From the Ship of Fools to Earl of Wugang

Chapter 81 Trade Fair

A few distant notes of woodwind instruments accompanied the appearance of dancers on either side of the stage, their dresses woven from layers of leaves. They held hands, turned around, and...

Bending over, they form an ever-changing maze.

Whispers came from Ye Yijian, and everyone moved unusually slowly. A woman with gauze wings flew out with light steps.

The dancers raised their nets, their skirts and arms leaving afterimages in the air, while the sparse drumbeats reached the audience's ears from a great distance.

Edmund watched for a while and noticed that the breathing of the nearby audience was gradually becoming synchronized. The slightly forward-leaning bodies indicated that most people had become engrossed in this silent hunt.

The hunter approached the woman with veils several times, and whispers spread from the stage to the back of the audience, as if dancers participating in the performance were hidden behind every wall.

Edmund was trying to discern whether the spiritual energy was coming from the music or from the leaves when he was suddenly gently patted on the shoulder.

A dancer wearing a purple feather mask appeared behind him at some point and gestured for him to follow.

Edmund followed her along the edge of the hall, they went around the stage, and descended behind a narrow door next to the wine cellar.

At the end of the stairs is a fairly large underground space, where a dozen long tables are arranged along the wall, leaving enough space in the middle for conversation.

People wearing different masks chatted casually while holding wine glasses, exchanging business cards, notes, and sealed boxes, creating an atmosphere more like a private cocktail party.

A waiter at the entrance handed me a brass plaque engraved with numbers: "You can trade directly before the free exhibition ends. The auction items will be displayed starting at 11:00."

Edmund took the brass plaque and looked around. The things sold here were strange and unusual, and most of the sellers asked for exorbitant prices.

He walked past several stalls selling cold weapons and came to a spot near the center of the basement, where a table was piled with sealed medicine bottles and alchemy materials.

The stall owner was a young man with his hair casually combed back. He explained the prices to his customers at a rapid pace.

"Here are bombs with three effects: explosion, bright light, and shriek. The effective range is strictly controlled within ten yards. Fifty-five gold coins, no bargaining."

The customer hesitated for a moment, then finally put down his things and left. The young man tossed his head, completely unconcerned about the failed deal.

Edmund noticed that several alchemical artifacts on the table exuded an active, even violent, spiritual energy, and there was a handwritten wooden sign next to the table that read: "High-priced acquisition of spiritual biological materials."

The information emerged as he and the stall owner locked eyes.

"The Abyss," whose real name is Rick Fremont, is a first-tier alchemy apprentice on the "Path of Alchemy." He possesses exceptional skills, a wildly imaginative mind, and rather limited patience for mundane matters.

There is something special about him, brimming with mystery, opportunity, and crisis.

Edmund picked up a flat, round tin box containing gray powder. "Excuse me," he asked, "what is this?"

The young man looked up at him and said, "I am the Abyss. What is your name?"

"Eye of the Storm"

""

"Very good. That's a powder bomb, an alchemical product used to blow open safes."

""

A certain kind of bomb maniac? Edmund looked at other products.

[Unstable Spiritual Amulet. Provides a certain level of mental protection, and can be used approximately three more times...]

[Unstable Armor Potion. Applied to fabric, it provides toughening against bullets and sharp object penetration, but its strength begins to diminish after about half an hour...]

Most of them are of little use to Edmund, who has immunity to certain diseases, but some are quite useful.

He picked up a crystal amulet strung on a thin cord; the solidified iridescence inside reminded him of the glass marbles he used to play with as a child.

[Rainbow Smoke Grenade. Upon detonation, it produces a five-meter-diameter colored smoke cloud, in which mixed alchemical powder provides a degree of spiritual concealment.]

The effect was very good. He picked out two and also took some practical items he had seen before, such as the Iron Armor Potion.

"I need some more materials to prepare for the spirit summoning ritual."

Purified white wax, refined sulfur, a small bottle of salt mixed with silver shavings, and calming incense...

Abyss swiftly packed the items into a cork-lined metal box, pointing to the buy-out sign as he collected the money.

"If you come into contact with spirit beings in the spirit world, I can buy materials at a higher price, especially individuals with abnormal organs."

Edmund nodded politely and left the stall with the metal box.

As the free exhibition drew to a close, he saw a seller at the other end of the basement holding up a small blue bottle, introducing the so-called "Siren's Tears" to the onlookers.

O

"Just three drops are enough to allow the lungs to draw air from the water. The effect lasts for half an hour, suitable for diving, escaping,..."

It's useful for exploring shipwrecks.

The liquid in the bottle is viscous and clear, and has a faint whale oil smell.

Several guests were clearly interested, and one of them had already started asking about the price for bulk purchases.

Edmund looked over and soon saw words appear before his eyes.

[Whale oil contaminated by the spirit world. The contamination alters the user's perception of bodily signals, rendering them unable to detect suffocation, water in the lungs, and oxygen deprivation.]

The user may mistakenly believe they are still breathing normally, and while remaining conscious, gradually lose the ability to move, eventually drowning quietly.

This thing is far more reliable for murder than for diving.

Edmund was about to look for someone from the club when he discovered a dark-haired woman standing right next to him.

Ligeia Shaw, dressed in a dark dress tonight, nodded slightly to Edmund: "Mr. Eye of the Storm, it's time to fulfill our agreement. There's a consignment item I'd like you to take a look at before the auction."

,

Edmund gestured with his chin toward the small blue bottle: "Ms. Shaw, that gentleman claims his product allows people to breathe underwater."

Ligeia followed his gaze: "You've noticed a problem?"

"Whale oil is contaminated by the Dream Realm; anyone who drinks it will only lose the feeling of suffocation. He will remain calm underwater until his body can no longer move."

,

Ligeia's expression changed instantly. She walked to the stall, took the blue bottle, smelled it, and then asked the waiter to bring her a piece of white paper.

Two drops of liquid fell onto the paper, and fine gray-blue lines quickly appeared at the edges.

"Selling dangerous items is permitted, provided the effects and costs are fully explained." She put the bottle back on the table. "This item did not have a complete declaration, so the seller needs to keep it for verification."

As the stall owner tried to explain, two masked waiters stood behind him.

The guests who were about to bid immediately dispersed, and Ligeia turned to Edmund, her tone returning to its usual gentleness.

"Thank you for your suggestion. Now please follow me; the consignment item is right next door."

In a small, darkly decorated private room, Edmund appraised a set of emerald jewelry placed in a black leather case.

[Ceremony jewelry from the late Ullman dynasty. Emeralds served as a medium in a court ceremony praying for fertility and longevity; their residual influence has largely dissipated.]

The gemstone is of high quality and can be disassembled for use in alchemy, dream initiation, and life-related rituals. The silver base has been slightly imbued with the spiritual energy of the burial site.

"The gemstone can be used, but the silver setting should be purified again." Edmund took off his gloves. "It participated in court ceremonies and then spent a long time in the tomb, so it's not very dangerous."

Ligeia included this information in the consignment notes: "Very clear information. In return, the club will waive a portion of the transaction fee for tonight's sale."

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