeys at the sa ti was nad Deceit.
When a player had the strength, the confidence, and a clear objective, there was naturally no need to play make-believe with NPCs. So the very next second, Shadow Chengshi had the "wealthy rchant" pinned to the ground and said in a solemn tone:
"You have one minute. Explain this deal of yours, and while you're at it, tell us who you are."
The sudden takedown left the rchant completely dazed. His face pressed against the cold floor, his mind instantly sharpened, and he realized at once that the two people before him were not his lackeys at all—they were "bosses" from who-knows-where!
His ho had been stolen!
But that was fine—as long as he stayed alive!
The rchant, quite experienced in such matters, wasn't particularly frightened. He simply complied with Cheng Shi's questions.
He did his best to avert his gaze, avoiding looking at any of their faces. His cheek, squished flat against the floor, deford as he mumbled:
"My na is Blacks. I'm the King of Canlival's black market and the owner of the Golden House.
Just this morning, the boss of the Sunset ca to
and asked
to secretly handle sothing for him."
"King of the black market?" Zhen Xin walked over to Blacks with obvious interest, smiling as she asked, "Is it the kind of black market I'm thinking of?"
Blacks saw the tips of her leather shoes, shut his eyes, and said:
"If you're referring to the black market that deals in human trafficking, weapons, intelligence, potions, and faiths—then yes, you've got the right idea.
I control the largest underground network in this country. Whatever you need, I can provide. There's really no need for violence."
"Faiths can be traded too?" Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow curiously. "How does that work?"
Blacks explained:
"Depends on which faith you need.
Here's the simplest example: just two days ago, the Golden House helped a client switch faiths at no cost, transitioning him from a Prosperity follower to a Death follower."
"No cost?" Cheng Shi was taken aback. "You can erase the Oathbreaking Curse? For all faiths? How do you manage that?"
Blacks finally opened his eyes, and a glint of pride even flashed through them.
"Well, not all faiths—but there's always a way.
Take that Prosperity follower, for example. We seized all his assets so that he was no longer 'prosperous,' then we personally killed him so he'd forever remain by Death's side.
That way, his faith was purified once again, and we fulfilled the client's request as promised.
Win-win, and completely cost-free!"
"?"
At those words, the two deceivers exchanged a glance, their expressions absolutely priceless.
Bro—you call that "no cost"?
Your "no cost" ans no cost to you, right?
And honestly, even that's not quite right. You guys stuffed yourselves so full—didn't you choke?
Cheng Shi was speechless. Zhen Xin couldn't stop laughing:
"So that's why you're so rich?
The Golden House... Nice codena. But for a black market rchant, isn't building your ho out of gold a bit too flashy?
Doesn't Canlival have laws against underground trade?"
Perhaps because he hadn't sensed any genuinely malicious intent, Blacks gradually loosened up during the conversation and replied nonchalantly:
"Of course it's illegal—otherwise why would it be called the black market?
But if you're in the black market business, you have to be flashy. It's an insanely profitable trade. If you don't let people see that you've made money from deals, why would anyone believe they can make money dealing with you?
This business logic has been tried and tested. You don't even under—Do you have any other suggestions?"
Blacks was clearly the type to push his luck. Accustod to being arrogant in his daily life, the mont he reverted to his true nature he got a bit carried away. Fortunately, he caught himself just in ti, realizing his situation wasn't exactly favorable, and quickly corrected course.
The two deceivers didn't bother with his aborted insolence. Cheng Shi continued asking:
"So what about this deal you ntioned?
The Sunset... sounds like one of the businesses in your black market?"
Zhen Xin smiled, clearly familiar with the na, but before she could explain, Blacks was already shaking his head vigorously:
"No, no, no—Ringmaster Fate is not one of ours.
The Sunset is a circus's brand na. Their boss is Ringmaster Fate.
It's a circus with a long and storied history. When Canlival was first founded, the inaugural king wanted to boost troop morale during the harsh winters, so he gathered all sorts of talented perforrs from among the people and established the Sunset Circus.
They've always represented Canlival's highest level of circus artistry, touring the land with nonstop performances, and they've carried on to this day, becoming a national treasure.
But in recent years, their position has been challenged.
Previous ringmasters were set in their ways, refusing to embrace fresh acts from the outside world. That led to a massive loss of audience and growing resentnt among their own perforrs.
Several young perforrs left in frustration and banded together to create another circus called Morning Joy—the idea being that after falling asleep to a spectacular show, even being woken at first light would bring a smile at the mory of last night's joy.
Because those spirited young perforrs brought audiences fresh, exotic acts from beyond Canlival, they quickly surpassed the Sunset Circus in popularity, threatening to replace it entirely.
Seeing their audience dwindle, Ringmaster Fate took up the mantle in the Sunset's darkest hour. On the brink of bankruptcy, he shattered the old rigid traditions and began importing outside culture as well, leading the Sunset back from the abyss to the very top.
And this month—five days from now, in fact—both circuses will hold their performances here, in Canlival's capital city of Kurd, on the very sa day.
Each audience mber can only watch one show, and whichever circus draws the bigger crowd wins!
They're using this to prove once and for all which is the superior circus.
Pre-sale tickets have been selling like crazy. Circus enthusiasts from all over the country are flooding into Kurd, and everyone is agonizing over which circus to attend for the latest performance."
The King of the Black Market, Blacks, was clearly a circus enthusiast himself—once he got started on the topic, the words just wouldn't stop.
But Cheng Shi had no interest in listening to this country's circus history. He had to interrupt, tapping Blacks on the head:
"Stop, stop, stop!
I don't care about their rivalry. I just want to know what this deal you ntioned is actually about."
Blacks blinked, mumbling:
"I was just getting to that..."
"..." Cheng Shi twitched the corner of his mouth. "Then go on."
"Where was I?
Oh right—the competition!
A great circus show isn't just about fresh, thrilling acts. It also needs the perfect host.
And that host is the star of every circus, second only to the ringmaster—the Clown!"
"???"
At that word, a certain Clown's eyelid twitched involuntarily. His gaze toward Blacks now carried a few extra shades of suspicion.
He was wondering whether this King of the Black Market might be one of his disappeared teammates in disguise, deliberately ssing with him.
But after observing for a long while, he decided probably not.
It was likely just a coincidence—after all, circuses having clowns made perfect sense.
Zhen Xin, on the other hand, was grinning even wider after hearing the word "clown."
"The Sunset Circus's clown is nad Lake—a natural-born perforr who could make the entire audience burst into laughter just by standing on stage.
To prepare for this battle of honor, Lake had been training intensely, secluding himself for quite so ti.
But when Ringmaster Fate went to find him this morning to discuss the performance lineup, he discovered that Lake was gone!
Right on the verge of showti, the Sunset's clown had vanished!
This would be explosive news. If it hit the black market, I'm sure Mada Freud of Morning Joy would pay a fortune to buy it and spread it across the entire country.
That way, she could win without even competing.
But unfortunately, we at the Golden House are principled black market rchants. Out of gratitude for Ringmaster Fate's trust, I promised him I'd find Lake before the final day.
But just as I ca ho to assemble my people, I found that... my ho was gone."
As he spoke, Blacks sneaked a glance at Cheng Shi.
"..."
After learning the full story, Cheng Shi was thoroughly at a loss for words.
'This is... a trial?'
'Finding a lost clown?'
'You sure this isn't a taphor for sothing?'
'If this were any other god's trial, fine—but this just had to be the Fun God's trial.'
'Co on, Benefactor—were you afraid I wouldn't find the clues or sothing? Did you really have to make it this obvious?'
'The stage has both a front and a backstage. Does the clown always have to stand under the spotlight and take the heat?'
His face darkened like the bottom of a pot.
Beside him, Zhen Xin's eyes spun with amusent, and she couldn't help but laugh:
"I never imagined the Fun God's trial would be this simple. You're just short one clown, right?
Easy—just send one up there.
Cheng Shi, are you up for it?"
"???"
Before Cheng Shi could even fire back, Blacks's eyes lit up first. He looked at Cheng Shi with eager expectation:
"You... no, are you also a Clown?"
"..."
'Since when does just anyone get to call
a clown?'
Cheng Shi laughed in exasperation, slapped Blacks on the head, and huffed:
"I gave you one minute. Who told you to ramble on this long?"
"???"
Blacks ducked his head, utterly aggrieved.
'You two were listening so intently just now...'
'And besides, the one teasing you was that lady over there—so why are you hitting ?'
...
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