Bitter Realm: A Happy Person Traveling Across China

Not much time had passed.

"We have arrived at Yamo City. Please disembark."

A calm, direct voice entered his ears, waking Ye Jinming from his drowsy, dreamless slumber.

Upon hearing this, Ye Jinming suppressed his smile, lifted the heavy black curtain, and stepped down from the carriage, which then disappeared into the darkness.

Looking around, the scene before me was completely different from the desolate banks of the West River; everywhere was filled with the clamor of vendors hawking their wares.

Ye Jinming did not immediately head towards the clearly core area, but instead stopped and observed the outer area with great interest.

This is a huge market, or rather, a square.

The items displayed on the stalls were so bizarre and dazzling that they were overwhelming.

A thousand-year-old ginseng king, a nine-fingered beggar's manual—all sorts of rare and exotic treasures were casually displayed on the stalls…

Just as Ye Jinming was silently observing, the welcoming guest arrived with a smile on his face.

"Welcome to Nightmo City, esteemed guest." The greeter bowed slightly, his gaze quickly sweeping over Nightfallen, lingering briefly on his composed demeanor and slightly unfamiliar face. "Since you are a new face, sir, may I borrow your Easy Pass for a look?"

"Hmm." Ye Jinming said calmly, taking out the jade treasure and handing it over.

The welcoming guests received it with both hands and examined it carefully.

When his gaze fell upon the Yi Tong (易通), his smile widened, his enthusiasm now tinged with genuine importance: "So it's the newly issued Bao Cui Yi Tong, number eighty-eight! Welcome, esteemed guest! May you find your desired item here, have a smooth transaction, and leave with a full load!"

He then respectfully returned the fare.

"Thank you for your kind words." Ye Jinming took back the Yi Tong.

The greeter then asked, "I wonder if you have come to the Night Market this time to buy rare items, sell treasures, or perhaps have other needs? I may be able to offer some guidance."

Ye Jinming's gaze lingered on the surrounding stalls as he casually replied, "I've heard that Nightmo City holds a regular 'Treasure Fair.' I wonder if this Easy Pass in my hand qualifies me to participate?"

A knowing glint flashed in the greeter's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged: "Your Excellency is indeed well-informed and quite knowledgeable about my Nightmo City. However, with your meager Jadeite Token, you are not yet qualified to participate. I hope you will understand."

Ye Jinming then threw out another hammer. "With this, can I upgrade my Celestial Crystal?"

(It was also junk picked up from Furong Casting Shop.)

After a quick check, the greeter nodded, his smile widening. "Of course you're qualified. Please wait a moment, esteemed guest, while I upgrade your EasyPass service!"

After successfully storing the new Seventeenth Heavenly Crystal, Ye Jinming said, "Lead the way!"

The greeter stepped aside to lead the way, saying, "Distinguished guest, please follow me. The treasure show is about to begin, and the timing is perfect."

Ye Jinming nodded slightly and followed the welcoming guests through the bustling outer market, heading inwards.

As they passed through several passages, the number of people coming and going gradually decreased, but each person exuded a calm and composed aura and hurried about, clearly not someone to be trifled with.

Before long, a spacious and magnificent hall came into view.

The hall is oval-shaped with a very high ceiling, and in the center is a circular display platform, which is currently empty.

"This is the Hall of the Ship, where the Treasure Fair is held, and it is also the most prestigious trading venue in my Yama City." The greeter introduced in a low voice as we walked, with a hint of pride in his tone. "The closer you get to the Hall of the Ship, the more precious and rare the items will be traded."

Ye Jinming looked around and nodded slightly: "The scale and grandeur of Nightmo City are indeed well-deserved."

"Thank you for your kind words, esteemed guest." The host led Ye Jinming to one of the private rooms in the hall.

"This is your private room. A waiter will serve you refreshments shortly. During the auction, please refrain from loud noise, arguments, and attempting to inquire about the identities of other buyers. These are the rules of Night Market, and are to protect the privacy and safety of all guests. Do you have any further questions, sir?"

Ye Jinming sat down on the soft animal-hide chair, feeling its comfort and sensing the subtle, aura of different powerful figures emanating from the surroundings. He shook his head: "That's all."

"Then I wish you a successful business deal, sir, and that all your wishes come true." The greeter bowed again and quietly withdrew, disappearing into the shadows at the edge of the hall.

Soon, another waiter silently approached, placed warm tea and several delicate pastries on the small table next to Ye Jinming, and then silently withdrew.

Ye Jinming picked up his teacup, inhaled the aroma of the tea, and calmly swept his gaze across the quiet hall outside.

At that moment, the lights around the hall went out one by one, leaving only the faint light cast by the crystal dome and a single bright and soft beam of light, which precisely struck the central circular platform.

"The time has come. Thank you all for taking the time to attend this treasure trove."

At the same time, a deep voice rang out; it was Octave, the supervisor of Night City.

"Those participating in today's grand event are all holders of Tianjing Yitong, and each of them possesses priceless treasures. We hope that today's transactions will once again broaden the horizons of Dongchuan Longgu!"

"The Treasure Fair, now begins."

As he finished speaking, a hidden door on one side of the platform slid open, and a maid dressed in plain clothes, with a beautiful but expressionless face, walked gracefully onto the platform, carrying a tray covered with red silk.

"First item for auction—"

"Earth Core Flame Jadeite is produced deep within the fiery depths of the earth, where a single drop condenses over a thousand years. This piece has been refined over three hundred years. Wearing it can ward off cold poisons, enhance the cultivation of fire-attribute techniques, and is also a top-grade auxiliary material for forging fire-attribute divine weapons."

The auction then began.

Octave is an excellent orator, and his descriptions of each lot are just right.

However, there were not many bidders, and several items failed to sell.

Ye Jinming remained quietly seated in his place, sipping his tea, his gaze calmly sweeping over the constantly changing treasures on the high platform.

As each item was auctioned, the Treasures Sale came to a close.

Meanwhile, Octave on the stage seemed to have noticed the newly arrived Tianjing VIP who had remained silent throughout.

Ye Jinming slowly stood up and straightened his sleeves, which were not wrinkled.

It seems that what I want is not in this regular auction catalog, so I'll have to go to Octave.

After the auction, the two, who had anticipated this, met.

Octave made a polite remark, "Did your distinguished guest participate in the treasure auction but not bid? Was there no item that you were interested in?"

Ye Jinming shook his head, feigning regret, and said, "I thought Nightmo City encompassed everything, but I didn't expect it to be such a disappointment."

Octave seemed thoughtful after hearing this, then asked, "What would you like to trade, esteemed guest?"

Ye Jinming uttered four words—

"The Arrow of the Candle Dragon!"

Upon hearing this, Octave was immediately taken aback...