After the slave owners went bankrupt, they all wanted to keep me as a mistress.

The black market of the City of Earth is not located in a dark underground place, but is hidden in a seemingly ordinary residential area in the south of the city.

The alleyways here are intricate and the houses are low and densely packed. Many shops do not have obvious signs, and transactions are mostly conducted behind inconspicuous storefronts or even inside residential buildings.

"Hey bro, wanna go for something tough?"

"Guest, come and see! My goods are absolutely top-notch! I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

"..."

Ignoring the vendors hawking their wares, Mu Qiu led Vera and Fiona through the narrow alleyways, seemingly strolling around casually, but in reality, he secretly activated the system's detection function, sending a detection signal to anyone he encountered.

However, most people who were directed to the detection function received a line of information.

[Host, your detection level is insufficient! Targets outside the detection range cannot be seen!]

Then you should upgrade me!

Mu Qiu looked around and found that there wasn't a single slave or phantom thief to be seen.

They were either adventurers whose backgrounds were unknown, or mysterious merchants whose faces were obscured by their large coats, and some who looked no different from ordinary residents but were engaged in shady transactions.

Just as they turned a corner, Mu Qiu's detection function suddenly flashed a message that was longer than before.

【Name: Misty】

[Race: Garfield-type cat subhuman]

Title: Phantom Thief Kimi

【…】

Ok? !

Mu Qiu's eyes lit up.

When he saw that the information detected this time was more than just one line of text, he immediately knew that he had found it!

He looked in the direction he had turned off his detection function and saw a small stall selling various ores and magical materials.

The stall owner was a thin old man, dozing off with his eyes half-closed.

Right next to the stall, a petite figure was squatting there, seemingly very interested in a stone that shimmered with a pale purple hue.

Ok?

Is this a starstone?

Mu Qiu's mind raced, and he recognized the stone as a mid-grade starstone. However, the stall owner was clearly unaware of its value and did not recognize what the stone was, so he sold it as an ordinary ore.

The person squatting next to the stall was a cat-like girl.

The first thing that catches the eye is a head of shoulder-length blonde hair, with a pair of fluffy cat ears peeking out playfully from her hair, turning slightly as she examines the ore.

The girl was dressed in black tight-fitting clothes that allowed for easy movement, with a slightly oversized black cloak over them. However, the cloak did not completely conceal her slender figure, and her squatting posture made her appear even more petite and delicate. Judging by her appearance, she probably only reached Mu Qiu's chest.

Seemingly sensing Mu Qiu's gaze, or perhaps out of instinctive wariness, the catgirl suddenly turned her head.

In that instant, Mu Qiu saw her face clearly.

It was a very delicate and lovely face, with fair skin, a small and upturned nose, and light pink lips. What was most striking were her emerald green cat eyes, large and bright, with the pupils shrinking into thin lines under the light.

At this moment, the figures of Mu Qiu and the other two were reflected in her cat-like eyes. Especially when she saw Mu Qiu, her eyes narrowed sharply.

"Meow?!"

Like a startled little animal, she sprang up from her crouching position, took a small step back, and assumed a posture ready to run away at any moment.

"Um...hello?"

Mu Qiu tried to greet them, making sure her tone was friendly.

How come someone who's a legendary professional looks so timid?

Surely it's not that they recognize him?

The catgirl didn't answer, but stared intently at Mu Qiu, her emerald green cat eyes narrowing slightly, and her drooping tail swaying uneasily.

She glanced reluctantly at the mid-grade starstone on the stall out of the corner of her eye, then took a step back.

"You like this stone, meow? Well, I won't buy it then, meow, I'm leaving now, meow."

With that, the catgirl turned to leave.

Ok?

Is the phantom thief Kimi really that eager to escape?

Mu Qiu didn't expect that after he had just greeted the other party, the other party would leave without saying a word.

"Wait! You're the one from last night..."

Upon hearing the words "last night," the catgirl's ears perked up sharply, her body tensed, and she looked as if she was about to exhale.

But remembering that the other party was a descendant of a saint, she suppressed the urge to breathe on him. She pursed her small lips and finally spoke, her voice clear and crisp: "Meow, meow, I don't know what you're talking about! Misty slept at home all night!"

Mu Qiu raised an eyebrow slightly, stepped forward, and lowered his voice, saying, "Really? But I think I saw a very nimble figure running across the roof last night, and it looked a lot like you."

You've got the wrong person!

Misty immediately denied it, shaking her head vigorously, her short golden hair swaying as she said, "That's a stray cat, meow! Misty is a house cat... no! Misty is a law-abiding citizen, mimi!"

Fiona whispered from the side, "Master, could we have the wrong person?"

In her opinion, a legendary professional shouldn't be so timid and cowardly.

Vera tilted her head, looking at Misty with great interest: "A golden cat, that's rare. It looks like it would feel nice to touch."

Misty's ears twitched at Vera's words, and her tail instinctively curled up and shrank back: "What, what do you want to do, meow? In broad daylight, do you want to do bad things to poor Misty? Misty warns you, Misty is very powerful, meow!"

She talked tough, but she acted as if she was about to make a quick getaway, her eyes constantly darting around, searching for an escape route.

Mu Qiu knew he couldn't push her too hard. Although she was pretending to be a pitiful, weak, and helpless cat-like being, if she really unleashed her legendary speed, they definitely wouldn't be able to catch up.

So he softened his tone, smiled slightly, and said, "Don't be nervous, we're not here to cause you trouble. Actually... I want to make a deal with you."

"trade?"

Misty blinked her large, bright green eyes. Thinking of the other party's extravagant spending at the auction, she felt a slight stirring in her heart, but she still resisted the urge to agree.

Who knows if the other party is trying to entrap her? She's not going to do business with humans who are more powerful than her.

"What deal, meow? Misty doesn't know you, meow."

"You must have gotten quite a few potions last night, right? I'm very interested in potions, especially those that can directly enhance one's strength."

Was the other party really there to buy stolen goods?

But if she produces the stolen goods, the other party will summon their hidden bodyguards and silence her...

No, we can't do this dangerous deal.

Misty frowned slightly, seemingly deep in thought. After several seconds, she cautiously spoke, "Potions... How could Misty have such a thing... Misty is just a poor cat-human, barely able to afford food..."

As she spoke, she rubbed her flat stomach, giving a pitiful look.

A legendary cat-like being can't afford to eat, huh?

Mu Qiu rolled his eyes and said, "Don't worry, the price is negotiable. I can buy it for half the market price."

"Half the market price?!"

Upon hearing this, Misty's cat-like eyes widened instantly, and she shook her head with difficulty: "But... Misty really didn't meow... And how do you know Misty did... No! Misty just didn't meow!"

"What if I could acquire it for twice the price?"

Mu Qiu flipped his hand, and a purple stone appeared in his hand.

It was a top-grade starstone!

Upon seeing the superior-grade starstone, Misty, who was about to leave, instantly stopped in her tracks. She stared intently at the purple stone in Mu Qiu's hand and swallowed hard.

Top-grade starstone...

Didn't this guy already buy a lot of treasures? How come he still has high-grade starstones?

Damn it, I really want to steal his purse... but I don't dare to!

"Moreover, if you have connections, we might be able to establish a stable cooperative relationship. In the future, if you have any treasures, you can sell them directly to me, and I will buy them at a high price. That way, you won't have to keep running around all the time, right?"

"A stable...cooperative relationship?"

Misty repeated softly, her tail tip twitching unconsciously, as if she hesitated.

The other party doesn't seem to be engaging in entrapment.

They are, after all, descendants of saints; surely they wouldn't betray someone like that?

Moreover, it would be good for her to have a stable buyer who would offer a price far higher than the market price, as this would greatly reduce the risks and costs of selling stolen goods.

Is it more worthwhile to take a risk once, or to take risks every time you try to clear your account?

Besides, risks and opportunities go hand in hand... The cities she targeted have all become wary of her to some extent. If she doesn't find a way to continue becoming stronger, it will become increasingly difficult to steal from top-tier business associations in the future!

Misty's little brain was working at lightning speed.

The other party didn't seem to have any malicious intent. If they could reach a cooperation agreement, she would have a stable market for the valuable potions she stole... no, I mean the ones she picked up that were difficult to sell. She wouldn't have to sell them at a 70-80% discount on the black market anymore.

Even if it's not double, even if the other party can charge half the market price, it's still equivalent to double for her!

After hesitating for a while, Misty seemed to have made up her mind. She took a deep breath, looked at Mu Qiu, and asked cautiously, "You...you really won't tell anyone? And you won't catch Misty?"

Mu Qiu smiled.

"What good would it do me to capture you? If you can help me steal more treasures, I have plenty of money, and I don't lack starstones either."

That makes sense. As a descendant of a sage, surely he wouldn't be as shameless as her?

Misty glanced at Mu Qiu a few times.

Ok.

This guy looks like a very sleazy and wealthy nobleman, not the kind of shameless nobleman!

"Let me make this clear! Misty never steals! Misty just happened to find something that other people didn't want!"

Misty emphasized it first, then looked around suspiciously before lowering her voice to Mu Qiu, "Since you want to buy what Misty found, then... then you come with Misty here... this isn't the place to talk..."

Without waiting for Mu Qiu's reply, she turned around and, like a nimble cat, disappeared into a narrower alleyway next to her.

Mu Qiu and the other two exchanged a glance and immediately followed.

Misty was clearly very familiar with the area. She moved through the maze-like alleys at a slow pace, but with light steps and silent landings. Every now and then, she would turn around to make sure Mu Qiu and the others were keeping up.

After several twists and turns, she led the three of them to a seemingly inconspicuous wooden door.

She looked around warily again, then took out a key from her pocket, inserted it into the lock, and turned it gently.

The door opened silently, revealing complete darkness inside.

"Come in, meow, hurry up and meow."

Misty waved and slipped inside first.

Mu Qiu followed Vera and Fiona inside.

The door closed automatically behind them, and a soft light immediately illuminated the interior.

This appears to be the entrance to a secret warehouse; the space is small and filled with boxes of miscellaneous items.

Misty stood in the center of the room, patted his chest, and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

She took off her hood, revealing short, flowing blonde hair and a delicate face. Under the light, her features became even more striking and captivating.

Although she was petite and flat-chested, Mu Qiu was quite pleased to see an elderly woman who started her attack with a yawn, a rare sight for him after seeing a female knight like Fiona who started with a yawn.

But why doesn't she dare to kiss him?

A legendary octogenarian, where has your Hagen gone?

"Okay, meow, it's safe here now, meow."

Misty looked at Mu Qiu, her expression relaxing considerably.

"Now we can talk about a deal, but before that..."

She tilted her head, staring at Mu Qiu's face, and asked, "Guest, you have to tell Misty your name first, meow? Also, what level and what effect do you want for the potion, meow? Misty doesn't have ordinary ones, you know. Misty is only interested in high-end, rare stuff, meow~"